Mowing Comparison of Mowing Times

[jcmseven]

Fellow Posters,

I wanted to pass on a tidbit which I did not know, but which might be helpful to those in our group who are looking at a mower for larger property. I have had the chance to compare times mowing a large athletic field which I do for our neighborhood school twice monthly. (It is rotated between several neighborhood folks). It is approximately six-seven acres (roughly) and is open with only a moderate bank on one end and two movable soccer nets in the middle of one of the three athletic fields. I have mowed this field with an X595 with a 62" center mount deck; a 3720 with both a GM1060 and GM1072 RFM, and my new 757 ZTR. I have tried at least once to keep an accurate time with each combination to see how fast I can mow the field. My best times: 595: 3 hours; 12 minutes, using a little over two gallons fuel. 3720 with 60" deck: 2 hours; 52 minutes, using an unknown amount of fuel; and with 72" deck 2 hours 35 minutes using 1.5 gallons of fuel --this is quite accurate to refill a filled tank at start. The 757: 2 hours, 8 minutes using 3 gallons of fuel to refill a filled tank when starting. My conclusion: even though I doubted this before starting, a ZTR seems to save a substantial amount of time, even when there are not obstacles, over conventional mowers including larger tractors pulling larger RFMs. My neighbor that helps me mow this the most has a 50ish hp MF with a 7' RFM. He can mow this parcel in slightly less than three hours, but his machine is a gear drive, possibly accounting for the difference. Hopefully this helps those like me who were torn between a RFM and a ZTR for their mowing needs. Yes, it is a bit more expensive but a whole lot faster in my mind (and I was a skeptic). Also, I wanted to post this to get to 500 posts for my TBN status--kidding.

John M

 

[jeffinsgf]

But, is speed everything? For a counterpoint to your comment I will offer that I would rather spend an hour and a half on a tractor than 10 minutes on a ZTR. I don't like the constant attention to driving and the fact that I can't scratch my nose without spinning in a circle. I think anyone considering the choice between the two needs to spend some serious seat time in each before making the decision. Some people love the ZTR drive system and the speed with which they can finish. I can't believe that I am the only one who would rather relax a little while mowing than finish in record time.

 

[farmerhays]

I have been pondering this topic myself lately, so great post!

I noticed that between the X595 and the 757 ZTR (and I assume the ZTR had the standard 60" deck) that the X595 took 50% more time while the ZTR took 50% more fuel.

Not to be picky or scientific, but could those variations be due to faster ground speed on the ZTR (more gas, less time)?

I ask this because I believe these machines weigh approximately the same and the engines are equivalent fuel-efficiency. Was the ZTR faster because it could process more grass better? That would put the advantage in the 7-Iron deck vs. the "Edge" deck on the X595.

Any insight on this?

 

[jcmseven]

Jeff and Farmer Hays, these are my best assessments. Jeff, first I concur with you, I enjoy riding the tractor more than the ZTR sometimes(not all the time). I like spending time on the tractor doing various things, mowing being one of them. My real issue was that unless I had a huge block of time allowed, which I never do, I could not always get finished and would have to go back to finish. Now with the ZTR I feel I can finish the mowing easily and get on to some more tractor things. With regard to spinning in a circle, our friends in green have thought of this, they have hydraulically dampened levers that will not recoil when not being held, so within reason you could let go and not get off course. It is really nice for hills and straight lines. Farmer Hays, I believe the ZTR's gas Kawasaki engine is much LESS fuel efficient than the Yanmar diesel in the 595. Hour for hour the diesel will burn much less fuel. The reason the ZTR is much faster in part has to do with manuverability, in part with speed (it mows at 8-10 mph on smooth ground) and in part with the high blade tip speed that allows it to mow cleanly at a very high speed. I do not know the exact stats for the edge deck, but I suspect we are looking at a 3000+ foot per minute blade tip speed difference between the two. With regard to the fuel efficiency question, I wanted to mention that it seems hour for hour of use the diesel is more fuel efficient but acre for acre mowing it might not be. I will be the first to say I am not super enthusiastic about the ZTR movement, but I will say purely for large volume mowing there seems to be a substantial difference.

John M

 

[BloomingtonMike]

John, How are the ZTRs on hills? I have decidied my pond hills are tooo Steep for the 3320 and will use the smaller 19hp Simplicity for them.

A friend was also asking about blade tip speed on my 7-iron MMM 72". I did not know. He bought a ZMaster 48" Toro ZTR with a Kawasaki engine. He is mowing his in town rental properties. He really likes it right now - brand new mower.

Wonder how the 3320 with a 7-iron MMM would fair in you field test!

Mike

 

[creeper]

JCM, great info ! If you were comparing only the 72" rfm and the ztr , the time difference is only about 20 min. on 6 acres ? I am at this cross roads right now I mow the lawn with a Jd L120 and am pleased with it, however I need a new RFM for my pastures, about 6 acres I am planning on upgrading from a 60 " to a new 72 " for less than $2000 A new zt is about $5k, so how much of a difference would I really notice ? The pasture has a few rough bumps, how was the zt on rough ground ? Any thoughts would be great. BTW I would be pulling the RFM on flat ground with a 790 (gear drive )

 

[jcmseven]

Mike and Creeper,

Mike I have found the ZTR so far to be better than expected on hills. There has been one really steep hill that I tried to mow, but aborted the attempt after starting a slide. This hill though I would also not attempt on my 3720, so no loss there. I did not feel the machine was going to turn over, it started sliding down and sideways and I had to stop the momentum. This was an extremely steep hill. Otherwise, it has proven about the same as my old 485 on hills, but not quite as good as the 595, due to the FWD. I would suspect a MMM 72" to mow about the same speed as a RFM on this type terrain. Creeper, the difference was actually closer to 30 minutes, and this was in a wide open area. Some posts have indicated that a ZTR would not be faster on an open mowing area, but I think at least in my case, it was. 30 minutes represented a reduction of 20% time, and in an area with more obstacles, that would pile up quickly. I suspect your gear drive tractor would be three-ish or slightly longer hours on this parcel, so it would cut an hour or so off here, more if there are trees or edges to negotiate.

John M

 

[creeper]

Thanks again for the field trial ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Stretch]

I have been mowing 6 acres for the past six years, some open, some with obstacles. By using a ZTR I have cut my mowing time down 75%. At first use I had problems, spinning the wheels, difficulty steering but over time I became more accustom to it , I can now have a drink while driving it. I love using my tractor, but also love spending time with my family. So cutting the lawn chore time down is a great benefit. Just my $.02

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> ( I have had the chance to compare times mowing a large athletic field ... ) </font>

For those that have smooth fields/yards to cut, you have done a good comparison -- I doubt you could get those times out of your ZTR in typical pasture fields. Before everyone runs off to buy a ZTR, you should be aware of what YOUR cutting situation is, not everyone has such smooth land to cut.