Does buying a zero turn make me a heretic?

[wasabi]

Hey all. Long time, no post.

I'm looking at ongoing mowing of six to eight acres we cleared this past year, currently in mixed grass and (gasp) tall poke.

Short term we'll bush hog, but longer term we would like to achieve the pastoral look that Charlie waxes so eloquently about. I'm convinced shorter regular cutting promotes turf.

I can get a good deal on a beefy 2003 Husky zero turn with 26hp and 72deck. (The hills are too gnarly for my 2445). I've thought about a smaller PT, but this ZT looks pretty good.

Thoughts?

Sabi

 

[BobRip]

My wife bought me a book on owning tractors a few years back. One of the key tenants was that you do not need to sell one tractor when you buy the next. In fact many people have multiple tractors. You should definately own at least one PT. It will do 90% of all of your work better than any other tractor you own.

Does your lot have a lot of turns and trees? That is where the ZTR shines. What else do you plan to do. The ZTR is kind of a one use device.

Bob Rip

 

[BobRip]

Oh, I see you have a PT. You are good to go. Go forth and buy a ZTR.

Bob Rip

 

[wasabi]

I've enjoyed owning a PT 2445 for a few years. The current debate is whether to buy another or grab this Zero Turn.

Sabi

 

[BobRip]

For your application what makes the ZTR better than a PT? Turns? Trees? Is your PT too big for the area, maybe you need a smaller one.

Bob Rip

 

[wasabi]

ZTR is speicialized but, in this case, perhaps more cost effective. Some trees to deal with but not too many. Steep slopes and challenging up and down hill turns. Still, I like the versatility of another PT if I could buy one right. I'm not sure the power of a small one is enough...and if I bump up to a 1430 it is more moolah...

 

[KentT]

If you have slopes, I'd suggest you try the ZTR on them before you buy it. Everyone I've talked to says they're lousy on slopes... and could be downright dangerous.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> the pastoral look that Charlie waxes so eloquently about </font>
My son will be married a week from tomorrow in our front pasture. After that, my PT and wing mower will in storage because I plan to let everything grow crotch deep to a tall Native American. I've had enough mowing for a bit.

ZTRs are great for level stuff. I've seen some guys side hill cut pretty steep areas, but the PT 1845 has spoiled me. I broke the mower pin off the attachment plate last week mowing a steep overgrown hill, with stumps, holes and roots. I caught the mower under a root while backing and sliding sideways. After some UPS problems getting the pin -- I now have 2 that Terry sent -- I went and finished the hill. (Wedding guests can now inspect.) A ZTR simply wouldn't have done the bottom 6 feet, let alone about 1/3 acre. I cut 5 foot high weeds, hit and bounced off stumps and rocks, and wound up 6 feet of old horse fence that someone had thoughtfully tossed in the bushes.
Then, I put on my custom high lift thin sharp blades and cut the pasture again - about 3" height and almost lawn quality.
My 1845 won't dig or lift with your 2445. but it's the answer for making tall plants shorter. Once it gets the area in shape, your ZTR's good to go - unless it's steep. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Go ahead. Get the ZTR and another PT. Can't have too many .

 

[J_J]

Go ahead if it's a good deal. I have owned a 60 in Dixie Chopper for over 15 yrs. I have cut some fairly steep hills, and some were rather exciting on the down hill run. It is not recommended to go up the hills straight. Cut 45 degree to the hill, and go down at 45 on a steep hill, and repeat the pattern. I also put extra weight on the front of the Chopper.

At the present time, I don't have a mower for the PT, because the Chopper with gator blades, does all that I need.

A new Dixie Chopper, is $8700.00.

 

[MuncyBob]

Before I found this forum I was at Tractor Supply toying around with their floor model Cub Cadet...factory rep was there and when I described the hills I have he flat out told me to forget about a ZTR...that was almost 3 yrs ago so I don't know if they have changed any but I was surprise how the rep talked me out of his product rather than into it!