Does buying a zero turn make me a heretic?

FOURTEEN · Sep 9, 2005

( Thoughts? )

 The great part about a Power Trac is its versatility! I couldn't live without mine! However, for mowing grass, lots of it, with lots of trimming, you can't beat the specialized performance of a ZTR mower!!

I've spent the last few weeks researching ZTR mowers, and the highest quality units are built in the USA by Hustler !! Their construction, even the residential units, is much like a Power Trac, steel plate, and although not cheap, they are competitively priced with 'name' brand equipment! This is the brand that the 'all day, every day' pros use!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Sep 9, 2005

( forget about a ZTR )

 Per Hustler : "The Hustler Mini Zs work from a wide stance with a low center of gravity that no would-be competitor can match. Handling on slopes is sure, confident, non-slip."

If the Hustler was a motorcycle, the Cub Cadet would be a bicycle!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

J_J · Sep 10, 2005

I would hire some one with lots of experience on a ZTR to come out and try and cut the hills you are concerned about. A beginner on a ZTR will be afraid The salesman at TSC probably didn't want you to come back and sue them. He has probably never even driven one.

wasabi · Sep 10, 2005

I've come to appreciate wise counsel from you Charlie...but I again face challenges of such fleeting thoughts...more sheds, more funds, more consumables, and more negotiations with the better half....first move is to make sure it is her idea...

Congrats on your quick recovery of equip challenges and the upcoming wedding. Enjoy.

Sabi

Charlie_Iliff · Sep 10, 2005

I've come to appreciate wise counsel from you Charlie 
I'm at my wisest, of course, when suggesting large expenditures of other people's money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Other than my plan - buy an 1845 - I think some others have given better advice. Even if the ZTR is a bargain, you need an experienced operator to test it on your slopes. ZTRs, Hustler included, have two powered wheels to hold them on a slope, as well as drive and steer. I do a lot of mowing with my 1845 with all four sliding a bit, but with complete onfidence that it will hold if I reduce power, and will never do an unexpected turn. With two caster wheels and two traction wheels, the ZTR can be a bit sudden if one breaks loose, and can be a ride down to level ground if both traction wheels slide. I did that enough times on conventional tractors to look for one that would stay put. The PT is it.
Incidentally, pretty good on hills, between a ZTR and the PT, I think, is a front mounted mower, such as the Jacobsen Turf Cat. I have one with a 72" deck. It has two traction wheels, but rear steering instead of differential braking. Mine runs, but needs pump and perhaps motor rebuilds. Free to good home (Limited time offer. I keep resolving to fix it. It runs and mows, but drive loses authority when fluid is hot.)
I'm sure some skillful ZTR operators will dispute my preference for the front mount Jacobsen, but I was confident on hills with it that were dangerous with the JD 950 and bush hog. Neither will even climb where I can mow with the PT.

Dargo · Sep 10, 2005

I have been so impressed with the ability of my front mount ZTR Grasshopper on hills, and in general, I bought a 2nd one this year. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I first got the front mount Grasshopper after watching our local school corporation mow the side of steep hills around the practice "bowl" of my old high school's football field. This place is a popular sledding place in the winter (except is a bit too steep), and is a favorite discipline tool for football coaches (go run the hill).

Anyway, I can very confidently mow on hills with my Grasshoppers that I would not consider driving up in my 4X4 tractor. Not only can I mow on these hills, but I can stop, turn around, and continue on without issue. Everything has it's limit, but these front mount machines are quite impressive. I tried numerous mid mount ZTR's early this last spring, and none would come close to the hillside abilities of the front mount Grasshoppers. I assume most front mount machines would be similar, but I don't know. Good luck!

Bob999 · Sep 10, 2005

Steep slopes and challenging up and down hill turns. 

It is exactly conditions like that that caused me to get a PT 1845 and sell my ZTR. In my experience the ZTR would turn into an uncontrollable sled on steep downhill turns, and not so steep down hill turns if there was a hint of moisture.

wasabi · Sep 10, 2005

Thanks to all for great insights.

I have a good friend down the mountain who routinely mows 20 of his 100 plus acres and swears by his ZTR. He has some gnarly spots including one very steep sledding type hill down to Lake Hartwell, but overall his topogrphy is gentler than ours. He says knobby tires on the back are a must, but he still won't venture out if the grass is damp. He's coming up to see how his 60" performs...dependign on that we might still consider this - a 2003 Husqvarna ZTH7226XP, great condition, low hours - assuming I can get it at the right price.

I'd rather slip than flip, but I'm no longer in the thrill seeking stage. I can imagine the catapult effect of a ZTR from the vantage point of dropping into a Vail black diamond slope- albeit while sitting in a seat with dual joy sticks - The pucker factor kicks in just thinking about it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Time will tell. In the meantime, it never hurts to do more research on further PT possibilities. One good aspect about a 1430 or 1845 is I could swap implements all day long with my 2445. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Sabi

MossRoad · Sep 12, 2005

Hey all. Long time, no post. 

How you been? Good, I hope. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

J_J · Sep 13, 2005

One little hint to turning on a hill, is to make your turns up hill. I also added some weight to the front end of my Dixie Chopper. They have one model with two 25 hp engines and a 72 in cut. If you do a lot of hill cutting, the knobby tires are a good idea, but don't make those zero turns in good grass, it will chew a hole in the grass. Slow moving turns is the way to go.

I slid down a large hill in wet grass in full reverse. As I got to the bottom of a 4 ft wall, I knew I was in trouble if I stayed with the machine. I put it in neutral and dove away from the machine. An air condition unit was off to the left. Lucky for me, or it would have been bad. The seat part landed on my leg, and engine still running . I managed to shut it off and drag my leg from under the machine. Do not ever wear a seat belt on these machine without a roll bar. If you do and it flips over, it will fold your head into you chest. They weigh about 400 to 600 lbs. If that Husky dosen't have a roll bar, I would add one.