Finish mower or zero turn

[Lineman North Florida]

I would like some advice or opinions if you would please, I have been mowing around my yard and barn with my tractor and bush hog and while it does a fair job it doesn't leave as good a finish as I would like and with the front end loader on it can be somewhat of a pain around the house, so I've been thinking lately about either a finish mower or a new Gravely zero turn, what are your opinions.

 

[gilbertmsg]

If you like your yard to look nice and have more time to do things you like to do, then buy the zero turn. It's all about the blade tip speed on the zero turn vs the finish mower. I have both and like the cut of the zero turn. I really like to mow and see the results. I have a 60" finish mower and 52" zero turn and it cuts the time in half with the zero turn. Much easier around the house and trees which cuts down the trimming time.

Eddie

 

[ustmd]

I would like some advice or opinions if you would please, I have been mowing around my yard and barn with my tractor and bush hog and while it does a fair job it doesn't leave as good a finish as I would like and with the front end loader on it can be somewhat of a pain around the house, so I've been thinking lately about either a finish mower or a new Gravely zero turn, what are your opinions.

Get the zero turn. We just bought one this year and it made a huge difference in the time required and the quality of the cut. I have a finish mower for the tractor. Waste of my money.

 

[smstonypoint]

Another endorsement of a ZTR. It will likely be more expensive to obtain than a finish mower and it means maintaining another machine, but it is the cat's meow when it comes to mowing. The time-saving aspect will be significant, especially if you have to mow around a lot of obstacles; e.g., trees, buildings, flower beds, etc.

Steve

 

[phiferpharm]

I got to agree on the ZTR. I use my Bush Hog for the first cut of summer and the back areas, then the ZTR around the house and for most of the front entrance. Big difference in the quality and time required with the ZTR.

 

[easygo]

I went from a commercial walk-behind to a rear finish mower. The walk-behind gave a far nicer cut, but I don't really care and a 6' rear mower makes quick work of a couple acres.

 

[remington270]

We have a 34 Hp husqvarna zero turn with a 60" deck to cut about 2 acres around the house. It is incredible and you can really cover some ground quick!

 

[TO_Bud]

Another vote for the ZTR. I have a 72 " Hustler and cut 2 acres of lawn in less than 45 minutes. My property has a tendency to be too soft after rains especially in the spring and the tractor just leaves too many indentations from the tires. My yard would be a mess if I maintained it with the tractor over the long run.

 

[JerryK]

Add another vote for the ZTR. Only bad thing about them is they are not much good if your yard is real hilly. They tend to do quick unexpected down hill zooms if one wheel looses traction for a bit. But they can flat out mow.....

 

[kf4uda]

I will vote for the ZTR as well. We have had a commercial grade ZTR for over 2 years now and mow about 4 acres per week with it. I can't imagine having to do that with anything else. They get a little deep in your pocket to buy but in my opinion are worth it. I debated for a good while before buying ours. I won't be debating when buying the next one (hopefully many years from now).

 

[EddieWalker]

I went from a rotary cutter to a finish mower and was amazed at how much nicer the finish was. Then I went to a zero turn mower and was amazed at how much nicer the grass looks compared to the finish mower. Unfortunately, I now like the results that I get from the zero turn so much better that I've more then doubled the amount of grass that I maintain with it!!!!

Be careful, be VERY CAREFUL!!! :laughing:

Eddie

 

[greg_g]

I was enthused at the purchase of a $5600 ZTR, but got my money back the very next day. It was incapable of holding on a hill, nor could it reverse uphill. If you're a flat-lander, go for it. But if you've got hillsides - or even meaningful rises in your lawn - you'll be disappointed.

//greg//

 

[Gooseneck]

I have mowed with both a tractor with a 3 pt finish mower, and a ZTR. The ZTR is easier, quicker and gives a better quality cut.

 

[kiotiken]

Everybody here seems to be missing the most important point. The ZTR is WAY more fun to mow with!!! I agree with everything else said too.

 

[smstonypoint]

I was enthused at the purchase of a $5600 ZTR, but got my money back the very next day. It was incapable of holding on a hill, nor could it reverse uphill. If you're a flat-lander, go for it. But if you've got hillsides - or even meaningful rises in your lawn - you'll be disappointed.

//greg//

I haven't had any of these problems with my ZTR, but I don't mow hillsides. One TBN's advertisers, Ted Corriher at (http://www.everythingattachments.com/default.asp), has invented a front-braking system for ZTRs: Zero Turn Mower Front Brakes!! Check it out [url]www.tedbrakes.com - YouTube[/URL]. Here's wishing him success.

Steve

 

[kiotiken]

I was enthused at the purchase of a $5600 ZTR, but got my money back the very next day. It was incapable of holding on a hill, nor could it reverse uphill. If you're a flat-lander, go for it. But if you've got hillsides - or even meaningful rises in your lawn - you'll be disappointed.

//greg//

I can mow the side banks of my ditches without much problem, I use a Ferris IS3000. They are as steep as you would ever want to go, in fact with the JD lawn tractor I used previously, I had to go straight up and down. If the grass is wet, forget it.

 

[chim]

I like using a 3PH RFM. With the 5 footer it took me a little over 1/2 hour per acre, and although I haven't timed mowing since getting the 6 footer I suspect it is less. Time on the tractor is therapy for me, not a race.

 

[Cpjlube]

Until five years ago I would have said, just use the RFM. I'm always trying to save a buck. Now that I'm living in a place with more grass I will definitely recommend a zero turn. I enjoy mowing with a tractor or a zero turn and do both still. But at the house the grass needs to be mowed regardless of wether you have time or not. I found that with my schedule there wasn't enough daylight, especially at the end of the growing season, to get it done without a fast mower. Replaced my Case 254 with a woods RM59 with a Exmark Lazer Z with a 48 inch deck then "upgraded" to a 61 inch Woods diesel mower. Every step has reduced my time needed. And has allowed me to get the look I want with less time invested.

Chuck

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Thank's for all your opinions and advice, it seems pretty much unanimous that the zero turn mower is the way to go, I have been looking at a Gravely ZT XL 54"cut, do any of you know anything about the Gravely's or have an opinion on another zero turn that I should consider?

 

[remington270]

Thank's for all your opinions and advice, it seems pretty much unanimous that the zero turn mower is the way to go, I have been looking at a Gravely ZT XL 54"cut, do any of you know anything about the Gravely's or have an opinion on another zero turn that I should consider?

I think Scag and Kubota diesels are thought of as being top notch. My husqvarna is gas and does great.