Front mount mower vs ZTR

JonSpinosa · Dec 22, 2000

Hi guys,
I am trying to make a decision to purchase either a front mount mower(such as a kubota GF1800) or a ZTR(maybe Kubota ZD-21). Have any of you guys used both kinds of these machines and maybe able to offer pros and cons of both models? Which can mow lawn faster? The Kubota GF1800 is 4WD but the ZTR would not be. If both machines have a 60" deck, do you guys think that a ZTR can mow alot faster that the front mount mower? I am trying to keep my mowing time to a minimum. Thanks for any hellp!!

Anonymous Poster · Jan 8, 2001

NO DOUBT... nothing is faster than a ZTR, and you can take that to the bank.

WillingtonPizza · Jan 8, 2001

ZTR is very fast, especialy if you have a lot of things to go around. I bought a Power-Trac, Has a front mower and a bucket. Also made in the USA. (power-trac.com).

Kevin_mc · Jan 9, 2001

This spring I'll start my 6th season with my ZTR from Walker manufacturing. I love it, my mowing time went from 12 hours (my old craftsman 44") to under 5 hours with the Walker Mower. I have the 11 hp with a 40" deck. Frequently I save the grass for the compost pile. If you have a lot of leaves the Walker is great for picking them up. http://www.walkermowers.com/

As far as 4wd, I do get my Walker stuck once in a while but I pull it out with the Kubota. Once thing about the Walker is that it is very good on hills and is difficult to tip either front-back or sideways.

If I could only have one either the ZTR or my L3010HST I would have a real hard time making a decision. They each serve such different purposes for me.

Good luck.

Kevin Mc

RMulkey · Jan 11, 2001

The ZTR is much faster. I have a Scag Turf Tiger, 22HP liquid cooled Kawasaki motor, and 60" deck. I cut my ~2ac lawn in about 1hr. I have a moderate number of trees and other obsticals. The ZTR is also great on hills for side stability. I have got it stuck in the winter mud a few times in the marshy areas, but just pull it out with the tractor. The only significant advantage of the front deck mower it the ability to more easily mow under trees and over the pond edges. The pond edges can be a little soft and limit how close you can get with a ZTR. The Scag weighs about 1100Lbs. The ZTR is much faster than the front mower. The more obsticals you have the bigger the difference. I cut about 2ac of lawn and 2 ac of rough pasture. By looking at the comercial mower, you are looking in the right direction to cut your mowing time to a minimum. The only other draw back is $$. These machines are designed to run 40hrs per week. A home owner with a BIG lawn should never wear out a comercial mower in one lifetime. The guy who owned my property before me wore out 2 lawn tractors in 4 years. Then he bought a comercial mower and took it with him after using it for 10 years. He still kicks himself for not buying it in the first place. Scag, Exmark, Walker are all good brands. Kubota and Deere also make them but I do not know anything about these brands.