Buying Advice Got the itch for a new mower

[628pm]

Wife mows with a bx2680 while I use a F2690. In my opinion don't get the drive over deck, not worth it. Back wheels on the deck keep releasing (you release the wheels when driving over the deck to install or remove). I put a couple of pins in the rear wheel brackets on the deck the other day to keep them in the mowing configuration. We have the r4's, wife wishes we had the turf tires like our last kubota. Also we put on a mulching kit on mower, love it. Have that on the f2690 also.

I had an issue with the brakes on the kubota, the pedal didn't come back to full pedal, took it in to the dealer after a couple of months waiting on them to have time for the repairs (still under warranty), we don't use the brakes anyway with the hydro. Make a long story short, they denied the claim stating that we road the brake pedal while mowing (operator error). Cost us over a $1000.00 for repairs.

Good luck on whatever decision you make.

 

[ruffdog]

The nice thing about our X744 is my wife WANTS to mow now. That allows me to mow other areas while she is doing the yard. She would never use a tractor or ZT. Easy driving and one finger steering was a must have, along with the 4 wheel steering.

 

[dalola]

"Caster wheels do not have much traction, making zero turn mowers faster on tight turns. Although beneficial for flat lawns, casters do not offer any stability on hills. Your rear tires are the only firm traction on the grass as you encounter a hill."

Scut's in four wheel drive are in my opinion better on hills, for going up, down and sideways. ZTR's are great on flat level lawns. Most of our lawns are not smooth and level and a ZTR will jar your Kidneys if operated at a fast speed on the average lawn.

Not trying to convince anyone to get something they don't want. Perception is reality for most people.

However, if you think a SCUT is safer & more efficient (better?) mowing turf hills & slopes vs. a properly equipped commercial ZTR, you are misinformed.

The stability (track width), center of gravity, and ability to torque vector the drive wheels is superior to the addition of another drive wheel on a SCUT.

 

[Tomtint]

I had a BX22 that was used all summer as my mower. Also had the grass collectsystem on the back. I mowed about 1 acre of grass and it did a really nice job. I sold it some years ago and hen I needed another mower for the new house..and bigger flatter yard, I bought a 48" Walker with the GHS collection system. By far the Walker is faster..and I honestly believe it has a better look to the cut when it's done. It leaves absolutely beautiful stripes..lol. The other big plus with it is that in the fall..it cleans up leaves like know body's business. .. The BX with the loader and BH was like the Swiss Army knife of lawn mowers and a great machine. But the Walker is better for mowing. .. side note.. if you are not careful and don't alternate weekly where you turn the Zero turn..you will most certainly wear out spots in the grass from the tires.

 

[SDT]

I値l run against you with my Grasshopper any time. Low end ZTRs might suck on slopes but commercial ones will handle them like a boss. I致e mowed 30 degree measured slopes and probably gone steeper. The wheel base is close to 60 wide and all the weight is low it痴 really stable. With bar tires on the back traction is good. I test drove a Ferris 2100 before I bought my Grasshopper. It did a better job on hills than my Grasshopper but not as good as my Grasshopper.

ZTs will not hold some of the hills that I mow even when dry, regardless of tires.

Trust me.

SDT

 

[rgr33]

My ZT gives an excellent cut, is much faster at mowing than any other machine I have ever had, and has been money well spent as mowing the lawn is my least favorite job here.

One thing is for certain though, it is absolutely terrible on a steep hill, and worse than that if the grass is wet. Even so, it still is superior to any other mower I have ever tried.

 

[ZTMAN]

Where did the OP go????

 

[DK35vince]

There is one important factor to consider when buying a machine for mowing the lawn. The fact is that you gotta look good even when mowing the lawn and I am here to tell you, people mowing lawn with a zero turn machine just don't look good. You mow your lawn with a good looking BX2380 and that sets the standard for looking good in the area. Case and point, my neighbor mows with a Deere zero turn, he looks like a big fat toad on that machine, me on the other hand, I look good mowing!

Maybe your neighbor just needs a bigger zero turn (or loose some weight).
My zero turn is near the same size and weight ( 1600 lbs, 72" deck) of a BX 2380

 

[DK35vince]

My ZT gives an excellent cut, is much faster at mowing than any other machine I have ever had, and has been money well spent as mowing the lawn is my least favorite job here.

One thing is for certain though, it is absolutely terrible on a steep hill, and worse than that if the grass is wet. Even so, it still is superior to any other mower I have ever tried.

Throw those turfs tires away and replace them with bar type tires (Like Chevron AT 101) the difference on hills and wet is amazing

 

[4570Man]

ZTs will not hold some of the hills that I mow even when dry, regardless of tires.

Trust me.

SDT

I’ve mowed verified 30 degrees hills on my zero turn. Maybe a rinky dink toy ZTR mower can’t but a commercial ZTR will. I never took my B7200 across that same 30 degree hill. I’m not saying it’s not possible but that hill is very close to the tipping point of a tractor. I’ll mow again a BX with my Grasshopper any day and I’ll mow faster, mow stepper sideways, and do as good in the mud if not beat you if you’ve got turf tires.