Help me pick a mower

[Have tractor did travel]

I've owned both CUT with deck mower and also with tow behind finish mower, and a ZT. Without hesitation I would go for the ZT. I too like 54" or thereabouts. Do check out Consumers Reports for their recommendations. We bought the Toro 50" and am very pleased with it's performance.

 

[dodge man]

When I first got a tractor it was a BX and I also thought it would be 80% mowing. In my case, I have about 2 acres of lawn and 1 acre of woods, it’s more like 50-50 mowing and end loader work. You might use an end loader more than you think.

 

[JJZ 109]

ZT seems to be the general consensus but I'd have to vote against it. I've owned two of them. One a box store Troy Bilt and the other a nice Ferris. Fast cut, yes. Worthless in wet grass, also yes. I went to a John Deere 4 wheel steer lawn tractor for mowing. Fast enough for me and the cut satisfies me. I don't need striping or to have my yard look like a MLB stadium.
The lot I own next to my home is a fairly rough so I have a Kubota BX2380 with 60 inch MMM for that. 4 wheel drive is nice for when it's wet in the spring and I don't want the grass to get away from me. I find that it's light enough that with turf tires I have yet to have a rut problem. The loader is great for lighter duty jobs and is easily removed for mowing. The wife can operate the tractor and uses it when we buy bulk mulch or to haul 5 gallon water buckets to water things. The loader has basically become a self propelled wheelbarrow. I can use it for snow removal if I like but generally don't because I have another piece of equipment for that.
It comes down to personal choice. I'd much rather have a more versatile piece like the tractor instead of a single purpose item like a ZT. I'm not a fan of paying others to do what I'm capable of doing or of calling neighbors or friends for favors.
I think you'll find that a walk behind snow blower for a 250' driveway will get old real fast. Especially when you have to play the wind to avoid becoming a snowman yourself. And we don't remain young enough to do certain things for as long as we think we will. I'm for having equipment that will do many things for you.

 

[IndyJay]

ZT seems to be the general consensus but I'd have to vote against it. I've owned two of them. One a box store Troy Bilt and the other a nice Ferris. Fast cut, yes. Worthless in wet grass, also yes. I went to a John Deere 4 wheel steer lawn tractor for mowing. Fast enough for me and the cut satisfies me. I don't need striping or to have my yard look like a MLB stadium.

JJZ, I bought the John Deere x394 for the same reason. Was considering a ZT but I have a few banks to mow that a ZT probably would not have handled well. I was surprised at the traction the x394 has and like how the rear outside wheel swings out and behind you when you turn uphill.

 

[New2Tractors2]

How long would it take to cut 2 acres with a GT with 54 inch deck?

 

[CH4Ohio]

Is "GT" a Garden Tractor?

If so, what about checking with your neighbors? I don't think there's any difference in mowing time with a BX vs. a "garden tractor".

I like the 60" deck on a ZT. Unless you have gates that limit your width or similar obstacles, bigger is better. And the deck extends that much more beyond the tires and frame of the same size mower with a 54" deck attached. You can get a nice mid-range 60" ZT in a Cub Cadet or similar for a lot less than a top-end Kubota or John Deere. Kept in the dry it should last a long time mowing less than 3 acres.

 

[Jchonline]

I bought a 72" 3-pt mower for my tractor and some turf tires on wheels (so I could swap out the R1's when mowing).

You swapped out the tires each time you mowed? Was this a twice a year thing or every couple of weeks?

 

[Jchonline]

If you need to do different tasks (snow blowing, mowing, grading, dirt work, etc) then a tractor is always the best choice if you want just 1 machine. It is also likely the most expensive as you mentioned.

A SCUT is with a FEL doesn't really help you with hauling away bucked logs and slash. Just pull a trailer up beside the spoils and throw them in. Now I suppose if you have a really bad back and can't bend maybe..but you would need a grapple, 3rd function...it adds up fast.

Like others I would recommend you start with the ZT and a push snowblower. See how it goes the first year. That driveway could be an issue, but a SCUT with a blower will probably slip around unless you have chains on the tires (which adds yet another expense).

Do you have lots of room on the right and left side of your driveway to push the snow? You might also consider a beater truck with a plow blade.....

 

[Diggin It]

... really help you with hauling away bucked logs and slash. Just pull a trailer up beside the spoils and throw them in.

I've moved an awful lot of brush on a small, flat trailer. Pile it on as high as I can. Let it hang over the sides and back. Toss a strap or rope over and lash it down a bit. In my own yard, I don't care if it drags on the ground or some falls off.

 

[JJZ 109]

JJZ, I bought the John Deere x394 for the same reason. Was considering a ZT but I have a few banks to mow that a ZT probably would not have handled well. I was surprised at the traction the x394 has and like how the rear outside wheel swings out and behind you when you turn uphill.

Exactly what I bought, the X394. I've been very happy with it.