How fast are ZTRs Really?

Alan L. · Jun 15, 2002

I have read some of the brochures on some of the zero turn radius mowers with 60" decks that claim 7 to 10 acres per hour mowing time. I know these things are more maneuverable, but the thing would have to be going too fast to cut with any kind of quality to achieve this kind of mowing speed. Plus, the dern thing would buck you off in the process. With my 60" finish mower I'm lucky to do 1.5 acres an hour.

What is the real story on this?

Robert_in_NY · Jun 15, 2002

The ones claiming 7-10 can do it in ideal conditions but they are extremly fast and deliver an exceptional cut while doing it. I was talking to my local dealer for Grasshopper and he also sells Valtra tractors and he demonstrated how well the grasshopper cuts while cutting 3' high hay. The machine never even bogged down and left an impressive cut at a high speed thru that rough of an area. If I were you I would find a dealer and give one a try. You save a lot of time on turning compared to traditional mowers. I wouldn't trade your machine in or nothing but just trying one lets you understand how they work so well.

hwp · Jun 16, 2002

To cut 10 acres per hour with a 60" mower deck would require a ground speed of about 15 mph and 100% efficiency. For most of us, a ground speed of 5 mph is reasonable and 80% efficiency is about max, and this results in a cutting rate of about 2.5 acres per hour.

kbarrett · Jun 16, 2002

Alan,

I have a 1996 Exmark Turf Ranger. It has a 60" deck and a top ground speed of 6.4MPH (slower than most). The cut does not degrade while going at top-speed (except in really thick and tall grass).

At 80% efficiency, my mower will do approximately 3 acres
per hour.

see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.exmark.com/productivity.htm>http://www.exmark.com/productivity.htm</A>

Mrwurm · Jun 17, 2002

I have a Gravely Promaster 260Z, 25hp, 60 inch cut. I cut a 2.5 acre lot in about 50 minutes. Used to take me about three hours on a riding mower. Two things contribute to the speed increase. Speed, and manuverability. ZTR'S achieve good finished results at high speed because their blades are spinning at higher speeds than most other machines. Sometimes as much as twice as fast if you compare my Gravely to my old Yardman riding mower.

Jerry

cowboydoc · Jun 17, 2002

My new house has about 2.5 acres of grass to mow. The first time I did it with my LX 279 with a 48" deck and it took me three and a half hours to do it. The dealer brought out a Landpride ZTR with a 60" cut and I easily mowed it all in an hour and it looked very good. I thought very seriously about it but the $9k price tag was too much for me to justify for a lawnmower. I am using my 6' finish mower and 4600 to mow the big areas and then the 279 to do the smaller spots. It takes me about the same amount of time.

justractors · Jun 17, 2002

Many of the commercial turf mowers on the Lawn Forums site say they are mowing at 10 to 12 mph mostly with the Dixie Choppers and getting exceptional results.
Our Toro Fairway mowers on thegolf course mow at 7 to 8 mph but everything there is relatively smooth.
Bill