How to drive a zero turn?

[Gale Hawkins]

ZTR's need to be adjusted correctly I have found. The guy that parked ours after he put 27 hours on it never adjusted the pressure to push the control stick forward. After about 30 minutes my right arm was in pain from pushing so hard to get full speed forward.

Right now (holidays, work conditions, etc) craigslist.com has 25+ HP ZTR's with 50-200 hours (2006-2010 models) for the price ($1500-$2500) of a similar LT come spring.

LT's are no brainers to drive but I have found if one will stay in the seat of a ZTR for two hours nonstop then they are over the hump.

The plus of buying a ZTR with a 100-200 hours for about 40% of selling price is if it does not work out one can sell it with out much if any loose.

 

[6thgpSF]

I used to mow my 2 acres with my tractor and finish mower and use a push mower for my ditches,took me over 3hrs to do because of all the trees,planters and other stuff.I bought a front deck Grasshopper diesel this spring and after the first mow had it down pact and can now do it in under an hour,Even mow the ditches with it which I would never do with the tractor.I'd say after a little pratice the art of steering becomes intuitive and you lose the intimation factor and it becomes fun. russ

 

[jcmseven]

I wish this were the problem I have. I bought a 950 JD ZTR for my dad, who is older. My intent, given his large yard, was to keep him active as long as possible and then either mow it myself or hire it out. I love using a ZTR (as would the folks I would hire to mow it), though they are not as fast as advertised in "real life". I also mow for two other elderly relatives. My dad was coming off an old Gravely and a 360x JD rider. I bought this for him for his birthday as a surprise (worked a week of extra overtime to swing it) and took it to him. Within six hours, my mother was on the phone telling me they did not want it as my dad "would kill himself" on it. Now, he had not yet tried it and their lawn is open and fairly flat and the machine has a rollbar and seatbelt and all the safety switches, etc, that his old machine did not have. My dad still drives and "works" full time--though he is really retired. It also does not try to catch on fire as did his old Gravely the last time he tried to mow with it, but despite this mountain of information I had to take the 950 back and now I have it (and I have no grass!!!). I only wish that I had some family willing to learn.....

John M

 

[Gale Hawkins]

John that is sad because it sounds like he would be just fine if he would just try it. Have to admit a steering wheel is hard to give up. They are a great security blanket.

Where they will go and what they will do is amazing. Today I was chopping leaves and it was so neat how you can get in tight places and just come out forward. My spine is totally fused by ankylosing spondylitis over the years so I have no upper body rotation so the ZT solved my problem of cross roads, etc because I just do a slow 360 and hit it if all is clear. I came off of a 20 year old rear engine Snapper.

I went used to be on the safe side in case it did not work out. Found the 2010 Swisher ZT 2760 with 27 hours on it. The guy claimed to have over $5000 in it but let it go for $2200 and a spare set of new belts. Six weeks before he had started out at $3500 but but snowy holidays is a bad time to sell a $5K ticket summer time item. I found two more like it but were 3 years old. One had 125 hours that he guy was down to asking $1500 which others have reported paying as well.

It was due at 5 hours but at 30 hours today it got new synthetic oil with a new filter. We put the new seat on it and that set us back another $350 but that was $500 less than from a dealer.

At midnight the storms hit and it is to be 24 Thanksgiving night after being in the 70's. Last night low was 62. Winter is finally getting here Thanksgiving day which is a few weeks late. It has been nice. :thumbsup:

 

[chad22]

I drove one for the city. It took me about 30 minutes to get the hang of it. I even got paid to learn it. After about 30 minutes it was a no brainer.

I love those things. The one I drove was a commercial Dixon ZTR.

Whenever I get a new riding mower it's gonna be a ZTR. :thumbsup:

Chad

 

[kf4uda]

I wish this were the problem I have. I bought a 950 JD ZTR for my dad, who is older. My intent, given his large yard, was to keep him active as long as possible and then either mow it myself or hire it out. I love using a ZTR (as would the folks I would hire to mow it), though they are not as fast as advertised in "real life". I also mow for two other elderly relatives. My dad was coming off an old Gravely and a 360x JD rider. I bought this for him for his birthday as a surprise (worked a week of extra overtime to swing it) and took it to him. Within six hours, my mother was on the phone telling me they did not want it as my dad "would kill himself" on it. Now, he had not yet tried it and their lawn is open and fairly flat and the machine has a rollbar and seatbelt and all the safety switches, etc, that his old machine did not have. My dad still drives and "works" full time--though he is really retired. It also does not try to catch on fire as did his old Gravely the last time he tried to mow with it, but despite this mountain of information I had to take the 950 back and now I have it (and I have no grass!!!). I only wish that I had some family willing to learn.....

John M

Oh how I know your pain. My wife and I built a home on the family farm where I was raised. The plan was to help my parents in their elderly years. I bought a new zero turn mower and my Dad wouldn't even consider trying it. I bought a new tractor to replace an old one and barely got him to set foot on it. I replaced their old thermostat in their house with a new (very simple) digital one and you would have thought I installed a home automation system. I finally realized that they were comfortable with what they knew and not necessarily what was better. My wife however, picked up on the zero turn really fast and is now the chief operator (which gives me more tractor time)

 

[hobie]

My little ZTR has a joy stick. It took some time getting used to it, and I still leave divots sometimes, but I love it. I told all the nieces and nephews they would have to pay me if they want to mow the lawn. One of my friends with a serious heart condition, loves to drive it too. I may get it outsoon to do clean up of ferns and leaves despite the freezing weather.