Lawn tractor vs ZT

[Bearsixty7]

I'd say look at a 61" Spartan SRT model and the new suspension seat if you have a good dealer near you. They are just as well built and better in some ways as the JD, Scag or Kubotas but $2-4K less money.

www.Spartanmowers.com

Bad Boy has similar models as well, someone in another thread just bought one.

 

[RSKY]

You do not have to buy a top of the line diesel powered supercharged eight foot deck zero turn to mow four acres. Get a smaller gas powered mower with a welded (thick) deck and slow down over the rough spots. Buy from a reputable local dealer who has been in business for a while, not from a big box store. The field will smooth out with the tractor off of it. Or buy a cheap roller and pull over it when the yard is wet to smooth it out. I am a cheapskate with my money and my time and that is what I would do. To mow grass, buy something designed to mow grass.

I prefer Bad Boy or SCAG mowers simply because of the local dealer who sells them. My Bad Boy has been used and abused for nearly ten years now and I would not hesitate to buy another.

RSKY

 

[BigBlue1]

Keep in mind that most ZT are solid ride so bumpy terrain equates to a rough ride. There are exceptions, but you will pay for them. The high end Ferris has suspension and so does the Kubota diesel ZT but be prepared to take out a second mortgage for either one.

The Bad Boy Maverick is a residential grade zero-turn with suspension that starts under $6500 MSRP for a 60". Judging by the amount of discount off of MSRP for my recently purchased Rogue I'd bet you could get into a Maverick for around $6k.

Rob

 

[5030]

That is about 5 too much for what I'd pay for a specialized machine.

 

[5030]

For that little patch, I'd hire a commercial lawn service and not mow it at all. No gas, no equipment and no hassle.

 

[MoKelly]

Just my opinion. I have learned over the years once we bought our farm. I began trying to find equipment that covered lots of tasks. Bought inexpensive stuff. Bad decisions.

I have learned:

- buy quality stuff. It lasts, it starts, it works when you need it to work.

- buy the right tool. A ZTR is designed to mow grass. It does mowing the best of anything. It cuts well and is as fast as you can mow.

A tractor can cut grass, but it’s not designed to cut. A tractor can do lots of stuff, but not many things better than some other tool.

My tractor now is used to brush hog and carry dirt, rock and mulch to where it’s needed. It doesn’t mow grass or dig holes.

MoKelly

 

[5030]

All mine do is farm. What tractors are supposed to do far as I know. I have more than one....

 

[metalbender]

Tractors don't make good mowers. Rough stuff, sure, grass, no. My choice was a Toro Titan 60 inch with the My Ride system. Turned a three hr chore into an hr and a half of cruising the yard.

 

[N80]

Agree about tractors and mowing. I've worn the shoes off my rotary cutter using it like a lawn mower. Having said that, I've been getting by that way for 16 years.

Anyway, today I bought a Z turn. I had already decided I could not afford a JD or Kubota 54" zero turn or riding mower. So I decided on Cub Cadet. I know, I know, I know....not top tier.

I went to the dealer undecided about whether to buy their top of the line 54" rider or one of their lower end z turns. Pretty much flipped a coin and went with z turn. It is a ZT2. Residential. One step up from their lowest end 54". Very basic but beefy welded deck, 24hp Kawasaki, comfortable seat, good warranty and dealer nearby. Made in USA (except for the Kawasaki I'm assuming). Cost about $1500-$2000 less than a comparably spec'd JD or a Kubota.

Mowed about an acre of my bumpiest terrain. No problems, just had to slow it down in the bumpy stuff. No problems with scalping etc. Most of the bumps are ruts from the tractor which I'm going to repair so mowing will be smoother in the future.

The only real shocker was the dust. It is dry right now and that sucker was putting up clouds of dust. Got all in my eyes. The bush hog will do the same thing but its a ways behind me so not as bad. Anyway, rain coming tonight. In the future I will wear shop goggles if its dry.

Cut looks great and looks better now than it ever has with the rotary cutter.

Not sure I made the right decision about z turn vs rider or about buying a Cub Cadet. We'll find out I guess.

 

[RSKY]

I think you made the right decision. Good luck and good mowing.

RSKY