Lawn tractors, yard tractors, garden tractors, SCUTS, and mowing

[4570Man]

Even a new one? I don't think there're subject to tier4 emissions at least to the extent a 26 hp or larger diesel is but they're still clean burning.

 

[MultiMow]

#1- why "gasoline only"? SWMBO hates all diesel smell - and she's the main operator.

#2- why 2wd with a locking diff, presumably ruling out a 4wd unit? Because the L120 will climb the areas we want to use it on - barely - with her on it. It runs out of transmission - K46, old and tired. Worse once warmed up. Useless with me on it on a grade. I have a 34hp 4x4 CUT for the really tough stuff.

#3- have you ever tried a front mount mower? No.

#4- how many acres will you be maintaining with this mower? 1-1.5, mostly in spots too tight for my tractor.

#5- how long does it currently take you to mow? Several hours with a weedeater.

#5- are you absolutely set on buying new?... why? (?warranty?) All I see on the used market is crapped-out box-store MTDs and Ag tractors. Same reason I went new on my Kioti.

#1- gotcha... I know what it means to buy a lawnmower that's compatible with your dishwasher

#2, #3, and #4... the reason I asked, for the same amount of cash you're talking about spending on a consumer grade mower, you could buy a really nice commercial mower with a front mounted deck. You might not think it makes a huge difference, but it does. I was in your same position last year. I nearly dropped the cash on another JD, until I saw the new Husky R322 like this one:

TractorHouse.com | 212 HUSQVARNA R322T For Sale

...and just before I dropped the hammer on that one, I started researching commercial front mounted mowers, which lead me to purchase a used Toro 325 with a 72" mulching deck, 4wd, rear steer, hydraulic deck lift, adjustable casters on the deck (takes me three minutes to re-level the floating height of my deck), true hydraulic power steering (not "power assist"), and a partridge in a pear tree... all for less than half the cost of the Husky YT48DXLS you were looking at. It still has plenty of hours left in it, and parts are cheap. I went from the John Deere D140 taking 3-1/2hrs to mow, to less than 1-1/2hrs and DRASTICALLY cut down on trimming time. (FYI- all but 5 of my 26 acres is significantly sloped)

#5- yeah... hard to find a 48" cut string trimmer

#6- if you would be interested in buying a used commercial unit that will likely serve you much longer and better, I would highly recommend a front mount. They're out there for good prices... even better for you, the gas models typically cost less and are plentiful. Aside from the New Holland "MC" series... I don't know if any of the gas models have a locking diff. Good news is, you won't need it. With a front mount, the weight is biased/balanced over the drive tires... you sit on top of the axle, the deck is out front, and the engine is in the rear.

Now, here comes those dreaded letters... ZTR.

I, much like you, didn't even consider a zero turn, ESPECIALLY knowing how much they typically suck on slopes and are dangerous..... but you may want take another look. Not all ZTRs are created equal. There are front mount ZTRs as well... most notably, the Grasshopper 700 and 900 series. With a set of Carlisle chevron tread tires, these things absolutely DOMINATE when it comes to mowing... slopes or otherwise. I went and demo'd a 700 series a few weeks ago.... it WILL be my next mower, no ifs/ands/buts about it. (FYI- I hated ZTRs before I tried it). If you're worried about parts or service, Grasshopper leads all other brands when it comes to customer service and support. They're big on creating a legacy, so they support their older units far better than other manufacturers. Also, Grasshopper is a dedicated mowers-only manufacturer. They're also built extremely well. I can't tell you how many 700 series mowers I've seen with well over 6,000hrs on them. You also have a semi-local sales/service location in northern Bakersfield, just south of Oildale... Kern River Power Equipment. I'm not sure about your dishwasher, but mine loved the ZTR, and took a liking to the lapbar controls very quickly.

As for the "tight areas" that aren't practical for your CUT... there's nothing better than the maneuverability and accessibility you get with a front mount ZTR... but if you don't like ZTRs, then a front-mount/rear-steer is the next best thing.

 

[4570Man]

I'd trade my F2560 for a Grasshopper in a heartbeat. If i was buying a front mount ( which is the best thing ever ) that wasn't a ZTR I'd want a 4wd which mine isn't.

 

[MultiMow]

I'd trade my F2560 for a Grasshopper in a heartbeat. If i was buying a front mount ( which is the best thing ever ) that wasn't a ZTR I'd want a 4wd which mine isn't.

The ONLY reason I didn't buy a Kubota F series last year, was strictly their transmission. The Kubota F-series uses a unitized transaxle, dedicated to their specific units... and they are PRI-CEY when it comes to repairs. My Toro 325-D uses independent transmission. It's a Sundstrand inline unit, which is mounted to the frame and uses a simple/cheap/effective flex-drive coupler to mate it to the engine's drive shaft. My Toro also has on-road quality independent axles made by Dana-Spicer. The 4wd has been an absolute lifesaver on more than one occasion while doing some rough mowing. I really like the offset deck as well. With the extended trim edge, I can virtually eliminate having to trim between fence posts under the fenceline. All I have to trim is a small ring around each post, and about a 4 to 8 inch strip to either side side... BIG TIME SAVER.

The only way I'll ever go back to a mid- or rear-mount mower, is when my Toro eventually breaks down and I have to use the old JD-D140, or in open field mowing, where I can reap the benefits of the extra ponies in my old Kubota L-series (43hp), and I'm not concerned with cut quality.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I will never own a zero turn, I used one a few times to cut my yard and it sucked, ride was awful and not a fan of the controls.

I like to mow with a tractor with a steering wheel, I don't care if I Finnish 10 mins later, all my organs are still where they should be after I'm done.

 

[MultiMow]

I will never own a zero turn, I used one a few times to cut my yard and it sucked, ride was awful and not a fan of the controls.

I like to mow with a tractor with a steering wheel, I don't care if I Finnish 10 mins later, all my organs are still where they should be after I'm done.

Agreed, for the most part.

Call them what you will... the "consumer" or "residential" grade/class of zero turn mowers are horrible...

...but you obviously have never tried a true commercial grade, front mount deck, suspension seat, bells and whistles REAL zero turn. It's a whole different experience.

Just to give you a perspective, order from worst to best ride:

WORST- Cub Cadet zero turn(model unknown) owned by a friend... fairly cetain I may have left a kidney in his yard, buried beneath the dust that used to be my spine. The area should be marked by my teeth and at least one eyeball, but I never bothered to return to the search, as I was tending to my damaged spline and pancreas. Liver is MIA, except for what little was held together by alcohol. All this in a mostly flat, and previously thought to be "smooth" yard.

NEARLY WORST: My John Deere "box store" D140 rode worse than an ox cart. Had to upgrade to Seabond from Fixadent, but I can finish the yard with my teeth in my mouth.

"TOLERABLE": My friend's JD455 rode slightly better.

"ACCEPTABLE": Kubota L-series

"COMFORTABLE": Toro Groundsmaster 300 series, Kubota F-series(bonus points for a suspension seat), Grasshopper 700 or 900 series

"VERY NICE": about any diesel powered, commercial grade, mid-mount ZTR with an air-ride seat... 700 or especially 900 series with a Grammar seat.... Toro professional mid-mount ZTR with suspension seat and chassis (can't remember the model name/number... but the one I tried had multiple settings... it was sooo close to being a "Cadillac".

"CADILLAC MOWER": Ventrac (mostly due to slow speed, weight, and eight wheels/tires), Toro 455D with suspension seat, IH 454

Basically, you can't judge VW (ZTRs) by the Beetle (consumer grade), when you haven't driven a Phaeton (commercial grade front mower with a suspension seat).

That's about the best way I can explain the difference.

 

[MultiMow]

Oh... and as far as a dependable gas drivetrain goes...

The Grasshopper 729T (NOT 729 BT) uses a liquid cooled Kubota 3cyl gas engine. To my knowledge, I don't know of a more dependable mower engine without resorting to diesel.

 

[plowhog]

Teach,

Your posts refer to a Husky YT48DXLS. Do you mean a GT48DXLS? I know the GT48DXLS is a new model for 2017. I have one. Only have about 1.5 hours on it, but it's very nice. Easy to operate, reasonably good ride, nice cut. I run the tractor, my wife runs the Husky.

 

[Teachu2]

Teach,

Your posts refer to a Husky YT48DXLS. Do you mean a GT48DXLS? I know the GT48DXLS is a new model for 2017. I have one. Only have about 1.5 hours on it, but it's very nice. Easy to operate, reasonably good ride, nice cut. I run the tractor, my wife runs the Husky.

This one: Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mowers YT48DXLS

 

[bspeedy]

Do you have a budget for this mower?

Has your wife operated a nice, modern diesel powered 4wd SCUT with a belly mower? There is no perceptible difference in 'smell' that I can detect from the operator's station. The diesel has a lot of advantages. It's quieter, uses much less fuel, more torque. I don't care for ZTR's, but gas powered lawn mower tractors are not my favorite, either. I own a JD LX172 with a 14 hp Kawasaki engine. Yes, it's an older JD, but it is a JD 'premium' factory built tractor (or was). It still sucks. Big time. Transmission is pitiful, deck is too small and built too light. I'm sure the newer JD's x series are built better, but they still have 2wd and a gas engine. Those two features are an absolute deal breaker for me. I bought a JD 2210 with a belly mower and loader that will work circles around that old mower tractor. Diesel, 4x4, HST trans - a real tractor but smaller. Better in every way for about the same price as a new lawn tractor. Yep - I paid 4500 for it.