Mid mount mowers

[Creamer]

Have had a rear finish mower, a zero turn and currently use a MMM (60" on a BX).
The MMM is by far the best for our property. We are way to hilly for the zero turn (slightly wet and you slide down the hill like a sled on snow), the RFM was a pain around the trees and tight spots, but the mid mount works great and is easy to trim with.

I guess you need a real ZTR with the right tires. I take my ZTR on slopes there is no way I would have my tractor on and it doesn't slide down. I hear this comment all the time and I get tired of the ignorance. A ZTR has a wider stance, lower CG, and is much more maneuverable - all characteristics that help you hold a slope - of course there are differences between ZTRs in these characteristics.

 

[Creamer]

I have had an MMM, an RFM, a rear steer front deck, and full ZTR front deck. The last was the most expensive but there is no comparison for mowing. It is faster, you can get much closer and under things for much less trimming, spend a higher percentage of your time mowing and less turning, have a better quality cut because you do not run over it first, can hold slopes better, and quicker on and off for pickign up those things you should have picked up before you started.

At my current property I have only had the last three. The 60" RFM took the longest because of all the turning (as you go around a tree the mower swings away from it), the 48" rear steer front deck mower took about half the time of the first but the drive train did not like the slopes very well. I traded it for the 60" ZTR and cut my mowing time by at least a third again and my trimming time by at least half. If you have fruit trees or other low bushes such as a lilac the ZTR sits you lower so you can get under them much better especially with the front deck.

 

[Code54]

I guess you need a real ZTR with the right tires. I take my ZTR on slopes there is no way I would have my tractor on and it doesn't slide down. I hear this comment all the time and I get tired of the ignorance. A ZTR has a wider stance, lower CG, and is much more maneuverable - all characteristics that help you hold a slope - of course there are differences between ZTRs in these characteristics.

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid from my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

Well said, thank you

 

[Creamer]

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid from my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

There is no way on a sidehill that your tractor would not roll over (unless it is dueled) where I could take the Grasshopper due to its low CG and wide stance. If you are talking your MX you are also comparing a 50 hp tractor to 25 hp lawnmower which is not a very fair comparison. Furthermore unless you have Ag tires the grasshopper with AT101s will climb a steeper hill than your tractor on fresh cut grass with normal moisture. Turf and industrial tires tend to not have the best traction in that condition which is normal for mowing purposes. So yes if you want to compare a tractor frame equivalent to lawn mower the Grasshopper would easily handle more slope. Although I would venture to guess that other ZTRs that are not built as low to the ground would not do as well in this competition. A Hustler is a Mid Mount and they do not hold the hills sideways as well as the front mounts - I do not know about hill climbing ability of that configuration. Even a Grasshopper with turf tires will slip very easily and I have been sliding sideways with one and its slope climbing ability was a joke with those tires. (They were Turfmaster 2 which is supposed to be one of the more aggressive turf tires.)

 

[majorwager]

Perhaps the most important point is that each member should employ the equipment that works best for HIM. Each of us has differing operating techniques which may readily effect how well a particular type of mower operates.

Of particular interest to me is this inverted J tube that spews hydraulic oil. I intend to check if this exists on my MX? since I do operate on various grades and should be aware if machine is dumping oil.

There is a landfill in my town where ZT's mow a very steep grade that extends in a semi vertical plane well in excess of 250 ft in height. I would not be willing to operate any type of mower under those conditions but I don't like many amusement park rides either. Don't remember the brands but they were brown, and another yellow.

In attempting a slight degree of levity, this is a topic where persuasion is what is really lacking traction if not stability, so simply agree that members choose the machine best suited to their individual needs and requirements. If you believe that another member is committing a grievous operating error, just move on and smile to yourself that your opinion is far superior, or maybe not?

 

[Code54]

A little off topic but....
That breather I mentioned is on the left side below the seat if you are sitting on the tractor. Easy to miss.

 

[majorwager]

Code,
Having trouble w/ your assertion. The full level sight window is even with PTO shield. That vent tube is way above that point, Honestly, I believe the tractor would not be capable of losing oil from that tube without tipping over?

Could your reservoir be severely overfilled?

 

[mykleh]

was out in the garages yesterday so grabbed some pics while everything is quietly resting waiting for the snow to melt..

 

[Creamer]

was out in the garages yesterday so grabbed some pics while everything is quietly resting waiting for the snow to melt..View attachment 547950View attachment 547951View attachment 547952View attachment 547953View attachment 547954View attachment 547955

Not quite sure why this was posted on this thread but it is a solution to a project I am about to embark on. Thanks!