Tractor Sizing Need help with tractor selection

[simphmerj]

There's such good info in here, I figured I'd bring it back from the dead instead of starting one in the newbie section.

In your guys' opinion, why is mowing w/ a ZTR the quickest? What about if you don't have much to maneuver around?

I ask because I don't have much tractor experience. I have two flat, treeless acres (pretty much the easiest mowing there is, although I have to maneuver around pool, trampoline, and swingset). I currently have a 60" (8 mph) ZTR that I upgraded to because my 50" riding mower was too slow. I need something that will also plow snow, so I was thinking of replacing the ZTR w/ a decent used 4x4 tractor that would have a front loader to plow, and I could tow behind a 72" finish mower. I was thinking some compact tractor (like a B7500) w/ about 25-30 HP. I keep my grass short, and mow every 7-10 days in the spring. I figured that the wider deck and higher mow speed would cancel out my lack of manueverability and the mow time would stay about the same.

How much PTO power do you need to pull a 72" finish mower? I know the manufacturer's list a range, but I'd like your guys' experience to see if the bottom of the range is ok, or should spend the extra bucks to stay near the top.

Thanks!

 

[TSO]

You won't get higher mow speed with a tractor. Every turn takes 2-3 times as long. I also have an 8 ft flail mower that I use with my 52 HP tractor. One of my pastures, which is about 3 acres, can function as a very nice lawn if I have time to keep up with it weekly on the ZTR. But if I let it go, then I have to tame it back down again with the flail for a few mows, before I can get back to the ZTR.

Even when it's kept at a typical "mowing height" I've compared speeds using my tractor with the 8' flail, 8' Brush-hog (twin blade pull type), and the 66" ZTR. It's still no comparison. The ZTR cuts faster, and leaves a nicer finish. In fairness, my ZTR cuts nicely at 11 mph.

I'm not sure what your snow plow needs would be, but what about getting a 4-wheeler with a plow?

 

[GManBart]

There's such good info in here, I figured I'd bring it back from the dead instead of starting one in the newbie section.

In your guys' opinion, why is mowing w/ a ZTR the quickest? What about if you don't have much to maneuver around?

I ask because I don't have much tractor experience. I have two flat, treeless acres (pretty much the easiest mowing there is, although I have to maneuver around pool, trampoline, and swingset). I currently have a 60" (8 mph) ZTR that I upgraded to because my 50" riding mower was too slow. I need something that will also plow snow, so I was thinking of replacing the ZTR w/ a decent used 4x4 tractor that would have a front loader to plow, and I could tow behind a 72" finish mower. I was thinking some compact tractor (like a B7500) w/ about 25-30 HP. I keep my grass short, and mow every 7-10 days in the spring. I figured that the wider deck and higher mow speed would cancel out my lack of manueverability and the mow time would stay about the same.

How much PTO power do you need to pull a 72" finish mower? I know the manufacturer's list a range, but I'd like your guys' experience to see if the bottom of the range is ok, or should spend the extra bucks to stay near the top.

Thanks!

I don't believe a 72" finish mower would be faster than a 60" ZTR. I compared times using a 90" finish mower to a 48" ZTR for about an acre (area around my house) and they were about the same, although there were trees and a fence line involved that slowed the tractor down.

The guy I sold the 90" finish mower to (Sitrex SM230, which has 5 blades) said he put it on a Ford 8N and it worked nicely...that's a max of about 23hp at the PTO for a newer model. I think 25hp at the PTO is fine for a 72" finish mower.

 

[simphmerj]

I'm not sure what your snow plow needs would be, but what about getting a 4-wheeler with a plow?

Thanks for your input. Honestly, (and I can see from your signature that you don't have this worry) I don't really want a bunch of pieces of machinery to have to maintain. Another oil change to do, more stuff to break, more space taken up in the garage. Although I suppose finish mowers have their own maintenance needs w/ greasing, gearbox oil, etc.

I was hoping the tractor could do both. Plus, by the time you pay for a decent ZTR and 4 wheeler/plow it's cost you as much. And, the tractor is more versatile than a 4 wheeler, there may be non-snow times I'd like to use the front loader or back hoe to plant trees, unload gravel/mulch out of the trailer, etc.

 

[LD1]

ZTR will still be faster, but in either case, its not like it takes a long time to mow 2 acres with either choice. what may take 30 minutes on the ZTR may take 40-45 on the B7500.

So 10-15 minute difference isnt that much. But if you were mowing 20 acres, that would be like 10 hours vs 15.

Top speed on the B is only like 9.5 MPH, and pulling a 6' mower, it is unlikely you will get a nice cut pulling top speed. You are probably looking at 7-8 MPH tops but depends on the mower and blade speed.

 

[LD1]

ZTR will still be faster, but in either case, its not like it takes a long time to mow 2 acres with either choice. what may take 30 minutes on the ZTR may take 40-45 on the B7500.

So 10-15 minute difference isnt that much. But if you were mowing 20 acres, that would be like 10 hours vs 15.

Top speed on the B is only like 9.5 MPH, and pulling a 6' mower, it is unlikely you will get a nice cut pulling top speed. You are probably looking at 7-8 MPH tops but depends on the mower and blade speed.

 

[4570Man]

My ZTR will beat the B7100 bad in mowing time. I think my ZTR would be pretty close to my 72" finish mower in a large area with few obstacles. My F-series Kubota will hang right with the ZTR. If the grass was tall the F-series would beat the ZTR. Only mowing 2 acres it won't be a huge deal either way.

 

[DK35vince]

My zero turn will mow circles around my tractor.
Takes me around 3 1/4 hours to mow my 7 acre lawn with a 35 HP tractor w/84" rear finish mower.
I can mow the same lawn with my 35 HP w/72" deck zero turn in 2 hours. On the smoother parts of the lawn I can mow at full speed (13-14 MPH).
I've had this thing for 2 years now and it still impresses me how fast it can mow.

 

[kevin37b]

You must have a very smooth yard , 13 mph ?

 

[DK35vince]

You must have a very smooth yard , 13 mph ?

Some parts of the yard are smooth enough, other parts of the yard you need to slow down.
Been mowing the yard long enough we know where the bumps are.
The zero turn has suspension seat, flex fork front suspension and 7-8 PSI tire pressure.
The ride is pretty good. Much smoother than my tractor at higher speeds.