I'm looking at ZTs for the first time. Mowing consists of 6-7 acres. For wide open areas, I currently use a Ford 3230 utility tractor pulling a 6' caroni finish mower, unless grass is too thick/tall, then it pulls a 5' woods rotary cutter. This is not very maneuverable and normally goes in the 3-4mph range. For the non-wide open areas I use a JD lx255 (w/ 42" deck) that's showing its age and may be ready for retirement. It still runs fine, but plastic hood just fell apart while doing annual maintenance, deck has a hole in it, seat is coming apart, etc.
I don't need a golf course and am generally happy if things are green, a reasonable height and I dont spend all day mowing. Reasonable height increases as you get further from the house, with the furthest potentially only getting cut a few times per year. I think my primary factors are cutting time and longevity. The lx255 is 24 years old and I'd expect similar/better from a replacement. The deck and plastic body seem to be the weak points on the JD. The equipment isn't babied, but does stay inside a building and gets annual maintenance. I'm thinking getting a ZT would allow me to get rid of the caroni and the lx255, or maybe keep the lx255 around for kids to learn on.
Is there a good website/youtube channel/etc to get an (up to date) crash course on ZTs? pros/cons of different brands and features, things to watch out for, etc.
Keith
I don't need a golf course and am generally happy if things are green, a reasonable height and I dont spend all day mowing. Reasonable height increases as you get further from the house, with the furthest potentially only getting cut a few times per year. I think my primary factors are cutting time and longevity. The lx255 is 24 years old and I'd expect similar/better from a replacement. The deck and plastic body seem to be the weak points on the JD. The equipment isn't babied, but does stay inside a building and gets annual maintenance. I'm thinking getting a ZT would allow me to get rid of the caroni and the lx255, or maybe keep the lx255 around for kids to learn on.
Is there a good website/youtube channel/etc to get an (up to date) crash course on ZTs? pros/cons of different brands and features, things to watch out for, etc.
Keith