Pros to having a riding mower over a zero-turn

[WinterDeere]

It gets used a few times a year for lawn roller duty

Nice garden tractor and sprayer rig, but... lawn roller? Do yourself a favor and ditch that antiquated bit of technology. Aside from them creating more trouble than they could ever fix (see soil compaction), I've yet to see the soil conditions in which your heavier and narrower garden tractor won't leave ruts, but that lighter and wider lawn roller can actually smooth them out.

Aggressive plug aeration has been the prescription to replace lawn rollers, for at least 40 years. Check them out! Basic idea is to pull plugs, and then let them settle in the low spots, either by dragging or just mowing over them in subsequent weeks. Repeat each September.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I have $250 invested in 600+ hours of mowing with my traditional mower

Vs a used ztr would cost more

But I am looking at a commercial ztr to replace it since it's ground speed is only up to 4-5 mph when mowing and I recently mowed with a friends yanmar powered JD ztr at 8-10 mph

 

[lman]

You can pull a wagon.

You can drive with one hand.

I drive with one hand on my ZT Country Clipper with joystick.

 

[JeepHead]

My ZTM has a cup holder.

Mine too but a beer will be undrinkable after one lap of sitting in the cup holder lol

 

[WinterDeere]

Mine too but a beer will be undrinkable after one lap of sitting in the cup holder lol

I've tried and proven that myself... twice.

 

[tradosaurus]

Traditional riding mower is usually about $1,000 less than a ZTR. If someone is mowing an open field with no obstructions, a ZTR won't be any faster cutting than a riding mower of the same cutting width and ground speed. A riding mower with normal steering is easier to control on a steep slope than a ZTR with front caster wheels. But my own experience is I nearly always go right back to my ZTR, and my riding mower just sits.

Do they make riding mowers that can cut a 60" swath at 8-10 mph?

 

[tradosaurus]

I just purchased a Cub Cadet ZTS1, and WOW... wish I made the change years ago. Even wife, who helps cut the lawn comments how much smoother riding it is. Cuts faster, on smoother ground. Ease of turning/cutting around trees etc. Many others commented on other pros, just want to add, cutting the lawn is no longer a chore.
Biggest drawback I can see is price. $4600 compared to about $2800 for a rider. This is a dedicated mower, vs a tractor which can run implements (which I have covered with other equipment)

I recently spent $11k for a commercial zero turn. $4600 sounds inexpensive.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

You wouldn't want to use the residential model commercially. For my use, a few rolling acres, will last my lifetime with proper care. I know I'm not telling you what you don't already know.
I also got a big discounted price due to being a leftover. Cub Cadet commercial has some HD upgrades, but overkill for my use.

 

[WinterDeere]

I've owned my commercial zero turn so long, that now the homeowner grade mowers are selling for nearly the price I paid for the commercial unit. I think it was $7600, ca.2007.

Other than the rubber bits, they can easily outlast their owner, at least as long as the manufacturer maintains some train of parts availability.

 

[stucknutz]

I bought my first ZT last summer when I bought my new home. I have roughly 4 acres of yard to mow. I can honestly say I absolutely hate my ZT and hate mowing my yard now, when I use to love to mow yards. The absolute game changer for me is that I can no longer drink beer and mow. That is the single biggest downfall to owning a ZT.

This is the exact reason why I do not own a ZT!!!!