SCUT vs ZTR Mower Cut Quality - Kioti CS2530

[MIAG]

Hi all - new here, but not to tractors in general. In my current situation, I have about 3 acres (1.5 lawn/1.5 woods or pond) and own a Exmark Radius S for maintaining the lawn, but would love to have a tractor / all-in-one tool to do some more general maintenance items as well.

I know a ZTR is quicker/more efficient, but I’m looking for opinions on how the cut QUALITY of a MMM is in comparison to a ZTR.

My background / reason for asking:

In my current situation I have a WANT for tractor with HVAC cab, but could not justify the size of machine that would get me into for the amount of land I have and the weight/size/cost of machine it would require. Given the recent introduction of the Kioti CS2530 it seems as though there may finally be an option that is an appropriate size/weight for my projects that also allows the full HVAC cab.

I know I will have to make up some striping kit to get the same lines as my current Exmark Radius, but will the cut QUALITY of the Kioti MMM be similar to what I'm used to? I'm not as concerned about the amount of additional time the Kioti may take given the HVAC cab and ability to use it for many more projects as a Swiss Army knife, but want to ensure that I am not going to be disappointed in a less polished looking lawn. The obvious answer may be to keep the Exmark, but given my limited storage space I'd really prefer to keep to 1 machine.

I know stepping up to a CUT can get me a significantly more capable machine for not a significant amount more money - however, having a CUT sized tractor is far more capability than I need and given the extra weight I think would certainly drive me in having to keep the ZTR for daily mowing tasks to not tear up the lawn. It seems as though the new Kioti CS2530 may be a great option for size/weight/all-in-one option for me as long as it can maintain the same mower finish quality I'm used to.

Thanks for your thoughts & opinions.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve never owned a zero turn but have used them. I mow with a JD2025r with a 60” deck. I also own 3 acres and it’s about half in trees and lawn also. Unless you’re really picky I think the cut quality on mid mount mowers is pretty good. Looking at that picture my initial reaction is that thing has small tires for how heavy it’s going to be. I’m guessing the cab, ac and heat setup add some weight. I know I need to vary my mowing pattern so I don’t rut my yard over time. The big advantage of a tractor is all the other things you can do with it.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I can not fathom a SCUT giving similar cut quality to ZRT; I never had a problem with the quality of cut with my Deere 1025R, but I also never expected much out of it. I always considered it "good enough" and I can't imagine the Kioti CS is much different.

I'd still recommend a SCUT if you can live with what I'd consider a mediocre cut. Fine for most people, but if you're liking a manured lawn- maybe not so much.

 

[MIAG]

Thanks guys - I do really care about a well manicured lawn. Maybe I need to consider keeping the Exmark and just having 2 machines to maintain.

 

[WM75Guy]

ZTRs normally have a faster blade speed. My Kubota ZD1211 60" has a blade tip speed of around 18,000 fpm. My NH 25S with a mid-mount mower has a blade tip speed of around 14,000 fpm. On my yard which is not manicured it isn't noticeable. If you are picky, it might make a difference.

 

[RayIN]

What will you use to mow/trim tight areas with, that SCUT will not suffice? Unless you remove the back-hoe and FEL the "tractor" will leave ruts with those lawn mower size tires.
Sure it can do many small jobs, but with the importance you place on a manicured lawn, I don't think you'll be happy with the money spent.
Do you have a particular need for a back-hoe or FEL? I have a 2 wheel trailer I pull with my Hustler ZTR mower for hauling stuff that eliminates the need for my farm tractor and FEL in the yard, which is 1.5A.

 

[4570Man]

Thanks guys - I do really care about a well manicured lawn. Maybe I need to consider keeping the Exmark and just having 2 machines to maintain.

I’d sit down and cry if you took away my zero turn and made me use a tractor MMM.

 

[MIAG]

Thanks guys - appreciate all the comments. To answer some of the questions:

I already have a small fenced in area for the dog and areas around the pond the ZTR won’t fit and have to use a push mower/weed whacker. I really don’t anticipate much more area that a SCUT wouldn’t fit than the ZTR.

I don’t have a true NEED for a tractor - renting a few times a year for my projects would be perfectly suitable and more cost effective. I want a tractor to be able to have more flexibility around renting and like the idea of AC / allergen free mowing in the summer and heat for plowing snow in the winter.

Most of what I’d use a tractor for outside of what the ZTR/snowblower accomplishes today is general lawn/landscape maintenance, maintaining the garden and have some light brush removal planned.

If it’s just for these activities and not mowing as well I’m not sure my “want” is justified enough for how much I’d use it. My 2.5 year old ZTR only has 85 hours on the odo - if the tractor isn’t mowing it just seems like a big expense to sit there a lot. It sure would be convenient for a lot of tasks, and understandable that it will be slower to mow than my ZTR, but was really hoping it could leave a similar cut and tradeoff the quickness for climate controlled comfort.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I think your question has been answered, i.e. a tractor, any tractor, is not a even replacement for a ZTR. And vice-versa. You 'need' the ZTR, and you 'want' a tractor. Allow yourself to have both and be happy

 

[dodge man]

I’ll also say the better, more lush your yard is the more difference you will see in the cut quality. If you keep your blades sharp on a mid mount it will cut pretty decent.

 

[vlcakc]

I realize you asked specifically about MMM's, but you might want to also consider a flail mower for the tractor. For a time I mowed with a 60" Hustler Z and a tractor mounted flail mower. No one could tell the difference in cut quality. Not all flail mowers give this cut quality. Look for one specifically set up for residential lawns. There is a long running flail mower thread on this forum that may answer many of your questions.

 

[MIAG]

Thanks all - appreciate all the comments. Maybe I need to reach out to the local dealer and see if they have a demo unit of something similar I could try mowing the lawn with once or twice before deciding one way or the other.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Thanks all - appreciate all the comments. Maybe I need to reach out to the local dealer and see if they have a demo unit of something similar I could try mowing the lawn with once or twice before deciding one way or the other.

Even if they've got a CS2220 or CS2520 you'd get a feel for how the deck does.

 

[generic farmer]

So I bought a 1025r with mmm. It was fun, it was comfortable, it was also slow. My yard eventually destroyed the mower deck. I then bought a zero turn. I will never cut with a tractor again. I recently purchased a 2038r that will be delivered soon. I did not buy the mower.

 

[Cdash]

The one big thing you are not thinking about is with a tractor, you have to change out implements. Not a big deal when switching from a back blade to a brush hog or removing or putting the loader back on. BUT most real tractor work will result in you taking off the mmm to not damage it, then putting back on when you have to mow within the next week. Doesn't sound like much, but it does get old having to take off, put on, take off.......

I have a JD 4100 with a mmm, I'm not picky about my lawn and I think the cut quality is so so. I expect you'll be happier with a lawn machine for the grass and a tractor for everything else. But if you decide tractor only, I'll come pick up your zero turn!!

 

[tradosaurus]

I've never understood the appeal or need of a tractor with MMM.
Buy a tractor to do tractor stuff and a mower to do mower stuff. A hybrid will just be poor at doing both.

 

[mxf62759]

I have always prefered front cut mowers with a steering wheel, my go to for quite a while has been a toro groundsmaster 223d 4x4 with 62" deck and a large hydraulic dump grass catcher. also allows other attachments, ( broom seeder aerator, scarrifier, snow plow ect.) and a cab option also kubota front mower, steiner used and ventrac used similar . bobcat has a new compact that uses front attachments

 

[RB5]

I've mowed with a lawn tractor with a steering wheel. Never again after switching to a Gravely ZT with a 60" deck. I mow way more than 3 acres with mine. I would not try using a CUT to maintain the lawn on such small acreage. If you have very many obstacles like trees or buildings you will get tired of turning around to mow, and it will take much longer to mow than a ZT will. A tractor is for mowing acreage. Unless your lawn is so rough that you can't run a ZT on it you will be better off with 2 machines.

 

[stevem5215]

You could just buy a used machine that's older for lower $$ invested. That's what I did when I bought the 1994 Steiner 420 with a full loader, dirt/snow blade (which I never used and sold),48" mower deck (backup in case of lawn tractor at the time failures) and a leaf blower. I added a snow/dirt/leaf brush later for cheap that I found locally and it's been a good machine for the smaller jobs a 4 acre area needs handled. Snow in the winter, small loader operation in the spring, summer, fall and sometimes blizzards in the winter every 10 years or so around Western Pa. It works and it was $8500 at the time in the 2002 time period. I've had it for 20 years myself and have had it only serviced at Henry Hartman's in Hanover twice after the original purchase and service there. They are a small workhorse machine with full time AWD that won't tear up the turf in muddy conditions or spin the tires even on ice on the driveway that you can't even walk on without falling. It's truly an amazing machine for the size being a sub compact. You should at least consider something like that as well.

 

[Ken45101]

A zero turn really excells at mowing irregular areas, around trees and shrubs, etc. And it mows faster than most trctor mounted mowers. If you are going to be mowing between trees in your woods, a tractor mounted mower will be slower to maneuver and will not get into spaces a ZT can do.

A tractor with mower will handle steeper hills than a ZT.

I have a Kuboto B2710 with MM and a ZD323. The ZD gets the most of the mowing duty.

Ken