Small Tractor or Zero Turn Mower?

[Redneck in training]

We have both tractor and zero turn mower. There is no way we could move our hills with the tractor. I would be dead by now. It is no issue for the ZT. I can do safely doughnuts on a slope I have difficulty walking on. We also have a lot of trees and other obstacles. In terrain like that the ZT is at least twice as fast as the tractor. Not speaking about safety.
Not all ZT are created equal though. I can speak for front mounted Grasshopper only. Our Grasshopper has so called traction package and wide back.
I attached a ball on the back and we use it to pull a single axle trailer. It could pull about a ton up on quite steep slope as long as the grass is dry.
Somebody mentioned a "dozer blade". It is a snow blade. It works great to clean snow from the concrete pad in front of our garage (there are too many things to run into with a tractor) but will do our road only when the snow cover is about 5" or less.

 

[Ken45101]

Why is everyone so concerned about speed, quick, as fast as possible? Slow down and enjoy the ride/work and don't get hurt...Get back to basics guys.

Don

You are right, of course. However, since getting the ZT, mowing the lawn has become fun instead of a chore. And the grass looks better and gets mowed more often.

Again, our yard required a lot of turning and maneuvering because of it's configuration. It wasn't enjoyable with the tractor. Then again, the tractor was bought when I had ten acres of open lawn to mow and is really too big for just mowing a smaller yard.

Ken

 

[LBrown59]

1*Why is everyone so concerned about speed, quick, as fast as possible?
3* Slow down and enjoy the ride/work and don't get hurt...
5*Get back to basics guys.

Don

1*I don't get that one either.
Get out the push mower it will make you appreciate just how fast a tractor is.
3*certainly.
5*Yup.

 

[Kansas Slim]

Ted,

My situation was much the same as your's. I wanted to buy my LAST mower and I wanted to mow the 2.5 acres in less than 2 hrs. The previous owners took over 4 hrs with their year-old Yardman 48" deck.

With a bunch of commercial mowing from my younger years, and having used my share of crappy department store mowers, I started shopping and researching in earnest. I demo'd a Dixon diesel (Kodiak) and Walker Super Bee on somebody elses property. I demo'd a Grasshopper 722 and a Scag Turf Tiger on my own property. Before the demo's I was leaning toward the Grasshopper. The Dixon wheelbase was too short and bounced a lot, even when not running full out. The Walker's steering is unique and I imagine I could get used to it. It mowed beautifully, and for the money was probably the best deal given what I was considering. The Grasshopper was fantastic, as I expected. I really wanted the diesel, which the Grasshopper had. But, the Turf Tiger just blew me away! I was very impressed. Except for visions of a $12,000 machine sitting in the shop while I hired somebody to come grade our 1/4 mile lane...or clear the snow if we were to catch a storm or two over the winter, or tow a cart full of firewood to the house, etc...

I also mowed with the neighbor's old John Deere 455 and she did okay, but I wasn't crazy about the deck. Not entirely even and didn't cut well at higher speed. I'm sure the deck could be adjusted and I'm sure she would cut better if I had sharpened the blades. I was comparing her against new machines.

I really wanted the diesel. After weeks of deliberation I finally bit the bullet and bought John Deere X748 with the commercial grade 7-Iron 60" deck. WOW! I never demo'd one and now here it is sitting in my drive! It's 4WD, doesn't scuff the turf, turn's amazingly tight (especially considering it's not 4-wheel steer), climbs like a raped ape, and the deck is amazing! Beautiful cut. It comes on and off super easy. Just disconnect and drive over it. The front blade works better than I thought on the gravel lane, though the 48" box blade for the 3 point hitch is on it's way. It cost a fortune, but it's worth every penny.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Awww shucks! You didn't have to go tempt me like that on an expensive X748!

 

[Kansas Slim]

I also mowed with the neighbor's old John Deere 455 and she did okay, but I wasn't crazy about the deck. Not entirely even and didn't cut well at higher speed. I'm sure the deck could be adjusted and I'm sure she would cut better if I had sharpened the blades. I was comparing her against new machines.

Sorry, it was a 445, not a 455. No big deal. I just didn't want to misinform you all.