Smallest quality built lawn tractor

Spiffy · Dec 24, 2005

Hi Fourteen! Good to hear you're liking that Fastrac; I think I read a couple earlier posts where you had commented positively on it as well; do have a link to any action pictures?

I was thinking a ZTR as well; specifying just mowing and snow, didn't know if a PT was in order either; but that's one heck of an option too! Anyway, as much as I respect the Hustler line, if he looks at CountryClipper [who even has a blower: arrrrrh arrrrhhhhr ahhhhhhrrrrrr!] or Dixon, etc. he can have the cake and eat it too. And in less time than a GT for either task! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

FOURTEEN · Dec 24, 2005

( do have a link to any action pictures?

 No. 

didn't know if a PT was in order either; but that's one heck of an option too!

 PTs are great machines, but for a 1/2 acre!!?? May be way too much of a good thing!!

CountryClipper

 Few dealers. 

Dixon, etc.

 No where near the high quality that Sonoma says he is looking for in a 36" or 42"!! )

Sonoma · Dec 25, 2005

Sorry I haven't been able to reply sooner. What i am looking for is something that is insanely overbuilt like the power trac, but not 12 feet long. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif After following this for a while It seems it might be better to get a small ztr and a separate snow blower. Having to maintain two pieces of equipment is going to be a pain, but I guess it is the best way. Does anyone make a blower for a ztr? That would create less stress on the transmission than a plow and increase longevity.
Thanks

Spiffy · Dec 26, 2005

I you want "tried and true" Fourteen may have a point about Dixon. Around here, they were the closest I saw to a consumerZ for years; not heavy duty in the units I'm thinking of, but so simple they were indestruble anyway. It seems their quality may have dipped for a while, but some recent changes were geared toward more heavy duty[all second hand on both]. The Kodiak series I looked at seemed pretty tough, so I'm thinking the Black Bear might be as well, but really don't know either way [they may not make a blade for it yet anyway though!]

Country Clipper is the only ZTR maufacturer I know of who makes a blower. The drawback is that they may not make it for the size mower you want. I don't have any idea of the dealer coverage in your area, and don't have feedback, even second hand, on the quality of their smaller ones.

Your max cut will likely be 2" or less than the largest width you can allow, so I think you're looking around 36 to 40". In those sizes, some sacrafices have to be made to make the pricing remotely match the size, so you have to decide what trade offs are important [or pay almost as much as the larger machines; anyone have first hand on the Dixon Black Bear or Scag Zcat?] when comparing machines.

I can't imagine stressing an integrated transmission [EZT or IZT] with a snowblade, but the cold weather may offset that; again just speculation.

Well, if nothing else, all kinds of questions to pose your dealers! But if you bring your options back here, there's a very good chance a few people have first hand on your exact model. If you find your best quality or combination of quality and value doesn't allow snow removal, a separate blower may be a good option, but the idea of one machine [and a reason to maintain your Z year around /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif] is attractive!

Good Luck! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Spiffy · Dec 26, 2005

Curiousity got me; I had to look at Dixon's specs again. It looks like they do have blowers, but not for the Black Bear yet [that one doesn't list a snowblade either though, so who knows!].

Cord · Dec 29, 2005

Are you willing to buy used? The older Gravely's might be what you are looking for. Simplicity has bought the company and ceased production of the really good stuff, but Gravely made some good all gear driven tractors in both two wheel and 4 wheel versions. They will pull a trailer or push snow all day. You also have a plethora of shaft driven attachments. the company has been producing the same product for nearly 50 years, so the prices are pretty attractive too. Do a little searching on ebay for Gravely. You'd be amazed by the number of hits you get.

KentT · Dec 29, 2005

( Are you willing to buy used? The older Gravely's might be what you are looking for. Simplicity has bought the company and ceased production of the really good stuff, but Gravely made some good all gear driven tractors in both two wheel and 4 wheel versions. )

Just a clarification -- Simplicity did NOT buy Gravely...

Spiffy · Dec 30, 2005

If you're still looking for "insanely overbuilt" in a ZTR, the Gravelys discussed got me thinking you should look into Gravely too. I don't think they have many attachment options for their commercial Z's, but I believe the 44" and likely even the 34" is still built like their bigger ones. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You come up with any likely options yet?

Ledgemere Farm · Dec 30, 2005

My dad and two of my brothers plus two nephew have John deere LT 160's. None of them plow, but they are all pleased with their performance and reliability.