Henro:
<font color="blue">So I am wondering...if the contest was reduced to simply which would cut the grass best and fastest...which would win? </font>
My guess, Henro, and it's a guess, is that since the GT5000 operates at a higher velocity (probably 10-12+ feet per second) and cuts a wider swath (say 50" with stock mower deck) it would be quicker for flat open areas. The BCS will mow at 7 mph upper end. If you used a 5' cycle mower (a standard implement for the BCS) in lieu of a mower deck, it might keep up in the flat, open part. But I don't know - that's the whole point of having a contest. On slopes the BCS could mow where the GT5000 might not be able to go. And, mowing under stuff, same thing.
The real benefit to the BCS is not that it is superior used strictly as a lawn mower (my guess was that it is probably close, but certainly not better for many situations), but that it is a "real" tractor that can be used, and does well, many different things people do around their property. It is a real option for some situations, extremely well made, much lower initial cost & long term repair & operating cost than a CUT. You can hook up a finish mower to your CUT and cut along side a specialized ZTR mower. Will it keep up? Maybe, maybe not. But the CUT can be used for all kinds of other stuff the ZTR mower can't even touch. Same thing comparing the BCS and a GT5000.
Don't know if that answers your question.
JEH
<font color="blue">So I am wondering...if the contest was reduced to simply which would cut the grass best and fastest...which would win? </font>
My guess, Henro, and it's a guess, is that since the GT5000 operates at a higher velocity (probably 10-12+ feet per second) and cuts a wider swath (say 50" with stock mower deck) it would be quicker for flat open areas. The BCS will mow at 7 mph upper end. If you used a 5' cycle mower (a standard implement for the BCS) in lieu of a mower deck, it might keep up in the flat, open part. But I don't know - that's the whole point of having a contest. On slopes the BCS could mow where the GT5000 might not be able to go. And, mowing under stuff, same thing.
The real benefit to the BCS is not that it is superior used strictly as a lawn mower (my guess was that it is probably close, but certainly not better for many situations), but that it is a "real" tractor that can be used, and does well, many different things people do around their property. It is a real option for some situations, extremely well made, much lower initial cost & long term repair & operating cost than a CUT. You can hook up a finish mower to your CUT and cut along side a specialized ZTR mower. Will it keep up? Maybe, maybe not. But the CUT can be used for all kinds of other stuff the ZTR mower can't even touch. Same thing comparing the BCS and a GT5000.
Don't know if that answers your question.
JEH
