Buying Advice Tractor vs zero turn

[Thomas]

Could you use sub compact other than mowing...snow removal,projects with front loader,garden etc.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've had push mowers, riding lawn tractor, SCUT, and Zero turn. On flat property there is no question a z turn is the way to go IMO. It is just a matter of selecting the best cut width for your lot size and obstacles.

 

[dodge man]

I have a JD 2025r with a 60” auto connect deck. The deck goes on and off easy as does the front end loader. It mows good but not great. I also have hills and pretty rough ground and use the end loader all the time. If all you are doing is mowing, the zero turn is best. On the other hand if you need a tractor for other stuff,a compact or sub compact is best.

 

[Hay Dude]

I will mow about 25 acres at an upscale housing complex with a 72” diesel zero turn tomorrow, and I do this every week during cutting season. Theres a couple 5 acre patches, some steep banks along a pond, trails and front & back yards. My Zero turn does them all and way faster than a tractor. For me, it actually gives me back my time and my freedom.

 

[dlctcg]

I agree nothing cuts or is as fast as a zero turn... for what you are looking at... & if you currently have a 42" zero turn that is in good condition & will last; I'm not sure why look at a 60"? With flat property as you state a 60" deck will cut smooth but with an only an acre to cut you would only be saving (at the most) 15 mins with the zero turn upgrades deck size... of course this is depending on your lot. With a sub compact I believe you will be adding time... frustration & possibly giving up cut quality....

I actually went from a 61" deck zero turn to a 50" zero turn & didn't see any increase in my cut time (the 50" was more maneuverable for my property type = fast cutting)... I also had definite better cut quality with the 50".... I mow about 2.75 acres...

 

[kthompson]

We were mowing our over two acres with a Kubota B2710 with a Bushog brand rear finishing mower with a 72 inch deck. It was a two hour job. Bought their mid grade ztr mower with 20 hp Kohler engine and 52 inch deck and mowed it in 1 1/2 hours. Same brand deck as the ztr, same spindles, same design but the 20 inch narrower ztr saved 25% of the time the tractor and mower took. Cut quality was I would say the same.

 

[Mattyboy93]

I figured this would be the general consensus. I agree with everyone’s points. I appreciate the feedback. My current zero turn is a bit undersized for my needs. Maybe I’ll just look to upgrade a hair on the zero turn.

I use the 770 for the 3 pt capability for the garden patch. Front end loaders are hard to find for these and are expensive.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I use the 770 for the 3 pt capability for the garden patch. Front end loaders are hard to find for these and are expensive.

3 point pallet forks will allow you to pick up stuff and move it.

Get a pair to use until you find a loader.

SR

 

[Ortimber]

The more obstacles you have to mow around, the more time you will save using a ZTR. If you get a good suspension or air seat, a ZTR is tolerable on slightly rough ground.

 

[nards444]

ive mowed my lawn with a garden store big box store kind and a ZTR big box store and borrowed my buddies scut once to do it. The scut didnt mow any better or faster than the garden tractor give or take a few mins. My 2500 dollar big box zero turn mower took mowing from just over two hours to right at about an hour. Nothing beats a zero turn for typical mowing to include slight incline. Obviously severe incline and other situations might dictate otherwise.

When comes to things like this I look at contractors. Painters paint by cutting in or tapping off, not stupid cut in tools that dont work. When it comes to mowing 99% of mowers out there doing commercial work are ZTRs witha few 3 point mowers doing large things with tractors. Cant say I have seen a contractor use a MMM on a tractor to do a job. That tells you what people that do this daily think