Turf Vs Bar

[FOURTEEN]

using a PT-422 to mow our horse ranch and some rental property.

Any comments?

Is mowing A LOT of lawn your primary use for a PT-422? If it is, I recommend that you buy a quality ZTR mower, such as a Hustler! The Hustler will do a much quicker, more comfortable, and better job of mowing at less cost!

The PT is designed to do many jobs very well, and if you need a tractor to often dig, scrape, spread, lift, stump grind, trench, brush cut, lawn mow, grapple, etc, etc, etc, there isn't a better machine! However, if a lot of lawn mowing is what you mostly need done, I say go ZTR!

 

[tracdoc]

Noob alert!
Pops seems to think the bar will be fine and thinks we won't get enough traction from the turf tred.

Always listen to Pops! I have been using bar tread tires for more than 2 seasons on close to 3 Ac of lawn. Of necessity, I sometimes have to mow when it's not as dry as I would like. I have had no problems whatsoever with damage to the lawn. The developer in this neighborhood uses two Kubota turbo-diesel ZTRs with turf tires to mow common areas and un-sold building lots. No difference at all in tread dig-in, etc. and the lawns are identical composition. His Kubotas may weigh in a tad less than the PT.

So, first do no harm... bar tires don't hurt turf unless someone is a real hot-dog with their machine. Now, for the advantages. To work around a barn, out in the rough stuff with the brush hog, or digging/pulling trees in the woods, bar tires have been superior performers.. Neighbor's SCUT with turfs spins after the treads get filled with mud and forest floor mulch stuff. The PT keeps right on working.

Bottom line (my $0.02 for sure) is that I agree with FOURTEEN. If mowing is the chief objective, a turf tread ZTR is better. If one wants a PT as it should be, namely the "Swiss Army knife" of small tractors, the bar tread tires will overall be a better match.

 

[ethr]

Is mowing A LOT of lawn your primary use for a PT-422? If it is, I recommend that you buy a quality ZTR mower, such as a Hustler! The Hustler will do a much quicker, more comfortable, and better job of mowing at less cost!

The PT is designed to do many jobs very well, and if you need a tractor to often dig, scrape, spread, lift, stump grind, trench, brush cut, lawn mow, grapple, etc, etc, etc, there isn't a better machine! However, if a lot of lawn mowing is what you mostly need done, I say go ZTR!

No it's not a lot of lawn to mow both sites are currently mowed with a 21" toro personal pace. I will be moving from the rental to the horse farm and renting out both sides of the duplex instead of one. So I want to be able to mow quickly.

As far as a ZTR goes my Father-in-law is the Wisconsin, Northern Il, Upper Michigan factory dealer for Dixon ZTRs, the original ZTR, and there would be some major problems if I bought anything but blue!

 

[J_J]

Travis, Fourteen is right , about speed, cut appearance, bagging capabilities, the ZTR's can't be beat. But you have to consider the cost of buying a ZTR, and maintaining anither engine, belt replacement, hydraulics, etc. The ZTR will cost anywhere from $2995, up to about $10,000
with decks from 36 in to 72 in. I do believe that the deck on the PT mower will last longer than any of the ZTR's decks. It is made of thicker steel.

Maybe your Father-in-law can get you a good deal on a Dixon. That would help some. .