Used a zero turn today.

[dodge man]

It seems like common advice, buy a zero turn for mowing the lawn, mid mount mowers are awful, use the tractor for tractor stuff. My JD 2025r is under the bellcrank recall and mine is cracked so it’s a no go. I normally mow with it, a 60” mid mount.

I borrowed a friends zero turn Scag, a Patriot model, 22 hp Kawasaki, 52” deck. The good things. It rides good, it has a decent suspension seat and is more comfortable than my JD. It also cuts really good, it must have high lift blades. It’s a very nice machine, he paid about $7500, it lists for $9200.

The bad. I mow about 2 acres, maybe a little more and half of it’s pretty hilly, a lot of side hill. If you were just going along a side hill it was ok but if you were going downhill and turned along the side hill you had to be really careful. It also cut up the lawn some. I’m sure my skills would improve with use. It also used a lot of fuel but I consider that a small thing, maybe almost twice as much as my JD would have used.

My opinion on them is unchanged. If you have a relatively flat yard, the money and the storage space, I’d recommend one. If you want a mid mount with your tractor to mow with or have some hills, it’s a solid choice too.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

AGREE!

 

[kozal01]

It takes some seat time to get the hang of it. I will NEVER go back to any other mower now that Ive had my ZTR for 10 years. I have hills too, never had any issues. They will out mow almost anything in both speed and cut quality.

 

[drumminj]

Regarding side-hilling, check out the Cub Cadet ZTXS mowers. The front wheels have traction and controlled steering

 

[BnRidge]

Maybe it depends on the model. We have a 1987 deere 935f, mow 3 to 7 acres that varies from flat to 20% slope. It does it all, with little to no trimming, raking etc. 1-1/2hrs for the 3ac. The rest gets trimmed a couple times a year with the deck at 5", 1-1/2hrs there too. Hills don't seem to matter, and gets everything done fast and efficient.

 

[Skeletor]

Took me a couple hours till I felt ok on it. I don’t think anything of it now and I got it in July. One of the lawns I cut has a steep hill and you can still do pretty good on the hills after some practice.

 

[Rdrcr]

My opinion on them is unchanged. If you have a relatively flat yard, the money and the storage space, I’d recommend one. If you want a mid mount with your tractor to mow with or have some hills, it’s a solid choice too.

Well, with the right tool for the job and enough budget, perhaps your opinion would change…

I have ZERO issues side-mowing my steep hills, even with wet grass. And, it delivers an excellent cut.

Mike

 

[4570Man]

I put AT-101 tires on my zero turn and it makes a huge difference. I can mow any hill that’s safe to do with a regular mower.

 

[DK35vince]

I put AT-101 tires on my zero turn and it makes a huge difference. I can mow any hill that’s safe to do with a regular mower.

I did the same with my mowers.
I mow hills with the AT-101 tires no problem that I struggled with or couldn't mow at all with the turf tires

Attachments

• 
  HPIM1661.JPG

  240.4 KB · Views: 534

 

[Seachaser]

Also don’t cut hills with a heavy dew or rain. Tires and skills are important. I’ll never go back to a non ZTR.