Used a zero turn today.

[Runner]

See this thread for a ZTR that mows sidehill on 25 degree slopes and turns tight circles around trees on 20 degree slopes without losing traction and feels completely stable while doing it.

New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54

Pulled the trigger on a new 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54. This thread will be to document my experience in this journey. Everything about this machine, including the buying process is completely different from anything I've done before. First, a little background on my needs. I have a 6...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Yander]

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.

I believe it depends on the model, the operator, the conditions (Wet/Dry), tires, and the grade, etc. I have a ditch in front of my house that is so steep I wouldn't take my garden tractor or my SCUT on. I mowed it for a few years with my Gravely ZTHD 60" Zero turn with HydroGear 3100 drive pumps on both wheels. It was a pucker factor type of situation and I didn't like it but of all the things I've mowed with, the ZTR was the only thing I would put on that steep ditch bank.

Here is what I could not do with the ZTR: Mow with even a little bit of moisture, dew, or mow with the soil under the grass still soft from rain the previous day or two (even if grass was dry). It had to be bone dry and then and only then could I keep the Z from sliding down the ditch bank. But if it were bone dry, I could run the ditch bank all the way down and had no issues. That was about a #700lb ZTR. I will not mow that ditch with my tractor.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evening,
I bought a new Toro ZTR this year to replace my 1982 C125 Wheel Horse garden tractor ! The Zero Turn gives an excellent cut and is really fast compared to my old Wheel Horse ! The property is relatively flat so I can’t really comment on mowing on hills !

To be truthful i still have a sentimental attachment to the old Wheel Horse and will probably do an overhaul on it at some point ! 42 years is a long time to be with your garden tractor !