What's it like owning a zero turn?

[Midniteoyl]

Thus the reason for the Gizmow I have.. slopes


That, and it was fairly cheap (being relative) due to no one knowing what it was..

 

[My Hoe]

Subscribed.

 

[SI2305]

aczlan, RG1,

It has been nearly 20 years since I last operated that particular ZTR. I THINK it was a Toro and I have no idea of the model number. I do vividly remember how poorly it performed on slopes. Granted, other models might perform much better but I can remember how it would tend to veer downhill and when I would try to correct the motion, the uphill drive tire would start to spin, thus worsening the downhill motion. I once even had to mow a hill that was probably over 45 degrees. In retrospect, not the smartest move, but at the time (dumb youth) it seemed OK--till I started to slide down uncontrollably. At that moment I dearly wished for foot breaks, or breaks of any kind instead of relying on the hydros to do all the slowing. On that particular hill I actually had to shut off the PTO and bail on the machine. Again, dumb youth.

I certainly hope that this is not the standard for newer models and I really learned to appreciate the controls, but I never did find a model since that handled slopes well--not that they don't exist, just the basic steering mechanism is susceptible to having the slower moving tire skid and accidentally turn the opposite direction.

Just my experience

SI2305

 

[RG1]

SI2305

Just an FYI- my Z950 has a foot brake on it. Most ZTR's are not rated for more than 20 degree slopes, many even less than that, at around 15 degree. 45 degrees is crazy. Glad you are still around after doing anything close to that.

 

[lilranch2001]

In my opinion, a zero turn mower is made to cut grass. Its sole purpose in life is to cut grass. It isn't meant to also plow your driveway, haul dirt in a trailer, move rocks or till the ground. It cuts grass and it does that quite efficiently and quickly.

You can go as slow or as fast as you like. As in a car, you don't have to move as fast as it can go. If you hit a bumpby patch .. go slower. If you have slopes, just be smart. It is not that hard to learn to control the machine --- just some practice. It is much much much easier to get good on a zero turn than to get good at golf! I will always have a zero turn to cut my grass. Get as best a machine as you can afford, maintain it and you will be in great shape for a long long time.

The critical things I have learned going from the suburbs to acreage is to (a) get the right machine for the job (b) get as commercial of a machine as you can afford and (c) maintain the machine as per the manuals. Anything else just seems to create problems, wasted time and extra money.

Good luck.

MoKelly

One other thing a zero turn does very well is pull a lawn sprayer.
As long as you are going forward you can put that spray pattern anywhere you want it
:thumbsup:

 

[lilranch2001]

I don't have a lot of experience with a zero turn but what I do have I found them to be very tedious to operate because of the levers. There is nothing easier than a steering wheel with power steering especially with a front mount mower.

After 3-4 hours I do tend to get tired arms, but alas, I am done mowing then, where with my old WheelHorse or 8N I still had 9 hours to go
:dance1:

 

[SI2305]

RG1,

You are not half as glad to be around as I am after that lame brain move of mine. I still do like the ZTR concept and I know for a fact that the model I was using was supposed to be one intended to handle rougher ground (meaning that is what my boss THOUGHT he was buying). He was not happy with what he got and I got a real scare out of it what with the 45 degree nonsense. For years I had been looking for a ZTR that had foot controls (they were not doing anything on the model I had--may as well do something) or even hand brakes on the handles. I am glad to see that some models are coming with the very sensible addition of a foot break.

SI2305