Mowing Which is better for mowing on hills, ZTR or SCUT?

[SpringHollow]

If you want something more versatile than a XTR, look at the Power Tracs which are rated for slopes. The smaller ones i think are rated for 30 degrees, mine is rated for 45 degrees crosswise on a slope. Lots of attachments and the articulated steering is extremely easy on the grass.

Ken

 

[Charlesaf3]

great info, thanks all. Wouldn't have guessed that downhill was more of an issue than sidehill, certainly not the issue on the tractors.

I don't use my tractor brakes on hills, find the hydraulics does fine. Guess that doesn't carry over to ztrs though.

 

[Ken45101]

great info, thanks all. Wouldn't have guessed that downhill was more of an issue than sidehill, certainly not the issue on the tractors.

I don't use my tractor brakes on hills, find the hydraulics does fine. Guess that doesn't carry over to ztrs though.

On the hill we have, I needed the tractor (B2710) in 4wd going dowhnill. Otherwise the rear alone doesn't have enough braking (turf tires). A couple of times the tractor was in 2wd and I slid down the hill into the fence. A ZT mower has no option for 4wd braking Also, since the steering is via the (slipping) rear wheels, you don't have much (or any) steering going down a hill once it starts slipping.

Ken

 

[OKnewguy]

To confuse the issue even more, a front mount ztr, is extremely stable.
I used to have a gravely ztr and could not mow many of the slopes that my front mount grasshopper can. Super smooth cut too.
Dave

 

[RonVL4]

I have a B2630 with a 60 inch rear deck mower and a zd18 kubota ZTR with also a 60 inch. The zd cuts almost twice as fast and very safe on slopes. Cut along my ditches all the time but would never try with the B2630!

In my opinion ZTR are the way to go as far as cutting lawn especially for hills. As far as ripping lawn once you get use to your machine it is not a issue.

 

[Couple of Achers]

One other think you might consider. Before I bought my ZD, I had concerns about mowing my slopes as well, since the predecessors failed the test for the reasons mentioned already. I ask the dealer if would bring one out so I could try it. Since I have been mowing with ZTR's since 1990, I didn't have to learn how to operate the ZD. If you haven't operated one, then take some time on the flat areas to get a good feel for it first. I headed right for the steepest part of the ditch and went all the way to the end and back. The dealer was standing right there when I returned and I said, I'll take it. Maybe your dealer would do the same. Let you try it, before you buy it. Any brand that is.

I didn't mean to imply in my previous posts that they don't have their limits. Of course they do. But I would in no way have taken my SCUT across that ditch length ways. Even trying to do the one cheek seat.

Another thing you may consider is loading the rear tires. That would lower the center of gravity even lower than it already is and put some more weight right where you need the traction. This should work for any brands.

 

[Ken45101]

Another thing you may consider is loading the rear tires. The would lower the center of gravity even lower than it already is and put some more weight right where you need the traction. This should work for any brands.

I've thought about that, but with the small size of ZTR tires (compared to tractor tires), I wonder if that would really add enough weight to make a worthwhile difference on an 1800# mower.

Ken

 

[Couple of Achers]

I've thought about that, but with the small size of ZTR tires (compared to tractor tires), I wonder if that would really add enough weight to make a worthwhile difference on an 1800# mower.

Ken

Ken, I'm not sure it would help or not. Just a thought. I suppose if it was right on the hairy edge of holding the slope or not, it would help. I know a lot of members here have loaded similar size tires. Maybe they will chime in with how many gallons each one holds, or better yet, how much weight they actually added. I do believe there are wheel weights available from Kubota for the ZD's. I think they are used in concert with the front blade. That would be an allternative to filling the tires with something.

 

[Dargo]

To confuse the issue even more, a front mount ztr, is extremely stable.
I used to have a gravely ztr and could not mow many of the slopes that my front mount grasshopper can. Super smooth cut too.
Dave

Exactly. If mowing on a slope is a concern, there is positively no comparison between a front mount ZTR and a mid mount. As some know, I've had plenty of ZTR mowers over the years, especially when I had a mowing business. You can stop, turn circles, and go up, down, or sideways with a front mount Grasshopper on hills that the most 'stable' mid mount ZTR mowers couldn't possibly mow. With a front mount ZTR the problem of losing control going down a slope is completely eliminated for all practical purposes. A front mount ZTR will cost more, by a bit, than a mid mount ZTR, but there is a reason they cost more.

 

[Couple of Achers]

Exactly. If mowing on a slope is a concern, there is positively no comparison between a front mount ZTR and a mid mount. As some know, I've had plenty of ZTR mowers over the years, especially when I had a mowing business. You can stop, turn circles, and go up, down, or sideways with a front mount Grasshopper on hills that the most 'stable' mid mount ZTR mowers couldn't possibly mow. With a front mount ZTR the problem of losing control going down a slope is completely eliminated for all practical purposes. A front mount ZTR will cost more, by a bit, than a mid mount ZTR, but there is a reason they cost more.

Dargo, this is a little bit off the OP question, but it may help him decide on which way to go. Does the Grasshopper have posi-traction or a diff. lock of some kind? Just curious. Thanks.