Why zero-turn mowers?

[garth466]

Damaging the lawn was another thought I had since it is rare to find dry grass around these parts, especially this Summer.

I did look at the Snapper with joystick control at the in-law's hardware store (soon to be ex-in-laws, though custoday will probably be awarded to me). I couldn't be sure about the reliability of the thing. Uncle said I could come up and try his as soon as he got it fixed:-(

 

[Spiveyman]

My parents have 5 acres with tons of trees. My mom used to have to mow when dad was working. Took her ALL DAY to get it done with a Craftsman lawn tractor deal. Then dad retired and mom said he had to start mowing. He went out an bought a Grasshopper - talk about a hoss!!! That thing flies, AND cuts way better than the lawn tractor, and came with a snow blower attachment. It's a front deck mower, not the belly deal, so he can reach way up under trees with lower limbs and never have to trim again. It's over $10K, but it is the industrial version. Funny thing is, now he has nothing but time since he can mow so fast. Drives mom nuts!

 

[wushaw]

I have two ZTR's, a 36" Hustler and 61" Grasshopper diesel, both preform two different functions due to the obvious size.
I can drive one handed with the Grasshopper but can't with the Hustler, it's just the way it is.
The only problem with having a beverage with either machine is grass clippings will get into an open beverage can so you have to drink real fast or take a beverage break every so often....I take several breaks just to keep clippings out of my adult beverage.

I can mow the back side of the dam of my back pond with the Grasshopper with no problems, it just sticks to the ground.

I do have a Snapper RER that has it's purpose also so regular riders will always have their place.

 

[grnspot110]

I won't say I mow twice as fast, but my Bush Hog M2554 (4 or 5 yrs. old, about $7500 new) is a LOT easier to operate & easier on the equipment than when I used a 46" tractor type hydrostat. My home yard takes 1 hr., plus I mow 3 hrs. at the farm. Much of the farm mowing had to be done with a farm tractor w/brush cutter before the ZTR, not pretty! Some of the farm mowing is in heavy timber, so I opted for the mid-mount with no tail wheels. This is also a very good place for the higher blade speed and taller mowing capability-5", of the commercial grade mower. I would hate to go back to the old style!

grnspot

 

[coobie]

I owned 2 Zero turns the last 5 years,they have cut my mowimg time in half.coobie

 

[coobie]

In defense of the old fashion way:

I have arthritus and my John Deere X748 can be driven with one hand so I can let my other hand come back to life.

In the winter the 4X4 X748 and hydraulic angle snow blade beat the snot out of a ZTR for snow removal.

I get more seat time

I fully agree on this and I own a zero turn mower.I had rotater cuff surgery done on my shoulder in july of this year and could not mow until late aug.There are plus and minuses to a zero turn mower.coobie

 

[Tractors4u]

I almost bought a ZTR last May. I didn't because of 3 things. 1, I just didn't feel very masculine on the thing. 2, for the same money I got bigger axles, transmission and a Kawasaki which I'd like to believe that my next mower won't need to be bought until later down the road. Last but not least, 3, how do I hold my beverage when both hands are needed to drive the thing?

You get one of those hard hats with the drink holder on both sides and long straws.

 

[2manyrocks]

Went from taking 1.5 hours to cut my yard with a 36" mower to under half an hour with a 42" ZTR. Sometimes cut my grass with a CC 1650 to remember the old days and then very happily go back to the ZTR. As much fun as grass cutting is likely ever to be.

 

[LBrown59]

I owned 2 Zero turns the last 5 years,they have cut my mowimg time in half.coobie

Why spend twice the money on something that's only going to be used half as Much ?

 

[LBrown59]

i have a BX 2200 with a 60" deck. I mow my Mother's lawn with it. It takes me 20 minutes with a trim mower, 80 minutes with the Kubota, and 12 minutes weedeating. When my Kubota was being serviced, I borrowed my brother's ZTR. It is a Toro 52" machine, heavy duty homeowners model. I mowed the lawn in 80 minutes with the ZTR, no trim mowing, and the same 12 minutes of weedeating. That was with a ZTR mower with an 8" narrower deck, and a novice operator. My brother could have done it 15-20 minutes faster. That's why I am considering one.
Will

.
I bet if you had banks and ditches there would still be trimming after mowing with a Z T R.

 

[LBrown59]

how do I hold my beverage when both hands are needed to drive the thing?

That does it: Kills the deal for me!

 

[LBrown59]

Zero-turn mowers are wonderful machines.

I don't own one and can't afford the cost for myself, but, watching them work is a sight to see. ZTRs are generally overpowered for their deck-size and overbuilt for their horsepower.

How many broke down zero-turn threads do you see on here?

Credit where credit is do. Do all property owners need one? No, would just be serious overkill.

Do people cutting multiple acres with time as an issue need one? They are to be seriously looked at because they are proven pieces of equipment.

Of course there are fewer of them than tractors.

 

[TrippleT]

Zero turn mowers are very fast and I really considered getting one when I got my NH tractor. I have a JD LX188 and a 414 Wheel Horse as well. And it took 12 hours to mow my lawn. However I cut the time way down with the TC33D and a 72in rear finish mower. And, I can use the NH for other things with the loader and brush cutter too. That is the only reason I didn't get a zero turn mower.

 

[zzvyb6]

As usual, nobody has actually answered the Question. So here goes:

If you have a LOT of small trees (evergreens are good example) that you've just started and you want to cut around their trunks without accidently shearing some of them off, then a zero+ turn radius mower will allow you to circumnavigate each tree perfectly without slowing down. I've mowed around 300 such trees for 25 years now with a JD 525 pedal to the metal and now they are 20' feet tall. You don't want to do that with any other kind of mower. There are so many mower drivers that poke along at half speed, recutting the grass they just did in corners or where-ever. A ZTR mower is narrow enough and maneuverable enough to keep the machine moving at full throttle. If you are not operating it this way, you are wasting your time and energy (literally).

 

[montanaman]

It is all a matter of time for most. If mowing the grass is the only time you can get away from your husband or wife for a while, then don't buy a ZTR mower!! If you would rather be playing golf or if you mow for a living, then get a ZTR.

Things to keep in mind about some of the ZTRs. I sell the Dixie Chopper mowers and the larger ones are rated to tow 2,000lbs and they have a lifetime warranty on the frame. They also make snow blades for them. Not only will they mow in half the time or less, they will plow snow in half the time too! The largest unit I have, a 74", will mow a football field in 9 minutes.

The point is that some of the newer ones CAN replace the garden tractor for pulling and plowing.

If you want to run a tiller then no ZTR can help you there.

Ken

 

[ccsial]

They also make snow blades for them. Not only will they mow in half the time or less, they will plow snow in half the time too!
Ken

I have a freind that would disagree with this. He tried it and could not get traction up the grades.

 

[coobie]

Why spend twice the money on something that's only going to be used half as Much ?

To each his own I guess?My personal time is worth something to me how about yours?If I can save some time mowing to spend more time with my family I will do it.How do you put a price on that?I want to add we own 45 acres and of that I mow about 5-6 acres around trees and such.A ZTR is worth it to me. coobie

 

[RollTideRam]

I tried a ztr and just did not like it, I guess it takes practice to drive one. I spread some mulch around my trees so I don't have to get real close. I mow my 2.75 acres in 1.5 hours including the trimming. My x495 mows at 8mph and has power steering and a 62 inch cut. It probably cost more than most ztr's but it is what I like to use. If I had to use a smaller mower, I would probably learn to drive the ztr. JC

 

[2manyrocks]

It does take practice. We had a retaining wall at the edge of our lawn at our old house with about a 2 foot dropoff, and I was always a little cautious cutting up to the edge of it with the ZTR.

If you have a lot of wide open space, then a ZTR may not be for you. If you have a lot of trees to mow around or an irregular shaped yard, then a ZTR makes sense. But if you're not comfortable with it, I see your point.

 

[ccsial]

To each his own I guess?My personal time is worth something to me how about yours?If I can save some time mowing to spend more time with my family I will do it.How do you put a price on that?I want to add we own 45 acres and of that I mow about 5-6 acres around trees and such.A ZTR is worth it to me. coobie

Your exactly right, to each his own. The ZTR is no doubt faster if you have obstacles and a fairly smooth lawn.

However, I am semi retired and driving around on a tractor is a great way to enjoy my scenic property. I also like a hand free for a drink and swatting any bugs that land on me. I have driven the ZTR at Church and I didn't like all the clippings out front that blow on me either. I have a lot of trees but not many in my yards. I do the samller yards with the X748 and 54" and the large ones with a 72" RFM on the L3400. The large yards are a bity bumpy for a ZTR anyway. For me, I have the perfect solution. But, just for me.

And they both get snow duty. The L3400 with a blower and the 748 with a blade. My 1910 gets lonely in the winter and sometimes I just take if for a ride.