Why zero-turn mowers?

[RayCo]

I guess like most other things, it comes down to priorities. It takes me about about 1.5 hours to cut my grass with my old 36" deck John Deere. And I can do it with one hand free. I guess I'd rather spend money on equipment that can do more than just fulfill an annoying obligation like cutting grass. But, I certainly don't fault anyone for having different opinions or priorities! I'm sure if I took a ZTR out and cut my grass, I'd like it a lot. I'd probably benefit a lot from it, since while it takes 1.5 hours to cut my grass, I don't have much grass to cut - just a lot of maneuvering around.

 

[ctpres]

At BAR-BOB Ranch we have all four mower types: 22" push, 42' RIDE, 50" ZTR and 60" Bota powed Bush Hog. With 7+ acres to mow and over 550 trees to mow around the ZTR is the tool of choice. I believe it wins hands down for quality of cut, towing trailer, harrowing driveway, towing spreader, ease of use, ride comfort, work effort, time spent and ease of routine maintenance. Only the old push mower gets used anymore. ZTR does not handle two areas around the house where elevation changes rapidly. It scalps. Future "to do list" includes smoothing the slope so ZTR can be used eveywhere. PS wanna buy heavly used 42" rider and 60" Bush Hog?

 

[unit40]

At my work I have what I believe to be the worlds biggest zero-turn mower. It is an Excel Hustler 4600 with the range wings. Were talking a 72" out front mower with a 48" deck on either side. It cuts nearly 14 feet wide. It has a 38 HP Kubota diesel. You control everything with a single stick. Push it forward, twist it left or right, pull it back to stop or reverse.. It will do a complete 360 in it's own radius. It will go where your mind goes too. Best maneuverability of any machine out there and that is where a zero-turn shines. BUT, it takes a lot of practice and skill to keep it straight. The slightest twitch, sneeze, swat of a fly, or errant birdwatching will mess up a ballfield real quick. And the owners manual tells you to use one hand while driving it.

 

[PBinWA]

Came down to time, maneuverability AND comfort for me. I bought a ZTR with suspension (Ferris) this year and my back is thanking me. It cut my mowing time by more than half. If I really want a pretty cut then it takes a little longer but in general I just want to get it done so I can do other things.

I still use my riding mower for hills and my tractor for thick pasture and straight lines. It's nice to have the right tools.

 

[ducati996]

Bought a new stand on ZTR to add to the existing machines in use for commerical needs. Tried it on my lot and decided it will never leave my lot - basically retiring my garden tractor for mowing duties. Not as comfortable as the ride on, but a heck of a lot faster and cut quality is supurb - thats all that matters for me

 

[radman1]

If you are considering a large garden tractor mower vs a ZTR, then get the ZTR. I almost bought a used JD 425 AWS instead my new, commercial ZTR. The new ZTR was a few hundred more. Glad I got the ZTR. I mow about 3 acres and around another 300 trees. The only problem is going around the trees so fast you may experience dizziness. ZTR's rock if the amount of mowing is large, lots of obstacles/trees and you want a finish cut with minimal yard damage. My wife uses it more than I do. She won't let me mow anymore. I do get to use it for fertilizing. I do get to sharpen the blades, change the oil, and put in the gas.

 

[LBrown59]

ZTM

Zero
Turn on
Mower

 

[jcmseven]

Ray,

Unfortunately, I have not looked at the entire thread here, but I must say I am not 100% sure why so many buy ZTR's. I hear a lot, "cut my mowing time in half" or more and I do not doubt these claims. I can say my 757 ZTR definitely did NOT cut my mowing time in half, but I like it nonetheless. I believe ZTR's are the best mowing alternative for most of us out there, but not for all. Two years ago I bought a 757 for my dad as he has a lot to mow. I use the machine also, and like it. I do not like it any better than my X595 diesel garden tractor I used on his property before. The ZTR is faster, but as I have mentioned in previous postings, I cannot achieve more than a 15-20% difference here, and I am a decent operator. I believe a ZTR will lower one's mowing time substantially if one is going from a standard, milktoast lawn tractor, but not from something like a 595, which mows pretty fast. I am not saying I dislike the 757. It is fast and fun to operate, but it simply in my usage, is not that much faster than what I had before, and it can't pull a tiller.

John M

 

[LBrown59]

Ray,
. The ZTR is faster
John M

What's the hurry/slown down and smell the roses

 

[RayCo]

... it can't pull a tiller.

That's the another thing I wondered about that I forgot to mention. I have a few yard carts and things that I tow behind my little lawn tractor. I often cut the grass with a cart on the back, actually, so I can pick up tree debris as I'm cutting.

In addition to hauling hard carts, I've used my lawn tractor to move other tractors that weren't running at the time or other things that can be hooked up with a tow rope. My guess has always been that a zero-turn can't really (safely, at least) do these kinds of things. It just seemed to me that a zero-turn mower is just a very single-purpose machine - a grass cutter.

Also, it seems for what they cost, it'd actually be more effective to pay a landscaping guy to cut your grass every week!