Zero Turn Mower?

[Will_C]

The best advice I can give is to have a dealer bring the unit out and try it!! Degree of slope is an objective measure, but YOU need to get on the machine and see if YOU feel comfortable and safe. There is quite a difference between ZTRs.

Will

 

[vettebob1]

A Zero turn for a half acre is over kill like using a semi to haul 1 tooth pick.

OK, what do you suggest instead?
I have been using a Toro personal pace and it takes me 1 1/2 hours to do. I'm 65 and in decent shape but admittedly I would rather use something else. I'm told the cheapies ain't goin' to work. So yes I have to pay a premium price to do it myself. So what do you suggest?

 

[Wesdor]

I have a Deere ZTR and it works fine for me. HOWEVER it does not handle steep slopes well, especially going down. I'm with the others - try one out at your place before making up your mind.
As much as I like mine, your situation sounds more like a garden tractor to me

 

[missingstexas]

A Zero turn for a half acre is over kill like using a semi to haul 1 tooth pick.

Don't tell a man that a power tool is over kill! I subscribe to the Tim Allen this thing needs "more power!" theory.

 

[Carl_NH]

I agree with the others on a good garden tractor, but for the price of a commercial ZTR $7-8k you can get a decent small Kubota/John Deere/Massey/Cub Cadet machine with a deck and 4WD.

Then if you need to do snow in the winter add a FEL, and so on.. Depends on your situation - a ZTR is a single season machine, but if you get a good small 4WD unit it works in all seasons with the right attachments.

As for slopes on a ZTR 15-18* is not an issue for a short inclines/slopes, but for 1/2 acre with variable or long slopes I would seriously consider a multipurpose 4WD machine than a ZTR.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The main point to remember regarding use of the typical zero-turn mowers (mid deck, deck under machine) is that when you lose traction - you also lose the ability to steer. It's different strokes for different folks. Some people feel more comfortable on inclines with a ztr and some prefer the tractor-style. As PossumHound mentioned, nothing beats a demo on your property - an experienced ztr operator would be welcomed also.

BINGO

Use a ZTR on a steep slope make sure you potential ending zone is a place you are OK landing in. Before you totally loose the ability to steer you need to get it starting to nose down and hit it hard to regain some control.

It needs to be treated like a stall condition in a plane. You have to keeping moving at a good rate of speed to have steering control.

 

[Bird]

OK, what do you suggest instead?
I have been using a Toro personal pace and it takes me 1 1/2 hours to do. I'm 65 and in decent shape but admittedly I would rather use something else. I'm told the cheapies ain't goin' to work. So yes I have to pay a premium price to do it myself. So what do you suggest?

I'd have to agree that a ZTR for a half acre is overkill.:laughing: But I'm 71, it's hotter'n you know what in Texas in the Summer, so I recently traded from my Toro personal pace mower to Toro's new 32" ZTR, and I'm living in town on a 70' x 170' lot.:laughing: I do help out some neighbors a bit (81 year old living next door) and even take it on a trailer to a daughter's place. I've got 13 hours on it now.:laughing: And I even spent the money for the bagging kit to use in the Fall for leaves and in the Spring when I scalp the lawn on the first mowing. Expensive? Darned right, but probably less than a lawn care service would charge me.

 

[vettebob1]

I want to thank everyone for contributing their opinions? It truly has been informative. I have been posting to several forums to try to garner as much info and beliefs as possible. The lawn mower forum has pretty much sided with the Zero Turn (but was not too much in favor of the Quest?. The Tractor Forum(s) have pretty much sided with the garden type tractor. But?I suppose that should have been expected from each group. I thank KennyV for the video link; that was very enlightening.

The video kinda took me by surprise. But not for its information. The slope was said to be 16 degrees and from the viewing of it, it did not look that scary? When looking at my slope it looks a tad scarier than in the video. Soooooo, that got me to thinking?. I don't know how to measure a slope? I copied what was in the owners manual for measuring a slope. I took my level with me, this time, and aligned the sheet of paper with the level and took a reading. I came up with 15 degrees again with the one area slightly above that?.maybe 16 degrees or a tad more?? Maybe viewing a video is not the same as being there?

Anyway?I am at a cross roads again. The muscle of the tractor is impressive but one does sit higher than on a ZTR; which infers the center of gravity is higher? Maybe that is why the John Deere rep said that I would need to put fluid in the tires to lower the center of gravity? That does not make me feel self-assured. The ZTR looks like you are closer to the ground (the rider) but the video showing the sliding did not instill confidence either; but I realize he was forcing the issue. With the eXmark the hand brake I believe is down by the feet?not good. And there is NO foot brake.

I know the walk behind mower will work. But at 22" that takes a long time. There are other options of walk behind 26-33" but they are monsters with all sorts of hand controls and stuff you gotta do and on a slope that does not instill confidence either.

I realize my situation requires I get off my wallet?which I'm having a tuff time doing. I see so many tractors and ZTR's at around $2K, +/- , but none of them can work in my situation?so I'm told. Spending $3,500 minimally and more than likely over $4K+ is hard to accept.

For those of you who recommend used??there is absolutely nothing available within 100 miles of here?.I've called/checked.

I guess I'll be walking a bit longer unless other opinions/views sway me.

Thanks.

 

[MrHiggins]

I have an old, bought in 1989, White FR-12 zero-turn with 52" front deck. I use it to mow the ditch by the road that is about a 30* incline. Absolutely no problem as long as I mow horizontally in reverse. If I try to mow forward it tends to slide down the hill. This has been a fantastic mower. In fact after White was bought by MTD they sold the design to Ingersoll. They continued it as the Grazer. They now have sold it again, to Zipper. Check it out at Zipper Zero Turn Mowers - Home. They are made in Wicita, KS.
MrHiggins

 

[vettebob1]

Sears is selling the GT6000 'garden' tractor for $2650+/-
It has the Hydro Gear G730 tranny.

What to do