"Zero Turn Mowers with front tire steering wheel???

[Midniteoyl]

I don't think too many folks would have an answer for you.
To the best of my knowledge, Club Cadet is the only manufacturer offering a zero-turn with a steering wheel...probably not too many in use yet.

You might get more response if you post on a lawn care type forum rather then a tractor related forum.

From my knowledge, eXmark and Ariens both also have front steer ZTR's..

 

[ray66v]

Dont know which one you saw, but the front wheels on mine, and every one I have seen, definitely are not castering.

I saw the early prototype, while it was literally being built, and debugged, on the floor of the MTD lab.

 

[ray66v]

On the Z-Force model, I was just reading about, the steering wheel controls the rear drive wheels, but also turns the front wheels.

Perhaps the castering wheel version did not work out?

 

[Midniteoyl]

On the Z-Force model, I was just reading about, the steering wheel controls the rear drive wheels, but also turns the front wheels.

Perhaps the castering wheel version did not work out?

Must have been.. steering wheel w/castering front wheels would actually be scary

 

[ray66v]

Must have been.. steering wheel w/castering front wheels would actually be scary

Why do you say that?

I am sure, it was meant to work just as the regular zero controls work, only appeal to those who are fearful.

 

[TMR]

Why do you say that?

I am sure, it was meant to work just as the regular zero controls work, only appeal to those who are fearful.

I would assume if it otherwise pretty much functions just like a normal ZT...that having steering control over the two front wheels would be an operating positive?

Also might be a little more appealing to my wife.

Any of you actually own a new ZT with front wheel steering control? Would be nice for some actual experience to comment

BTW...take a look at the Toro build it web site...SW and SWX models are ZTs w/front steering and steering wheel. Not much comment on how the ZT portion functions once you no longer have the ZT standard controls? TMR

 

[stevem5215]

My neighbor bought one. I helped him unload it and had a chance to drive it a little. It's a nice machine for a steering wheel type of ZTR. We had a heck of a time getting it off the truck on a sloped hill. It just wouldn't come off due to slipping of the back wheels. We ended up using my hill after he backed it off the truck on a flat surface but even on the hill it was all over the place. I watch him on his sloped hill when he cuts. He always cuts across the hill so it doesn't slip sideways. On dry grass it's better than on damp grass. (as someone already mentioned)

Steve

 

[Ron Cloninger]

I have a Cub Cadet Z-Force with the steering wheel, the steering wheel does control the front and rear wheels, it does a great job on side slopes. BIL has a zero turn Cub cadet with the handles and he can not mow on a steeper side slope due to the caster front wheels. Also there is no learning curve to operate the mower with the steering wheel.