Buying Advice zero turn - or not?

   / zero turn - or not? #1  

Jpcjguy

Bronze Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
60
Location
Richmond, va
Tractor
None
Hey all,

So I just bought a house with 2 acres - of which about 1.5 is lawn. I first jumped on the zero turn mower thought because that is what the previous owner has and hey - more power toys!
So now that I am looking at the $$$ for them, I wonder if I truly need it.
Here is a picture of the lawn:
LawnImage.JPG
Birds eye view:
LawnImage2.JPG
Basically everything to the left of the red line. There is some behind the house you cant see but that gives you an idea of the terrain.
I am wondering if a standard riding mower with a 48" deck would be fine also - seems to be a bunch cheaper in the used market.

What do you all think?
Thanks
Joe
 
   / zero turn - or not? #2  
I love my Toro z420 (42 inch 2005 model), I would never go back to a non-zero. My coworker paid about 3 grand for the same one, I got mine at Home Depot for about $1600 because it was marked down to make room for the next year's model. Both of ours are still running strong.
 
   / zero turn - or not? #3  
So now that I am looking at the $$$ for them, I wonder if I truly need it.
.
I am wondering if a standard riding mower with a 48" deck would be fine also - seems to be a bunch cheaper in the used market.

Joe,

How do you value your time? Assuming the same deck size, you will same time with a ZTR, and the more obstacles (trees, buildings, etc.) in your yard, the more time you will save.

Steve
 
   / zero turn - or not? #4  
I have used a 52 inch cut Hustler Fastrak for several years. It is powered by a 20hp Honda commercial engine. I mow over three acres with it ranging from wide open field to native lawn with a lot of maneuvering. On the positive side, no one should have this much fun mowing. I can easily cut my 3+ acres in a couple of hours. It is low slung and I can get under low branches that would bar a lawn tractor.

Here are some cons to consider, Price for this model several years ago was 5K. You can get cheaper but it will be built cheaper. To date, I have had no mechanical issues.

If you have sloping land, mowing side hill can be a chore as the machine wants to dash off down hill and the driver has to constantly check that. If not too steep, mow up and down slope. My mower has safety wheels on the back to guard against back flip, but they have never been needed on my gentle slopes.

You can trim closely and rapidly, but that can rip up soil and sod near tree trunks in sharp turns. For trimming under fences, it is useful to have the deck extend out beyond the wheel base on the side opposite ejection. I have scarred up gas tanks cutting beneath barb wire fence.

Maximum speed of mine is 7mph and when sharp it will cut at top speed. The next model up was 1K more, Kawasaki powered, wider cut, and 11mph top speed.

In my model, there is no suspension, not even the seat is sprung. This makes for a rough ride. I have seen a big model with suspension but I wager the price was prohibitive for personal use. If you are a big person, make sure you fit the cockpit comfortably.

Removing the blades on my model is not easy, but that is generally true of lawn tractor mowers or even more so. My old diesel Ford GT75 requires removal of the deck for example.

I cannot get my wife to use it. She prefers the Ford lawn tractor. I suspect because it is hydrostat and steers like a car.
 
   / zero turn - or not? #5  
My wright stander is also a Kawasaki 23hp. 11 mph is the top speed. Very rarely will I ever go that fast. It's an awesome commercial mower that I use at my home, a 3/4 acre lot I own and sometimes at a 6 acre property I own (mow 2 acres). My large tractor is way more comfortable than any zero turn/lawn tractor. I've never even have a bolt/nut loosen up on the stander. It's a 2000 model, I bought it with about 2000 hours (newer motor), it now has a bit over 2300.very, very little maintenance.
 
   / zero turn - or not? #6  
I've owned Cub Cadet and Craftsman lawn tractors; liked both of them, and they served me well. But I now have my second Toro ZTR, and as has been said already, they get the job done much quicker.
 
   / zero turn - or not? #7  
I've owned Cub Cadet and Craftsman lawn tractors; liked both of them, and they served me well. But I now have my second Toro ZTR, and as has been said already, they get the job done much quicker.
I had a toro ztr and had nothing but bad luck with it, bought a deere ztr and worked great.
 
   / zero turn - or not? #8  
At my stage in life, most purchases are on a want basis Vs need:- ). Do u need one, no but for me, it is a lot more fun to mow with a zero turn. Would not want to go back to a tractor style mower. I would recommend u try one first as I had a friend who bought a new one and didn't like it and took a hit when he traded it back in on another. He claimed it rode harder but I believe that was because he was running quicker and there fore hitting the bumps harder.
 
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   / zero turn - or not? #9  
Nice place. I would think what ever you decide will work, it comes down to what is your time worth. I have a BX2200 and John Deer 60 inch commercial 0 turn. I keep and park the John Deer at one of my commercial property's as it keeps me from trailing machines back and fourth. It is useless for anything other than cutting grass. The BX would be by far my first choice and the last thing I would ever sell. Even my Kioti 45.
Hope This Helps
Scott
 
   / zero turn - or not? #10  
Whatever you buy, don't go cheap. If you buy a cheap ZTR or a cheap lawn tractor from a box store, it won't last and you'll be buying another one in a few years.

Spend a little more and buy a quality one. Not only will it last longer, but you'll enjoy it more when using it.
 

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