MikeA57
Silver Member
I agree with rsewill, spend the bucks and get a diesel ZTR. Speed IS the issue here. You can do that 20 open acres in 1/4 to 1/3 the time with a ZTR that you could do it with a subcompact. Look at Scag, Kubota, John Deere, Grasshopper, and Bad Boy. They're expensive but proven.
If you simply can't afford a diesel just get as big of a gas engine as you can on it. The grass is most likely thick heavy field grass and you'll need every ounce of power you can lay your hands on.
With that much acreage you should talk to dealers who will bring a machine out to you and let you test drive on your turf. Running one on their constantly cut test lawn is one thing but getting it out on your ground is completely different.
Don't buy just on price alone. A dealer who offers exceptional service will be a great asset if (when) the machine needs some TLC.
The only thing that would sway me away from a ZTR is if it will be used for other chores. If you need a front end loader, pull stumps out of the ground, a grader/box blade, a sprayer, or anything like that, then you need a tractor. If all you're going to do with it is mow grass, get a ZTR. (That being said, the Bad Boy ZTR is one of the only ones I know of that is set up to accept a front mounted sprayer, a front push blade and a Class 2 hitch to pull things. I don't know how efficient it is doing all those other things because it was designed to mow grass. But, they do offer those attachments for the BB.)
If you simply can't afford a diesel just get as big of a gas engine as you can on it. The grass is most likely thick heavy field grass and you'll need every ounce of power you can lay your hands on.
With that much acreage you should talk to dealers who will bring a machine out to you and let you test drive on your turf. Running one on their constantly cut test lawn is one thing but getting it out on your ground is completely different.
Don't buy just on price alone. A dealer who offers exceptional service will be a great asset if (when) the machine needs some TLC.
The only thing that would sway me away from a ZTR is if it will be used for other chores. If you need a front end loader, pull stumps out of the ground, a grader/box blade, a sprayer, or anything like that, then you need a tractor. If all you're going to do with it is mow grass, get a ZTR. (That being said, the Bad Boy ZTR is one of the only ones I know of that is set up to accept a front mounted sprayer, a front push blade and a Class 2 hitch to pull things. I don't know how efficient it is doing all those other things because it was designed to mow grass. But, they do offer those attachments for the BB.)
