Hi I have a yard that is 3/4 acre including the house.I have 30 or so trees an inground pool and lots of landscaping to mow around.I am currently using a push mower.I would like to buy a rider and am leaning towards a ZTR of some sort.Is this overkill for my yard size. I am going to look at Cub Cadet and Husky under $3000.Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks Steve
ztr for smaller yard
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Moon
Platinum Member
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- Feb 4, 2002
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- SE Ohio, Meigs County
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- Kubota L3010HST R4's, Scag Wildcat ZTR, 61
From your description a regular garden / lawn tractor would not be the best tool for the mowing duties.
A ZTR might be overkill, but it would handle the obsticles with ease. Your price point seems low for the ZTR's I looked at.
Another possiblity would be the bigger commercial walk behinds. I'd guess you've seen landscaping companies use them. They sometimes have a stand plate that the driver can stand on rather than walk. They turn on a dime and would make short work of your 3/4 acre, even with all the obsticles. I think you could get one for 3k or less, but I haven't priced one recently. Another advantage of these is that you can get them in 38 or 44 inch width which means you could fit into tight spots that a ZTR or Garden Tractor couldn't.
Moon
A ZTR might be overkill, but it would handle the obsticles with ease. Your price point seems low for the ZTR's I looked at.
Another possiblity would be the bigger commercial walk behinds. I'd guess you've seen landscaping companies use them. They sometimes have a stand plate that the driver can stand on rather than walk. They turn on a dime and would make short work of your 3/4 acre, even with all the obsticles. I think you could get one for 3k or less, but I haven't priced one recently. Another advantage of these is that you can get them in 38 or 44 inch width which means you could fit into tight spots that a ZTR or Garden Tractor couldn't.
Moon
Nasty135
Veteran Member
61554, Interesting screen name /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Welcome to TBN, If you don't have need of lawn tractor for any other purpose such as pulling lawn cart or leaf sweeper. I wouldn't be afraid of looking into the cubcadets ZTR sold by lowes because of your special circumstances with all the trees... But thats why I ask about the lawn(leaf) sweeper. A little more money than a normal rider but should cut mowing time... Best advice is to first test drive one at a place that will let you try it out. because buying and finding out you really don't like it wouldn't be any fun... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
But I have no idea about the quality or longevity of these NEW homeowner units.... I you get one let us know how you like it... I've seen one at Lowes for $2999.
Hey if you like staying in shape a push mower for your size lot is a great work-out,You are your own ZTH-uman
But I have no idea about the quality or longevity of these NEW homeowner units.... I you get one let us know how you like it... I've seen one at Lowes for $2999.
Hey if you like staying in shape a push mower for your size lot is a great work-out,You are your own ZTH-uman
Gatorboy
Elite Member
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- Bel Air, MD
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- Kubota M8950, Bobcat 873 SSL & Kubota ZD-331
I would agree with Moon. I would look into a commercial walk-behind mower. I have a 48" Scag with a 17 HP Kawasaki engine. It can really cut alot of grass quickly and can maneuver like nobody's business. You could probably find one in your price range.
I do have a sulky for it, but don't use it much at all.
Here are a few older pictures of my Scag: 1 | 2
I do have a sulky for it, but don't use it much at all.
Here are a few older pictures of my Scag: 1 | 2
Thanks for the replies.61554 is a zip code!Not very origianl.It was the first thing that popped in my mind.My trees are all Blue Spruce so not too many leaves.I just got back from my Cub Cadet dealer it was like pulling teeth to get info.Didn't seem very knowledgable.Anyway I looked at the RZT and the Z-FORCE.Both very nice I think a 50" deck is too big but I want a twin cylinder so looks like the Z-FORCE 44 might be the one for me.Any thoughts? Thanks again Steve
The Z-Force and the RZT are two totatly different animals. The Z-Force is twice the machine, stouter deck, better drive system, fully welded boxed frame...
Now, if all you have is 3/4 and acre the RZT will do just fine, thats what they were intended to do...cut small residential lots. The Z-Force on the other hand is recommended up to 3 acres and light commercial use. Obviously the $ issue will have to be your call.
I would also recommend buying from an independent dealer if you have one in your area rather than Lowes. Good luck.
Now, if all you have is 3/4 and acre the RZT will do just fine, thats what they were intended to do...cut small residential lots. The Z-Force on the other hand is recommended up to 3 acres and light commercial use. Obviously the $ issue will have to be your call.
I would also recommend buying from an independent dealer if you have one in your area rather than Lowes. Good luck.
Spiffy
Veteran Member
Don't know if you have woodchips or something to the edge of your evergreens or mow under them, but in the latter case Moon and Gater boy may have your ideal solution (this argument may not exist if you trim the trees really high or not at all; though still a good solution).
In the former case, or if you want to look cool (all other things being equal this can be a valid consideration! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ) riding around your new ZTR, I don't think you have too many wrong choices. I really enjoyed reading your situation, because it is one of the first I've seen on TBN so far that really makes sense for a resisdential unit (I think Bird and a few others have them, but would have posted before my time).
That being said (and assuming you're still looking at ZTRs), since you want twin cylinder and the 44 sounds like it fits you anyway, Gamble is definitely right about the comparison, so I'd say Zforce 44.
In the former case, or if you want to look cool (all other things being equal this can be a valid consideration! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ) riding around your new ZTR, I don't think you have too many wrong choices. I really enjoyed reading your situation, because it is one of the first I've seen on TBN so far that really makes sense for a resisdential unit (I think Bird and a few others have them, but would have posted before my time).
That being said (and assuming you're still looking at ZTRs), since you want twin cylinder and the 44 sounds like it fits you anyway, Gamble is definitely right about the comparison, so I'd say Zforce 44.
Bird
Rest in Peace
A ZTR for 3/4 acre with your obstacles sounds good to me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Like Spiffy said, I have this one for a little mobile home park lot. Of course I routinely mow 3 lots; mine, my daughter's, and the elderly lady neighbor's next door. In fact, I mowed 4 today. I think I got the right thing for me; might not be for you. You say you want a 2 cylinder, and in general, I agree with you, but I purposely wanted something small and cheap, and so far it works great.
viking65
Banned
For well under $3k I saw a White Outdoors 38" ZTR (MTD) at a Cub Cadet dealer for $2399. They also had a Toro 38" ZTR for $2499. I think it was the one that Bird has.
bigtractor
Silver Member
Look at the Hustler Mini Fastrak. Alittle more than the economy store units. BUT
With the Hustler you get a Fabed deck, lifetime on the frame and deck leading edge, tires have slim in them, and a 3 year overall warranty.
These units are not bolt togetther puzzles but smooth fabricated machines.
With the Hustler you get a Fabed deck, lifetime on the frame and deck leading edge, tires have slim in them, and a 3 year overall warranty.
These units are not bolt togetther puzzles but smooth fabricated machines.
