ZTRs and what to look out for

65hoss · Jan 4, 2005

( You can't get any simpler than the "two armed" types. You have complete control over each wheel.

Sure ya can. The easier way would be not having to control both wheels, but having a joystick to steer it, and gas/brake pedals to speed it up/stop it. )
That would be incorrect. You have much better control and easier to control infinite speed variations. One thing that makes a Z so much faster than tractors. You will not be faster usinig pedals regardless of what you think.

Bird · Jan 4, 2005

The Toro Timecutter Z 38" model shown in the link is what I bought a few months ago. The dealer had it for a couple of hundred under the retail price shown. I've been very well pleased with it, but haven't had it long enough to know how well it will hold up in the long run.

bczoom · Jan 4, 2005

( The easier way would be not having to control both wheels, but having a joystick to steer it, and gas/brake pedals to speed it up/stop it. )

So many control options...
Have you looked at Country Clipper? www.countryclipper.com

I have one of their commercial versions. Joystick control that does everything (speed, direction...). No pedals or anything. I do prefer it to the double bar since I can rest my arm on the arm rest and control it as if it were my FEL.

They've been making them for 20 years for other companies (Dixon, Yazoo, Bush Hog...) but now market under their own name.
They do have residential versions.

SPIKER · Jan 4, 2005

yep those are great things to have, also take a look at the STIENERS and VENTRACS (ventracs are built by the people who started stiner and then sold stiener off and left it go for about a year or so then started ventrac as stiners new owners made some big changes) anyhow both are made in Orville ohio 45 min away from me... options are amasing allway up to dual gas turbos and diesel powerplants! dual wheels at each end center articulations and SMOOTH ride on hilly or bumpy ground. slightly slower mowing speeds than the top of line ZTRS but worth the ride quality on bumpy ground!

I don't own any of them or have any stock in the companies or anythign but just pointing out options to help confuse ya /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Markm

Simpleton · Jan 6, 2005

The Toro Timecutter Z 38" model shown in the link is what I bought a few months ago. The dealer had it for a couple of hundred under the retail price shown. I've been very well pleased with it, but haven't had it long enough to know how well it will hold up in the long run. 
Bird,
How much of a yard do you cut with that ... and how long does it take to cut the yard?
I'm looking to be able to cut it in about 1 hour give or take 15 minutes.
I just want to make sure and not take the traditional 3 hours that it takes with our current lawn/garden tractor.

Bird · Jan 6, 2005

( How much of a yard do you cut with that )

Actually, you would have to classify my ZTR as a recreational vehicle (or maybe insanity). /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm now living in a mobile home park in town on small lots, so anything bigger than a 21" walk behind is overkill. Being on the back end of a cul-de-sac means odd shaped lots, but I guess they'd be about the same square footage as a 60' x 100' lot. I regularly mow 3 of them, and frequently 5. So I have to go around a mobile home on each lot, a little storage building on each one, a tree or two on each one, a couple of carports, etc. The ZTR has a cup holder and the two levers come close enough together that I can steer with one hand except when I'm making pretty sharp turns, so I'm able to drink my coffee (or beer, depending on the time of day and weather) while I'm mowing and I sure don't get in any hurry. So sometimes it takes me 45 minutes. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I think it's a great, and lazy, way to mow around here, but our property is pretty level. I've found that the mower can spin its wheels easily if it's wet, so I'd have serious reservations about traction on any slopes, especially if they were damp.

rbeitz · Jan 7, 2005

( Oh, and are the Scags a good buy (in this category of course)? )

Scag doesn't make a homeowner machine. They are all commercial. The smallest machine they have is the Tiger Cub and it starts at just under $6k. Probably overkill for 1.5 acres but then again it will be the last mower you ever have to buy. I would suggest looking for a good used one with low hours. There are plenty of them out there on eBay this time of year.

rfawkes · Jan 7, 2005

I purchased a Swisher zero turn with 50 inch cut last year. I mow 8 acres, and it is twice as fast as my craftsman lawn tractor in getting the job done. It is a residential model, and is around 3 k. I highly recommend it.

GATC35 · Jan 7, 2005

I'm getting in on this a little late. I'll go ahead and throw my 2 cents worth in. I was in the same situation as you, mowing about 1.5 acres weekly with a 18 HP 42 inch Craftsman. It took me anywhere from 3 to 4 hours just to cut grass. This did not count trimming, blowing, etc. My yard is full of hardwood trees so it's like running a obstacle course while cutting grass. A friend of mine owned a lawn care service where he had four Toro Z-Masters of various sizes. After dealing with the headaches of running the business for several years he dedcided to shut down and sell off all his equipment. So I picked up a 2 year old Toro Z-master 54 inch cut with a 19 HP Kawasaki engine. I changed all filters and fluids, replaced the blades, spark plugs, all belts, and air filter. This thing has been running strong now for 2 years with zero problems. My grass cutting time at home has gone from almost 4 hours to 42 minutes. Because the ZTR will litterally spin around a tree it has cut my trimming time down also. My wife and I own several rental properties where we must maintain the yards from time to time. I just load the Toro on the utility trailer and off we go. This thing is a dream to operate in lawns with lots of obstacles. As stated before it is built like a tank, I don't think you can hurt it.

WARNING..if you ever cut your lawn with a ZTR you will never go back to a regular riding mower!!!

I still have my old Craftsman, my wife uses it to pull a cart around with her gardening supplies on it. Everytime I jump on it I can't believe we actually used it to cut grass.

Good Luck

Nik · Jan 10, 2005

I have a 54" Exmark lazer withe the comfort suspension seat. I mow about 1.5 to 2 acres of rough lawn with some hills. The suspension seat helps smooth out the ride at higher speeds and I am glad I spent the extra money on it. As others have said once you have a ZTR you realize the advantages of it over a conventional tractor mower. The lever system is easy to use. The Exmark comes with a foldable ROPS. I tried out a joystick country clipper but like the two lever system better. I rarely scuff up my lawn with the ZTR. For you to save time I think you will be better off with a 50 to 60" deck. Unless you have budget constraints I think you will be happier buying a reputable brand and definitely go for a suspension seat if you have rough lawn. Ferris makes a ZTR suspension seat and the ZTR has a shock absorber setup for a smoother ride at the higher speeds. I am glad I bought the EXMARK especially when I see my neighbor bouncing up and down on his residential Cub Cadet ZTR. He also spends a lot more time mowing his lawn because of the smaller deck and slower speed.