Zero turn mowers vs regular mowers

Randy G · Mar 23, 2015

Is there really an advantage mowing with a zero turn mower? I'm thinking of that choice but what are the benefits compared to my current JD GX345? I have a steep ditch I mow and have read they are not good on hills. I see a lot of ZT mowers for sale. My GX has a 54" deck and is a 2005 model with 240 hours. I'm looking to up grade. I would like your opinions. Zero turn or not and why.

Thanks!!

M-MAN · Mar 23, 2015

The main benefit of a zero turn is the ability to cut wet grass. Main drawback is they don't like hills.

machineryman · Mar 23, 2015

Using a zero turn versus tractor mower is like using a push mower versus a riding mower. Now having said this if you like to mow all day then use your tractor style mower.

machineryman · Mar 23, 2015

If you will notice Deere is really not promoting tractor mowers any more.....

Mark-Ia · Mar 24, 2015

They also ride rough..

larryanderson · Mar 24, 2015

Mowing time will be 30% less

JF in MI · Mar 24, 2015

I asked for opinions before I bought a zero turn. Everyone said it would cut my mowing time more than half. I was very skeptical but all were in agreement. I bought one and couldn't believe it. What usually took me 6 hours at best now takes me one and three quarter hours. My acreage is dead flat however.

Tx Jim · Mar 24, 2015

(quoted from post at 23:16:22 03/23/15) The main benefit of a zero turn is the ability to cut wet grass.

Please explain how a zero turn mower can cut wet grass better than a tractor type mower. I can't mow wetter grass that with my Z-turn.

FBH44 · Mar 24, 2015

Just me personally, but I figured I never could repair a hydro-steering system with pumps, valves, filters, tubing, etc., and I couldnever loadit on the truck to haul it to a dealers, but I could repair a steering shaft with a gear on the end.

Sam Vastano · Mar 24, 2015

My only comment is that a zero turn will "only cut grass" At least with a lawn tractor you can plow snow, till a garden, pull a wagon if big enough loader on the front....

Dave H · Mar 24, 2015

I don't know where the beef is on the hill issue. My Z, which is kinda low slung with the operator not setting high in the seat, is unbelievable on side hills compared to the lawn tractor. Up and down, no problem either.

jsborn · Mar 24, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:56:34 03/24/15) I don't know where the beef is on the hill issue. My Z, which is kinda low slung with the operator not setting high in the seat, is unbelievable on side hills compared to the lawn tractor. Up and down, no problem either.

I agree, I cut the road bank with my Zero turn with no problem .Sometimes I am actually sliding sideways as I travel but it will hold the incline much better than my old tractor type mower would.
The only drawback I have with mine is if there is the least bit of water in the ditch you will get stuck Zero turns do not like mud.

SDMike · Mar 24, 2015

Randy, try an AWS mower. I have a JD425 with a 60" deck and AWS. While it is not a ZTR, it has cut my mowing time down considerably. I can mow my ditches and not get that "tipping" feeling. Also, my wife occasionally mows. She prefers the steering wheel to the twin levers.

Mike

Mike M · Mar 24, 2015

I have a front mount mower. Older design JD F725 this is a very heavy built unit. Good on hills has a differential lock will turn tight enough to go around a electric pole. I can hydraulically lift up the mower deck and put a jack stand under it and clean it out after every mowing to keep it from rusting out.
Still see some for sale from time to time. Find one that was taken care of. They sell pretty cheap now due to their age.

Mike M · Mar 24, 2015

Forgot to add the F725 will really pull a roller good too.
Wish I could find a snow blower for it locally.

Matt Thomas · Mar 24, 2015

I believe much of the beef about hill issues came from the old Dixon zero turn mowers. They used cone clutches instead of hydrostats so that when the handles were moved to the center position, they free wheeled. Hydros don't have that issue but can require a steady hand mowing side hills or the front tends to fall down the hill.

I have mowed with a zero turn for 16 years and find that if you have lots of obstacles you will REALLY see the advantage but even if you don't have to cut around a bunch of stuff, you save time with them. You don't have to circle around over grass you have already cut or back up. The down side is limited use for anything else, though mine does have a trailer hitch so I pull wagons and sprayers regularly.

David G · Mar 24, 2015

I have both, and the zero turn definitely cuts the mowing time.

WGM · Mar 24, 2015

Love my Dixie Chopper. Does great on hills and cut my mowing time in half.

Sledjockey · Mar 24, 2015

My self propelled sprayer will only spray. Does that make a bad machine because it will not plow snow? Just saying!!!

fixerupper · Mar 24, 2015

It just depends what you want to do. Do you want to just mow grass or do you need a tractor to mow and pull stuff too? A zero turn does cut the mowing time down quite a bit if you have a lot of obstacles to mow around. My Grasshopper will mow a steep road ditch till it slides sideways. Not much traction for going uphill forward because of the front wheel drive but I can back out of about anything, that is until I have the back wheel off the ground far enough to make be let off of it. I don't ever remember it getting sideways tippy. However, the hydros on this Grasshopper aren't designed to pull much besides the mower. I do pull a small fertilizer spreader behind it but that's about all I feel comfortable with. I only have experience with Grasshopper so other brands might be different.

buckeye al · Mar 24, 2015

My SIL has a Grasshopper with the 3 cylinder Kubota diesel. Power is NOT a problem! Have tremendous respect for that little power plant. I did not like it on my sidehill mowing. Had a constant fight with it crabbing right or left as we went up or down a hill. It is very happy going uphill, down hill or across the hill but for some reason (which may well be a symptom of tired hydro units) I found it ratehr cantankerous angling across hills which is necessary given the lay of the place. It is of course 2' wider than my 112 so it took less time to mow the place. I however find when running the 112 if I go back and forth in the same manner as with the ZTR (making U turns instead of 90's) it takes between 25 and 30% less time to mow the same place.

I suspect a more modern ZTR may not have the troubles I found with the old Grasshopper at all. This one is old though still a youngster compared to the venerable old 112!

A friend of mine traded off a JD 1145D. I think that's the model number. Looks like a mini combine, 72" deck out front & steers with rear axle. He bought a new Faris mower and you could not give him 2 1145's for the Faris! He says it has a patented front suspension that smooths out the ride, cuts even faster than the Deere did without bouncing you around in the seat. Sez it maneuvers better than the rear steering 1145 which makes sense. He has nothing but praise for it and can't seem to brag too much about it. I have no clue, I've never run it.

Bobl1958 · Mar 25, 2015

Probably because the blades are spinning considerably faster. Mine cuts wet grass far better than my old tractor used to. Could be some tractors blades spin faster than others too, though. Bob

rockyridgefarm · Mar 25, 2015

I have an old grasshopper 718. I wouldn't trade it for ANY tractor-style mower. My wife really enjoys running it as well. Hills can be a problem, but you learn to mow them the way the grasshopper wants to do it.

BTW, front deck ZTR mowers can be used for several other tasks. Mine will accept a snow blower and a sweeper, though I do not have one. It has a hitch on the back, but I have never needed to use it.

Randy G · Mar 25, 2015

ZTR it will be!! Thanks for all the responses! GEEZE! Any JD model better than others? I've been told to stay away from the 800 series. 60" deck will be my choice. 7 iron deck as well.

Thanks!!

Randy G

Dave in Tx · Mar 27, 2015

I have a 1145 JD with 72 deck. I mow large areas plus steep tank dam. It is 4wd with tractor tread on tires. I also use Grasshopper 721D with 60" outfront deck. No way will Grasshopper mow tank dam without winding up in water. I use it to mow yard around house with lots of trees. I use the deere to mow 4 acres of open area. Rides much better than z turn and like steering wheel better.

Sidekick · Mar 27, 2015

An 1145 is a fantastic grass cutting machine. I used one one summer helping my cousin with his mowing business. I really liked it.

I mow with a commercial walkbehind unit with a sulkey and it's even faster than a ztr. While it doesn't like anything very soft it will mow figure 8's on banks steep enough to make my old tractor slide off. Very maneuverable. I don't do near the string trimming that I used to. It's hard on my knees though.

Zero turn mowers vs regular mowers

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