SMALL FRAME ZERO TURN VS LARGE FRAME

[1st Class Lawns]

IM THINKING ABOUT BUYING A SMALL FRAME ZERO TURN RIDER (52" DECK).
A COUPLE OF YOU HAVE SAID TO GET THE LARGER FRAME BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA WEIGHT (THE LARGER FRAME WILL HOLD TO THE GROUND BETTER AND YOU CAN CUT FASTER).
THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 100 LBS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SMALL AND LARGE FRAME AND ABOUT 5-7 HP DIFFERENCE. IT SEEMS TO ME THE TERRAIN BEING CUT WILL DICTATE THE CUTTING SPEED.
MAYBE IM MISSING SOMETHING BUT I DONT THINK THE DIFFERENCE IN MONEY FOR THE LARGER FRAME IS WORTH IT
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FEELINGS ON THIS.
THANKS
JAMES
1ST CLASS LAWN SERVICE

[awm]

I like the hp look as I like to work with
the smallest equipment that will do the job
right.Right now I think there are deck size

limitations on these mowers though.
By HP I mean the exmark small frame but most
that I looked at offered there on version.

[John DiMartino]

I have a60" dixie,and I had a 50".The 50" narrow track width made it almost impossible to hold hill,the 60 can hold side hills without trouble.That is the only reason i can think of to get the wider mower.I couldnt use the 50 on a couple of spots,i had to trim it by hand or use the 60.

[DanG]

Like John said,
The smaller Z's won't hold a hill as well as the larger ones will.
If I have a steeper hill to mow I use my larger Z all the time it doesn't feel as tippy and doesn't slide as easy.
Mainly because the wheels are spaced out further it's not as tippy
If you have mostly flat places to mow thou it 's a toss up.


Dan

[Randy Scott]

James, don't forget to factor in the increase in production that the 60" will give you when you think about the cost difference between the two, not only on more difficult terrain but also smoother terrain. Like you said, the terrain will dictate the speed of cut. So you should be able to cut those hills or whatever terrain a little quicker. If you have enough areas where you can increase production and quality of cut( I believe a 60" would tend to scalp less) you may be able to make up the cost difference faster than you think. Just something to think about.


Randy

[HOMER]

The ride should be better on the wider track mower too. As for agility, you will be surprised where the 60" can go. My 72" gets used daily and I hesitated to put it in residential lawns when I first got it. If it fits it comes off the trailer, but then again I have smaller ones if it doesn't.

[65hoss]

I think the width of the exmark HP and Lazers are around the same. The hp's just have a shorter wheel base.

[Richard Martin]

The Lazer Z HP is around 8 inches narrower than the full size Lazer Z.

[65hoss]

The width of the 2 mowers from wheel to wheel is not 8". It is not a narrower track. The deck from a 52" to 60" is, but not the width of the unit. Thus, the hp and the regular lazers will hold a hill about the same. If anything, the difference could only be within 1".

[1st Class Lawns]

THANKS FOR EVERYONES INPUT
JAMES
1ST CLASS LAWN SERVICE

[Ssouth]

James, The LZ 52" only weighs 11 lbs. more than the LZHP52" It's 3" longer and 4.5" taller. I couldn't find any info on the difference in wheel base. The LZ only comes with the Kohler 25 while with the HP you can chose between Kohler 23 or Kaw. 23. This is for the 2001 models. If you can find a 2000 model you can get either a Kohler 23 or 25 for the LZ and for a 2000 HP you can choose between Kohler 20 or 23 and Kaw. 23. Hope these numbers help with your decision.

My advice is the get the 60" LZEPS you'll love the 26 EFI.

[John DiMartino]

the track width is more important for holding a side hill than wheelbase.the mower limits how short the wheelbase can be anyway.

[Ssouth]

John D.,
Track width is what I was referring to. I have e-mailed Exmark to see if there is any difference because I would also like to know. If it wasn't raining so hard and if I didn't feel so lazy today I would go to my shop and measure but for now I will wait for a reply from eXmark.

[Ssouth]

Recieved reply from eXmark stating that the distance between the rear wheels on a LZ 52" is 30 +" and for the LZHP 52" is 29 3/4". Well there's not much difference in the machines specs. Unless your doing wide areas the HP seems to be the more practical machine because it's lower and shorter.

[Richard Martin]

I stand corrected. I <b><i>assumed</b></i> that they would use the same tractor unit for the 52" HP as they do for the 44" HP.