WB + Sulky Vs. Zero turn.

[Vikings]

I am thinking of buying a large wb behind this spring but the more I read about sulky's and their problems I'm just wonder why don't these people just buy something you can sit in.

The only thing I can think of is Price and maybe a little extra trimming with a 21" mower. Am I missing something?

[TPLawnPro]

I must say, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the options that you have mentioned. It's all about what will work for you.

If you go with a Sulky, be sure to perform routine maintenance on it, just as you would your mower, and it ought to last you a long time.

The Wright Stander or Wright Sentar isn't a bad option either. The Wright mowers are very functional, compact, and powerful mowers. I own one, and am leaning heavily towards purchasing another one.

You have the option to either stand or sit on the Wright Sentar. The Sentar might just do the trick for you. Some folks might agree, and some folks might not.

[dcondon]

I would say go with a ZTR because it's going to save a lot on your body. Plus your going to get more work done in less time. JMO

[gmcplowtruck]

i go with the ztr i ran 2 wb and a tracter on 2.5 acres when i got my 60" toro ztr it cut the time in half with just using the ztr and 1 wb so i would go with the ztr and im looking at buying another one this spring

[Vikings]

I would say go with a ZTR because it's going to save a lot on your body. Plus your going to get more work done in less time. JMO

I got a bad leg would like to minimize walking, but if I could minimize standing that would be great to.:laugh:


Best bang for buck in ztr's? Nothing over 10k either:confused: I guess mulching is important. I was looking at gravely 34z but I don't think they do anything but side discharge.

[Roger]

Vikings ... You don't say anything about the kind of mowing you intend to do, that is size of properties, terrain, etc.

Remember a ZTR will not travel where a w/b will travel. Terrain is very important. Somebody made a comment about ease on the body with a ZTR. From my experience, a ZTR on rough terrain, as compared to a w/b with sulky, will beat up the body moreso. Riding isn't everything it is cracked up to be on some properties. A change in productivity from a w/b to a ZTR will depend upon your conditions.

I added a 48" ZTR, after having used a 36" w/b with sulky for many seasons. On some properties, the wider ZTR is no more productive than the w/b. Terrain, maneuverability, and other factors make the w/b just as effective. If you have flat properties, with no obstructions, good access from the trailer, yes, the ZTR will be far more productive. But, some of us have no properties like that in our neighborhoods.

[LB1234]

I'd be careful about going with a Z before you get a WB. Reason being a WB is a lot more versatile than a Z. Although the Z will outperform the WB in many applications.

As noted above you need to know what type of properties you will be servicing. Are there hills that a WB will hold but not the Z? Are there low hanging branches on a lot of the property that the Z can't get under but the WB can?

So no, IMO it is not just a price difference between Zs & WBs.

BTW, my two cents....

We have two sets of jungle jims (one on each hydro 48 WBs). They are 6 & 7 years old. They work just fine. One is a little bent but other than that if you keep the fittings greased reguraly you shouldn't have a problem with em.

Also, our Z is much easier on the back that our WBs. This is due to the fact that we have the suspension seat with different seat adjustments and armrest placements. Its acutally very comfortable. But, having used a Z without the suspension seat...yes that is horrible!!! I'll take standing over that any day.

[causalitist]

i could buy 2 - 48" walkbehinds and 2 junglejim sulkys for the price of one Z.

not worth it in my book.. i have never had a problem with my setup.. i like it.
soo many people get into this with too high of costs..
unless your doing lots of enormous places i'd stick with the WB and sulky

[topsites]

I ran my first 5 years with nothing but Wb's and velkes.

Many a day did I feel that need, that urge to want to sit on my tail, thinking it would be easier on my body.
So, I bought a Z last year...
Dang thing set me back the cost of 3 Wb mowers (well, almost!).

And you know what I found, is that it is not more comfortable to sit.
Because instead of the shock going through your ankles / knees, when you sit and hit a bump, it goes from your tail right into your spine.
Yeah it has shock absorbers, but it's still a rough ride, it's still work.
I wouldn't say it's LESS comfortable, but probably about the same.

Either way, you feel it after a day (and the cost of the Z being so high to run, I hardly get to take it out but maybe twice / week).
If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't buy the Z (thou I don't regret it either).

p.s.: I do run T-bar mowers, toro wb's only.
I suspect if you operate pistol grip / ECS, then a Z would be a step up (but so would a Toro Wb).

[elmo1537]

We run both

On the large properties you can not beat the speed of a z. but when you get on hilly situations and where there are a lot of trees as mentioned earlier. The wb blows the z away. You have to have a good balance.

[SILVERSTREAK INC]

yeah as the last guy said we take the walkbehinds on pretty sick hills, things a rider would slide down in an instant. nothing like the cut of a 60" with a sulky....the lazer rider is so heavy it squashes mulch bed edges when going around trees and with the hydro walkbehing its lighter so you can counterrotate when turning and give perfect turns with no turfage, while with the rider you need to be careful or k-turn everything to not rip grass. you will cut your time by 1/3 or so flat open cutting if sitting on a rider, granted both machines are in perfect operating cond. you gotta have a mix of both, need something for those hills unless you plan to weedwack everything.

[JayD]

i could buy 2 - 48" walkbehinds and 2 junglejim sulkys for the price of one Z.

not worth it in my book.. i have never had a problem with my setup.. i like it.
soo many people get into this with too high of costs..
unless your doing lots of enormous places i'd stick with the WB and sulky

HELP! Ok, some one please tell me about sulkys, junglejims,velkes,Bull rider, and the pro-slide xt......I know that the proslide is very salty, about $408 but how do they do? and what do the others cost and how do they do. I want to buy one for when i would need it. I just got my first wb 52" exmark TT HD.
Please let me know.

Thanks, Jay

[GreenN'Clean]

I run both ZTR and WB but only use the ZTR on larger properties

[TNT LawnCare Inc.]

Viking how big are your properties. That would determine my decesion.And are you full time how many properties you mowing a week?

[rfed32]

nevery had a probelm with my velky i love it

[sedlmeier101]

New to the biz.. never seen one in action...but can a walk behind turn on a dime like a ZTR can? if not,how do you spin back around at the end on the lawn

[TPLawnPro]

Yep. A walk-behind can zero-turn like a Z.

Check out the Wright Standers. www.wrightmfg.com
You might like this alternative.

[Mow2nd-2]

i prefer a WB+Velke over a ZTR any day for they very same reasons as everyone else has said and because with a ZTR it tear up a yard real quick and easy if your not extremly careful not only when your going over hills and ruff terrain but when you go to turn around while stripping going around trees and house corners not to mention that they are a major pain in the rear when you get it hung or stuck up which sooner or later it will happen with a WB+Velke (Hydro or Belt) 90% of the time you can get it out no sweat.

It basicly depends on what suits your needs the best.

[elmo1537]

New to the biz.. never seen one in action...but can a walk behind turn on a dime like a ZTR can? if not,how do you spin back around at the end on the lawn

First of all I have run both and I dont care who you are you cant turn on a dime with a ztr and not create turf damage at mowing speed. yes you can get real close but repeat this all day and then go back and look at every turn I garantee(sp) you will find turf damage. You can use a modified k turn to spin around pretty quick with no turf damage but never on a dime. A walkbehind on the other hand I have been able to spin a near 180 with no turf damage repeatedly I dont know what it is because the concept is still the same but for some reason the walk behind turns faster with less turf damage.

That said put an experienced operator on both on a large flat surface and as stated before the ztr will blow the walkbehind away. hills expect the exact opposite.

They both have there place I would recommend starting with a walkbehind become an expert at using that and then buy a ztr when you get more lawns.