Looking for a commercial ZTR

[Roger Wilkerson]

I am a homeowner who is mower selection impaired. I have never owned a ZTR and I am confusing the heck out of myself:confused:. I don't know which mower fits the bill, but here is what I DO know.

I demoed a Toro Z MAster Z450 which weighed around 1050 lbs, had a 48" deck, 24 inch rear tires, and an overall length of 78". It was a bit unstable trying to go side hill (couldn't do it, had to turn downhill). I imagine a lower center of gravity and a wider wheel stance would combat that. When going up and down the front was a little light but not too bad. I got it done, I imagine a longer frame would help that.

Question - what type of commercial mower would be wider and longer than the above. My budget is around 6K or less. I also feel like I need ROPS and a seat belt to keep me in the seat. What kind of choices would be available?

Thanks for your help.

Roger

[LarryF]

How steep are the hills? If more than 15 degrees, maybe you should be looking for a walk-behind mower rather than a ZTR.

[Roger Wilkerson]

How steep are the hills? If more than 15 degrees, maybe you should be looking for a walk-behind mower rather than a ZTR.

I probably should but I have bad knees and need to ride

[tamadrummer]

ZTR mowers are not built to be mowing on steep inclined hills. That is why we have walk behind mowers. If your knees are too bad to be using a walk behind with a sulky, than maybe you could bank that 6k and hire a pro to mow for you so no one gets hurt mowing your property?

You should look at Toro walk-behinds with the tru-track sulky. I don't believe that they would be too bad on your knees.

Good luck.

[jkingrph]

My Scag Wildcat handles ditch sloprs which are farily steep with no trouble. I am probably mowing close to 1000 feet so it's a long enough run to know how it handles. They are not deep , only about 3 1/2-4 feet so no danger there, but still a slope.

[Roger Wilkerson]

ZTR mowers are not built to be mowing on steep inclined hills. That is why we have walk behind mowers. If your knees are too bad to be using a walk behind with a sulky, than maybe you could bank that 6k and hire a pro to mow for you so no one gets hurt mowing your property?

You should look at Toro walk-behinds with the tru-track sulky. I don't believe that they would be too bad on your knees.

Good luck.

I will take a look at them

Thanks

[Roger Wilkerson]

My Scag Wildcat handles ditch sloprs which are farily steep with no trouble. I am probably mowing close to 1000 feet so it's a long enough run to know how it handles. They are not deep , only about 3 1/2-4 feet so no danger there, but still a slope.

The only danger where I am mowing is rolling over which is why I am getting away from a lawn tractor. I did mow the area with the Toro I demoed and it was acceptable. I spoke to the dealer and he said Toro makes a weight kit for the front end which would address the light front end issue. I need to go look at the Scags, I hear nothing bad about them

[fishinpa]

Roger, I think I read over everything twice and am still wondering how much acreage you have to mow?

[Roger Wilkerson]

Roger, I think I read over everything twice and am still wondering how much acreage you have to mow?

I have close to two acres. I may reconsider and look at lawn tractors depending on what I can find with dual pumps or a locking rear differential