Need help choosing a ZTR

[GloDan]

Hi!
I'm so glad I found you all on the web- what a resourse for newbies like me! We are in the process of buying a house on 6 acres. Until now we've lived on city lots and mowed them ourselves with a basic push mower or had lawn service . The 6 acres are on a gentle slope with some trees- predominantly along a gully. The present owner mowed about 4 acres himself and let a friend mow the rest for hay. We hope to continue this arrangement.
Now we are looking to buy a stury ZTR that will last us for a long time. We don't want to be extravagant- just spend enough to have something reliable. Also do any of the ZTRs come with the ability to add snow clearing equipment?
Any and all advise will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[MONTE]

Country Clipper!!!!!!!!!!

Best hillside mower is the Charger model!

Also snow removal is available!

[GloDan]

Country Clipper!!!!!!!!!!

Best hillside mower is the Charger model!

Also snow removal is available!

Thanks for the input. We are going this week to the local dealer to check this out. Any idea how much these cost, so I'll be prepared? Thanks again.

[LarryF]

If you have a lot of leaves to contend with, I suggest you look before you leap for that Country Clipper. I believe the best way to handle leaf cleanup is with a Cyclone Rake, and someone recently posted that his Jaycee Country Clipper's design is such that it can't tow a Cyclone Rake. That sure surprised me, because most other ZTRs and virtually all lawn tractors can. But if that's the case, you'll be out of luck if you ever decide to buy a Cyclone Rake. I have one, and leaf cleanup in my neighborhood is about $700, so mine more than paid for itself in the first year I did fall and spring leaf pickups. A photo of the Jaycee is in this URL.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=246410&highlight=Cyclone+Rake

Also, I think you should be careful using a ZTR for heavy snow removal. If it's a snow blower that is attached, I doubt if there would be a problem, but I'm uncertain that's the case if you plow with it. The pumps may not be designed to accommodate that much load. My ZTR came with a factory-installed hitch and I occasionally use it, but from what I've read on this forum, many ZTR manufacturers recommend against any towing because it may be too much of a load on the pumps. I would think that plowing about a foot of wet snow would cause much more stress on those pumps than towing. I bought a 28" wide, 11.5Hp walk-behind snow blower, and I think that was a much better resolution than attaching something to my ZTR. Easier to operate, and it'll be a lot cheaper to repair or replace if anything ever breaks.

[Green King]

If you have hills then definately CountryClipper! The Charger I agree is the best they have but the Boss and Jazee Pro are better than just about anyone else on the market! Also for snow removal they build blades and blowers from the factory not an aftermarket like the other companies do!

The Largest volumn Country Clipper dealer is in springfield and sells a ton of them! I have a friend who has a 60" Charger with over 3000hrs. on it and just had his engine rebuilt! The mower he has done nothing but mow with it!

Good Luck and make sure you have a good dealer to support you these mowers are simple in design and can easily be serviced by yourself but a dealer can be a very good asset!