The Green Industry's Resource Center

milchuck · #1 09-04-2005, 08:51 PM

Hello, new guy here and stumbled across this site while researching mowers. I have 1.2 acres and my old John Deere 180 has about had it. Since I am looking for a new mower, I want to find something that can handle a 1/3 acre sloping grade. It's not too bad (not sure on degree slope) but I won't risk mowing it on the JD180 (although my brother-in-law did). I really don't want to spend over $3000 or so and I have been eyeing the Cub Cadet ZTR with the 50" cut. It seems to have a wide profile which should mean a lower center of gravity and be less likely to tip (i.e. safer). Any ideas? Thanks

ToroLandscaper · #2 09-04-2005, 09:18 PM

With 3000$ thats a tight budget i would look into lesco walkbehinds becouse they come pretty cheap

milchuck · #3 09-04-2005, 09:47 PM

The Cub Cadet I mentioned is $2799 (on sale) but was wondering about the slope issue with a ZTR mower like this. My ideal solution would be not to walk it...I do that now with a self-propelled mower and its a pain.

ToroLandscaper · #4 09-04-2005, 10:26 PM

NO NO NO with a walkbehind you dont literally walkbehind it you have a sullky or velke that you ride on it so really its a ride behind

MowingInAZ · #5 09-04-2005, 11:17 PM

ZTR's aren't known to handle slopes very well. Many CAN, but sometimes it takes a while. $3000 for a ZTR is cutting (no pun intended) it pretty close price wise for a ZTR. Have you looked like at a John Deere LX series tractor? They could easily handle a grade and are very reliable.

milchuck · #6 09-04-2005, 11:18 PM

Ah, see told ya I was new...lol

MowingInAZ · #7 09-04-2005, 11:23 PM

Sorry I meant LT lineup, the LX would be out of your price range, here's a link. There is also a comparison to residential ZTR's

http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowner...z_compare.html

Smalltimer1 · #8 09-05-2005, 12:32 AM

I agree the LT-series will be your best bet. Or find an older JD that has been well taken care of or rebuilt/restored and use that. They will be much more stable on hillsides than a ZTR.

My personal recommendation would be an older 1975 through 1987 JD 200 series (212/214/216) with a 46" deck. Then put the rear wheels on backwards to widen its track, giving you more stability. Remember always mow up and down a slope, not side to side. The 200 series has the bulletproof Kohler K-series cast iron engines that will run forever if you keep the oil and air filter changed. They also have a granny low 1st gear as well as 3 more higher gears. In the condition that you are looking for a good 200 series tractor will run anywhere from $800 to $2000, depending on its mechanical shape, paint and aesthetics, as well as what comes with it as attachments.

If you don't feel comfortable getting an older machine then I would go for a LT-160 at least, and if you can run another $500 up on your budget go for the LT-180. The bigger the machine you can get, the better. There is no substitute for quality and durability.

milchuck · #9 09-05-2005, 05:22 AM

Thanks for the info

milchuck · #10 09-05-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MowingInAZ

Sorry I meant LT lineup, the LX would be out of your price range, here's a link. There is also a comparison to residential ZTR's

http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowner...z_compare.html

Question on the LT. Are they known for handling slopes better than other mowers? I checked out the comparison to ZTR's but all it really said was "terrain friendly" which didn't really tell me alot. Do they have a wider stance or lower center of gravity somehow? Thanks!