[Farmer]

Ok, Call me old fashion, but I just can't see how a ZTR can be better on rough grounds than a good old Groundsmaster, or mower of similar design.... I will be buying my first rider this spring and am seriously leaning toward an outfront 60+ inch cut, they just look like they would ride so much smoother and I have seen guys use a 325-D/345 with a 72" cut, in a mobile home park and manuever fine. I only live about an hour away from Howard Price, they state there mowers can achieve a "zero turn" when wheel brakes are applied, I can imagin they would trun like a belt drive walkbehind, "one wheel locks up" ...wouldn't the wheel brakes wear out kinda fast? I have also looked at Grasshoppers. I was just wondering how many of you guys use outfronts. If so, what kind are they, and what kind of lawns do you mow with them? Also what kind do you recomend? This machine will be accopanied by a 48" BobCat walkbehind I know of a 72" Jacobsen Diesel with about 1200 hours on it for $3500. Thanks

 

[KenH]

I love my Scag 61" STHM. One advantage I see in the zero turns is more room on the trailer.

Ive never had a lawn where I found my self sating, "I wish I had a 0 turn instead."

 

[SLC1234]

Look into the Hustler line, we run 2- 3200's and one 4600 and they are out front riders but are zero turn, work great, give a good cut and are as good as the midmount zero turns, I perfer them over the midmounts my self. Better visibility, better ride, and you can trim under trees and stuff better with the deck out front. And I feel the amount of attachments available is so much better, we have a front mount blower, snow plow and high lift vac. system for them and they work great. Just My two cents

www.schmidtlawncare.com

 

[DennisF]

The out front mowers are great on rough terrain and are much more stable on slopes. You do have to be careful though when turning. The operator gets slung in the opposite direction of the turn and you can wind up getting slammed up against a tree or some other object in a fast turn in close quarters. They also take up a lot more room on the trailer than a ZTR. A freind of mine has a Scag with a 61 inch deck and he wouldn't think of being without it. I almost bought an Exmark Turf Ranger, but I liked the Hustler Z more, and I have a Scag 48 WB for hilly terrain.

 

[Farmer]

Thanks guys for the imput, unfortinatley I'm young, and can only afford a used unit..... midmount ZTRs never realy impressed me, I have a 62" walkbehind, and could not imagine what I would do with out the outfront deck, plus with a outfront rider, like stated before, I have the choice of many different atachments.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Originally posted by SLC1234
Look into the Hustler line, we run 2- 3200's and one 4600 and they are out front riders but are zero turn, work great, give a good cut and are as good as the midmount zero turns

I didn't know they made those.

I was going to go check out a used Grasshopper 928 D tomorrow. But I already know I'm not going to have time.