MOB, I grew up not far from you on a NW Iowa farm, so common sense & trust goes a long way with me. IMO I would avoid the SS220 if you're looking for a ride-on that will last. IMO Z-Sprays & the T3000 are way ahead of the rest, but only one of the two is most practical (at least in our operation).
Z-Spray chart is misleading in our opinion. Here's a list of their so called advantages:
Your post is misleading..in my opinion
"zero turn" = two hands to steer
What's so confusing? Steer mine one handed, turns on a dime.all stainless steel - who cares if it doesn't rust?
People who invest in a quality machine, thats who.
220 lb hopper - We've run Spyker 220's for many years. Fine product, but matching that with only 18 gal = impractical. :cool2:
You don't have to spray every lawn whole spreading.
Hose reel: Why would anybody need a long hose if they have a ride-on? :hammerhead:
Small areas you cannot get any ride-on in.
GPS speedometer: who needs one? anybody? :laugh:
people who might want to go a different speed while doing large wide open areas vs small lawns. Maybe some people like to keep an eye on their speed for calibration purposes.
3-section boom = look out for obstacles/damage/missed areas :hammerhead:
Obstacles are no problem, if you damage something you need to learn how to drive, not sure how you can miss an area.
hydraulic drive hopper....been using Spyker hopper for many years. No advantage there either. :cool2:
Is yours electric? They can burn up.
Spread width up to 25 feet. Fine, but where's the spay pattern
You don't have to spray every app, some are just fert only. Thought you would know that after your years in the industry.
18 gallon spray tank......ok, z-sprays beat the T3000 there by two gallons :laugh:
But who's counting.
Then the "chart" goes on -- even comparing tire sizes.....what's that all about? If there's a benefit, please show me :laugh::laugh:
Options, does the T have that?
electric start: nice, but we never need it
I love it.
5 gallon gas tank: We have never run out of gas unless we treat over twenty acres per day. Then we just carry a 2 1/2 gal gas tank to refuel once more.
Don't have to fill everyday.
Nuther thing to consider regarding "adding tanks & extra pumps", operating a unit like this will certainly keep your hands full.....especially when both hands are needed to steer it. Add it up, 2 hands to steer, then ask yourself if you need to spread fert or spray herbicides at the same time.
Both hands are not needed to steer. Yes, sometimes you need to spread and spray at the same time. Extra tanks are nice option for specialty chemicals.
T3000 = "cumbersome". I think not, cuz it's the only ride-on we could spray & spread while throwing "frisbies" at the same time. The "hands free" feature is part of what sold us. :usflag:
I can play frisbee to, just doesn't look real professional.
The above are our employees' opinions. They are mine as well. We currently run three T3000's and no other ride-ons. Safety, ease of transportation, durability of product, route efficiency, safe maneuverability on slopes were not mentioned in this post, but they probably should have been, because these factors were important to us when making a buying decision.
These were all factors in my decision also, That is why I own a Z.
Anybody want to see new pics of our twin receiver carrier racks (aluminum + steel)? :cool2:
