Zero-turn --vs-- Riding Tractor

[instyle]

Which is better to use for large residentials? I like the idea of the speed of a zero turn, but I like the versitility of the tractor. I have to buy one or the other.

 

[jmurphy]

Most people will tell you to buy a ZTR but I have a tractor and do just fine. It is a Rear Engine so it has a tight turning radius. But like I said most people will tell you to get a ZTr. You should demo both.

 

[mcwlandscaping]

What would you be using the tractor for other than mowing? I would reccomend the ZTR due to the speed factor and better quality of cut.

 

[out4now]

as noted what else do you need it for? Might come in handy for attachments and so forth. Do you have any props that need the tight radius of a Z? Do you plan to get on to properties where you will need a Z in the future? In other words are most properties their better suited to a tractor or are you looking at buying one based on a few properties you have now? You can always rent a tractor for other types of jobs where you need that versatility. If they large and open look at Flex-decks rig. He makes great time on his properties. Use the search to see some pics. Personally I never liked a mid-mount because it always left arcs in the corners you had to go back and trim mow. That's an advantage to an outfront style deck but to each their own.

 

[befnme]

i have a tractor and a w/b . i do great with my tractor but it is not as fast as i would like . i pull various equipment with my tractor but you could also do that with a ztr with hitch .i am going to buy a cub in march just because i want more speed and less trimming . so i guess what i mean is you can do the same work with a ztr as with a tractor so why not get a ztr .

 

[green acres lawns]

I have both. My lawn tractor has hydrostat trans,power steering, split brakes etc. All the bells and whistles but I only use it to pull seeders, spreaders etc.
I also have a compact tractor with a mid-mount mower attachment. Neither one has had the mowers on in over a year. My Scag tigers will mow circles around them. The blade speed is way to slow on the tractors. If you put the tractor in road gear so you can mow at 8 to 10 mph like most z-turns do, you leave so much uncut grass that you have to slow down and go back over it. In close areas where speed isn't a factor, theres the time you lose turning around and going back and forth to get in position. When I went from a lawn tractor to a z-turn I cut my mowing time in half.

 

[trying 2b organic]

I live in a very hilly area. Are Z's ok on hills? If not some, but literally All your props had hills of somesort would u buy a tractor? I ask because I know from reading Lanwsite that generally the Z is better and i understand why, yet most lco;s here use tractors. ty

 

[Branchland]

I live in a very hilly area. Are Z's ok on hills? If not some, but literally All your props had hills of somesort would u buy a tractor? I ask because I know from reading Lanwsite that generally the Z is better and i understand why, yet most lco;s here use tractors. ty

I like my Z on hills. I only use my lawn tractor for pulling a plugger now that I've got my Z. IMO the Z is safer on hills.

 

[trying 2b organic]

Noob question. > Wouldn't a tractor be better on hills due to the fact of the way the front wheels are fixed as opposed to the castor style wheels of a walk behind or a Z? Would u say that a walk or a Z can be fussy or difficult on hills by comparison for this reason? What works to thier advantage on flats makes them a drag on hills.

 

[Branchland]

My Z holds hills better than my tractor. Center of gravity is lower, so no flipping. I've been puckered up on hills before on the Z and if it got too steep it would just break traction. Always have a way out. In other words don't mow a steep hill that it might break traction on if there is a wall, trees, cars, etc... at the bottom. I would think it holds hills better because of the lower center of gravity and wider rear wheels.