Zero Turn vs Lawn Tractor

[throwittoblythe]

I know it's late in the season, but I'm trying to decide between a traditional lawn tractor vs a zero-turn model.

I have 1/2 acre lot with close to a dozen trees, a fenced portion, and a few other obstructions. I'd like to get a zero-turn, but its about a $1000 premium to get one (60% more than a traditional lawn tractor). I'm thinking the ZT model would save me a bunch of time and push mowing.

Anyone have advice/thoughts to share?

 

[BCClone]

I know it's late in the season, but I'm trying to decide between a traditional lawn tractor vs a zero-turn model.

I have 1/2 acre lot with close to a dozen trees, a fenced portion, and a few other obstructions. I'd like to get a zero-turn, but its about a $1000 premium to get one (60% more than a traditional lawn tractor). I'm thinking the ZT model would save me a bunch of time and push mowing.

Anyone have advice/thoughts to share?

If unsure get a all wheel steer tractor. They turn sharp.

 

[1100011CS]

Is it really that big of a price difference? Regardless, zero-turn all the way unless you need some attachments (like a snowblower).

 

[keepngoal]

We have a ZT 42" Ryobi all battery mower. You can be surgical with a ZT mower.

 

[CloneJD]

I have an about an acre of mowing and would say my JD ZT with a 54" deck cut my mowing time in half if not more. It was a no brainer for me.

 

[SECyclone]

If your yard is steep I would go with the traditional lawn mower. If it is flat ZT all the way

 

[throwittoblythe]

Is it really that big of a price difference? Regardless, zero-turn all the way unless you need some attachments (like a snowblower).

Yes, it is. I'm looking at 42" deck mowers. A traditional lawn tractor starts around $1600. ZT option is $2600 at the low end.

 

[throwittoblythe]

I have an about an acre of mowing and would say my JD ZT with a 54" deck cut my mowing time in half if not more. It was a no brainer for me.

This is why I'm thinking ZT. $1000 is a big jump to swallow, but it should save me 30-45 minutes of push mowing each week during the growing season. I was tempted to go lawn tractor to get a snow plow attachment, but I can just get a separate snow blower for that.

 

[CoachHines3]

ive got 13 acres which about 7 I mow. dont' have zero turn but will be getting one next spring. Id think smaller the yard, the less need for a zero turn.

my yard tractor gets the job done mowing, but i could shave so much time with a zero turn

 

[mramseyISU]

I have a ZT about the size you're talking about. JD 335e and I've had it for about 5 years I'm thinking. It's been great but the one drawback to the ZT over a traditional lawn tractor that I've found is that they do tear up your turf where you turn if you're not careful. Other than that small issue with them a ZT is the way to go 100% for most people.

 

[keepngoal]

ive got 13 acres which about 7 I mow. dont' have zero turn but will be getting one next spring. Id think smaller the yard, the less need for a zero turn.

my yard tractor gets the job done mowing, but i could shave so much time with a zero turn

We have 2.5 acres that we mow that is also a bit hilly, and I finish inside an hour.

 

[JDDDCy]

Are the trees edged and mulched? If they are I would guess the tractor would be just fine since there would not be a big reduction in time. If you need to get close to the trees to reduce trimming time I would spend the extra $1000. We have about 6 1/2 acres and mowed it many years with a tractor. Spent the money and bought a 60 inch ZT about 6 years ago. Was well worth the cost since we have a lot of objects to go around.

 

[CoachHines3]

We have 2.5 acres that we mow that is also a bit hilly, and I finish inside an hour.

yeah, I usually mow mine in stages. house area/pond area/barn area

but thats almost 3/4 times a week which sucks.

 

[do4CY]

This is why I'm thinking ZT. $1000 is a big jump to swallow, but it should save me 30-45 minutes of push mowing each week during the growing season. I was tempted to go lawn tractor to get a snow plow attachment, but I can just get a separate snow blower for that.

Just curious as to why you think you will have that much push mowing to do with a regular rider. A zt does sound like a better choice for you. I have one of each, if my wife is helping she is on the zt, if my son is helping I'm on the zt. Zt is more comfortable and more fun. Our tractor is just a smidge faster though so it always wins the races, not that that is important.

 

[intrepid27]

I'm on my second zero turn and have typically had large lawns. They are so much faster it would be very hard to go back to a tractor. Down side to Zero turn it fewer attachment options but other than that I love them.

 

[Pat]

I got a 4-wheel steer lawn tractor, in part, to use the attachments. After 2 years, definitely wish we had gone ZT.

 

[BCClone]

We do some commercial mowing, AWS are the fastest and easiest. We could hammer 4 acre locations out with one AWS (it would do all the close stuff) another tractor mower (2 kids making money for summer work) and I would just clean up the 90 degree corners (which ZT can’t do either) with a trimmer and we could be in and out in 30 minutes and that included loading and unloading, and filling out paperwork for billing.

 

[do4CY]

We do some commercial mowing, AWS are the fastest and easiest. We could hammer 4 acre locations out with one AWS (it would do all the close stuff) another tractor mower (2 kids making money for summer work) and I would just clean up the 90 degree corners (which ZT can’t do either) with a trimmer and we could be in and out in 30 minutes and that included loading and unloading, and filling out paperwork for billing.

Do you ever have trouble with the tie rods on the AWS? My father in law has one and those wear out faster than they should. He is also hard on things and isn't mowing perfectly manicured lawns.

 

[AuH2O]

What I've found works well on my 1/2 acre is to have kids and have them keep using my POS push mower I've had for 15 years.

The only downside is that in return my kids expect to be housed, clothed, fed, and generally parented.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Just curious as to why you think you will have that much push mowing to do with a regular rider. A zt does sound like a better choice for you. I have one of each, if my wife is helping she is on the zt, if my son is helping I'm on the zt. Zt is more comfortable and more fun. Our tractor is just a smidge faster though so it always wins the races, not that that is important.

Our lot is 1/2 acre total, but 1/3 of it is fenced. So, outside the fence I've got to go around the house, around some flower beds, and about 10 trees to work around. Then I have the area inside the fence that is big enough to ride. Between the trees and the corners inside the fence, I'd have to do all that with the push. I figure by the time I switch mowers, gas up the push, and get that part done, it's 30 minutes, minimum. If I can be surgical with the ZT, that saves me 15-20 minutes and just a little pushing around the edges.