Zero Turn vs Lawn Tractor
- Thread starter throwittoblythe
- Start date
Plow attachments for lawn mowers don't work that well. They have an open differential. Most riding lawn mowers also don't have the heavy-duty transaxles to take the punishment of moving snow, shortening their life span.
This summer I bought a used 2003 Simplicity Prestige. I went ahead and polished it all up, and made it mechanically sound, including a complete disassemble and lubrication of the deck and lawn striping bar. It has a 54" deck (Nearly 200 pounds), and a 2 stage snowblower (Even heavier) were included. I ended up selling the included grass catcher as I had no plans to use it.
That picture was pre-dereycho.
I was using a John Deere LA120. What I upgraded to is a serious Garden Tractor, not a "Lawn Mower", and I've been loving it.
That picture was pre-dereycho.
I was using a John Deere LA120. What I upgraded to is a serious Garden Tractor, not a "Lawn Mower", and I've been loving it.
Live on a farm and we have a 60" Gravely. Things a mowing machine! Hard to remove blades to sharpen, but cut our mowing time in half.
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Lawn tractor isn't a thing. It's a riding mower.
www.merriam-webster.com
dictionary.cambridge.org
www.merriam-webster.com
Definition of TRACTOR
a 4-wheeled or tracklaying automotive vehicle used especially for drawing farm equipment; a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled through handlebars by a walking operator; truck… See the full definition
tractor
1. a motor vehicle with large back wheels and thick tyres, used on farms for…
dictionary.cambridge.org
Definition of LAWN MOWER
a machine for cutting grass on lawns… See the full definition
Is Deere the only one that makes AWS lawn tractors? I have a cub cadet 'zero turn' lawn tractor that they quit making (for good reason) but never seen an AWS.
Checked the prices on those JD AWS tractors.. Yikes. If ZT prices seem too high, don't even bother looking at those.
In terms of tractors now being able to throw snow.
I have a dual stage snowblower for the Simplicity and the thing is seriously heavy duty. I don't think it will have any issues throwing snow. (This picture was before I cleaned it up)
I have a dual stage snowblower for the Simplicity and the thing is seriously heavy duty. I don't think it will have any issues throwing snow. (This picture was before I cleaned it up)
You won't ever regret a zero turn, but could regret a riding mower. The only caveat is if you want to put a blower on your riding mower. Even still, I'd highly recommend a zero turn and a separate blower.
The amount of time you save mowing is hard to even understand--I haven't heard of anyone that regrets the time savings for the money for a zero turn.
The amount of time you save mowing is hard to even understand--I haven't heard of anyone that regrets the time savings for the money for a zero turn.
Lawn Tractor. Just go around the trees with the left side of the deck. 1/2 acre? Hell, you could do a half acre with a push mower. Why spend 3 grand on a zero turn?
FWIW, I don't think my tractor would have an issue with the 42" plow attachment either. Simplicity offered the model with as a 4x4, but I have the 2 wheel model. With the rear chains on the wheels, the transmission wouldn't have an issue at all in most snow situations.
I would agree with his statement in terms of my old John Deere LA120. That thing was only designed to mow grass.
I looked at both and went with the JD 4 wheel steer and haven't looked back. I do have some grade in my 3/4 acre yard for which the Zero don't do well on. Also, the 4 wheel is less likely to leave marks in your yard when turning. You will be happy with whatever you buy, regardless. I'll note that I designed my yard to have a live edge everywhere and only have to weed-wack near the street in a few spots and a couple other areas. (7 minutes max on WW.) 30 minutes mow time.
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I would disagree based on my neighbors way of mowing with his zero turn. He mows WAY too fast, and the results of which lead to the grass not being "cut" but rather "wacked" by the blades. Also, his front two wheels leave DEEP indentations in his yard after a mow. The morning after a mow you can see where he drove EVERYWHERE. It doesn't cut the grass well at all.
However, he does seem to mow his yard in record time. Not going to argue that.
Never, but I also run heavier John Deere’s than the OP mentions. New, these things are in that 12k range.
Not sure. I do have a cub cadet for in town (I learned on one) but since IH stopped making them, they aren’t the same. That is the only non JD that I have.
I would disagree based on my neighbors way of mowing with his zero turn. He mows WAY too fast, and the results of which lead to the grass not being "cut" but rather "wacked" by the blades. Also, his front two wheels leave DEEP indentations in his yard after a mow. The morning after a mow you can see where he drove EVERYWHERE. It doesn't cut the grass well at all.
However, he does seem to mow his yard in record time. Not going to argue that.
One other variable is the roughness. ZT are the toughest rides due to smallest tires overall and the overall wheelbase, commercial front decks are in between (sounds backwards but it’s true), then it’s tractors for smoothest. If you have a newer lawn or rough lawn,it could make a difference. We have some rough stuff we have to mow.
