Tractor or ZTR?

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

Our new home came with 10 acres, 8 of which will need to be mowed. I have a ZTR mower but it only has a 40 inch deck, which was fine for the old place but it just won't fit the bill here. I feel like a new ZTR with a 60 inch deck would be fine, but I also need the ability to tow, which is tough on those hydrostatic transmissions. In my mind this means I need a compact tractor. But those are slower than a ZTR, and very expensive. I'm experiencing a little paralysis by analysis.

Do any of you have any advice for me? Thanks!

 

[seebell]

ZTR is great for cutting grass. My Toro ZTR is limited to towing 80 pounds although I'm sure it will tow much more. Both good quality ZTR and compact tractor are expensive.

I have a Kubota G1800 lawn tractor with 60-inch deck and hydrostatic trans. I have towed quite a bit with it, even logs and large branches with no problem but not on a regular basis. It has a PTO but every accessory you buy is about $2000, which is why I have no accessories.

here's a website you can drool over. I buy all my parts from them. I think Bazza is a pro landscaper.

https://www.messicks.com/attachment/category/86/exmark-zero-turn-mowers

 

[Bazza]

I'm not into maintenance but did I did a stint in sales at one period of my career including sales of turf care equipment but that was almost 2 decades ago and lot has changed.

I would suggest in addition to acquiring input from the brain trust here, that you visit a couple of your local equipment dealers and see what they have to offer for your application.

Also, of course these days there's a plethora of information available online for us consumers on whatever purchase is up for consideration.

My gut feeling is to go with a tractor that has adequate speed, because it sounds like that aspect might be the only deal breaker for you.

ZTR's are like sports cars.....VERY fun to operate. But if you need to pull a travel trailer....they're not very practical.

 

[willie52]

With 10 acres I would suggest a small tractor with front end loader and bush hog or larger mower deck. It depends on your "yard" and terrain. Any decent tractor such as a John Deere, Kubota, etc. is going to cost upwards of $20,000 but the ability to add attachments for various jobs is great. The problem with that is as you said, the attachments are expensive. Don't forget the radio, 10 acres is going to take a while and at least a 12 pack. :biggrin2:

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

Thanks for the info fellas. I think you just confirmed what I was thinking. A tractor is the answer.

 

[gtowntide]

The best thing about zero turn mowers are their speed. If you go the tractor route it will be considerably slower . If you are cutting 8 acres it will take forever because of speed and turning radius.

 

[TrampLineman]

Yes a tractor would be the best bet. Yes it will be different because of speed, but that is a lot of grass for a zero turn unless it's all flat. Get a tractor and bush hog IMHO.

 

[seebell]

I cut my 4 acres in about 4 hours with my Kubota lawn tractor with a 60 inch mower deck. My yard is very rough and there are numerous obstacles in the way.

.I think a bush is for rough cutting. If you want smooth groomed yard you need a finish mower for your tractor instead of a bush hog. Although a belly mover is fine.

Well groomed yards are over rated IMO. Cut around the house and let the rest grow a little. Fence in some of the property and get some goats or mini horses.?

Guess it depends on where you are and what you want.

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

I will need the finish mower. It's all been kept very short. I think the previous owner used a service. Pride will keep me from doing that. Hehe

 

[bama_wayne1]

I replaced a 48" ZTR with a John Deere 1025R with a front end loader and a 60" mid mount mower. I would NEVER go back. With larger parcels you will at some point need a tractor if you want to maintain it by yourself. John Deere offers 72 month interest free financing.

 

[seebell]

I replaced a 48" ZTR with a John Deere 1025R with a front end loader and a 60" mid mount mower. I would NEVER go back. With larger parcels you will at some point need a tractor if you want to maintain it by yourself. John Deere offers 72 month interest free financing.

I am seething with jealousy bama-wayne1. Mighty nice rig!

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/007/2/7/7277-john-deere-1025r.html

http://www.muttonpower.com/p-9699-john-deere-1025r-sub-compact-utility-tractor.aspx

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

I replaced a 48" ZTR with a John Deere 1025R with a front end loader and a 60" mid mount mower. I would NEVER go back. With larger parcels you will at some point need a tractor if you want to maintain it by yourself. John Deere offers 72 month interest free financing.

The interest free offer peaks my interest. I like the easy attach deal on the belly mount mower. It just seems like the JD's are more user friendly than the Kubota's but I honestly don't know enough to judge.

 

[seebell]

The interest free offer peaks my interest. I like the easy attach deal on the belly mount mower. It just seems like the JD's are more user friendly than the Kubota's but I honestly don't know enough to judge.

The easy attach mower would be great. My Kubota deck weighs about 250 pounds and is hell for me to remove. My Kubota has been very good but it's a 1992 model. Can't say about the new ones. The price on the Ford seems not too bad. Go kick the tires.

This might interest you. Isn't Ford now New Holland?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZWpu3hz50

http://classifieds.tractorbynet.com/search/filter/c0-c3/40

 

[2003TIDE]

Grew up cutting something like that. If you are going for a mower, you need a 60" deck and the ground better be a damn smooth ride because you want to drive fast.

 

[TrampLineman]

The interest free offer peaks my interest. I like the easy attach deal on the belly mount mower. It just seems like the JD's are more user friendly than the Kubota's but I honestly don't know enough to judge.

Would recommend as well. My brother owns one to cut his 2 acres and it's great. Plus when it comes to tractors JD blows Kubota out of the water and no I'm not a JD yuppie. We owned Deere's when they were not "cool and hip" and were poor farmers:biggrin:

 

[bama_wayne1]

The interest free offer peaks my interest. I like the easy attach deal on the belly mount mower. It just seems like the JD's are more user friendly than the Kubota's but I honestly don't know enough to judge.

The neat thing is that you can back off the deck turn the tractor off, prop the deck up on it's haunches and change the blades without ever laying on the floor. I gave my MO-Jack away to the guy that bought my mower...