[AT] OT - zero turn mowers

[Lane Freeman]

My lawn is quite complicated with lots of steep hills, obstacles and some
wet lands to mow around the pond.  I have about 5 acres to mow and the only
thing that gave me any trouble was learning how to do the hills. Its hard to
explain but it took me a few hours on the machine to figure things out.
Turning around gave me the most trouble on the hills but I soon learned to
slowly reverse the machine and then rotate the sticks into a full reverse
turn.  Now I can do it without even thinking about it.  Trying a turn from a
parked position usually meant spinning wheels.  A forward downhill turn was
just to unnerving because my hills are extremely steep and it felt like
there was a good chance of not being able to stop or completely making the
turn.

Lane Freeman
New Tripoli, PA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "kreig" <astroguy at nas.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 11:49 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] OT - zero turn mowers


> I am looking at the ZTR mowers for around my home, about 2.5 acres, but
with
> a complicated lawn, including one hill, some wet areas, and many
> obstructions.   Never could get my lawn mowed in one sitting in the past,
> usually took 3 evenings to get it all done at 2 hours each. JD 510 mower
> wiht 38" deck.
>
>  The Gravley 17hp/40 inch deck did my WHOLE lawn in 2 hours flat!!  with a
> better cut!!  Very impressed!!     I did not get a price on this model.  A
> Gravely PM 44Z  (17/44)  is about $5000, very nice machine!!!
>
> I also used a demo 18hp/44 deck Fastrack Hustler.  The Honda engine on the
> Fastrack was quieter by far and the machine was almost faultless. I did
seem
> to ride a bit rougher.  $4800
>
> Looked at a TORO, seemed very light weight with a lightweight deck off a
> standard mower.  They were asking about $5000+ for a 17/42 machine,
totally
> ridiculous!!  Looked like junk to me.
>
> Most of the ZTR mowers seem to be only back east, Dixon and others.
>
> Kubota makes a very solid machine, no belts, all driveline, definately the
> best of the lot but at almost $7,000 i realize, I am only cutting grass,
> nothing more. The height adjustment for the deck is very poorly designed.
>
> Wanted to see a Scag, but the local dealer wont carry them in stock, by
> order only, I dont think he is making any sales.
>
> What i need to learn and understand is the hydraulic pumps and mowers.
>
> Thanks for everyones input!!
>
> Kreig
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>
> From: "Lane Freeman" <lmfree at ptd.net>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 6:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] OT - zero turn mowers
>
>
> >I bought a Cub Cadet Commercial Zero Turn Last Fall and I'd never go back
> >to
> > a tractor mount belly mower. I was using a NH 25HP diesel with 72 inch
> > belly
> > mower. The Zero turn is 31HP with 72 inch deck and cut my mowing time in
> > half.  It will go through high grass at full speed which would have
> > stalled
> > my NH.at a crawl.   From what I'm told this is mainly due to the depth
of
> > the commercial deck.  I can also mow most everything without having to
go
> > back with a push mower to trim.  Probably one of the best equipment
> > investments I've ever made.
> >
> > Lane Freeman
> > New Tripoli, PA
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "kreig" <astroguy at nas.com>
> > To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
> > <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 6:13 PM
> > Subject: [AT] OT - zero turn mowers
> >
> >
> >> I am looking for information on Zero Turn Radius Mowers, found one
small
> >> forum with not much information. I plan to make a purchase soon. After
> >> actaully mowing my lawn with a demo unit, I am convinced there is no
> >> other
> >> option, those old fasioned mowers with steering wheels dont make the
> >> cut!!
> >> (so to speak).
> >>
> >> Any one know of a good forum for these mowers, or have experiences
(good
> > or
> >> bad) they can send to me?  You can reply off list and THANKS for any
> >> responses.
> >>
> >> Kreig
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> >>
> >
> >
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