[AT] ztr

Tue Mar 8 12:33:14 PST 2005

I ended up buying a second garden tractor so that both my wife and I could
attack the mowing at the same time; I haven't used it yet, so I hope I'm not
disappointed.  It's a Ford YT-18H.  Has foot controls, hydraulic
attachments, and is powered by a Kohler Magnum series engine.  I kind of
bought it on a whim.  It looked really clean and in great shape, and the
construction of it seemed pretty heavy duty.  Time will tell.......

Phil

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dean VP
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 11:32 AM
To: 'Antique tractor email discussion group'
Subject: RE: [AT] ztr

Phil:

I agree with that recommendation for our NW wet weather and hilly terrain. I
own a JD 425 but not an AWS version. I reduced my cutting time on 4 acres
dramatically just by going from a JD 317 to the JD 425 with the same deck
size. The power steering and foot speed control is just so much handier.  An
AWS version would even improve on that but I wasn't willing to pay the extra
tariff for the AWS features. I was only looking at used versions and there
were not many older, used AWS versions available at the time I was looking. 

The 10 gauge, PTO driven deck on the JD 425 is much heavier duty than on
others which I like a lot.

I used to get stuck at least once each spring with my 317 due to wet
weather. I'm on my 3rd spring with the JD 425 and haven't gotten stuck yet
with it. 

BTW, An antique tractor reference: A 1948 Farmall Cub is not capable of
pulling out a stuck JD 317.  At least on a sample of one. All Indians walk
single file, at least the one I saw did!

Dean A. Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA 98290

I'm a walking storeroom of facts..... I've just lost the key to the
storeroom door 

www.deerelegacy.com

http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Phil Vorwerk -
Printwear Graphics
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 8:36 AM
To: 'Antique tractor email discussion group'
Subject: RE: [AT] ztr

Take a look at a JD 425 AWS.  They make nice all around garden tractors,
with power steering, 2 sets of hydraulics, and 4 wheel steering that is very
nice for going around obstacles.  I have 7 acres of yard with a lot of
trees, and over a third of it on a pretty good hillside.  For me it was a
pretty good compromise, stable on the hillside and a comfortable unit to
use.

Phil Vorwerk
Courtland, MN

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Chris Britton
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:49 AM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: [AT] ztr

>From: "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net>
>Subject: RE: [AT] OT - zero turn mowers
>I too became all enthused about zero turn radius mowers until I learned
>about a couple of their shortcomings. And the shortcomings are pronounced
>, if you have
>uneven traction on the rear wheels, maintaining the desired direction
>becomes a real problem. This problem is exacerbated by mowing on side hills
>where there is much more weight on the downhill side rear wheel.

I've seen this also.  If it's raining anywhere in fl.. I see alot of lawn
care people on ZTR's chewing up grass, on very simple slopes.

They are also a dedicated piece of equipment.. just a mower.  I understand
they aren't even really designed to pull a lawn cart.. like a regular
lawnmower could.. etc.  Lotsa money to spend on something that can only do
one thing.. etc.

Seems like for the money, you could buy a mid-large rider mower.. good
brand.. say.. huskie or cub cadet. and an add on trail mower.. and still
come out a grand less than the least expensive ZTR... and cut a wider swath
at one time.

Soundguy

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