[AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style (OT)

Tue Jun 9 07:45:35 PDT 2009

Steve - FYI.

Thankfully he new drive belt on my Craftsman LT1000 42-inch cured the 
vibration problem when the blades were engaged. I was afraid it might be 
something more costly.

Bob in CNY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stephen Offiler" <soffiler at gmail.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 9:15 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style

Excellent advise, thanks Mark.  The little bit I've learned so far
tends to agree with everything you say on the hydro and the fabricated
deck.  I have only looked at Cub Cadet so far, and need to expand my
horizons.  The only CC model I had any interest in was a commercial
(according to them) machine, the Enforcer 44.  The difference with
this machine versus the homeowner-grade CC is just as you say, real
hydro and a fabricated deck.  The good news here is that the very
closest tractor dealer to my home is just 10 minutes away, and they
carry Toro and Gravely; I simply haven't gotten up there yet (it has
to be a Saturday AM).  I find myself at the CC dealer instead because,
of course, I've been dealing with the ressurection of a dead CC 1812.

SO

On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 8:51 AM, Mark Greer<markagreer at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> If you buy a ZTR make sure you don't get one of the cheaper homeowner
> quality jobs as they don't last and don't work that well. Spend the extra
> money and buy a commercial quality machine and it will be the last mower 
> you
> ever buy. Stick with a brand that the commercial lawn crews use in your
> area. Toro, Exmark, Scag, Bunton, Gravely, Great Dane, Grasshopper, 
> BobCat,
> and some others make good machines. Make sure it has real charge pumps and
> wheel motors and not a hydrostatic transaxle. Make sure you buy one with a
> fabricated steel deck, preferably 7 gauge.
> Mark
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stephen Offiler" <soffiler at gmail.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" 
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 7:14 AM
> Subject: Re: [AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style
>
>
> All good ideas, Charlie. I will inquire about a demo unit. We have
> about three dealers within 1/2 hour of me (perhaps one or two more in
> that radius, need to study the Yellow Pages). All three are small
> operations who may or may not have a demonstrator unit due to their
> size and inventory constraints. Can't hurt to ask. One is Cub Cadet,
> one is Gravely/Wheelhorse/Toro and one is Massey-Ferguson. Hmmm, now
> wait a sec, there's gotta be a JD dealer around... dang, my blood just
> doesn't run green and I'm drawing a blank on that. Again, gotta check
> Yellow Pages. All of the working farms in my area run JD equipment.
>
> I am pretty much set on the ZTR once I get past two things; one being
> my existing Cub Cadet (remember where this thread started?) which I
> might just keep if Karen decides she likes it. It's a pretty nice
> machine to operate, with the Kohler Magnum opposed-twin ("boxer"
> engine like VW bug, Subaru, and BMW motorcycle) which are very smooth,
> inherently balanced, even-firing engines, and the hydro couldn't be
> smoother or simpler to operate. The steering on the CC is not
> power-assisted but it is geared to be very easy to turn, downside
> being about half a zillon turns lock-to-lock but a spinner deals with
> that nicely. Then as you say there will be certain limited areas that
> I will still maintain with my existing 17HP 42" walk-behind.
>
> The other thing I need to get past is this whole traction on slopes
> issue. I do believe it's a real issue based on many comments in this
> thread, and the prevalence of machines that are converted from turf
> tires to more ag-like patterns. That makes some sort of rental or
> demonstrator unit that much more important because the answer to that
> question is very specific to my terrain.
>
> SO
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM, charliehill<charliehill at embarqmail.com>
> wrote:
>> The guys that mow the Marine Corps base here use them on some fairly 
>> steep
>> slopes and I've seen them running ATV tires that look basically like farm
>> tractor tires.
>>
>> Steve one thing you could consider if your heart is set on the ZTR (I 
>> want
>> one myself) is to establish the areas it's safe for your wife to mow with
>> it
>> and have her leave the rest for you to finish up with the walk behind or 
>> a
>> weedeater.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Mike Meulenberg" <msm10301 at juno.com>
>> To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 3:55 PM
>> Subject: Re: [AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style
>>
>>
>> I personally don't think the slopes will be an issue. Around here all the
>> lawn companies use them and there are some pretty steep hills. I have
>> noticed a few that switched the rear tires to the ATV style, more than
>> likely for wet conditions, these guys mow rain or shine, although in rain
>> they just make a big mess. We had a rental house that we had mowed the
>> front
>> yard was very steep, and they could mow it with no problem, either
>> straight
>> up and down or crosswise, they alternated every week. Mike
>>
>> ---------- Original Message ----------
>> From: Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com>
>> To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>> Subject: Re: [AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style
>> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 15:30:42 -0400
>>
>> Good thought, rental... now why didn't I think of that? :-) Thanks
>> Dennis. I'll have to make some calls...
>>
>> SO
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 3:22 PM, Dennis Johnson<moscowengnr at yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>> What I would recomend is to go and RENT or BORROW a ZTR type mower and
>>> try
>>> it to see how it works. Then you could get some idea of how well it 
>>> works
>>> for you and your lot.
>>>
>>> I still use the "tractor" style mowers. I drove to Oklahoma and got one
>>> of
>>> mine repaired over the week-end - new fuel hose replacing old cracked
>>> hose
>>> after replacing fuel shut off solinoid that got broke off when mowing 
>>> too
>>> close to some brush and downed limbs. I then was able to mow about 2
>>> acres
>>> in 3 hours - lot with several trees, an ditch and a few draws, etc.
>>> (including re-installing carb linkage that got knocked of mowing too
>>> close
>>> to some brush and branches and one pushed in to undo carb linkage.) I
>>> just
>>> enjoy using the tractor style mowers, and they work well for me (as long
>>> as I keep reasonable distance from brush and limbs.)
>>>
>>> My wife is also able to use these, and they do well for her, but she 
>>> does
>>> not mow the ditch or push limits mowing over small brush, etc.
>>>
>>> If I was trying to earn a living mowing lots, then I might pass on the
>>> enjoyment of using the tractor style and go with a ZTR.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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