[AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style

[Stephen Offiler]

Phil, that's real interesting.  For kicks, I just visited the JD
website, and found they have a nice "selection tool".  You tell it how
many acres, how many obstacles, how flat or sloped the terrain, and
whether you need to handle snow or other garden-tractor tasks (which I
do not, as I have a larger Ford 1520 utility tractor for all of that).
 The selector brings me to a model X324 which is a 22HP, 48" cut,
4-wheel-steer garden tractor.  In order to force the selector to
suggest a Zero-Turn mower instead of the garden tractor, I have to
tell it my terrain is FLAT (where in reality I think it best matches
the "sloped/hilly" option, but not the "challenging" option).  I've
got a JD dealer about 10 miles from home, and a different one less
than 5 miles from work.  Hmmmm...

Steve O.


The JD tool brings me to a
On Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 10:27 AM, Phil M. Vorwerk<pvorwerk at newulmtel.net> wrote:
> I didn't see the original post either.
>
> I don't know how large of a tractor style mower you are thinking of, but we
> have had great luck using a pair of JD 425's with all wheel steer.  We have
> a large area to mow, with a lot of trees and half of it with a pretty good
> slope.  We debated the tractor vs ZTR style a bit, and the AWS style garden
> tractors make a nice compromise, plus there are a lot of attachments
> available (albeit expensive).  Very stable, comfortable tractors with
> hydraulics and power steering, and about a 10" mowing radius depending on
> the size of the deck you choose.
>
> Phil
> Courtland, MN
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Brad Gunnells
> Sent: June 08, 2009 3:56 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] mowers - ztr vs tractor style
>
> I didn't see the original post so I'm not sure all the questions.
>
> Considering ZTR mowers only use the back two wheels to control the
> speed and direction (the front two are just along for the ride!) of
> the mower, slopes are an issue. I clipped the side of a building with
> the chute when mine slid out of control down a wet slope. It was
> partially operator error. It was new and I didn't have much seat time
> to know it's characteristics. But when they slide you loose pretty
> much all control where as a tractor style likely will still allow a
> little steering. Kind of like a car where it slides and you can
> counter steer vs. locking the brakes. My instincts were to try to
> stop instead of full speed ahead and try to regain control.
>
> Once you get past that and the fact they "may" (depending on size,
> tires, etc.) ride rougher they are very maneuverable and generally a
> time saver.
>
> I got a demo unit from the dealer to see how well I liked it first.
> So a rental/demo unit would be a wise choice as you investigate your
> options.
>
> Brad
>
> On Jun 8, 2009, at 2:55 PM, Mike Meulenberg wrote:
>
>> 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
>>
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