[AT] New Lawn Tractor

[David Bruce]

ZTRs are wonderful except for those hills. I bought a Simplicity ZTR 
about 4 years ago. Most of my mowing is on top of a ridge so no issue 
but there are a couple spots that can get iffy. Loss of traction and 
crabbing if mowing across the ridge are some of the problems.

David
NW NC

On 4/28/2015 4:54 PM, rlgoss at twc.com wrote:
> Many of the current tractor models have an over-ride switch built in as OEM.  Typically, you can start it, turn the ignition key back to the first run position, and then push on a button.  From that point onward, the PTO will run forward and backward until you shut the ignition off.
>
> Dave, if your objective is to mow the acreage as fast as possible, nothing will out-perform a zero-turn rig.   But not all terrains are safe for using them.  In particular, a ZTR needs reasonably level areas.  Not only do you start to loose traction on the uphill side of the mower, but you just don't have the control and stability of four wheels.  We changed out a lot of the drive wheels on brand new ZTR's and replaced them with low-lug ag tires before ever delivering them to their first owners.
>
>
> Larry
>
> ---- "Phil M. Vorwerk" <pvorwerk at newulmtel.net> wrote:
>> Thanks, I thought there might be a workaround like that. I couldn't imagine people putting up with that otherwise.
>>
>>
>> Phil
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 1:45 PM
>> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>> Subject: Re: [AT] New Lawn Tractor
>>
>> I have a JD LX277 lawn tractor that has the PTO shut off when backing up feature.  There is a factory work around explained in the owners manual to prevent this.  You hold the PTO engaging button on the dash in the up position while you back up.  I found the switch on the back of the transmission that is depressed when you back up and unplugged it.  It is a normally closed switch so I had to put a jumper wire in the harness.  Now I don't have to do anything to keep the PTO running when I back up.
>> Brian
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: "Phil M. Vorwerk" <pvorwerk at newulmtel.net>
>> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 2:12:26 PM
>> Subject: Re: [AT] New Lawn Tractor
>>
>> This is a very timely discussion. I've been running a pair of JD 425 AWS garden tractors, but they are starting to show their age, both with reliability and just plain plastic getting brittle.
>>
>> I plan to look at both an X534 and an X734, but I haven't even gotten around to finding out what the real differences are. One thing I did hear a number of years ago was some grumbling about the newer safety "features", one of which that the pto kicks out when you back up with the mower. It has me wondering if I would be better off just sticking some money in the 425's that I have.
>>
>> Phil M. Vorwerk
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Alan Riley
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 12:17 PM
>> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>> Subject: Re: [AT] New Lawn Tractor
>>
>> Dave, I bought a John Deere X530 a couple of years ago.  I usually mow about
>> 2.5 acres with it and sometimes up to 4.  It has a 54" mower deck, hydraulic power steering, and a short turning radius that really helps with all of the trees I have to mow around.  It also has a differential lock that has come in handy a couple of times.
>>
>> So far I've been pleased with it but it is just a heavy duty lawnmower, you would still need a tractor for moving trailers, etc.
>>
>> Alan Riley
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Rotigel
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 6:17 AM
>> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>> Subject: Re: [AT] New Lawn Tractor
>>
>> I mow about 4.5a. I, currently, use a ~1960 14 HP Economy Power King with a 48" mower deck and a 1955 Massey-Harris Pacer with a 60" woods mower deck. I can get the 4.5a done in about 6 hours. The various attachments/implements that can be added on to these small sub compact tractors intrigues me, but I'm not sure that (at my age) I would use them. I do still need to lift things (so a front bucket might be useful) and I also need something to move trailers around from time to time. It's the upkeep on the two machines that I now use as much as the time involved that is making me thing about a new tractor as much as anything else.
>> Thus far, I have only looked at the Deere and the TYM. I'll find a Kubota dealer today and look at them. I'm in no real hurry--both the machines I have now are are working well.
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
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