Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn

Sammy the Red

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
Well according to the op there is a pro for one make and one make only zero turn, Cub Cadet- just like every lawn/garden tractor I am aware of alot of Cub zero turns have as a factory option a front blade. Ric, this means that if you want to push with a zt designed to push-just like tractors, you gotta go Cub or go without a blade :wink: :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing: .

Robert, please stop with the lies. This is not true at all.
 

robert

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
Sammy, YOU posted the fact that Cub offers a zt with an available FACTORY blade and you were so kind as to provide the link; I know of no other zt which comes with this option from the maker-if you do would you please provide the facts with the links just like I have done so many times for all those who are following this topic.
 

earthworm

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
Sammy, YOU posted the fact that Cub offers a zt with an available FACTORY blade and you were so kind as to provide the link; I know of no other zt which comes with this option from the maker-if you do would you please provide the facts with the links just like I have done so many times for all those who are following this topic.

Walker "lawn mowers".
Very interesting, innovative, versatile, and expensive.
Google , a whole new world can be opened up.
robert, does an Ariens walk behind with front casters qualify as "ZT" ??

A dufus can be either an amateur or a professional.
The difference between a "good" amateur and a professional is the time spent at a task , and of course, the money.
I believe that the good amateur can do a job at 99.9% , the pro ...98.9%....we are talking about cutting grass, a huge area...
Yes, robert, a ZT can scalp, and so can a 21" LB or a garden tractor.. Its the operator and the lawn, NOT the machine....
Want a perfect job ?, use 100 Chinamen with 99 scissors...:biggrin:
 

mullins87

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
I've used them all over the years....from a flimsy 20" push mower to a 26" Yazoo beast that my dad used to mow yards in the 50's when he was a kid, to lawn and garden tractors, to ZTR's and full size tractors. Come to think of it, I've even had the "pleasure" of using a "real" push mower and even a greens mower. Each has their place where their strengths and weaknesses shine through.

As mentioned above, the lawn tractor is the cheapest and lightest of the riders....well with the exception of some of the RER's. It is well suited for the majority of yards where the size is under an acre to maybe an acre and a half, is fairly flat and mostly smooth. They can pull small utility carts around the yard for various tasks. They are fairly manueverable, with some having a very small turn radius, but you'll still need a trimmer or some Round Up. However, they won't last long if you try to bush hog with them or use any type of ground engaging equipment.

The garden tractors, as also mentioned above, are heavier and more costly than lawn tractors. They are well suited for larger yards, or those with heavy terrain and not exactly golf course smooth. They can also pull larger carts/trailers around the yard, use ground engaging equipment, and some of the larger ones can even come with hydraulics and three point hitches and front end loaders. They aren't quite as manueverable as a lawn tractor, but some are available with four wheel steer making for a very tight turn radius. However, you'll still need a trimmer. Since they are heavier, they tend to tear up a soft yard that a lawn tractor wouldn't.

The ZTR's are, in IMO, the best option if all you have to do is cut grass, and a lot of it. They come in a wide variety ranging from light and cheap to heavy and very expensive. They will almost do away with any trimming needs, and in most cases, will seemingly run circles around any tractor style mower. Some will disagree, but generally, ZTR's are not well suited for moderate to steep inclines or rough terrain. They typically have very limited utility for any work beyond mowing.

I personally prefer tractor style mowers. They offer a better ride and you get more mower for your dollar. I have a large lawn tractor that I use to mow my three and a half acres and an older garden tractor that I use for various utility duties. These suit my needs very well at the moment. This is all my opinion based on my personal experiences. Your mileage may vary. :biggrin:
 

earthworm

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
With but 0.46 of an acre, for me the best is a 30" castered push mower. If I had 2 to 3 acre, then a larger push, maybe a riding ZT..The tractors are so wasteful of gas and time.
JMO
By hand I can push around carts and wheelbarrows...this is good exercise, I think.
And snow-moval by hand as well. Its only 150 by 5 feet...
The appropriate equipment is important, of course, I do not always go this route...lol
 

Sammy the Red

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
........... I know of no other zt which comes with this option from the maker-..............

Maybe you should do some more research.

Now, Please stop with the lies and get back on your meds.
 

mullins87

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn

robert

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mullins, thank you for your input-this is exactly what we need, more facts and fewer personal attacks-so the list of makers who offer a blade has grown to three-Cub, Dixie-Classic and above only and GH-however it looks to me like GH offers a blade only for the frontmount series.
 

mullins87

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
mullins, thank you for your input-this is exactly what we need, more facts and fewer personal attacks-so the list of makers who offer a blade has grown to three-Cub, Dixie-Classic and above only and GH-however it looks to me like GH offers a blade only for the frontmount series.

Oh, that was by no means a complete list, just what I could find in 10 or 15 minutes.....just trying to help.
 

robert

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  • / Pros and Cons of Lawn Tractors vs Garden Tractors vs Zero Turn
mullins87, and help you have-I was lucky in that I was able to get out of a zero turn which was, for me, a big mistake; mine was not even able to tow, by manufactures approval, the small homeowners type leaf vacuum I use in the spring/fall and after our few vacations. Would it have? most probably but how would it have handled with several hundred pounds of leaf dust/grass in the hopper especially in the few minor inclines I have in the yard. Learning about the sintered/pressed gears in the ZT2800 just added a little more doubt with regard to the longevity of the model zt I selected.

So my 'quest' to make certain that people like myself understand the zero turn was started-in certain applications the zero turn makes sense and in certain applications the zero turn makes the only sense.

Pro machines are well built with top shelf drives, engines and chasis and the price tag reflects the build quality, anything less with regard to the zero turn is not only less but much less-for instance even if you get a zero turn with entry level pro drives, the maker cut big time on the engines to provide the better drive. So you have a slightly more robust hydro but this is still driven by a real homeowner engine most usually the Briggs 'Pro' which is nothing more than the Intek or in the instance of the very clever maker - a homeowner version of a Kawasaki.

When you couple the quality of the average residential or even 'estate' zt-that term is a brilliant marketing acheivement-with the manner in which the zt has to be turned and with the lack of any real implements I remain convinced that going zt is a big mistake for the average consumer.

In the end the average consumer will be much better served by any entry level lt compared to any homeowner/estate zt and as I have stated before the sad fact is that the JD/Cub/Husqvarna from the big box with a Kohler Courage will still be able to mow long after the origninal buyer is not.

But also like I have stated before, if you HAVE to have a zt like I HAD to have a zt well, go for it- but if you are going to make the same mistake as I at least make it a good one and get a real pro quality machine; and I would be so bold as to suggest you put your money into the superb riding Ferris/Simplicity with the full suspension. This way you will stand to recover more of your money when you decide to sell AND you will be more comfortable riding about your property until you decide to sell.

Thanks again.
 
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