Please point in correct direction for ZTR or stand-behind mower

[katit]

I always recommend that people test the product on their lawn before they buy if at all possible.

Good idea. I will see if it's possible. I don't have a means to transport mower(to try), it will have to be delivered. I do see one kid in our neighbourhood cutting with ZTR, might ask him to try his on a hill, it's probably residential unit, so it will be worst case scenario.

 

[Shughes717]

Thank you for this video link. At 6:25 they show slope that looks just like the one I have. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all..

I read online but is there any break-down on features that commercial ZTR might have and residentials don't? I understand deck construction, heavy duty engines, etc. But there is something about suspensions, different drive motors?

You need to understand that the mower used on that video is the z master series, which is a commercial mower. The raptor is nowhere near the mower as the ones on the video. The z master mowers are much heavier and have heavy duty commercial trannys. They have hydro gear zt3400 and zt 5400 trannys. The raptor only has zt2800 trannys. Make sure you know it will mow the hill before you purchase.

 

[katit]

I understand that. I also checked specs for Raptor, with 52 inch deck it's like 16k FPM

Raptor SD seems much better with 54in and 18k+ It also has better engine..
I don't know, to me it's a toy too Might just sell some other toys and get something little better.

 

[Ric]

You need to understand that the mower used on that video is the z master series, which is a commercial mower. The raptor is nowhere near the mower as the ones on the video.

Does it really make a difference what mower is used when the purpose of the video is to show how to operate a ZTR and the safe practices involved in doing so, it's no different for a hustler or Toro or dixie chopper or any other type of ztr commercial or residential, the operation and safety practices are the same.

 

[Ric]

You need to understand that the mower used on that video is the z master series, which is a commercial mower. The raptor is nowhere near the mower as the ones on the video. The z master mowers are much heavier and have heavy duty commercial trannys. They have hydro gear zt3400 and zt 5400 trannys. The raptor only has zt2800 trannys. Make sure you know it will mow the hill before you purchase.

The Raptor doesn't have the 2800 drives for FYI it has the EZT drives. The Raptor SD has the 2800 drive units which would last the residential operator a lifetime.

 

[Ric]

Thank you for this video link. At 6:25 they show slope that looks just like the one I have. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all..

I read online but is there any break-down on features that commercial ZTR might have and residentials don't? I understand deck construction, heavy duty engines, etc. But there is something about suspensions, different drive motors?

Suspensions on a mower is really a waste, they basically don't improve the ride that much that's the reason very few company's offer them, they rather go with the suspension seats. As far as drives go Hydro-Gear makes about a dozen different drive packages from the EZT 2100/2200 to a ZT 5400 and are all mostly matched to the weight and HP of the machine. If you want the ultimate in a drive go with the separate Parker pumps and wheel motors. Parker makes the best drives on the market. They just developed there HT series with there hydro drives and there Parker wheel motor attached which can be found on some mowers now which are far better than the Hydro-Gear units.

 

[katit]

Took a picture of how this hill look like. Probably looks better than what it is, plus fence. I trip near fence anyway..
You can also see what my JD leaves..

 

[Ric]

Took a picture of how this hill look like. Probably looks better than what it is, plus fence. I trip near fence anyway..
You can also see what my JD leaves..

View attachment 21998

You wont have any problem with that with any ztr. I do retention ponds that are far worse than that. The Raptor will cut that with no problem. I'll have to take some pictures of my side lawn. Now that I see what your dealing with you may want to look at the Raptor SD 48" and see what kinda price you can get on it. For 3/4 acre you could do a 48" deck and still cut your mowing time considerable.

 

[Carscw]

I say keep the JD and don't cut the grass soooo short and cut it more often.

Looking at the pic it looks like one blade is a little low. Maybe bent blade or a bad spindle.

 

[katit]

I don't cut it too low. Maybe I can cut more often, but I don't want to do it more often then every week. I know my cousin cut's twice with different depth settings to minimize clippings. I want to see no clippings And I don't want to cut twice.

Blades is OK, this last cut I didn't notice that one of the wheels was almost out of air.