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Do you cut grass with a Zero turn or do you cut grass with a Garden tractor?

ZTR here and will never go back.

BlazNT said:

ZTR here and will never go back.

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I think its going to be heavy on the ZT side and light on the GT side.

ZT also.

ZT hands down for me.

Depends on the job.
For doing steep hills I use a rider or a walk behind.
A rider will hold hills that a ztr can not.

For most everything else I use a ztr.

Carscw said:

Depends on the job.
For doing steep hills I use a rider or a walk behind.
A rider will hold hills that a ztr can not.

For most everything else I use a ztr.

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Thank you Carscw, Some input that people can use and understand why and when to use a zero turn and when to use a GT.

ZTR.

I mowed with a tractor for about 14 years. My property is mostly flat, but quite a few obstacles. I've wanted a ZT for a few years and finally bought a Hustler. Mowing is no longer a mundane chore. I went from an hour to about 35 minutes.

For years I used a GT until I re-damaged my left shoulder.

Simply turning the steering wheel became quite painful. I put up with the pain for a year and finally said no more. I bought a zero turn mower.

Operating a ZT causes me no pain whatsoever, it's much quicker to get the job down and is frankly fun to run.

Now, the pain in your wallet for a ZT is something else altogether...but once you swallow that bit of financial indigestion, you'll be good to go.

Zeroturner said:

For years I used a GT until I re-damaged my left shoulder.

Simply turning the steering wheel became quite painful. I put up with the pain for a year and finally said no more. I bought a zero turn mower.

Operating a ZT causes me no pain whatsoever, it's much quicker to get the job down and is frankly fun to run.

Now, the pain in your wallet for a ZT is something else altogether...but once you swallow that bit of financial indigestion, you'll be good to go.

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Sorry about your shoulder, hope it gets better.

Lawn tractor. I'll turn my yard into a stone garden before I buy a zero turn. :laughing:
At least until cheap ones trickle down to the used market in my area...

Bob E said:

Lawn tractor. I'll turn my yard into a stone garden before I buy a zero turn. :laughing:
At least until cheap ones trickle down to the used market in my area...

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Haha---that's funny Bob. A ZTR would be nice, but the price point for a homeowner is pretty steep.

Great topic gfp55! :thumbsup:

Had a Craftsman LT for several years and traded it for a ZT. I liked mowing with the the LT but the ZT gave the lawn mowing experience a whole new meaning.

gfp55 said:

Do you cut grass with a Zero turn or do you cut grass with a Garden tractor?

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I'm old school but I do have a zero turn. I used it very little, 127 or so hours for 2009, its getting some more hours on it now with my cutting crew. I have some flat land and some slopes. I use a garden tractor 1260 hours with a 50" deck to cut most of my grass, it cuts at about 8.5 mph in 4Hi, 5.5 in 3Hi, not zero turn speeds but fast enough. So I would have to say GT for the most part. But thats just me.

gfp55 said:

Thank you Carscw, Some input that people can use and understand why and when to use a zero turn and when to use a GT.

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Sorry thought you were just asking.
1. I use ZT because of the speed and the amount I mow per week.
2. With my neck and back injuries fighting with a steering wheel all day is not going to happen.

Now I do like the 1023 series real lawn and garden tractors and I think I could handle one of those with the suspension seat you can get with them.

Nwatson99 said:

Sorry thought you were just asking.
1. I use ZT because of the speed and the amount I mow per week.
2. With my neck and back injuries fighting with a steering wheel all day is not going to happen.

Now I do like the 1023 series real lawn and garden tractors and I think I could handle one of those with the suspension seat you can get with them.

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I'm not any good at this poll thing. I should have put (add input if you like) section. Some peoples polls are done very good. I'll have to study them for the next poll thread. I trying to come up with a topic, like (Whats your favorite Zero Turn) or (Who makes the best Zero Turn) or something like that. Do you have any ideas or I should say does anyone have any ideas.:thumbsup: Sorry to hear about you injuries. Thanks for the input.

I use both. The Garden Tractor for plant care jobs, other jobs, mowing for a normal lawn that is level. Most of the time I use a ZTR hands down. And places were the riders can get to, I use my Exmark Commercial 21s or my Husqvarna 22 inch.

Used a garden tractor for 20 years and never knew that mowing could be fun(and faster). Once you go ZTR you'll never go back.

Both!! DC MAGNUM 2250. JD D140

How about a clown mower

LazerZLandscaping said:

How about a clown mower





View attachment 22700

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There was a time when lots of people used those riders. Today they look so funny. Look at were they put the engine. Very yestertech....

gfp55 said:

There was a time when lots of people used those riders. Today they look so funny. Look at were they put the engine. Very yestertech....

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I saw an older gentleman mowing with one the other day. It was a Snapper.

Garden tractors (2) for 16 years, just got a 2014 Toro Zero 4260, with end of year price cuts, I saved $400. off list price..

Mowing is fun again..


As to the 'clown mower', guy still has one across the hollow & it is a Snapper also... He holds the wheel with 2 hands, like he is flying. (kind'a reminds me of Forrest Gump)...

I've always used a garden tractor. Never had a reason, and still don't have one, to upgrade to ZTR.

Ztr's but I mow commercially, and a gt just wouldn't make any $ for me. my neighbor has a new cub cadet gt though. I can mow 3 acres string trim everything and blow everything off before he's done mowing 1 acre. I should let him know cutting grass is a race.

TaskForceLawnCare said:

Ztr's but I mow commercially, and a gt just wouldn't make any $ for me. my neighbor has a new cub cadet gt though. I can mow 3 acres string trim everything and blow everything off before he's done mowing 1 acre.

I should let him know cutting grass is a race.

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:laughing: I think you are right... My neighbor mows commercially, & he is like Lightning on his Z-Master..

TaskForceLawnCare said:

Ztr's but I mow commercially, and a gt just wouldn't make any $ for me. my neighbor has a new cub cadet gt though. I can mow 3 acres string trim everything and blow everything off before he's done mowing 1 acre. I should let him know cutting grass is a race.

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Used to be that tractors were more versatile and for a lot of things they still are. When I upgraded to a ztr, I was not using my JD tractor for anything other than mowing grass, pulling a wood splitter, fertilizer hopper and occasionally a small garden trailer....well, my new Ferris does all of those better and faster than my old unit. You cannot put a snowblower on my Ferris, but I like the walk behinds better anyway

garden tractor for me (not lawn tractor) because I use it to mow and push snow. My garden tractor has power steering and hydraulic lift. Only zero turns I would even consider are the quality commercial grade machines with lugged wheels, none of that cheap box store garbage. I also like how I have one hand free when mowing on my GT and I can relax. On a zero turn both hands are busy and you have to lean forward and cant relax and all they can do is mow. You also have to spend $10,000 to get a good zero turn mower that can only do 1 thing. $6,000 will get you a good garden tractor that you can do about anything with.

Life is a race to so many people though.

I have two ZTRs, a Scag Tiger Cub with a collection system, and dethatcher and a Hustler X-ONE 60" rear discharge. For what a ZTRs do, which is mowing grass, they do it well, but, that is about all they can do!!!
My GT does logging, hauling, tilling, disc harrowing, grading, snow blowing, plowing, moving trailers, towing dead vehicles, mowing, mowing with collection, dethatching although slower than a ZTR. My 1989 Ingersoll 4018 GT is on it's 3rd engine with about 3,000 hours total on the machine. I use it as a backup for my ZTRs which has happened a few times much to my dismay!!! Moving a non functional ZTR is not fun!!!
I will never be without a GT and a ZTR.

javjacob said:

garden tractor for me (not lawn tractor) because I use it to mow and push snow. My garden tractor has power steering and hydraulic lift. Only zero turns I would even consider are the quality commercial grade machines with lugged wheels, none of that cheap box store garbage. I also like how I have one hand free when mowing on my GT and I can relax. On a zero turn both hands are busy and you have to lean forward and cant relax and all they can do is mow. You also have to spend $10,000 to get a good zero turn mower that can only do 1 thing. $6,000 will get you a good garden tractor that you can do about anything with. Life is a race to so many people though.

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You an do all those with a ZTR. Yes commercial ZTRs are expensive but if want a utility tractor then you'll spent $30k for a nice one. A garden tractor is just a mower to, if you want it to do anything else you have to buy attachments. I don't know anyone mowing commercially with a garden tractor. I see guys mowing with them and they may have a business license pay taxes ect but really just have a hobby.

If a ZTR goes down there's normally a lever somewhere around the transaxle that will disengage the hydros and it's just like anything else that weighs 1500 lbs to roll around.

I've a Kubota utility tractor so I see both sides of the fence. The Kubota is used for loader bush hogging and grading and the ZTRs are used for mowing primary.

TaskForceLawnCare said:

You an do all those with a ZTR. Yes commercial ZTRs are expensive but if want a utility tractor then you'll spent $30k for a nice one. A garden tractor is just a mower to, if you want it to do anything else you have to buy attachments. I don't know anyone mowing commercially with a garden tractor. I see guys mowing with them and they may have a business license pay taxes ect but really just have a hobby.

If a ZTR goes down there's normally a lever somewhere around the transaxle that will disengage the hydros and it's just like anything else that weighs 1500 lbs to roll around.

I've a Kubota utility tractor so I see both sides of the fence. The Kubota is used for loader bush hogging and grading and the ZTRs are used for mowing primary.

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Pretty much all people who mow commercially use zero turns but all they are using them for is to mow. Time is money for those guys. Garden tractors are so much better at chores like pushing snow ect... there is no comparison. Attachments for a zero turn are almost just a novelty. Sounds like a good idea but in reality just doesn't work very good. How many people do you see pushing snow or plowing a garden ect with a zero turn though?

My garden tractor for example has power steering, hydraulic lift and foot control hydro. One hand for steering, one for working hydraulic lever and my foot controls the hydro. I can do it all at the same time. A zero turn with any attachment is going to be manual lift unless you get an electric actuator but that is still nowhere near as good as hydraulics. You have to use both hands just to control the dual hydro so you have to stop to raise or lower the blade no matter what and its just awkward no matter what. Both hands are full just making it move where I can move my GT with both hands free. Big difference and again there is no comparison. Zero turns also get stuck really easy and cant handle hills/inclines.

My point is there's nothing a zero turn can do that a garden tractor cant do. I cant afford a utility tractor and a commercial grade (quality built) zero turn. Garden tractor is the best bang for my buck. A zero turn cant take the place of my garden tractor.

So many people buy zero turns just because they think its the cool thing to have or have been told they are better not thinking about anything other than mowing. Then winter comes and they are shoveling snow with a shovel or they are buying a walk behind snow blower. The difference in a garden tractor with a blade or snow blower vs a walk behind snow blower is like the difference in a zero turn vs a push mower.

Now on the other hand if you compare a zero turn to a lawn tractor the zero turn wins hands down no comparison. Most people don't know the difference in a lawn tractor and a garden tractor though. On the same note a lot of people also don't know the difference in residential grade quality vs commercial grade quality.

ZT for mowing and GT for plowing snow!

Toro is bringing four-season versatility to its stand-on mower line with the all-new GrandStand MULTI FORCE featuring a BOSS snow plow attachment. The new models allow operators to switch between a mowing deck and a snowplow with a simple change of attachments.
Perfect for clearing snow from sidewalks, the GrandStand MULTI FORCE is equipped with a unique movable caster assembly that shortens the frame to maximize the performance of each attachment. This makes the machine more maneuverable and effective for removing snow. In addition, once Toro's Quick Attach System is setup, users can switch from a mowing deck to a snowplow in minutes. Attachments for the GrandStand MULTI FORCE connect to a Power Arm that is able to lift more than 18 inches, allowing an operator to push snow up and over curbs.

According to Ross Hawley, senior marketing manager for The Toro Company, Toro partnered with BOSS to design the GrandStand MULTI FORCE with productivity, safety and durability in mind. His design draws upon the collective experience of both teams, leading to a better result, he notes. 泥esigning when and how the plow blade trips over an obstacle was a critical part of the collaboration. The GrandStand MULTI FORCE also offers all the advantages of Toro's traditional GrandStand stand-on mower, including a large, comfortable operator platform with smooth suspension, outstanding visibility, and a smaller footprint that's easy to transport. Both new models are equipped with Toro's 7-gauge steel TURBO FORCE mowing deck, which delivers a pristine after-cut appearance.

The GrandStand MULTI FORCE gives our customers a way to do more with one machine, instead of needing dedicated equipment for each season, Hawley adds. The result is added equipment utilization and higher productivity. Two models will be available in the spring of 2016. Customers can choose either a 52″ or a 60″ TURBO FORCE deck with a 60 BOSS snowplow. Additional options and attachments are planned for the future.

GrandStand MULTI FORCE I sure can't see it as much of a snow plow on hard pack and ice without tire chains and two wheel drive. I do see that they make a snowblower attachment which would be better if you don't mine a lot of snow blown in your face. A good two foot of snow on a -10 degree day and a strong wind with a 150 foot driveway to clear will tell the true story.

reynoldston said:

GrandStand MULTI FORCE I sure can't see it as much of a snow plow on hard pack and ice without tire chains and two wheel drive. I do see that they make a snowblower attachment which would be better if you don't mine a lot of snow blown in your face. A good two foot of snow on a -10 degree day and a strong wind with a 150 foot driveway to clear will tell the true story.

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Fortunately I don't have to worry about that crappy snow. Ill let you guy deal with that stuff, I'll enjoy the sunshine.:smile:

Ric said:

Fortunately I don't have to worry about that crappy snow. Ill let you guy deal with that stuff, I'll enjoy the sunshine.:smile:

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Lol. We in Michigan haven't had much of a winter.

I usually mow with a GT

TaskForceLawnCare said:

Y I see guys mowing with them and they may have a business license pay taxes ect but really just have a hobby.

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That is an interesting opinion.
So any one with lesser gear than yours is just playing games ?

I have several full time mowing contractors who run tractors exclusively, work 7 days a week in prime season, do up to 10 to 15 lawns a day and live in $ 1,000,000 houses.
Not bad for a hobby !

Flat terrain is just back and forth real fast with a Zero-Turn. I use a Ferris to mow flat city sports fields and businesses. It is very boring, but FAST. Time is $.
However, at my castle up on the ridge, a tractor is needed to mow, and it is not boring and rather relaxing. The style of a tractor has not changed for a long time. It always does many jobs well. The free hand helps to engage and use such buttons and levers as needed, and also helps to lean on the angled terrain.

After 40 some years of mowing with various tractors, still have my 2011 John Deere X720SE, I now will be mowing with my new Ferris IS2100Z 61" 28HP EFI. The first time mowing, it took about 10 minutes to wipe the smile from my face!!!!! LOVE IT!!

I use a John Deere 115 lawnmower that's not a zero turn mower. I can't afford a zero turn mower because they're way too expensive for me. I got this John Deere for $100 and have been going through refurbishing it as I have time. I think I would like to have a zero turn mower, but it's just not possible for me. That's probably the case with most people that have the garden tractors. Mines a 42 inch cut, which seems to work fine for my size yard which is roughly half an acre. If I find a very inexpensive zero Turn mower I might up grade my machine.

Yes, BadBoy ZTR. Other brands of ZT's that are as good, or better.









BadBoy Elite 54" Kawasaki

A GT - and the same one for the last 26 years. Tryin' to get my moneys worth out of it.

Looked into zero turns, but there is no way they would work on my place. Even to rough in spots for garden tractor, so i went with a front mower, jacobsen turfcat. It is 4wd, and I almost got it stuck yesterday.

I use GT mowers. I love zero turns and it would be quicker to cut the few acres I do have with one, but I do a lot more with a lawnmower than just cut the grass. I like to haul things, I had a garden, and I like riding my kids on the mower!

I'm still using my grandpa's hand-me-down scissors, BUT, I did buy knee-pads ..( LOL ) ..:laughing:..:laughing:

RetiredGuns said:

I mowed with a tractor for about 14 years. My property is mostly flat, but quite a few obstacles. I've wanted a ZT for a few years and finally bought a Hustler. Mowing is no longer a mundane chore. I went from an hour to about 35 minutes.

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Same here. Many years with Ole Red. Old Wheelhouse 414-8. Great garden tractor.
With the Hustler, it cuts clippings up much better, is faster, and doesn't beat you up as much.
My mowing also went from 1 hour to 35 minutes, and was able to cut closer to things.

I mow commercially and use a hydro walk behind and a ZTR. A garden tractor isn't really a viable option for me. I do have a compact utility tractor but no finish cut mower for it.

Zero all the way!

ZT hands down for me. I once owned a GT for 2 days!

Neither :smile: I'm using a simple walk-behind mower. I'd love to own a walk behind mower, but with a lawn as small as mine I could hardly justify spending that much money. :laughing:

Re: Zero all the way!

sutliffe said:

ZT hands down for me. I once owned a GT for 2 days!

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You will not mow my property with a ZT I promise. You will be stuck constantly.

yorozuya said:

Neither :smile: I'm using a simple walk-behind mower. I'd love to own a walk behind mower, but with a lawn as small as mine I could hardly justify spending that much money. :laughing:

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Takes me 3 days to cut my grass with the Jacobsen. I paid 2800 for mine.

I used a garden tractor up to 2017 when the engine quit. After seeing a guy use a ZT and how easily he went around trees, I wanted one. So when my tractor quit I didn't care to fix it, I bought a ZT. No regrets.

Both, plus a utility tractor with 6' 3 pt mower. I like the ZT but it requires more concentration than the tractors and you get dirtier.

If I could have only one, it would be the Kubota with Woods mower.

broo said:

I used a garden tractor up to 2017 when the engine quit. After seeing a guy use a ZT and how easily he went around trees, I wanted one. So when my tractor quit I didn't care to fix it, I bought a ZT. No regrets.

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They are great if you have semi flat lawn. A zero turn would not even be able to drive to all the spots I need cut, and sure as heck could not cut them.

cpurvis said:

Both, plus a utility tractor with 6' 3 pt mower. I like the ZT but it requires more concentration than the tractors and you get dirtier.

If I could have only one, it would be the Kubota with Woods mower.

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I have a Kubota mx5100 also, but the tractor is slower than my Jacobsen at cutting my grass.

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