Zero turn or riding mower

[Coach185]

We have one of each. Mow about 5 acres in total. The zero turn gets used 95% of the time. I find the zero turn is much easier on my legs and back. The steering wheel model takes more effort.
The zero turn is much faster due to its ability to turn/backup and keep mowing. As an example our front yard is about 1/2 acres. Takes me about 1/2 hour to mow with the zero turn. Steering wheel mower takes 45 minutes. Both mowers are 54" decks.

[BigSexyPhoenix]

Zero turns are like diesel trucks. As long as you never use one, you won’t know what you’re missing. Take either one for a spin and a gas truck or regular lawn tractor will never ever blow your skirt up again.

[Slicefixer]

This is a fact.

Respectfully, truly, it's no "fact"..... I've driven ZD21's and 28's up the same slopes I can my lawn tractors and they are at least as safe if not safer. They are heavy commercial mowers, with low COG's....heavy duty welded 60"/72" decks respectfully....so low COG and wide base. They are both running diesel engines, 21hp/28hp, and will pull a boat as well, but, I use my Rhino or diesel mule to pull stuff around most of the time.

[mohawkman]

Some thoughts:

zero turn for larger lawns and should not have any steep hills

regular tractor mower if you want to buy a wagon to pull stuff around with as a tractor

[4Kboater]

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

[mossie3]

Now, that's an advantage I haven't seen mentioned before. I just have 1/3 acre with nothing much to mow around, so a tractor style is good enough for me. Steerable front wheels are nicer going down hills. Those zero turns are sexier though, but they can leave a divot on soft turf when making a zero turn, if that wheel isn't rolling.

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

[jbsoonerfan]

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

LOL! The guy told me my new ZT would cut my mowing time by at least half. Little did he know I would have to stop every 30 min for a cold one.

[BigSexyPhoenix]

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

The drunker you get, the easier they are to steer with one hand lol.

[spinningreel]

Just traded in my John Deere 915b zero turn in on a John Deere X590. The Zero Turn is great on Flat and Smooth lawns. But if you have any slopes, or uneven terrain, then the lawn tractor is superior.

The New JD X Series has Power steering, makes a huge difference. Plus Fuel injected Kawasaki engines. I feel like I've upgraded by going back to a lawn tractor.

[catfish123]

I have 2 John Deere diesel tractors, both with 54 inch decks. I mow 8 properties. I can never understand most of the times shown in here for mowing with a tractor. I can mow 2 3/4 acres in an hour and 15 minutes. I would never give up the versatility of a tractor for a zero turn.

[AirForceAngler]

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

My neighbor has the same style of lot that I do. 2 Acres, pretty flat. He cuts with a ~50" Kubota tractor, takes about 2 hours. I tried to convince him to get a zero turn and his reply was, "then I couldn't drink a beer while cutting." Right after that, we started cutting grass about the same time and I finished after 50 minutes then sat in my driveway in a lawn chair drinking beer while he cut for another hour. Every now and then he'd flip me off.

[Slicefixer]

I have 2 John Deere diesel tractors, both with 54 inch decks. I mow 8 properties. I can never understand most of the times shown in here for mowing with a tractor. I can mow 2 3/4 acres in an hour and 15 minutes. I would never give up the versatility of a tractor for a zero turn.

Are you referencing an actual tractor or a "riding lawn mower?" A cheaper zero turn residential unit our a more expensive light commercial/commercial unit?

My range is over 10 acres, with 7 of it in turf height grass (whole property is 30). It takes a LOT longer to mow with an actual tractor and considerably longer (probably double) with either lawn tractor.

In fact, my short game area/wedge range is a lil over 1 acre and I can mow it, in reasonably dry conditions, in 15 to 20 minutes....and that's piddling around adjusting heights, etc. A zero turn is WAY faster than a lawn tractor, to argue anything different is ridiculous. Why do you think PROFESSIONAL lawn services use zero turns virtually 100%?

"Versatility?" I can and do pull anything and everything with my zero turn that my 2 lawn tractors can pull (and then some....diesel is pretty powerful) We drag tubs full of range balls (several thousand balls) around in a cart that's attached to a zero turn.

"Wedge range"
IMG_20190815_201005216.jpg

Now, if by versatility you're referencing a commercial unit with box blades, etc etc etc. that are capable of grading a road, attaching a loader to, etc then you're 100% correct (you have to be). But, again, I have 2 Kubota "landscape" tractors (an L2900 and a 3830 both with buckets) that will get the job done much more efficiently and much quicker than any light duty commercial lawn tractor. Better PTO and much more hp, etc.

The problem with debating this type of subject is the subject matter has to be properly defined, etc. There's a BIG difference between a light duty residential gas mower and a commercial use mower....gas vs diesel....a small lawn tractor and an actual tractor, etc.

Btw, my farmer/rancher buddies laugh at what I call a "tractor""... either of em....hehehe
........ it's all a matter of "perspective".....

[Tom Tallman]

If you mow anything more than 1 acre, u will be sorry you didn't get zero turn..... i bet the zero turn will finish the job in at least 1/2 the time with same deck size..... i know.. been there

[BP in ME]

If you like to sip adult beverages while mowing then get a tractor style, Zero turns require two hands.

Gotta take advantage of the straightaways to hold the levers with one hand and drink with the other (unless you have tiny little lady hands--then you're SOL). Personally I find putting any carbonated beverage in the cupholder of a ZTR to be a mistake. The grass gets more than I do

[Fish.Team.Rose]

If its flat a zero turn is your best route. So much easier. A 54 inch deck is great. I have a 54 and it takes me 1.25 hours to mow 3 acres. Mine does slight hills but sideways or turning in hills is sucky.

[Slicefixer]

Gotta take advantage of the straightaways to hold the levers with one hand and drink with the other (unless you have tiny little lady hands--then you're SOL). Personally I find putting any carbonated beverage in the cupholder of a ZTR to be a mistake. The grass gets more than I do

Man I luv it.....so true.....hehehe

[catfish123]

Are you referencing an actual tractor or a "riding lawn mower?" A cheaper zero turn residential unit our a more expensive light commercial/commercial unit?

My range is over 10 acres, with 7 of it in turf height grass (whole property is 30). It takes a LOT longer to mow with an actual tractor and considerably longer (probably double) with either lawn tractor.

In fact, my short game area/wedge range is a lil over 1 acre and I can mow it, in reasonably dry conditions, in 15 to 20 minutes....and that's piddling around adjusting heights, etc. A zero turn is WAY faster than a lawn tractor, to argue anything different is ridiculous. Why do you think PROFESSIONAL lawn services use zero turns virtually 100%?

"Versatility?" I can and do pull anything and everything with my zero turn that my 2 lawn tractors can pull (and then some....diesel is pretty powerful) We drag tubs full of range balls (several thousand balls) around in a cart that's attached to a zero turn.

"Wedge range"
IMG_20190815_201005216.jpg

Now, if by versatility you're referencing a commercial unit with box blades, etc etc etc. that are capable of grading a road, attaching a loader to, etc then you're 100% correct (you have to be). But, again, I have 2 Kubota "landscape" tractors (an L2900 and a 3830 both with buckets) that will get the job done much more efficiently and much quicker than any light duty commercial lawn tractor. Better PTO and much more hp, etc.

The problem with debating this type of subject is the subject matter has to be properly defined, etc. There's a BIG difference between a light duty residential gas mower and a commercial use mower....gas vs diesel....a small lawn tractor and an actual tractor, etc.

Btw, my farmer/rancher buddies laugh at what I call a "tractor""... either of em....hehehe
........ it's all a matter of "perspective".....

X740 and X750 A thousand golf balls weigh about 100 pounds so pulling around several thousand balls really isn't much weight at all. And I wasn't arguing ...........seems though that you would like to.

[lakefolk]

I still ain't mowing with a tractor ever again,,,,,,,,


Been mowing with zero turns since they became a thing..
The last 10+ years exclusively.. Over all types of terrain..
I can never remember a time that I thought to myself "dang,, I wish I had a tractor"

[mastergun]

I have an Ariens Icon X from Lowes and am very please with it. Had a Dixie Chopper before and had no complaints with that one either. I'd go for a zero times over regular yard tractor any day. Zero turn allows you to cut your cutting time in half.

[Goldstar225]

Had a lawn tractor up until about 9-10 years ago when I got a zero turn. The last yard was a level 1 1/2 acres with 22 trees, this one is level 1 1/2 acres with 6 trees. It doesn't matter, I'll never be without a zero turn again.