Just this past Sunday, my wife's cousin was using his zero-turn to mow around his tank dam. Ever notice how the zero-turn mowers have the weight distributed mostly over the heavy rear wheels, and not much weight on the center or front? Anyhow, he was mowing the sloped bank. Evidently went down toward the water front first, rotated 360, and as soon as he hit the gas the mower did a wheelie. His wife found him several hours later, dead in the water. The balancing is waaay different than tractor models, which typically have the engine above or in front of the mower mechanism, followed by the mowing deck, followed by the rear gearbox and wheels. His funeral is tomorrow, July 24. Think twice about those zero-turn mowers.
@damage control Oh yes they do.My X-534 came with a cup holder and a closable tool box built into the fender.There is a second storage area under the seat too.(small tools,pistol,cellphone,etc.)
I expect this mower will last several seasons with decent care. th-cam.com/users/postUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend Also, I ran across the problem with it not starting the 2nd time I used it. There is a safety switch which is pushed in by the chute or mulching piece being attached to the deck. I took the cover off and it wouldn't start. Put it back on, no problem. It takes only a minute with 2 easily accessible wingnuts and no tools. This mower starts up first crank each time and it is a joy to use. It also mows in reverse by putting the key to the reverse area after starting and pushing in the triangular button. It will stay in reverse mode until you turn it off. All in all, for my homeowner needs, I really like this mower-and at 70 bucks a cut here in Miami, it's already more than 1/3 paid for itself in a month.
Thank you for the presentation and even some of the comments were helpful. My 25 year old MTD was put to rest at the end of last season. I have been shopping and eagerly anticipating a new mower. I went from thinking tractor to zero turn and now realize as much as I want a zero turn, a tractor is more practical for my property. Still.....
The Tractor Factor i have a JD 108. It has not run in several years. I also have a Cub Cadet 1500. They both need belts, blades, tune up, oil change and batteries. Last night, I watched a guy like you promote the Ego electric. I was amazed at all the electric owners. There were a few that said no way. I then, after two hours went to the Home Depot site and found the Ryobi zero turn for $4400 on sale for $3800. 100 ah battery and you can do close to or at 3 acres depending on terrain. What do you think of that too? Thanks
The Ryobi zero turn is a great mower, I’ve used it, but it won’t work for 3 acres, its battery life isn’t long enough. And mowing 3 acres will pile up the hours on it. I would definitely go with a gas machine, something like a Z540M would work well for you.
@@ArtOfHealth i know im late but look at the hustler raptor xd it is rated for 3 acre yards and it is 3400 thats a 1000 dollars cheaper and it is a very nice machine
I have a JD 130 Ive owned for 7 years and it does a great job of mowing my 7.5 acres. I have hills to mow that would scare me on a ztr mower. Upkeep of the tractor is minimal. Im staying with tractor mowers. Also being 72 enters in to the decision as well.
It all depends on which brand zero turn you go with. Some do have all kinds of attachments that can be used on them, including plowing. It all comes down to how much you are willing to spend on everything and how large your property is. Personally, I have both. The zero turn is far better at cutting grass and the tractor is good for everything else like hauling, sweeping, aerating etc. A zero turn's purpose is to cut grass, a tractor's purpose is to pull things.
Had a lawn tractor for 8 years. Took hours to mow the property. Finally bought a zero turn. cut mowing time by 3/4. Cuts better also. Moves leaves better also.
Takes me roughly 2 hours to cut my grass on my tractor wondering if its time, the versatility is what concerns me the only time im pulling something with my lawnmower is my trailer but idk if i should worry about that
@@SkanDogVids Yet, if you get in a little mud and your stuck with a zero turn. My tractor will run right through it. Plus you have the versatility of not only pulling wagons, but plowing and cultivating. I'll take a tractor every day.
@@gregzeigler3850 Thankfully we don't get alot of mud after it rains I wait a few days. I personally don't care for seeding or picking up the dead grass I know some people do my Dad use to have a basket for our current tractor but when I was of age to cut grass he didn't care to have it done anymore
@@SkanDogVids Get a garden tractor or a Sub Compact tractor with a mid mount mower, if you have that much grass to mow a tractor with a mid mount mower is going to be the way to go and far more comfortable to operate than any zero turn. Plus a lot more versatility in a tractor than you'll ever find in a zero turn.
Our yard includes slopes >20 degrees -- covered with pine needles which act like roller bearings. Every dealer I talked to said zero turns would not handle that. Ended up with a JD X739 -- 4 wheel drive and steer. I spend more time pulling trailers etc. than I do mowing. The X739 handles both beautifully. It may be overkill for my needs, but is absolutely stable on the hills.
I definitely agree with the dealers here. I wouldn’t use a zero turn on those slopes especially with pine needless impeding the traction. I think the X739 was a great compromise.
i pererr the kubota, although i haven’t used an updated john deere since a 2010 one, but kubota has been reliable, only spend about 100-200 a year on maintenance
My SX95 is pushing 30-35 years old (I forget the year) I still spend about $250 or so in maintenence every year, so not too big of a hit. Sure beats buying a new one, but I'll probably be due for a new one soon.
my dad has an equally expensive Kubota to my JD D140. ( $2000 vs $2200 cost )Same engine size, 22.5HP, his is 44" cut mine is 48". His is 7 years old and already had to weld the deck from damage. Except for belts being old, mine is in almost perfect condition. His has rust damage, mine does not. The Deck belt for mine was $48 at Lowes, had it in stock. The costs for the engine are the same since they both use the exact same air, oil filter, plugs, gas filter, and oil. His deck is thinner than mine and only had front deck wheels, mine has front and rear deck wheels. Looking at new ones in 2022, both are priced about the same, within $200 at most.
I just moved from a tiny little backyard to a full acre of backyard lol i always thought a zero turn would be best but now I'm aiming more towards the tractor. Thank you for the video
Great video and very helpful...One thing not mentioned regarding the zero-turn vs a tractor was how much easier it is on your neck and arms to turn w/handles vs. the steering wheel. I'm 69 w/neck issues. I had a JD X380 tractor that aggravated my neck severely due to the lack of power steering, and all the three point turns I had to make on my 3.2-acre manicured lawn. Yes, I did more than my share of kidney-shaped turns to avoid the additional steering required for a 3 point turn, but 3 point turning just comes more than I liked w/ the tractor. I have a Z540R on order, though I have used a Bobcat in the past and tested my neighbors zero turn. The zero-turn not only is more maneuverable than a tractor, but it is also much easier on your body to steer, once you get the steering technique down. As w/anything new, it does take a bit of getting used to at first.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for your comment, I didn’t consider that a zero turn would be easier on the body to steer, but it certainly makes sense.
Always got complements on the striping doing spirals made. If you do it right you can take wide enough turns many times to keep from doing 3 point turns, and then when it's down to a strip you can just do a U-turn instead of a 3 pointer.
I have both. As I mow in rounds or spiral from outside to inside, not back and forth, there is no time difference. And as mentioned before with tractor you have at least one hand free for beer or cigarette :)
I will soon be 70 years old. I had cut with tractor style mowers, snapper styled mowers and push mowers for around 60 years. I bought a zero turn about 10 years ago. I am about to replace it with another zero turn. The zero turn maintains traction much better than a tractor style on uneven ground, slopes, and wet ground. The tractors have a differential that lets one wheel spin, and stick you, before you know it. The zero turn is better than any differential lock, or positive traction. You have complete control over traction. This also means that the zrt climbs slopes much better than a tractor, but you do have to be careful of flipping over backwards. I can cut along slopes, with the zero turn that would turn a tractor style over, and the tractor style will also lose traction on the up hill tire, on a slope. You just have to learn how to keep the ztr on a slope by feathering your steering levers, and keeping your speed moderate. As far as implements, fabricating a rear hitch for the ztr has worked well for me. This video has already proved the cutting speed and relative safety of using that speed, is superior on the ztr. I won't buy another tractor style mower. Please pardon the length of this post.
I don't really use any attachments. The "hitch" is just a medium sized, forged eye bolt, that I reinforced the rear part of the frame and drilled a hole through it to attach the eye bolt. I can pull a small trailer, or hook a chain to it to drag limbs and such. It's kind of handy, but you couldn't use a snow blower or blade with it. I am in the semi deep south , so we don't need snow blowers, and I have a couple of fair sized farm tractors for blading, lifting and such.
i have had both. zero turn is rougher riding unless maybe you get the commercial mower. i have the Z445. i have had it since 08. It is a mowing machine.
We bought an $8100 X590 Tractor four years ago. Yes it IS a bit slower, but leisurely grass cutting with a cold iced tea or a frosty beer in one hand just can't be beat. I don't want to have to use both hands nor concentrate on a ZTR banging into stuff and I can tow a freaking pickup truck out of a ditch with my X590. The John Deere transmission on it is almost bomb proof. Just last week I loaded a trailer behind my X590 with 18 50-lb bags of concrete, and I pulled it thru a pasture at nearly an idle and it didn't even act like there was 900 pounds of load behind it. With a 16-oz cold beer in my hand. It can take a box blade behind it. Do all that with a zero turn.
The thing to consider is that a base residential zero-turn is going to be significantly more expensive than a base residential tractor. A lot of people get hung up on ground speed (some ZTs go 10+ mph) but the reality is that you're only going to be able to go so fast when you're cutting grass and still do an adequate job. Then there's the maintenance. The weak link of any entry level mower is going to be the hydrostatic transmission, and a ZT has twice the number of them to break.
Agreed, the entry level mowers won’t have the transmission durability the higher end models do. As a result, you could definitely end up with some issues.
It is also worth noting that the entry lawn tractors use the infamous K46. The ZTRs usually have hydro gear transmissions and are very reliable. Not the same transmission at all.
Exactly, and they ride rougher and get stuck way easier. Hydro transmissions are expensive to fix unless you rebuild them yourself(I did mine ove the winter, not easy but well worth the effort) Also, watched my neighbor trying to cut a slope and he actually pulled a tire off the rim trying to do that with his zero turn. No thanks, will stick to my GT
I have many ruts on the surface of our 2-acre property due to its sandy soil. Also, there are many rocky areas. I want a mower that can raise its mower height to avoid the rocks (up to 4-5" diameter) in the soil, plus larger wheels (especially in front) that will help prevent "plowing" of the wheels where the soil is soft and sandy and rutted in several areas. The tractor is to be used for mowing weeds only. The pasture once housed horses, owned by the former owner, and the horses took care of the weeds and clumps of wild grasses. The pasture is on a gentle slope. It would also be a "plus" if some sort of wagon could be trailed behind the tractor so as to make it easier to reduce the amount of rocks in the soil without having to manually drag a small wagon. I'm 82 and my wife is 73. Although we can keep up with the work using a walk-behind string trimmer, my working time on a hot day is restricted to about two hours. With the string trimmer, it takes a total of about six hours to trim all the weeds. A motorized vehicle such as a tractor with attachment for some sort of bed to toss rocks into would be a godsend.
There are two things to consider before making a decision. Would you like to buy new or used and what dealer is closest and is it a good dealership? Sometimes the dealer is more important than the tractor brand. With that being said, for your situation, I would lean towards getting a Deere X738, or X595/X738 used. Both are 4WD, which you’ll want in sandy ground and both can easily tow a trailer. They both can raise their mower up to 6 inches, but try to never hit a big rock with the mower it won’t be good for the tractor. If the weeds are really thick/tall, be careful using the mower as well, you could break the belt. Ideally for a pasture, you want a rotary mower, but that requires a bigger tractor. Let me know if you have additional questions.
I gave up my big bulky tractor and went with the zero turn. I have no trouble pulling a wagon, spreader, aerator or dethatcher with it. It's just different, but plenty versatile for a suburban lawn. I would only have a tractor if you want to use the plow attachments or have to pull a heavy load.
Thanks for the tip about not locking one wheel on a zero turn as it tears up the yard, I was wondering why on even slow turns mine was leaving a bit of a mess.
I purchased my first ZTR last season. A 61" scag Cheetah. Great, but HEAVY machine. It is absolutely faster, however it does come at a cost when you factor in having to own multiple pieces of equipment for regular homeowner usage. Snow blower, leaf collection (I have a Cyclone Rake z-10 mated to my x590) Although it is a lot of fun with the Cheetah, I'm heavily considering unloading it simply because I feel like its a waste for my lot size and all around needs. Good, honest review!
Rich I do agree with you not to mention maintenance of this equipment which takes a lot of time. I guess I am luck is that I can mow grass just about every day between my house and the warehouse, my driveway is 1/4 mile long with big ditches on both sides and then I have a warehouse which I mow a couple acres there to. This year I am not even sure I am going to put the mowing deck on my tractor since I had a storm go through a couple years ago and it blew over at least 100 trees and I have been cutting on that every since it happened, trees dont stand up to 100 plus MPH winds to well.
Well I have 4 troy bilt 54 inch bronco garden trackers,and not one of them has failed me yet.and is s big help to me here on my farm so I'd day they are.now yesterday day I ordered me the new 2020 model troy-bilt z 54 zero turn mower.now that Is if my local dealer can get me one right real soon with the way this virus thing Is doing our country right now.but I'm pretty sure I'll get it.but when I do I'll let you know just how good it is or how bad it now ok!!!!!
I like the zero turn ones but they are very expensive. As it is I paid $1800 and some change for my Husqvarna tractor and I am extremely pleased with it. It has a very tight turning radius and is a quality build. I can even mow in reverse so that alone makes a huge difference.
You probably just saved me big bucks. I live on a mountain side property and have trouble mowing with tractors, they don't get the traction I need if the grass is damp at all and they are tippy with the seat sitting way up in the air for visibility. I was about to buy a zero turn because of it's wide, low stance and the factor that both rear wheels are powered. But your assessment shows that I'm better off staying with the tractor. Oh ... and ... yeah ... popping a wheelie while climbing a 30° hill would not be a good thing.
Just remember, a tractor is still dangerous on hills, especially if it’s a smaller lawn tractor. Always mow straight up and down the hill and don’t mow sideways.
I have used both zero turns and tractors and in my opinion the tractor would be a much more comfortable ride then the zero turn also zero turns suck on hills and will get stuck easily when the ground is just a little wet I have had to pull many of the zero turn mowers out of wet areas that a yard tractor would have easily made it through.
I have used ZT's for years after many years of using Lawn Tractors. I have no problems with Zero Turns on hills. Getting stuck? No more than a lawn tractor in my experience. ZT's do have a harsher ride but, some manufactures have addressed that issue by isolating the operator station from the rest of the machine by using shocks and or springs. Ferris and Exmark both have models that greatly improve the ride. For cutting grass, the zero turn is far superior.
Very true. But if you put better tires on the ZTR, it won't get stuck, but tears up the lawn more. I have used my ZTR on a steep embankment and got scared a couple of times. Then I used a tractor on the same hill with no issues. The differential lock on the tractor really helps in poor traction situations.
Enjoyed the Video with one comment. In the time tests you are driving the tractor mower like a Zero turn so it can't be expected to compete. When using a tractor mower avoid reverse and sharp turns as much as possible. Keep speed up with wide turns and alter your cut patterns to account for that driving. Plan the cut to be efficient with that type driving and times will decrease significantly. The added advantage is mechanical wear will decrease. Smooth is fast in mowing and race cars!
I don't know why this video suggestion came up on my feed today, but I am contemplating a replacement of my lawn tractor within the next couple of years. I have been considering the zero turn, but we do have some hills to cut and it is good to know in advance that this could be an issue. As far as technique, I agree with you Frankie Bob. I rarely reverse my tractor. I cut over 2 acres of lawn and it our lawn contains multiple gardens, about 70 trees, lots of driveway and other obstacles. I follow the guidelines that Deere & Company published with my owner's manual and it does not include switchback on each cut, but sectioning the rectangles and cutting in a forward direction. Also, on sections where it is open, I have also set up a circle and continued to cut incrementally increasing the radius. No stopping and no reversing, just clear cutting in a forward direction while relaxing the turn of the steering wheel. You can almost sleep while doing this technique. I agree that there may be some maneuverability advantages with the zero turn. However, I line trim all my property prior to cutting the grass. I have an 18" Echo trimmer which makes short work of the trees and by doing this I can just zip past all the trees in a straight line, even with the discharge facing the tree trunk. The Toro self propelled mover is 21" and used for the areas around the house and walkways which look better with a smaller mower than trying to maneuver 46" of mower deck. Ultimately it is good planning and sharp blades and well maintained equipment that will finish the job quicker. I did enjoy the video and it's always great to get another perspective.
Depends on what you are doing. If you like using attatchments and implements, get a tractor. But if you want to mow quickly, get the zero turn. I have a L110 and LT150 with Kohler command single cylinder engines, both are amazing. I dont have a large area to cut at all, im just using them to tow some carts around and cut larger lawns on occasion.
That's the case with older zero turns and today's cheap ones, but almost all good ones today have hydrostatic transmissions and can pull any implement a lawn tractor can.
@@TheTractorFactor I don't have any experience with them but I was looking at another video and guy was saying that it blows so much debris all around you where basically The guy said he would be so filthy, he'd have to take a shower after using it because it would blow so much debris around him in his face.
With a zero turn, people typically move around faster, and sometimes, you just quickly turn into the grass. So yes, you probably get a bit dirtier than a tractor, but nothing too bad at all. It also depends if it’s windy out.
Good discussion, great presentation. IMHO wanted a zero turn but bought a tractor for versatility (it is 4x4 for hills, a blade for light snowfalls, and blower for heavy snowfalls)
A yard with a lot of obstacles, yeah, I mow a cemetery I guess that counts, I use a Cub Cadet Tank M48 for the open field and rougher areas and a Gravely Compact Pro 34 around the grave stones, both are fantastic machines. The Tank has a ball hitch on it and will pull a 4x8 trailer full of dirt no with problems.
32 acres of my property to mower, We have been Z turn John Deere on near house including trees. Extra acrage has been using John Deere 770 tractor for mowing , snow removal and other heavy works for many years. John Deere Tracters are best equipments and very little problem.
The zero turn actually has many more capabilities than just mowing. You can attach dump carts, seeders, yard rakes, aerators and water attachments. Even on some zero turns you can add a plow. On the newer models you can even add these things.
@@chaboi7 dude I have a lt300 from the 90s, same battery on it and I forgot to put it away in the winter and it starts right up every season without hesitation lol best little mower I’ve ever had.. bulletproof Briggs 20hp
The Zero Turn module has got a whole lot of features on it as well and the handles are good with the rubber design and they give you grip and comfort all the way through the mowing process and they take good unleaded fuel as well as well give you good, flow from the deck with precise cutting and full work as well to get the job done I would be happy to listen to you about it.
I prefer the tractor over the ZTR, with the sole exception of the stand on. I find the stand on type to be easier to control than the sit down ZTR. But no one makes a home owner stand on, so tractor it is, unless I find a good deal on the other.
My zero turn cut mowing time from 4.20 hours from the tractor to just 1.20 hours for the JD zero turn and whats more it’s fun doing it! I use the tractor for towing a trailer now and it does that well.
Faster is not always better. Move slowly sometimes to allow the blades to cut instead of just ripping the grass off. Going fast is not always best. Go COUNTER CLOCKWISE so you're not blowing the clippings on top of grass you still need to mow. If you go clockwise , on the next pass, you are chopping up the clipping you just cut ! They just keep building up. I see my neighbors doing that all the time. They can't seem to figure that out !
I disagree. I've always mowed clockwise, so that I'm mulching, and re-mulching the clippings. When I get to the center, there's barely any clippings left. If there is, I just make another another pass and chop up and disburse the remaining clippings. This gives a better result than having clippings laying all over the lawn. I've been mowing for 40 plus years, so I've "figured it out." I do agree with the mowing slower part, however.
A zero turn cuts quicker due to better maneuverability, but a tractor does better on hills and is easier to stripe with due to the steering being less touchy. So it all depends on what you're cutting. Just like comparing a stand on zero turn to a sit down zero turn to a tractor, the stand ons are more maneuverable than sit downs but are only suited for small tight areas due to being slower and more touchy. If I want to make perfectly straight stripes and am mowing on a hill, then I prefer the tractor, if I'm cutting a large area and if I'm going around trees and power poles, then I prefer the sit down zero turn. If I'm cutting small islands or tight areas such as around buildings, then I prefer the stand on.
I have a 2520 mid compact with a 60" 3pt grooming mower and pull a 60" DR tow behind for the 5 acres of pasture and I have a L111 i have had for years for the 1/4 acre hilly yard. Replace all the spindles and belts this year and adjusted the valves last year and it still goes great.
I have a Husqvarna TS354XD GT. I absolutely love it, it's a little beast, has never let me down, and for the money you can't beat it. However those John Deere 700 series GTs are absolutely on a whole other level! They are definitely extremely expensive, but they come decked out with a lot of top tier features. I would definitely sacrifice my mother's first born son to own one!
I narrow the mow time gap on a tractor by using a circular route. Always keep mowing and disable the reverse switch so you're mowing in reverse. If you want straight lines and stripes then it's a no go on this technique.
I have a large yard with pecan trees and small limbs are always on the ground. Both can pull a dump cart and i use grabbers to pick up the limbs while i mow. Its harder to throw them in the cart with the zero turn.
Residential mowing......time in seconds has not bearing! I traded in my Farris zero for the X590 and have no regrets. I love the power steering and power lift......very important when you're over 75.
Well organized, very informative and to the point. I feel much more educated on which way to go now for my large yard. Thank you for this kind of video.
I mowed a huge steep hill at my brothers on a tractor style and went sideways. I got a zero turn this year and im mowing it up and backwards then up in a new row. I suggest a ariens mower. Made in the usa and its a bright color so you are visible from distance when unloading and loading. Thats just my opinion tho.
If you are looking a zero turn lawn mower go look at a cub cadet zero time and I am not saying John Deere is bad i love John Deere but cub cadet makes a amazing zero turn we have one and we love it. You can easily mo steep hills with it because it has a steering wheel to drive it and it has weight in the front due to the steering wheel and you can pull wagons, sprayers and planters with no promblem
Ariens makes a better zt than cub in my opinion. I just bought an Ariens Ikon 42xd and the fabricated deck is much sturdier than the cub stamped 1 piece deck
One of the biggest things that made my decision wasnt addressed in this video, and that is~ am I ok with having my hands locked into a position as if I were riding a motorcycle with very badly adjusted handlebars, or would I rather have a steering wheel which I can use one handed, left or right hand whatever I choose at any time, or both handed.
Tractor? Great video! If you’re only wanting to cut grass like most folks this is a good comparison. As you said this is a “lawn” or “garden” tractor (where I started)...A zero turn will cut grass probably better than anything else on the market. However, I would encourage anyone with a half acre or more to go check out a sub compact tractor and go sit on one at a dealership! There’s a fast growing market in the sub compact tractor world with organic foods, gardening, and hobby farms in the suburbs growing more popular every day! The manufacturers have definitely taken notice!... You can easily step up into a JD 1025R, a Kubota 23S, a Mahindra Emax, RK24, or any other brand of sub compact tractor which opens up a world of possibilities of doing some serious work like moving piles of mulch and rocks, to cutting trenches with a backhoe all while still being able to get a decent cut on your lawn! I’ve learned there is a huge difference between a “lawn or garden tractor”. Once you sit on a subcompact tractor; you really do start looking at lawn mowers differently. A real tractor like a sub compact tractor is a serious investment. And it is pretty common for folks to have both a sub compact tractor and a mower... Jon@SBYD!
Sub Compact tractors are definitely a step up and will prove more useful if you’re planning on doing more ground engaging work with with something like a tiller. Thanks for bringing them up, it’s certainly something for people to consider.
I was considering a subcompact JD 1023, because I have an acre, and my wife wants to garden, but my Father-in-law lent me his Kubota, and I discovered that most of the garden-worthy areas are too steep for tractor work(start popping wheelies when you dig that front bucket down). I cleared the one area that was in the safer zone of work, but the rest will have to be done with a shovel & hoe, or buy a used tiller. For mowing, I'm looking at a lawn tractor with lockable diffs, because the majority of my yard is a long and steep slope. It's brutal with a push mower and takes hours.
Very well-done video. You get an A. The ability to add attachments is a deal-breaker for the Z-turn. As for faster, that is overrated - unless you have an adolescent mind-set. As a homeowner over 70 with good health, I have more money than time.
I just got my JDs100 lawn tractor delivered today. People asks me if I was getting a zero turn I told them my yard wasn’t big enough for a zero turn so I went with the lawn tractor. Either way both the lawn tractor and zero turn beats out a push mower all day every day, I’ve been using a push mower for the last 11 years but no more.
The Zero turn seat is lower and makes it easier to mow under low hanging limbs. However, why is there such an emphasis on "faster"?? I think mowing is somewhat therapeutic and enjoy it. I mow slower than I really could just because it is enjoyable. Another factor, which is more likely to breakdown sooner or more often? Are parts equally available for both? Just some thoughts that were not addressed in the video.
Those are excellent points. I think some of the faster argument has to do with maneuverability, there are no 3 point turns with a zero turn. As for breaking down and parts, I can’t speak too much for other brands, but the Deere ones will have no almost no issues beyond typical maintenance. And for parts, Deere is known to be excellent in that department.
I agree with this comment. I take my time mowing my lawn. I love doing it because I clear my mind during the process. What makes it annoying is using a mower that isn't dependable, and easy to work on. It makes it a stressful endeavor.
It also saves you from having to do what proffesionals call double cuts, triple cuts, quadruple cuts, etc. They do that instead of taking there time and doing it cleanly
I had a Kioti zero turn and found the absolute biggest con (at least with my yard), the concentrated weight over the drive tires, it’d sink in the ground and easily get stuck. Spring time where I live, it never dries out, and had to get rid of it as a result. Kind of a bummer. The riding mower seems to leave nicer mowing lines, at least compared to my ZT.
If you compare the same spect tractor to the zero turn its cheaper by several hundred dollars, i know because I bought the tractor at Lowes and thay were side by side to compare. It is the E180 .
Agreed, that’s why I included the X500 prices for comparison. The E series is not comparable to the Z500 series, the Z500s are built heavier and will last longer.
My Toro 44 inch ZTR was only about $150 more than a comparable tractor model. Once you get up into commercial applications, the price really goes up fast, but I don't need a commercial model.
I have both these styles of mowers. I prefer my zero turn over my tractor type. My zero turn is a Troy-Bilt Mustang 50 inch and my tractor type is a John Deere D160 - 48 inch. I use the John Deere as my backup mower. My property is 2 acres of grass with a lot of trees and gardens.
Fair review but you definitely missed a major drawback with zero turns in that the small caster front wheels do not hold a line on side sloping yards and the user must constantly be adjusting the steering to compensate as the mower will want to follow the down slope. I know one could mow up and down the block which is what I’d do but some people prefer cutting across the slope - why? I’ll never know!
unfair mowing test on the tractor at the beginning there. you don't get to the end then reverse to come back directly next to your previous strip, you turn it full lock and come back one strip width apart then come back again one strip width apart on the opposite side of the first strip then return again on the strip missed then skip the remaining missed strip, leaving another missed strip on the next run and mowing each missed strip on each alternating pass.
No, he's very clear, but maybe because after I bought my first lawn tractor (an old LX-172) within three cuttings I'd also figured out that it was the most efficient way to offset the machine's the wide turning radius. Getting back to cut immediately adjacent to the strip just mowed takes too much maneuvering with a tractor. Instead you eyeball how wide the next strip would be and turn tight enough to mow the 2nd strip over. When you're done you end up with alternating pairs of two adjacent strips mowed in the same direction. Nonetheless I now use a zero turn because my mowing machine does nothing but mow and I do like the improved maneuverability.
Last commercial zero I saw in a showroom was listed at about $18K or more. Thought about it for a few seconds and figured I could have somebody mow my lawn for the rest of my life for that price while I am relaxing!!
The high cost doesn’t end with the purchase! I work with zero turns at the school where I work maintenance for our zero turns is unbelievably expensive! At home I stopped hired a ambitious young man and now he deals with replacing relays switches filters blades etc. I enjoy mowing but between the cost and the lack of reliability I am with you- kick back and watch the young generation go at it!
@@John-lc1uq you're right, I refuse to spend time working on a damn mower, they're a good idea but like everything else they ruin it by over engineering it and hanging silly price tags on them that the average homeowner can't afford to begin with, but a fool is born every day that will pay it but I guess it keeps the economy moving and the banks in business. If you are a wealthy person with property and you're bored I guess it's the toy for you along with a $700.00 electric start leaf blower strapped on your back that won't start next season when you need it.
My Cub Cadet Zero was $3100 with a 54" fab deck and Kohler 7000 engine. It's been worth it so far. I like that DIY satisfaction of a nice clean lawn though too.
I bought a 60 inch bobcat zeroturn mower with the Kawasaki engine ( 25hp) for 300 all it needed was a new electric clutch which was easy to replace with a youtube tutorial
I have lots of steep hills and obstacles so I went with the tractor. I am super glad I did! I think the zero turns are cool! Thankfully, I got the tractor because it turns out that I need to bag sometimes, mulch sometimes, spray occasionally, and pull a trailer from time to time. Not to mention in the winter how much stupid heavy wet ridiculous snow the snow blower on my tractor breezes through.
@@100PercentOS2 I have a lttie 24 year old 14 horsepwor Snapper tractor with a hydro that will pop a wheelie easy. I paid $600 in 2007 used and that bad boy is still going strong. Dont need all these way overpriced contraptions.
...This is a good comparison between types of mowers. Although, the first test cutting long strips, you never back a lawn tractor up during open cutting. You should make 90 degree turns over the course or sections of grass you are cutting. Other than that, I think the lawn tractor is the best for Mr Homeowner like myself and others. Keep as mush of the deck in the uncut grass as possible and do not stop unless absolutely necessary for fastest cut...
In all fairness to the lawn tractor The way you were cutting grass with it is not typical, for most people you don't stop and turn around to make a second pass.
Agreed, that is a downside to this particular test. I just wanted to give a number to quantify “how much faster” a zero turn is than a tractor. Further tests would be ideal to expand upon this one.
So do you mow in circles? If you want nice stripes and a level cut then you do stop, reverse and make a second pass. If you mow in circles you get the deck tilt and you will have a stepped cut. Also the smaller the circle gets the more you have to stop and maneuver. I have a Zero turn for cutting and a yard tractor for everything else. All jobs are easier with the proper tools.
@@dustin5007 where I'm from most people dont worry about putting stripes on there lawn. I usually square off my lawn and cut it, not in a circle, but I'm old school we have not always had zero turn mowers, there was only yard tractors.
I have 2 tractors and I never mow in circles. It looks cheap and reckless. Taking the extra seconds to do a 3 point turn at the end of each pass makes the yard look much better.
@@andybub45 I don't know anybody that mows in circles, most people I know square off there yard and cut, but to each there own I guess. If you have the time and think it looks better do 3 point turns.
Fully get the advantages of the ZTM but I sometimes collect grass which is a no go with ZTM, I also have a powered brush to collect autumn leaves which would be a big blow not to have. I appreciate what he said about the 3 point turns at the end of a row though....
I have a zero turn and a tractor to mow my five acre yard, I have a couple trees and my yard is flat but I will not buy a zero turn on my next round of purchases. The tractor is better in soft areas and mows my ditch better and it's a lot easier to drink beer while mowing.
@@TheTractorFactor Usually my wife drives the tractor and I drive the zero turn but the last mowing we done I spilt my beer while trying to operate the zero turn. LoL I think my next purchase will be a 1025R.
Prefer burbon & water myself, but have no problem driving one handed on close to level parts and sipping. Steering wheels are over rated and I don't want to waste years of my life going slow!
Newbies. On a ZTR, haul ass. Halfway through, stop. Drink a beer or two, maybe a sandwich. Take a leak, admire your work, go back to mowing and beat the riding mower by a good 15-20 minutes still.
All your pros and cons are spot on. I own both and you exactly right. Hills on a zero turn can't be overstated. The rear wheels will spin going cross hills sideways and going down the hills can be dangerous because they don't have brakes on the front casters. On my machines the Scag zero turn mows much better than the tractor which clumps the grass underneath. I added the attachments with a tow hitch on a zero turn. Just be mindful when backing up or turning.
I checked out zero turn mowers when I was buying a riding mower & decided to save the money & get the tractor mower 😊 That was 20 years ago & my tractor is still looking & mowing great! I replaced the battery once, got a lifetime spark plug once. Not bad for 20 years of mowing 😊
First when you mow in a field with the tractor you don't go back and forth in the same lane, you use divide and conquer which you make one cut down the middle going back and forth to each side till you get to far apart at the ends where you loss time cause of distance between lines, then you pick out a new middle and start again, you don't have to back up after the second line you make which will save you some time. Another way a tractor is better is in a big field is to have a tractor with 3 point hitch so you hook a gang mower system, in a big field the wider the cut the better the time you will save and zero turn becomes far less important like a John Deere 1070 with a 6 foot belly mower and two toro walk behinds used as gang mowers 52 inches each, with overlap this comes out to 13ft 2inch cut. With that size who needs zero turn in big fields, when the big fields are knock down to size you can unhook one the zero turn toros to cut around the small stuff which I had a seat for it. I also uses a hustler zero turn 12 foot mower which didn't work out because of all the hills in our area, it would get stuck too many times and didn't spread grass good enough.
I was highly surprised that you said the tractor was better on hills. I purchased a tractor several years ago, and my back yard had about a 20 degree grade. The tractor felt very top heavy, and gave the impression that it was going to tip over (correctly, or incorrectly). I returned it and swore if I ever bought another riding mower, it would be a zero turn, since the center of gravity appears to be about a foot lower.
The casters on a zero turn give almost no traction compared to a tractors front wheels. Also, you should only ever mow straight up and down hills, if you’re going sideways, you’re in far greater danger of tipping
Laura, I like zero turn mowers but the problem with zero turn mowers is a two part problem. The first is a mechanical issue and that is once you loose traction you loose steering combined with most steeper slopes it is extremely dangerous. The second part of the problem is that operators get a bit too brave and keep pushing the limits and operating on steeper and steeper slopes. As a safety professional, I see it way to often and the end result is not good. I live in the Appalachian Mountains and for the most part, it’s no place for zero turn mowers. I have seen them in use where I would think twice before getting on that slope with a John Deere X738, X739, or a X758
As far as attachments, they do have front mounts attachments for a majority of zero turns, I know because I have a number of front mount attachments for mine. I have an aerator, sprayer, spreader, blade and a dump that mounts on front. Also you can mount a hitch on the back for most of these too. You need to know your product before saying what a zero turn want do....
The operator has not thought how to be more efficient-with the JD tractor mower. What I hav learned is not to. Backup. This takes time and it is lost. At the turn, go over several mows and head back, then round the corner and come back. Do not back up. For a lawn as shown in this video this would be very easy to do.
I was trying to emphasize how a zero turn works better in that instance. But as you and others have pointed out, another test where I don’t back up with the tractor would be good to do.
This really did make a decision for me…my 15yr old Husqvarna is acting up and I want to replace it THINKING a zero-turn was the way to go for me….but, I find out now it isn’t. Thanks
My 8 year old "Orange Turd" has been trouble since day one. Every time I use it, something doesn't work right. From hard starting when warm (new battery) to the deck belt coming off the pulley. The seat came unglued 4 years ago, it rattles horrible from the linkages underneath. Now despite only 160 hours on it and 10 oil/filter changes and yearly tune ups,...the damn thing blows blue smoke for the first 5 minutes if I let it sit for 10 days without starting it.
I have a Troy-Bilt pony that I use on 27 acres we not only mow the lawns but also part of the fields with them we also have a large Craftsman the zero turn would not cut it it isn't built strong enough and over bumpy ground those front casters were just give up I also have a small Craftsman with no mowing deck on it only a 12 horse but we put a small trailer on the back it flat will not get stuck in mud it will go it is one tough little tractor and it hauls an awful lot of firewood, bricks whatever the zero turn is just what it is just a lawn mower.
For smaller mowers (42 inch deck), the zero turns are more expensive than the tractors. I also have a fairly steep incline in my yard, but no other hills and few obstacles. Not sure which direction to go....
You can certainly use a zero turn on hills, landscapers do it daily. It is a bit dangerous though, and could be tough for beginners. As for tractors, you could take a look at the X300 or X500 series if your budget allows it. They are both sturdy machines provided you mow straight up and down the hill. The X500s don’t have a 42 in. deck available since they’re getting bigger in size. The X300s do have a 42 in. deck available so perhaps the direction to go in.
Why so slow with the Z-turn? I sold my JD tractor and bought a Toro Zero-turn. This cut my mowing time on a 2-1/2 acre lot from 4 hours to 1-1/2 hours. Although the mower is 3 speeds forward, I mow using the slowest speed. If I don't I'll have whirlpools in my pee for about a week after each mowing. I also use the Toro for hauling a large trailer and I feel much safer going up steep slopes. I needed a 35 lb. weight on the front of my JD tractor to mow the same hills and I still didn't feel comfortable. I can't be sure but I think the zero turn has a lower center of gravity.
He made a good statement saying this is from a residential point because if you go commercial you will never ever use a garden style tractor for a lawn care business. Also whichever one you choose please go to a local dealer and not a big box store. For one you're not getting a true John Deere or whatever brand you are buying. You're basically getting an MTD with different paint stickers slapped on to them. They have completely different numbers and parts. Plus when something goes down you can take it to your local dealer instead of having to mess with a big box store and they're long gone out ways of fulfilling their guarantee or just tune-ups. I really wish people would stay clear of big box stores. They really are not all that much cheaper and you sure as hell don't get the quality that you get from the actual manufacturer. It's all a scam and I wish it was illegal. Really pisses me off. I'm not even a local dealer but like I say I have a business and I see it all the time. Zero turn baby that's the only way to go. Once you mow with a zero turn you will never go back. LOL
You bring up a lot of good points, especially about the box stores. Those should certainly be avoided if possible, they’re the lowest end, and cheaply made. Often times, you’re better off buying an older/used model, which will be far more reliable and for the same price.
@@scottcozart8950 Exactly. There's a practical limit of how fast you can go and still get a good cut. Just because a ZT can hit a top speed of 8-10 mph doesn't mean you can cut grass well at that speed.
@@channell11 hell i bought a brand new kabota z411. Ithere is no way i could mow wide open on it. You cant even control it at that speed. I cant anyway. But i love it. Best damn mower ive ever owned!!!
I have a 72 inch husqvarna with 27hp Kohler engine and had it for 12 years still going strong and our yard is 15 acre land and it takes me 2 hours to mow
A cub cadet zero turn with steering wheel takes care of the stability issues on slopes, can mow with one hand to manage low hanging brush, eliminates tearing sod on turns, and anyone can drive without practice with levers.
Both would be great for mowing, but the Zero Turn Mower is best for mowing big, smooth Terrain, but the Tractor would be best for Mowing Big Properties with Slopes and stuff. if I were you, I would probably go with the cheapest one, the Tractor.
With the zero turn, it's very easy to pop wheelies. This should be a pro!
Popping wheelies and no 3 point turns! Lol
You can pop wheelies with a 700 series, I have seen it.
😂😂😂
Just this past Sunday, my wife's cousin was using his zero-turn to mow around his tank dam. Ever notice how the zero-turn mowers have the weight distributed mostly over the heavy rear wheels, and not much weight on the center or front? Anyhow, he was mowing the sloped bank. Evidently went down toward the water front first, rotated 360, and as soon as he hit the gas the mower did a wheelie. His wife found him several hours later, dead in the water. The balancing is waaay different than tractor models, which typically have the engine above or in front of the mower mechanism, followed by the mowing deck, followed by the rear gearbox and wheels.
His funeral is tomorrow, July 24. Think twice about those zero-turn mowers.
@@dandcarter Thank you for your important comment and so sorry for your family's tragic loss.
you forgot the most important advantage of the tractor. you can drink beer while mowing.
Haha, that's a good point.
@damage control x series John Deere tractors have a cup holder
Thank you!😊 👍
@damage control Oh yes they do.My X-534 came with a cup holder and a closable tool box built into the fender.There is a second storage area under the seat too.(small tools,pistol,cellphone,etc.)
You can drink beer with zero turn just get hat with can holders on it and a straw to your mouth or a camel backpack like military.
I expect this mower will last several seasons with decent care. th-cam.com/users/postUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend Also, I ran across the problem with it not starting the 2nd time I used it. There is a safety switch which is pushed in by the chute or mulching piece being attached to the deck. I took the cover off and it wouldn't start. Put it back on, no problem. It takes only a minute with 2 easily accessible wingnuts and no tools. This mower starts up first crank each time and it is a joy to use. It also mows in reverse by putting the key to the reverse area after starting and pushing in the triangular button. It will stay in reverse mode until you turn it off. All in all, for my homeowner needs, I really like this mower-and at 70 bucks a cut here in Miami, it's already more than 1/3 paid for itself in a month.
Thank you for the presentation and even some of the comments were helpful. My 25 year old MTD was put to rest at the end of last season. I have been shopping and eagerly anticipating a new mower. I went from thinking tractor to zero turn and now realize as much as I want a zero turn, a tractor is more practical for my property. Still.....
You’re welcome! Talk to your Deere dealer, they will have some advice for you. And feel free to post questions here if you have any.
The Tractor Factor i have a JD 108. It has not run in several years. I also have a Cub Cadet 1500. They both need belts, blades, tune up, oil change and batteries. Last night, I watched a guy like you promote the Ego electric. I was amazed at all the electric owners. There were a few that said no way. I then, after two hours went to the Home Depot site and found the Ryobi zero turn for $4400 on sale for $3800. 100 ah battery and you can do close to or at 3 acres depending on terrain. What do you think of that too? Thanks
The Ryobi zero turn is a great mower, I’ve used it, but it won’t work for 3 acres, its battery life isn’t long enough. And mowing 3 acres will pile up the hours on it. I would definitely go with a gas machine, something like a Z540M would work well for you.
@@ArtOfHealth i know im late but look at the hustler raptor xd it is rated for 3 acre yards and it is 3400 thats a 1000 dollars cheaper and it is a very nice machine
@@aidanschmidt607 Thank you for that feedback Aidan, I appreciate you.
I have a JD 130 Ive owned for 7 years and it does a great job of mowing my 7.5 acres. I have hills to mow that would scare me on a ztr mower. Upkeep of the tractor is minimal. Im staying with tractor mowers. Also being 72 enters in to the decision as well.
It all depends on which brand zero turn you go with. Some do have all kinds of attachments that can be used on them, including plowing. It all comes down to how much you are willing to spend on everything and how large your property is. Personally, I have both. The zero turn is far better at cutting grass and the tractor is good for everything else like hauling, sweeping, aerating etc.
A zero turn's purpose is to cut grass, a tractor's purpose is to pull things.
GrassHopper has a lot of attachments !
Had a lawn tractor for 8 years. Took hours to mow the property. Finally bought a zero turn. cut mowing time by 3/4. Cuts better also. Moves leaves better also.
Yes, if you’re exclusively mowing, the zero turn will do it faster than a tractor.
Takes me roughly 2 hours to cut my grass on my tractor wondering if its time, the versatility is what concerns me the only time im pulling something with my lawnmower is my trailer but idk if i should worry about that
@@SkanDogVids Yet, if you get in a little mud and your stuck with a zero turn. My tractor will run right through it. Plus you have the versatility of not only pulling wagons, but plowing and cultivating. I'll take a tractor every day.
@@gregzeigler3850 Thankfully we don't get alot of mud after it rains I wait a few days. I personally don't care for seeding or picking up the dead grass I know some people do my Dad use to have a basket for our current tractor but when I was of age to cut grass he didn't care to have it done anymore
@@SkanDogVids Get a garden tractor or a Sub Compact tractor with a mid mount mower, if you have that much grass to mow a tractor with a mid mount mower is going to be the way to go and far more comfortable to operate than any zero turn. Plus a lot more versatility in a tractor than you'll ever find in a zero turn.
Our yard includes slopes >20 degrees -- covered with pine needles which act like roller bearings. Every dealer I talked to said zero turns would not handle that. Ended up with a JD X739 -- 4 wheel drive and steer. I spend more time pulling trailers etc. than I do mowing. The X739 handles both beautifully. It may be overkill for my needs, but is absolutely stable on the hills.
I definitely agree with the dealers here. I wouldn’t use a zero turn on those slopes especially with pine needless impeding the traction. I think the X739 was a great compromise.
Both are good, but the ones with the green paint cost 3 times as much to repair and maintain.
i pererr the kubota, although i haven’t used an updated john deere since a 2010 one, but kubota has been reliable, only spend about 100-200 a year on maintenance
My SX95 is pushing 30-35 years old (I forget the year) I still spend about $250 or so in maintenence every year, so not too big of a hit. Sure beats buying a new one, but I'll probably be due for a new one soon.
my dad has an equally expensive Kubota to my JD D140. ( $2000 vs $2200 cost )Same engine size, 22.5HP, his is 44" cut mine is 48". His is 7 years old and already had to weld the deck from damage. Except for belts being old, mine is in almost perfect condition. His has rust damage, mine does not. The Deck belt for mine was $48 at Lowes, had it in stock. The costs for the engine are the same since they both use the exact same air, oil filter, plugs, gas filter, and oil. His deck is thinner than mine and only had front deck wheels, mine has front and rear deck wheels. Looking at new ones in 2022, both are priced about the same, within $200 at most.
I just have a gravely ztx 48 haven’t put nothing on it not a penny one of the best built mowers out there!
Not if u can turn a wrench!
I just moved from a tiny little backyard to a full acre of backyard lol i always thought a zero turn would be best but now I'm aiming more towards the tractor. Thank you for the video
Good demonstration
The other gator to consider is the ride
The zero turn has more discomfort and bounce compared to a garden mower or tractor
Great video and very helpful...One thing not mentioned regarding the zero-turn vs a tractor was how much easier it is on your neck and arms to turn w/handles vs. the steering wheel. I'm 69 w/neck issues. I had a JD X380 tractor that aggravated my neck severely due to the lack of power steering, and all the three point turns I had to make on my 3.2-acre manicured lawn. Yes, I did more than my share of kidney-shaped turns to avoid the additional steering required for a 3 point turn, but 3 point turning just comes more than I liked w/ the tractor. I have a Z540R on order, though I have used a Bobcat in the past and tested my neighbors zero turn. The zero-turn not only is more maneuverable than a tractor, but it is also much easier on your body to steer, once you get the steering technique down. As w/anything new, it does take a bit of getting used to at first.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for your comment, I didn’t consider that a zero turn would be easier on the body to steer, but it certainly makes sense.
If I had neck problem I would go with tractor, to exercise my neck wile mowing yard.
Answered some questions for me. Very informative. Thank you. I never mowed in rows in a lawn tractor. I always did circles. A lot faster.
Glad you liked it. And I agree, mowing in circles is definitely faster.
Always got complements on the striping doing spirals made. If you do it right you can take wide enough turns many times to keep from doing 3 point turns, and then when it's down to a strip you can just do a U-turn instead of a 3 pointer.
I have both. As I mow in rounds or spiral from outside to inside, not back and forth, there is no time difference. And as mentioned before with tractor you have at least one hand free for beer or cigarette :)
Lol
I have a ZT2 cub cadet 60 inch. It's awesome no complaints.
I will soon be 70 years old. I had cut with tractor style mowers, snapper styled mowers and push mowers for around 60 years. I bought a zero turn about 10 years ago. I am about to replace it with another zero turn. The zero turn maintains traction much better than a tractor style on uneven ground, slopes, and wet ground. The tractors have a differential that lets one wheel spin, and stick you, before you know it. The zero turn is better than any differential lock, or positive traction. You have complete control over traction. This also means that the zrt climbs slopes much better than a tractor, but you do have to be careful of flipping over backwards. I can cut along slopes, with the zero turn that would turn a tractor style over, and the tractor style will also lose traction on the up hill tire, on a slope. You just have to learn how to keep the ztr on a slope by feathering your steering levers, and keeping your speed moderate. As far as implements, fabricating a rear hitch for the ztr has worked well for me. This video has already proved the cutting speed and relative safety of using that speed, is superior on the ztr. I won't buy another tractor style mower. Please pardon the length of this post.
No worries, your input is appreciated. It sounds like your fabricated hitch works well too. What attachments have you used with that?
I don't really use any attachments. The "hitch" is just a medium sized, forged eye bolt, that I reinforced the rear part of the frame and drilled a hole through it to attach the eye bolt. I can pull a small trailer, or hook a chain to it to drag limbs and such. It's kind of handy, but you couldn't use a snow blower or blade with it. I am in the semi deep south , so we don't need snow blowers, and I have a couple of fair sized farm tractors for blading, lifting and such.
i have had both. zero turn is rougher riding unless maybe you get the commercial mower. i have the Z445. i have had it since 08. It is a mowing machine.
buy one of each, I did and love them both
Congrats to you Elon Musk. 😂
So did I.
We bought an $8100 X590 Tractor four years ago. Yes it IS a bit slower, but leisurely grass cutting with a cold iced tea or a frosty beer in one hand just can't be beat. I don't want to have to use both hands nor concentrate on a ZTR banging into stuff and I can tow a freaking pickup truck out of a ditch with my X590. The John Deere transmission on it is almost bomb proof. Just last week I loaded a trailer behind my X590 with 18 50-lb bags of concrete, and I pulled it thru a pasture at nearly an idle and it didn't even act like there was 900 pounds of load behind it. With a 16-oz cold beer in my hand. It can take a box blade behind it. Do all that with a zero turn.
im sure you can do that and even some zero turns you can put a snow blade on that is usually meant for atv/utvs.
The thing to consider is that a base residential zero-turn is going to be significantly more expensive than a base residential tractor. A lot of people get hung up on ground speed (some ZTs go 10+ mph) but the reality is that you're only going to be able to go so fast when you're cutting grass and still do an adequate job. Then there's the maintenance. The weak link of any entry level mower is going to be the hydrostatic transmission, and a ZT has twice the number of them to break.
Agreed, the entry level mowers won’t have the transmission durability the higher end models do. As a result, you could definitely end up with some issues.
It is also worth noting that the entry lawn tractors use the infamous K46. The ZTRs usually have hydro gear transmissions and are very reliable. Not the same transmission at all.
Exactly, and they ride rougher and get stuck way easier. Hydro transmissions are expensive to fix unless you rebuild them yourself(I did mine ove the winter, not easy but well worth the effort) Also, watched my neighbor trying to cut a slope and he actually pulled a tire off the rim trying to do that with his zero turn. No thanks, will stick to my GT
I have many ruts on the surface of our 2-acre property due to its sandy soil. Also, there are many rocky areas. I want a mower that can raise its mower height to avoid the rocks (up to 4-5" diameter) in the soil, plus larger wheels (especially in front) that will help prevent "plowing" of the wheels where the soil is soft and sandy and rutted in several areas. The tractor is to be used for mowing weeds only. The pasture once housed horses, owned by the former owner, and the horses took care of the weeds and clumps of wild grasses. The pasture is on a gentle slope.
It would also be a "plus" if some sort of wagon could be trailed behind the tractor so as to make it easier to reduce the amount of rocks in the soil without having to manually drag a small wagon. I'm 82 and my wife is 73. Although we can keep up with the work using a walk-behind string trimmer, my working time on a hot day is restricted to about two hours. With the string trimmer, it takes a total of about six hours to trim all the weeds. A motorized vehicle such as a tractor with attachment for some sort of bed to toss rocks into would be a godsend.
There are two things to consider before making a decision. Would you like to buy new or used and what dealer is closest and is it a good dealership? Sometimes the dealer is more important than the tractor brand.
With that being said, for your situation, I would lean towards getting a Deere X738, or X595/X738 used. Both are 4WD, which you’ll want in sandy ground and both can easily tow a trailer. They both can raise their mower up to 6 inches, but try to never hit a big rock with the mower it won’t be good for the tractor. If the weeds are really thick/tall, be careful using the mower as well, you could break the belt. Ideally for a pasture, you want a rotary mower, but that requires a bigger tractor. Let me know if you have additional questions.
@The Tractor Factor: Excellent video. I was torn about which one to go with. After watching the video, there’s 0 doubt I need the tractor. Thank you.
Thank you, I’m glad you found it helpful.
I gave up my big bulky tractor and went with the zero turn. I have no trouble pulling a wagon, spreader, aerator or dethatcher with it. It's just different, but plenty versatile for a suburban lawn. I would only have a tractor if you want to use the plow attachments or have to pull a heavy load.
Glad the zero turn is working well for you!
Thanks for the tip about not locking one wheel on a zero turn as it tears up the yard, I was wondering why on even slow turns mine was leaving a bit of a mess.
You’re welcome!
Search on TH-cam about learning a wye turn. It's like a 3 point turn to help preserve your turf.
I purchased my first ZTR last season. A 61" scag Cheetah. Great, but HEAVY machine. It is absolutely faster, however it does come at a cost when you factor in having to own multiple pieces of equipment for regular homeowner usage. Snow blower, leaf collection (I have a Cyclone Rake z-10 mated to my x590)
Although it is a lot of fun with the Cheetah, I'm heavily considering unloading it simply because I feel like its a waste for my lot size and all around needs.
Good, honest review!
Rich I do agree with you not to mention maintenance of this equipment which takes a lot of time. I guess I am luck is that I can mow grass just about every day between my house and the warehouse, my driveway is 1/4 mile long with big ditches on both sides and then I have a warehouse which I mow a couple acres there to. This year I am not even sure I am going to put the mowing deck on my tractor since I had a storm go through a couple years ago and it blew over at least 100 trees and I have been cutting on that every since it happened, trees dont stand up to 100 plus MPH winds to well.
I have a big farm,and own 3 zero-turn's and 4 big lawn and garden trackers so to me both styles come in handy for me now!!!!!
@Pete Bentley having both is quite useful! Which is your favorite?
Well I have 4 troy bilt 54 inch bronco garden trackers,and not one of them has failed me yet.and is s big help to me here on my farm so I'd day they are.now yesterday day I ordered me the new 2020 model troy-bilt z 54 zero turn mower.now that Is if my local dealer can get me one right real soon with the way this virus thing Is doing our country right now.but I'm pretty sure I'll get it.but when I do I'll let you know just how good it is or how bad it now ok!!!!!
Sounds good, enjoy your new machine when it arrives!
Thanks tractor factor!!!!!
I like the zero turn ones but they are very expensive. As it is I paid $1800 and some change for my Husqvarna tractor and I am extremely pleased with it. It has a very tight turning radius and is a quality build. I can even mow in reverse so that alone makes a huge difference.
Good video, "in addition" it was very informative, "in addition" I learned a lot. Thanks.
I cut grass for 24 years and I fell in love with this zero turn best machine I ever sat on in my opinion it's absolutely the best mower on the market.
You probably just saved me big bucks. I live on a mountain side property and have trouble mowing with tractors, they don't get the traction I need if the grass is damp at all and they are tippy with the seat sitting way up in the air for visibility. I was about to buy a zero turn because of it's wide, low stance and the factor that both rear wheels are powered. But your assessment shows that I'm better off staying with the tractor.
Oh ... and ... yeah ... popping a wheelie while climbing a 30° hill would not be a good thing.
Just remember, a tractor is still dangerous on hills, especially if it’s a smaller lawn tractor. Always mow straight up and down the hill and don’t mow sideways.
Well done and you hit a lot of great points. This helps a lot and I wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make this.
Glad you found it helpful. Let me know if you have additional questions.
I have used both zero turns and tractors and in my opinion the tractor would be a much more comfortable ride then the zero turn also zero turns suck on hills and will get stuck easily when the ground is just a little wet I have had to pull many of the zero turn mowers out of wet areas that a yard tractor would have easily made it through.
I have used ZT's for years after many years of using Lawn Tractors. I have no problems with Zero Turns on hills. Getting stuck? No more than a lawn tractor in my experience. ZT's do have a harsher ride but, some manufactures have addressed that issue by isolating the operator station from the rest of the machine by using shocks and or springs. Ferris and Exmark both have models that greatly improve the ride. For cutting grass, the zero turn is far superior.
Very true. But if you put better tires on the ZTR, it won't get stuck, but tears up the lawn more. I have used my ZTR on a steep embankment and got scared a couple of times. Then I used a tractor on the same hill with no issues. The differential lock on the tractor really helps in poor traction situations.
Wont get stuck if I'm behind the wheel
Enjoyed the Video with one comment. In the time tests you are driving the tractor mower like a Zero turn so it can't be expected to compete. When using a tractor mower avoid reverse and sharp turns as much as possible. Keep speed up with wide turns and alter your cut patterns to account for that driving. Plan the cut to be efficient with that type driving and times will decrease significantly. The added advantage is mechanical wear will decrease. Smooth is fast in mowing and race cars!
I don't know why this video suggestion came up on my feed today, but I am contemplating a replacement of my lawn tractor within the next couple of years. I have been considering the zero turn, but we do have some hills to cut and it is good to know in advance that this could be an issue.
As far as technique, I agree with you Frankie Bob. I rarely reverse my tractor. I cut over 2 acres of lawn and it our lawn contains multiple gardens, about 70 trees, lots of driveway and other obstacles. I follow the guidelines that Deere & Company published with my owner's manual and it does not include switchback on each cut, but sectioning the rectangles and cutting in a forward direction.
Also, on sections where it is open, I have also set up a circle and continued to cut incrementally increasing the radius. No stopping and no reversing, just clear cutting in a forward direction while relaxing the turn of the steering wheel. You can almost sleep while doing this technique.
I agree that there may be some maneuverability advantages with the zero turn. However, I line trim all my property prior to cutting the grass. I have an 18" Echo trimmer which makes short work of the trees and by doing this I can just zip past all the trees in a straight line, even with the discharge facing the tree trunk. The Toro self propelled mover is 21" and used for the areas around the house and walkways which look better with a smaller mower than trying to maneuver 46" of mower deck. Ultimately it is good planning and sharp blades and well maintained equipment that will finish the job quicker.
I did enjoy the video and it's always great to get another perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Depends on what you are doing. If you like using attatchments and implements, get a tractor. But if you want to mow quickly, get the zero turn. I have a L110 and LT150 with Kohler command single cylinder engines, both are amazing. I dont have a large area to cut at all, im just using them to tow some carts around and cut larger lawns on occasion.
That's the case with older zero turns and today's cheap ones, but almost all good ones today have hydrostatic transmissions and can pull any implement a lawn tractor can.
Is it true though that you get pretty dirty from debris and you have to wear goggles with them?
Are you referring to getting dirty while mowing with a zero turn?
@@TheTractorFactor I don't have any experience with them but I was looking at another video and guy was saying that it blows so much debris all around you where basically The guy said he would be so filthy, he'd have to take a shower after using it because it would blow so much debris around him in his face.
With a zero turn, people typically move around faster, and sometimes, you just quickly turn into the grass. So yes, you probably get a bit dirtier than a tractor, but nothing too bad at all. It also depends if it’s windy out.
Good discussion, great presentation. IMHO wanted a zero turn but bought a tractor for versatility (it is 4x4 for hills, a blade for light snowfalls, and blower for heavy snowfalls)
Thank you! Hope you enjoy your tractor.
A yard with a lot of obstacles, yeah, I mow a cemetery I guess that counts, I use a Cub Cadet Tank M48 for the open field and rougher areas and a Gravely Compact Pro 34 around the grave stones, both are fantastic machines. The Tank has a ball hitch on it and will pull a 4x8 trailer full of dirt no with problems.
32 acres of my property to mower, We have been Z turn John Deere on near house including trees. Extra acrage has been using John Deere 770 tractor for mowing , snow removal and other heavy works for many years. John Deere Tracters are best equipments and very little problem.
The zero turn actually has many more capabilities than just mowing. You can attach dump carts, seeders, yard rakes, aerators and water attachments. Even on some zero turns you can add a plow. On the newer models you can even add these things.
Some u can add baggers
You can also add your Pride flag🌈
@@saltymcsaltface A pride flag will never be added
@@saltymcsaltface No, Not happening.
@@logancampbell1867agreed
The prices on these lawn mowers are too damn high!
Exactly! I ended up buying a Craftsman riding mower for $1,000 at Lowes with free delivery. No way I could justify spending more than that on a mower!
@@karensachez8819 I wonder how long yours will last
@@chaboi7 they’re extremely simple to work on and typically have Briggs engines, meaning it’ll last forever with simple maintenance and repairs.
Yes.......
@@chaboi7 dude I have a lt300 from the 90s, same battery on it and I forgot to put it away in the winter and it starts right up every season without hesitation lol best little mower I’ve ever had.. bulletproof Briggs 20hp
You did an epic job with this video!
Thank you!
The Zero Turn module has got a whole lot of features on it as well and the handles are good with the rubber design and they give you grip and comfort all the way through the mowing process and they take good unleaded fuel as well as well give you good, flow from the deck with precise cutting and full work as well to get the job done I would be happy to listen to you about it.
I prefer the tractor over the ZTR, with the sole exception of the stand on. I find the stand on type to be easier to control than the sit down ZTR. But no one makes a home owner stand on, so tractor it is, unless I find a good deal on the other.
Bad Boy makes a stand on. Good prices and built like a tank.
I love how fast I can mow my yard with a ZTM.
It certainly gets the job done quickly!
I don't even have a big yard but it's worth it just to get it over with.
And it's definitely more fun!
My zero turn cut mowing time from 4.20 hours from the tractor to just 1.20 hours for the JD zero turn and whats more it’s fun doing it! I use the tractor for towing a trailer now and it does that well.
Tractors are alittle more rugged and versatile.. I've pulled out stumps, pushed/pulled cars.. pulled a 4wheeler out of a pond etc..
That's a good point. If your doing more than just mowing.
Faster is not always better.
Move slowly sometimes to allow the blades to cut instead of just ripping the grass off.
Going fast is not always best.
Go COUNTER CLOCKWISE so you're not blowing the clippings on top of grass you still need to mow.
If you go clockwise , on the next pass, you are chopping up the clipping you just cut !
They just keep building up.
I see my neighbors doing that all the time.
They can't seem to figure that out !
Excellent points, thanks for the comment!
I disagree. I've always mowed clockwise, so that I'm mulching, and re-mulching the clippings. When I get to the center, there's barely any clippings left. If there is, I just make another another pass and chop up and disburse the remaining clippings. This gives a better result than having clippings laying all over the lawn. I've been mowing for 40 plus years, so I've "figured it out." I do agree with the mowing slower part, however.
Good vid definitely learned something since I've never owned a zero turn.
I’m glad you liked it!
Highly recommend spending the extra coin if you have a larger yard to mow. Cuts mowing time in half!
I bought a 1984 782 d diesel cub cadette and it is a great mower with a 50 inch cutting deck it is a greatower I love it
A zero turn cuts quicker due to better maneuverability, but a tractor does better on hills and is easier to stripe with due to the steering being less touchy. So it all depends on what you're cutting. Just like comparing a stand on zero turn to a sit down zero turn to a tractor, the stand ons are more maneuverable than sit downs but are only suited for small tight areas due to being slower and more touchy. If I want to make perfectly straight stripes and am mowing on a hill, then I prefer the tractor, if I'm cutting a large area and if I'm going around trees and power poles, then I prefer the sit down zero turn. If I'm cutting small islands or tight areas such as around buildings, then I prefer the stand on.
I have a 2520 mid compact with a 60" 3pt grooming mower and pull a 60" DR tow behind for the 5 acres of pasture and I have a L111 i have had for years for the 1/4 acre hilly yard. Replace all the spindles and belts this year and adjusted the valves last year and it still goes great.
I have a Husqvarna TS354XD GT. I absolutely love it, it's a little beast, has never let me down, and for the money you can't beat it. However those John Deere 700 series GTs are absolutely on a whole other level! They are definitely extremely expensive, but they come decked out with a lot of top tier features. I would definitely sacrifice my mother's first born son to own one!
I narrow the mow time gap on a tractor by using a circular route. Always keep mowing and disable the reverse switch so you're mowing in reverse. If you want straight lines and stripes then it's a no go on this technique.
I have a large yard with pecan trees and small limbs are always on the ground. Both can pull a dump cart and i use grabbers to pick up the limbs while i mow. Its harder to throw them in the cart with the zero turn.
Residential mowing......time in seconds has not bearing! I traded in my Farris zero for the X590 and have no regrets. I love the power steering and power lift......very important when you're over 75.
Well organized, very informative and to the point. I feel much more educated on which way to go now for my large yard. Thank you for this kind of video.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you found it useful!
I mowed a huge steep hill at my brothers on a tractor style and went sideways. I got a zero turn this year and im mowing it up and backwards then up in a new row. I suggest a ariens mower. Made in the usa and its a bright color so you are visible from distance when unloading and loading. Thats just my opinion tho.
If you are looking a zero turn lawn mower go look at a cub cadet zero time and I am not saying John Deere is bad i love John Deere but cub cadet makes a amazing zero turn we have one and we love it. You can easily mo steep hills with it because it has a steering wheel to drive it and it has weight in the front due to the steering wheel and you can pull wagons, sprayers and planters with no promblem
Ariens makes a better zt than cub in my opinion. I just bought an Ariens Ikon 42xd and the fabricated deck is much sturdier than the cub stamped 1 piece deck
I have both. Mow with the zero turn and work with the tractor.
One of the biggest things that made my decision wasnt addressed in this video, and that is~ am I ok with having my hands locked into a position as if I were riding a motorcycle with very badly adjusted handlebars, or would I rather have a steering wheel which I can use one handed, left or right hand whatever I choose at any time, or both handed.
Tractor? Great video! If you’re only wanting to cut grass like most folks this is a good comparison.
As you said this is a “lawn” or “garden” tractor (where I started)...A zero turn will cut grass probably better than anything else on the market.
However, I would encourage anyone with a half acre or more to go check out a sub compact tractor and go sit on one at a dealership!
There’s a fast growing market in the sub compact tractor world with organic foods, gardening, and hobby farms in the suburbs growing more popular every day!
The manufacturers have definitely taken notice!...
You can easily step up into a JD 1025R, a Kubota 23S, a Mahindra Emax, RK24, or any other brand of sub compact tractor which opens up a world of possibilities of doing some serious work like moving piles of mulch and rocks, to cutting trenches with a backhoe all while still being able to get a decent cut on your lawn!
I’ve learned there is a huge difference between a “lawn or garden tractor”. Once you sit on a subcompact tractor; you really do start looking at lawn mowers differently. A real tractor like a sub compact tractor is a serious investment. And it is pretty common for folks to have both a sub compact tractor and a mower...
Jon@SBYD!
Sub Compact tractors are definitely a step up and will prove more useful if you’re planning on doing more ground engaging work with with something like a tiller.
Thanks for bringing them up, it’s certainly something for people to consider.
I was considering a subcompact JD 1023, because I have an acre, and my wife wants to garden, but my Father-in-law lent me his Kubota, and I discovered that most of the garden-worthy areas are too steep for tractor work(start popping wheelies when you dig that front bucket down). I cleared the one area that was in the safer zone of work, but the rest will have to be done with a shovel & hoe, or buy a used tiller. For mowing, I'm looking at a lawn tractor with lockable diffs, because the majority of my yard is a long and steep slope. It's brutal with a push mower and takes hours.
Very well-done video. You get an A. The ability to add attachments is a deal-breaker for the Z-turn. As for faster, that is overrated - unless you have an adolescent mind-set. As a homeowner over 70 with good health, I have more money than time.
Thank you. And the ability to add attachments to a tractor is definitely a deciding factor for many people.
So wouldn't you want something faster then?
I just got my JDs100 lawn tractor delivered today. People asks me if I was getting a zero turn I told them my yard wasn’t big enough for a zero turn so I went with the lawn tractor. Either way both the lawn tractor and zero turn beats out a push mower all day every day, I’ve been using a push mower for the last 11 years but no more.
Enjoy the tractor, and you’re right, it certainly beats a push mower!
The Zero turn seat is lower and makes it easier to mow under low hanging limbs. However, why is there such an emphasis on "faster"?? I think mowing is somewhat therapeutic and enjoy it. I mow slower than I really could just because it is enjoyable. Another factor, which is more likely to breakdown sooner or more often? Are parts equally available for both? Just some thoughts that were not addressed in the video.
Those are excellent points. I think some of the faster argument has to do with maneuverability, there are no 3 point turns with a zero turn. As for breaking down and parts, I can’t speak too much for other brands, but the Deere ones will have no almost no issues beyond typical maintenance. And for parts, Deere is known to be excellent in that department.
I agree with this comment. I take my time mowing my lawn. I love doing it because I clear my mind during the process. What makes it annoying is using a mower that isn't dependable, and easy to work on. It makes it a stressful endeavor.
It also saves you from having to do what proffesionals call double cuts, triple cuts, quadruple cuts, etc. They do that instead of taking there time and doing it cleanly
I had a Kioti zero turn and found the absolute biggest con (at least with my yard), the concentrated weight over the drive tires, it’d sink in the ground and easily get stuck. Spring time where I live, it never dries out, and had to get rid of it as a result. Kind of a bummer. The riding mower seems to leave nicer mowing lines, at least compared to my ZT.
If you compare the same spect tractor to the zero turn its cheaper by several hundred dollars, i know because I bought the tractor at Lowes and thay were side by side to compare. It is the E180 .
Agreed, that’s why I included the X500 prices for comparison. The E series is not comparable to the Z500 series, the Z500s are built heavier and will last longer.
@@scottcozart8950 Well mine was Built by John Deere in Greeneville, TN, USA .
My Toro 44 inch ZTR was only about $150 more than a comparable tractor model. Once you get up into commercial applications, the price really goes up fast, but I don't need a commercial model.
I have both these styles of mowers. I prefer my zero turn over my tractor type.
My zero turn is a Troy-Bilt Mustang 50 inch and my tractor type is a John Deere D160 - 48 inch.
I use the John Deere as my backup mower. My property is 2 acres of grass with a lot of trees and gardens.
Sounds like you have a nice setup going!
Fair review but you definitely missed a major drawback with zero turns in that the small caster front wheels do not hold a line on side sloping yards and the user must constantly be adjusting the steering to compensate as the mower will want to follow the down slope. I know one could mow up and down the block which is what I’d do but some people prefer cutting across the slope - why? I’ll never know!
That’s a great point, thanks!
Extremely good video very informative
Thank you, glad it was helpful!
unfair mowing test on the tractor at the beginning there. you don't get to the end then reverse to come back directly next to your previous strip, you turn it full lock and come back one strip width apart then come back again one strip width apart on the opposite side of the first strip then return again on the strip missed then skip the remaining missed strip, leaving another missed strip on the next run and mowing each missed strip on each alternating pass.
If you can make a TH-cam video of the process you described. I think only about 5% of people who mow understand what you are talking about.
No, he's very clear, but maybe because after I bought my first lawn tractor (an old LX-172) within three cuttings I'd also figured out that it was the most efficient way to offset the machine's the wide turning radius. Getting back to cut immediately adjacent to the strip just mowed takes too much maneuvering with a tractor. Instead you eyeball how wide the next strip would be and turn tight enough to mow the 2nd strip over. When you're done you end up with alternating pairs of two adjacent strips mowed in the same direction. Nonetheless I now use a zero turn because my mowing machine does nothing but mow and I do like the improved maneuverability.
Still not as fast as a zero turn.
Zac Johnson this is the proper way but no matter how hard I try I can never guess the width properly
Damn im drunk now.
Best to have both. The lawn tractor will be appreciated more. The zero turn is wonderful.
Last commercial zero I saw in a showroom was listed at about $18K or more. Thought about it for a few seconds and figured I could have somebody mow my lawn for the rest of my life for that price while I am relaxing!!
@18winsagin yes, the commercial ones can definitely get expensive. Did you take a look at the residential models such as the Z540M?
The high cost doesn’t end with the purchase! I work with zero turns at the school where I work maintenance for our zero turns is unbelievably expensive! At home I stopped hired a ambitious young man and now he deals with replacing relays switches filters blades etc. I enjoy mowing but between the cost and the lack of reliability I am with you- kick back and watch the young generation go at it!
@@John-lc1uq you're right, I refuse to spend time working on a damn mower, they're a good idea but like everything else they ruin it by over engineering it and hanging silly price tags on them that the average homeowner can't afford to begin with, but a fool is born every day that will pay it but I guess it keeps the economy moving and the banks in business. If you are a wealthy person with property and you're bored I guess it's the toy for you along with a $700.00 electric start leaf blower strapped on your back that won't start next season when you need it.
My Cub Cadet Zero was $3100 with a 54" fab deck and Kohler 7000 engine. It's been worth it so far.
I like that DIY satisfaction of a nice clean lawn though too.
I bought a 60 inch bobcat zeroturn mower with the Kawasaki engine ( 25hp) for 300 all it needed was a new electric clutch which was easy to replace with a youtube tutorial
I have lots of steep hills and obstacles so I went with the tractor. I am super glad I did! I think the zero turns are cool! Thankfully, I got the tractor because it turns out that I need to bag sometimes, mulch sometimes, spray occasionally, and pull a trailer from time to time. Not to mention in the winter how much stupid heavy wet ridiculous snow the snow blower on my tractor breezes through.
Sounds like you made the right decision! What tractor did you get?
Wait, you listed popping wheelies as a con. 😋
Haha, I guess for some people it could be a pro.
@@TheTractorFactor
daredevils: *[learns lawnmowers can do wheelies]*
also daredevils: *yes*
I've seen wheelies popped on lawn tractors too.
@@100PercentOS2 I have a lttie 24 year old 14 horsepwor Snapper tractor with a hydro that will pop a wheelie easy. I paid $600 in 2007 used and that bad boy is still going strong. Dont need all these way overpriced contraptions.
...This is a good comparison between types of mowers. Although, the first test cutting long strips, you never back a lawn tractor up during open cutting. You should make 90 degree turns over the course or sections of grass you are cutting. Other than that, I think the lawn tractor is the best for Mr Homeowner like myself and others. Keep as mush of the deck in the uncut grass as possible and do not stop unless absolutely necessary for fastest cut...
I did not need a ZTR, but I bought it for the fun factor. I never regretted it.
zero turn is also much heavier and will dig up your yard or get stuck to where the tractor mower will ride right over where the zero turn gets stuck.
In all fairness to the lawn tractor The way you were cutting grass with it is not typical, for most people you don't stop and turn around to make a second pass.
Agreed, that is a downside to this particular test. I just wanted to give a number to quantify “how much faster” a zero turn is than a tractor. Further tests would be ideal to expand upon this one.
So do you mow in circles? If you want nice stripes and a level cut then you do stop, reverse and make a second pass. If you mow in circles you get the deck tilt and you will have a stepped cut. Also the smaller the circle gets the more you have to stop and maneuver. I have a Zero turn for cutting and a yard tractor for everything else. All jobs are easier with the proper tools.
@@dustin5007 where I'm from most people dont worry about putting stripes on there lawn. I usually square off my lawn and cut it, not in a circle, but I'm old school we have not always had zero turn mowers, there was only yard tractors.
I have 2 tractors and I never mow in circles. It looks cheap and reckless. Taking the extra seconds to do a 3 point turn at the end of each pass makes the yard look much better.
@@andybub45 I don't know anybody that mows in circles, most people I know square off there yard and cut, but to each there own I guess. If you have the time and think it looks better do 3 point turns.
Fully get the advantages of the ZTM but I sometimes collect grass which is a no go with ZTM, I also have a powered brush to collect autumn leaves which would be a big blow not to have. I appreciate what he said about the 3 point turns at the end of a row though....
Agreed, a tractor has a lot of attachments zero turns cannot use.
I have a zero turn and a tractor to mow my five acre yard, I have a couple trees and my yard is flat but I will not buy a zero turn on my next round of purchases. The tractor is better in soft areas and mows my ditch better and it's a lot easier to drink beer while mowing.
A bunch of people have mentioned the beer now, seems to be a selling point! 🙂
@@TheTractorFactor Usually my wife drives the tractor and I drive the zero turn but the last mowing we done I spilt my beer while trying to operate the zero turn. LoL I think my next purchase will be a 1025R.
You’ll be happy with the 1025R, it’s also a great tractor.
Prefer burbon & water myself, but have no problem driving one handed on close to level parts and sipping. Steering wheels are over rated and I don't want to waste years of my life going slow!
Newbies. On a ZTR, haul ass. Halfway through, stop. Drink a beer or two, maybe a sandwich. Take a leak, admire your work, go back to mowing and beat the riding mower by a good 15-20 minutes still.
All your pros and cons are spot on. I own both and you exactly right. Hills on a zero turn can't be overstated. The rear wheels will spin going cross hills sideways and going down the hills can be dangerous because they don't have brakes on the front casters. On my machines the Scag zero turn mows much better than the tractor which clumps the grass underneath. I added the attachments with a tow hitch on a zero turn. Just be mindful when backing up or turning.
I checked out zero turn mowers when I was buying a riding mower & decided to save the money & get the tractor mower 😊 That was 20 years ago & my tractor is still looking & mowing great! I replaced the battery once, got a lifetime spark plug once. Not bad for 20 years of mowing 😊
Sounds like a great machine, what kind do you have?
20 years ago zero turns were stupid expensive. The gap between a good tractor and a similarly built zero turn has closed significantly.
Lifetime spark plug? There is no such thing
@@andybub45 Probably iridium which is basically lifetime in a mower.
First when you mow in a field with the tractor you don't go back and forth in the same lane, you use divide and conquer which you make one cut down the middle going back and forth to each side till you get to far apart at the ends where you loss time cause of distance between lines, then you pick out a new middle and start again, you don't have to back up after the second line you make which will save you some time. Another way a tractor is better is in a big field is to have a tractor with 3 point hitch so you hook a gang mower system, in a big field the wider the cut the better the time you will save and zero turn becomes far less important like a John Deere 1070 with a 6 foot belly mower and two toro walk behinds used as gang mowers 52 inches each, with overlap this comes out to 13ft 2inch cut. With that size who needs zero turn in big fields, when the big fields are knock down to size you can unhook one the zero turn toros to cut around the small stuff which I had a seat for it. I also uses a hustler zero turn 12 foot mower which didn't work out because of all the hills in our area, it would get stuck too many times and didn't spread grass good enough.
I’m using the Tractor
I was highly surprised that you said the tractor was better on hills. I purchased a tractor several years ago, and my back yard had about a 20 degree grade. The tractor felt very top heavy, and gave the impression that it was going to tip over (correctly, or incorrectly). I returned it and swore if I ever bought another riding mower, it would be a zero turn, since the center of gravity appears to be about a foot lower.
The casters on a zero turn give almost no traction compared to a tractors front wheels. Also, you should only ever mow straight up and down hills, if you’re going sideways, you’re in far greater danger of tipping
A zero-turn on a lawn with hills is very dangerous
Depends on the hills grade
Laura, I like zero turn mowers but the problem with zero turn mowers is a two part problem. The first is a mechanical issue and that is once you loose traction you loose steering combined with most steeper slopes it is extremely dangerous. The second part of the problem is that operators get a bit too brave and keep pushing the limits and operating on steeper and steeper slopes. As a safety professional, I see it way to often and the end result is not good. I live in the Appalachian Mountains and for the most part, it’s no place for zero turn mowers. I have seen them in use where I would think twice before getting on that slope with a John Deere X738, X739, or a X758
Those are some good observations, thanks for the comment.
As far as attachments, they do have front mounts attachments for a majority of zero turns, I know because I have a number of front mount attachments for mine. I have an aerator, sprayer, spreader, blade and a dump that mounts on front. Also you can mount a hitch on the back for most of these too. You need to know your product before saying what a zero turn want do....
The operator has not thought how to be more efficient-with the JD tractor mower. What I hav learned is not to. Backup. This takes time and it is lost. At the turn, go over several mows and head back, then round the corner and come back. Do not back up. For a lawn as shown in this video this would be very easy to do.
I was trying to emphasize how a zero turn works better in that instance. But as you and others have pointed out, another test where I don’t back up with the tractor would be good to do.
This really did make a decision for me…my 15yr old Husqvarna is acting up and I want to replace it THINKING a zero-turn was the way to go for me….but, I find out now it isn’t. Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m glad it helped, let me know if you have any questions.
My 8 year old "Orange Turd" has been trouble since day one. Every time I use it, something doesn't work right. From hard starting when warm (new battery) to the deck belt coming off the pulley. The seat came unglued 4 years ago, it rattles horrible from the linkages underneath. Now despite only 160 hours on it and 10 oil/filter changes and yearly tune ups,...the damn thing blows blue smoke for the first 5 minutes if I let it sit for 10 days without starting it.
Great video just what I needed and right on time
Thank you!
I have a Troy-Bilt pony that I use on 27 acres we not only mow the lawns but also part of the fields with them we also have a large Craftsman the zero turn would not cut it it isn't built strong enough and over bumpy ground those front casters were just give up I also have a small Craftsman with no mowing deck on it only a 12 horse but we put a small trailer on the back it flat will not get stuck in mud it will go it is one tough little tractor and it hauls an awful lot of firewood, bricks whatever the zero turn is just what it is just a lawn mower.
I just need a bigger garage so I can have one of each. I am one of "those" that actually enjoys cutting the yard. I find it very therapeutic.
I agree, especially if you work inside a lot. It’s a nice break
@@TheTractorFactor that is what I do, sit behind a desk 6 to 8 hours a day😫
I certainly agree, mowing is a nice break from that. Helps clear the head too 🙂
Yes, it's very relaxing. I listen to music with earbuds connected to my phone and the time flys.
@@sptrader6316 same!
For smaller mowers (42 inch deck), the zero turns are more expensive than the tractors. I also have a fairly steep incline in my yard, but no other hills and few obstacles. Not sure which direction to go....
You can certainly use a zero turn on hills, landscapers do it daily. It is a bit dangerous though, and could be tough for beginners.
As for tractors, you could take a look at the X300 or X500 series if your budget allows it. They are both sturdy machines provided you mow straight up and down the hill.
The X500s don’t have a 42 in. deck available since they’re getting bigger in size. The X300s do have a 42 in. deck available so perhaps the direction to go in.
@@TheTractorFactor Thank you sir!
No problem! Also ask your Deere dealer for advice, they’d be happy to help too.
Why so slow with the Z-turn? I sold my JD tractor and bought a Toro Zero-turn. This cut my mowing time on a 2-1/2 acre lot from 4 hours to 1-1/2 hours. Although the mower is 3 speeds forward, I mow using the slowest speed. If I don't I'll have whirlpools in my pee for about a week after each mowing. I also use the Toro for hauling a large trailer and I feel much safer going up steep slopes. I needed a 35 lb. weight on the front of my JD tractor to mow the same hills and I still didn't feel comfortable. I can't be sure but I think the zero turn has a lower center of gravity.
He made a good statement saying this is from a residential point because if you go commercial you will never ever use a garden style tractor for a lawn care business. Also whichever one you choose please go to a local dealer and not a big box store. For one you're not getting a true John Deere or whatever brand you are buying. You're basically getting an MTD with different paint stickers slapped on to them. They have completely different numbers and parts. Plus when something goes down you can take it to your local dealer instead of having to mess with a big box store and they're long gone out ways of fulfilling their guarantee or just tune-ups. I really wish people would stay clear of big box stores. They really are not all that much cheaper and you sure as hell don't get the quality that you get from the actual manufacturer. It's all a scam and I wish it was illegal. Really pisses me off. I'm not even a local dealer but like I say I have a business and I see it all the time. Zero turn baby that's the only way to go. Once you mow with a zero turn you will never go back. LOL
You bring up a lot of good points, especially about the box stores. Those should certainly be avoided if possible, they’re the lowest end, and cheaply made. Often times, you’re better off buying an older/used model, which will be far more reliable and for the same price.
If you ever go zero turn you will never go back. Better mower you get the faster you cut.
Its not how fast you mow. But how well you mow fast.
@@scottcozart8950 Exactly. There's a practical limit of how fast you can go and still get a good cut. Just because a ZT can hit a top speed of 8-10 mph doesn't mean you can cut grass well at that speed.
@@channell11 hell i bought a brand new kabota z411. Ithere is no way i could mow wide open on it. You cant even control it at that speed. I cant anyway. But i love it. Best damn mower ive ever owned!!!
The 8-10 mph is just for boogying back to the house for another beer.
@@dchawk81 True, but the real professional rigs a small cooler to his mower for on-the-go refueling.
I have a 72 inch husqvarna with 27hp Kohler engine and had it for 12 years still going strong and our yard is 15 acre land and it takes me 2 hours to mow
Sounds like a great setup!
Bruh you must be goin fast, it takes me about the same to mow 2 acres correctly, even with another helper on the ol snapper while im on the john deere
Zolo X I’ve been practicing for years tho my mower has a hydraulic drive pump and other new zero turns a belt drivin
This was perfect. Super helpful!
Glad you found it useful!
A cub cadet zero turn with steering wheel takes care of the stability issues on slopes, can mow with one hand to manage low hanging brush, eliminates tearing sod on turns, and anyone can drive without practice with levers.
Both would be great for mowing, but the Zero Turn Mower is best for mowing big, smooth Terrain, but the Tractor would be best for Mowing Big Properties with Slopes and stuff. if I were you, I would probably go with the cheapest one, the Tractor.
Unless you live on a small area do yourself a favor and get the zero turn
How is popping a wheelie a con? It’s fun, cool, and a great way to clean a deck.