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I'm a newbie here that has been lurking, learning, and searching. I have a question, but I don't want to start a firestorm.

Would Garden Tractors and ZTR's of equal quality give an equal cut quality. I know that the ZTR is likely faster and more maneuverable, but is the actual cut quality better? Is the blade tip speed on a ZTR fater?

Thanks,
Bruce

Brucebotti said:

I'm a newbie here that has been lurking, learning, and searching. I have a question, but I don't want to start a firestorm.

Would Garden Tractors and ZTR's of equal quality give an equal cut quality. I know that the ZTR is likely faster and more maneuverable, but is the actual cut quality better? Is the blade tip speed on a ZTR fater?

Thanks,
Bruce

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I would say the ZTR would have a better cut quality than a Garden tractor. The ZTR would have a Higher Blade Tip speed than a garden Tractor and add to that, the ZTR is designed strictly for the purpose of cutting and not much else says it's quality of cut would be better.

i have to agree with Ric i use to have a high dollar garden tractor before i got a ZTR and the diffrence in blade speed and cut is unbeleveable

I would say that it would depend on a couple of variables. 1. Type of deck setup and blades used. Making sure that you have the right style of blades for your mower setup and that you keep the deck clean affects the look of the cut. 2. Ground speed if unit. The slower the ground speed, the better the cut. 3. Size of deck. The smaller the deck the better the cut. 4. Operator and type of grass. This is the biggest variable. Having an operator who knows how to use the machine, means more than which machine you are using. Some grasses need to be cut more often and at different heights to look good. All things considered, I would say that they would be the same, in the hands of an experienced operator, who knows how to adjust the variables listed.

Gonna have to agree with Rivets. You see very good with both.

possum said:

Gonna have to agree with Rivets. You see very good with both.

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My "challenge" to user Rivet's theory is.......why don't I see more professional lawn service trailers with "lawn tractors" on them??? I know a lot of that is about "speed"(the time it takes for each customer, to do as many lawns per day as possible) and the "durability" of a Commercial ZTR, but again these guys are being paid good money to provide a "professional landscaped look" and if they could do that with what would have to be a "cheaper machine" why don't they?? And just to add some "fire" to the "firestorm"(I just know that user Lawn Mower Fanatic will have to respond to this one:0)......what about comparing the "cut quality" of a push mower to a ZTR or Garden Tractor???????

much better results with ztr's, every lt or gt I have mowed with scalped at certain times and never gave me the quality of cut of a good finish mower... both my ztr's have very high quality of cuts. I am sure deck design matters, but I also think how wel the deck floats and blade speed matters as well.

i never owned a zero turn but have use them i would say that the zero turn is a little better but not by much :thumbsup::wink:

Thanks for the help. From everything I've read, the ZTR gives a better cut "all things being equal".

Another question I have is, can a ZTR tow my DR powered leaf vac? It isn't too heavy empty, and my property is relatively flat.

Thanks,
Bruce

Brucebotti said:

Thanks for the help. From everything I've read, the ZTR gives a better cut "all things being equal".

Another question I have is, can a ZTR tow my DR powered leaf vac? It isn't too heavy empty, and my property is relatively flat.

Thanks,
Bruce

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It is very doubtful if it's what I think it is as there weight runs between 310 to around 340lbs. There are some ztr's that are rated to pull some good weight but they will be pricey. If you're wanting to do something like that then the Garden Tractor would be a better choice for a mower.

djdice, if you read my post carefully #4 says it is based on the operator. Most of the "professionals" are in it for the $$$ and they go for speed. The best manicured lawns are cut more than once a week, and then you can go as fast as you want, but it still takes an experienced operator, with a well prepared unit to get the bet job. I'll put my 38" mulching deck on my 16hp tractor against any machine and make it look professional, but it will take me longer, even longer yet if you want it stripped, which is very tough for a zero turn.

The only good quality cut is made by a cylinder or reel mower.

A rotary style cutting deck is not designed to give you a quality cut but cut grass.
Its what happens after you cut where you get the quality.

Side discharge and mulching usually leaves clumps depending on grass type and conditions.
Also ZTR not designed to collect as no direct collection system.
Collection usually leaves an alright finish but time consuming when you have to empty the collector.

Dont tow with a ZTR. Gearboxes are not really designed for it. They are only designed to cut grass.

Thanks again for the replies. It looks like I either go with a Garden Tractor, or go with the ZTR and keep my Craftsman Garden Tractor to tow the DR around in the fall.

Maybe I should just get my old 1967 Sears SS-12 going again.

Thanks,
Bruce

pugaltitude said:

Dont tow with a ZTR. Gearboxes are not really designed for it. They are only designed to cut grass.

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Don't tell Dixie Chopper there not designed for towing, the Dixie Choppers can tow or have towing capacity's from 100lbs to 2000lb. Most of the commercial ZTR mowers a have some type of pulling capacity but as I said before there pricey.

Ric said:

Don't tell Dixie Chopper there not designed for towing, the Dixie Choppers can tow or have towing capacity's from 100lbs to 2000lb. Most of the commercial ZTR mowers a have some type of pulling capacity but as I said before there pricey.

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The Ariens Zoom and XL are rated to tow 300# with a 30# tongue weight. That would be pushing it with my DR.
Bruce

djdicetn said:

And just to add some "fire" to the "firestorm"(I just know that user Lawn Mower Fanatic will have to respond to this one:0)......what about comparing the "cut quality" of a push mower to a ZTR or Garden Tractor???????

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I think the quality of a cut with a push mower compared to a garden tractor or ZTR is the same or maybe even a little better. I know it depends on many variables, like how tall the grass is, how fast you are going, and what the grass type is, but a push mower has a smaller deck which can lead to a better cut.

I use both if you keep your deck adjusted to spec, and your blades sharp either one will do you a good job. I use a ys4500 Craftsman 54", and a Bunton ztr 61", and both cut well the bunton is just faster.

wjjones said:

I use both if you keep your deck adjusted to spec, and your blades sharp either one will do you a good job. I use a ys4500 Craftsman 54", and a Bunton ztr 61", and both cut well the bunton is just faster.

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wjjones,
I previously used that exact same Craftsman with a mulching kit and it did a very even, well-manicured look cut!! Problem was, if I went a couple of weeks and the grass got a little tall it would "bog down/die" and take 2(sometimes 3) passes to get rid of the clippings. The thing I LOVE about my new Gravely ZTR is that without a mulch kit(due to the high blade tip speed), one pass even at a high travel speed leaves absolutely no trace of grass clippings.....and even more importantly absolutely no grass clipping/dirt/etc. build-up on the underside of the deck like the old Craftsman lawn tractor did(if I didn't clean the deck everytime I mowed with the LT, it would throw/break the belt on the next use).

rivets,
Yeah, I see your point that the operator mowing technique and mower settings are variables that can significantly affect the professional cut look!! On striping.....I may start another thread, rather than creating a sidebar on this one, but I'm curious about how well my Gravely ZTR could produce a striping look. Gravely has a "regular" and a "hex" striper kits that I wish I could get some experience feedback on...but what puzzles me is that my next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old Ariens 42" Zoom ZTR and when he mows his grass in a diagonal pattern it produces a professional-looking "striped effect" and he doesn't have any kit installed on that mower at all. I am pretty confused on how he gets that from a "regular" ZTR.

both my "regular" ztr's stripe just fine! And I have to believe it is easier with a ztr due to the zero turn.