Need Mower Recommendation

Yeah a zero turn near water on any slope over about 10 degrees is asking for trouble, glad you havent actually gone in yet. ZTRs are wonderful machines but the traction control on residential grade ones just isnt there when you loose a wheel over uneven ground. Ive nearly rolled mine on my own lot and mine isnt anywhere near water.
For what you describe id honestly look at a 4WD lawn tractor with a mid mount deck. Something like a JD X350/X380 with mechanical 4wd (or the equivalent Kubota). The lower center of gravity and 4 wheel traction makes 15-20 degree work way safer than a ZTR, and the geared transmission means you actually have control going down slopes rather than the hydro creep youll get on a wet zero turn.
The one thing you lose is speed and manuverability. A lawn tractor is slower and takes a wider turn than the ZTR. So the u-turns at the end of your loops will need a bit more room. But given you nearly ended up in a lake i think that trade is very much worth making.
Also with rocks that rock (nice phrase lol), a garden tractor style machine with a floating deck handles that terrain way better than a fixed deck ZTR. Deck follows the ground contour instead of bridging across the high spots and scalping.
For the string trimmer thing, honestly you might not be able to fully eliminate it near the rock wall but a smaller footprint machine will let you get closer to the wall than the 50" ZTR does. A 42" deck on a lawn tractor should reduce trimming by a fair amount just from being narrower and being able to lean into curves.
Ive been through this decision recently and put together some notes on options that work for waterside and slope work in this current lawn mower rundown. The stability notes are the useful part for your situation.
Do NOT try to muscle a ZTR on sketchy ground near water. Ive seen too many photos of them upside down in ponds. Not worth it.
 
The place where I use to work sells Dixie Chopper mowers. A customer bought a new commercial mower. Took it home and was mowing his yard. He lived on a lake and the place where he lived was on a bluff over the lake. He lost control of the mower him mower and all took a dive right off the bluff into the lake. He was slightly injured and the mower was totally submersed in the lake. The only saving grace to the story. On his way home with the mower was he called his insurance company and insured the mower. They replaced the mower.
 
kuldeepbaswal said:
Yeah a zero turn near water on any slope over about 10 degrees is asking for trouble, glad you havent actually gone in yet. ZTRs are wonderful machines but the traction control on residential grade ones just isnt there when you loose a wheel over uneven ground. Ive nearly rolled mine on my own lot and mine isnt anywhere near water.
For what you describe id honestly look at a 4WD lawn tractor with a mid mount deck. Something like a JD X350/X380 with mechanical 4wd (or the equivalent Kubota). The lower center of gravity and 4 wheel traction makes 15-20 degree work way safer than a ZTR, and the geared transmission means you actually have control going down slopes rather than the hydro creep youll get on a wet zero turn.
The one thing you lose is speed and manuverability. A lawn tractor is slower and takes a wider turn than the ZTR. So the u-turns at the end of your loops will need a bit more room. But given you nearly ended up in a lake i think that trade is very much worth making.
Also with rocks that rock (nice phrase lol), a garden tractor style machine with a floating deck handles that terrain way better than a fixed deck ZTR. Deck follows the ground contour instead of bridging across the high spots and scalping.
For the string trimmer thing, honestly you might not be able to fully eliminate it near the rock wall but a smaller footprint machine will let you get closer to the wall than the 50" ZTR does. A 42" deck on a lawn tractor should reduce trimming by a fair amount just from being narrower and being able to lean into curves.
Ive been through this decision recently and put together some notes on options that work for waterside and slope work in this current lawn mower rundown. The stability notes are the useful part for your situation.
Do NOT try to muscle a ZTR on sketchy ground near water. Ive seen too many photos of them upside down in ponds. Not worth it.
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I'd sooner opt for a steering wheel ZTR over a 4WD lawn tractor. I don't know what kind of 4WD systems they use, and whether they have open diffs. A steering wheel ZTR will have 2 hydros, which works better than any open diff arrangement. I have a steering wheel ZTR, and it's a game changer on hills & slopes. Not as good as a Ventrac, but I'd put it up against any lawn tractor or lap-bar ZTR. My mower manual claims that it can handle 20 deg slopes.
 
slomo said:
Ok, try that on wet grass LOL. Be swimming in no time. Early morning dew is just as bad. Guess you need some rain to be talking wet grass. Freaking powder house where I live.
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I'm not a commercial operator, so I don't mow when wet. My biggest problem is dust. To the point that I bought a respirator, which I love. I no longer have to hold my breath while mowing.

I'd be willing to try my mower on a wet hillside. Just not with the prospect of sliding into a lake, pond, or anything dangerous.
 
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