I had a 2004 42" 16 hp, New Holland , made by Toro. It replaced a conventional 42" tractor from Sears. I loved it BUT it was VASTLY under powered. I had to cut much more frequently or cut at a crawl as the HP was insufficient. I just bought a 54" Sears zero turn, and except for one thing, absolutely love it. It has 25 HP, and sailed through the tallest grass on my first cutting this summer last week. However, from the instruction book and talking to the local dealer, I find that when both handles are in the reverse position, it cuts the power to the PTO and the blades stop. HOW DUMB IS THAT?? One of the reasons for spending the extra money for zero turn is to maneuver easily around everything, thus saving a ton of time. I am looking at ways to bypass that, and I think I have it figured out.
I also noticed it did NOT have any kind of a trailer hitch. As I de-thatch my lawn every spring, then I also pull a 12 gallon, two nozzle sprayer for weed control. I built a hitch on the rear and it worked fine. Not sure why they don't have one, but the position of the muffler made it more difficult than it would have been. Possibly that's why they don't have one in the first place.
All it all, I would NEVER ever go back to a conventional tractor, the zero turn is WELL worth the additional cost, in time saved over its lifetime alone. While my property is but one acre, minus the house and driveway, I also cut about that much of the neighbors pasture, as it is right next to my house and gives me a much larger "view from my living room" as it looks like my property, and the neighbor doesn't mind.
I also noticed it did NOT have any kind of a trailer hitch. As I de-thatch my lawn every spring, then I also pull a 12 gallon, two nozzle sprayer for weed control. I built a hitch on the rear and it worked fine. Not sure why they don't have one, but the position of the muffler made it more difficult than it would have been. Possibly that's why they don't have one in the first place.
All it all, I would NEVER ever go back to a conventional tractor, the zero turn is WELL worth the additional cost, in time saved over its lifetime alone. While my property is but one acre, minus the house and driveway, I also cut about that much of the neighbors pasture, as it is right next to my house and gives me a much larger "view from my living room" as it looks like my property, and the neighbor doesn't mind.
