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ZTR mowers with zt-2800

#1

S

stryderlis

Hi all - I live in MN and currently i'm looking to get a ZTR mower with the zt-2800 as my yard has a pretty steep hill in the back. With that said, my yard is only .33 acres and i'm currently mowing twice a week with my Toro Timemaster(roughly 1hr). I'm looking to cut down my mowing time, hence looking for a ZTR. I will be using this mower to dethatch and Aerate my lawn as it sucks to dethatch and bag manually. I did some research and it looks like the Big Dog Alpha mpx 36(currently not in stock) is the cheapest 3900 with the zt-2800. Then everything else(Hustler, Ariens, etc...) is a 42 inch deck and come in around 4200. I'm just looking for the best deal for a ZTR with the zt-2800, let me know what your thoughts are.


#2

B

bertsmobile1

If you are regularly mowing very steep slopes then get a mower with a horizontal shaft engine or risk a low oil siezure because on a slope it is very easy to have the oil pump to be higher than the oil level in the sump & pumping air.
With a yard that small, a used commercial should do you well if you keep the service level up on it .


#3

M

MParr

I don’t think that you are going to have a lot of people recommending a ZTR for use on hills. First, you need to know the hill angle. Some manufacturers say that 15 degrees is maximum and others say 20 degrees is maximum. A lawn tractor may be a better choice. Again, know the degree of slope. What does the manufacturers recommend. Weights may need to be added to the front of the mower. Pulling equipment is another thing that should be considered. Hydros are expensive to replace. A ZTR has two. You may want to do some more research before you buy a ZTR for your property.


#4

S

stryderlis

MParr said:
I don’t think that you are going to have a lot of people recommending a ZTR for use on hills. First, you need to know the hill angle. Some manufacturers say that 15 degrees is maximum and others say 20 degrees is maximum. A lawn tractor may be a better choice. Again, know the degree of slope. What does the manufacturers recommend. Weights may need to be added to the front of the mower. Pulling equipment is another thing that should be considered. Hydros are expensive to replace. A ZTR has two. You may want to do some more research before you buy a ZTR for your property.
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The slope is probably 13-16 degrees max (section 1) on one side of my house and about 10-13 (section 2) on the other side. I’ve used my neighbors jd 335 on it to aerate and dethatch before. If it’s not wet it does just fine but if it’s wet and there are a lot of weights on the dethatcher it seems to have a hard time climbing. So when it’s went I usually just go down the steep section only.


#5

S

stryderlis

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#6

M

MParr

Scag makes the Liberty Z with a 36” deck and ZT2800s. 15 degree slope recommended.
You are going to experience similar problems towing with the ZTR as you do with your lawn tractor. The center of gravity is better with a lawn tractor. There is very little weight on the front of a ZTR. Add a towed implement and that adds to the problem.


#7

S

stryderlis

MParr said:
Scag makes the Liberty Z with a 36” deck and ZT2800s. 15 degree slope recommended.
You are going to experience similar problems towing with the ZTR as you do with your lawn tractor. The center of gravity is better with a lawn tractor. There is very little weight on the front of a ZTR. Add a towed implement and that adds to the problem.
Click to expand...
I have not used a tractor before, I’ve used the jd 335 zero turn and towed an aerator and dethatcher with it. So are we saying it will be the same regardless which ztr I get?


#8

M

MParr

stryderlis said:
I have not used a tractor before, I’ve used the jd 335 zero turn and towed an aerator and dethatcher with it. So are we saying it will be the same regardless which ztr I get?
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Pretty much. A ZTRs engine and transmission is in the rear. The rider, gas tank and mower deck is in the middle. There is very little weight on the front. Easy to pop a wheelie with an implement added. With a lawn tractor, most of the weight is up front. The rider and mower deck is in the middle and the gas tank is in the rear. Better balance for towing implements. Plus, you can add a snow thrower if needed.
I would look at a lawn tractor. A Kubota is a good choice.


#9

D

DK35vince

hlw49 said:
Why are you so set on a IZT2800 has no filter and it is really a non-serviceable hydro. Oh I know you can siphon the oil out through the breather hole but who has that capability. Step up to the IZT 3100 which has a filter and is serviceable. Which is on the Big Dog Alpha MPX probably the best mower on the market for the money. This would be my choice.
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The ZT 2800 do have filters and serviceable


#10

H

hlw49

Yea you are right


#11

S

stryderlis

hlw49 said:
Why are you so set on a IZT2800 has no filter and it is really a non-serviceable hydro. Oh I know you can siphon the oil out through the breather hole but who has that capability. Step up to the IZT 3100 which has a filter and is serviceable. Which is on the Big Dog Alpha MPX probably the best mower on the market for the money. This would be my choice.
Click to expand...
From what I’ve read the zt-2800 is serviceable vs the zt-2200 which is not. Seeing as my yard is only .33 acre I would’ve just went with the zt-2200 except the zt-2800 is supposed to be better with hills. That’s the reason why I’m set on the zt-2800.

Unfortunately there are no big dog alpha mp in stock in my area. I was thinking the 38in alpha mp would be perfect for me because of the price point and size for my lawn.


#12

H

hlw49

What state are you in? We sell the Big Dog mowers. Pretty sure we have them in stock.


#13

H

hlw49

stryderlis said:
From what I’ve read the zt-2800 is serviceable vs the zt-2200 which is not. Seeing as my yard is only .33 acre I would’ve just went with the zt-2200 except the zt-2800 is supposed to be better with hills. That’s the reason why I’m set on the zt-2800.

Unfortunately there are no big dog alpha mp in stock in my area. I was thinking the 38in alpha mp would be perfect for me because of the price point and size for my
hlw49 said:
What state are you in? We sell the Big Dog mowers. Pretty sure we have them in stock.
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I'm not sure about the 38 inch cut.
Click to expand...


#14

S

stryderlis

hlw49 said:
What state are you in? We sell the Big Dog mowers. Pretty sure we have them in stock.
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I'm in MN


#15

S

stryderlis

I'm on the fence between 38 and 42. Only 200 more for the 42 inch and it's more of a standard width also.


#16

M

MParr

stryderlis said:
I'm on the fence between 38 and 42. Only 200 more for the 42 inch and it's more of a standard width also.
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The Hustler Raptor XD is the same mower. The Raptor XD lists the 42” deck as the smallest available.
The Gravely ZT XL has similar features and the 42” deck is the smallest they offer.
Please look at some higher grade lawn tractors before making your final decision.


#17

S

stryderlis

MParr said:
Scag makes the Liberty Z with a 36” deck and ZT2800s. 15 degree slope recommended.
You are going to experience similar problems towing with the ZTR as you do with your lawn tractor. The center of gravity is better with a lawn tractor. There is very little weight on the front of a ZTR. Add a towed implement and that adds to the problem.
Click to expand...
I found a new close out 2019 48in scag liberty for 3900. This seems like a better deal than the 2021 42 hustler raptor xd? Just wondering what the benefits that the scag has over the hustler as they are usually more expensive even though the engines and the transmissions are the same.


#18

M

MParr

stryderlis said:
I found a new close out 2019 48in scag liberty for 3900. This seems like a better deal than the 2021 42 hustler raptor xd? Just wondering what the benefits that the scag has over the hustler as they are usually more expensive even though the engines and the transmissions are the same.
Click to expand...
That’s a good deal. However, a lawn tractor is going to be better for towing implements.


#19

S

stryderlis

MParr said:
That’s a good deal. However, a lawn tractor is going to be better for towing implements.
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It says the liberty z can tow 250 lbs. I do not believe I will be pulling anything that heavy. I will be towing a dethatcher and aerator only.


#20

M

MParr

stryderlis said:
It says the liberty z can tow 250 lbs. I do not believe I will be pulling anything that heavy. I will be towing a dethatcher and aerator only.
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What that 250 lbs means is a 250 lb man in a dump cart. That’s not a heck of a lot. Take a look at this article.


#21

A

amuller

All this seems like overkill for 1/3 acre.


#22

Ron3

Ron3

Why not buy mower with zt2200 for a third acre it’s all you need, occasional pulling a couple hundred lbs will not hurt it. My 42 in badboy mz42 can tow 200 lbs. save yourself A lot of money.


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