Currently have a 42inch 15hp husquarvana which is about 9 years of age and the hydrostatic drive is going out.

Currently mow about 3 hours plus, about 3 some acres.  Mowing area is a variety of flat, sloped, very steep hills (2-3), with lots of trees, a garden, and other obstacles to go around.

Have looked at John Deeres, Troy-Bilt, and Cub cadets.  Mostly lawn tractors but also got into a discussion about the zero-turn types.

Not sure we want to get a zero-turn because of the hilly areas and steep hill portions even though realizing it could cut mowing time maybe in half.  Any comments about hilly terrain and zero turns.

I had about decided on a JD LA130 until I saw the ratings showing a LA110 as ranked higher.  Is there a difference in a 2-blade system (42inch) versus a 3-blade system (above 42inch, ie: 46-48inch) as concerns mulching, etc?

Then I read about the JD X304 with the 4WS system.  It would seem to be somewhat of a compromise between a traditional mower and a zero-turn.  It actually is the CR best buy, rated #1!  But it only has 17hp versus say a LA110 or LA130 which I believe had more.  What affect does HP have on a mower.  More power for hills, etc., or stricly for running the mower deck?

Thanks for any input.

 

The two cylinder 17 horsepower engine in my new JD X300R has plenty of power for hills, and cuts and bags everything as well.  It does this while carrying along a 250 lb driver to boot.  I suspect you may be happy with a tractor that has this power plant. I paid 2800 US delivered, it lists for 3800.

Mr. Burke,

I have 3 acres also similar to your description. From 1993 to 2006 I had a 1993 Toro Wheel Horse 314-8 with a 48" deck. It worked great but developed some motor problems. Replaced  it with a 2005 Husqvarna 2254. 22hp Briggs&Stratton,Snow/grader blade, 3 point hitch, 2 disc harrow racks, 54" deck with bagger( only use bagger in fall and spring for leaves). Both perform excellent. I have a lawn around the house, with shrubs,beds, trees and a few moderate to steep grades. The rest is about 1 1/2 acres of tall grassy field. Both tractors are manual shifts. Both have a 8 speed transmission- High and low ranges in reverse and 3 foward. I found using attachments, Snow/grader blade, Disc harrow and even a snowblower on the WhellHorse that the manual transmission was far better with alot less power waste than the hydrostatic drive system. Cheaper too. It was less expensive replacing a drive belt than was replacing/fixing the hydro system. Friends of mine who have  the hydrostatic drive a found it was initially easier to use, but they all wish they could afford to switch back to the manual.  Both drive systems have their pro's and cons. The Toro Wheel Horse are pricy and I believe they were bought out by White or MTD a couple of years ago. They still make the "Classic" line where attachments available, plows, decks, snowthrowers are interchangable with other years of "Classic" . The only reason why I didn't repair the Wheel Horse was the Husqvarna was my fathers and couldn't use it anymore. I know a guy who loves his Cub but wishes he stepped up into the next beefier one. Not sure what model but he hasn't had any major problems with it. Good luck & have fun!!

Had an Uncle who owned a wheel Horse tracot for years before retiring to Florida.  Great machine.  The Cubs were excellent when I H made them, now that MTD makes the tractor, I have my doubts.

My dad replaced his 10+ y.o. Deere LX 172 with a Deere x304.  Both had Kawasaki engines which I was told by a Deere dealer was the best of the engines.  The guy also said the B&S engines today are much better than they were 5 years ago.  He went with the x304 over the x300 because of the number of trees in the yard. 

The main reason my dad would never own a zero turn mower is that it looks like you can't pull any sort of wagon/roller/aerator behind you.  He bought his last Oct and was able to get free the front bumper bar and the 7 bushel bagging system.  The 7 bushel bagger does seem to fill up rather quickly. 

Correction in my post to Mr. Burke regarding choosing a tractor.

I made a reference to the Toro Wheel Horse Classic Tractors, the 300 & 400 Series.  I just found out that Toro stopped production of them about a year or so ago. It's to bad because everyone that I know who has had one, loved it.

Sorry.

Too late for your uncle, but I'd bet I have more trees to trim around than he does.  Read my post on the Craftsman Vs. Deere post about the John Deere X300R tractor I bought and its included bagger system.  The physical effort  that the 7 bushel bag system requires is considerable, I know because my old JD Mower had such a bag system.  The R has a Way Better Solution, so have your uncle read my post if you want him to question his purchase of the X304 and its 4 wheel steering. And the R can pull carts, spreaders etc behind it, the bag lifts off easily exposing the hitch ball.

SNOWBLOWER'S

Sorry off topic..   does any one have any experiance with the Poulan snowthrower's? Currently being advertised at $999. with a 10.5hp Tecumseh l-HEAD ENGINE.  Seems very well priced??

Who makes these?

Any opinions appreciated as I am leaning towards this or an Arien or Simplicity

Hi Rod,

Poulan, Poulan Pro, and Weedeater are made by Electrolux as I understand.  Poulan products are inexpensive but low end products.  Ariens is better but not best for a snowblower.  I grew up in New England and Ariens had an excellent reputation back then for snowblowers.  However, last year's CR (Consumer Reports) ratings put Toro and Honda near the top (you should have access to those ratings as a subscriber).  I owned numerous Weedeater products and I have replaced all except one of them.

Steve

 

 

I made the move to a Cub Cadet 50 inch zero turn two years ago.  It is a very good mower.  My wife loves it!  She cuts the grass on 2 1/2 acres in about half the time that it used to take.  Mine has a 20 horse B&S rather than the Kawasaki motor. When the time comes, I will replace it with the same mower, I hope!

We bought the JD Z225 with a 42" deck and 18 hp motor from Lowe's--and LOVE it!  Our 5 acre lot has about 4 acres of mowable grass--1 acre of lawn and 3 acres of field grass.  I never intended to us it in the field but cut a path to the well one day and ended up cutting the whole field.  That was spring of '09 and the grass was about 12-18" high.  With the deck pulled up to it's highest point it never had a problem nor bogged down from the load.  Since spring I've mowed the field 5 times to keep the grass and weeds from going to seed.  On top of that I mowed the lawn every 5 days to avoid raking or buying a grass bagger.  While our field looks smooth the mower would lurch and buck over hardened lumps and bumps caused by gophers and those miserable ground squirrels yet after 60 hrs of use there are no signs of wear, tear or metal fatigue. I suppose the blade could use sharpening but haven't had to yet. 

Zero turn radius is the way to go!  I've used garden/lawn tractors and unless your lawn is perfectly round you waste a whole lot of time turning those beasts around to make another cut or catch up with corner tufts you left behind.  With the zero turn radius mowers you spin and are perfectly lined up for the return cut.  It really does cut mowing time in half.

On hilly areas take into consideration these mowers come with turf tires which won't give you enough traction to drive along the side of steep terrain.  I have just such an area so I cut from the top down go around and do it again.  It takes more time but then again I'm saving a ton of time elsewhere.

What would I do different if I was buying another Zero turn radius?  I would buy a larger deck.  On any lawn up to an acre and a half a 42" deck is just fine because youI can move so fast but in the field I'd like to cut that time down. 

What could JD do to improve the Z225?  They could put a trailer hitch on the machine so one could pull sprayers and spreaders with it and don't charge  $140.00 for it.  I would think it would occur to them they would sell more attachements if their zero radius mowers had hitches.

By the way, I look forward to mowing with the Z225.

Hope this helps.

 

I have a John Deere SST15 and it will NOT work on hilly terrain.  The format of this tractor is a bit different than other Zero Turn mowers as the engine is in the front and it appears 'similar' to a traditional mower. 

I would suggest trying any zero turn mower out on your lot before buying.  Your John Deere dealer should support this or try a different dealer.