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Moving Rural, Need a LT to handle slopes

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rebmo

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Moving to a 1.1 acre rural lot. The lot is rectangular with the front 1/5 ditch and typical driveway/landscaped suburban like fron yard, the home is ranch exposed basement so there is a grade ranging from 15 to 20% on ethier side of the home, and the back is flat grass bordered on the edges by trees and a channel to a lake.

So, I'm leaving the city and now need a lawn tractor. The present owner has a JD 324 AWS and is happy with it. I am considering a 320 or 324 but looking for recommendations with the main concern being the slopes along side the house. I didn't see any wheel spin marks on the grass when we looked at the home and inspected it. I could see wheel evidence that the 324 was being used for the grades as well as the flat surfaces. I want get the right quality LT to do the job, but don't want to go crazy spending either as it's only 1.1 acres. But again the concern is the grades and want to be safe.

There is a Ferris is500z ZT for sale nearby that is like new, and wondering if a ZT will do the grades. This would be faster, but the grades concern me. The neighbor owns a landscaping business and does his similar yard with big commercial ZTs. The Ferris is a small commerical 44" deck.

So, any thoughts on the models above, or some specific models to consider. Would like to keep the budget 4500 or less, but if it means the right LT I might go higher.

Thanks for any advice, I need to make a purchase in the next couple weeks so dump your ideas on me.

Reb
 
#2 ·
Zero turn mower + Slopes = :maddd:
Going down hill you will have little to no stopping power in some conditions, you will go flying down the hill with no brakes.
I recomend a used garden tractor with a gear drive transmittion. You can get a decent used Mtd (yardman, yard machines, white) for $200-$300. Because of the size of you're yard, you don't need a huge tractor, I would go with a 38-42 inch deck.
A 1990's craftsman would be good too, I see a lot of them going cheap on craigslist, no more than $400.
Check Craigslist and find something used. Generally regular riding mowers are a lot easier to fix your self than a Zero turn.
 
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#3 ·
mowerbeast said:
Zero turn mower + Slopes = :maddd:
.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree with that Assessment as well To a Point
What Might Help us Out to Help You Out is The Following questions
What is Your Budget?
What do You want to do with the Machine I.e. Just Mow the Lawn? or do you want to do snow removal as well or any Garden work I.e. Till a Garden ect?

If You still want a ZTR I would recommend a Cub Cadet I Series Zero turn Tractor a ZTT50 http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_14101_162755_43276_-1_600000_43276 You get the best of both worlds a Conventional Tractor which can also do snow removal Duties with a Front Blade or Blower Plus You get the zero turn capability and there pretty stable on Hills From what I have seen from past Members that have had them or have them.

For the conventional lawn tractor the Deere X320 & X324 are very Good Lawn tractors
X320 with a 48inch deck is $4,099 at MSRP
X320 with a 54inch deck is $4,399 at MSRP
X324 with a 48inch deck is $4,599 at MSRP
We have many owners of Both the X320 & the X324 and as You have seen them seem to handle the Property well Both the X320 & X324 have the same transmission

The Ferris You Looking at is about the same as a Simplicity ZT4000 though it only come with a 48inch deck There made By the same Company and on the same frame and those ZTR’s are one I would recommend if Your were Just Looking at ZTRs Just because to me they both have the best Ride when Cutting But they Both may have some wheel spin on your Property which You don’t want.

The closes to a ZTR that I would also recommend for your Property is a Walker http://www.walkermowers.com/tractors/model-mbk/model-mbk.php or a Grasshopper http://www.grasshoppermower.com/fm_600.php There sort of ZTRs But tend to handle Hilly terrain Better than a Conventional ZTR and Both can be Year round performers.

Me Personally I would Probably go with a Conventional Lawn Tractor X320 or X324 or a Mid Range Garden Tractor. for Your Property such as a Deere X500 starting at $5,699 with a 48inch deck at MSRP http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductC...eere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?pNbr=SKU21851&tM=HO or a Simplicity Conquest starting at $5199 with a 46inch deck at MSRP http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/yard-and-garden-tractors/conquest/

Well I hope this Gives You some Idea of whats Out there :thThumbsU
 
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#4 ·
I would go with a GT or the X320/324 as well because of the more robust tranny which is better suited to handle hilly terrain. I would go with a hydro tranny for the ease of use and manuverability. I've had both gear and hydro drive tractors and the hydro wins hands down in most situations, especially mowing. Most heavier duty hydro trannies are solid performers that have proven themselves over the test of time. A hydro tranny that is working properly allows the operator to precisely monitor the speed (up or down) that is best suited to the task at hand.
 
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#5 ·
I have used Ferris and Skag for years on slopes...-They will climb in some amazing ways , but you have to be careful no matter what you are running, ZTR or not. for the naysayers....

Some HDAP tires will help, no matter what you are running GT/LT, or ZTR.

How 'bout a pic of what you plan on cutting????

Where are you in WI? Over near the lake, where morning dew is always a huge issue? Or on the top of a nice dry hill in the Kettles ? Or, out in the burbs with no woods, where it is drier overall....?

For support and service, depending on your location, Simplicity is a good choice.
 
#6 ·
Simplicity Sunstar will handle your hill no problem up or down and a good used one can usually be had for less than $1500.Don't buy a Chevy when you can get the Caddy for the same or less.BTW a hydro will stop on a hill better than a straight drive because you can run the wheels in reverse in an emergency.Try that with straight gears(LOL)
 
#8 ·
gburnett said:
Simplicity Sunstar will handle your hill no problem up or down and a good used one can usually be had for less than $1500.Don't buy a Chevy when you can get the Caddy for the same or less.BTW a hydro will stop on a hill better than a straight drive because you can run the wheels in reverse in an emergency.Try that with straight gears(LOL)
Click to expand...
The Sunstars I saw at your place certainly were the equal of a JD 420 at half the price, Gary.

Along the Simplicity line, if you must have new, Reb, you might want to look at that PGT9500 at Sears. Rebadged Prestige. It's about $1,500 over your budget, but hard to beat.

Also the CubCadet 2000 series GTs are a very good value for the money.
 
#11 ·
Rebmo, I see you are in Wisconsin. if you are going to use a snow plow blade I would recommend a machine with hydrostatic drive designed to stand up to the loads of ground-engaging accessories. The hydrostatic trans is way, way, way more convenient for mowing, but many of those found on LTs will not stand up to the demands of plowing. You might want to look for a machine that has a decent snow blower accessory available (two-stage is best, I think). And if you might wind up doing other landscaping chores, like using a tiller or a box blade, you might consider going with a smaller GT instead of an LT. They are built for heavy-duty use and typically so are the accessories. Just don't go so big it is less convenient to mow with, since that will probably account for the vast majority of usage. Get a good quality unit and keep it maintained and you might not ever have to buy another one.

The wider the mower, the faster you can mow, theoretically. But the wider the mower the less able it is to deal with variations in lawn, and the harder it is to maneuver. So it is a tradeoff. I think 38"-42" is about right for the use you are describing.
 
#14 · (Edited)
rebmo said:
Thanks for all the ideas. I will be checking them out today.

Also, here's a heavy duty tank that I might check out today. Not sure on the motor, thought these came with 18hp motors, and not very reliable.

Thoughts, Stay away??

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/for/2489645466.html
Click to expand...


If that tractor was here in Mo. I'd snap it up in a minute. They are tanks an almost indestructible, yet easy to use.
 
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#15 ·
rebmo said:
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/for/2489645466.html
Click to expand...
That AC is a better built unit (tougher) than the JD you linked. It will leave a nicer looking lawn, if the deck is in good shape, also. It is better suited to plowing snow than the JD, but is a toss-up if you decide to add a snowblower to either units.

The AC will require more maintenance, due to its age. Parts support for either unit is excellent.

Also, in the AC ad, he states there is 50 hours on the tractor, and 0 on the rebuilt motor. Ask to see receipts on the engine work. And 50 hours on the tractor? Must be a mis-print, more likely 500 +.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
So what about the 16hp Kohler? I thought these came with 18hp motors. I can talk with the owner when he calls back to set up a showing, but does this sound like a motor swap? I'm leaning towards the JD with the Kawasaki, but the AC is a tank and has limited slip rear axle. Is that 16 a swapped in motor most likely or did they come with a 16hp at one time? Is the 16 reliable if maintained?

Thanks,

Reb
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Oh yeah, sorry, I don't really need to use the LT for snow handling as of yet anyway. I have a blower that can handle the 40ft driveway with throw clearance on either side. My city lot with houses close and a giant apron was probably more challenging than this drive. So the main task will be to mow grass.
 
#19 ·
Watch out , I might beat you to that AC! Just kidding - but that's the one I would choose if the motor was done right. Then a set of HDAP's, done.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Simplicity says the 18hp is a kohler an the 16 is a briggs

That model in the simp is a 7018

It probably is a 18 an he just has it figured wrong or something. Besides 16 hp is way more than eneough to do anything you can throw at it.My older brother has the same tractor in the 1964 simp landlord model he bought new and he still uses to this day an it was just a 9 hp. briggs back then. He has the mower, sickle bar, blade an roto-tiller for it an they all still work just fine.

http://www.simpletractors.com/simplicity/new_in_1964/landlord.htm
 
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