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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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Handson
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 28
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2020-05-16          199174


Looking to replace my old tractor with a new Kubota or Deere.

But when I watch these lawn crews with the Zero Turn ride ons they can go up and down any grade slop and are they FAST. Plus they operate wet or dry conditions.

But I need a tractor and and loader. So I am thinking compromise and go with one of the new Tractors that lets me dump the mower quicker than my old unit which is pain and then some.

I just do not think I have the room to store both indoors.

Anyone have both a zero radius rider and a Tractor and love it? Or have a Deere or Kubota with the new ride over mount system?




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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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tipoblanco
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 33 ernul,nc
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2020-05-17          199184


2 different animals,i have a john deere zero turn,before it i was using a husqvarna 54''cut lawn and garden,for cutting grass,i have 2 acres of yard,i will NEVER use the husqvarna again you just cant beat a zero turn,i can cut an acre and a half before my wife can cut a half acre,and lets just face it we all need a tractor with a FEL and bucket ....


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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998
Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ
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2020-05-17          199189


Found a video on the easy mount deck on Kubotas B2601 Compact Tractor.

The video has some good insight for those considering how easy the ride over deck is on this size Tractor.

The video poster says he frequently has deck sliding away issues when attempting to start ride over. He says floor wet may have contributed. I think could be necessary to use 4WD instead of 2WD .

Second he has the engine running as he is putting his hands near the mid PTO, not such a great idea. He eventually turns it off. He makes good put on retracting collar on shaft to ease connection. Making sure it is nice and clean and lubricated helps too.

Third he incorrectly shows the wrong way to attach the front linkage to the deck. The mid link goes in first not the end link as in the video

Other than these minor snafus an informative video.

....


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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2020-05-18          199193


Dennis I realize there are different ztr mowers and tires and also grades. You have some things we don't at least like you do: rocks, snow and grades. Here snow is a Holiday, rocks are hauled in and grades are mostly man made being ditch or pond banks. However my in laws side yard is a strong slope for here as it drops maybe 10 or so feet in 75 feet. It is grassy and is a mowed part of their lawn, thanks to my work! Now, the slope is coming off a open field and seeps water when the field is wet. When it does keep the ztr out of there. Not only will you pull it back up the slope each time it will slip running side ways on the slope. We have two ztrs, one is much lighter than the other which is a true commercial ztr and both have turf tires on them. Realize the front wheels do NOT steering, none just like the front wheels on a shopping cart. The rear wheels do the driving and also the steering. Works great on solid ground but in mud you need all pulling together and not one going forward and the other backwards as happens in steering the ztr. As a wheel bogs of course it move forward slower and often you want to steer away from the boggy area when means slowing the wheel that is not bogging again putting more traction need on the wheel that is bogging. We have same issue cutting the ditch in front of her house. You can take a tractor style mower and cut either or I use my Kubota B2710 with finishing mower with no issue of bogging.

Now I really like cutting with our ZTR mowers. They are very efficient on dry solid ground. Can trim very close, can change directions quickly, low sitting (my commercial is about like riding a recliner) and they cut fast. My 52 inch ztr with a 20 hp Kohler takes about 3/4 the time my B2710 with 72 inch rear finishing mower takes to cut our yard. Both are Bushog brand with same spindles and basically same deck design. Twenty inches narrow and 3/4 the time.

Oh, the ztr is fun to run!! No dozing on it. Or cell phones, ask my wife. lol ....


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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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Handson
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 28
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2020-05-18          199197


Dennis,

Thanks for the video it makes it much clearer as to how Kubota manages the ride over mount on the B Series machines. I have seen how they do it on the BX and I think while it is easier on the BX it looks too convoluted probably prone to failure

Ken,

For some reason I never put two and two together and it never really dawned on me that the ZTR is after all 2WD and could have issues at times as you mention. When I see the landscapers use them they go so fast it looks like it could hurt your back ;-(. ....


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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2020-05-19          199208


Handson, you thoughts on hurting your back...that my friend is the reason we bought the ferris as our second ztr. It has full suspension with springs and shocks and larger commercial mower size tires and oh yes a great seat. Not air ride bit my recliner is not as good.

Our Bushog which was their mid level when I last viewed their product line (not aware of a dealer for them near me any longer but pleased with that mower) basic seat, smaller tires all lead to bouncy ride if lawn is not very smooth. The Ferris run at least 50% faster than the Bushog and is much smother ride. Tire size and the pressure means probably the most to the ride. Not seen a ztr that wants the tires pumped very tight.
....


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Zero Radius vs Compact Tractor with easy mount deck

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yocsr1
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 182 Terre Haute, Indiana
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2020-10-24          199763


Just bought the wife a Ferris 2100Z this summer. She mows 12 acres in three hours. Our old 345 Deere is 31 years old and is slowing down, it took her six hours on the Deere. I actually went for a Deere and saw the Farris. Absolutely no regrets. ....


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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2020-10-26          199768


It is hard to compare a good zero turn to a compact tractor. They both have different main purposes which they both do very well at but at the opposite ends of the spectrum they are not so good. There is a new player is the zero turns which we really have been enjoying selling for hillsides and that is the Cadet line of pro mowers with the steering wheels. Still zero turn but the fronts are not caster action and you do have control of them to direct the front steering. This helps on hills as well as wet spots to hold your line.
The compacts are physically larger then the zero turn and that is the start of the problem as well as the fact they lack the zero in the turn! I always push for people to buy the smallest tractor or power unit with the largest deck possible. That allows the deck to stick out further from the tractor making it easier to trim. It also cuts the size of the uncut circle when trimming. ....


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