Well I broke down and bought a JD 915B ZTM and sold my JD GX345 on the same day. I'm going to miss my 345, as it was a very good mower. Played around with the new ZTR today getting use to how it behaves... It's definately a different type of mowing! Tore up a little grass along the way, but it's all good.
How much you mowing? These things are incredible when it comes to time saved. I have perhaps 1/2 acre to mow on a 1 acre lot with plenty of obstacles. Went from 45 minutes on a 42" rider to 25 minutes on a 44" ztr and I am still a newbie driver. This season alone my driving has improved greatly and rarely spin a wheel. Nice looking machine you got yourself.
I have the jd 655. Don't think I could ever go back to a rider. Gotta have my zero turn. When someone tells u it will cut ur mowing time in half, They aren't lying. Zero turns cut down on so much now time. Well worth the money, and very nice mower u have there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Fanatical1 Seriously nice machines y'all have there! I have about a half acre to mow with plenty of obstacles and it takes me anywhere from 2 to 3 hours to get it done, but then that's with a push mower. There are times I've been wanting a good rider, but then I figure all that walking behind the mower has to have some kind of health benefit. (even if it is just strong legs)
If your terrain allows, a zero turn is the only way to go. I mow 8.5 acres a week with mine. Using one is not nearly as relaxing as using a tractor, but about 40% faster in my experience-with comparable deck sizes.
Just don't let the wife know how much more free time you have....or the honeydo list will grow exponentially. May I suggest some 3m worktunes (ear pro with radio) and you'll love mowing grass.
Thanks..... Looking forward to improving my driving to avoid tearing up the grass... Will not tell wife about extra free time either! You can't see it all from this pic, just shy of two acres or so. Terrain is a little rough and hilly... Both the rider and the ZTR will get a workout because it's rough and not very flat even though the pic makes it appear flatter than it really is. The grass I mow is along the right hand side of the driveway all the way up to the street.
I can see your issue with all those trees you have to go around. Very nice machine. You got a good one.
Butt the left side of the deck to those trees and learn to feather that foot pedal for the deck lift for roots. That pedal is priceless on rough stuff. You'll be striping it perfectly before you know it.
A GTG with chainsaws may help get rid of the trees and make mowing easier... Is there anyone here with a stump grinder???
Make your turns in reverse. End of row, drive right up the end. Back around so that you end up facing straight down the next pass. Push both handles forward and repeat. Don't do donuts around trees and small beds. Split them in between passes. Always go 'round 'em to the right and on the way back, keep that pass straight until you pass the tree. Back up, clean up what's left near the tree and then finish the pass. Need to turn uphill but it's not cooperating? Back downhill until the machine is pointing uphill and then push the sticks forward. ZTR's will climb straight up! But they slide across and down hills.
