[mays08]

I'm going to buy a new mower and decided I would create an account to hear some other opinions. I bought a new home this winter and am yet to mow. I have a couple acres of some pretty rough mowing. A lot of obstacles, mainly trees...And some really steep ground. I would prefer to mow around instead of up and down. The ground itself is fairly rough...A lot of dips and uneven places throughout. I don't plan on using the mower for anything other than mowing...

I have looked at the new Cub Cadet Zero Turn Tractors as well as the John Deere d130 and d140 and have talked to a dealer about the x300, which I haven't had time to take a look at yet...I will be buying a mower from a dealer, no matter what make/model I decide on...I like the fact that the Cub is wider and sits a little lower, as well as its zero turn capabilities...I know one person locally who has one and says they would be extremely hard to turn over going around a slope...But I don't know...Also, what would be the advantages of the x300 Deere vs. the d130 or 140 if I'm only going to be mowing with it...The Cub and the x300 are both priced at 2999, locally...I'm not spending any more than that for something to mow my yard...I'm really not wanting to spend that much....I'd rather have a new boat! Thanks alot for any and all information.

 

[greenmachine]

Since you're looking at lawn tractors, you'll find a lot more info over at MyTractorForum.com.
I can't speak to the Cub Cadet, but I can talk a little about the Deere lines. In a nutshell, the D100 series (formerly known as the L100 and LA100 series) is designed for mowing a flat lawn up to an acre or so. To compete on price, it's made with components that will work well in that task, but aren't made for more than that. The X300 series has parts that are made better and will tolerate more use every year. However, the main "weak link" in a tractor is the hydrostatic transmission, and that's what limits its capabilities. (Don't even worry about horsepower - that's just marketing nonsense.) The X300 uses the same trans as the D160 and D170, so you're not really gaining any capability by moving up the X300. To get a bigger/better trans, you need to move up to the X320.

Given the size of your yard, steep grades and rough terrain, you're definitely talking about at least that X320. A cheaper mower won't hold up over time, and a small transmission won't get the job done.

 

[Brad]

If you have a steep slope you may want to really verify that the ZTR machines are able to traverse them without the danger of flipping over backwards or to the side. Agree fully with Greenmachine regarding the heavier duty components on the upscale tractors.

 

[mikeandpebble1]

new tractor

one of my friends has a zero turn and he says it doesn't do very well on steep ground i think it is a snapper i have a rolling lawn i use a gt2550 cub cadet it is hydro it has cast iron rear housing the tires are loaded it does a good job i also pull a sweeper and cart and have a disc for it.igot it at a dealer not a box store hope this helps.

 

[mays08]

The Cub Cadet I am referring to is their Zero Turn Tractor, not a conventional zero turn mower...It looks just like a regular lawn tractor, only it's wider and sits lower to the ground, and of course has a zero turning radius...Its the iSeries line from Cub. I have been told, from a local Cub dealer and also from a co-worker who has one, that they do extremely well on slopes...I don't know...I hate to spend the money on one based on two biased opions, you know what I mean? Thanks guys for the responses, I'm still back and forth on the decision....Hopefully I'll decide on something before too long....

 

[fr8bil]

I just got rid of my P.O.S. Cub GT3100 and it was nothing but headaches for 6 years. For a short time I had a SCAG ZTR and found it would not turn well on downhill slopes which I have plenty of. ZTR's "wash out " on side slopes and can be VERY dangerous since the front wheels are not driven. Avoid Cub Cadet at ALL costs.

My suggestion would be to look at Deere's line of four wheel steer lawn tractors. They have a steering wheel instead of those goofy levers on ZTR's.

 

[bar]

for rough ground the main thing is wheel diameter the bigger wheel machines will out perform any make model,and priced machine made. just ask a farmer. also less wear and tear on the drive-line, axles, wheels and operator. don't really matter what color machine you purchase they all are made by the same company now under the hood. gear transmissions standup better in rough areas with less maintenance and the hydros do better in and around tight spots. good luck' check out simplicity