Should I Buy a Zero Turn or Tractor? 

you forgot the most important advantage of the tractor. you can drink beer while mowing.

I expect this mower will last several seasons with decent care. ru-vid.comUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend Also, I ran across the problem with it not starting the 2nd time I used it. There is a safety switch which is pushed in by the chute or mulching piece being attached to the deck. I took the cover off and it wouldn't start. Put it back on, no problem. It takes only a minute with 2 easily accessible wingnuts and no tools. This mower starts up first crank each time and it is a joy to use. It also mows in reverse by putting the key to the reverse area after starting and pushing in the triangular button. It will stay in reverse mode until you turn it off. All in all, for my homeowner needs, I really like this mower-and at 70 bucks a cut here in Miami, it's already more than 1/3 paid for itself in a month.

With the zero turn, it's very easy to pop wheelies. This should be a pro!

Tractors looks so much better

The prices on these lawn mowers are too damn high!

Wait, you listed popping wheelies as a con. 😋

I have a JD 130 Ive owned for 7 years and it does a great job of mowing my 7.5 acres. I have hills to mow that would scare me on a ztr mower. Upkeep of the tractor is minimal. Im staying with tractor mowers. Also being 72 enters in to the decision as well.

It all depends on which brand zero turn you go with. Some do have all kinds of attachments that can be used on them, including plowing. It all comes down to how much you are willing to spend on everything and how large your property is. Personally, I have both. The zero turn is far better at cutting grass and the tractor is good for everything else like hauling, sweeping, aerating etc. A zero turn's purpose is to cut grass, a tractor's purpose is to pull things.

A zero-turn on a lawn with hills is very dangerous

Had a lawn tractor for 8 years. Took hours to mow the property. Finally bought a zero turn. cut mowing time by 3/4. Cuts better also. Moves leaves better also.

Good video, "in addition" it was very informative, "in addition" I learned a lot. Thanks.

Both are good, but the ones with the green paint cost 3 times as much to repair and maintain.

zero turn is also much heavier and will dig up your yard or get stuck to where the tractor mower will ride right over where the zero turn gets stuck.

Our yard includes slopes >20 degrees -- covered with pine needles which act like roller bearings. Every dealer I talked to said zero turns would not handle that. Ended up with a JD X739 -- 4 wheel drive and steer. I spend more time pulling trailers etc. than I do mowing. The X739 handles both beautifully. It may be overkill for my needs, but is absolutely stable on the hills.

buy one of each, I did and love them both

Thank you for the presentation and even some of the comments were helpful. My 25 year old MTD was put to rest at the end of last season. I have been shopping and eagerly anticipating a new mower. I went from thinking tractor to zero turn and now realize as much as I want a zero turn, a tractor is more practical for my property. Still.....

I will soon be 70 years old. I had cut with tractor style mowers, snapper styled mowers and push mowers for around 60 years. I bought a zero turn about 10 years ago. I am about to replace it with another zero turn. The zero turn maintains traction much better than a tractor style on uneven ground, slopes, and wet ground. The tractors have a differential that lets one wheel spin, and stick you, before you know it. The zero turn is better than any differential lock, or positive traction. You have complete control over traction. This also means that the zrt climbs slopes much better than a tractor, but you do have to be careful of flipping over backwards. I can cut along slopes, with the zero turn that would turn a tractor style over, and the tractor style will also lose traction on the up hill tire, on a slope. You just have to learn how to keep the ztr on a slope by feathering your steering levers, and keeping your speed moderate. As far as implements, fabricating a rear hitch for the ztr has worked well for me. This video has already proved the cutting speed and relative safety of using that speed, is superior on the ztr. I won't buy another tractor style mower. Please pardon the length of this post.

Just keep the tractor out of the sun . The plastic hoods don't last long and are expensive

I bought a 2021 Craftsman Tight turn T240 Lawn/Garden tractor paid a total $2,700 for it has a Kohler 7000 series engine 22 horsepower 725cc V Twin engine based on the Kohler command commercial pro engine..has a 3 year unlimited hours warranty weighs 630 pounds has a thick cast iron front Axle Tuff torque hydrostatic transmission with steel gears..5 inch turning radius cruise control 3.1 gallon fuel tank so why in the world would I spend $11,000 on a mower when in reality it's not better or not that much what I already have and paid $2,700

Great video and very helpful...One thing not mentioned regarding the zero-turn vs a tractor was how much easier it is on your neck and arms to turn w/handles vs. the steering wheel. I'm 69 w/neck issues. I had a JD X380 tractor that aggravated my neck severely due to the lack of power steering, and all the three point turns I had to make on my 3.2-acre manicured lawn. Yes, I did more than my share of kidney-shaped turns to avoid the additional steering required for a 3 point turn, but 3 point turning just comes more than I liked w/ the tractor. I have a Z540R on order, though I have used a Bobcat in the past and tested my neighbors zero turn. The zero-turn not only is more maneuverable than a tractor, but it is also much easier on your body to steer, once you get the steering technique down. As w/anything new, it does take a bit of getting used to at first.

Tractor. You can do more and get more work out of a tractor as opposed of a zero turn radius go cart mower. With a tractor, you can plow your snow, plow your garden, disc your garden, hitch up to a trailer and pull flowers for planting, or wood to heat your home with and of course a mower deck to mow your grass with. Zero turn radius go cart mowers can only do one thing. Mow grass, and if your not careful with them, they WILL send you to the funeral home early. They SHOULD be banned. Ralph Nader, whare are you when we need you?

Tractors are alittle more rugged and versatile.. I've pulled out stumps, pushed/pulled cars.. pulled a 4wheeler out of a pond etc..

I have used both zero turns and tractors and in my opinion the tractor would be a much more comfortable ride then the zero turn also zero turns suck on hills and will get stuck easily when the ground is just a little wet I have had to pull many of the zero turn mowers out of wet areas that a yard tractor would have easily made it through.

I have both. As I mow in rounds or spiral from outside to inside, not back and forth, there is no time difference. And as mentioned before with tractor you have at least one hand free for beer or cigarette :)

i have had both. zero turn is rougher riding unless maybe you get the commercial mower. i have the Z445. i have had it since 08. It is a mowing machine.

Good demonstration The other gator to consider is the ride The zero turn has more discomfort and bounce compared to a garden mower or tractor

I need a beer helmet to mow and drink

I want a steering wheel ! I grew up driving a farm tractor.

Good vid definitely learned something since I've never owned a zero turn.

If you ever go zero turn you will never go back. Better mower you get the faster you cut.

unfair mowing test on the tractor at the beginning there. you don't get to the end then reverse to come back directly next to your previous strip, you turn it full lock and come back one strip width apart then come back again one strip width apart on the opposite side of the first strip then return again on the strip missed then skip the remaining missed strip, leaving another missed strip on the next run and mowing each missed strip on each alternating pass.

Tractor is relaxing,zero turn feels like a fighter pilot in a dog fight plus less reaction time to avoid an accident. John Deere x730 is a quick lawn tractor.

I love how fast I can mow my yard with a ZTM.

You did an epic job with this video!

With the tractor , instead of mowing back and forth just drive in circles so you will not have to go back and forth.

One of the biggest things that made my decision wasnt addressed in this video, and that is~ am I ok with having my hands locked into a position as if I were riding a motorcycle with very badly adjusted handlebars, or would I rather have a steering wheel which I can use one handed, left or right hand whatever I choose at any time, or both handed.

I purchased my first ZTR last season. A 61" scag Cheetah. Great, but HEAVY machine. It is absolutely faster, however it does come at a cost when you factor in having to own multiple pieces of equipment for regular homeowner usage. Snow blower, leaf collection (I have a Cyclone Rake z-10 mated to my x590) Although it is a lot of fun with the Cheetah, I'm heavily considering unloading it simply because I feel like its a waste for my lot size and all around needs. Good, honest review!

Tractor mowers are typically less expensive than zero turns, not the inverse.

The thing to consider is that a base residential zero-turn is going to be significantly more expensive than a base residential tractor. A lot of people get hung up on ground speed (some ZTs go 10+ mph) but the reality is that you're only going to be able to go so fast when you're cutting grass and still do an adequate job. Then there's the maintenance. The weak link of any entry level mower is going to be the hydrostatic transmission, and a ZT has twice the number of them to break.

Both would be great for mowing, but the Zero Turn Mower is best for mowing big, smooth Terrain, but the Tractor would be best for Mowing Big Properties with Slopes and stuff. if I were you, I would probably go with the cheapest one, the Tractor.

I prefer the tractor over the ZTR, with the sole exception of the stand on. I find the stand on type to be easier to control than the sit down ZTR. But no one makes a home owner stand on, so tractor it is, unless I find a good deal on the other.

Spray Roundup around every tree and building. Then you don't need a ZTR mower.

A zero turn cuts quicker due to better maneuverability, but a tractor does better on hills and is easier to stripe with due to the steering being less touchy. So it all depends on what you're cutting. Just like comparing a stand on zero turn to a sit down zero turn to a tractor, the stand ons are more maneuverable than sit downs but are only suited for small tight areas due to being slower and more touchy. If I want to make perfectly straight stripes and am mowing on a hill, then I prefer the tractor, if I'm cutting a large area and if I'm going around trees and power poles, then I prefer the sit down zero turn. If I'm cutting small islands or tight areas such as around buildings, then I prefer the stand on.

I have a ZT2 cub cadet 60 inch. It's awesome no complaints.

Answered some questions for me. Very informative. Thank you. I never mowed in rows in a lawn tractor. I always did circles. A lot faster.

At the entry level, tractors are less expensive. You can get a lawn tractor for less than $2K.

The Zero turn seat is lower and makes it easier to mow under low hanging limbs. However, why is there such an emphasis on "faster"?? I think mowing is somewhat therapeutic and enjoy it. I mow slower than I really could just because it is enjoyable. Another factor, which is more likely to breakdown sooner or more often? Are parts equally available for both? Just some thoughts that were not addressed in the video.

Thanks for the video. I am actually considering going back to the tractor due to the rougher ride of the zero turn. No doubt the zero turn is maneuverable and takes some frustration out of turning around or going around objects. How does the zero turn compare to the 4 wheel steer John Deere tractor (which is what I am contemplating purchasing). Seems pretty close in turn around time although still a little longer with the 4WS model vrs zero turn.

In all fairness to the lawn tractor The way you were cutting grass with it is not typical, for most people you don't stop and turn around to make a second pass.

The zero turn actually has many more capabilities than just mowing. You can attach dump carts, seeders, yard rakes, aerators and water attachments. Even on some zero turns you can add a plow. On the newer models you can even add these things.

I gave up my big bulky tractor and went with the zero turn. I have no trouble pulling a wagon, spreader, aerator or dethatcher with it. It's just different, but plenty versatile for a suburban lawn. I would only have a tractor if you want to use the plow attachments or have to pull a heavy load.

I'll take two of those tractors at that price!

I like the zero turn ones but they are very expensive. As it is I paid $1800 and some change for my Husqvarna tractor and I am extremely pleased with it. It has a very tight turning radius and is a quality build. I can even mow in reverse so that alone makes a huge difference.

If all your going to use the tractor for is mowing the grass and not going to multi-use the tractor like a sweeper garden till snow blower etc SKIP the tractor completely its old technology its snow rough riding and half as fast to get the job done as a zero turn. In my opinion I bought a Zero turn 25 years ago it was a good one Woods with a 24 HP Kubota 3 cylinder engine and it has never given me one problem. I also had a 27 HP cub cadet 54" lawn tractor and I ran the for a couple years and although it always mowed OK it was slow and rough riding as heck. This morning that Cub cadet lawn tractor is gone and it was replaced by a cub cadet Pro Z 100 zero turn mower! I will never go back to a "lawn tractor" because they suck!

If you compare the same spect tractor to the zero turn its cheaper by several hundred dollars, i know because I bought the tractor at Lowes and thay were side by side to compare. It is the E180 .

Bullshit I pop wheelies and go on two wheels in my ZTM. Slopes are no problem. That fucker can do all kinds of badass moves. All kidding aside though I never had any problems with slopes on my ZTM.

Thanks for the tip about not locking one wheel on a zero turn as it tears up the yard, I was wondering why on even slow turns mine was leaving a bit of a mess.

I’m using the Tractor

A yard with a lot of obstacles, yeah, I mow a cemetery I guess that counts, I use a Cub Cadet Tank M48 for the open field and rougher areas and a Gravely Compact Pro 34 around the grave stones, both are fantastic machines. The Tank has a ball hitch on it and will pull a 4x8 trailer full of dirt no with problems.

well presented video in addition, I enjoyed it in addition, do you have any additions you wish to add?

Great video. What about the quality of cut though? Is the blade speed the same for both mowers?

I have a zero turn and a tractor to mow my five acre yard, I have a couple trees and my yard is flat but I will not buy a zero turn on my next round of purchases. The tractor is better in soft areas and mows my ditch better and it's a lot easier to drink beer while mowing.

Faster is not always better. Move slowly sometimes to allow the blades to cut instead of just ripping the grass off. Going fast is not always best. Go COUNTER CLOCKWISE so you're not blowing the clippings on top of grass you still need to mow. If you go clockwise , on the next pass, you are chopping up the clipping you just cut ! They just keep building up. I see my neighbors doing that all the time. They can't seem to figure that out !

or you like to drink a beverage while you mow go with the tractor.. Thats why i never learned to fly a helicopter it took both hands and both feet all the time, you couldn't even smoke a cigarette

I have a Husqvarna TS354XD GT. I absolutely love it, it's a little beast, has never let me down, and for the money you can't beat it. However those John Deere 700 series GTs are absolutely on a whole other level! They are definitely extremely expensive, but they come decked out with a lot of top tier features. I would definitely sacrifice my mother's first born son to own one!

You have better traction with the 'Zero Turn" because the weight of the engine in the rear..

32 acres of my property to mower, We have been Z turn John Deere on near house including trees. Extra acrage has been using John Deere 770 tractor for mowing , snow removal and other heavy works for many years. John Deere Tracters are best equipments and very little problem.

We bought an $8100 X590 Tractor four years ago. Yes it IS a bit slower, but leisurely grass cutting with a cold iced tea or a frosty beer in one hand just can't be beat. I don't want to have to use both hands nor concentrate on a ZTR banging into stuff and I can tow a freaking pickup truck out of a ditch with my X590. The John Deere transmission on it is almost bomb proof. Just last week I loaded a trailer behind my X590 with 18 50-lb bags of concrete, and I pulled it thru a pasture at nearly an idle and it didn't even act like there was 900 pounds of load behind it. With a 16-oz cold beer in my hand. It can take a box blade behind it. Do all that with a zero turn.

I have many ruts on the surface of our 2-acre property due to its sandy soil. Also, there are many rocky areas. I want a mower that can raise its mower height to avoid the rocks (up to 4-5" diameter) in the soil, plus larger wheels (especially in front) that will help prevent "plowing" of the wheels where the soil is soft and sandy and rutted in several areas. The tractor is to be used for mowing weeds only. The pasture once housed horses, owned by the former owner, and the horses took care of the weeds and clumps of wild grasses. The pasture is on a gentle slope. It would also be a "plus" if some sort of wagon could be trailed behind the tractor so as to make it easier to reduce the amount of rocks in the soil without having to manually drag a small wagon. I'm 82 and my wife is 73. Although we can keep up with the work using a walk-behind string trimmer, my working time on a hot day is restricted to about two hours. With the string trimmer, it takes a total of about six hours to trim all the weeds. A motorized vehicle such as a tractor with attachment for some sort of bed to toss rocks into would be a godsend.

I have a Troy-Bilt pony that I use on 27 acres we not only mow the lawns but also part of the fields with them we also have a large Craftsman the zero turn would not cut it it isn't built strong enough and over bumpy ground those front casters were just give up I also have a small Craftsman with no mowing deck on it only a 12 horse but we put a small trailer on the back it flat will not get stuck in mud it will go it is one tough little tractor and it hauls an awful lot of firewood, bricks whatever the zero turn is just what it is just a lawn mower.

If you are looking a zero turn lawn mower go look at a cub cadet zero time and I am not saying John Deere is bad i love John Deere but cub cadet makes a amazing zero turn we have one and we love it. You can easily mo steep hills with it because it has a steering wheel to drive it and it has weight in the front due to the steering wheel and you can pull wagons, sprayers and planters with no promblem

Zero turns love water so stay away from the pond. My favorite is a rear engine rider like a snapper. I hate my currant Simplicity belt thrower.

If you change the first test, and mowe the same way a hockey rink is cleaned, the tractor will do much better.

Not exactly sure why I'm watching this.... but its interesting anyway. #standongang

If you know how to drive a skid steer then you know how to steer a zero turn lawn mower

Had zero turns for 30 years now, would never go back. Mow ditches that would roll a tractor every time, just have to learn how to handle slopes. Lower center of gravity on the zero turn will let it slide down hill instead of roll over, there's a knack to it for sure. What used to take four hours go do is now half that saving a lot of hours on machine. Much better machines out there than green ones in my opinion.

This was perfect. Super helpful!

I just got my JDs100 lawn tractor delivered today. People asks me if I was getting a zero turn I told them my yard wasn’t big enough for a zero turn so I went with the lawn tractor. Either way both the lawn tractor and zero turn beats out a push mower all day every day, I’ve been using a push mower for the last 11 years but no more.

Depends on what you are doing. If you like using attatchments and implements, get a tractor. But if you want to mow quickly, get the zero turn. I have a L110 and LT150 with Kohler command single cylinder engines, both are amazing. I dont have a large area to cut at all, im just using them to tow some carts around and cut larger lawns on occasion.

My 782 d diesel mower will run 20 mph it goes fast

The operator has not thought how to be more efficient-with the JD tractor mower. What I hav learned is not to. Backup. This takes time and it is lost. At the turn, go over several mows and head back, then round the corner and come back. Do not back up. For a lawn as shown in this video this would be very easy to do.

Zero turn is the only way to go if your main job is cutting a lot of grass. Almost (3) times faster, better job, less belt replacement.

My 1984 Deere 111 will last longer then both them. And it's just the cheap model!

So which mower is easier to do stripes and which makes better stripes

I have a big farm,and own 3 zero-turn's and 4 big lawn and garden trackers so to me both styles come in handy for me now!!!!!

I just moved from a tiny little backyard to a full acre of backyard lol i always thought a zero turn would be best but now I'm aiming more towards the tractor. Thank you for the video

I’m sorry if I have already asked this question but are zero turn mowers good to mow on a non flat lawns with slopes or is a tractor mower better for that ?

What about the x739 aws awd . Or a aws vs a zero turn

I'm 81 years and a bad back mow 4 acres used a J.D x-740 w/a 62"deck decided I wanted a 72' mower bought a J.D.997 commercial 72"mowed 3 part days and need more back surgery stay away from a ZTM if your old and creaky gonna dump that commercial and get another tractor.

Very well-done video. You get an A. The ability to add attachments is a deal-breaker for the Z-turn. As for faster, that is overrated - unless you have an adolescent mind-set. As a homeowner over 70 with good health, I have more money than time.

Fair review but you definitely missed a major drawback with zero turns in that the small caster front wheels do not hold a line on side sloping yards and the user must constantly be adjusting the steering to compensate as the mower will want to follow the down slope. I know one could mow up and down the block which is what I’d do but some people prefer cutting across the slope - why? I’ll never know!

I have both a new z turn z530 r John Deere with Kawasaki engine 60 inch cut. Ax360 riding John deere mower. And finally a craftsman z turn with a kohler engine 54 inch cut. I would say if you open area .no trees etc go with finding tractor but if you have alot of obstacles go go around . Go with zero turn. A zero turn should be faster than a lawn tractor. If you have carpool tunnel syndrome the z turns will make it worse. Lawn tractors slow. Z turns faster

Good video! How about doing one with the X-734 AWS? Thx

The real question is this. Tractor or stand on mower. Zero turns are so not good. Standers can hang on a hill, standers can turn faster, standers are safer, you can put more standers on a trailer, standers are lighter, you can see the area ahead better. Advantage standers. The end.

@The Tractor Factor: Excellent video. I was torn about which one to go with. After watching the video, there’s 0 doubt I need the tractor. Thank you.

Tractor? Great video! If you’re only wanting to cut grass like most folks this is a good comparison. As you said this is a “lawn” or “garden” tractor (where I started)...A zero turn will cut grass probably better than anything else on the market. However, I would encourage anyone with a half acre or more to go check out a sub compact tractor and go sit on one at a dealership! There’s a fast growing market in the sub compact tractor world with organic foods, gardening, and hobby farms in the suburbs growing more popular every day! The manufacturers have definitely taken notice!... You can easily step up into a JD 1025R, a Kubota 23S, a Mahindra Emax, RK24, or any other brand of sub compact tractor which opens up a world of possibilities of doing some serious work like moving piles of mulch and rocks, to cutting trenches with a backhoe all while still being able to get a decent cut on your lawn! I’ve learned there is a huge difference between a “lawn or garden tractor”. Once you sit on a subcompact tractor; you really do start looking at lawn mowers differently. A real tractor like a sub compact tractor is a serious investment. And it is pretty common for folks to have both a sub compact tractor and a mower... Jon@SBYD!

I just need a bigger garage so I can have one of each. I am one of "those" that actually enjoys cutting the yard. I find it very therapeutic.

You probably just saved me big bucks. I live on a mountain side property and have trouble mowing with tractors, they don't get the traction I need if the grass is damp at all and they are tippy with the seat sitting way up in the air for visibility. I was about to buy a zero turn because of it's wide, low stance and the factor that both rear wheels are powered. But your assessment shows that I'm better off staying with the tractor. Oh ... and ... yeah ... popping a wheelie while climbing a 30° hill would not be a good thing.

You are missing one key factor in this decision, the Walker. It's the zero-turn that can do everything a lawn tractor can do!

I would get a tractor