Hard Riding Mower

[plattman]

I mow an acre of very old very rough lawn. Bought a 54 inch Cub Cadet ZTR a few years ago hoping the extra heft and fancy seat would smooth things out. Mower hasnt helped, I'm really beat up after mowing. Have started only mowing in 1/2s to ease the pain. I briefly looked at Ferris mowers for the suspension but ended up with the Cub. Does anyone have experience with a really good riding ZTR. At my age im not interested in a 20k mower, could just hire it mowed and skip the pain.

 

[Mark-Ia]

If it has the hard rubber no-flat tires on the front, replacing those that you can adjust the air pressure helps. An older friend of mine used to set on a 8" inner tube to help the ride.

 

[DoubleO7]

@plattman

How much air in the tires?

Can you put your weight on top of the tire(s) via the ball of one hand and make a dent???

Run them one the soft side and try the ride.

 

[DoubleO7]

If it has the hard rubber no-flat tires on the front, replacing those that you can adjust the air pressure helps. An older friend of mine used to set on a 8" inner tube to help the ride.

Along with that suggestion, if buying different tires, go as big as you can fit on to it.
A big tire on a little rim will be a smoother ride than a smaller tire on a bigger rim.
More of an air bag versus an o-ring for a tire.

 

[Tgrasher]

Mine was rough riding too and found a seat suspension plate a little over an inch thick that sandwiched between the base and seat. No more pain. About 10 years ago it cost a little over a hundred bucks and found it online.

 

[russ1]

Where did you get seat suspension plate?

 

[tomturkey]

Zero turn mowers reduce the time mowing in two ways, wider cut and faster ground speed. We purchased our first ztr this season and what I've learned is to slow down, the faster you go on rough ground the more it becomes like riding a bucking bronco. Of course there are things one can do to smooth the ride, roll the ground with as heavy a lawn roller as your equipment can pull after a soaking shower. Worm castings, raccoons digging for grubs, ground squirrels, voles, moles all contribute to rough lawns. Parts of our lawn were old pasture, and garden and not leveled the best when converted, so I know what you are talking about. gobble

 

[Blackhole49]

My buddy has a 3 year old Ferris w/suspension. It is better, but not enough to call it good riding. In my opinion, a good riding ZTR is an oxymoron. The best thing you can do is get the most expensive seat you can afford and slow down.

 

[Tgrasher]

Where did you get seat suspension plate?

Google ztr seat suspension plate and a bunch of choices will pop up.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

My buddy has a 3 year old Ferris w/suspension. It is better, but not enough to call it good riding. In my opinion, a good riding ZTR is an oxymoron. The best thing you can do is get the most expensive seat you can afford and slow down.

Right. That's why, even though I own a Ferris, I have a 7 foot rear discharge finish mower behind a tractor! It takes just as much time as the Ferris, but I'm going half as fast! And I don't feel shot when I'm done.

 

[504]

This is my second year with my Ferris. I have 3 acres of old railroad right of way that rough does not describe it. It has the premium seat, just because it will mow at a running speed doesn't mean you should. I have knocked off an hour and a half from my mowing time,the speed comes from going around things. Then I do the front yard you can go as fast as it will go. Besides everytime I hit a rough spot I wonder what will break two years from now because of that hit.

 

[Janicholson]

A smoothing of the lawn might be both as expensive and permanent solution. Loam in a truck load and a box blade would do wonders! Jim

 

[Fordy20]

The reason it rides rough is the small diameter tires. If you have a tractor with, for example 38" tires and use a finish mower it will make a world of difference.

 

[wore out]

A smoothing of the lawn might be both as expensive and permanent solution. Loam in a truck load and a box blade would do wonders! Jim

Yes, smoothing the lawn seems like a good idea.

Wonder if there's rocks involved, if NOT, rolling it at the right time should smooth it.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I mow an acre of very old very rough lawn. Bought a 54 inch Cub Cadet ZTR a few years ago hoping the extra heft and fancy seat would smooth things out. Mower hasnt helped, I'm really beat up after mowing. Have started only mowing in 1/2s to ease the pain. I briefly looked at Ferris mowers for the suspension but ended up with the Cub. Does anyone have experience with a really good riding ZTR. At my age im not interested in a 20k mower, could just hire it mowed and skip the pain.

If you are convinced a ZTR cuts your mowing time in half, good chance you are driving 2 to 3 times faster.
I've seen Michelin airless tires on a commercial John Deere ZTR and they are flying and not bouncing.
Do you remember when snapper made a riding mower with small front tires and they would bounce your teeth out.
Some ZTRs have solid front tires adding to the ruff ride.

Why not drive slower and mow 72 inches at a time. The Farmall C rides like a Cadillac and does a great job going slower.

 

[timcasbolt]

The ego electric zero turn is described as active suspension, and I'd like to try one. But not for six grand. My old Husqvarna cz3815 works very well and I can slow it down as much as I want in the rough areas.

 

[RobCons]

I have 10 - 12 pounds of air in my rear tires, 18 or so in the front ones, and a suspension seat. All these things help.

 

[Loosehandle]

The reason it rides rough is the small diameter tires. If you have a tractor with, for example 38" tires and use a finish mower it will make a world of difference.

And short wheelbase like a skidsteer.

 

[DoubleO7]

My theory on smoothing a rough lawn is like a gravel or dirt road.
You can add dirt and/or gravel and smooth it out. But in a short time the same holes and whoop dee do's are back again.

Same goes for a lawn, adding dirt to low spots only last a short time before they are back. Need to start the lawn from scratch. Plow it, disc it, drag it, etc. and then plant seed or lay down sod.

 

[plattman]

Thanks to all for replies. front tires are tubeless 13x6.5 and rears are 24x12. All are hard as rocks. I suppose last time it was serviced the shop aired them up good and I wasn't paying attention. I'll be letting a lot of air out and that has got to help. Also slowing down is a good idea. Good to know there isn't some great rider so I don't end up trading a really solid mower. The Cub is all heavy plate and supposed to weigh about 1400 pounds? so that ought to soften the tires some.