How steep are the hilly area? How many obstacles (trees, flower beds, etc.) must you negotiate? How smooth is your ground? All of these factor in as to whether one choice is better than the other.

Will your dealer let you try these machines out on your property? If so then try them both and take notes on the plusses and minuses of each. Also, ask him specifically what he does not like about the z225.

My lawn is flat in the back hills are not to bad (one small area that is has steeper terrain). Have no trees in the back , and a 10-12 trees and mulch beds in the front..
Dealer will let me try them out he was just fairly adament against z225 said you cant tow any thing (dethatcher) or other lighter items,he said overall the 2mph speed difference was not a huge deal and that the zero turn was not faster? odd to me.

The tractor has a better engine and is cheaper, the ZTR will finish first and will be more fun to drive (IMHO). Since time is your priority (according to your post) and you never mentioned needing attachments or money, I would say go with the ZTR. That being said, you may want to check a few different brands before purchasing.

The deck on the 225 is small compared to the frame. Therefore it is almost completley hidden under the mower. For this reason it will not trim close to trees, beds, etc as well as a mower with a deck that sticks farther out. I have read that the smaller ZTRs do not do well on hills. If a wheel on a tractor looses traction you just don't move forward. If one wheel on a ZTR looses traction you will spin around. The larger heavier ZTRs do better on hills.

Zero turns. for speed with no need for attachments. I mow my 1 1/3ac's in 1.20 mins I have 40 trees. guy next door mows the same except less trees, takes him 3 1/2 hours plus with a LT hydro model. IMO ztr's do better on hills unless the lawn tractor has posi-traction or 4 wheel drive.

Go with a ZTR if all U need to do is mow or pull a light
attachment like a yard cart, otherwise U may need a GT of
some sort... ZTRs R pure mowing machines, not much good
for anything else... I'd recommend U avoid that 225 like
the plague too, thats about as sorry as it gets...
Paul R...

Ok,
I appreciate the feedback. Money is always an issue but I am willing to spend more money if I can mow quicker, the traction issues and the deck issue (underneath the ZTR) is something the dealer never mentioned either. How are the Cub cadets? Are there any plus sides (what of this wash out deck port is that worth it?) I would rather pay for a product (I am not Fort Knox) that runs better/safe and is easy to maintain and use regardeless if its a John Deere or other name brand paint job. I just found it odd that he was pushing his tractors, over zero turn (as they seem to be the wave of residental mowing future) maybe I am wrong.

Well, I'll be getting the next step up JD zero-turn, the 425 that is much more of a mower. A 48-in. deck and separate (single) pump and hydro motors, not integral like the 225. It lists for $3999 but you may (or may not) be able to get a break from your dealer. As I've mentioned before, there's a lot of good buzz on this one. You should at least take a look at it. Zero-turn, the wave of the future if you want to cut (pun intended) your mowing time.

Bill

Well, I'll chime in here for the old tractors. I have a 1995 Toro Wheel Horse 12-38XL. The "12" refers to the 12.5HP B&S, and the "38" is the deck size, while "XL" is the series. I mow a mostly hilly 1-acre yard, with 43 trees and large freestanding bushes. I also have part of the back yard fenced for two dogs, so I have to go thru a gate to get to that large part of the back yard. I also mow around a vegetable garden, two decks, a patio, and a paved driveway.

All that being said, I can mow the whole thing with the little WH in about 90 minutes. Even with the 12.5HP engine, this mower easily handles a plug aerator or a spreader. We don't get much snow in Middle Tennessee, so I have no experience with snow blades.

Because of the smaller deck size, I can go thru the fence gate in the back yard. A larger deck wouldn't do it.

The bottom line on mowers is what the finished product looks like and your comfort in doing the task. Choose a mower that will do what you need, regardless of whether it's a tractor or a Z. There will still be tractors around for many years to come.

John

The washout port on a mower deck is useless when dealing with damp packed on grass and will only rust out the deck in time and even possibly wash the grease off the blade spindles causing more problems . I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor in a mower purchase , in fact I wouldn't want any moisture near the spindle bearings at all ! Better to clean the deck with a plastic ice scraper or piece of wood than get it wet . That's what I do and I've never had a deck rust out yet .

I'd like a washout port on my deck. Had one on my old 21-in. Toro walkbehind, and it worked great (of course that was an aluminum deck). I now have a 20 year old MTD Wards tractor, 38-in. stamped steel deck that's nearing the end of its life, although it just won't die. I have always washed out the under-side with a garden hose and nozzle after every mowing. No rust to speak of. Of oourse, I live in CO where the fairly dry climate is such that water doesn't seem to stick around very long. You'd never get me to blow off the dust and dirt with a compressed air hose, or scrape off the bottom after each mowing. Sure, I've had to replace the two spindles a couple times over the 20 years but it's worth it to me to keep the green goo off my hands and arms after every mowing. And who's to say for sure I wouldn't have had to anyway. I've always thought that this water vs no water controversy would be a good one for Myth Busters to prove out;)

Bill

seacoast, I suspect the dealer is sitting on old enventory and wants to move the unit, but that is a good unit if needed as mentioned above for hauling, etc., The ztr is a good choice as well if your not doing anything (there are some other applications, but small compared to a tractor) is a fine choice.

Thanks for all input and ideas, later on today I am going up to the JD dealer to test drive a Z225, LA 130 and maybe a 300.

IMO the key to not getting a rusted deck is don't let the grass and dirt lay on top of the deck. moisture attacks it from both side. I also agree if you blow the water off if won't hurt anything, I also have been periodiclly washing my 18 year old LT4000. I can't find a rust spot on it. Why cause if I do I treat it and paint over it. I still have the orginal deck not a rust hole in it. I replaced it cause the baffling welds rusted at the joints and felt off (you can say from washing, but they may of felt off anyway) or I pulled them off. I thought it might bag better with baffling. NOT, I wasted my money. so I have two decks.

A good example of not taking care of you equipment is the infamous cracked frame picture. you can see how the frame and deck was left for years with dirt/grass/oil/moisture laying on them. This is evident IMO by all the paint bubbled off. Not even the beloved JD's would hold up to that abuse for years.

If I may add my 2 cents.
I would spend time going to a shop that sells commercial ZTRs.
A few companies make smaller versions that are a bit more than the residential machines you are looking at, but in my opinion, well worth it.

I did test drive the zero turn JD 225 today, impressive speed , the dealer was knowledgeable of course he than brought out a 304 to confuse matters. He noted that it was a better machine with a quieter engine. Both were nice if the 304 had the 225 speed but it doesnt he still insisted that the speed was minor, I felt the zero turn had incredible power, he said overall I would not notice a huge cutting time in between the two machines.

Sounds to me like you better test drive a different dealer, ZTR's are alot faster than LT/GT's, even the lowly JD Z225.
Ask the present dealer, you are dealing with, if he has any commercial customers, and ask go ask them.

It is SO very interesting to visit this forum...the "lowly" Deere Z225....etc...etc....that is total BS...the mower needs to fit your needs...simple as that ...sure the 225 does not perform like a commercial mower...but it does not cost like one either....hell..you can buy another one in 3 -5 years with better technology available at that time for the price of a commercial one now....I bought a 225 30 days ago and LOVE THIS THING....IT IS GREAT! I mow a typical residential lawn with many beds and obstacles. What took me 55 minutes with a 26" Deere rear engine rider now takes me 25 minutes. I can cut around EVERYTHING easily...the frame size and deck size is NO issue..actually I like the larger frame because it is more durable....all I can tell you after reading this forum for days is....take the 30 day Deere trial.....if you are like me..you will write the check to pay for it as I have....I mow 2 x per week now and love it....commercial duty...certainly not....but consumer duty...smack dab right on!