Should I get a garden tractor or zero-turn mower?

[spankys bbq]

I'd recommend the yard tractor over a ZTR for most people. I'd go with a nice John Deere. A ZTR can get out of control if you're not paying attention. I let my wife try one out and in a wide open yard, she hit a phone pole. Once you get the hang of a ZTR, it's smooth sailing and you can get to places easier than a regular lawn tractor. I think it will all come down to how much you're willing to spend to save a little bit of time. I'd not recommend a Cub Cadet ZTR, but you don't need a top-of-the-line eXmark either.

Another option would be a walk-behind with a velkie/sulky. It's an attachment that has a small platform and wheels that you stand on. Most can be folded up out of the way or removed if needed.

[TinaMcG]

Two years ago, we got a John Deer four-wheel steering mower that easily goes around trees without having to back up and adjust direction. I LOVE IT. Because I pull a large Brinly garden cart, I didn't want the zero-turn. I can mow in a circle with only about an 18" circle unmowed -- a huge improvement over our last John Deere 2-wheel steer model.

Ours is the X324: John Deere - X324 Tractor with 48-inch Deck customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

[spankys bbq]

Originally Posted by TinaMcG

Two years ago, we got a John Deer four-wheel steering mower that easily goes around trees without having to back up and adjust direction. I LOVE IT. Because I pull a large Brinly garden cart, I didn't want the zero-turn. I can mow in a circle with only about an 18" circle unmowed -- a huge improvement over our last John Deere 2-wheel steer model.

Ours is the X324: John Deere - X324 Tractor with 48-inch Deck customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

Have you had any issues with the 4WS system yet? It just seems like a lot more stuff that can break and be pricey to repair. I'd call it a novelty with some functionality.

[Ghengis]

make sure you can steer with just one hand so that you can safely drink a beer

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

make sure you can steer with just one hand so that you can safely drink a beer

This is a real problem with the so called "automatic" lawn tractors...
as you'll need that hand on the speed selector arm almost constantly.

[Ellwood]

I have both, using my tractor as a snow blower, lugging cart around, 28 bushel vacuum attachment for leaves. The zero turn I use for the lawn, about 3 acres. The zero turn saves a lot of time as I don't have trim work as the zero turn gets in places that normally I would need a weed whacker. I bought the zero turn directly from John Deere as the ones in Lowes/Home Depot aren't as powerful.

[NJFillet]

Originally Posted by MrRational

You could justify having BOTH; maybe even going up to a CUT

I agree...with 3.6 acres you could probably at least look at a Sub-compact utility tractor. I was facing a similar dilemma with my 6 acres of which 3 are severely overgrown woods (which I plan to thin). For me a SCUT with belly mower, rotary cutter, pallet forks and FEL was the best option. My grass is not a manicured lawn, so I'll be mowing it more or less to just keep it at a respectable height, and as such, mowing about 3 acres was of a lower priority than being able to plant one acre, move dirt/mulch, clear thick brush, cut and move firewood, etc. and other various projects, including moving snow. With more than 2 acres your choice should be based on the importance of mowing vs. doing other stuff. If it's mostly mowing, go with a higher hp mower, but if you plan on doing a lot of other projects, you will always want more capability, so something around 25 hp and up would be good, depending on your budget also.