Lawn Tractor

One thing about those zero turn mowers, they can really move! I think mine is supposed to go about 9mph at full speed ahead. I rarely actually go that fast while mowing but might come close on some of the long straight stretches.

Yes, they do tear the ground up if you aren't mindful of how your tires can dig/twist when you are making tight turns. I do like that there is no changing of gears to go from forward to reverse or reverse to forward, it's all one smooth move.

On the downside, though, it pretty much does nothing but mow. It won't pull a plow or a disk. It wouldn't work well for cultivating even with the deck off since it's so low to the ground. It might pull a little cart around behind it if it's not too heavy and the hills aren't too steep.

The zero turn mower is one of my favorite pass times.

A zero turn mower is a wonderful example of a single use tool.

What is does, it does better than anything else, but it only does one thing.

It's all in what the individual needs...

I'm still keeping an eye on all your comments -- thanks!

I don't want a zero-turn mower, though, as I do like the hauling capacity of the lawn tractor (spreader, sprayer, wagon).

Maybe some depends on how big and heavy you want to haul an what terrain.

I have a utility trailer that weighs just over 1/2 ton. I also have a ball hitch that I put on the back of my zero turn. So long as the terrain is not too hilly, I don't have any trouble pulling it around with the zero turn.

If what you have is just a few hundred pounds, whether sprayer, spreader or wagon, a zero turn might work just fine. A ton or two of firewood at one time, maybe not.

Just sayin...

Look for an old MTD with manual trans. I have one that has outlasted a John Deere and a "Cub Cadet. I have to repair the last two often and parts are expensive.