since no one will respond I will, surely that will get some different of opinions? Well if all you need is a mower then a zero turn IMO would be best. Why? again IMO it's faster, both rear wheels pull, what does this mean? you got mo better traction. Usually the center of gravity is lower on most zero turns also depending on the manufacture and model?

Down side to zero turns IMO (entry level models) are; you can only mow with them usually. There is a learning curve how to turn them without tearing up your yard and turn going down hills. Usually more expensive than just a cheap Lawn Tractor.

If you think you can use the mower you are getting for something else and time is not an issue, then you may get more use out of a LT. again depends on what you expect to do????

I agree I would go with a ztr I have two Exmarks whickh I like. I use them for my lawn care they are faster and will cut semi wet grass better due to the blades turning higher rpm's. When you say semi hilly depends on how hilly regardless if it's a tractor or ztr always use caution on hills.

I live in rural West Palm Beach, FL. (out by the everglades). Homes are usually built up on an ant hill which creates some hilly challenges and also leaves some areas under water this time of year. I have used a Craftsman LT 1000 42" for the last 8+ years and it is finally breaking down. I want something that will last and won't need as much upkeep as this one has needed. Time spent cutting has not been a factor.

Until last weekend, I thought I might get a zero turn but a friend loaned me his. Its a fine machine. I understand the attraction, fast, powerful, very manuverable but not for me. On my rough, wooded lot, it was quite difficult to go slow enough not to be in constant worry of crashing the wide deck into a tree. Practice would reduce that and once I got the hang of it, it was kinda fun here n there but I tore a fair bit of turf, bounced myself into a stomach ache, ate tons of cuttings and had to wait till finished to have my favorite beverage :-)

Large, long cuts would really shine for these but I didn't care for it in the woods.

Cool! If you're using a Craftsman LT 1000 now, a z rider would be a big improvement. There is a learning curve to mowing with a ztr. It's not bad thou. Raised up building pads are no more difficult on a ztr than a lawn tractor. The same soft dirt you have problems with now will always be a problem no matter what you mow with. If it's under water, well you know the story. How much do you have to spend?

ZTR's are great if all you want to do is mow and the ground is fairly level. Much more fun to use and do the job faster. That's why so many professionals have them. That would be my choice. However, they do cost quite a bit more to get a decent one. Their trannies work much harder since they also do the turning so don't get an "entry level" unit.

What would be recommended for a non-entry level ZTR and about how much? I have recently found what looks like to be a somewhat beefy Lawn Tractor (Cub Cadet LTX 1050) that can be had for about $2k. It has a 12 gauge steel 50" mowing deck, 12" turn radius, 9 gauge frame, and a 22hp Kawasaki engine. The only downside is I think the trannie, I believe it is a K46 type but I cannot find out for sure yet. With the larger tougher deck and better engine along with a tighter turn than my old Craftsman I feel that this will be a big improvement. I am once again only concerned with the trannie. Do ZTR's have similar concerns with their trannies?

"wet, hilly" and "ltx1050" don't mix well, imho. That tractor is still only a entry level light duty lawn tractor. It's tranny will not stand up to much pulling up hills or mudding around in wet areas.
Better off looking at the Cub 2500 series tractors. No reccomendations on ZTR's....

i have a two year old cub i1050.Posted a review in another thread. Long story short, save your money. zero turn is a nice thing to have, but the crappy build and lack of dependability cause you to long for the day you had a mower that had a bigger turning radius but started every time you turned the key and drove off whenever you stepped on the throttle. I'm planning to find a way to dump this thing and get a regular old dependable JD.

You might be able to find a lightly used Deere X304 with all wheel steering. It does however use the k46. You would have to step up to the X320 to find the k58, but it is alot more $$.

I cut about 3 acres of heavily wooded lawn with a JD 425 AWS. It has a 54" deck and will cut around a pie plate. The units with a 60" deck are supposedly zero. I love this tractor because of the way it handles and since it is a tractor, it will do a whole H*** of a lot more than a ztr can do! I personally wouldn't go anywhere near a Cub. You can get a used quality tractor for probably less than a new cub (which is an MTD I believe), and have a much better machine. The 4** series has an incredibly low center of balance. I cut along a grade that must be at least 30 deg. and there is no way it will ever tip. One note: I don't believe in cutting grass wet. Maybe you have no choice, that's just my opinion.

If traction & cutting time aren't issues, and all you want is a more reliable LT, check out a JD320. It has a beefier tranny than the 300 re hilly terrain.

For entry level ZTRs, I would look into the cub cadet z-force or the John Deere Z425.

How a bout X Series Deere , love my X534 with a 54 inch deck with Pedators. You mow just a little more than I do.
The zero turn will mow faster and bounce more.I will put my mower up against any zero turn for tight turning.Again it is personal preference.