I currently mow with a 15 year old JD LA145 lawn tractor. I mow 3 or 4 acres, mostly low slope, but I don't mow it all every week. Some of it gets long and I mow it 3-4 times a year. I have lots of obstructions: trees, fences, garden, pond, etc. The worst is that it's not a great lawn: lots of bumps, rocks, wet in spring, rock hard in August. I've had to replace the steering and front suspension on the lawn tractor and I've hit so many old Christmas tree stumps I have to mow at highest setting but its not very high anymore.
I'd like to get a zero turn, but I'm worried about the ride on a bumpy lawn. I've been working on pulling tree stumps and picking up rocks but I miss a few. Can a zero turn mow foot tall grass? Do those small front wheels rattle your bones? I could keep the lawn tractor for roughest stuff maybe. Any suggestions?