Altoz TRX 660i Zero Turn Mower Review – Tank Turret Not Included. Lawn mower with tracks

Altoz TRX 660i Zero Turn Mower Review – Tank Turret Not Included

This Altoz TRX 660i zero turn is truly in a class by itself, at least at this time. than just a mower, the TRX can cut small trees in a single pass.

Take a nitro-burning monster truck, International Harvester tractor, M1 Abrams tank, and zero turn mower – cram them all into one package. This is a close representation of what you get with the Altoz TRX 660i zero turn mower. At first glance, it looks like a ton of fun, but you ask yourself if it’s truly usable. Yes, this type of mower/bush-hog can be invaluable for the right application, but this is not the choice for the manicured lawn. With the all-terrain deck option, as we review it, this TRX is capable of mowing over shoulder-high weeds and even small trees.

So this isn’t the mower for the gated community and pristine zoysia lawns, but does it add value to the typical landscape contractor? We think so, and we’ll give you the details to make up your own mind. If you are looking for the mower for the more common lawn, you can stay in the family and check out the Altoz XC 610 Z/Zi Mower Review.

If there is one thing that jumps out at you when you see the TRX, it has to be the tracks. From the rear, it has the look of a flared-fender ’68 Camaro, ready for the road course – big, wide and stable. Yet from the side, you get a skid steer with a mower deck and casters. Regardless of the look, we first question the purpose for tracks, instead of wheels and tires. After quite a bit of in-the-seat testing, the tracks are most assuredly a requirement for this Altoz TRX zero turn.

Altoz TRX 660i Zero Turn Features

Ok, now that we have the elephant in the room out of the way, let’s talk about the features that may not be so obvious. Altoz chose to power the TRX 660i with the Vanguard EFI37, which is a 37 horsepower beast made by Briggs Stratton. Even though the toughest cutting, we faced, including 1-1/2″ oak trees, the mower powered right through. Throttle response is impressive as well, but not necessarily needed in a mower. The torque from the cast-iron cylinder v-twin is what truly stands out as we push the limits on the TRX 660i. Whether it’s mowing weeds and trees, cutting in the swamp, or climbing steep inclines, the Briggs powerplant never stumbles.

With 37 horsepower on tap and tracks to take you anywhere, this is a mower, so we need a deck and blades. Again, this is where the Altoz TRX stands out from the rest. While you can spec the Altoz TRX with a finish deck (typical lawn cutting), our 660i includes the all-terrain deck, hence bush-hog style blades. In addition to the three (3) pivoting blades, the deck includes small chains hanging on the front of the mower. These chains are typical for commercial/industrial brush-cutting mowers. The chains help to slow down large flying objects as you encounter lawns not maintained in months or years, littered with bricks, 2x4s, and alligators (or whatever else you can think of).

Cut-N-Chop Blades

It’s hard to tell whether the bush-hog style pivoting blades actually cut or chop the Sherwood-forest in its path. Regardless, in the end, not much is left of anything, except some newly made mulch. Like a typical mower deck, there are three (3) blades driven by three spindles and a single belt. The similarities pretty much stop here.

The blades and spindles below the deck have a very industrial look. A single clutch and pulley, capable of 250 ft-lbs. of torque powers the three (3) spindles. Three (3) large center steel plates each have two (2) blades that pivot from a pin in the plate. Centrifugal force, when the engine is at speed (and blade rotation engaged), from the rotation of the plates, force the blades to extend out straight. With blade-tip speeds of 18,500 FPM, not much can stand up to the six (3×2) large and heavy machetes chopping at will. Pretty much, if you can run it over, the TRX will mow it down.

Ridin’ Dirty – But Comfortable

Mowing and other landscape activities are not the cleanest jobs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable while doing them. At least, some of them. The suspension seat on the TRX 660i is adjustable and a must have – for any mower. Just use the dial on the front of the Altoz seat to select the amount of absorption you want. I believe it’s meant to set to your weight, but you get the picture. The higher the number selected, the more firm the ride will be.

Making Tracks

Amazingly, riding on the Altoz TRX 660i zero turn is quite comfortable, even when driving on hard ground. The suspension on the tracks come via torsion arms that act as springs. Even running wide open through the pasture at 10mph, the Altoz TRX 660i zero turn remains stable and easy to ride. In addition, the oversize 15-inch front wheels include the Torqflex suspension, which is somewhat of a rubber airbag that absorbs some shock on the front-end as well.

than just absorbing undulations in terrain, the torsion arms and 11-inch wide tracks also aid in navigating steep inclines. If steep enough, when cresting the pinnacle, the front wheels will be in the air, while the mower rides on the flat part of the tracks. As you continue forward, you notice the torsion arms flexing the front wheels down. The front-end will gently touch down, continuing on your way. Up and down hills aren’t the only way to go. The same wide tracks and commercial suspension keep the TRX 660i safely planted when traversing the hills laterally (side to side) as well.

Florida Swamp, Forest, and Hurricanes

Located in sunny – when there’s not a hurricane – central Florida, we get a lot of sun, rain and growing greenery. Also, one of our shops is located on five (5) acres; three (3) of which are open pasture with Bahia grass. The other two (2) acres include an oak, citrus and palm tree forest, with a creek running through it. It just so happened that smack in the middle of testing, Hurricane Irma punched us, right in the gut. The creek grew from 10′ wide to literally 200 yards wide. To say we have some swamp now is an understatement. What better time to try out those tracks than on our Florida swamp. Furthermore, we have a higher area that was covered in palmetto bushes, small oaks and weeds higher than our shoulders. Another great test for the Altoz TRX 660i zero turn.

As stated in the beginning paragraphs, there is nothing we throw at the TRX 660i that it can’t tackle. From weeds to swamp, it never shuts down or gets stuck. Over and over, we scratch our heads thinking: this is a zero turn mower doing all this.

Our Final Thoughts

This Altoz TRX is a lot of fun to use and it will definitely cut down the mess, if you have it. It’s probably not for every lawn Pro, but it will fill a need for some. Starting price for this line is somewhere in the 18,000 range, so it’s not the typical impulse buy at the lawn store. Lawn pros that find themselves turning away business for brush-cutting or bush-hogging can make great use of a TRX. Typically, when transitioning into heavier cutting, such as bush hogging, one needs a tractor and PTO-driven deck. Furthermore, that tractor won’t be fitting on the lawn trailer, so a new trailer is in store. Then, do you have a truck to haul it, etc. You understand the ever-growing conundrum.

The Altoz TRX 660i zero turn mower easily fits on the typical lawn trailer where any other 60 or 66-inch zero turn will fit. This allows a much easier way in to the heavier cutting market. Brush cutting or bush hogging is not the only opportunity for the tracked mower. Mowing around viaducts, retention ponds, highway bridges and ramps, and other various steep terrain. Tyipically, very expensive machinery is used to cut these, something that resembles a spider. The TRX will allow operators to carefully navigate these hills with ease. Even the homeowner that may have some acreage of untamable foliage can make use of the TRX.

To find out more about the features for the Altoz TRX 660i or to purchase one, click here.

Altoz TRX 660i Specifications

• HP: 37
• Engine: Mfr Vanguard
• Engine: Model EFI37
• Displacement: (cc) 993
• Cylinders: 2
• Fuel: Gas
• Fuel Volume (gallons): 14
• Trans Type: Hydro-Gear
• Driveline: Hydrostatic
• Trans Model: ZT-5400
• Max Forward Speed: (mph) 10
• Front Tire Size: 15”
• Rear Track Size: 11”
• Cutting Deck Width: 66”
• Deck Type: Fabricated Steel
• Cutting Height: 6”
• Blade Speed: 18,500 fpm
• Clutch Torque (ft-lbs): 250

Altoz Zero Turn Mowers Review

Altoz zero turns is one of the newer mowers to jump on the scene. They have a very unique offering that has never been seen in the lawn mower industry… this is their tracked mower design. It is a similar track system that many skid steer machines have. Basically, you will be able to take the mower on about any hill.

This track system seems great in theory, but we wanted to put it to the test. I was able to demo their tracked mower and regular zero turns to see how well they work. In this article, I’ll take an in-depth look at their entire mower lineup.

Altoz History

Altoz mowers were first introduced at Green Industry and Equipment Expo in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013. They were the product of Central Broiler company owner Dennis Brazier, who had long dreamed of manufacturing outdoor power equipment. After the success of his first company, Dennis used the experience and resources available at his disposal to produce Altoz’s first mower, the XC series. Although the initial XC series used wheels like most other zero-turn mowers on the market, Altoz currently offers six different models, two of which use tracks instead of wheels for superior traction.

Altoz Zero Turn Mower Comparison

Altoz Mowers Lineup

Altoz mowers are strictly commercial mowers. Their least expensive mower starts at around 6,000. They are relatively new so they have a fairly small lineup of mowers. I tend to prefer this over a million different options. This may be my experience on the manufacturer side but it is also much more efficient, in terms of production, for a mower company to have fewer models. Let’s take a look at some of my thoughts on each mower in the Altoz lineup.

XR Series Models

This is an entry-level commercial mower and the smallest in the Altoz lineup. This mower is decent but really doesn’t have many features that blow me away. It does have an independent front suspension, but, like other mowers that try to add different types of suspensions, it really doesn’t seem to do much.

Overall, this mower does provide a good cut and seems like it is a well-built mower. It is probably fine for a homeowner with a good amount of acreage or a part-time lawn care owner.

Pricing starts at 5,699 for this unit.

XE models

The next mower in the Altoz lineup is the XE series. This mower is the first step into a true commercial mower. It has some good features and provided a great cut. It seems to be a very durable mower that is made for heavy use.

The only real downside I see is the FS engine… I wish it were an FX Kawasaki but this is expected for a mower in this price range. Overall, I think it is a good value and a pretty good commercial mower.

• Deck Size: 54-61”
• Top Speed: 9MPH
• Engine:Kawasaki FR (23HP)
• Transmission: Hydro-Gear ZT-3200
• Additional Features: IFS (Independent Free Suspension), folding ROPS, dual-fuel tanks, Aero Deck Finish Deck

Pricing starts at 7,299 per unit

XP HD models

In my opinion, the XP HD series Altoz mower is when the lineup really starts to get good. This mower is pretty sweet and has some good features. It truly is a well-built mower that is capable of the most strenuous environments. This mower has much better engine options than the previous two mowers and a much larger build.

Overall, this mower is comfortable and has a lot of power. It is also priced very competitive compared to some of the closest competitors.

• Deck Size: 54-72”
• Top Speed: 8-10MPH
• Engine:Kawasaki FX (27-35HP) or the Kohler Command PRO EFI (33HP)
• Transmission: Hydro-Gear ZT-4400
• Additional Features: 12-way adjusting seat, 12v power outlet, dual-fuel tanks, Aero Deck Finish Deck

Pricing starts at 9,899 per unit.

XC models

The XC series is by far my favorite model in the Altoz lineup. The specs on this mower are really good. Sure it may be expensive, and mainly built for cutting fields, but, it is a very good mower. The 19 mph top speed really stood out to me. This mower, in high speed, is incredibly fast. It is great for getting from location to location in between cutting.

The cut quality may not be the best on this mower but, in the right application, this mower is very good. I would recommend it for large acre fields or other large applications. The first thing that comes to mind is football fields and similar areas.

• Deck Size: 61-72”
• Top Speed: 19MPH
• Engine:Kawasaki FX (31HP) or Vanguard EFI (37HP)
• Transmission: Hydro-Gear ZT-5400
• Additional Features: SmarTrac Monitoring System, Engine Isolation System, Vibration Isolation System, High-Low transmission, 12-way adjusting seat, dual-fuel tanks, Aero Deck Finish Deck

Pricing starts at 14,099 per unit.

TRX models

The TRX series mowers are the biggest differentiator in the entire lineup and from the rest of the industry. This is the only mower made that has tracks. This allows the mower to hold up to virtually any hills. It definitely does a phenomenal job on hills.

I only have two downsides/concerns for these mowers. The first is tearing turf. It can be very easy to tear turf with the tracks on this mower. The second is the durability of the transaxles. Hydro-gear has been around a long time but they’ve never really been used with tracks as the tires. This is a little bit of a concern since it will add more strain to move the tracks. However, I trust that Altoz did tons of testing on this to make them great.

• Deck Size: 54-66”
• Top Speed: 8-10MPH
• Engine:Kawasaki FX (27-31HP) or Vanguard EFI (37HP)
• Transmission: Hydro-Gear ZT-3400, ZT-4400, or ZT-5400
• Additional Features: TorQFlex front suspension, flat-free tires, TRX Turf or All-Terrain tracks, torsion axle rear suspension, Aero Deck Finish All-Terrain Deck

Pricing starts at 13,599 per unit.

TSX Series Stand on Mower

The Altoz TSX series mower is the first of it’s kind… a tracked stand on mower. This is a heavy built stand on mower that is made for rough terrain and steep hills. It performs well in the right application. I would never use it on nice residential lawns but, it is great for rough fields and incredible on inclines.

• Deck Size: 61″
• Top Speed: 10 mph
• Engine: 29.5 HP Kawasaki FX EFI
• Transmission: Parter TF 195cc wheel motors and Hydro-Gear PR 16cc pumps
• Additional Features:

Power

With the weakest engine available being the 23HP Kawasaki FR691V and the most powerful being the 37HP Vanguard EFI, you definitely won’t have to worry about any of these mowers being underpowered. Especially if you are used to using residential models, the Altoz lineup will provide more than enough power for any job.

Cut Quality

These mowers provide a decent cut considering the intended use of the mower. These mowers aren’t really made for nice residential lawns. They are made for rough terrain and inclines. They excel in tall Bahia grass and other types of tall grass.

Overall, if the mowers are used in the right environment they will have a pretty good cut quality. Otherwise, they definitely aren’t the best cutting mowers on the market. There are other options I would go with before choosing this mower if I were taking care of nice yards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Altoz TRX Track vs. Wheels – Which One’s Better?

Wheels will be adequate in most situations on harder surfaces with moderate inclines. However, tracks have the advantage when it comes to soft surfaces or steep inclines. Since the tracks have a larger surface area (which also gives you more traction), they provide a lower ground pressure than wheels, making them ideal for soft or muddy lawns. The added traction is also helpful on inclines, making tracks the preferred option if you routinely mow steep hills.

Bumps, Slopes, Grass Tearing

The track system on the TRX models will easily contour to the surface of whatever you’re running over, which provides the maximum traction possible when dealing with bumpy terrain. Tracks also provide superior traction perfect for climbing hills, although you will have to be gentle on the turns to avoid grass tearing.

Are Altoz Mowers any good?

Yes, Altoz mowers are premium products perfect for any lawn care company that routinely manages steep inclines or large properties, and some models offer a superior ride to their competition thanks to their suspension systems.

Where are Altoz mowers made?

Altoz mowers are manufactured in Greenbush, Minnesota.

Who makes Altoz mowers?

Altoz mowers are made by Altoz, Inc., a company powered by its parent company, Central Boiler.

Wrapping it up

The Altoz zero turn mowers are great for steep inclines and rough terrain. They excel in conditions you normally wouldn’t think to take a zero turn mower. These are definitely specialty mowers with a specific purpose but they are well built machines.

What do you think?

Do you want to get this mower? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below what you think about the Altoz mowers.

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For more information on this mower check out Altoz official site. To find a dealer near you check out their dealer locator.

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The Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2023

These achieve the rare feat of making lawn mowing fun.

By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 1, 2023

When it comes to yard work, zero turn mowers do the impossible. They make lawn mowing fun. They accomplish this by putting unprecedented speed, control and maneuverability at the disposal of the person mowing the lawn. The so-called “zero turn” feature of these mowers converts a grass cutting machine into something akin to an amusement park ride. You steer the machine with two levers—the left lever controls the left wheel, the right lever the right wheel. With that steering setup, you can zoom over the landscape cutting straight lines, curves, or pivot the mower into and out of a corner. What’s not to like?

Read on to understand how these agile grass cutters work, how we go about testing them, and see some candidates that we’ve recently tested as well as some that we haven’t but that we think look particularly promising.

How Zero-Turn Mowers Work

A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars. In gas mowers, the engine powers a pulley system. One group of pulleys drives the blades, another group powers a pair of transmissions–one at each rear wheel. When you move the lap bar forward or back, you are directing the transmission to go faster, slower, or even turn the opposite way. When one drive wheel turns clockwise and the other counter clockwise, the mower pivots. When the wheels rotate at different rates, the mower turns in an arc-shaped path. When the lap bars are in the neutral position, the mower stops. Aside from a parking brake, there’s no other braking mechanism. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers work the same way, but have separate motors to drive the rear wheels and one for each blade inside the mower deck.

When it comes to transmission, most mowers have a Hydrogear EZT—a well-known and cost-effective residential-grade transaxle with a reputation for durability.

Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces and welded together. A fabricated deck can be built from thicker steel at a lower cost than it would be able to be built otherwise. Once you’re talking about stamping metal as thick as 10 gauge (about 1⁄8 inch thick), the cost of stamping such a deck would push up the mower’s price beyond what most people are willing to pay. The decks in the mowers below range from 42 to 52 inches, a typical size in this class of product. When powered by these engines and the Hydrogear, these mowers will deliver a decent cut quality at their rated top speed of 7 mph. Note, however, that cut quality declines steeply if you maintain that speed in very thick grass or on uneven terrain.

As to the electric mowers, they represent the leading edge of the technology in this category. These are remarkable and expensive mowers powered by large-voltage lithium-ion batteries. If you’re interested in reducing mowing noise and simplifying your maintenance routine by eliminating gas and oil, they’re worth a look.

Selecting a Zero-Turn Mower

Everyone would like to select the biggest possible zero-turn mower with the hope of whittling a big grass cutting job down to size as quickly as possible. Reality usually intercedes because these machines are expensive and the wide range of options available today quickly drive up the cost. Roughly speaking, you start somewhere in the range of a mower with a 42-inch deck costing in the vicinity of 3200 to 3500 and move up in increments of 1000 to 1500 until you reach entry-level commercial-grade equipment that costs 7000 to 8000.

Again, speaking in terms of approximation, a mower with a 42-inch deck will cut a two-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over two acres. But here’s the caveat. That entry-level ZTR mower (3200, say) with a 42-inch deck will wear out faster and need more maintenance than a mower with a 50-inch deck, a heavier frame, larger engine and higher quality transmissions, and thicker deck with more robust blade spindles, costing 4500.

In the simplest possible terms, you can cut a smaller area with a larger mower and expect more longevity out of the machine (not to mention a nicer mowing experience) or you can cut a larger area with a smaller machine and encounter more maintenance and a mowing experience that will be, we might say, a bit more rugged.

But there are still other factors to consider, in selecting a mower other than deck size and your budget. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck, as useful as it might be in getting the job done more quickly, may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be more difficult to maneuver in tight spots without creating scalp marks on the lawn from a lot of close-quarter pivoting.

Carefully consider all these factors when shopping for a mower: your budget, maintenance and whether you will perform that work yourself, mowing speed and time, maneuverability and trimming in tight areas, the importance that you place on your comfort while mowing, cut quality, longevity, storage, and access to the landscape.

How We Select and Test

There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow.

We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (the air filter, the spark plug, and the oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck. We mow approximately an acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.

Yarbo Lawn Mower M1

Yarbo Lawn Mower M1 is an autonomous lawn mowing robot that will free you from cutting the lawn. Without repetitive and boring lawn mowing work, you will have more free time for meaningful things. The RTK-GPS positioning technology and advanced algorithms enable the mower to work within virtual boundaries, which means no need to bury wires/cables anymore.

Recommended Products

FAQ

The Yarbo series with mower module is powered by our Precise Positioning Vision System which integrates RTK-GPS, computer vision and a myriad of other sensors, enabling Yarbo to mow in logical line patterns without physical boundaries. The result is a much more efficient mowing way than most robotic lawn mowers.

How will Yarbo Lawn Mower M1 turn once it reaches the end of the area it is set to mow? Would the “Tractor Tank Tread” leave tracks on the lawn?

Thanks to its unique rubber tracks, Yarbo Lawn Mower M1 can do a zero-turn to cut the last few inches of grass on the edges and around the corner.

The rubber tracks are carefully designed to keep a minimum tread required to drive Yarbo without harming the lawn. Also, tracks provide a larger contact area than tires, which can distribute and reduce the pressure pressed on the lawn and help to maintain a healthy turf. Thanks to our Precise Positioning Vision System (PPVS) and intelligent route planning algorithm, Yarbo can automatically change the mowing direction after finishing a mowing schedule and make an unrepeated mowing path.At last, we also realized that in case of unhealthy turf, zero-turn might leave remarkable tracks on the grass, so we have deployed a 3-point turn strategy to minimize the tracks.

Sure! You can set the working schedule whenever you like on Yarbo’s app. Usually, if it runs automatically, Yarbo will not start to mow until 6 hours after the rain; moreover, you can set a longer gap if the turf is not healthy enough.