It really depends. For reasonably flat ground with lots of obstacles, I like ZT mowers, but once you add roots, hillsides and rougher terrain, I like a tractor with diff lock. The best idea is go to a dealer and talk, take a picture of your yard for him to see. Lots of dealers will bring you a ZT or tractor to try. That's how I did it. I never made it past the tractor, it worked so well, and I haven't looked back. But that doesn't mean you might like a ZT better.