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re: Zero Turn Lawn Mower Recommendations
Posted on 7/29/21 at 12:47 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Posted on 7/29/21 at 12:47 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I would say any 52"+ welded deck ZTR with a Kawasaki Engine.
52" isn't crazy oversized or over priced for your current application and should handle your bigger lot in the future.
I am partial to Hustler but there are lots of good brands in this type. Probably more important is your nearest dealer and getting parts and support long term.
Stay away from a Briggs engine, HD or Lowes (IE buy from your nearest supporting dealer) and I prefer Kawasaki over Kohler, but that is just me.
52" isn't crazy oversized or over priced for your current application and should handle your bigger lot in the future.
I am partial to Hustler but there are lots of good brands in this type. Probably more important is your nearest dealer and getting parts and support long term.
Stay away from a Briggs engine, HD or Lowes (IE buy from your nearest supporting dealer) and I prefer Kawasaki over Kohler, but that is just me.
1
Posted on 7/29/21 at 11:11 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I own a Grasshopper 725D and an EXmark Radius 48. Both are excellent mowers. I can recommend either brand without reservation.
Pay attention to the deck of whatever mower you decide to test. The deeper the deck the better the cut in my opinion. Also check to see whether the deck is stamped or fabricated. Fabricated is more durable. Kawasaki makes several tiers of mower engines. Do a little research before assuming it’s a top of the line engine just because it’s a Kawasaki.
Pay attention to the deck of whatever mower you decide to test. The deeper the deck the better the cut in my opinion. Also check to see whether the deck is stamped or fabricated. Fabricated is more durable. Kawasaki makes several tiers of mower engines. Do a little research before assuming it’s a top of the line engine just because it’s a Kawasaki.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 6:43 am to Hold Dem Tigahs
1) Stay away from John Deere as they are a marketing company and you are paying for green and yellow paint along with less warranty.
Most dealers can match you up with a better built unit, better warranty, and give you better service.
Reality with Deere you are waiting behind a tractor repair. Guess what they don’t care about 1 mower customer they want the larger commercial guys.
You are extremely over paying for a transaxle, less quality engine a lot of the units run Briggs which the quality fallen off in the last few years, and less warranty versus the competition.
2) I would look for a unit with Kawasaki FR engine fine, ZT2800 transaxle fine, and fabricated deck. Ball park $4k ballpark.
Warranty should be in the 3yr range some creep up in the 4 yr minus engine as some mfg follow engine warranty on that. Sometimes a real 4yr does not mean that when the engine only 3 yrs as they have to file with the engine mfg for claims. Need to ask about that.
3) Gravely, exmark/ Toro, Textron brands Hustler & Bigdog, Bad boy, Cub Cadet ZT2 series, Bad Boy and I’m sure there is other brands you can get out the door for under $5k easily.
4) Deck for smaller property I assume will dictate deck size.
Usually looking at 48” if you have to get around gates, trees, etc.
Avg size 50” and 54” and 60” takes a wider trailer.
Most dealers can match you up with a better built unit, better warranty, and give you better service.
Reality with Deere you are waiting behind a tractor repair. Guess what they don’t care about 1 mower customer they want the larger commercial guys.
You are extremely over paying for a transaxle, less quality engine a lot of the units run Briggs which the quality fallen off in the last few years, and less warranty versus the competition.
2) I would look for a unit with Kawasaki FR engine fine, ZT2800 transaxle fine, and fabricated deck. Ball park $4k ballpark.
Warranty should be in the 3yr range some creep up in the 4 yr minus engine as some mfg follow engine warranty on that. Sometimes a real 4yr does not mean that when the engine only 3 yrs as they have to file with the engine mfg for claims. Need to ask about that.
3) Gravely, exmark/ Toro, Textron brands Hustler & Bigdog, Bad boy, Cub Cadet ZT2 series, Bad Boy and I’m sure there is other brands you can get out the door for under $5k easily.
4) Deck for smaller property I assume will dictate deck size.
Usually looking at 48” if you have to get around gates, trees, etc.
Avg size 50” and 54” and 60” takes a wider trailer.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 7:11 am to sosaysmorvant
Bought a used Gravely Pro Turn commercial 52 with 290 hours to mow a 3 acre lot. Love it most of the time - built like a tank, as others have said.
Only problem is it weighs almost half a ton. With all the rain we’ve had, it leaves ruts.
I’d look for something lighter if it was the yard around my house.
Only problem is it weighs almost half a ton. With all the rain we’ve had, it leaves ruts.
I’d look for something lighter if it was the yard around my house.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 12:42 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Scag Liberty z with 48” or higher deck.
Should run just over $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the deck
Go with Kawasaki Motor.
Should run just over $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the deck
Go with Kawasaki Motor.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:12 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Buy from someone who services what they sell.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:20 pm to Pvt Hudson
Bought a used Gravely Pro Turn commercial 52 with 290 hours to mow a 3 acre lot. Love it most of the time - built like a tank, as others have said.
Only problem is it weighs almost half a ton. With all the rain we’ve had, it leaves ruts.
I’d look for something lighter if it was the yard around my house.
---
I bought a used Pro Turn 48. My yard drains well and I don't have ruts. It had 125 hours and was like new.
Only problem is it weighs almost half a ton. With all the rain we’ve had, it leaves ruts.
I’d look for something lighter if it was the yard around my house.
---
I bought a used Pro Turn 48. My yard drains well and I don't have ruts. It had 125 hours and was like new.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:23 pm to ItzMe1972
I own an Exmark Radius S 60”. Kawasaki 651v. Thing is a beast. $8500 out the door. If I were to do it again, I’d buy a Bad Boy with the same build for about $6K.
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 5:24 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:26 pm to DiamondDog
Also, I’ll get downvoted to hell but I know several people in the “commercial lawn business” and they’ve all said Gravely and Scag are junk.
If you’re going to be putting heavy hours on something you’ll want to go ExMark, Dixie Chopper, BadBoy, Kubota or Hustler (low end of range).
If you’re going to be putting heavy hours on something you’ll want to go ExMark, Dixie Chopper, BadBoy, Kubota or Hustler (low end of range).
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 5:27 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:36 pm to DiamondDog
quote:
Also, I’ll get downvoted to hell but I know several people in the “commercial lawn business” and they’ve all said Gravely and Scag are junk.
If you’re going to be putting heavy hours on something you’ll want to go ExMark, Dixie Chopper, BadBoy, Kubota or Hustler (low end of range).
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 5:37 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:42 pm to Bawcephus
Exactly what I figured would be the reaction some people would say.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 7:29 pm to DiamondDog
Everyone i know that owns a scag, for commercial or residential use, swears by them, so i find it hard to believe you got a gaggle of mfs that have an issue with them
Posted on 7/30/21 at 8:22 pm to Flair Chops
You can believe what you will. I live in LC and nobody here uses that or recommended it. Don’t know what to tell you.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 9:41 pm to DiamondDog
quote:
I live in LC and nobody here uses that or recommended it.
Impossible.
You basically have no first hand knowledge of either, but want to spout what you heard from a few people as gospel.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 10:13 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Game changer for me was buying a front mount deck zero turn. I got a grasshopper---they ain't cheap but they are fast, go places you can't go with a regular zero like under shrubs, and the deck turns up so you can service the blades very easily.
MUCH easier to mow than with my hustler mid mount zero.
MUCH easier to mow than with my hustler mid mount zero.
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 10:16 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 10:17 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Do your research and identify which dealers in your area provide good service and have good reputations. Equally important, identify the dealers to avoid.
Which mower you eventually get will be a function of the features most beneficial to your needs, the quality of the mower (most likely based on friends recommendations), and the price.
There will likely be a couple of mowers which fit your criteria--this is where the dealer will be the deciding factor.
And pay attention to the trans-axles, they are the lifeblood of a ZTR. If your land is flat and level, most mowers will serve you well.
I have a Cub Cadet ZTX5 and it is a beast. I have a fairly steep slope and needed the beefier trans-axles and wide tires for traction--and it delivers. When I've finished mowing, the yard looks awesome. Cub Cadet did a great job designing the mower deck too.
ETA: johnnyrocket knows what he is talking about, do not dismiss his recommendations and advise.
Which mower you eventually get will be a function of the features most beneficial to your needs, the quality of the mower (most likely based on friends recommendations), and the price.
There will likely be a couple of mowers which fit your criteria--this is where the dealer will be the deciding factor.
And pay attention to the trans-axles, they are the lifeblood of a ZTR. If your land is flat and level, most mowers will serve you well.
I have a Cub Cadet ZTX5 and it is a beast. I have a fairly steep slope and needed the beefier trans-axles and wide tires for traction--and it delivers. When I've finished mowing, the yard looks awesome. Cub Cadet did a great job designing the mower deck too.
ETA: johnnyrocket knows what he is talking about, do not dismiss his recommendations and advise.
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 10:26 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 10:34 pm to Bawcephus
alright man. I told you I talked to three people here in the lawn business. What do you want me to tell you? I asked three guys I know who do lawn care for a living. How did I do this? I had exterior drainage work being done on the house and asked for recommendations from people who came over to quote it. A fourth guy, who actually cut my grass for two months, drove a Gravely and told me he wouldn’t buy them again and they’ve been nothing but trouble the entire time he has owned it. I also didn’t like the way it cut my yard. So instead of firing him, I went bought my own equipment.
All this crap is anecdotal. Everybody has their favorites. I brought you opinions from people who actually do this crap on a day to day basis with thousands of hours of experience. But OK, you know more.
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 10:37 pm
Posted on 7/30/21 at 10:57 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Same situation as you, just moved from 1 acre to 4 acres. I've got a 42 inch Hustler. While it would be nice to have a bigger deck and commercial seat, I do love how light it is. If I get stuck in mud, I can hop right off and man handle it to a dry spot.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 11:49 pm to DiamondDog
quote:
DiamondDog
quote:
What do you want me to tell you?
Nothing.
quote:
But OK, you know more.
I have no doubt about this.
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