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Zero-turn riding mower recos?

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  • pronstar

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    Our new place is an acre, with a ton of grass that I'll need to cut.
    I'm sorta looking forward to cruising around on a riding mower.

    Other than a cupholder, do you guys have any suggestions on what to look for?
    Good brands and models?
    I know literally nothing about them.

    What do you think I'll be spending on a decent one that's built to last?
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    TexasBrandon

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    3-5k for a decent one. I didn't want to spend that much and got a cheap D110 John Deere. I've beat the crap out of it and it still runs 4 years later but it isn't a zero turn like what you are looking for. I don't know if a Scag would be up your alley but they make a Liberty Z model that isn't bad. Guy down the road has two of them for his lawn business and he runs them all day everyday with no issues.
     

    Dad_Roman

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    Thats a big question these days. So many brands out there chasing your dollar.
    I used to mow for a living, had one Snapper and three Kubotas. In my job we've used ExMark Scags and Ferris.

    The Ferris has full coil over suspension on all four corners so it has the ability to actually mow at a full speed 10 mph. The others will beat your kidneys out at that speed.

    All these machines are good machines that I have had experience with and range from 5K up to 12K

    All the newer brands are geared towards the homeowner...be in the 3K to 7K range
    Huquavarna
    Bad Boy
    Grasshopper
    Big Dog
    Dixie Chopper
    ...and on and on...

    John Deer, Hustler, Cub Cadet and others are playing both fields and make equipment for the homeowner and the professional.

    Look around and see what suits your needs. I assure you that a ZTR will shave a MINIMUM of 30% off your mowing time and maybe more if you have mucho trees etc. so they are worth the extra cashola!

    For my home, double lot in town, I kept the trim mower from my business which is a special edition Craftsman lawn tractor. Twin 24 with a 42 inch cut. I love that old thing. Going on 18 years old and I spend a hundred bucks a year on it for filters belts pulleys and such things. Soooo easy to work on and buy parts for off Ebay. I was going to get rid of it and get somethng new.....sooooo glad I didnt.

    All being said, if I had the money, Id go with a Ferris.
     

    pronstar

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    It seems there’s a big price difference between consumer grade, and pro grade. With some brands claiming to occupy somewhere in the middle.

    I think I need to scope out dealers, since servicing it will be a factor.

    Most of the online reviews I’m seeing are more like paid advertisements, so hard to get a handle on what’s what.

    If I knew more about them, I’d consider used. But too many unknowns.



    I don't know if a Scag would be up your alley but they make a Liberty Z model that isn't bad. Guy down the road has two of them for his lawn business and he runs them all day everyday with no issues.

    You don’t live in Duncanville do you? Guy we’re buying the house from has two Scags and a lawn care business...


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    Big Green

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    FYI: My current place is also and acre and on weekends like this when it's getting dry I kick up a lot of dust. I've found it better to not bring a drink. It either gets dirt and grass in it or, like a Gatorade bottle, gets hot.

    I thought the cup holder would be useful too, now it just sits empty.
     

    Dad_Roman

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    You don’t live in Duncanville do you? Guy we’re buying the house from has two Scags and a lawn care business...
    Aww yea....the house....ya make a deal!!! (said in my best Don Rickles drawl)

    Have the boy throw in a good mower with the house and he can go get hisself another!

    Yea there is a big price swing at the red line out there. Pro models have thicker metal and things like Timkin bearings instead of sealed. Larger sized belts. My Ferris at work has a double V-belt for example.

    But all in all, for an acre at the house? One of the lower end units will be MORE than plenty.
     

    FireInTheWire

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    I went with a Hustler. Fastrak, 60" cut, and Kawasaki engine. I went overboard on it. But hey... I financed it for 0%. I think it was around... $7,400. What caught my eye was the Kawasaki motor. I don't know much... but I know Kawasaki makes a solid, strong motor. I only mow an acre.. But I pull a trailer around with too.
     

    Dad_Roman

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    ....aaaand how long does that acre take ya with that 60" deck??? ;)


    Neighbor across the street got one of those smaller Hustlers at 0% and really liked it but then he bought a couple rent properties and wanted to upsize to around 54" so he went with the Ferris. Loves it. Actually the same machine I have at work. I mow several acres in several different locations, some are 2 mile round trip, it doea it very well and I can do the whole place if I need to in about 4ish hours
     

    Dad_Roman

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    Lolol....friggen awesome!

    Ill bet, if'n its a fairly clear acre it takes ya 45 min from start up to clean up and put away.
     

    pronstar

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    But all in all, for an acre at the house? One of the lower end units will be MORE than plenty.


    That's the answer I was hoping for.
    I'm reading mixed things about them, but don't want to over-think this and spend twice as much for a mower that I may not need.
     

    Dad_Roman

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    Well you really didnt mention a financial limit.

    To be honest a nice Craftsman/Husquavarna/Cub lawn tractor will get it done just fine. Especially one in the 24hp 54 inch cut range that will cost 2-2500.

    If you got the jones for a ZTR Id go grab a Hustler or Bad Boy for 0% and go on down the road. DO NOT go out and get a CubZTR or a Craftsman ZTR or the ones at Lowes etc. My neighbor does that and buys a new one every couple years:facepalm:

    Remember, the wider the deck, the flatter the terrain HAS to be. Huge flats? Any width. Ditch areas or any roll at all? Something in the 42-54 inch range. 54 is pushing it for ditchrolls etc. My yard has a slight downward roll and I wouldnt want any more than my 42 or so.

    If you get one of the low end professional models (mentioned above or the like, Hustler, Grasshopper, BadBoy, DixieChopper etc) then you will never buy another mower. (My Craftsman is 18 years old but I admit Ive taken first class care of it)
     
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    Shady

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    depending on trees and ditches ect ect you may want to look at even the smaller john deere my brother has a 235 zero turn for 5+ years and has only done 2 batteries, oil, blades and one tower that he smacked into a stump.

    I can do my acre with it in 1.5 - 2 hours but I have a crap load of trees and obstacles I also cut it North and South then East and West.
     

    Dad_Roman

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    Yea something of that nature will work great for you. And yes, most of this grade stuff is sold through dealers. Oddly enough I have a Badboy dealer a couple blocks up the street and one of our City Councilmen works there.
     
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    FireInTheWire

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    pronstar

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    I’m leaning toward the Bad Boy, purchased locally from a servicing dealer.

    $400 more than a Home Depot special seems worth it.

    The question is, is an extra $400 for the v-twin worth it?


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    Dad_Roman

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    Is that the bump for the Kamakazi? Then I would say definitely.

    ...or are you saying thats a bump from a one cyl to a twin?....still definitely
     
    Every Day Man
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