APOD Firearms

Zero-turn riding mower recos?

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  • Shotgun Jeremy

    Spelling Bee Champeon
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    1   0   0
    Jul 8, 2012
    11,247
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    Central Texas
    We've got some pretty decent hills and valleys on campus that get mowed no problem by guys with little to no prior experience. I can't speak to technique, but the mowers seem plenty capable. One thing that will hinder you is a small back tire. Look at the back wheels of the commercial mowers and try to get one like that.

    Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk
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    Ole Cowboy

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    May 23, 2013
    4,061
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    17 Oaks Ranch
    That Husky looks like a helluva tractor!
    Down at a big dealer while back when doing my research and in talking to them they were they first to alert me to 'fast n flat' is where they shine, works great for the commercial guys but for folks up in Texas hill country stick with the tractors and a locking diff is a must. He pointed to a long line of ZTR's and those are all trade ins most come from folks who bought and found it just does not work on steep hills.
     

    Shady

    The One And Only
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    Aug 24, 2013
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    I have a fairly deep moat next to the road and it gets to over 45Deg at some points it drops down a foot or so and is 24ish inches wide.

    I do have to clinch my anus when doing long ways but after 4 years now I know its not going to flip over on me so its just a slight rush lol.

    It will the ditch at 90 degrees also but is defiantly not as comfortable as long ways. it has no problems pulling up or down the grade.

    JD 235 zero turn.
     

    pronstar

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    Jul 2, 2017
    10,542
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    Dallas
    Down at a big dealer while back when doing my research and in talking to them they were they first to alert me to 'fast n flat' is where they shine, works great for the commercial guys but for folks up in Texas hill country stick with the tractors and a locking diff is a must. He pointed to a long line of ZTR's and those are all trade ins most come from folks who bought and found it just does not work on steep hills.

    Where is this dealer?
    I’d love to see his used inventory


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    Ole Cowboy

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    May 23, 2013
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    17 Oaks Ranch
    Where is this dealer?
    I’d love to see his used inventory


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Bandera Rd just S of 1604 in SATX, it was a couple of years ago when I first began to look at moving from a rough cut mower to a finish mower. IF I get enough done this summer I might buy the coming spring. But my land is ROUGH, its an old cattle ranch and its steep, covered in rocks and had so many trees on it that when I bought it you could not see much further than about 50 feet in most places. Most areas I had to use a chainsaw to open a path INTO in order to begin clearing. Trees cut did not fall, they just remained upright where they were cut.
     

    Shotgun Jeremy

    Spelling Bee Champeon
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    Jul 8, 2012
    11,247
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    Central Texas
    The first two hills are about 15'-20' tall, and the third hill....well, it's taller than the building that sits on it. Our ZTRs handle them all no problem.
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    Ole Cowboy

    TGT Addict
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    May 23, 2013
    4,061
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    17 Oaks Ranch
    Where is this dealer?
    I’d love to see his used inventory


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Here is a used Hustler dealer over in Granbury: http://classifieds.tractorbynet.com/mfg/HUSTLER

    Click on the "Classifieds" tab and there is a TON of makes and modes from Dixie Chopper to every kind of ZTR you can imagine. Gives you a great idea of asking prices.
     

    RoadRunner

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    Jan 30, 2018
    6,687
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    Here
    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?

    If you want one that will last get a Skag. That is what most of the professionals around here that have been in business for years use.
     

    Mowingmaniac 24/7

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    Nov 7, 2015
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    Toro MX5060 50" welded deck, Kawasaki engine, well maintained 250 hours zero problems.

    Bought new from a dealer - don't remember what I paid for it, but it was up there.
     

    TheDan

    deplorable malcontent scofflaw
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    8   0   0
    Nov 11, 2008
    27,551
    96
    Austin - Rockdale
    I cut my yard with a 33hp Kubota and 6ft shredder. I can get pretty darn close to things with the shredder as it's wider than the tractor, but I still clean things up with a string trimmer.
     

    cdb

    New Member
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    0   0   0
    Feb 22, 2018
    49
    11
    Livingston, TX
    I've had a Ferris 61" cut for 5-6 years,and it's been an excellent mower. I mow 2.5 acres with it.
    Getting parts has never been an issue with me,I have always found them easy/cheap on ebay. Other than replacement blades,the only thing that has ever broken on mine was a safety switch and the blade engagement switch.
    The grease fittings are easy to get to on mine,and changing the oil and filter is easy and not messy.

    As far as the cost goes,it was the best $8k I ever spent on a mower.

    I bought a Ferris last year for our 2.5 acres. Steep hills and real rough bumpy ground. Went from taking about two and a half hours on the little lawn tractor I was using to about 90 minutes now. Better still, thanks to the suspension I no longer have a sore back for the rest of the day. Couldn't be happier.
     

    Mowingmaniac 24/7

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    0   0   0
    Nov 7, 2015
    9,389
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    Any of you use Gator Blades on your ZT mowers?

    I started using what my mower came with, I think they're called Hi-Lift, but they left wind rows of grass.

    The Gator Blades mulch, not perfectly, but pretty darn good. I have far better looking yard after mowing using them.

    No wind rows.
     

    Dad_Roman

    TGT Addict
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    1   0   0
    Apr 1, 2018
    6,301
    96
    Teague
    I use Gator blades and have for years. Super thick and I can sharpen them a couple three times before they are shot. Residential home use they should last 2-3 years.
     

    Lunyfringe

    Well-Known
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    0   0   0
    Sep 22, 2017
    1,402
    96
    Canton, TX
    We've been happy with our Ariens IKON-X 52... with the Kawasaki engine. for $2700 from Home Depot (Ag tax exempt, and 10% off coupon).. it now has 50 hours on it, and only normal maintenance- performance is good, no issues in the heat.

    The hydraulic motors are sealed on this, but to get one with serviceable hydraulic motors starts around $5k I just couldn't justify a full pro-grade since I also have a 45HP tractor with 6 ft bush hog for the heavy stuff (20 acres total here) and also biological mowers (5 head)
     

    pronstar

    TGT Addict
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    2   0   0
    Jul 2, 2017
    10,542
    96
    Dallas
    Presenting, my new (to me) ZTM.

    d28a6df2a9fb1bbfad76434474a36814.jpg



    ~50 hours, just serviced and traded in at Big Red’s Equipment.

    Says Kawi but its actually a Koehler 7000V-Twin.
    Has the $300 mulching attachment.

    I think the price is good, these are $3k+ new, plus the mulcher.

    I’d prefer a Kawasaki engine, but beggars can’t be choosers LOL


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    Last edited:

    Lunyfringe

    Well-Known
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    0   0   0
    Sep 22, 2017
    1,402
    96
    Canton, TX
    Presenting, my new (to me) ZTM.

    View attachment 141440


    ~50 hours, just serviced and traded in at Big Red’s Equipment.

    Says Kawi but its actually a Koehler 7000V-Twin.
    Has the $300 mulching attachment.

    I think the price is good, these are $3k+ new, plus the mulcher.

    I’d prefer a Kawasaki engine, but beggars can’t be choosers LOL


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Congrats, that is a good deal... would be smoking with the Kawasaki engine, but the Kohler should last long with proper care... longer than the drive motors (transaxles) they seem to be the weak point- especially when they're the non-servicable type... fluid changes are the best thing for them.
     
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