zero turn mower

BhB · Mar 17, 2010

What is the best zero turn mower for cutting about 4 acres with trees and some hills. This will be used by employees so it should be somewhat bullet proof, What would be the best size 48", 54" or 60", and brand. I don't want a residential unit but I also can't afford the top dollar one. Which would you recommend?
Thank you, Bill

Oldryder · Mar 17, 2010

the larger the better as long as your land doesn't have "humps" that would cause it to scalp.

I'd recommend a "brand name" commercial unit. there is a lot of junk commercial zero turn units for sale at auctions and I wouldn't recommend them. IMHO a brand name used one from a reputable dealer is a much better option than a new off brand.

there is a learning curve to using a zero turn particularly on hilly land. If you are going to have employees using it I'd reccommed you pick one or two and use the same people as much as possible(preferably someone that uses one at home if possible)

I shopped for a couple of years and found a good used commercial unit will cost around $6,000. I only have about 2 acres to mow and ended up buying a new residential Toro 54". only cost me $2800 and I've been very happy with it.

TomNTex · Mar 17, 2010

I have a three hole golf course in my front yard that covers about 4 acres. I have tried lots of equipment over the years. In 2007 i bought a new JD-757 ZTR mower. This is a 25hp 60 inch cut that is amazing. At $9K they are not cheap but I've already been down the cheap route before and wouldn't trade this one. Many of the commercial guys around me also run the X-Mark machines. These would be two top of the line machines in my opinion.
Tom

Stephen in SoKY · Mar 17, 2010

If you have good dealer support nearby for them, I've been very impressed with my Grasshopper. I looked at the deck and frame weight first, the ease of maintenance/repair second and the motor as a distant third because I can replace the motor cheaper than the entire mower. The Grasshopper won those evaluations among the brands available to me. I failed to get the articulated deck & have regretted it ever since.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 17, 2010

I think if you look hard the KUBOTA has shaft drive to the deck, hydraulic lift on the deck,
Their long life desiel engine and great support.
Gota be one of the best .

OliverGuy · Mar 17, 2010

I run everything Toro, similar to ExMark. Mine are run by others also. We mow 150 acres a week with all the mowers. My biggest problem is the Kohler engines. I now buy them all with Kawaski"s. I can get a commercial, 60" heavy deck (welded and not pressed) with a Kawaski for under $8k. I have several Z"s out of the group with over 2500 hours on them, they"re a well built machine. I would look at your local dealers and see what is available and stick with a commercial machine. We run one 72" also, might be an option for you to get it done quicker.

dhermesc · Mar 17, 2010

I'd go a differant way.

If you are looking at spending $7-$9 thousand on a mower, how many years could you get the grass cut for the same money? And you aren't out your time and gas money.

JayinNY · Mar 17, 2010

I like Exmark these two together have about 4800 hrs on them. I also wont buy Kohler anymore, Kawasaki is the way to go. Back ones a 52" 23HP Kaw. The front one is a 60" 27HP Kohler, had to put in a new short block at 1700hrs, I wont think twice about buying another Exmark, but only with the Kawasaki engine. Aslo get the Donaldson air filter system for the engine. J

Red1 · Mar 17, 2010

Dixons been around for awhile..I've got one from 92 I just reworked the transaxle...discups, cones and bearings...

flying belgian · Mar 17, 2010

Zero turn don"t work to well on hills and it is hard to drive straight with them so it don't look the best when you are done. I would get a 4 wheel steer JD for going around the trees. Does a better job then zero turn around trees.

Jiles · Mar 17, 2010

I bought a new Kubota diesel last year. Very well made and does a fair job with my mowing. I say, fair, because ---
(1) It rides rough
(2) Many times only three wheels are on the ground--should have paid more an got articulating axle!
(3) Lots of noise
(4) Tire pulls grass up by roots when "zero turning"
(5) Much bigger tires and a much heaver machine then my old Wheelhorse, but the Wheelhorse doesn't spin on hillsides like the Kubota.

I must admit, I cut my mowing time in half and my fuel use by two thirds, but if I had it to do over, I would have bought a small 4x4 tractor with belly mower. My wife loves it, but I still love my 26 year old Wheelhorse. I have to cut some parts of my yard with the Wheelhorse. Sure wish I could have bought a new Wheelhorse, made like this one that I have finally wore out!

keh · Mar 17, 2010

I have a Dixie Chopper and like it. For hills to cause problems they have to be fairly steep, some problems can be avoided by going up and down the hill instead of across the slope. Hearing protection is needed on any ZTR I've seen operated. They have 3 blades turning at high rpm.

Look for good dealer support.

There are homeowner quality and commercial quality. The commercial ones have a deck made of thick welded steel, except the JD and the JD company has heavy enough stamping equipment to stamp out the decks of thick steel.

The floor board on a commercial one is hinged so it can be raised for easier mower deck belt replacement which WILL happen. Homeowner types are made lighter and use the floorboards as frame support. Look at the pics by the other posters, they appear to have hinged floorboards but I'm not familiar with those mowers.

You will have to compare prices, sizes, and engine options locally.

KEH

JayinNY · Mar 17, 2010

Tire pulls grass up by roots when "zero turning" Thats because you dont know how to turn with it. Your not supposed to just lock the wheel and piviot on the turf with it.

Jiles · Mar 17, 2010

(quoted from post at 01:07:03 03/18/10) Tire pulls grass up by roots when "zero turning" Thats because you dont know how to turn with it. Your not supposed to just lock the wheel and piviot on the turf with it.

What is your definition of "zero-turn"?

JayinNY · Mar 17, 2010

The picture I posted below.

BillinCentralMO · Mar 17, 2010

I've used alot of them and used to cut grass for a living. Our Hustler "Z" mows circles around all the others. If you just look at them the steel on the Hustler is much beefier. Mine has the Kawaski engine and no troubles . We mow 5 or 10 acres with it depending on our current help situation.It is much faster than any tractor , especially when mowing around obstacles. I mow around 300 pecan trees and it is alot faster than the farm tractor and a reasonably good ride. Commercial models run $6000 to $9000 last I checked.

Busflyer · Mar 17, 2010

I bought a 2 year old Exmark off of ebay with the Kohler engine and have been very happy with it. Get a 54 or 60 inch deck if you don't have bumpy ground or lots of narrow areas to deal with

zero turn mower

BhB

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Oldryder

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dhermesc

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