Riding Mower

[semenza]

Tom,

     Other than budget  a good part of your decision will be whether you want one machine that does it all or a couple of machines that excel at the particular tasks. If you really have some property work that you want to do , either now or in the future, you will want a compact utility tractor. Those can pretty much do everything. And they certainly aren't bad at lawn mowing.  A good powerful zero turn will blow them away at the mowing job though. Especially when you factor in trimming time. A front mount zero turn will give you added options such as plow blades, snow blowers and a few other attachments. Towing within limits , just don't zero turn with something in tow. Personally I have used both mid-mount  (the more common/popular) and front mount zero turns. The front mounts are longer but I actually find them better at getting around than the shorter mid-mounts. The front mount deck is easier to mow around trees and obstacles with. And it can reach into place the mid-mount can't.

    With proper weights, tires and driving practice the zero turn shouldn't have a problem on any hills that it should be on in the first place. 

    Several directions for you to go.  With budget possibly standing in the way .......  maybe going with a standard type of riding mower and mowing less of the property would work until  better equipment can be purchased?  And just keep the rest under control once or twice a year by hiring someone with a brush mower.

Seth

 

[batcave]

I know of a JD Z655 for sale in my area (NW ohio). It has a 27hp briggs and 54in high capacity deck (it is extra deep). I think its 3 years old with about 120ish hours. Runs 9 MPH. Should be priced in your range.

Kevin

 

[batcave]

Wow guys, thanks for all the great advice!  I will check out that tractor forum too.

I was talking to a dealer my uncle likes, and he said about what you guys are saying. That is about 1 1/2 hours with a commercial zero turn, about 3 hours with a compact tractor and 4+ hours with a lawn tractor. As i stated, my reservations with the zero turn are the hills and that I want to pull a trailer into the woods which doesn't have many paths. The guy who cut the lawn before we bought the house had a zero turn (Woods?), and we noticed several spots on the hills where he spun his tires. And yes Seth it seems the yard is bumpy, but my brother in law does have a lawn roller I can borrow. That said, I have friends that are very happy with their zero turns. Several have commercial Toro mowers and one has one from tractor supply. They all brag about how the new mowers cut their mowing time in half. So the non-commercial zero turns aren't worth buying?  What's the main difference?  Just the cutting speed?

I was glad everyone seems to like John Deere. I really would like to get one of the 1 or 2 series compact tractors or a Kubota bx series.   I have been checking Craigslist as the dealers often advertise the used or demo machines there.  I have noticed that John Deeres do hold their value. Many of the used tractors were only 10-20% less than the new price. JD2720, of the four dealers my wife and I have stopped at, JD equipment in London was the only one where no one talked to us. The most helpful was the Kubota/ Mahindra dealer.

There hasn't been any serious interest in our house yet, so I might end up looking for a used four wheel steer John Deere or zero turn. WOW, are the 3 series four wheel steers good tractors or would you advise sticking with the 4 series?

Tom

I would avoid buying from an ag dealer. JD Equipment is huge. They want to sell 300,000 dollar combines, not 3000 dollar mowers. They would sell you something, but you will get better support from a lawn center. It's like buying a pack of sandpaper from festool, it is not a big sale in their eyes.
The guy holding up the parts line for a mower belt ,in the middle of planting season, is the center of a lot of jokes.

Hey guys, I see my post looks poor now. I am sorry.  A customer has to put themselves in a good position to get the best service. If your not in agriculture, I recommend an ag dealer is not the place to buy your equipment. But, JD's rule!

 

[tvgordon]

I never heard of Kioti, I will have to see if there are any dealers around me. Anyone have a Mahindra?  They seem priced about the same as John Deere and Kubota but look a little more powerful and I have a dealer nearby.

I think Bad Boy mowers are what Tractor Supply is selling.

Ag dealers are the only ones, other than a couple big box stores, that sell John Deere aren't they?  And no, I didn't ask for help at JD equipment. I was just pointing out that everywhere else we went someone came up and talked to us.

And yes Seth, the budget is the limiting factor. If money was no object, I think I would have a compact tractor with a loader, maybe a larger zero turn and something like a gator for going back in the woods. Just the compact tractor with a mower, loader and trailer would work.

I should have a few weeks before the grass starts to green up and grow so I'll keep an eye on Craigslist and the dealer websites for mowers that get traded in.  Batcave, is it someone you  know selling that mower or is it at a dealer?

I just know the days of taking 25 minutes to cut the grass and only using a little over a gallon of gas a season is over!

Thanks again for all the help. I wasn't sure about buying used because I've never owned a tractor or riding mower so I might not notice a serious or soon to be serious problem. My concern about buying from a big box store is getting parts when something breaks.

Tom

 

[batcave]

You will do fine. In our area the lawn centers are split from the ag line. Maybe things are different here. The ag part doesn't seem to get along with the lawn center. The JD's sold at the box stores are lower quality units. They are just made to compete. I believe they are the D series. They used to be called Sabre.

The mower is privately owned. It is worth a look if you decide zero turn. The yard it was used on is going under construction. Remove a house to build new. The mower will just sit for a number of years otherwise. Check out tractorhouse.com or machine finder.com for specs and comparisons. It is a very clean machine.

Kevin

 

[Tinker]

A mower that has not been mentioned yet, but i have looked at (just looking but not interested in purchase), is EX Mark.  It seems to have heavier hydraulics than anything but Skag.  The final drives at each wheel seem to be as heavy as Skags.  And they are a whole lot cheaper.  I am not interested as my guru does not sell them.

There are a couple of things to be aware of with Z's.  they are touchy on hillsides.  The front mounts tend to swing so they will slide out of control backwards down the slope.  They do fine backing up a slope.  The midmounts are just the oposite.  they do fine going up hill frontwards, but be ready for excitement if you try backing up the same hill.  I parked my mid mount on the middle of a Honda sedan when I was not paying attention to this advice. 

going across a slope, the mid mounts want to swing the front ends down the slope.  The front mounts (I had a Walker with 52" side discharge deck >>> Deck not made anymore) want to swing their backsides down the hill.  Of the two, the mid mounts (within my personal experience) are easier to control in any situation. 

Once either one starts to slide, it takes a bit of finness to bring back into control.

It does take a bit of getting used to to prevent tire skid swirls on the 180º turns.  My mower has extra wide tires and I make my turns by doing increments of 1/3 of the turn.  I (assuming making the 180º to the left >>> just the opposite turning to right) make 1/3 of the turn going left.  1/3 of the turn backing up turning to right.  Finish the final 1/3 turning to left again and heading on my way at full speed.  During the turns, you should slow down.  The smaller the tires, it seems to be the quicker the turns can be made.  You have to get the feel. 
Tinker

Both types are fast.
Tinker

 

[semenza]

You will do fine. In our area the lawn centers are split from the ag line. Maybe things are different here. The ag part doesn't seem to get along with the lawn center. The JD's sold at the box stores are lower quality units. They are just made to compete. I believe they are the D series. They used to be called Sabre.

The mower is privately owned. It is worth a look if you decide zero turn. The yard it was used on is going under construction. Remove a house to build new. The mower will just sit for a number of years otherwise. Check out tractorhouse.com or machine finder.com for specs and comparisons. It is a very clean machine.

Kevin

 Yes, I've noticed that too.  Not the same equipment.

Seth

 

[deepcreek]

Over the offseason, I've been doing the same research for a quality riding mower specifically a zero steer.  I have a fifteen year old John Deere riding mower that has been great and would not hesitate to buy one again from a John Deere dealer (not Home Depot - theirs are MTD's in John Deere clothing).

I've settled on finding a machine with a welded deck, Kawasaki FS engine, and Hydro-Gear 3100 "transmission".  Avoid the Kohler Courage because it sucks and Briggs & Stratton because they won't warranty anything.

That ups the price beyond your budget to between $5000 and $7000.

The way I see it as a tool analogy it's like this:

Up to 3,000 - Ryobi
Up to $5,000 - Dewalt
Up to $10,000 - Festool
Over $10,000 - Industrial Grade

Basically, you're going to have to decide if you want to buy a new mower in five years or fifteen.  This is for zero steers.  Small tractors are a whole different animal. I love the versatility of my neighbor's Kubota with a front loader but you mow with a bush hog and the cut quality leaves a lot to be desired.

I would talk to several different lawnmower dealers in your area.  Ask what they have the most problems with and why.  That will tell you what you don't want.  Ask what they sell the most of.  That will tell you what others have figured out.  Try to get them to let you know if a quality trade in becomes available.

Right now, I'm looking at a Hustler FasTrak.  I'm also considering the Bad Boy Elite but am a little nervous about their known spindle problems.  I need to look at ExMark and of course a used Scag would be the dream.

 

[semenza]

Another brand to consider is Grasshopper.  No Kawasaki engine (there was one for a year, but it wasn't successful).  But the liquid cooled are Kubota engines in gas or diesel. Mine has been excellent. Strong quality build on the machines too. Made in Kansas if that matters.

Seth

 

[Tinker]

Grasshopper might be ok for a homeowner with small lawn area to mow.  I have looked at them when there was a dealer in Wilton.  They had a flimsey look about them.  I was not looking to buy, just snooping.  Kubotas do have a solid look to them, as do Skag and EX Mark. (all Z-turns). Those are the three I think will stand up to a lot of abuse.  (I'm prejudised to Skag and Kubota for tough equipment and great local service)

 

[semenza]

Grasshopper might be ok for a homeowner with small lawn area to mow.  I have looked at them when there was a dealer in Wilton.  They had a flimsey look about them.  I was not looking to buy, just snooping.  Kubotas do have a solid look to them, as do Skag and EX Mark. (all Z-turns). Those are the three I think will stand up to a lot of abuse.  (I'm prejudised to Skag and Kubota for tough equipment and great local service)

Tinker , I think you must be thinking of something different or the bottom end of the line or something.  [blink]  ??? The 700 and 900 series are serious machines.  I have a 725 G2.  25 HP, liquid cooled,  3cyl., Kubota gas engine.  Really hvy. duty hydros.  Nice thick, welded steel.  The 61" deck weighs 350 pounds. The whole machine crosses 1,300 mark.

Seth

 

[Wonderwino]

I know for a fact that most of the big box mowers are MTD in whatever dress they put on them.

Mowers sold at equipment dealers are a better grade.  Dixie Chopper ZTR mowers are heavy-duty and fast, made of stainless steel and run $6,500-$18,000.  The lower end ones would be enough for 3-4 acres.  Hustler is another great medium to high grade ZTR mower.

I have a commercial-grade ZTR Husqvarna with a 52" deck and a 23hp Briggs Vanguard engine.  I mow about 2 acres and some side hills, so it has a folding roll bar, a safety feature you might want if your yard has steeper grades in it.  It ran about $5,000 last year.  I opted for a mulching kit, rather than adding a bagger, which limits maneuvering in tight spots.

In general, look for cast iron spindle housings, greasable bearings and welded, rather than stamped, mower decks.  Look it over and make sure routine maintenance is easily accessible; changing oil & filters, lubricating bearings, changing mower blades.

 

[semenza]

Pictures are not very good but here it is in it's winter configuration. Looks like I forgot to clean the snow off the blade after the storm  a couple days ago.

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Seth

 

[Wonderwino]

I had a "Ryobi level" mower several years back.  I had several yards to mow each week, probably about 3 acres total.  The blade spindle bearings (no zerks) went out at least once each season, requiring replacement of the entire spindle assembly at $60 each.  I also had to overhaul the engine after 3 years - about $100 in parts and several weekends of my labor over the winter.  After that experience I shopped more carefully and had a dealer-bought (there IS a difference) John Deere tractor style for bout 10 years until my wife ran it out of oil.  [crying]  I started to take it down, but it had bent a valve and cracked a cylinder, so I moved on to the Husqvarna.  The height adjustment for the mower deck is really easy from the driver's seat.  The extra horsepower and wider deck gets my 1.5 acres done in about 30 minutes.  Then I do my mother-in-law's yard in about 10 passes.  It has a can holder, too!  [big grin]

 

[deepcreek]

Kinda looks like I'll go for a Ryobi-level. No way I care to spend $3000.

It all boils down to economics and how much mitigating the inevitable PITA factor of a light duty mower is worth to you.  When I consider what it would cost to hire someone to keep 3 acres mowed eight months out of the year for at least ten years, it easily justifies the cost of a Festool grade mower.

For my brother with an inner city postage stamp sized lot, buying a throwaway $99 Walmart special every year with zero maintenance costs makes sense.

 

[joraft]

... For my brother with an inner city postage stamp sized lot, buying a throwaway $99 Walmart special every year with zero maintenance costs makes sense.

My front and back yard together don't make a postage stamp, but I still went with a good (and expensive) mower. A Honda with a 20" heavy stamped steel deck and a 5.5 hp commercial grade engine. With a little routine maintenance it still runs and looks like new, after fifteen years of regular use. It doesn't owe me a thing at this point.

As I read through this thread it occurred to me that I could never face 2- 3 acres of grass that needed mowing. With or without the beer holder.  [smile]

 

[wow]

It has a can holder, too!   [big grin]

That right there is a good reason to buy it. I had to add one to my Kubota.

 

[batcave]

It has a can holder, too!   [big grin]

That right there is a good reason to buy it. I had to add one to my Kubota.

Your can holder is at the end of your arm. [big grin]

 

[wow]

It has a can holder, too!   [big grin]

That right there is a good reason to buy it. I had to add one to my Kubota.

Your can holder is at the end of your arm. [big grin]

Obviously you've never been around when I'm moving dirt to logs or whatever. I bought a gimbal-mounted holder like you use on a boat. Still slop stuff out from time to time...

 

[batcave]

It has a can holder, too!   [big grin]

That right there is a good reason to buy it. I had to add one to my Kubota.

Your can holder is at the end of your arm. [big grin]

Obviously you've never been around when I'm moving dirt to logs or whatever. I bought a gimbal-mounted holder like you use on a boat. Still slop stuff out from time to time...

I've never found one that doesn't slosh. It is a balancing act for me most of the time. I have coffee stains all over every piece I own.