ExMark Pioneer "E" Series 52" Kawasaki Motor
Model Year: 2014
Right off the bat, I should say that the only reason I didn't give the mower 5 stars for performance is because I should have gotten something bigger. The 52" is too small for my roughly 4 1/2 acres, but I thought I could save some money, as well as deal with the ruts and hills better than with the 60". This turned out to be a moot point since I mow to 4" height anyway, so scalping on sloped ground is not a problem. The 7 mph speed is also somewhat slower than other ZTR's but I can't safely go all out as fast as possible anyway. Otherwise this thing is a beast. The frame is one-piece steel 2X2" in a wrap-around u-shape. It doesn't seem to flex at all. It goes over, around and through anything, bounces out of holes and keeps going without a trace of strain. The Kawaswaki motor just keeps going and going---never changing pitch unless I use the throttle. I performed the routine maintenance 5-hour oil change and 25 and 50-hour greasing, and the only other maintenance I had to do was fix a slow leak in a drive tire with a plug, which has lasted about a month now. Exmark doesn't believe in a lot of features and the Pioneer series doesn't really have any, other than ease of maintenance and operation. It has almost paid for itself already and I seem to have developed a man-machine bond with it. I depend on it and it has come through so far, in spades. I have ruined 2 blades so far, but they're only $14.00 apiece---something to consider if you have rocky, hilly terrain like mine. I do need another spring for the seat, but I need to lose weight, too. I bought the mower at MT+T in Springfield, TN. The owner, Lance, gave me the best price I could find as an opener, so I didn't have to bargain, and I still haven't seen this model advertised cheaper anywhere else. Plus, I live in Springfield.
Pros: Tough, built to last, easy to maintain, cuts through anything.
Cons: None really, except it's a little too small (my own fault). Might be too slow if you have a flat, level, perfect lawn.
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