Looking for zero-turn mower advice.

[sixdogs]

I have decided it's time to start looking for a zero turn mower. I'm getting older @61 and there are more trees and bushes I could slide under. Presently I use a Kubota B7800 hydro with 6 ft belly mower and I have a Woods 7 ft pull type as well. I mow 3 acres. Mowing with the B7800 is nice but if the tires touch the sides of trees they tend to "prune" them into straight sides. It's not real important but I feel I could mow faster with a ZT.

Deere is what works for me and I'm thinking diesel because I don't know any better. I'm equipment savvy and have a nice shop to store or work. Buying new or lightly used has worked better for me as has buying commercial quality. The bigger tires and durable construction is a nice touch and I know Deere will be in business in ten years for parts.
Deere has a couple of high-end diesel ZT mowers but the numbers are confusing. As well, maybe I should consider another quality brand? Gas doesn't appeal to me but maybe it should? What I would like to buy is a new or 50 hour diesel commercial ZT in six ft only because I think that's what I should want?.

Can anyone offer any advice or guidance? Thank you in advance.

 

[John Deere 110]

Both My Neighbors Have The Commercial Diesel ZT Tractor & Love It, They Said It Was The Best Tractor they Ever Bought To Mow The Lawn, So I Would Say Its a Good Buy

Jl

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Sixdogs,

You are talking a fair amount of money there so any dealer should be happy to demonstrate a couple of machines for you to try.

Our dealer brought a few over to our place so we could feel how comfortable we would be mowing across our slopes. We chose a Z425 as the smallest we would be comfortable on.

We also have a 3320 cab tractor but it is too heavy and I would not take it across the slopes we need to mow.

Note that at least the smaller ZTs are limited to 250 pounds of pulling foprce and frankly it may be better not to depend on a ZT for pulling anything but talk to your dealer on this.

You should test drive one of these things, maybe with more time I'll get better control of this amusment park ride but right now slow manuvers close to trees and retaining walls are kinda iffy.

If it is within your budget you might also look into the commercial F series JD mowers that look like they would handle more like a small radius turn tractor. They are available with cabs and have accessories like snow blowers available for them.

I've noticed mowers of the size you are looking for in the used equipment JD "Machine Finder" web page, schools and golf courses seem to trade them in.

Good hunting.

 

[NOTV8]

Have you research Badboy ZTR's? If you are looking for a diesel, try their diesel. I tried it when I was buying and would like to buy it but just too much for my budget at the time. I ended up buying their Lightning model. All I can tell is... what a mower :thumbsup:. It will be more money than others but it is a well built machine. I pick up the one with Kawasaki liquid cool engine. Good luck on your purchase.
Check my avatar...

 

[Alan L.]

Have you research Badboy ZTR's? If you are looking for a diesel, try their diesel. I tried it when I was buying and would like to buy it but just too much for my budget at the time. I ended up buying their Lightning model. All I can tell is... what a mower :thumbsup:. It will be more money than others but it is a well built machine. I pick up the one with Kawasaki liquid cool engine. Good luck on your purchase.
Check my avatar...

I can't imagine getting a diesel ZTR to mow 3 acres, but thats just me

 

[joes_427_vette]

I can't imagine getting a diesel ZTR to mow 3 acres, but thats just me

It gets to be more of a want than a need. I'm not a fan of the kowasaki brand motors. Some seem to mix the gas and oil in the crankcase. JD can't seem to fix them either as they took it back after numerous tries. I have two new diesel tractors and wouldn't consider anything else. Proper maint. and the will last a century.
Look at the number of diesel 3/4 and 1 ton trucks owned by city residents. They don't have a specific use for them but they are parked in the drive just the same @ 45 to 50k a piece.

 

[David7]

I've used Dixon's Kodiak 61" cutting width ZTRs for many years to mow about 6 acres with lots of trees. Dixon has the Kohler gas engine, around 25 hp and we have a dealer in town. JD was more money to get the same quality hydraulic pump and motor.

Compare the hydraulic pumps and motors they use.

If you've never used a ZTR, you'll be amazed at how fast they are compared to a regular riding type mower - especially around trees. My total mowing time is 3-4 hours, and that includes trailering the mower between 3 properties 4 miles apart! On straight, light mowing you could probably do 3 acres an hour. It's alot of fun mowing with them.

Gas works great. I do want a commercial duty engine, pumps and motors, though.

You won't need more than 60" cutting width for 3 acres, or you'll be done with the fun so fast you'll wish you had bought smaller!

 

[TimPa]

after much comparison, i settled on the z425 jd, 23 hp briggs engine, 50" deck. i mow about 5+ acres. the salesman was trying to sell me the 25 hp kaw, we ran both side by side and the briggs was smoother and quiter hands down. the only complaint i have about mower is it blows up a lot of dead grass in front and piles it on the deck. otherwise love it.

 

[sixdogs]

Good so far and I'm really learning a lot.
Any mention of prices of the mower you have or the mowers I'm looking at? Thanks for these educated replies.

 

[Carl_NH]

I agree with others a diesel for 3AC is overkill but if budget allows it will use a lot less fuel and will run for a long time. The gas ZTR are rated for 1000-1500 hrs and the diesel about 2500 I believe before rebuild as typical, but I know owners of gas units over 2000 w/o issue. I suppose it has to do with use and maintenance like cars.

There are a number of excellent diesel choices most ZTR Mfg except Kubota use small Yanmar or CAT diesels. Since you have a kubota now they do make a nice diesel ZTR with a lot of nice features like lift up deck, hyd lift. Also I agree with you Deere is a very good machine and there is a large dealer in London OH that always seems to have some low hr units - I would stick with the 700 or 800 series Deere units for what you want.

The only thing the diesels are heavier (+-200 lbs) than the gas due to the radiator and heavier engine/frame and this can be a drawback if you have wet areas to nagivate.

I bought a leftover 09 Ferris IS2000 52" 25HP Kawasaki for $7K and it rides excellent and due to the speed of cutting is more efficient than my older 18HP Kohler GT. Ferris also makle a range of diesels from 21-30HP that are nice units.

Bottom line expect a decent commercial gas 52-72" to run 7-9K and 9-12K for a similar unit in diesel - so it will take some time to get the ROI on the diesel IMO.

DrainPond also makes good points about mowing close to walls and I concur - the ZTR are very responsive to input - almost like the first time running a backhoe - not smooth but I am getting better over time. The cut quality is as good as my GT, but I still dig up some turf in turns, but practice will make it better.

Carl