murphy1244
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2011
- Messages
- 16,336
- Location
- Ohio
- Tractor
- Kubota 1120 RTV Kioti DK-40, MF-135, Ventrac 4500Y
Good Job! Catherine.
Researching zero turns
- Thread starter pagestiger
- Start date
- Views: 4779
Good Job! Catherine.
Poopdeck Pappy
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,627
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Tractor
- Kioti DK50SE Cab, Kubota BX23, Kubota BX2660, Grasshopper 729BT
Whoever is saying that has been drinking WAY too much Scag koolaid. Scag makes some fantastic mowers with one of the best decks around (the Velocity + deck), but there is no way the ride will compare to a Ferris with full suspension.
dgeesaman
Silver Member
I own a Ferris 3100z and was forced to use a Kubota zero last year. The Kub is built with a solid frame like the SCAG or Exmark. I found it to be torture and took me far longer to get done.
I suppose if I was mowing only well-watered golf fairways that are completely free of divots and sprinkler heads, they might ride the same. But not in the real world!
Coyote machine
Super Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2009
- Messages
- 7,641
- Location
- Southern VT
- Tractor
- 22 SANY SY 50U, '10 Kioti DK 40se/hst KL-401 FEL, loaded tires, KB-2485 bhoe, Tuffline TB160 BB, Woods QA forks, MIE Hydraulic bhoe thumb & ripper tooth, Igland 4001 winch, & GR-20 Log Grapple. Woods BBX72" Brush Mower. Diamondplate aluminum canopy
I own a Scag Wildcat with a Velocity+ 61" deck, regular Scag seat, and full Scag 12.5 bushel bagger,(3 bags). I've owned it since 200 hours in 2009-2010, and have 150 hours more on the clock now.
It's a bulletproof tank, but not the smoothest ride or most comfortable lounge chair out there.
I just bought a Husky AWD, 322t Rider with 41" mulching deck to replace the Scag for the terrain I have. The Z-turn is too dangerous for my hilly terrain; it is too easy to possibly flip, and it has a mind of it's own on wet or slightly wet grass.
Now I don't worry, don't bag, just pulverize everything into the lawn, and yes it takes more time with the smaller deck, but everyone, wife, grown kids can operate the 322 with no fear of flipping or running downhill out of control when the Scag decides to chase after trees.
Zero turns are great for a lot of people, but the last 150 hours has taught me not for my property.
Hope this helps. Know exactly what you're buying and what it's limitations are. And what your terrain is best suited to. Otherwise you'll waste money getting something not suited to your specific needs.
It's a bulletproof tank, but not the smoothest ride or most comfortable lounge chair out there.
I just bought a Husky AWD, 322t Rider with 41" mulching deck to replace the Scag for the terrain I have. The Z-turn is too dangerous for my hilly terrain; it is too easy to possibly flip, and it has a mind of it's own on wet or slightly wet grass.
Now I don't worry, don't bag, just pulverize everything into the lawn, and yes it takes more time with the smaller deck, but everyone, wife, grown kids can operate the 322 with no fear of flipping or running downhill out of control when the Scag decides to chase after trees.
Zero turns are great for a lot of people, but the last 150 hours has taught me not for my property.
Hope this helps. Know exactly what you're buying and what it's limitations are. And what your terrain is best suited to. Otherwise you'll waste money getting something not suited to your specific needs.
Jack Vines
Bronze Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 85
Definitely try before you buy. I jumped into a zero turn and am finding it just won't handle the hills, slopes on my property. I mowed them for forty years with two different riding tractor style mowers with no problems.
Just to confirm it wasn't just my lack of technique, I had a pro come in and he did very little better.
jack vines
Just to confirm it wasn't just my lack of technique, I had a pro come in and he did very little better.
jack vines
DK35vince
Super Member
I'd expect the full suspension on the Ferris to be a little better.
I have a Hustler Super Z with suspension seat and the flex fork suspension in the front and the ride is pretty good IMO.
IMHO a front mount mower is the way to go.
Most front mount mowers have the ability to flip up the mower deck from a horizontal position to a vertical position (service position) making it easier to clean out grass clippings from under the deck and for changing mower blades.
Another advantage with a front mount deck is the grass is cut before being run over by the front wheels of the riding mower.
Like "Coyote machine", I also have the Husqvarna R322T AWD,
I needed more traction for the slopes on my property, and the AWD insures there is no traction loss.
Because of the articulating steering, maneuverability around object is much better with the R322T than my old Wheel Horse riding mowers use to be.
The feature I like the best, is the ease of putting the front mount deck in the service position (less than 30 seconds).
So after every mowing session, grass clipping from underneath the mower deck can be easily cleaned out, greatly extending deck life.
Most front mount mowers have the ability to flip up the mower deck from a horizontal position to a vertical position (service position) making it easier to clean out grass clippings from under the deck and for changing mower blades.
Another advantage with a front mount deck is the grass is cut before being run over by the front wheels of the riding mower.
Like "Coyote machine", I also have the Husqvarna R322T AWD,
I needed more traction for the slopes on my property, and the AWD insures there is no traction loss.
Because of the articulating steering, maneuverability around object is much better with the R322T than my old Wheel Horse riding mowers use to be.
The feature I like the best, is the ease of putting the front mount deck in the service position (less than 30 seconds).
So after every mowing session, grass clipping from underneath the mower deck can be easily cleaned out, greatly extending deck life.
Attachments
slow84ta
Member
Whats your price range? Try this site, I've used it often in my quest for a zero turn mower. Good luck!
Zero Turn Review Website with lots of information
Zero Turn Review Website with lots of information
skiller67
New member
I have owned a hustler raptor 52" for 11 months and it's been for repair 6 times for the same issue. Hydrostatic drive. The system thru hustler/excel industries is not helpful and I now am asking for a refund. I'm getting a cold "no" from my dealer and am having to pursue legal avenues to get this resolved. Meanwhile, I have grass growing and a mower that wants to drive in circles!! Hustler won't dive into the root cause which I suspect highly (I'm a mechanical engineer, by the way) and will attempt the cheapest fix first. Adjusting linkage is all they have done( two different hustler repair centers) and I still have a mower that wants to just turn left. Steer clear of hustler.
