Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[TJP89]

Well, over the last few years I've invested some serious money in my outdoor equipment. I started with a little lawn tractor and a small chainsaw, and things were a little interesting on 25 acres. Over the past 3 years I've added an older farm tractor, a new CUT, bigger chainsaw, multiple implements, a hydraulic log splitter, and a decent sized trailer, as well as a lean-to addition on the polebarn to store all the new toys. The one gap is that I mow the lawn with the Farmall H with a 72" mid mower and the little lawn tractor, neither of which are ideal for 7 acres of finished lawn, and both are prone to break-downs. Therefore this spring will see the addition of a zero-turn mower to the collection.

Now, my knowledge of zero-turns is as follows: basically they are a mower deck attached to 2 independent hydrostatic transmissions with a place for the driver on top. They mow the lawn very fast, and probably aren't the most stable of machines. Also, they seem to come in different classes, with commercial ones upward of 10K at the top, down to residential ones that cost about 1K. Other than that I'm clueless, although I have driven one before. So, what should I look for in a zero-turn? HP, weight, speed, other? As I said, I want to mow about 7 acres with it. It's not a field, but neither is it a forest. There are open spaces, some trees sprinkled around, and a few flower beds to maneuver around. mostly flat, but a few hilly places. I think I want a 60" deck, but I could be completely wrong there. I don't want a commercial one, but neither do I want one that is meant only for mowing a flat acre every week, it's going to have to be a little tougher than that. I'm thinking of spending no more than 3500, and it will be new. Right now I'm just trying to find out what I should look for. Then I'll actually go and find various brands, look them over, and then compare them. So no huge hurry right now. We still have snow on the ground after all. So I'd appreciate it if you guys would give me a tutorial in what to look for in a ZTRN.

 

[davesl708]

If you are limited to $3500 you are limited to residential class ZT mowers. For seven acres I would not expect a long life for a residential unit.
There are good used (I know you want new) commercial ZT's you may find for your price range.
Stay away from box store models. They are designed for a specific price range and parts show it.

 

[GManBart]

$3500 won't get you a commercial unit. It will get you in the ballpark of a nice residential unit (essentially what I have), but still on the low side.

For 7 acres I wouldn't go any smaller than 60" and look for the highest ground speed while mowing possible....some are capable of 10-12mph with ease.

 

[TJP89]

Do I need a commercial unit? I'd be willing to go higher if justified. It's not like I'm doing this for a living. I'm doing 7 acres of lawn every two weeks for half the year. It will be kept indoors. I guess I'm asking what should I look for in a zero turn, what makes a good one?

 

[4570Man]

7 acres once a week is quite a bit of mowing. A low grade mower won't last long. I think you need a lower grade commercial mower. I would look for mower with a fabricated deck, a fabricated frame, and hydraulically driven.

 

[davesl708]

Might look at Hustler's website at their RaptorSD. That is the smallest residential they make with a 60" deck. They claim it can mow 3.64 acres per hour.
Here are the specs below. The price will be higher than your stated amount but good quality.



Engine

Manufacturer Kohler Pro Performance 7000 with SmartChoke™
HP 36", 42" deck: 22HP*
48", 54" deck: 25HP*
60" deck: 26HP*
*per SAE J 1995
Displacement 725cc
Cooling Air Cooled
Air Cleaner Single Stage
Engine Warranty 3 year

Drive System

Type Dual Hydrostatic
Transmission HydroGear 2800
Speed 7.5 mph
Parking Brakes Patented Automatic

Decks

Cutting Width 36", 42", 48", 54", 60"
Cutting Heights 1.5" - 4.5"
Deck Lift Foot Operated
Depth 4.5"
Blades 36", 42" decks: 2
48" 54", 60" decks: 3
Blade Length 36" deck: 2 - 17.86" x 2.50" x .20"
42" deck: 2 - 20.50" x 2.50" x .20"
48" deck: 3 - 16.50" x 2.50" x .20"
54" deck: 3 - 18.50" x 2.50" x .20"
60" deck: 3 - 20.50" x 2.50" x .20"
Blade Tip Speed 36": 18,500 fpm
42": 18,400 fpm
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,900 fpm
60": 18,400 fpm
Spindles Aluminum w/ 1.0" shafts and sealed ball bearings with double lip seals
Drive Electric PTO Clutch
Construction 11 ga. Fabricated
Spindle Mounts Reinforced 7ga.
Impact/Trim Areas 3/8" x 1" steel bar

Construction

Frame 3.25" x 1.5" x .120" steel
Front Axle Fabricated w/ sealed ball bearings
Front Caster Wheels Commercial duty steel roller bearings
Front Caster Forks Fabricated 3/8" steel

General

Seat 36", 42", 48", 54": Premium seat w/ armrests60": Premium bolstered seat w/ adjustable internal suspension and armrests
Fuel Capacity 3 gal.
Cup Holder Yes
Front Tire 36", 42", 48": 13 x 5 - 6
54", 60": 13 x 6.5 - 6
Drive Tire 36", 42": 20 x 6.5 - 10
48": 20 x 8 - 10
54", 60": 20 x 12 - 10

Dimensions

Weight 36": 586 lbs
42": 595 lbs
48": 628 lbs
54": 650 lbs
60": 685 lbs
Height 36", 42", 48", 54": 42"
60": 44"
Length 73"
Width 36": 37.3" w/ chute up
42": 44.4" w/ chute up
48": 49" w/ chute up
54": 55" w/ chute up
60": 61" w/ chute up
Tire Width 36", 42": 38.3"
48": 41"
54": 46"
60": 46"

Productivity

Acres Per Hour 36": 2.18*
42": 2.54*
48": 2.91*
54": 3.27*
60": 3.64*

*Number based on 80% efficiency. This rating is to account for actual mowing conditions including overlapping, turning and terrain.

 

[DK35vince]

Might look at Hustler's website at their RaptorSD. That is the smallest residential they make with a 60" deck. They claim it can mow 3.64 acres per hour.
Here are the specs below. The price will be higher than your stated amount but good quality.

Personally in Hustler I would want a FasTrak or a FasTrak SD minimum for 7 acres.
A Raptor wouldn't last long on that size lawn IMO.

 

[TJP89]

What makes the difference between commercial and residential? I know, I know, the quality of the make, but how does that show up in a spec list? Also, is there a grade between residential and commercial? I don't see how my use would be heavy duty. 7 acres is a lot, but it's lawn, twice a month basically, and it will usually split that with the H.

That's the other thing. I still want to be able to get into relatively small spaces with this, I have bigger machines. Usually, if the H is working, there will be two people available for mowing, so someone would do the big wide open areas with the H, and the 0-turn would get the tighter stuff. When I say tight, I mean there is no room for a full-sized tractor, but a 60" 0-turn, no problem. I'm not interested in buying another tractor, I already have 2!

Basically, I want a mower that can handle the lawn on its own, which means I should be able to get into relatively small areas with it. I think I'll take a look around online at what's available and then come back here.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Once you get away from home owner 0 turns, you get MUCH better/stronger motors on the drives, a better/stronger pump, and well, everything is up graded to better stronger materials...

Check your PM's...

SR

 

[davesl708]

What makes the difference between commercial and residential? I know, I know, the quality of the make, but how does that show up in a spec list? Also, is there a grade between residential and commercial? I don't see how my use would be heavy duty. 7 acres is a lot, but it's lawn, twice a month basically, and it will usually split that with the H.

That's the other thing. I still want to be able to get into relatively small spaces with this, I have bigger machines. Usually, if the H is working, there will be two people available for mowing, so someone would do the big wide open areas with the H, and the 0-turn would get the tighter stuff. When I say tight, I mean there is no room for a full-sized tractor, but a 60" 0-turn, no problem. I'm not interested in buying another tractor, I already have 2!

Basically, I want a mower that can handle the lawn on its own, which means I should be able to get into relatively small areas with it. I think I'll take a look around online at what's available and then come back here.

There are a lot of ZT's on the market now due to popularity but the quality ranges from junk to very good. You might want to rethink used in a commercial grade. They are available in low hours at times due to people getting out of the mowing business. I know a Hustler Super Z in 60" six years old that can still cost $6k.