Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[ShowroomShine]

Go buy used, residential zero's just dont cut as well or last as long. The cut quality is attributed to a high blade tip speed and deeper deck than residential units. I'd at least look for a machine with ZT3400 hydros myself, and a commercial engine with an external air filter.

 

[TJP89]

Are you guys trying to tell me that there are no reasonably priced new mowers capable of handling 7 acres of relatively easy lawn mowing 20 times a year (that's what, 50hrs a year?)? Because I find it hard to believe I'll have to pay 8K+ for something to do that. If that's true, I'm thinking a RFM for the Kioti might be the way to go. That'll only cost 3-4K max. There has got to be a grade between $3000 residential mowers, and 8K bottom line commercial mowers.

 

[4570Man]

I know ZTRs cut fast, but I doubt you can cut 7 acres with a 60" ZTR in a little over 2 hours. I cut more grass than you, but my ZTR has 900 hours and was bought new about 3 years ago.

 

[KennyG]

As was noted in another thread, we're always more than willing to spend other people's money. I would guess that a good quality residential ZT will give you years of service. It won't be as fast or trouble free as a commercial unit, but if you take care of it, you would probably be OK. That said, a commercial unit will be more satisfying.

My church mowed 5+ rough acres with a Craftsman $2000 lawnmower for about 6 years until I took it over with my CUT. That Craftsman is still running fine mowing a smaller yard, but I don't think anyone ever enjoyed the job with the little mower.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I bought a Ferris 52" fabricated deck mower with 3400 hydrostatic drives and Kawasaki FS engine (FX is commercial grade). It is not quit a commercial grade but has many of the features of a commercial grade. I paid $6500 for my Ferris and it is twice the mower in comfort and performance as my $3000 Craftsman ZTR 6000. The Ferris will mow and travel straight on a side slope that the Craftsman just drifts down on even with the bar lug tires that I put on it. I put the Bar Lug tires on it because it just wouldn't go up a slight hill with the turf tires. The Ferris has much larger tires for a smoother ride PLUS it has the spring over shock suspension. Exmark makes some nice mowers with air ride suspension seats that are really nice for less than $9K in 60" models.

I think the major thing to look for other than thick steel in a fabricated deck is the hydrostat transmissions in your mower. Look for ones that require oil changes and possibly oil filters in them then you know you are getting into high end stuff. These will be 3400 series minimum.
Box store mowers are basically throw away because of the hydro drives that aren't designed to be serviced or rebuilt (just replaced at $1500 per wheel).

 

[4570Man]

As was noted in another thread, we're always more than willing to spend other people's money. I would guess that a good quality residential ZT will give you years of service. It won't be as fast or trouble free as a commercial unit, but if you take care of it, you would probably be OK. That said, a commercial unit will be more satisfying. My church mowed 5+ rough acres with a Craftsman $2000 lawnmower for about 6 years until I took it over with my CUT. That Craftsman is still running fine mowing a smaller yard, but I don't think anyone ever enjoyed the job with the little mower. Just my 2 cents.

He is going to have to throw out the must new criteria, but used commercial ZTRs exist for his budget.

 

[nikerret]

With your price in mind, the best a co-worker and I found, new, was the Hustler Raptor SD. It is quite a bit beefier than the Raptor or comparable Bad Boy. Everything we looked at was online and sitting still (in real life), though. No acutal mowing experience.

 

[ShowroomShine]

Are you guys trying to tell me that there are no reasonably priced new mowers capable of handling 7 acres of relatively easy lawn mowing 20 times a year (that's what, 50hrs a year?)? Because I find it hard to believe I'll have to pay 8K+ for something to do that. If that's true, I'm thinking a RFM for the Kioti might be the way to go. That'll only cost 3-4K max. There has got to be a grade between $3000 residential mowers, and 8K bottom line commercial mowers.

No, not at all. The "cheapest" zero turn I'd consider for anything other than a postage stamp sized lot would be the Ferris iz700, Raptor SD, Exmark Pioneer, Kubota 126 ETC. All of those will be under $7K.

If you want to stick to $3500, seriously, go used. You can find a great commercial grade zero with under 1000hrs for that price.

Or, if you dont care about cut quality go with the RFM. A woods RD72V is around $2300 new. Great cut quality, but its not zero turn level quality and looks.

 

[TJP89]

OK, dangerous idea, but let's forget money for a moment. I tell you I want to cut 6-7 acres of decent (not perfect) lawn around the house on my 25 acres. What are the specs that I should look for. I'm now thinking speed, steel grade, and mower width. Do weight and HP mean anything?

I have a number in mind that I'd like to stay under, but the main concern here is getting something that will cut the grass well. So try to set aside price and give me pointers, while keeping it to things that I need.

 

[tcartwri]

48~50" fabricated deck. 10mph travel speed. 25 to 28 HP.

If you go bigger on the deck you need a dead flat lawn.

That points to the Ferris 600 or 700, or Simplicity Citation. I have the latter.