7 acres - what zero turn do you suggest?

[travlitt]

Which model Scag is that? Edit: Oh, I see, Velocity Plus

Velocity plus is the type of deck. The model of the Scag mower is a "Turf Tiger"

 

[PJSprog]

Scag is popular around our area, too. Many of the local municipalities use them to maintain their grounds. They seem to enjoy a solid reputation.

 

[kthompson]

For your price range think you are in the used market which is fine. We have a mid range Bush Hog that is probably used by us 10 years and it was good and still is. But some repairs to the motor (Kohler) that was not costly and to the deck front mounts. Both broke and had to be re-welded. It was bought to work with a tractor and rfm but as has been pointed out it was fast to cut with it and left the tractor sit even though both were Bush Hog decks running many of the same parts and the rfm was 20" wider. If you are cutting 7 acres a week would not recommend that mower. Nothing wrong with Bush Hog.

We have now used a Ferris with 61 inch deck and 37 hp Kawasaki engine and it is a gas hog compared to the Bush Hog but buddy row it cuts. Had to replace the deck belt right after out of warranty for that very reason, hit real thick grass and the motor never stalled and the blades did and the belt was the weak link. However honestly think it was a defective belt for it had a noise to it from the beginning.

My thoughts from using the estate Bush Hog to the commercial Ferris: you want large diameter tires, helps with small holes and roots or such. You want a very good seat do not skip on a seat. Especially if you have any back issue or any other medical issue that bouncing can make worse. You want good hp to blade width. Some will be package with a motor large enough only for the light cutting as the speeds they will run and if you have never run a ztr you will run them wide open. No easy way to run slow with the steering they have.

Then get you hearing and eye protection, you need both.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think the best mower in your $6000 price range is the Ferris IS700Z. It has the commercial grade hydraulic motors that are serviceable with yearly oil changes. My 26 HP Kawasaki engine is great on gas. I can mow my 6+ acre yard on around 3 gallons of fuel and it has plenty of power for my 52" deck. I think the 60" deck was $500 more and I didn't think 8" was worth that.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I looked at gravely hd the the other day, nice commercial version at $5k.

 

[Stuka]

I think the best mower in your $6000 price range is the Ferris IS700Z. It has the commercial grade hydraulic motors that are serviceable with yearly oil changes. My 26 HP Kawasaki engine is great on gas. I can mow my 6+ acre yard on around 3 gallons of fuel and it has plenty of power for my 52" deck. I think the 60" deck was $500 more and I didn't think 8" was worth that.

The Scag sounds good, but way out of my price range so there's no point in considering it. I will have a look at the Ferris and Exemark, and the Gravely ZT HD60. Buying used sounds risky, I could see sinking $4000 into someone's problem machine.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I priced gravely HD 60 at $5200.
They have a zt50 kohler at $2800.
Tsc has bad boy in the $3-4k range.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I priced gravely HD 60 at $5200.
They have a zt50 kohler at $2800.
Tsc has bad boy in the $3-4k range.

The Ferris should be close to the Gravely price. I like /bought the Ferris for the suspension system which makes for a much smoother ride on my rough ground. No other zero turn mower has a suspension system like Ferris company. (Simplicity is same co.)

 

[KWentling]

The Scag sounds good, but way out of my price range so there's no point in considering it. I will have a look at the Ferris and Exemark, and the Gravely ZT HD60. Buying used sounds risky, I could see sinking $4000 into someone's problem machine.

I mow about 1/2 of what you are. I went the used commercial route and it has been good so far, but understand your concern. My main reason was I wanted a diesel
and that was the only way I could swing that. Three seasons so far and no regrets yet.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I bought a used Grasshopper front-mount 729BT with the 29hp Vanguard engine, and I have been completely happy with it. It only had about 220 hours on it and was 1/2 the price of a new one.

I'm looking for a 2nd mower now, so I'm somewhat up to date on what's out there. Here are my thoughts:

1. Don't overlook John Deere's 9-series zero turn mowers. Such as the 915, 920, 930, etc. You might be able to get into the 915e for just a little over your budget. A lot of people claim the 7-Iron Pro deck is as good as, or even better than, the Velocity + deck on the Scag mowers.

2. Stay away from the box store junk. But you already knew that.

3. If your land is rough, pay heed to Gary Fowler's recommendation of the Ferris. Due to the suspension, they ride better than any other mower I've tried. I tested a Ferris IS2100 back-to-back with a Scag Cheetah with the suspension platform, and it wasn't even a contest. The Ferris was like riding on a cloud. The IS700 won't ride quite as nicely as the IS2100 (which had full four-wheel independent suspension), but it will ride much better than a non-suspension mower.

4. Finally, a good dealer is just as important, if not more so, than the brand of mower you buy. Every brand can have an issue from time to time. You can buy the most expensive model that Scag or Deere or anyone else makes, and if your dealer doesn't have the knowledge or right attitude to service it timely and correctly, you're dead in the water.