Any Fans/operators of Front Mowers out there Still??

Jason B · Jun 21, 2009

Hi

Just wondering if there are still any fans/operators of Front Mowers out there? I know everyone is crazy about ZTRs, I am not a huge fan of ZTRs, but would not hessitate to try out a Grasshopper with the deck out front.

I just bought a 1997 Deere F1145 Front mower this past March, having the 4WD and the ablity to trim up close and around objects is impressive. Might not be able to turn as sharp as a ZTR but she can really manuver. Also she does a nice job in high range cutting grass. You can really knock grass down in a hurry with the 1145.

Just wondering if there are others out there running Kbouta 2260's, 2560's, 3060's, 3560's, Deere F935's, F1145's, 1445's, Ford & New Holland Front Mowers.

In my opnion, I love the Front Mowers, I don't think I would want to go back to a mid deck mower again, after moving to a Front mower.

I also run a Rotary Broom on the Front of my F1145 and am thinking of putting a cab and Snow Blower on her as well.

I am hoping to get a few years out of the F1145 and then maybe up to a 1445 or 1435.

It's Too bad that a New Front Mower is pretty pricey compared to a ZTR, oh well, I wished the Conservation Authority I work for had bought a Deere 1445 over the 997 they bought. 997 is a good mower for a ZTR, but the ablity to trim close to trees and other objects in the park would have been nice, especially with the off set deck for tight triming around trees.

We have actually have mower weedtrimming to do now with the ZTR's then we did when the authority used to have Ford Front Mounts.

I like the fact that the Front Mowers can come with 4WD, which is great to have, as we are constantly cutting in wet grass in order to keep up with the grass, and once you get a ZTR stuck, you need an assistance of a tractor, the old Ford Front Mowers had 4WD, they would occasionally get stuck, but not nearly as bad as the ZTRs.

I will take a Front Mower hands down over a ZTR if I had the choice, buts thats just my opnion.

Take Care Jason B

Nightrain1 · Jun 22, 2009

Count me as a fan. I have never had a machine like what you are currently useing, but my hydrostatic 20 hp Yazoo, with a 60 inch deck out front was enough to convince me over the last 15 years. Wish I could buy a new one just like it.

OKnewguy · Jun 23, 2009

Count me as a fan too. I love my Grasshopper. I had a Gravely ZTR before, and this Grasshopper is so much more stable. The old ZTR was only stable on hills going straight up, but the Grasshopper is stable in any direction. I also can take the front mount mower and start to put the blades over the edge of a creek that I have, you keep the drive tires on on firm ground. My ride is so much smoother then my old ztr.
Dave

LBrown59 · Jun 24, 2009

Nightrain1 said:
Count me as a fan. I have never had a machine like what you are currently useing, but my hydrostatic
20 hp Yazoo
with a 60 inch deck out front was enough to convince me over the last 15 years. Wish I could buy a new one just like it.

Do you still have this ?

fountain42 · Jun 24, 2009

Had a Deere F525 that just died and could'nt get another so I Just bought a Grasshopper 729. What a mower

TEN10TRADER · Jun 24, 2009

Had a f-910 deere mowed 6 ac. with it on farm -Best mower made now that i'm not on farm i have a f-525 that i would'nt get rid of for a farm-always ready to go and no trouble- with frount mower you can mow around trees and bushes better than zr's- made a V blade for the 910 and cleared snow on 1/4 drive with 2 passes- don't know how to show pic

unit40 · Jun 25, 2009

Can I chime in here? Started with a Hustler 72" 340 mower, moved up to a Hustler 4600 range wing unit, had a Ford new Holland CM224 with a 72" deck and a deck belt driven blower for the bagging system, traded up to a Kubota F3060 with a 72" deck and PTO powered collection system, and a JD 1445 with a 72" deck and a Yanmar pony motor PECO collection system. Now debating on trading the 1445 in for either a JD 997 or two X749 mowers with the 62" decks and the 14 bushel powerflow baggers. I'm leaning towards the two X749's. I can buy two of them for the price of one new 1445 with the MCS system. I love front mounts but after running these machines for decades, I'm starting to wise up and reconsider things.

Nightrain1 · Jun 26, 2009

LBrown59 said:
Do you still have this ?

Yes, I still have it.

Blackhammer · Jun 28, 2009

The problem I see withthe front deck mower is the mower is now HUGE. There are a couple of grasshoppers for sale localy and they look good but 15,000 new and 8999 used. It was a really big mower. really nice too but too rich for my blood. I will stick with my ZTR. I do my 2.5 acres in under an hour.

Nightrain1 · Jun 29, 2009

Like I said, always liked the out front design of the yazoo I used for several years, but this weekend, I came a cross a heck of a deal on a new bad boy ztr. It has a 60 inch deck and a 28 hp cat. Should be delivered tomorrow or the next day and I can't wait to see the differences. Diesels last for a long time and the bad boy is built like a brick outhouse, so I am hoping this to be my last big lawnmower purchase ever again.
The 1993 yazoo ran 9400.00 back then, I just got a diesel ztr for 9800.00 out the door. Time will tell if I done ok.