Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[4570Man]

interesting... To me, the Dixie models seem like they haven't made it out of the 1980s yet

What part about the Dixie chopper do you don't like? You can choose between a Kohler, Vanguard, or Kawasaki motor. I haven't seen a ZTR with with a heavier duty frame. They have a heavy duty fabricated deck ( which is no better or worse than other decks ). Some models offer a gas, diesel, or propane engine. Some other brands have a faster top travel speed ( which I guess means they aren't the worlds fastest mower ). My Dixie chopper still goes fast enough to bounce you off so I don't think maximum travel speed is very important.

 

[NoTrespassing]

OP, how many obstacles do you mow around on that 7 acres? If the majority is wide open how about a finish mower behind your Kioti, maybe that's been suggested. What can it handle, 6ft.? The rest around the house could be handled by a lot less mower than a full blown commercial mower.

Kevin

 

[NoTrespassing]

These are the main brands I'd consider, in alphabetical order


BadBoy
Bobcat (not Bobcat construction stuff, these are green)
eXmark
Ferris
GrassHopper
Gravely
Hustler
John Deere
Kubota
Scag
Toro & Snapper Pro Models (same company as eXmark)
Wright

I may have missed a few...

Walker

 

[TSO]

What part about the Dixie chopper do you don't like? You can choose between a Kohler, Vanguard, or Kawasaki motor. I haven't seen a ZTR with with a heavier duty frame. They have a heavy duty fabricated deck ( which is no better or worse than other decks ). Some models offer a gas, diesel, or propane engine. Some other brands have a faster top travel speed ( which I guess means they aren't the worlds fastest mower ). My Dixie chopper still goes fast enough to bounce you off so I don't think maximum travel speed is very important.

I apologize, I meant that about the Grasshopper units (dated). The few Dixie units I checked out seemed unrefined and "thrown" together. That was a couple years ago though.

 

[4570Man]

I apologize, I meant that about the Grasshopper units (dated). The few Dixie units I checked out seemed unrefined and "thrown" together. That was a couple years ago though.

Nothing to apologize for. I was just asking for a little explanation.

 

[DK35vince]

OP, how many obstacles do you mow around on that 7 acres? If the majority is wide open how about a finish mower behind your Kioti, maybe that's been suggested. What can it handle, 6ft.? The rest around the house could be handled by a lot less mower than a full blown commercial mower.

Kevin

The CK 35 should handle a 6' finish mower easy, and would probably run a 7'.
I run a 7' rear discharge rear finish mower on my DK 35 and it handles the mower, no problem.

 

[Buppies]

I am a large toro fan we have had one for 12 years with 60in deck mows very well one belt two front tires in that time having been replaced. I did replace the motor last year for more power and EFI. Original motor was 23HP now 27. Our front yard is a 17 degree slope no problems. Change oil grease and sharpen blades that's about it. Purchase price was 7695 now over 11000 dollars.

We mow 4 acres at our house and at another location mow 1.4 acres and it is more than up to the task. This model was a professional model or commercial whatever was in vogue at the time with 23HP instead of 27HP everything else the same. My recommendation is to go with the best you are willing to spend but commercial models are the way to go in my opinion

 

[MESSMAKER]

Walker

Pretty good list. Notice Cub Cadet is not on the list. I like John Deere,Scag and Grasshopper, but the others make good products as well. Snapper Pro,Gravely and Bad Boy give you a lot for your money if you have a good dealer near.

 

[4570Man]

I run a 6' mower with my b7100 with 14 pto hp, but it isn't nearly enough. My L3240 handles a 6 foot mower with ease.

 

[TJP89]

The CK 35 should handle a 6' finish mower easy, and would probably run a 7'.
I run a 7' rear discharge rear finish mower on my DK 35 and it handles the mower, no problem.

If I went the RFM route, it would be 6ft minimum, maybe 7. The Kioti would have no problem with either. My land is not wide open. Some parts are an obstacle course, there are some open areas, around the house there are a lot of flower beds that curve in and out (the previous owner was a gardening nut, I've pulled out half the beds, else I'd need a fulltime gardener). The reason I don't want to go that way is because I bought the tractor to be tractor, maximum traction, heavy, etc. Most of the time it would kill the lawn. The other reason is maneuverability. While the RFM would be better than the H's mid mower, I think I still would have to have something smaller to get in a couple real tight spots. An example is in back of the house, where the mower has to deal with the contours of the flower bed, the patio, the birdfeeder, well pump head, birch stump, and two small trees. While there is plenty of clearance for a 60" or 72" deck, even without the loader, it would be a real pain to get the tractor in there.

The best option actually would be a SCUT with MMM and loader, that could get in tight areas and do landscape work on the lawn without bringing in the Kioti. But I'm not spending the 18K for another tractor. The same applies for the front mowers. While they might be useful, I'm afraid they are out of the budget. A zero turn will work just fine there, no need to pay 5K more.

I'll sit down and go over specs this weekend, look at brands online, see what's out there. I have time on this, and I plan to use it.