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.

 

[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.