Grasshopper mowers

[Sawyer Rob]

You'd be surprised.

I've always preferred rear discharge, except in the case of lush and wet finish mowing, as they tend to clump.

In my experience, side discharge has been worse than rear or mulching in the dry... as the cast has far less deflection to be thrown in the air.

I do like rear discharge decks, just NOT on a front mount machine, like my GH... Ever try one on a GH? They are fine in town, but not so much out here in the country with all kinds of different terrain making dry grass and dust fly...

SR

 

[Creamer]

I have lots of friends with Grasshoppers and none of them would switch. There area also a lot of the old Grasshopper built Woods mowers around here as well - very well liked. Of course we have a great dealer locally and a few others around.

The only reason I do not have one is that in '97 when I bought my mower - Deines was the only one with a flip up deck and I wanted it. The cost factor didn't hurt any on the Deines either as Grasshopper does love their product.

 

[BrokeSolid]

So glad I found this thread! I'm reviving it just because! There is is barely any info out there on these tractors (if you can call it that) in forums! Prob because it's mostly used commercially. I'm about to buy a grasshopper, comparing a new unit to used ones myself. Currently leaning toward new, but still hoping a clean used one falls into my lap, because that price tag is crazy! Does anyone have any thoughts on the G2 vs T6 trans? I haven't found anything bad about the T6, but the G2 is still offered on the 900 series so that says something to me. Also I'm eyeing up a rear discharge deck, but there is even less info out there on that thing! It has an additional blade to eliminate windrowing, but idk. It cost more too, so another reason to really be sure it's what I want.

 

[Texasmark]

Grasshopper has some good listings as do several other upper priced units. I shopped them with Bad Boy and numerous others. I had 2 complaints with my mowers: Scotts 42 HST, JD L110 42 HST, Hustler Fastrak 44 ZT, Husq, 46 HST, DR Pro Z 52 HST and that was clippings out the shoot blowing back in my face when mowing and rough ride on my rough turf. I bought the Ferris 61" with the BS Vanguard 26 because of the suspension and the way the deck is setup it develops a real whirlwind which blasts the clippings out the chute far enough away to keep them out of my eyes. I had thought for a long time I too wanted a rear discharge but after reading around and thinking about it I decided that was not the best option for tall grass which I usually mow....for the "recommended" clipping of 1" per pass then rear should do fine.

If suspension is not an issue with you, no reason not to go Grasshopper as I see it. Not that there is anything wrong with theirs, I watched a commercial guy cut the hospital's parking lot one day and that convinced me the Ferris would be my choice....even at that and it being a new machine, I added springs to the seat and bought golf cart balloon 22x11-10 traction tires running them at 10 psig, and put a canopy on it. Now I'm happy. Wink!

 

[Creamer]

Around here I think the Grasshopper is the most popular mower commercially or homeowner. They are great mowers - I think the best - especially the front deck models which flip up for easy blade access and you can get under bushes and low hanging branches much easier. They have such a low center of gravity and wide stance that you cannot tip them - they slide first - even with the chevron tires. their low Cg also makes them great hill handlers, either up and down or sideways. The decks handle a large amount of material very well.

The only negative I know about them is that parts for units over 20 years old may not be available as they do have special parts and are not made just out of other manufacturers components. And of course the price but I would not shy away from one with 2000 hours on it if it looks like it has been cared for.

 

[BrokeSolid]

Well I'm undecided on everything, but I'm getting one next week come **** or high water. My dealer quoted me 14,900 for a 2017 725dt with grammer susp seat, folding rops, 61" rear discharge, free break in service, an extra set of blades and 0% for 48. The rear discharge is a 500 option, but I'm pretty sure I want it. I'm gonna call about a clean 2005 722d susp seat and 61" side discharge tomorrow with 800 hours for 6900. Not sure which way I'll go, but After mowing today, I'm getting a grasshopper this week.

 

[Redneck in training]

Well I'm undecided on everything, but I'm getting one next week **** or high water. My dealer quoted me 14,900 for a 2017 725dt with grammer susp seat, folding rops, 61" rear discharge, free break in service, an extra set of blades and 0% for 48. The rear discharge is a 500 option, but I'm pretty sure I want it. I'm gonna call about a clean 2005 722d susp seat and 61" side discharge tomorrow with 800 hours for 6900. Not sure which way I'll go, but After mowing today, I'm getting a grasshopper this week.

We have 725K that is about 20 years old with 1200 hours. It has second engine. First engine was wrecked by our own fault due to low engine oil while mowing very steep slope. It has second electric PTO clutch and few new bearings in spindles (due to neglected lube). Other parts such as new blades, V belts and etc are consumables that I changed at about 1000 hours. The design is simple enough so they are easy to repair and/or overhaul by DIY. No special tools required. If you are handy I wouldn't be afraid to buy the used.

 

[Texasmark]

Around here I think the Grasshopper is the most popular mower commercially or homeowner. They are great mowers - I think the best - especially the front deck models which flip up for easy blade access and you can get under bushes and low hanging branches much easier. They have such a low center of gravity and wide stance that you cannot tip them - they slide first - even with the chevron tires. their low Cg also makes them great hill handlers, either up and down or sideways. The decks handle a large amount of material very well.
The only negative I know about them is that parts for units over 20 years old may not be available as they do have special parts and are not made just out of other manufacturers components. And of course the price but I would not shy away from one with 2000 hours on it if it looks like it has been cared for.

Agree on the chevron slippage. I mowed pool (pond) banks with my DR which at 900# was a pretty good weight to move up, down, and sideways of the banks. Obviously the OEM turfs came off and I put chevrons on thinking they would do the trick. They didn't. Went to ATV studded snow tires with the individual posts and that did the trick. However, you had to be real soft with the controls in making Z turns to keep from digging up turf but you can do it, just be easy. The golf cart traction tires I put on the Ferris are a good combination of stud and turf.

 

[Texasmark]

I really like the power fold deck on my GH, it sure makes blade sharpening MUCH easier...

SR

That was one serious thought I had when I looked at them. No doubt about the convenience of being to tilt that deck up. The other thing I noticed was the front of the deck is sloping with deflector shields inside. The Ferris is like that too and clippings over the front are about non existent as evidenced by that little pile on the right corner in your picture of both mowers. My experience with the vertical front mowers without the internal deflector shields is wads and wads of clippings up on top around your spindles and drive mechanisms.

 

[NC419N]

You will love the Upgrade seat, the deck adjustment and most everything about the Diesel engine!! If it was all wheel drive I would have one today by far best bang for the buck.
Try height adjustment on a Kubota Front mount and you will be shaking your head lol