I need a mower jack

[vanguard]

I have a pair of 72" zero turns and a 32" riding mower. One of the zero turns is diesel so it's pretty heavy. I'd like to buy a jack that I can use to service all of them.

I don't want to throw away money on a $450 jack, like this one, but if that's the right tool for the job I'll do it.

So, do I need that or can I buy something cheaper and more "shade tree" mechanic oriented?

Edit: Another option is the FEL on my tractor but I want something safe enough to crawl underneath. My family would be doomed without me.

 

[DK35vince]

I have this one and it will lift the front of my 72" (1600 LB) zero turn with no problem.
The legs are adjustable, so I think it would also work with my garden tractor just fine.
Multi-use Lawn Mower Lift and Farm Jack - 588819, Yard & Garden Tools at Sportsman's Guide

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a pair of 72" zero turns and a 32" riding mower. One of the zero turns is diesel so it's pretty heavy. I'd like to buy a jack that I can use to service all of them.

I don't want to throw away money on a $450 jack, like this one, but if that's the right tool for the job I'll do it.

So, do I need that or can I buy something cheaper and more "shade tree" mechanic oriented?

Edit: Another option is the FEL on my tractor but I want something safe enough to crawl underneath. My family would be doomed without me.

I lift my mower deck all the way up.

I then jam in a long 2x4 (or whatever) between the frame and the mower deck, and use the board as a lever to lift the entire mower up so that its weight is mostly on its rear wheels. I normally rest the other end of the board on the back of the high chair or work bench.

I also use anti-seeze on the bolts holding the blades on, so that they can be removed with a cordless impact gun. Doing this stuff has greatly eased the servicing hassle factor of getting at my zero-turn's blades.

 

[vanguard]

Any other thoughts?

 

[Bird]

Since I have a lighter weight ZTR, I have the slightly smaller, cheaper MoJack than the one in the OPs link. I use it to clean the bottom side of the deck and to remove the blades. I also have one of these farm jacks:
Strongway Farm Jack — 3 1/2-Ton Capacity, 5in.–40in. Lift Range | Farm Jacks| Northern Tool + Equipment that I use if I just want to lift the front wheels to remove them to grease them. If I were going to get under it with the farm jack, I'd sure want something to hold it up and make sure it wouldn't fall.

 

[MitchellB]

I use my roll around cherry picker jack to lift my riding mower front end to remove/sharpen blades. The cherry picker gets a lot of use for other lifting chores as well; such as engine removal, unloading heavy items from my trailer. The boom pole on my tractor would also work, but I can finesse the cherry picker lifting/lowering better.

 

[Will_C]

How about using your FEL and building a sort of jack stand for safety? I am guilty of using the loader without support, but will be making some sort of stand soon.

Will

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I've used the FEL with a strap to lift the ztr and then set it on jack stands. I've also used my friends lawn mower jack. The lawn mower jack is worth every penny with the ease of use, safety and convenience.

 

[WM75Guy]

I got one of these free when I bought my RTZ50 at TSC. So far it's worked great. I like that it has the safety latch. I lock it in every time I raise the mower.

Pro-Lift Heavy Duty Lawn Mower Lift | TractorSupply

 

[vanguard]

How about using your FEL and building a sort of jack stand for safety? I am guilty of using the loader without support, but will be making some sort of stand soon.

Will

Doh! This is perfect. I'll lift the mower, set the frame down on the 12 or 15 ton jack stands I already own, and it will be safe to work on.

 

[SandburRanch]

I have a pair of 72" zero turns and a 32" riding mower. One of the zero turns is diesel so it's pretty heavy. I'd like to buy a jack that I can use to service all of them.

I don't want to throw away money on a $450 jack, like this one, but if that's the right tool for the job I'll do it.

So, do I need that or can I buy something cheaper and more "shade tree" mechanic oriented?

Edit: Another option is the FEL on my tractor but I want something safe enough to crawl underneath. My family would be doomed without me.

For an authentic shade tree approach this works for any mower and there isn't a storage problem with another piece of bulky equipment in the way the remainder of your life.

 

[DK35vince]

I have this one and it will lift the front of my 72" (1600 LB) zero turn with no problem.
The legs are adjustable, so I think it would also work with my garden tractor just fine.
Multi-use Lawn Mower Lift and Farm Jack - 588819, Yard & Garden Tools at Sportsman's Guide

This lift does also have the safety latch pins.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

For an authentic shade tree approach this works for any mower and there isn't a storage problem with another piece of bulky equipment in the way the remainder of your life.

I'd sure want the wheels chocked and a couple of jack stands under the deck. Without them, the strength and condition of the rope and the tree limp are the only things between you and a disaster.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Duplicate post.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I use a $80 ($100 - 20%) Harbor Freight lawn mower lift, and it works great. Can't beat the price. It lifts my lawn tractor no problem. I use it every time I mow to clean out the deck before putting it away.

 

[rkaufmann]

I have this one and it will lift the front of my 72" (1600 LB) zero turn with no problem.
The legs are adjustable, so I think it would also work with my garden tractor just fine.
Multi-use Lawn Mower Lift and Farm Jack - 588819, Yard & Garden Tools at Sportsman's Guide

Vince:
Since this jack works with your Super Z, I would think it would work with my Exmark 60" Lazer Z (1133#), but I could find no specs online that state the adjustment range of the wheel cradles. My measurements are 44" outside to outside of front casters and 34 3/4" inside to inside. When you get a chance, could you please measure the range of cradle adjustment on your jack and confirm if it is in the range of my measurements? I'd hate to pay the return shipment for the jack if it turns out to be too small. Thanks for your help.
Rick

 

[DK35vince]

Vince:
Since this jack works with your Super Z, I would think it would work with my Exmark 60" Lazer Z (1133#), but I could find no specs online that state the adjustment range of the wheel cradles. My measurements are 44" outside to outside of front casters and 34 3/4" inside to inside. When you get a chance, could you please measure the range of cradle adjustment on your jack and confirm if it is in the range of my measurements? I'd hate to pay the return shipment for the jack if it turns out to be too small. Thanks for your help.
Rick

Rick,
My Super Z front tires are 52" outside to out side and 40" inside to inside.
My tires stick out over the cradles by a couple inches on each side at their widest setting, but its not a problem.
The cradles are 10" wide and adjust from 41" to 49" outside to outside.

 

[rkaufmann]

Rick,
My Super Z front tires are 52" outside to out side and 40" inside to inside.
My tires stick out over the cradles by a couple inches on each side at their widest setting, but its not a problem.
The cradles are 10" wide and adjust from 41" to 49" outside to outside.

Thanks Vince. I really appreciate that you took the time to check the measurements for me! It looks like my machine should fit just fine. I think I will go ahead and order one from Blains Farm and Fleet. Theirs is the best price I could find (179.99) but the shipping is pretty salty at about 33.00 to my door. Sportsman's Guide is out of stock until at least 10/5.
Thanks again,
Rick