Is there a bulletproof mower?

[Eagleview]

Well , I know for a fact that a Rover with a Briggs and Stratton is not bullet proof . After an hour of pulling , it finally started and I locked it in my garage at full revs . Later that day I checked on it hoping it was blown up . It had vibrated across the floor and cut my garden hose up into nice Bong length pieces and ran out of fuel . I took it outside , pretty cranky by now and got it going again . Full revs in the middle of the yard it sat there with a smirk on it's face . That was until it got shot with my AK , that'l teach it .


So don't buy one of these coz their not bullet proof .

 

[jenkinsph]

Honestly I dislike the ZT mowers. Gotta have a hood in front of me otherwise it just doesn't feel right.

I can get a 2305 for the same price I can get a X700 series for. A 2305 here with no loader is about $9,000, add in a mower, looking at $11,500. I know the X700 series here starts at close to $12,000 I think.

The problem with stepping up to the X700 series is I cannot force myself to spend over $5,000 on a riding mower. It is a riding lawn mower, not a full fledged tractor. It does one thing, cut grass. I MIGHT have the RARE need to slap a blade on the front of it to push an inch or 2 of snow off the driveway, other then that, it will never do anything other then cruise the lawn.

I feel if I am going to step up to a X700 series, I am better off with the 2305. It would last years upon years on grass cutting duties, and would support a hydraulic lift front blade or sweeping broom much easier then a X700 series would.

Basically it boils down to either a X300 series or go all out and get a 2305. The nice thing with the 2305 idea is that it is the closest thing to a bulletproof lawnmower one could get.

If you are looking at $5000 and down as your budget I would stick with the X300 series models starting with the X320 and up. This is where the better K58 transmissions are used, below the X320 Deere uses the K46 tranny that doesn't hold up well.

I have recently spent alot of time researching the riding mowers and decided on the X749. I considered a 2305 and also thought about waiting for the two new models to come out. For my purposes the X749 blows away a 2305 for mowing and manuevering in tight places. For finish mowing the AWD will have less scuffing than the 2305 with MFWD engaged or not. The X749 has the right gearing for mowing whereas the 2305 has a low range that is too low and a high range that is too high. I am not knocking the 2305 but I wouldn't assume it is simply better than an X748 or X749 for mowing, it isn't.

The 2305 is an 8 in 1 tool, doesn't really excel at anything, but can be a reasonable choice for the weekend warrior with a variety of small jobs to do.

 

[Speedfreak]

I would take a more serious look into the ztr mowers. For the price of a tractor style JD mower that mower mows at 6 MPH with a 52 inch deck you can get a nice ztr with a 60 inch deck that will buzz the lawn off at 12 to 15 mph. I mow our 1.5 acres in under 20 minutes with my new super Z. It cost $4800 used and had only 120 hours. The mowing speed comparison isn't even on the same chart. I sold my used x300 to get this mower. 53 minutes was my best time with my x300

And with a powered bagger the large 11 bushel one (I think) they can hold a TON of grass. One little flip of the handle and the bagger drops its load. I had an older country clipper that done this but look into ferris or grass hopper of you have to remove your clippings on that much lawn. like this one.

 

[Dargo]

Honestly I dislike the ZT mowers. Gotta have a hood in front of me otherwise it just doesn't feel right.

I assume you plan to use it for more than just mowing? If not, the typical "lawn mower" is extremely poorly designed for mowing. A good friend of my grandfather was in charge of designing JD mowers way back when. He found that he had to design them for form rather than function for them to sell. People wanted something that 'looked' like a tractor even though such a design is clearly inferior for mowing.

I have tractors for tractor work and mowers for mowing work. My oldest is an 11 year old Grasshopper diesel front mount mower that now has over 2000 hours on it. Without any doubt, it will last at least another 2000 hours before any issues may begin to pop up. It mows more than twice as fast as a mower designed to look like a tractor and, since it's purpose built, is far more durable and does a far better job cutting.

If looks are more important to you than performance, that's most certainly your option. However, when you ask for a "bulletproof mower", I assumed that function was paramount. If that is the case, I'd have to say a front mount Grasshopper with diesel power. With proper maintenance and no blatant abuse, it will last longer than you likely will need it.

 

[jcmseven]

I agree for mowing the ZTR or front cut style is best. The only issue here is that our OP has a budget to consider that might put him in the range of the less durable ZTR's etc.. I have a JD 950 with the 31 hp Kawasaki engine. I really like it. I do not love using ZTR's as some may, but it is a really pleasant machine to operate, and does a great job at a brisk pace. I suspect it would also be a machine that would last thousands of hours with solid service.

John M

 

[doall]

There is a reason every lawn service in the country (almost) {just for legality},uses zero turn mowers. They are superior. Faster, better cut, last longer, and easier to use. If you like a tractor type lawn mower, by all means, buy it. But there is no comparison between the two, if you are looking from a productivity point. Nothing wrong with the old way at all. But if you use a commercial zero you will never go back.

 

[Alan L.]

I am also in the ZTR camp. Nothing wrong with feeling more comfortable with a hood out front, but its a machine and it has a job. If you like stopping and backing up alot, and lots of weed eating, and mowing at a snail's pace then a lawn "tractor" is the way to go!!!!

 

[jgrreed]

Only had my ZTR for a month now, and love it.

Seriously look at one, they're a fantastic 'one job' machine (mowing). You can get a brand new Deere 5 series ZTR for under 5K, or a used 7 series for about the same. My 737 has almost 2000 hours and runs great. It's not pretty, but very functional.

-Jer.

 

[chrisdvorak]

I have owned my x500 with powerflow bagger and 54 in cut for about 4 years it has just over 400 hours on it and I have never had any big problems with it. I cut 5 acres of grass once a week with it and pick up all leaves as well.

 

[Gittyup]

I agree with Steve, that the 2305 is not necessarily a better mower than an X700. The super tight turning AWS and no roll bar in the way on the X700 are huge advantages. And I think the same hydraulic blade, snowblower, and broom are the same on either series. Again the blade/blower with AWS is awesome because you can plow sideways and still have steering when that front end is lightened by the down pressure of the attachment.

I do understand that it's a lot of money for just a mower, and maybe not worth it just for that. Same is true of the 2305: alot of money and less maneuverable. However, if you use the X700 to plow snow (and it'll move very deep snows) and/or you want to pull heavy loads, then the X700 is a great way to go.

The 300/500 series are good tractors, and a way to save some cash while meeting your needs. But, if I wanted to save money, before buying a 300/500 series I'd look for a gently used 425/445/455. If you can find one in very good condition, it'll be like getting the X700 (sans 4WD) at less than the cost of a new 500 series.