Mower recommendations for 6 acres.

[Birdhunter1]

It is a 2005 723K with a 2005 model 3452 deck. (23 hp Kohler and a 52" cut). Diesel engines are nice, and I wish I had bought one but they fetch a premium. Since I've had mine the only engine related work I've had to do was the stator assembly shorted out and the fuel pump quit, dealer replaced the stator and the bill wasn't bad, the fuel pump was about $10 or so.

 

[Schneeky]

Well, we took off this morning to go put our butts in some seats and to hear the schpeils. Not a lotta in stock stuff to see this time of year. But got to check out Gravely, Hustler, SCAG, Toro, Kubota, Bad Boy and Dixie Chopper. The last place we ended up was the dealer I bought my tractor from. Turns out they have some schweet promos goin on right now and my accountant (Miz Kris) liked the rates and the fact that everything could come from one place.

So unless something convinces us otherwise, when we get closer to all the house shuffling coming to fruition here in the next coupla weeks we should be draggin home a Dixie Chopper Silver Eagle 2750EFI, a Mahindra 5' rotary cutter and a 20' trailer. Checking into a few things with the DC. I know I really like EFI better for boat motors. Easier to work on an pretty much trouble free if ya don't get schtoopit with the fuel. Wanna research that and the pros-n-cons of it on a Kohler lawn mower engine. Also wanna get info on upgrading to a suspension seat. I thought the stock offering was OK. I took it out in the test field and really cut a fool with it. I got jostled pretty good, but no back compressing jolts like my current Gravely. Kris sez with the financing it doesn't make much of a difference and if I want it I oughtta gourd head and get it.

Well, if I must. Who am I to argue with the accountant? d:^) Jake..

 

[4570Man]

I had a Dixie chopper silver eagle. It was as good as any other comparable mower. The frame is heavier than any other ZTRs that I have seen. It rode rough though. The Ferris IS2100 I test drove rode much smoother than my Dixie chopper did. The IS2100 is quite a bit above your budget though. The IS700 is priced about your budget, but isn't nearly the mower the IS2100 is. The Ferris seemed to do better on slopes than my Dixie chopper did, but since I only used it 4 hours I can't say for sure. My Dixie chopper went up and down slopes good, but didn't hold a side hill very well even when dry. If it was wet you couldn't run across any kind of a slope. It was dry the day I had the Ferris so I can't compare how it did on wet grass.

 

[Schneeky]

Ferris was the original unit I had a serious interest in. But the only local dealer for them closed out that line and concentrated on Exmark.
I reckon I'm gonna see what happens with the DC. If I do have problems, the dealer is in easy choking distance at <5 miles. d:^) Jake..

 

[stevem5215]

You should consider Simplicity if you like Ferris. I bought a ZT-2500 this spring as they had some clearance sales on them. This is the one I got. It's very nice. And the wife likes it even ! And uses it more than me ! They had it on sale at $3000 with a $400 mail in rebate even. A steal IMO.

Simplicity ZT 25 48" Zero Turn Mower

Steve

 

[Schneeky]

You should consider Simplicity if you like Ferris. Steve

I had read they were the same and checked into both Ferris and Simplicity.
But there's not a dealer within a reasonable distance (~2hrs). d:^) Jake..

 

[kthompson]

Thanks for the comments. We're coastal here. Hills are pretty much non-existent. I've been in the flat so long my ears start popping in Rockingham! d:^) Jake..

You in NC coastal? I am just a few miles (about 20) off the coast in SC.

 

[kthompson]

Think I have this about correct: Snapper, Ferris and Simplicity are owned by Briggs and Stratton. Looking at the Simplicity on the internet the one I saw had suspension that looked like Ferris'. I knew when I bought my Ferris the dealership I dealt with told me all that but a look on the history of Simplicity just shows the above. The Ferris dealership I dealt with is a real old Snapper Dealership and pointed out the decks were the same between the same grade of mowers it was the suspension system was what I understood was the difference. kt

 

[Schneeky]

You in NC coastal? I am just a few miles (about 20) off the coast in SC.

Yup. Currently in Southport down on that last l'il southern corner of NC.
But we're selling our places here and heading up t'wards Burgaw somewhere, I think.
I haven't been to, or on the water in at least 1.5 years.
Funny how that works when ya live here.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You should consider Simplicity if you like Ferris. I bought a ZT-2500 this spring as they had some clearance sales on them. This is the one I got. It's very nice. And the wife likes it even ! And uses it more than me ! They had it on sale at $3000 with a $400 mail in rebate even. A steal IMO.

Simplicity ZT 25 48" Zero Turn Mower

Steve

I took a look at that site and they now have a 61" Simplicity mower on sale for $5999 which is less than I paid for my 52" Ferris.
If you are looking for smooth ride, it would sure profit you to go ride on one of the Ferris or Simplicity mowers. I just had to mow my yard with my old Craftsman ZTR 6000 while I get a new starter on my Ferris and man did I take a beating from it.