mowers

[Ricn]

in terms of budget, around 5.5k & below will get you a consumer grade box store mower. of course depending on size. for heaver duty or commercial, plan on spending 7k on up. in general, 54"-60" are the std sizes

"My Son has the I-mark mowing 2 acres": Ricn
think it's the eXmark mower. plenty of good quality out there, Ferris another one. the OP will have to look at 8k plus for that grade mower.

commercial mowers not only have a more robust frame construction, but heavier duty wheel motors & hyd pumps. (Parker & Hydro gear are the ones to look for on those higher end items) ... in terms of mower engines, i lean toward Kawi, regards

U-R right, exmark..

 

[ReRide]

It sure depends on how much you plan to use it. I bought a new Grasshopper 725 front deck diesel in 2014, and at 990 hours and 10 years old and it still runs like the day it was new. The only repair has been a set of belts which is really just maintenance.

 

[RjCorazza]

It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing how much acreage is being mowed. Other than recommending Kawasaki engines, which generally come on the better residential machines and up, I can only really recommend commercial equipment.
My usage is likely significantly different than the op though.

 

[big bubba]

makes sense, mine about the same except i've replaced idler pulleys few times.

Grasshopper is another established commercial name. i now get kevlar reinforced belts from source below, much better than Gates box store. a lot of heat is generated in the belt train on zeros. thankfully my spindles are grease serviceable

V Belts | Vbelts4Less Top Quality and Service

www.vbelts4less.com

 

[mulitweed]

thamks everyone for the info

 

[oosik]

I mow around two and a half acres. I use a JD 570 riding mower. JMHO - but in my case the riding mower works better than a zero turn. Two of my acres mowed are meadows with field grass, lumps, bumps, swales and whoop-te-doos. Not so good for a zero turn.

A day of mowing can be quite a work out for me.

 

[mvoght]

I mow around two and a half acres. I use a JD 570 riding mower. JMHO - but in my case the riding mower works better than a zero turn. Two of my acres mowed are meadows with field grass, lumps, bumps, swales and whoop-te-doos. Not so good for a zero turn.

A day of mowing can be quite a work out for me.

The Zero turn does beat you up in fields! I spent about an hour yesterday on mine, I mowed 2 very, small paddocks and then edging 2 pastures with a double pass, and a bit of machine abuse when I mowed an overgrown trail outside my fence that we'd fallen behind mowing.

It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing how much acreage is being mowed. Other than recommending Kawasaki engines, which generally come on the better residential machines and up, I can only really recommend commercial equipment.
My usage is likely significantly different than the op though.

That's interesting, as it was a Kawasaki engine that was failing on my 2005 JD ZTF 760. And, they replaced it with a Kohler.

 

[big bubba]

The Zero turn does beat you up in fields! mvoght

yes indeed. i mow around 4 acres same as yours around ponds, etc. the feral hogs have made a disaster in wet areas of turf, makes for a rough ride. fortunately i can handle it. were i on the market again, would go w/Ferris w/front suspension. strange why other manufacturers have not done the same, regards

 

[319Quahog]

I mow around two and a half acres. I use a JD 570 riding mower. JMHO - but in my case the riding mower works better than a zero turn. Two of my acres mowed are meadows with field grass, lumps, bumps, swales and whoop-te-doos. Not so good for a zero turn.

This is where I am at. I only have a small part of my lot which needs mowing-maybe an acre, but it is hilly, bumpy, swirly, angled, etc.

I did it yesterday with a push mower, and have about talked myself into running to the Deere place and getting a 42" X370.

 

[shooterdon]

Typical. People recommed stuff and don’t squat about what the guy needs.

Sarcasm mode engaged…….

Buy an $18,000 mower and brag about it.