mowers

[mulitweed]

I can do about 4 mph across my lawn on my tractor. Much more than that, and I'm bouncing around so hard that I feel like I'm going to break something. But I do 11 mph on my zero turn, excepting a few areas (eg. culverts, driveway crossings). It also accelerates from 0 - 11 mph, and back down to zero for any required obstacles, in the blink of an eye.

It takes me under 2 hours to mow my 4 acres of lawn with the 60" zero turn. I tried the same once with a 72" belly mower on my tractor, and it took me more than 50% longer. I don't have any obscene number of tree roundings, but I do have a house, barn, and a few dozen trees to get around.

And beyond that, I can damn near do a ballet on the zero turn, whereas the tractor is just slow and cumbersome, getting into every corner, etc.

exactly , i cut my mowing time in half

 

[Drstrangeglove]

My yard is dusty. I enjoy the filtered cold air of my tractor.

 

[arrow]

must have been the cheapest got at tsc , shouldve went a few blocks farther and got a stihl

Where l work sells Husq, Mikita, Stihl and Echo gas chain saws. Stihl can also make junk saws.
Saw quality resides with pricing.
For a person cutting occasionally, the bigger battery powered chainsaws will do nicely.
We sell Makita, Echo, Stihl and Husq in those.
My preference is the 56v Echo in battery powered.

 

[Skeletor]

I just had a bad boy maverick 54” 27hp delivered today. I upgraded to the suspension seat and it rides like a dream.

 

[WinterDeere]

My Deere ZTrak mower rides about as nicely as an M4 Sherman tank. Other than the damn thing bouncing me around so much it'd give me cramps if I tried mowing right after lunch, I never really cared all that much about ride quality.

That was, until I broke a rib last week. Suddenly mower ride quality has become the bane of my existence.

 

[Notforhire]

My Deere ZTrak mower rides about as nicely as an M4 Sherman tank. Other than the damn thing bouncing me around so much it'd give me cramps if I tried mowing right after lunch, I never really cared all that much about ride quality.

That was, until I broke a rib last week. Suddenly mower ride quality has become the bane of my existence.

To the OP.
If you have a nice smooth lawn and a good back a rigid frame z mower is fine. They are simpler and less expensive than a Ferris suspension mower. (I had a rigid frame Ferris for over 15 years. I sold it to a friend that loves it and actually runs it in pastures)

However if you are mowing a reclaimed pasture/lawn and you're old (like me) with a junk back, suspension is the way to go.
Suspension or rigid frame are apples and oranges. The only thing they have in common is that they are both mowers.

It's a decision each of us can make dependent on their needs.
There are lots of mowing contractors that run rigid frame, sometimes with suspension seats and a perfectly happy with them.

Go to different dealers and try out their machines. With the blades disengaged run them at speed across some rough ground and compare.
Weight of the machine, tire size, seat and seat suspension all make a difference.
It's up to you. Everyones needs are different.

Ops
Sorry, I missed your post saying that you already made your purchase.
Enjoy your new machine!

 

[tradosaurus]

I have a 19 year old John Deere Zero Turn, 760. It was a demo model I bought from the dealership in 2005.

We replaced the engine about 5 or 6 years ago, about 400 hours ago, the Kawasaki they came with was apparently problematic, often caught fire, but we kept it clear of grass so that wasn't it, I honestly don't remember what the fatal flaw was with the first motor, but it was replaced with a Kohler to the tune of about $3500, which compared to the price of a new machine was the better option.

The master clutch seems to be an 8 year item, I've replaced it twice. Seems to be around $500-600 to repair.

We change the oil and filters and keep it blown off after mowing, but otherwise have abused it mightily on our 15 acres.

I will happily keep maintaining it, and even would replace the engine again if needed as it is a workhorse and that mowing deck is SOLID.

I have a friend who has managed to get not one, but two Kubota diesel lemon zero turns. But whatever dealer she has in NC is not so awesome.

I do NOT love the dealer, although it changed ownership and I will say the service department seems improved. I'll have to see about the sales department... They seem to not realize that just because I'm a petite woman does not mean I don't spend my own money. My husband will never buy a piece of equipment...he'll use mine, but he won't ever go shop.

Good dealer support is a bonus. I bought a new 60" Toro Zmaster Myride with the 24 hp Kawasaki engine last year. Paid $11,000.
Had nothing but issues with the engine. After the 3rd trip to the dealer they said they cleaned the carburetor. It seems to be working now but I vaguely hear a constant tapping sound from one of the cylinders. The dealer has done all they can with the knowledge they have. I would rather have had a new motor but time will tell.