Mowing 5 to 7 Acres - is ZTR the best approach

[Spiffy]

John pretty much described them from A to Z. The weight distribution can also help the ride over bumps and control on hills. The only drawbacks I know of are overall length (I think the midmounts leave more room on mowing trailers) and extra price (20 or 30%?).

Your budget should be fine with most midmount machines or the 727 Grasshopper.

These guys list prices for both 'Hoppers and CC Tanks:
Commercial Mowers
One of their salemen posts TBN frequently.

Despite the extra cost, if you're looking at the 'Hoppers, I'd test out a frontmount. The Ferris would be a good trial for the suspension. The Tank (Kubota too?) with pivoting front axel. Then a solid frame JD or Bob-Cat. All sorts of other considerations (deck design/construction, transmissions..........), but assuming the bumps and hills to be your challenges the ride and handling is an easy thing to test!

 

[JasonH]

A budget of 9k-10K$ puts you into the major leagues. For that much money get a dedicated ZTR with a diesel.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Here are some of the type of mower I was recommending:
http://www.toro.com/golf/mower/trim/gm300/328.html

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/GC/series/GC_front_mid_series.html

 

[ronjhall]

If that is $9,000 to $10,000 Canadian. You are going to find it hard to get a Diesel for that price. If you ground is hilly on 20% grade I would not want to be using a ZTR. You need 4WD. Front mowers made by <font color="green"> JD </font> and <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> will fit this requirement. But price will be twice your budget. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif As has already been mentioned you may be better off with a Subcompact like a BX2230 with a 60" MMM.

 

[Spiffy]

$$$$ Canadian? That changes the things a bit.

With that many obstacles, I really think it's worth trying a ZTR first. I can really imagine that 727 (or even 723, or 718 if available with bar-tread and wide rear-end [maybe the single wheel is fine for you?] to span the hills) Grasshopper doing well, but that's probably $$$$$ Canadian. The Ferris might be a good compromise, but I have no first hand info on it.

Also, that Cub Cadet M54 should have a 54" cutting deck, but maybe they have configurations where a 60" fits?

 

[clarkie]

Sorry,

Should have mentioned the Canadian Funds thing. It does sound like many in the group think front mount might be worth the extra investment.

Leaning towards the "Grass Hopper". The mid mount was the cheapest of the list posted above, so I assume front mount will be competitive as well. (although Gravely looked nice on website...have not determined price yet)

I hesitate to get a sub compact; to much over lap with my compact and to many changes in direction.

We have lots of snow up here currently, so test drives are out of the question until spring. Hope to have a tight list of alternatives by then.

All of your comments have been greatly appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

clarkie

 

[TwinWillows]

Every location mowed has different needs. Our place is basically flat but not smooth. We have about 30 acres of which we mow about 8 regularly - around the house, shop, lane & peach orchard. We started with a 25hp 48" deck garden tractor & it was taking over 8 hrs for just the 4ac around the house & shop & lane. We quilckly unloaded the GT & bought a Dixie Chopper ZTR - 25 hp 60" deck & have never regretted it. For us we'd NEVER go back to a GT to mow with! As other's have recommended, try out some commercial ZTR's & see how they work.

 

[gates]

Clarkie,
If your major concern is time. What ever you decide, mid or front mount, with that kind of acreage get a 72" deck. Every 5 passes with the 72" gets you one 60" pass free! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ron

 

[klm]

I expect to see some day a super heavy duty 8' or maybe 15' ZTR for use by the highway departments. Don't see why that would be any great trick to build them, and I would trust them more on those steep slopes than a tractor.

 

[Spiffy]

If there are no tight spots to get between and the ground isn't too rough, the wider deck does come out with simple math [actually even a little better if you figure running the same overlap with either].

But if it compromises the manuverbility, or exagerates scalping, the widest deck isn't always the best choice. Won't say not worth a try, only that it is possible to pay more [for a wider deck] and not gain any time.

Too bad the snow is preventing tests. So many good options! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif