Buying Advice New to the site and to owning acres

[hmblasi]

I just joined this website because Ive been researching for the past few weeks and I just dont know.

I just bought a place with seven acres, just under five of which we mow(I know, its alot to mow, but after 20 years in the Navy, I want a big open, green yard to enjoy). I work two jobs so my time is limited to an extent. Im leaning towards a ZTR because of the time and the quality of cut. I have an ATV, so as far as attachments and whatnot, I can use that for those.

My biggest concern is the quality/durability of whatever I buy. Everything under $6k seems to be mixed, some love them, others hate them. I dont mind spending up to 7k for a mower if I know it is going to last a long...long time. I have no problem spending under 2k as well if I know it is a good, quality mower.

Im going to spend time browsing the numerous posts here, but any advice in the meantime mostly about durability would be much appreciated.

Thanks and glad to be on here.

 

[brin]

If you own an ATV have you considered the tow behind finish mowers that can even be off set to get close to trees and handle any banks you may have..Dr and others have them and I think they are in the $1,800 range...sure saves you some $$$$$$$$$$ if you can use what you already have. Just a thought.

 

[hmblasi]

I did look into those, briefly. The downside to those are that I would have to maintain the ATV and the mower, put gas in both at the same time, Im not sure running an ATV at low speeds like that is good(I really have no clue, so it may be fine), and the cutting time would be about the same if not slower then a lawn-tractor.

 

[gauthier]

Well you should be able to buy a pretty good,[not lowes/homedepo] zero turn for 7 grand.I never had one,hearthey don't do good on hills but don't know.
I think the one they had at lowes was 2600 or something,john deere,so for double that money you should get a pretty good one.

 

[TigerfaninAR]

For that space of mowing many here suggest a used commercial unit. In your price range I'd look at the Bad Boy ZTRs, many have stated you get a good bang for your buck with em. Maybe not the best there is but for 5-7K they are hard to beat.

 

[SmallTimeCountry]

The very first house I owned was just a little over five acres and I mowed every square inch of it. Many of the homes in my area were also five acre lots and just about everyone in the area owned a garden tractor with the detachable mower. I had the Craftsman GT5000 which cost me about $3 grand. It had a good warranty, was low maintanence, and had the power to mow at 27HP. In the winter, I attanced the snowblower and never had a problem moving large amounts of snow. Now, this was before the zero turn mowers became popular. I have 40 acres now, bought a bigger tractor, but still use the garden tractor to mow my yard. It works like the day I bought it.

I would have to agree with some of the other postings that an ATV with a mower is going to be alot to maintain, as well as twice as much gas. But, looking back on it, I wouldn't have ruled out a zero turn. My land back then and also now was and is a little bumpy and hilly. I wouldn't trust a zero turn for my specific property and it's also limited in its uses.

Good luck in your search.

 

[hmblasi]

Thanks for the replies. After looking more, Im getting interested in the John Deere Z425 54" mower. My land is pretty much flat, so hills and bumps really arent an issue. One of the nice things about this one is I can get it from Lowes with a 10% discount, whereas the JD dealer offers none.

 

[CurtisG]

You should be able to buy a good ZTR for 7 grand, get a 52"-60" cut and get it done. I mow my front 3 acres with a 48" Ferris ZTR and the back 5 with my tractor/finish mower in my sig, the ZTR is much faster, however I have them set at the same cutting height and the 5' finish mower looks as good as the ZTR cut. Sometimes I think I should have just bought a larger ZTR but then I wouldn't have the FEL which I love. As a previous poster replied, the Bad Boy is a good deal, and if your finances are able they also have a diesel model I would like to have. If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, they have the 60" Bad Boy with a 27 hp Kohler engine for $4500 or $4900, I can't remember the exact price.

Curt

 

[Don87]

Thanks for the replies. After looking more, Im getting interested in the John Deere Z425 54" mower. My land is pretty much flat, so hills and bumps really arent an issue. One of the nice things about this one is I can get it from Lowes with a 10% discount, whereas the JD dealer offers none.

If it's from lowes, it's probably made by MTD.
Better shop some more.


Refer to gauthier's post.

 

[Rogator]

If it's from lowes, it's probably made by MTD.
Better shop some more.


Refer to gauthier's post.

Life is hard. Its even harder when your stupid.