Want tractor that mulches, bags, and side discharges

[Todd69]

Hi guys, I'm new here but have a pricy issue. I have a small lawn mowing service primarily mowing residential lawns,(about 12), and 2 open-flat lots at 2.0 acres each. I recently tried out 3 different John Deere mowers that I liked but thought were quite pricey, and they did not do all I need. I used a JD Z445, a X340, and a X304. I've used them about 1 week each, They mowed a level path and mulched well, they could not mulch, side discharge, and bag grass all in one mower. The bagger setup for the X340 and X304 was a RIDICULOUS extra $1000, which is stupidly insane in my book! That's a huge reason I did not get a bagger setup on the mowers I tested because I knew I was not going to fork over an additional $1000 for a bagger and their "fan" system JD requires.

I have some customers who want grass bagged & that's fine because they pay a bit more, but I have to use a different mower/ machine. The man who owns the larger lots is fine with the side discharge, whereas most of my residential customers like the "enviro friendly" mulching.

I used a JD Z445, an X340, and a X304. All mowed great and had mulching kits installed except the Z445. I did not buy any of the 3 mowers due to their prices; but worse than that, the inability to bag, mulch or side discharge on John Deere 1 machine without getting tools out and removing huge plastic pieces from under the deck.

I know the JD Commercial Zero turns have a lever that lets you go from mulching to side discharge, but I do not have that budget. I've got about $2500 to $3000 to spend. I don't feel like I need a commercial grade mower with so few residential lawns and two others at 2.0 acres each. I really like the Kawasaki engines on the JD's I used, but I know Briggs are good but more noisy and less fuel efficient as well. I have heard bad and good about Kohlers. I favor a Kawasaki and would consider the Briggs V-Twins 2nd choice, with a Kohler powered machine 3rd choice,

A conventional tractor style mower is what I like best, like the feeling of security the steering wheel provides, but I'd use a Zero turn as well. Either has to be capable of side discharge, bagging, and mulching without changing components OR its very simple and fast to do. I hano problem pulling a plug out or installing a bagger systems, I simply don't want to deconsstruct most of the underside of the deck! Mower HAS TO HAVE A VERY GOOD /LEVEL cut and that's where I've read John Deere is best. Strong reliable frame, components(spindles, belts, etc.) and of course a strong engine. I've been trying to stay around 20 horsepower minimum and definitely a V-Twin. YES, I would buy a used machine if hours are low and it meets my needs. I am a former small engine mechanic who has worked on Briggs and Honda's, so I know engines fairly well.

Please suggest some mowers I would like: I have thought John Deere but the prices and inability to do side discharge, mulch, and bag are keeping me away. I have looked at Lowe's and Home Depot, but not bought or tested anything but the John Deere so far. Have heard good and bad about Sears / Craftsman line but not sure as I have never mown 1 blade of grass with any Craftsman product.

THANKS!:thumbsup:
Todd

 

[BruceWard]

Why not buy used?

Some (most) of the X300 series have the K46 transaxle which is the weakest model Tufftorq offers.

I would much rather have a used mower with a better transaxle and engine. Personally I bought a 10 year old 17HP water cooled kawasaki powered LX279. It has a Tufftorq K62 transaxle. When I am finished it will look like new and I expect to have about $1400 in it. I spent about $200 on parts to make it run like new.

If you want to switch from mulching to side discharge you could get two decks and swap them out.

 

[Todd69]

As mentioned, I am not against used, if not abused so to say. Where do y'all look for used mowers? I have checked the local paper on and off for over 1 month, and that was a huge zero. Even the biggest newspaper out of Memphis (closest big city) did not have any riding mowers for sale under $5000 and up.

Craigslist has some listings in the John Deere line I know about from research: mostly the LA series and the smaller ones at that like 105, up to 135's and at high prices.

I thought Fall would be an ideal time to buy used or new. People and businesses want to get lawn mowers out of the garage and off the showroom floor for Christmas items.

Todd

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Why do you want to side discharge? Why not just mulch if you're not bagging?

 

[Johnbro]

What you're asking for might not be possible in commercial mower. WE have a landscaping business and have 6 mowers: conventional rider, small push (self-propelled), walk behind ExMark hydro, Scag ride-on hydro, Kubota diesel Zero turn, and a bush hog for the tractor. Only the 21" Lawnboy offers quick switchover from mulch to discharge to bag. The Scag, Exmark, and Kubota have pretty complicated baffles under the deck, plus entirely specialized blades, in order to mulch properly. All three of those brands offer great cut quality, strong components, and true commercial quality. None of them is cheap. We bought one mower from another LS firm but it was really beat up. Required some investment by us to get it up to snuff (we use it as a spare only) but we saved $1000s by buying used.

WRT "tractor" style mowers vs zero-turns, once you spend some time on a zero turn you'll never want to go back to a traditional rider, just because of the tremendous productivity gains you get with a ZTR mower. It used to take 4 times as long to cut my large rural yard with a garden tractor than it does with my 'bota ZTR. And the cut quality is second to none.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

It sounds like to me that you are going to wait have until you are able to afford what you what / need. I mow on the side myself, I have 3 (yes only 3) lawns in town that I mow and another but I use his mower. So, including my own 3 acre lot, I spend 4 + hours a week on my 48" Scag TC.

I would not purchase a mower from a big box store, Deere or otherwise because you simply will not get the dealer support and in my opinion it will be an inferior machine. Because the mowers you are looking at are residential mowers and are not built to be used but an hour or two a week.

Also, when we first moved here I purchased a White 2150 Garden Tractor (POS) with a bagging system. The White does not have a fan, which if it did I would probably work better, and that's about what I paid was around $1000.

So I guess to sum up this extremly long post, buy commercial it will perform better for your needs. I just depends on how much you want to spend on whether you want used or new.

 

[zzvyb6]

I use a JD F-935 72" front deck side discharge mower. With Gator blades in it, stuff gets mulched into powder.

I also connect up to it a Woods lawn vacuum that can suck the entire deck contents: grass, chopped leaves, stones, twigs, nuts, and even dog poop. I modified it to increase the hose capacity to 12" because there can be a lot of stuff per second on a messy lawn at the ground speed this mower can travel at.

I believe TracVac makes a similar product (In fact, the deck connector chute is a TracVac model for a 72" JD commercial deck).

You can have your cake and eat it too...

 

[om21braz]

To do what you want, used is the only way you're going go and stay within budget.

 

[BruceWard]

Look for LX and GT John Deeres on Craigslist. They are no where near as common as the LA listings but they are there. There was a good condition GT235 in the Little Rock craigslist for $1200 last month.

 

[Carl_NH]

Todd,

Buy a used ZTR off craigslist or local search - you can find a real good used one for $3-4K and new for $5-7K. Stay away from 2000 hr units, look for 5-700 hrs Exmark, Scag, Ferris, Hustler with a 48-60" cut with a 21-25 kawasaki.

For those yards that need collection get the steel collection basket attaches to the side $160 - holds about a bushel of clippings and dump them in your truck/trailer.

Most of the ZTRs will discharge the grass very well and cut so fine most will not notice them on the lawn. You can also cut the heavy areas twice if needed with the ZTR you will still be time ahead.

Bottom line, dont skimp on quality or machine you use, and you will gain a more professional look (than a craftsman - not to say they are bad mowers) and your customers will appreciate the end result.