What to do...

[HappyOne]

Mowing. Grr, I just wish the grass would self cut. I have been using a JD 214 for years to mow about 3-4 acres and a mile of trails. I also have a tough as nails L4350 with lots of accessories. This year I bought a used 6' finish mower to pull behind the L4350, and now I am hooked. My mowing time was cut in half. Problem is, it weighs nearly 4000 lbs and is not kind to the lawn. I can see compaction issues from just three mowings, not to mention where I turned too tight and ripped up the turf here and there.

My delima is I will no longer be mowing with the big guy, and want to get something that will mow as fast. I have considered a BX kubota, but really don't know if that is necessary. I just want a good solid mowing machine that can make short work of my cutting.

The only other possible option I might use would be a tiller, but my L4350 could handle that as well. So where do purpose built mowers come in price wise. Is a BX sized sub compact the way to go or overkill?

James

 

[prosperity]

I started out with a JD 214 years ago. Then went to a JD 332 diesel with 50" cut and thought I was in heaven. After a few years got the itch again. To make a long story short, I went with a JD 2210 w/62" cut. I really thought I was overkilling for a mowing machine. But....what a mowing machine it is. I also mow about 4 acres at home. Not overkill - just a joy to mow with.

The other alternative would be a zero turn mower. If you don't have any real steep hills, this might be the way to go since you already have the L4350. The ZTR's are a blast to mow with and super quick. Kubota makes a couple different variations, one with a diesel (love those diesels!). Go to your dealer and try one out. It will seem awkward at first, but once you get used to it they are great and fast.

 

[r0GuE]

If you are JUST talking mowing, why not a used BX1800 w/ 60" deck or a new BX1500 with 50" deck.

 

[markie61]

If you are doing STRICTLY mowing, I would suggest a ZTR mower. Since you like <font color="orange"> orange </font>, check out the Husqvarna line. They make a 72" hydrostatic unit that is VERY fast and VERY good!. I recall it being in the $5-6K range and think it had a Kawasaki gas engine. Website here.

I was mowing with my 72" RFM the other day (which takes less than 1/3 of the time my lawn tractor used to take) and my neighbor had a lawn service mow his big yard with 2 ZTRs. They were zipping up and down their field passing me all over the place and were done with 6 acres before I was halfway done. And they can get CLOSE to stuff and in and out tight places you could never get with even a little lawn tractor.

Even after getting my tractor, I STILL want one for the tight places. I may look for one this fall when the lawn companies are done for the season - get a used one.

Mark

PS I had a friend buy a Kubota ZTR and it is extremely fast - I think he said 10 acres/hour. But I vaguely recall a price of around $16K (?) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yep a good quality Zero turn mower.

 

[HappyOne]

I have a friend with a friend who mowes right of ways along the interstate. He has a couple of Ransomes ZTR's he is selling for $1500-2500. Is this a good brand, am I nuts considering anything that heavily used?

James

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How good of a friend is he ? Do you really trust him ? Used well cared for commercial quality mowers can be fine. Also he will know of service issues and parts suppliers for future service issues. For the price he is asking you can barely get an el-cheapo JD riding lawn mower.

 

[WVBill]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is this a good brand, ...)</font>

I've been researching ZTRs lately - thinking about getting one for myself and had not come across the Ransomes name. I did a quick google search and came up with This Link . Looks like Ransomes is in a pretty good family - though I still don't see any Ransomes-branded ZTRs on their web page.

 

[cowboydoc]

I went through this decision last year. I looked at the ZTR's and tryed some of them. Then I tryed the 400 series JD's. I didn't notice one little difference in cut. I got the AWS 455 from JD. It has the turning radius of the ZTR's and mows just as fast or faster than the ZTR. I went with the 455 because the price was actually lower than what I could buy a ZTR for. Plus I have the benefit of not just having a specific lawnmower only. With the 455 it can be used for all kinds of things that you never could with the ZTR.

 

[Ches]

I support your checking into a ZTR. I have a Bob Cat ZTR 219 with a 52 inch deck (19 HP Kawasaki). It's rated at 8 acres per hour. I've had it for two years now. I was mowing with a Wheel Horse garden tractor before (can't remember size of deck). Cut my mowing (yard, orchard, trees, around pond and dam) from six hours or so to about two. Really happy with it and have had no problems. Cost me around $6000. Since you already have a tractor, a ZTR might be better alternative than a BX.