who builds a quality riding mower??

BWS · Mar 21, 2003

after purchasing my kubota l3830 i have relized i have bought too big for a mower application on our property.with r-4's filled it just whieghs too much.it;s great for moving dirt/grading/lifting/brushhoging but as a mower its too big.now i need a wide riding mower 60-72""?? do they even make somthing this wide?whats a good model/make??honda/husqavarna or ??bws

Justaplain · Mar 21, 2003

Stieger. [sp/?]

MDSteve · Mar 21, 2003

My neighbor has a nice JD. It almost has a zero turn radius but it and a bagger was about 10K and it was a demo. I don't have a problem mowing with mine but my yard looks like my pasture. I don't get tracks if it is dry and I don't use 4wd.

Good luck in your search. Maybe one of the small Kubota's might fit your bill?

hazmat · Mar 21, 2003

how much do you want to spend?

Kubota & Deere both make garden tractors with 60" decks. They also make zero turn commercial mowers with up to 72" maybe even larger decks.

Also, check out Exmark & Toro.

Here's a link that has some more brands of commerical 0 turn mowers. Turf Magazine and another lawn & landscape magazine

Anonymous Poster · Mar 21, 2003

Wheelhorse makes a high quality tractor.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 21, 2003

Best thing to do is go and compare the different brands.

I compared Kubota, (did'nt like the diesel smell due to the location of the muffler & exhaust pipe but otherwise an excellent mower) John Deere ( to much plastic, Hood, engine cowl, belt guards on the deck) and Cub Cadet. The cub was much less $ than the Deere with more HP. It also has shaft drive to the deck and a cast Iron gear box, all of the guards and hood are steel. It also was quite a bit heavier (Lbs) than the Deere. In the end I personally thought the Cub was the best for my application.

It is a 3206 HST with a 54" hydraulic deck and gasoline engine. I have only used it 1 season but with 0 problems.

I looked at many other brands and in the end narrowed it down to these three. Anyway like they say, The hunt is most of the fun (or somthing along those lines) . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck and let us know what you decide. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

TedLynn · Mar 21, 2003

I have owned a lot of mowers over the years, but have never been as happy as I have been with the last two. They were the JD 345, with 54" deck that I exchanged for the JD 455 (diesel) with 54" deck. If my lawn was very level, I would look at a ZTR. Ted

rdln · Mar 21, 2003

Because you said "riding lawnmower" I would suggest Exmark, about $8000.

tractorhill · Mar 22, 2003

IF YOU LOOKING FOR MOWER TRY A SCAGS. THAT IS THE BEST COMMERCIAL MOWER

Calpyro · Mar 23, 2003

Toro Z Master

I have a similar situation to yours. I have a Yanmar 2010D tractor that is too large to mow my yard. I purchased a Toro Z Master 100 commercial zero-turning radius mower to mow my lawn and yard. I put ATV knobby tires on it for improved off-road traction and mounted a 15 gallon sprayer for Round-up. I call it the ultimate weed killing machine. Prior to the Z Master 100, I used a John Deere 48" riding mover that I killed in short order. What used to take me 3-4 hours a week now takes me 2 beers........um 45 minutes to finish. The best thing about the Z Master is that it is a blast to drive. Now I actually look forward to mowing the yard. The 15 gallon sprayer mounted on the back really helps out also. I can drive with one hand and spray weeds the other. Fences, around trees, faucets, etc., can be easily sprayed while mowing.
Seriously look into a ZTR, they are so much faster than a conventional lawn tractor. Additionally, many are commercial quality which are made to stand up to years of use.
Thanks,
Cameron
http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/zmaster/z100/index.html