zero Turn help

[sidemouse]

Hello, I really need some help.... I am 64 years old and I mow approx. 3 acres of grass once a week. I have been using a riding mower with a 54 inch cut width for the last ten years. it takes me about 3.5 to 4 hours to cut. My machine is getting tired and time for a new one. I understand a zero turn would just about cut my time in half. The problem is, the mower I buy will most likely be the last one I purchase soooo.. I am looking for recommendations, I want a commercial mower that will last for 15 to 20 years with good maintenance. Expecting to pay 8 to 10K. What should I be looking at? Thanks for any help!

I really enjoyed having a front swiveling axle that allows independent pivoting of the front axle in relation to the rest of the mower... Very few Ztr's have it, I think Gravely's 260z does. Not sure if fabricated vs. stamped deck is as much an issue but 7 gauge steel sure is, more than a few Z's only have 10 or in some cases even 11 gauge steel decks. There is a big difference in the thickness of that steel, 7 gauge is nearly 1/4 inch think and will last a lot longer... You also need someplace to store that mower either indoors or under some kind of cover. Even a really big tarp will do thou I prefer underneath a porch, also a carport or garage would be perfect, whatever you do don't leave them sit outside as the weather will tear it up long before you get 20 years out of it.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I have almost exactly the same acreage that you are cutting, and was taking about the same amount of time with a conventional mower. I bought a Deere Z915B with a 54" deck last year, and it cut my time down to about 1-1/2 hours. I have been very happy with it so far.

 

[skipmarcy]

I really enjoyed having a front swiveling axle that allows independent pivoting of the front axle in relation to the rest of the mower... Very few Ztr's have it, I think Gravely's 260z does. Not sure if fabricated vs. stamped deck is as much an issue but 7 gauge steel sure is, more than a few Z's only have 10 or in some cases even 11 gauge steel decks. There is a big difference in the thickness of that steel, 7 gauge is nearly 1/4 inch think and will last a lot longer... You also need someplace to store that mower either indoors or under some kind of cover. Even a really big tarp will do thou I prefer underneath a porch, also a carport or garage would be perfect, whatever you do don't leave them sit outside as the weather will tear it up long before you get 20 years out of it.

My Country Clipper Edge XLT has the pivoting front axle and it is fantastic on my rough 5 1/2 acres I cut. Extremely rare to scalp and makes a nice cut on rough country.

 

[tbzep]

My Country Clipper Edge XLT has the pivoting front axle and it is fantastic on my rough 5 1/2 acres I cut. Extremely rare to scalp and makes a nice cut on rough country.

I think a pivoting front axle would help keep weight on both rear tires and prevent a lot of sliding and spinning on uneven ground. If I had a local dealer carrying any brand with a pivoting axle, I would have tried it before buying my Gravely.

 

[Maxify55]

Get over to
CARTHAGE SAW & MOWER SERVICE
in Carthage and test ride a Ferris Z.
My Ferris is an '03 model and is doing great.
You'll not find a smoother ride nor a finer cut than Ferris.
Like you said:
Given that maintenance is kept up it'll last long enough for your grandkids to fight over.

 

[katoomed00]

Bad Boy Outlaw XP

Check out the Bad Boy Outlaw XP, it's a commercial mower that cost about 8500 bucks, comes with full independent wheel suspension, swing away access panels, suspension seat, electric deck lift, up to 12 mph.

After the many hours of research I done comparing apples to apples, I ended up with the 54" maverick. It has many of the same designs of it's larger sibling, cost out the door for me was $6500. Also commercial but their entry level.

My wife and I looked and rode a few, all were a bit to rough for her, So we decided to look at a few with suspension. Test rode the Ferris, nice machine but a little out of my price range.

So far the Maverick has been a wonderful comfortable machine to operate. Best part about it is the wife WANTS to mow now, LOL