Buying Advice zero turn - or not?

[ecruzin]

Been reading all your threads on mowers. I would definitely go zero turn over riding mower. I had a riding mower at our old home with less than a half acre years ago and could not imagine doing 2 acres with it on a regular basis. I started with a used big box store Toro Z5030 23hp Koehler 50 inch deck and it served me well for 3 years. I beat the snot out of it cleaning up and reclaiming the new to us property we bought in early 2011. I keep approx. 2 acres mowed. We do have some slopes to deal with along our long driveway and I had trouble with the Toro siding down the slopes. My wife almost ended up upside down in a drainage ditch because the Toro coundn't hold the hill. This past spring I decided it was time to upgrade. I looked at Snapper, Husky, Ferris/Simplicity. My local Ferris dealer actually let me take several units home to demo. First was the IS500 with the 61" deck and the B&S 27HP engine. I felt the machine was good but it felt slow and underpowered. Next I took home the IS700 with a 52"deck and the B&S 28hp commercial engine. World of difference. The IS700 is about 3 MPH faster than the IS500. The faster speed more than makes up for the smaller deck. Also the larger tires on the IS700 make the machine much more stable on slopes and uneven ground than the IS500.
I have been more than happy with the IS700. I did keep the Toro for all the garbage work in the barnyards and fence lines. This way I only bend the blades and trash one mower deck doing crap work. Hope this helps and good luck in your search.

 

[Jpcjguy]

Saving time is somewhat a priority but with 3 kids under 4 years old (twin 3.5 boys and 5 month daughter) a little extra time on the mower would not be a bad thing!
I also see that my boys will be eventually doing more and I less - ha!
Living in Richmond VA, I really don't see a need for tractor type for snow or anything since we get hardly any.
Also the current owner is going to leave a cart, aerator, bagger from his kubota zg20 - so I have attachments - which could theoretically attach to any mower - zero or regular I assume. Otherwise I will bust out the welder and make a mount!
I had a JD regular lawn tractor growing up so I know all about them - guess I need to try a zero and see if I like it and then make my decision.
Appreciate all the feedback!

 

[smstonypoint]

Saving time is somewhat a priority but with 3 kids under 4 years old (twin 3.5 boys and 5 month daughter) a little extra time on the mower would not be a bad thing!
I also see that my boys will be eventually doing more and I less - ha!

No one says that you have to operate a ZTR at its capacity. You can slow down and make "non-zero" turns if the need arises, as I am sure it will.

Steve

 

[Jpcjguy]

so do most zeros come with a hitch setup or the ability to buy and install one? I could fab one if needed but rather spend my time elsewhere

 

[ray66v]

so do most zeros come with a hitch setup or the ability to buy and install one? I could fab one if needed but rather spend my time elsewhere

Yes, and yes.

I tried everything else first, because I did not want to spend the money. But, unless you really like mowing grass for hours, and hours, get a zero turn.

When I use my lawn tractor or someone else's,to mow now, after using my zero turn, it's nearly torture.

Also, the seat is the most important part of the unit. If the seat is not comfortable, and does not have some type of suspension, tell the salesman you don't want it. You cannot use the speed these units afford, if you can't stay on it. A good seat will allow you to fly. And keep you from feeling like you are working.

 

[Jpcjguy]

Yes, and yes.

I tried everything else first, because I did not want to spend the money. But, unless you really like mowing grass for hours, and hours, get a zero turn.

When I use my lawn tractor or someone else's,to mow now, after using my zero turn, it's nearly torture.

Also, the seat is the most important part of the unit. If the seat is not comfortable, and does not have some type of suspension, tell the salesman you don't want it. You cannot use the speed these units afford, if you can't stay on it. A good seat will allow you to fly. And keep you from feeling like you are working.

good call. so which models are known for better seats? how about the ferris suspension? seem good but is that just in theory?. So hard to figure out what's what with all the brands available. L

 

[TSO]

Nice aerial shot, looks like a nice setup. I have used all sorts of mowers, and a ZTR is by far my favorite. So, another vote for using a zero turn. And for that size property, you'll only need 42" - 52" decks.

 

[ray66v]

The Ferris units look really good. But the reviews from the people who mow for a living, say the quality of cut suffers with the suspension. They say it's much better to have a real good seat. When you run one of these at 10+ MPH you will see why.

All of them seem to come with good, and bad seats. Some have optional seats, and some can be upgraded with an aftermarket suspension unit if you have to.

All the better zero turns are pretty good. It's mostly about personal preference.

Right now, except for the color, I like the Hustler super Z, or the less expensive X-one.

If your property is flat, I would not settle for a small deck, if you can afford the larger ones, i.e. 60", you will get done a lot faster. But a 54" would be acceptable.

It's only too big, if you can't afford it, or use it in your yard.

 

[Jpcjguy]

So what about speeds? What is the average speed to cut at? Based on relatively flat lawn (see my pics)? Are there brands that are just flat out too slow? or ones with too much speed to be practical?

 

[smstonypoint]

I think the top speed of my ZTR is 13 MPH. I'm not sure about other ZTRs, but I don't think top speed will be an issue. Most of my lawn is flat, but is far from smooth. There's no way I could mow at 13 MPH without serious damage to my kidneys and other vital organs. However, under-powered ZTRs may be a problem in tall grass.

Steve

Edit: I forgot to mention that a fast ground speed can reduce the quality of the cut.