Zero turn

[plygph]

I did my research took a long time to choose which zero turn I would purchase for my place. What I found was that almost all of the various brands available all use the same parts the drives and engines so looking around to find the one that "fits" you and just being one manufacturer specific was a good thing for me. My choices can down to the eXmark pioneer S and the Kubota 200 series. I choose the Kubota for the just massive over build on the frame, shaft drive, hydraulic deck lift system, and the engine is actually built by Kubota.
In my area they were we comparable in price, but in the side by side there was no comparison the pioneer great machine but it was simply a lawn mower but the Kubota was a piece of equipment.

Look around find what fits you ask the dealer for a demo at your place then choose the unit that you liked the best. Happy hunting it can get confusing out there.

 

[buckshot721]

I have been looking at other mowers, but with the JD dealer only 3 miles away. They always bend over backwards to make sure people are happy with there purchase, plus they will always pickup and deliver for free. The deck on the x485 is 54" and the 425 is only a 48. I love the way the bigger deck cuts, so bigger must be better! The 485 is a brute, rides nice but likes its gas, might trade it in or just sell it out right to cover the new machine.

 

[RoyJackson]

...so bigger must be better!

Not necessarily...it will really depend on how flat your mowing area is.
Wider decks will scalp and/or miss areas of an uneven lawn. The width tends to span low areas and scalp high areas.
My Z920 has a 60" which works quite well on my relatively flat 2.5-3.0 acres of lawn. I could probably use a 72" deck, since before I bought the Z920, I was mowing with a 72" Woods RFM without scalping too much. The Z920 is much faster...my mowing time has been reduced by 30% to 40%.

My neighbor has a Z930...and he mows his 4 or so acres of field (as well as his lawn). Although I don't think this is a good idea (commercial grade doesn't mean indestructible...and I use a very heavy duty RFM (set at maximum height) on my part of that field), all he's done, so far, has been to wipe a few blades and, IIRC, one spindle.

 

[texas42]

I mowed my 3.5 acres for 6 years with a 2320 and 62D deck. I have about 60 trees to mow around. So 4 years ago I bought a small Toro ZT to mow around trees and obstacles. That worked good and lawn always looked nice. However, this year I added a JD Z665 ZT with 60 inch deck. That cut my mowing time by about 35% and lawn looks just as good if not better. No longer use the 2320 to mow with. I'm very happy with the JD Z665 for looks of cut, speed, comfort and it appears to be well made.

 

[kcflhrc]

I have 10 acres and mow approximately 1.5 acres. I chose a 50" Toro with a Kawasaki 23hp motor. I would have bought a Ferris but the price was just about double.

 

[Wesdor]

+1 Roy Jackson. Wider is good if all you have is flat. I have a 60" deck and have scalping problems in ditches. I went from a 42" garden tractor to a Deere ZTR and my mowing time went from 4 1/2 hours to 2 hours. My Deere is a gas engine and I would really like a diesel but the price difference is hefty. As others have said, ExMark, Kubota and Deere all make good machines. If and when I decide to trade in a go to a diesel I would be partial to Deere, but would not rule everything else out until I had done some serious comparison of price and quality.

Good luck

 

[4570Man]

I have a ZTR with a 50" deck, and a F series Kubota with a 60" deck. I don't notice any real difference in scalping. My old 42" deck Cub Cadet does by far the best job not scalping, but would be painfully slow mowing 5 acres. Unless your yard has lots of hills I would go with a 60" or a 72".

 

[Creamer]

I personally do not think that Deere's decks do a very nice job in handling material under various conditions. It think they have a great drivetrain. To me if money were no object I would go Grasshopper - front deck for great visibility and ability to get under bushes and shrubs as well as the deck tilting up for cleaning and access. They also are very easy getting on or off, have a very low center of gravity and are extremely stable.

I run a Deines front deck which I bought 17 years ago. It has been nothing short of great. Gator may not like belts but I tightened the deck belts for the first time 3 years ago. they are all original belts and are running well. I use it in all sorts of conditions and it handles them very well - great cut quality as well as great distribution. They are only about 60% of the cost of a Grasshopper.

The things I would never compromise on are a minimum of a 60" deck (72 if your terrain will allow it - I wish had gone 72) and a front deck. There are not many front deck ZTRs made but they are worth it.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I actually think and have heard professionals say that Deere has one of the best if not THE best decks in the commercial industry. They like it because it performs as well in wet grass as it does it dry grass. They also like that it doesn't clump like some decks and stripes better than most mowers that have striping kits. Now, Deere mowers aren't generally perceived as the best commercial mowers, or even in the top 3 to be honest, but their decks are second to none.

 

[kcflhrc]

I actually think and have heard professionals say that Deere has one of the best if not THE best decks in the commercial industry. They like it because it performs as well in wet grass as it does it dry grass. They also like that it doesn't clump like some decks and stripes better than most mowers that have striping kits. Now, Deere mowers aren't generally perceived as the best commercial mowers, or even in the top 3 to be honest, but their decks are second to none.

One of the largest Landscape Businesses around here just bought 25 of the John Deere stand up machines. I'm sure they are fine machines. They had Kawasaki engines. My favorite motor.