Zero turn mower (advice)

[skywalker]

Looking to buy one of these. Neighbor has one and I cut my yard in less than 45 mins. I have a 42" murray riding mower (4 yrs old) and am ready to step up. Any advice.

Probably at least a 42". Looking to spend about $2500......

skywalker

[QUACKERS]

My yard is 4 acres and i have had a cub cadet for 4 years now and not had any problems with it other than changing oil and blades. The one i have has the Kawasaki motor which was recommended by many.

[Buckwabit]

Of course the Exmark, but Hustler has come out with a new Zero turn that has independant suspension that's real nice...

[MudHog]

Looking to spend about $2500......skywalker

So your in the market for a used one? Any of the "name brand" mowers will likely start at $3500ish for a small model. My dad has a 42" Toro from Lowe's and it's still looks like the day he bought it two years later. Alot of the smaller brands still use the same engine, hydro pumps, grear boxes, etc as the bigger brands.

Of course the Exmark, but Hustler has come out with a new Zero turn that has independant suspension that's real nice...

They also coming out with an all electric zero turn mower too.

[ScottyLee]

in that price range definately a used one. the exmark with the kawasaki is my opinion one of the better choices. i've used the craftsman and i hated it, also used a ferris with independent suspension and they are awesome they just cost to dang much. scags are nice they are real tough they're just rough riding. also used a grasshopper and they're nice just make sure you've got a parts dealer local for whicever you decide on. If i had to get another i would get an exmark again. Enjoyed it by far the most. all imo though.

[Damn_It_Boy]

My yard is 4 acres and i have had a cub cadet for 4 years now and not had any problems with it other than changing oil and blades. The one i have has the Kawasaki motor which was recommended by many.

How long does it take to cut your 4 acres? I'm looking at selling my tractor and getting a zero turn as well.

[MudHog]

My yard is 4 acres and i have had a cub cadet for 4 years now and not had any problems with it other than changing oil and blades. The one i have has the Kawasaki motor which was recommended by many.

How long does it take to cut your 4 acres? I'm looking at selling my tractor and getting a zero turn as well.

If your yard is rough, a zero turn will ride rougher than anything out there. Until you get to the Ferris kind that have independent suspension and other fancy stuff. Then, unless your getting a 12' cut type mower like you see on golf courses, you will not save much time and may take longer due to you having to slow down for bumps. What side tractor and what size cutter do you have? I have a friend who is going through exactly what your thinking. He has a JD with a 10' cutter with high vac blades and is cutting a little over 5 acres. It takes him 3 hours to cut on the tractor and then jump on his rider and go around his house, shed and other places he can't get close with the tractor. He tried a Dixie Chopper and it still took him 3 hours to cut his yard because of his cutting speed do to bumps and rough ride.


On the other hand, remember that a tractor has alot more uses than a zero turn. Can't put choppers, front loader, post hole digger, etc onto a zero turn.

[stitch]

If you have any type of hills, go with the 42".......I went with the 60" and have some tough areas to cut / uneven cut because of the big deck.......but when I cut "flat" areas, i am kicking butt! Zero turn is the only way to go. I went with a SCAG.

[Dutch Dog]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT GET A DIXON. My grandfather has one and I SWEAR we have to drop that "@#$%#" deck every other time it's used and replace one of them damn belts. Seriously, I guarantee you that we have changed belts 8 times in the last year (remember cutting season is only about 8 months, so 4 of those the mower wasn't used)

[jdbuckshot]

dad just got an exmark, 48" quest model. cuts great and is fast, its more of a home owner model, but is built just as heavy. Make sure you get some ear plugs, those mowers sound like a helicopter taking off.

[msudawg8087]

Can go wrong with a Scag either. But like someone stated earlier, only get a zero turn if your yard is smoothe.

[MSDawg870]

My dad bought a used 52" scag, about 15 years ago. We have 4 acres to cut and it takes about 3hrs to get it done. This machine is built like a brick sh!thouse. We replaced the engine two years ago and the mower is still tickin.

I used to mow my neighbor's yard and his parents across the street. He had a grasshopper that was a cadillac. Steering was real smooth, ran on diesel, and would haul booty.

If I had to buy one right now I'd look at a scag or exmark just because I know what a scag will do and all they mow with at MSU is exmarks. They put em through hell down there, its quite a large campus.

**One thing is for sure you'll never wanna touch another steering wheel after you get used to the sticks.

[skywalker]

Yard is smooth probably 90%, just a little bumpy on the other 10%.

[BeastMaster]

Toro owns Exmark.. both very good mowers

[rbsdrake]

i think deviney has some toro 42" for a little less than 3grand