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  #1  
Old 10-05-2011, 12:27 AM
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VonFatman VonFatman is offline
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Default Any "Zero-Turn" Mowers out there?

I saw the light about 15-17 years back. My first was an Ariens mid-mount. But this 725K with a front mount has a long wheelbase and is perfect for what I mow (under fences, trees, schrubs etc). Bought this Grasshopper 10 years ago. It's a great mower (I mow about 3 acres) and it's held up great. I'd buy another but hope I never need to!

Bob

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  #2  
Old 10-05-2011, 02:40 AM
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Those zero turn mowers are the greatest thing since sliced bread. When I lived in the country I had a Skagg and it was a good mower. I loved to ride that thing. Don
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  #3  
Old 10-05-2011, 07:23 AM
Gasman1972 Gasman1972 is offline
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Gravely 44Z
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  #4  
Old 10-05-2011, 07:28 AM
Steve in Vermont Steve in Vermont is offline
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For something a little smaller I have a John Deere X304 with all wheel steering. Turns on a dime and is only a few hundred dollars more than the 2 wheel model.
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  #5  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:13 AM
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I'm happy a Grasshopper owner. 52" mid mount. Got 10 years good service out of an entry level Dixie Chopper and this GH is even better.

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  #6  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:21 AM
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Depends on the Yard. In Sandy soil and a steep climb they are not the best. Tried one in my yard and it was terrible. In my mothers yard it is great.
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  #7  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:59 AM
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I got a 'Country Clipper' Jazee II...it's a good mower..although I wouldn't reccomend it. Has too many deck drive belt issues..and the dealers are for away..
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  #8  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:31 AM
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I love the beer holders-nice touch
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  #9  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:44 AM
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I bought a Dixon in 1991 and had it for almost 20 years. When the left side transmission finally gave out I started looking for a replacement. I couldn't find any ZTRs that had headlights and/or trailer hitches like my Dixon. Something about liability. Finally replaced it with a lawn tractor that has a hydrostatic transmission. Happy.
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  #10  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:51 AM
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I love those things and have always wanted one. Just curious though, what's the learning curve on learning to operate one? I seem to notice that when I see folks using them it appears the mower is just an extension of their arms. Very fluid movement and awesome speed. A man could sure get a job done nicely and quickly with one of those. A friend of mine just bought a "Bad Boy" brand (over 5K) so they are a little pricey. But what an awesome toy!

Roger
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  #11  
Old 10-05-2011, 10:02 AM
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I once had a Murray mower that became a zero-turn mower. After close examination I found that the little fiber disc that connected the steering shaft to the steering gear had deteriorated and broke, thus, zero-turn!
Have a great day,
Gordon
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  #12  
Old 10-05-2011, 10:46 AM
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I have a 52 in. Bobcat. I mow 2-3 acres. I bought it in the spring og 2002 and I have changed the hyd. fluid once, the engine oil 3 times and this summer I had to replace the spark plugs. Most of the time after I mow I blow the clippings off the deck. It is a fine machine. Larry
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  #13  
Old 10-05-2011, 03:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER View Post
I love the beer holders-nice touch
Yeah but how do you drink the beer? I ruled them out as soon as I saw they require both hands to drive.
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  #14  
Old 10-05-2011, 03:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis View Post
I love those things and have always wanted one. Just curious though, what's the learning curve on learning to operate one? I seem to notice that when I see folks using them it appears the mower is just an extension of their arms. Very fluid movement and awesome speed. A man could sure get a job done nicely and quickly with one of those. A friend of mine just bought a "Bad Boy" brand (over 5K) so they are a little pricey. But what an awesome toy!

Roger
Yup!

When I was walking/mowing, mowing was sheer drudgery.

When I traded up to a riding mower, mowing turned from drudgery into a chore.

When I traded up to a ZTR, mowing changed from a chore into recreation!

Never used to mow after work till I got a zero turn.
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  #15  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by son-of-a-gun View Post
Yup!

When I was walking/mowing, mowing was sheer drudgery.

When I traded up to a riding mower, mowing turned from drudgery into a chore.

When I traded up to a ZTR, mowing changed from a chore into recreation!

Never used to mow after work till I got a zero turn.
My granddad bought a riding mower and had about five or six of us grandchildren competing to mow the lawn.
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  #16  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:45 PM
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Ex Mark Lazer Z 60 inch. They are certainly time savers.
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  #17  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis View Post
I love those things and have always wanted one. Just curious though, what's the learning curve on learning to operate one? I seem to notice that when I see folks using them it appears the mower is just an extension of their arms. Very fluid movement and awesome speed. A man could sure get a job done nicely and quickly with one of those. A friend of mine just bought a "Bad Boy" brand (over 5K) so they are a little pricey. But what an awesome toy!

Roger
I can do it so it's not too hard. The primary learning curve isn't speed or zero turning, what takes practice is not making divots when you turn. If you do true zero turn and turn in the mowers width, there is one wheel that just spins and you'll take a chunk of turf most every turn. I make a K turn and by keeping both rear wheels moving I seldom tear the grass.

And the cup holders are a joke for beer but work pretty good for 1/2 gallon size coleman thermos. Vodka & tonic or tequila/grapefruit juice used to be my snake bite medicine but now it's just plain water.

I've got a hitch on mine but I put it on myself. Bob has a deluxe model Grasshopper and his has headlights. I've got knockouts for them and could have lights if I wanted to ante up. I mow about 4 acres with many trees/obstacles and it takes me just over 2 hours. If it was just flat fields I expect I could do about 4 acres an hour and give a good cut.

I sharpen my blades about every 20 hours and run synthetic oil in my 26 hp engine. Takes about 1 1/4 gallon per hour mowing full throttle at 3600 rpm. My mower has a single 12 gallon tank mounted under the seat so that's enough capacity that I can mow several times without filling the gas. Has a gauge that works, too.
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  #18  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:10 PM
Gasman1972 Gasman1972 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis View Post
I love those things and have always wanted one. Just curious though, what's the learning curve on learning to operate one? I seem to notice that when I see folks using them it appears the mower is just an extension of their arms. Very fluid movement and awesome speed. A man could sure get a job done nicely and quickly with one of those. A friend of mine just bought a "Bad Boy" brand (over 5K) so they are a little pricey. But what an awesome toy!

Roger
It takes about two times and it's like second nature after that. In fact the machine will pretty much drive itself, you just kinda let it run and guide it's path.
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  #19  
Old 10-05-2011, 09:45 PM
Indiana George Indiana George is offline
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I remember my first hydrostat lawn tractor. Thought that it was the greatest mowing machine ever invented.

After several years of Toro ZTR's I just cannot imagine mowing with a 'tractor' ever again!!!
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  #20  
Old 10-05-2011, 10:03 PM
boone3380 boone3380 is offline
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Couldn't imagine mowing any other way. Lived in the stone age till ZTRs came on the scene.
mowers.jpg
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  #21  
Old 10-05-2011, 11:16 PM
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VonFatman VonFatman is offline
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Yep...it's the divots that can be bad. Proper air pressure in the tires (the same on both sides) is important too.

They make mowing a time when I can relax and think about "stuff"...like that next gun!

Two years ago I purchased an angle snow blade for this unit and I could not be happier. Works like a charm. It gets around better in snow than my Kawasaki mule!

The tilt-up deck (on Grasshopper front mount models) makes deck cleaning and blade change-out a breeze!

Bob
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