I am seriously in need of a new mower. We actually got some rain lately(first real rain in a year). My old Cub Cadet rider died...funeral dirge died. Never was too happy with it but it cut the grass. I have been considering a zero turn mower. I need recommendations on brands horsepower etc. I will probably be cutting about 4 acres. Don't think a Joe homeowner rider is the way to go. What d'ya all think. Oh JD is unobtanium looked at a Kubota(they're proud of them). I would like to keep the cost down to the 6000 dollar range or less
Contemplating buying a zero turn mower.
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cutting 4 acres you will definetly want to stay away from the box stores
I asked about ZT mowers here last year and got a lot of good advice.
Zero Turn Lawn Mowers
I wanted a smaller ZT because I have less than an acre to mow and storage space is at a premium. My old mower was a self-propelled walk behind Toro Super Reclycler and was getting to be too hard on my knee. My lawn grows fast and needs to be mowed about twice a week.
I ended up buying a 42” Bobcat ZT2000 with the 21.5HP Kawasaki and I’m very happy with it. It’s built like a tank and comes with a 3 year, 500 hour “bumper to bumper” warranty. I paid about $4300. They also offer the ZT2000 series with a 48” and a 52” deck. Mine does a beautiful job and slashed my mowing time from over an hour to about 20 minutes.
ZT2000 Zero-Turn Mower - Specs & Options - Bobcat Company
Zero Turn Lawn Mowers
I wanted a smaller ZT because I have less than an acre to mow and storage space is at a premium. My old mower was a self-propelled walk behind Toro Super Reclycler and was getting to be too hard on my knee. My lawn grows fast and needs to be mowed about twice a week.
I ended up buying a 42” Bobcat ZT2000 with the 21.5HP Kawasaki and I’m very happy with it. It’s built like a tank and comes with a 3 year, 500 hour “bumper to bumper” warranty. I paid about $4300. They also offer the ZT2000 series with a 48” and a 52” deck. Mine does a beautiful job and slashed my mowing time from over an hour to about 20 minutes.
ZT2000 Zero-Turn Mower - Specs & Options - Bobcat Company
JET4
Member
Hustler Mowers
Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mowers | Hustler Turf
Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mowers | Hustler Turf
cmj8591
Member
Don't hesitate to go with the Kubota. They make a great machine and their customer service is great. At least where I live.
Lonegle57
Member
Was a horticulture teacher for my job. After was asked by school to temp.
take care of grounds until contracted out. 22 acres, rode a Skag and then replaced by XMark. They liked my work so part timed for 5 years. I preferred the XMark but both did the work.
take care of grounds until contracted out. 22 acres, rode a Skag and then replaced by XMark. They liked my work so part timed for 5 years. I preferred the XMark but both did the work.
gjgalligan
Member
Pay attention to suspension on what ever you buy. The cheaper ones will beat you to pieces in short order.
Our club bought a Bad Boy Zero turn mower. $18,000. It has been in the shop more than it has been out cutting grass.
prairieviper
Member
These are within your budget and are great mowers. Commercial & Residential Zero Turn Mowers - Bad Boy Mowers
Zero turns can be a good fit for a lot of yards and save time, as long as you understand their limitations.
Zero turns can be a good fit for a lot of yards and save time, as long as you understand their limitations.
IronSkillet
Member
Other than mentioning 4-acres of grass cutting, what kind of area is it, finished and well groomed or somewhat rough turf? Is the area flat because zero turns slip and slide on wet surfaces with very little grade. Do you plan on mulching or bagging
A budget of 6K today will limit the product range to residential machines.
Cub-Cadet has some models that are being made at the top end of the commercial market currently but come with big price tags.
A budget of 6K today will limit the product range to residential machines.
Cub-Cadet has some models that are being made at the top end of the commercial market currently but come with big price tags.
If I had that kind of area to mow, I'd look into an eXmark: Zero Turn Mowers | Exmark
Not sure if they would be in your price range, but I see a lot of them used by lawn professionals.
Not sure if they would be in your price range, but I see a lot of them used by lawn professionals.
About 18 yrs. ago I bought a Bobcat ZT219. It now has 715 hrs. on it. A 19HP Kaw. engine and 51-52 in. cut. A couple of years after I bought it the tube that holds the oil dipstick came loose and the dealer fixed it and last year the carb. started leaking and the dealer fixed that and changed the belts. My yard is rough and I'm hard on machinery. Considering the yard and me I think the mower has held up extremely well and I think it will be going several years from now. Larry
forindooruseonly
Member
A few of us got together in 2015 and bought a Bad Boy and use it constantly, and it's been flawless. By far the best mower we've ever used. Collectively we have about 21 acres of lawn that uses it.
I'm sad to hear your experience has been the exact opposite.
colt22man
Member
I mow 4 acres with a Skag Turf tiger, 61" deck. 1 hr 45 min. I'm done. Fabulous mower. Mine is a 2007 and still running great. 800 hrs on it. I would buy a used one after a detailed inspection.
Faulkner
Member
I mow around 6 acres and use a 27 HP Kubota zero turn. As much time as I spend on my equipment I don't mind spending a premium to get the good stuff. My previous personal experience with John Deere was not good so I switched from green & yellow paint to orange and have been very pleased with Kubota, but you're right, it ain't cheap.
I mow about a 4 acre yard and then also mow my wifes horse pens periodically another 3-4 acres. Have a JD tractor and mower but zero turn does a better job getting the weeds. I bought a Hustler 54" Fastrac SDX commercial mower. I bought the commercial grade after I told them that it was going to be a hard use mower. The warranty was extended for residential use of a commercial mower. Put the front forks that flex on it. Man what a beast it mows everything, and has been pretty trouble free. North Texas sometimes I have to mow every 2 weeks. It threw some bearings in the mower bed about 3 weeks after the 4 year warranty and the guys at Hustler still covered it. On smooth lawn you can fly , 27 HP I think Kawasaki motor. Its been great for us. Was 7500 5 years ago but they have smaller models. The quality/service has been great.
Rifle and rack custom added.
Rifle and rack custom added.
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With the cost of gas, even for mowers, you may wish to consider these:
Plus, if times get hard, it's hard to eat a lawn mower!
Plus, if times get hard, it's hard to eat a lawn mower!
Tom, you are so right I see people put a couple dozen out on a lot that is full of weed,briars, other stuff. When I drive buy in a month or so it looks like a dozen workers clean it out.
With the cost of gas, even for mowers, you may wish to consider these:
Plus, if times get hard, it's hard to eat a lawn mower!
Oh heck. We had some goats back east. Thy ate all the nasty stuff. Wife couldn't figure where she kept getting the poison ivy. Finally clued her in. We don't need anymore coyote and wolf bait and to be honest I'd rather eat deer. The Kubota dealer offered me a 42 inch Kubota for a pretty fair price but really do want a bit wider deck. Looked at Cub Cadet and Husqvarna and while both are cheaper they certainly look it...and Kubota has a 4 year warranty. The search continues. Thanks for all suggestions. Some of the recommended makes are not available anywhere close
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I agree with IronSkillet, what kind of terrain do you have? Any roadside ditches, steep hills, etc? If you want something that's going to last long enough to pay for itself and do what you need it to do, $6K isn't going to do it, IMO. I see those at Lowe's and Home Depot, and wouldn't buy one for my own use. I mow between 5-1/2 and 7 acres, depending on how often I mow the neighbor's field next to my house. I have two lawns, a field and a pasture of my own I cut every week, and spending that much time on a mower gets old if it isn't really comfortable. A suspension seat at the very least is a must. I mow with a 2-series JD compact, with a 62" mid mount mower, takes me just at 5-1/2 hours to get it all done, without mowing the extra field.
You also need to consider gas or diesel in your plans. Gas is cheaper to buy (mower and fuel), but diesel is way more efficient and economical to use. I can mow all my property on about 3 gallons of diesel, maybe less (6-1/2 gallon tank, I get two mowings and a few chores before sucking fumes) I don't think you'll get off that easy with gasoline, and it adds up over time.
If I wanted a ZT mower for my own use, I'd suck up the price and buy a Ferris, or a Deere, as I've had excellent service from my tractor, and had another, smaller diesel Deere before it that also served well.
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