Contemplating buying a zero turn mower.

[Puller]

Well a lot of questions on terrain etc. The area I would be cutting is all level with a very small slope down to make it easy to irrigate. To be honest I've never had to cut the place more than 4 times in a season. It IS dry here. And I would only cut a 1/2 at the most 2 times. It is a small field of about two acres. My wife has some flower beds but I mostly use a trimmer around them. The little field was a large garden that we let go natural. Too many deer for too much work. so...I would only be spending 12 hours or so a year. I have to also acquire a regular walk behind mower for inside the fenced in garden near the fence. I found a couple commercially used Kubotas but they both have more than 600 hours, one is 60 inch the other 54 both with a 30/30 warranty...30 feet or 30 seconds...whichever comes first. LOL

Heck, based on that usage I would hire someone to do it.

I'm inclined to agree with hiring it out. Based on the description above I don't see that it justifies spending big bucks on a big zero turn just to mow it 4 times a year.

Heck, here in my neck of the woods I have to mow as much as 5 or 6 times a month during spring and early summer, and still have to mow weekly during summer through fall. That's when a quality zero turn makes a difference in time savings.

 

[Boox]

I've got 5 level acres and my cub ZT 54 does an admirable job, does it in 1/2 the time of my old wheel horse 48" deck and other than oil changes and blade resharpening I've had 0 problems...all done in less than 2 hours...been doing it for over 5 years

 

[Skeet 028]

When I lived in Md I seemed to always be cutting grass ...60 inches of rain and 8 acres of grass. There are companies I could hire to cut grass. They are all town based. I live 20 miles out. They wanted to charge me a dollar a mile coming and going...LOL. And yeah I get it.. Rather just cut it myself. I think I am going to buy the Kubota 42 inch...aybe It's not like I only have an hour to cut it..I am retired...I think. Or I could just send my wife out to do it...yeah!! A GREAT idea...and just think of all the exercise she'd get

 

[Eric300]

Zero turn mowers are the old man and weekend squire's sports car.

You just might be on to something there!

 

[IronSkillet]

Kubota makes very nice machines; after reading the description of cutting needs should serve you well, would still encourage you to try the 42" and 48" deck size(comparison). Happy mowing

When I lived in Md I seemed to always be cutting grass ...60 inches of rain and 8 acres of grass. There are companies I could hire to cut grass. They are all town based. I live 20 miles out. They wanted to charge me a dollar a mile coming and going...LOL. And yeah I get it.. Rather just cut it myself. I think I am going to buy the Kubota 42 inch...aybe It's not like I only have an hour to cut it..I am retired...I think. Or I could just send my wife out to do it...yeah!! A GREAT idea...and just think of all the exercise she'd get

 

[mnkdad]

Zero turn

I mow 4 acres and was using a 54" cub cadet lawn tractor. Took me 4 hrs and about 4 gallons of gas. Finally broke down and bought a zero turn. SCAG turf tiger 61" deck liquid cooled,fuel injected kawasaki. Takes 1 1/2 hrs and comfortable. I would buy another one without thinking twice. Made in the USA.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I've spent quite a bit of time in Wyoming over the last 50 years and I'm honestly amazed that you have 4 acres mowable with a lawn mower. What happened to all the rocks??? Or did you have dirt trucked in?

I'm kidding but half serious.

 

[Skeet 028]

I've spent quite a bit of time in Wyoming over the last 50 years and I'm honestly amazed that you have 4 acres mowable with a lawn mower. What happened to all the rocks??? Or did you have dirt trucked in?

I'm kidding but half serious.

Yes we actually have real dirt. and a small 5 acre woods too. There are rocks but in the dry ground and the 500 ft cliff(sandstone) behind/ front of the house. We grew string lima wax and kidney beans taters and corn in the 2 acre piece to sell at the farmers market till the deer took over. I shotgun 'em in the enclosed garden behind the house. I waste 410 shells on 'em if they get in the household garden. We live on it...and maybe a deer or two(whitetails keep the mule deer away)

 

[Skeet 028]

Finally bought a ZT mower. Not the most expensive but a 54 inch machine I got at Tractor supply. It is branded Bad Boy.. Guess we'll see. Wife likes it so I hope to let her cut grass. I really need a mower now... in the last two weeks we have gotten more rain than we did in the last two years. Not a joke Even raining this morning

 

[smoothshooter]

I have a Skag ( terrible name ) Freedom Z 48" cut with 18 ( I think ) horsepower highly recommended Kawasaki engine.
Couldn't be happier.

Know that there basically 3 grades or levels of ZT mowers:
Commercial
Mid-Level
Residential

Mine is a Mid-Level grade that has the better sealed bearings and stronger frame similar to the higher grade.
In your case, I would not get a residential model.

 

[Skeet 028]

The one I got is a mid level. I looked at residential grades and to be honest they looked a bit cheap. They had a JD 345 at lowes... but my JD parts guy friend told me not on a bet. He knows this stuff waayy better than me. The commercials all start at the 6500 dollar range. As some stated I could hire the cutting out but...if I keep it clean it will last me a long time. The last riding mower I bought cost a fair chunk and was not very satisfactory. .This one I got has a Kohler...wish it had been a Kawasaki...but there are not a lot of mid grade mowers out there in the marketplace. They get sold pretty quickly

 

[smoothshooter]

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.

I like how you accessorized it.
Cartel country?

 

[smoothshooter]

I have limited experience with JD mowers, but it seems the operator is perched unnecessarily high compared to other brands. Could be a problem if mowing under trees, and when mowing along hillsides.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've got a 52" Gravely with a 23 HP Kawasaki engine. I've been using it for four years now with only normal maintenance. It's very comfortable and cuts twice as fast as the lawn tractor I had.