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Posted: 1/25/2018 4:40:47 PM EDT
Probably getting a new place, on 5 acres which is all cleared. Flat, level, pretty wide open.
Fastest and most cost effective way to mow it? 60" zero turn? Finishing mower? Hopefully some guys with large lawns can offer some advice on what to look at and what to stay away from. |
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Love our Bad Boy Outlaw XP. Would buy again. Mow 2 acres without a straight line on it, went from 4.5 hours on a rider to 2.25
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Love our Bad Boy Outlaw XP. Would buy again. Mow 2 acres without a straight line on it, went from 4.5 hours on a rider to 2.25 https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/86377/D7EB9227-A57D-42C3-B5B5-87169457F021-431159.JPG View Quote |
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I saw those, have you had to buy parts for it? I heard the parts are hard to come by and expensive? View Quote |
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Zero turn
Now which model I have a Ferris and mow my lawn in 20 minutes. 1 acre |
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Bad Boy, zero problems and cuts great. View Quote Attached File Attached File |
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One of the happiest days of my life is when I sold the big yard place in the country and moved into the city and could complete the yard work in under a hour.
You young guys, knock yourself out. |
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5 acres? Make sure whatever you get has a decent cup holder and a spot to mount cooler for keeping the beer cold.
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Love our Bad Boy Outlaw XP. Would buy again. Mow 2 acres without a straight line on it, went from 4.5 hours on a rider to 2.25 https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/86377/D7EB9227-A57D-42C3-B5B5-87169457F021-431159.JPG View Quote |
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You're welcome to come over and try to do it faster View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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At least take a good look at Dixie Chopper. They're a buy once, cry once deal, though. I've got 3 close friends that have them now for quite a few years (60 inch Silver Eagles, I believe) and they do a fine job. They aren't cheap, but they've all been dead nuts reliable for them.
The key is they (Zero turns) do best on flat, even ground which you seem to have. Hilly, or rough, not so much! Keep your blades sharp, deck level and free from debris that can rust hydro fittings. The easy access to the external hydro pumps seems like a good feature, too, though none have failed yet. http://www.dixiechopper.com/dealer-locator |
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I have a Ferris. Shocks at all 4 corners.
https://www.ferrismowers.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/zero-turn-mowers/is--2100z-zero-turn-mowers.html |
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Lol ok. Surprised at the votes for bad boy but I'll give them a look View Quote You definitly pay a little more for the name and their advertising. They are certainly flashy, tho. |
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? View Quote But it probably won't last you a long time, it won't be as fast, won't cut as good, or be as enjoyable as a nicer machine. But either go cheap as possible, or do it right. |
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I have a Ferris. Shocks at all 4 corners. https://www.ferrismowers.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/zero-turn-mowers/is--2100z-zero-turn-mowers.html View Quote You won't find a better mixture of value on the market. Just punch in your zip code and find the nearest dealer. |
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I will soon be starting my 13th season with my Scag 61” cut with a 27 hp Koehler.
No complaints and almost no problems. I had to replace the PTO actuator and the belts. That’s it other than normal maintenance. |
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? View Quote I'd buy something from an actual dealer. That way if there's ever a problem, you have someone to go to. I've had great luck with Hustler and would recommend one to anyone. Again, not from a big box store. I'd also recommend getting a commercial grade mower for 5 acres. Do you need it? No. But you'll be glad you have it. |
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You probably won't be able to get a new one for any cheaper. But it probably won't last you a long time, it won't be as fast, won't cut as good, or be as enjoyable as a nicer machine. But either go cheap as possible, or do it right. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? But it probably won't last you a long time, it won't be as fast, won't cut as good, or be as enjoyable as a nicer machine. But either go cheap as possible, or do it right. |
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I have an old 48” Exmark Metro run-behind. It makes short work of pretty much anything and it doesn’t tear up the yard quite as much as a zero-turn.
That Kohler V-twin replacement engine I have on it also basically converted it to a bush hog; it’ll mow 12” wet grass in 5th gear. I might snap a belt if it gets too crazy but the engine won’t stall. |
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Interesting, I thought John Deere would be one of the better machines View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? But it probably won't last you a long time, it won't be as fast, won't cut as good, or be as enjoyable as a nicer machine. But either go cheap as possible, or do it right. |
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I’ve got 3 flat acres and my Cub Cadet 54” ZTR (it has the Kohler v-twin engine too) does an awesome job. Definitely go for something at least slightly larger, like a 60”, for 5 acres. The fact that your lot is flat I think makes the a ZTR your best choice. I got mine new for under $3k, and I think it is about the least expensive brand. I suspect $5k is about the minimum you’ll want to spend on a ZTR. If you want something bigger you’ll probably need to spend like $20k for a big ass tractor, which you might choose to do if you have to have a tractor anyways...
Good luck! |
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I mow am an acre at home and 3 acres at the family cemetery. Bought a Hustler Raptor SD with a 54" deck, Kohler industrial motor and the optional cushioned front end. Great maneuverability weighs about 700 pounds, bolted frame, 3 year/300 hour warranty, easy to trailer. Cost was about $4600.00 Takes about 40 minutes to mow home and an hour and a half to mow the cemetery. Only problem is traction, could use a little more weight on the drive tires, may look for wheel weights.
I went to the Raptor SD for the heavier spindles and deck. My gun club just replaced their 13 year old Cub Cadet "Tank" which was beginning to eat us up on maintenance. with a 72" Hustler X-One with the cushioned front end and optional seat. Welded frame. Cost is in the $11,000.00 range. 5 year/500 hour warranty. We mow about 10 acres and the guys that do most of the mowing could not be happier. Mower weighs about 1100 pounds. Don't buy from your local big box store, they only handle the base models. Look for a servicing dealer. Spend the extra bucks for the cushioned front end and get a model that you will be happy with for the next 10 (or more) years. Buy once, cry once. I went to the Hustler on the recommendation of a friend who runs seven (mostly X-Ones) commercially. |
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The commercial Kubotas z300 series and the Zxxxx I don' remember the numbers...four digit are the real deal. The z700 stuff is lighter duty and I was not impressed when I checked them out.
I have a Z332, 33hp Kubota gas engine, built like a tank. Heavy as hell, works great on steep slopes, they will tear up turf in real zero turns if it's wet. They are stingy on fuel and have tons of power and speed. They don't stripe as well as the Ferris 3 wheeler we have but they do a decent job and double as a wood chipper and stump grinder. They are also about 15k new, so...yeah...find a good used one unless you're one of Arfcoms well hung millionaires with the kinky supermodel wife. |
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Old Ford NAA and a brush hog. Not the fastest or cleanest but pretty economical and definitely the most fun. Then start buying implements when you want to put in a garden, drill fence posts, plow snow, etc.
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Ferris, Scag, Gravely, Dixie Chopper, Grass Hopper, ExMarkn Kubota and Bad Boy. Find a dealer near you.
The hydro drives at least 3100 series. The box store ones are sealed or 2800 series. |
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I've got 3 flat acres and my Cub Cadet 54" ZTR (it has the Kohler v-twin engine too) does an awesome job. Definitely go for something at least slightly larger, like a 60", for 5 acres. The fact that your lot is flat I think makes the a ZTR your best choice. I got mine new for under $3k, and I think it is about the least expensive brand. I suspect $5k is about the minimum you'll want to spend on a ZTR. If you want something bigger you'll probably need to spend like $20k for a big ass tractor, which you might choose to do if you have to have a tractor anyways... Good luck! View Quote |
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Old Ford NAA and a brush hog. Not the fastest or cleanest but pretty economical and definitely the most fun. Then start buying implements when you want to put in a garden, drill fence posts, plow snow, etc. View Quote |
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? View Quote Crap, Every John Deere that is not a farm tractor is a green turd. The line of buying from a dealer is false as well . |
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/389530/8611BDA5-E7D5-4F2F-B094-82B063F1AEFB-434112.JPG This any good? View Quote |
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My recommendation is to find a zero turn with a 60" or larger deck.
Dont skimp on power. Someone said to find a brand with a close(ish) local dealer, this is also sound advice. This thread, like all other mower reccomendation threads, will bring out people who love one brand and absolutely despise others. Warranty can make a difference too, especially if you're buying new. |
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I found an 8N with a rebuilt engine for 3200 lol, it would be useful to have a bucket and a PTO View Quote |
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I just turned 1300 hours on my Exmark and have never replaced a belt. I take good car of it with normal maintenance but have never had a repair.
Buy once, cry once from a trusted outdoor power dealer, not a big box store. |
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