Zero turn mowers

Onkel Neal · 02-04-17, 01:53 AM

Anyone have some good zero turn machine experience they can share? I am looking to get one in the spring. Preferably 60" with 24~27 HP. I know, commercial grade is best, but probably out of my budget ($6000). I am looking at the Husky, Exmark, Ferris, and Toro. Needs to be capable of mowing 7 acres week in and out.

em2nought · 02-04-17, 04:23 AM

Another option might be something like the Exmark Turf Tracer. I'd try to get commercial, even if I had to get used I think. I used Turf Tracers for four years with a skid plate on behind instead of a wheel, it was a bit like waterskiing

Regarding engine choice, I've read that the commercial Kohlers are better than the commercial Kawasakis now

Skybird · 02-04-17, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em2nought

Where's the sports in that?

Eichhörnchen · 02-04-17, 06:44 AM

Get some sheep

u crank · 02-04-17, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

Needs to be capable of mowing 7 acres week in and out.

That's not a lawn. That's a hay field.

STEED · 02-04-17, 08:56 AM

I want a A.I mower that comes out my shed and cuts the grass then empty the clippings and finally return to the shed job done.

You maybe thinking STEED hates mowing the lawns and you would be right.

em2nought · 02-04-17, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Where's the sports in that?

With those ECS controls it's a bit like driving a tank too!

Onkel Neal · 02-04-17, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em2nought

Another option might be something like the Exmark Turf Tracer. I'd try to get commercial, even if I had to get used I think. I used Turf Tracers for four years with a skid plate on behind instead of a wheel, it was a bit like waterskiing

Regarding engine choice, I've read that the commercial Kohlers are better than the commercial Kawasakis now

I get a lot of people telling me get commercial, I have been looking through the craigslistings. It's hard to say if a used commercial machine at $5000 is a better choice than a new $6000 residential machine. Doing research is tough, there are 5 million brands and models and the "features" are all solidly touted in their marketing.

I'm not sure I trust my coordination with a standup model, though, I think a seated model is a better idea for me.

Jimbuna · 02-04-17, 10:32 AM

I could imagine you riding around the ranch in one of these and lets be honest, you could also run over a few Commanches if ever you were after a little more excitement

https://www.deere.com/en_US/products...ak_mowers.page

em2nought · 02-04-17, 11:04 AM

The ECS controls can be a bit hard on your hands if you have any pre-existing injuries compared to a zero turn's controls also. I'd probably look for an Exmark or Hustler with a commercial Kohler engine if it was for me.

Drive your truck down to FL and I'll load you up with a hardly used Turf Tracer(I'm still paying the last $1000 on it lol) along with two spare older ones for parts at a steal for $4000.00 lol I'll toss in an additional engine, weedeater, and edger too. ha

Only 48" though

August · 02-04-17, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

Anyone have some good zero turn machine experience they can share? I am looking to get one in the spring. Preferably 60" with 24~27 HP. I know, commercial grade is best, but probably out of my budget ($6000). I am looking at the Husky, Exmark, Ferris, and Toro. Needs to be capable of mowing 7 acres week in and out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by u crank

That's not a lawn. That's a hay field.

Yeah is zero turning that important on such a big field? Might be unnecessarily limiting your options.

Commander Wallace · 02-04-17, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

Get some sheep

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

Anyone have some good zero turn machine experience they can share? I am looking to get one in the spring. Preferably 60" with 24~27 HP. I know, commercial grade is best, but probably out of my budget ($6000). I am looking at the Husky, Exmark, Ferris, and Toro. Needs to be capable of mowing 7 acres week in and out.

I know a few people who have the Husqvarna zero turn with engines in the 18-24 horsepower range and they all have about 2 acres to mow. One friend has 1.25 acres and it takes them about 75 minutes to mow their lawn but they tend to take their time. Their lawn is sculpted like a golf course.

With that much acreage, you may be better off with 20-24 twin cylinder tractor with pull behind gang mowers that can cut 8-10 feet on a pass. The pull behind can be powered or un-powered like this one. The mowers are $ 1500.00 Add 2000.00 for the tractor and you are set. The advantages of the powered unit is that if the throttles for the powered pull behind unit are set at 40-60 % , the blades will spin and cut at least 100x or more over the area they are going over resulting in a golf course type smooth cut.

STEED · 02-04-17, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

Get some sheep

What Eichhörnchen really means is this..

I hear he has a fresh young lady every week cutting his lawn.

Commander Wallace · 02-04-17, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

What Eichhörnchen really means is this..

I hear he has a fresh young lady every week cutting his lawn.

If that's the case, Eichhörnchen is my hero.

Catfish · 02-04-17, 03:30 PM

02-04-17, 01:53 AM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Zero turn mowers Anyone have some good zero turn machine experience they can share? I am looking to get one in the spring. Preferably 60" with 24~27 HP. I know, commercial grade is best, but probably out of my budget ($6000). I am looking at the Husky, Exmark, Ferris, and Toro. Needs to be capable of mowing 7 acres week in and out. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

02-04-17, 04:23 AM	#2
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Another option might be something like the Exmark Turf Tracer. I'd try to get commercial, even if I had to get used I think. I used Turf Tracers for four years with a skid plate on behind instead of a wheel, it was a bit like waterskiing Regarding engine choice, I've read that the commercial Kohlers are better than the commercial Kawasakis now __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage! Last edited by em2nought; 02-04-17 at 04:26 AM. Reason: engines

02-04-17, 06:44 AM	#4
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,472 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Get some sheep __________________

02-04-17, 08:56 AM	#6
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I want a A.I mower that comes out my shed and cuts the grass then empty the clippings and finally return to the shed job done. You maybe thinking STEED hates mowing the lawns and you would be right. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

02-04-17, 10:32 AM	#9
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,964 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I could imagine you riding around the ranch in one of these and lets be honest, you could also run over a few Commanches if ever you were after a little more excitement https://www.deere.com/en_US/products...ak_mowers.page __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-04-17, 11:04 AM	#10
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The ECS controls can be a bit hard on your hands if you have any pre-existing injuries compared to a zero turn's controls also. I'd probably look for an Exmark or Hustler with a commercial Kohler engine if it was for me. Drive your truck down to FL and I'll load you up with a hardly used Turf Tracer(I'm still paying the last $1000 on it lol) along with two spare older ones for parts at a steal for $4000.00 lol I'll toss in an additional engine, weedeater, and edger too. ha Only 48" though __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage! Last edited by em2nought; 02-04-17 at 12:02 PM. Reason: wheelin' dealin' lol

02-04-17, 03:30 PM	#15
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,803 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	__________________ >^..^<*)))>{ All generalizations are wrong.