Chevy Tri Five Forum banner

GRASS RELATED, LAWNS

4K views 32 replies 24 participants last post by  BasstenderJohns  
#1 ·
Not to change subject< tri-5's> :D

How many of u out there are using Zero Turns for mowing ? JUst wondering, Im still looking for a good used , low hrs commerical zero turns, Been looking at Gravely, ferris, exman, and cub cadet commerical zero turns,
I want commerical as there built better, and I hav 5 acreas total grass to mow :ridinghorse:
So whos mowing with a zero turn ??
 
#2 ·
Zero turns

Randy my neighbor bought a new Toro zero-turn unit this summer and loves it. Most of the lawn guys around here use the Toro equipment--might be just because the dealers are everywhere. Myself, I use a Husquvarna rider. I now mow the yard in 1.5 hours--used to take the wife 2 days with the push mower!:D JIM.
 
#3 ·
Randy, I have a 52 " Ferris Z , 61" Scag Z & a 60 " Kubota diesel Z all of which I bought new, the Scag has got to be the best built , easiest to work on and has the nicest cut of them all. The big thing is where the nearest dealer is from you .

These are all commercial mowers and the Scag is the newest only having two seasons on it . I paid $9800.00 for it, It has a 28 horse air cooled Kawasaki and has been trouble free other than a head gasket leak that was under warranty.

Don't know if any of this info helps but we cut 42 accounts each week with these units about 28 weeks a year & dependability is a big concern....pete
 
#4 ·
I own and operate a landscape company here in the Chattanooga Tn area. Have been doing this for over 35 years. Lawn care is one of the many services we provide for our customers. I have used all types and brands of equipment through the years i sold most of our ztr's but kept the newest one as a back up to our John Deere 585 x which is a 54" cut 4 wheel drive work horse. Ztr's are fine on level ground, my advise would be to choose a machine with a quality built deck ( WELDED SEAM CONSTRUCTION ) and get the size to do the job and back it up with plenty of horse power so the machine doesn't have to over work its self. It will last much longer this way. I would have the machines brought out so you can demo them on your property. And compare them on your turf and decide which fills your needs and fits your wallet the best. Dont forget about service after the sale.
 
#5 ·
Little off the topic-sorta!
I use a 1982,60" Yazoo,with a 23 hp Kohler twin.It's one of the first zero turn mowers on the market and is commercial/industrial grade equipment.
Fully hydraulic with belt driven deck.
It's old,works well,with little trouble other than consumables and I like it!I've been using it about 12 years.
I mow about 12 acres with it and my 42" Craftsmans.
Mike.:)
 
#6 ·
JOHN DEERE is the best in my opinion for whatever type mower you want. My dad bought a '07 534 next to new in'08 it is 4 wheel steer, we perfer a mower with a steering wheel so we can have a free hand to hold tree limbs out of the way as we mow.I have a '09 725 tractor type with a 62'' deck, I've tried J.D. and TORO zero turns but did'nt care for them.:anim_25:
 
#7 ·
Lawn Mower

One of the best things I have bought for the home about three years ago was a Scag zero turn mower. Since living where we do now since 1984 we have had two acres to mow and many years we have mowed three to four acres each week. Over the years as some of our neighbors have become elderly we have mowed theirs or if one of them had a broke mower we will cut it for them, etc. When I started with this place I bought Snappers for many years then like I said three years ago I had heard enough about the zero turn mowers where I knew I wanted one. Due to the amount we mow it was no question that the smartest thing to do was buy a commercial mower. I started looking at what the guys that mow for a living used, then I looked at what the school districts were using, the county and city. Scag was the mower the majority was using. We had a local dealer that STOCKED parts and provided service for what he sold. Scag only made commercial mowers with a blade speed that was greater than the others. The Scag reduced our mowing time by 40%, I was told I could expect a 33% reduction. I watch the hour meter and do what is recommended expect for the blade pulleys I grease them more often. One of the guys at the dealership told me that as much as they turn, speed they turn the people that kept them with fresh grease would extend the life of them. That was the main repair item they sold. I have some folks around that watched me but bought another brand to save a buck or they shopped at one of the chain stores that had credit and now they wished they had paid a little more up front. I haven't shopped this item in three years so I guess something could have changed but I believe Scag still only makes commercial mowers and I still have a local dealer that takes care of his customers. OH, my wife jumps at the chance to mow because of the ease of use and I had told her awhile back what a good suntan she got while mowing:D
 
#10 ·
This is a very interesting thread. I have been mowing my 3 acre place with riding mowers for the last 25 years and have about decided that when this last one wears out i plan to look into the zero turn mowers. Thanks for the thread Randy.
Terry
 
#11 ·
I have an Exmark Lazer "Z" zero turn commercial mower with a 72" deck. It currently has just under 2,000 hours on it. Other than regular maintenance, the only repairs required were a new mower clutch and one blade shaft bearing.

Image


I mow just over 14 acres with 66 trees to mow around. When we first bought this property, I mowed it with a Kubota tractor with 54" rear deck. The Kubota mowed fine but was so slow, especially going around the trees. It would take most of 2 days with the Kubota. The Exmark takes just over 6 hours.

Last week I used a 72" Scag demo. It mows great and seems to be well built but it is not quite as fast as my Exmark running side by side. I will be trying a Gravely with a 72" deck next week. We'll see how that does against the Exmark.

Randy, I don't think you will be sorry for buying a ZTR but, like most equipment, the ability of your dealer to support the machine is critical. Regardless of which brand you buy, they all work good when they are new; it is the aftermarket support that will make you happy or not.
 
#12 ·
Frank
your right, in all service, thats what Im looking for, around here, theres a deere dealer, a gravely dealer 40 miles away, exman dealer 50 miles away, no Scag dealer at all,
The gravely dealer is great, at least according to a friend that has a gravely<sp>
Also hav a friend that has a mowing ser, in the quad cities, 50 miles away, that uses exman<sp>
nothing really close, Thanks everyone for all the info / Im still deciding/looking, and I believe service . especially after :D is important
Ill keep everyone posted on what I get :wavey:
 
#14 ·
the farm I had I had to mow about 4 acres total and we had a 72" deck zero turn mower. loved it reduces the time alot. When we sold the farm I had a big John Deere tracor I couldn't sell and ended up trrading it in at the dealer for a new Garden tractor with a plow setup for the snow and a trailer, weights and chains. I sold the zero turn to my new neighbor and wish I kept it.
Scag is big around here to for commercial grade mowers. Just make sure consider the size of the deck and what you have to go around when buying the mower.
 
#15 ·
My youngest Brother just paid $6500 for a used zero turn mower.Used it once,said its too fast and confusing to operate.Hes good with numbers but does not think mechanically so its already for sale.:sign0020:
 
#17 ·
four legged zero cost mowers?

We have three acres out back covered in cars ect. you would die from shrapnel if you tried mowing it. The cow cost $450.oo last Feb. the bull calf was born in march now weighs 700 lbs. I need to seel him should bring ove a dollar a pound at the sale barn. I know its not a option for everyone but sheep a miniture horse are some other options. They dont use any gas. They mow while your sleeping, and dont cost thousands of dollars.:sign0020: Randall
 

Attachments

#32 ·
We have three acres out back covered in cars ect. you would die from shrapnel if you tried mowing it. The cow cost $450.oo last Feb. the bull calf was born in march now weighs 700 lbs. I need to seel him should bring ove a dollar a pound at the sale barn. I know its not a option for everyone but sheep a miniture horse are some other options. They dont use any gas. They mow while your sleeping, and dont cost thousands of dollars.:sign0020: Randall
Just have to watch where you're stepping. Van :sign0020: :sign0020:
 
#25 ·
I bought a new Scag Freedom Z 52" 3 years ago. I still love it. My wife likes to drive it so much, I almost never get to mow the lawn. Even if it looks like the lawn could go a few more days, she jumps on it and goes.

Scags are commercial mowers. But the Freedom Z is their model marketed for more for homeowners.
Freedom Z

Earlier this summer, my wife had to go out of town. I got to mow!
Well, I hit and chewed up a water faucet in the yard. She said "How in the heck could you have done that?"
Well, I dug it out and replaced the faucet and standpipe. And the following week, She mows and hits and chews up my newly replaced faucet!
 
#26 · (Edited)
Zero turn mowers

When I was shopping the Scag sure had better metal throughout, lots of fittings to lube everything and a larger hydraulic system than the others. Very wife and daughter friendly:D
Now , if Echo would just make a gas powered, straight shaft wife & daughter friendly weedeater I would have it made...............
 
#27 ·
Lawn mowers is what I do for a living and the care that is given to the mower by the owner is always a big factor to how satisfied you will be with your purchase. I see so many things that shouldn't have happend because of the lack of common sense. I own a dixie chopper that is about 12 years old and it still looks, cuts and operates like new.
 
#28 ·
I am looking for one so thanks for sharing the info. Mike
 
#29 · (Edited)
Before we sold our log house we had a front yard with about five acres with hard woods scattered about. I used an International Cub with a woods 59" belly mower. It worked great.

About a year and a half ago we moved to a subdivision with a very small level yard. It would have been ridiculas to use my tractor so I sold it and bought a Cub Cadet RZTS 42" (the zero turn with a steering wheel). I can cut my yard in about twenty minutes. It's done great but I admit it dosen't have to work very hard.:flag6: Blake
 
#33 ·
I own a gravley 52'' cut ztr. It is a grass gobbler. No problems with this machine. It is a 2007 model, has a Kawasaki 25 horse motor and is the best buy I ever made. I repair these machines for a living and seldome ever see a gravley in my shop.see lots of dixie choppers and exmarks.