Heavy Duty Ramps to Hold Hustler Fast Track 62 Inch Mower
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| Wife and I are buying a home with 2.5 acres, located about a mile from her family farm. __________________ |
04-25-2020, 10:58 PM 
What's a good zero turn mower? 
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| John Deere is the best. Ever notice the only used ones for sale are from estate sales? |
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| The hydro-static transmissions are the critical part. Especially if you have hills don't skimp there, they are expensive. You will find there are only one or two (IIRC) manufacturers of them. The rest of the mower is built in one of a few plants and then given a brand name. |
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| I've had my John Deere Z445 for six years and mow 1.5 acres at least weekly from April-Oct. It now has 361 hours on it. I have annual spring maintenance done on it each January. The only repair needed was replacing a battery at the five year mark. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by Goldstar225 I've had my John Deere Z445 for six years and mow 1.5 acres at least weekly from April-Oct. It now has 361 hours on it. I have annual spring maintenance done on it each January. The only repair needed was replacing a battery at the five year mark. Exactly the same for me - annual maintenance and all I�ve replaced is the battery. __________________ |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by Autonomous The hydro-static transmissions are the critical part. Especially if you have hills don't skimp there, they are expensive. You will find there are only one or two (IIRC) manufacturers of them. The rest of the mower is built in one of a few plants and then given a brand name. The acreage is flat and pretty much open. __________________ |
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| Ferris seems to be the most popular brand around here, my next door neighbor has one and it will mow his two acres really fast! I might get one but my property has some really rough areas and I think a standard tractor type mower may be better for me, plus the zero turns are wide and take up a lot more space in my garage that's already too full. |
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| The price range on these is probably $3000 to $17000 and encompasses a wide variety of horsepower, mowing width and suspension systems. What is your budget for this project? How level and smooth is the ground? Have you ever driven a twin stick? The main advantage of a twin stick is speed. If the ground is rough you can't drive it fast unless you have suspension like the Ferris. These get into some serious money but are good machines. |
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| John Deere zero turn here also. Really good product from a very ethical company that manufactures in the US. __________________ |
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| I perfer orange paint as to green/yellow since all my gear is orange and I've had very good luck with them, although I admit I've gotten good service out of the two conventional JD mowers I've worn out. For the 4 acres I mow I use a Kubota ZG227 with 54 inch deck, gasoline, air-cooled V-Twin with heavy-duty canister air filter, with hydrostatic transmission and hydraulic deck lift system, It's an awesome mowing machine __________________ |
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| My brother bought a 5' Kubota zero-turn for his wife, she couldn't use it because of carpal tunnel in both wrists. He loved it but replaced it with a small tractor. Cost for Zero turn was about $6000 I had a Cub Cadet 42" With 23 HP Kawasaki engine (DO NOT THEM SELL YOU A KOLHER ENGIN!!*) I mowed 3 acers at my farm. It to 2 hours in summer and fall. and 3 to 3.5 in early Spring! Used 1/2 gas and 1/2 the time of the Cub Lo-Boy 185! Replacement cost is about $4200. Friend has a X-Mark 72" Diesel, mows 6 acers in 3 hours! Has a shock absorbing seat and golf course striping roller (make the yard look plaid!) * When I was young Kolher engines were the gold standard, not any more! Ivan |
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| Ferris is more expensive but the suspension and seat are well worth it . In my opinion . OldSeabee |
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| Great Thread. I too might be considering a Zero-Turn. My deal is, all I know if I buy one, I'm definitely buying So what I'm saying is; I would consider finding a Reputable The Best to you and your Endeavors. __________________ |
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| I'm mowing 2 ac here. If you want a commercial grade look at what the lawn services use. Around here it's a lot of Xmark and Scag. Commercial lawn services will argue which is better. Sort of a Ford/Chevy debate. I got an Xmark a couple of years ago and really like it. The Xmark blades spin quite a bit faster than some of the other makes. That makes a big difference when the grass is a bit taller and wet. You won't get the clumping like slower blades. __________________ |
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| Look at what the lawn maintenance professionals use and you'll over whelmingly see the majority using ExMark. ExMark is top of the line commercial grade MADE IN AMERICA. |
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| I'm singing the same tune as The Norseman. Buy from a reputable dealer that services the mower and has an adequate parts department. Close to home is a plus but service is #1. 2.5 acres is like two football fields so I'd want a fast-moving mower with a large cutting deck to get the job done quickly. I'd also want one with a comfortable seat. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by Geno44 The price range on these is probably $3000 to $17000 and encompasses a wide variety of horsepower, mowing width and suspension systems. What is your budget for this project? How level and smooth is the ground? Have you ever driven a twin stick? The main advantage of a twin stick is speed. If the ground is rough you can't drive it fast unless you have suspension like the Ferris. These get into some serious money but are good machines. We're looking around $5,000 to $6,000. Ground is flat. I have driven a zero turn, but not very well. It would take some time to learn. __________________ |
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| After a few other Zero Turn mowers over the years (Ferris, Z-Max, JD), I bought this Toro (they own ExMark) Z-Master Pro with 'MyRide' suspension. At 62, I got tired of bouncing around while cutting my 5 acres. 25hp EFI Kohler engine, 72" deck, and the suspension is unbelievable. Check out the Z-Turn mowers from Snapper, too. But, I'd stick with Toro, or, ExMark if you want something that will last a looooong time. I would never even consider any 'Garden Tractor' for cutting grass when there are Z-Turn mowers available. Last edited by Eric300; 04-26-2020 at 10:47 AM. |
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| Zero turn looks good, but try to drink a beer while mowing??? __________________ |
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| This is right down my alley. I've been a member of LawnSite Forum since 2000 and have owned a couple dozen ztrs since my first Dixie Chopper in y2k. These days, by far, the best zero turn is the one an honest, nearby dealer sells and services. If you're near Louisville are I can hook you up with one of the USA's great power equipment dealers, Southern Indiana Equipment. They sell multiple brands and are big enough, with 2 interstate hwy locations, that they can handle trailer load closeout deals. They also get much of the demo equip from the annual Outdoor Power Equip show in Louisville. I've owned Bobcat's best, the Predator Pro and it's great, so is the Hustler Z series, actually they are pretty much all good these days so that's why it's the dealer that is important. John Deere is great but you pay more for parts and maintenance. GrassHopper uses smaller dealers as a rule and they make a quality poduct. Hustler/Big Dog are my favorite mowers, made in Kansas and been in business forever. Parts are readily available and the mowers seem to be designed with service in mind. As of this season, I no longer mow any yard but my own. I used to do 5, acre sized yards and a 2 acre field but now it's just my own 3/4 acre and I've got the perfect mower for it, the Edsel of the Hustler line-up. Big Dog Power Bar 748, same frame/mechanics as Hustler Fastrack but has the motorcycle steering of the Hustler Trimstar. Did not sell and I bought this new for less than the transmission and Kawasaki engine would bring. A word of caution about zero turns. One of the most prominent businessmen in our area was mowing around a small lake on his rural property using a Scag Turf Tiger. The mower slid sideways into the lake, the lapbars pinned him in and he drowned. I've mowed steep hillsides and it's always a thrill ride when they start sliding. My Big Dog R748 my first one 2000 model Dixie Chopper my moneymaker BobCat Predator Pro w 1000cc Kawasaki fuel injected engine __________________ |
I'd stay away from box stores with the exception of my local Rural King, they have a fine in house service dept for items they sell. 
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| I don't have one but my friends own Cub Cadet, Kubota and Deere. One common thread with each of my buddy's is to buy locally from a real dealer that can service it. If you cheap out and shop the big box stores .... you're on your own. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by Eric300 After a few other Zero Turn mowers over the years (Ferris, Z-Max, JD), I bought this Toro (they own ExMark) Z-Master Pro with 'MyRide' suspension. At 62, I got tired of bouncing around while cutting my 5 acres. 25hp EFI Kohler engine, 72" deck, and the suspension is unbelievable. Check out the Z-Turn mowers from Snapper, too. But, I'd stick with Toro, or, ExMark if you want something that will last a looooong time. I would never even consider any 'Garden Tractor' for cutting grass when there are Z-Turn mowers available. That looks like a fine mower. I suspect it does not fit the stated $5000-$6000 budget for the project though. |
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| I've only owned one zero turn and that was a John Deere. It was a great mower but my 4 acres has enough of a slope on it that it would sometimes slide into my 500 foot long fence (especially when there was a dew on the grass) and I would have to get the Gator out to tow it out of the fence row. But it was a great mower and handled my 4 acres and +100 trees with no sweat. __________________ |
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| I live in a condo and haven't cut grass for 15 years, but always had a John Deere back then and it was great. But, the commercial company that cuts our grass (for 105 units), uses Toro. They last and go fast. __________________ |
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| Had a JD Z445 for years. Never had a problem except routine maintenance.As noted by The Norseman pick with the nearest dealer or repair shop. Can save a lot of aggravation! __________________ |
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| We built our house 5 years ago on a couple of heavily wooded acres and and did all the clearing, flower beds, and sodding our selves. I bought a Home Depot Ariens 17 hp 42" deck garden tractor mower for under a grand and I can mow our property in about an hour. I didn't want to spend much money because I knew I would tear it up on rocks, tree roots, and stumps as we continually fine tune the property. That little mower has really taken a beating but it keeps getting the job done just fine. The couple times the mower shop has needed to repair it from me abusing it the owner tells me to get one of his Gravely or Hustler mowers that are designed to be worked on. The Ariens from Home Depot has a plastic transmission and a lot of plastic parts so they are really throw away mowers if they need major repairs. Last edited by Farmer17; 04-26-2020 at 12:06 PM. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by snake803 Zero turn looks good, but try to drink a beer while mowing??? I have a vest that holds 4 beers--They don't go flat because they don't vibrate. I have a Hydro Bad Boy Kawasaki powered with a picture of Willie Nelson on the deck. $4500 range. A higher price seat is a big + and the oil filter has a cut out in the frame so no mess and the bearings are sealed. My wife likes to mow and no complains except she cusses me for nor getting one sooner. If you can push a grocery cart you can drive on of these. Last edited by 4barrel; 04-26-2020 at 12:29 PM. |
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| No complaints with my Bad Boy commercial 61". |
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| A word of caution about zero turns. One of the most prominent businessmen in our area was mowing around a small lake on his rural property using a Scag Turf Tiger. The mower slid sideways into the lake, the lapbars pinned him in and he drowned. . . Absolutely can happen around a pond...his dealership SHOULD have pointed that possible danger out to him...once it starts to go because of those front caster wheels you CAN NOT GET IT BACK...then you need to get something to pull your mower out of the pond...VERY DANGEROUS...if you have a pond you NEED to have the Zero turn with a steering wheel...hope this helps somebody...Roger My Big Dog R748 my first one 2000 model Dixie Chopper my moneymaker BobCat Predator Pro w 1000cc Kawasaki fuel injected engine Last edited by pharman; 04-26-2020 at 12:25 PM. |
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| I had a toro for years, never had any issues with it. My uncle had a gravely, it was always broken down.... I sold him the toro when I moved to the city, and its still running 4 years later. |
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| Are there any ZTR mowers that the deck tilts up or some way to easily get the blades off and on for sharpening? It looks like it would be just about impossible to service the blades on those. |
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| The deck on the toro is exceptionally easy to remove so you can service the blades. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by Protocall_Design Are there any ZTR mowers that the deck tilts up or some way to easily get the blades off and on for sharpening? It looks like it would be just about impossible to service the blades on those. Hustler makes a flip up residential zero turn but it's not a problem to remove the blades on a regular deck if you're able to get down on the ground. Kubota top end mowers have a built in jack to raise for service and Grasshopper front deck mowers have a power fold deck on their high end machines. I set my deck at transport height and ride my front tire up a portable ramp. Hustler blades go on w/ 15/16" socket. I use a dewalt 20v impact wrench and they come right off. Sharpen with a 4 1/2" portable grinder using a flappy disc. Scrape the deck underneath with a putty knife, ice scraper or similar and put the blades back on. My trailer has a drop down ramp and I sometimes drive one front wheel on it and let the rest hang off if a ramp isn't handy. __________________ |
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| I've been using Kubota small tractor equipment on my hobby farm for almost 30 years and I have a 3 point hitch finish mower that I sometimes use to mow behind a tracter, but I used to use John Deere exclusively for lawn mowers. When my last John Deere riding mower finally wore out about 3 years ago I started looking at zero turn mowers for the first time. I have a pretty big place to mow so after doing my due diligence I bought a Kubota ZG227 and have nothing but praise for it. I gotta admit though, it's well over the price range the OP has mentioned, but it will take a while for me to wear this one out. __________________ |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by 4barrel If you can push a grocery cart you can drive on of these. I saw a program on TV where a guy was teaching a woman too drive a Zero turn and that is what he told her. I hadn't ever thought of it that way but that is correct. Larry |
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| I mow 2 or 3 acres and have had a Bobcat, 52 in., 19 HP Kawasaki since 2003. Still does good. Larry |
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| Around here the pros use Scags. |
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| I'll add my two cents worth in for Kubota. I own two acres of which right around 1 acre gets mowed. Our Kubota ZG20 (which is now out of production) has been completely free of issues with only routine maintenance for over a dozen years now. They are not popular with the local lawn cutting crews. Turns out for the several I asked the entry price of the Kubota was too steep but it was high on the list of what they WISH they had. How did I come to a Kubota? I went to the my city's road maintenance office and asked what they used and why. Turns out for them Kubotas weren't the cheapest but they lasted the longest with the least down time and service issues. Back when I purchased mine the Kubota was better because it used a true transaxle and not hydraulic motors like many of the others, so it had a much greater longevity. They sold me and I don't regret it. Last edited by Jon651; 04-26-2020 at 07:48 PM. |
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| The best mower ever is whatever kind the local lawn service uses. 2nd place best is to get Forrest Gump to buy you one, then you can offer him the privilege of mowing your place. However, I've never had the luxury of affording a lawn service, and Tom Hanks hasn't been over to visit ever, so......I'm stuck with my 14HP Pony garden tractor (from Lowes)�.right under 2 acres, some slope, 6 years....only a battery at Advance Auto Parts, 3 sets of blades (every 2 years), mulch plate, deck wash adapter, and bagger attachment for leaf time. Before that another garden tractor from Home Depot, same deal...about 5 to 8 years with decent oil change, spark plug change. At right around $1200 out the door they are "throw-away" mowers, but get the job done (can even push light snow) and for less than $200/year overall cost including blades...I can't beat it at this stage of life. __________________ |
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| I forgot to add to my garden tractor stuff above. I bought a ATV/Tractor jack at Harbor Freight for $120 a few years ago. No more undoing all the belts and link pins to drop the deck to change blades. Set the brake, jack her up, hit the two blade nuts with a squirt of WD40, change blades, retighten the nuts, press the foot pedal and drop the mower gently back to ground and you're off...�.15 minutes tops! __________________ |
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| Well, I'm leaning towards a BigDog Alpha MPX or the Scag SZL52-23FR. __________________ |
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| John Deere here and we love it. Mrs meaneyedcatz loves it so much I haven't cut the grass in two years. |
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| As mentioned earlier do be careful on a hill. Zero turns tend to slide on inclines. Be careful. |
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| I roll a floor jack under the front of my mower and raise it up too change blades. Easier than ramps. Jack rolls, would have to carry ramps. Larry |
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| We are in our 4th year of using a Country Clipper Boulevard 48� Th picture shows the mower in maintenance position for blade sharpening and belt replacement, I opted I�m thinking this was around $4500.00 on sale. terry |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by tops I roll a floor jack under the front of my mower and raise it up too change blades. Easier than ramps. Jack rolls, would have to carry ramps. Larry Sometimes I do it that way but ya gotta carry jack stands too. I'm a gambler but there's not much gain in crawling under a 1000 lb mower and just trusting a jack. __________________ |
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| One that your wife feels comfortable operating. __________________ |
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| I've got a Kubota Kommander 54". Completely happy with it and I have a great local dealer. As others have said, that may be the most important part. Good Luck |
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| I throw a pulley and rope over a tree limb and use my Kawasaki Grizzly 4 wheeler winch to raise my mower in the air to change blades. I always attach a second safety rope to hold it up just in case and blades swaps are quick and easy. I did the same thing with a come-along hand winch before I got an electric winch and it was still pretty easy. No way I'm gonna drop the deck or remove belts. Last edited by Farmer17; 04-27-2020 at 10:59 AM. |
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| Quote: Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER One that your wife feels comfortable operating. No problem there. She's a farm girl (nurse too), and can drive most of the farm equipment. __________________ |
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Heavy Duty Ramps to Hold Hustler Fast Track 62 Inch Mower
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