Zero Turn?

22Rimfire

22Rimfire

Formally Fortkevin2...
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Looking at getting a new mower for this upcoming season. We moved into a new home in August and my yard doubled in size to a little over an acre. About 70% of it is grass and weeds.

Have been looking at the Hustler ZTs. Anyone have an experience with them? For the price they look pretty solid. I'd like to pick one up with the Kawasaki engine if possible. Looks like they have the thicker decks compared to some of the Toro's etc. I know a gravely or similar would be better but I'm not looking to spend $10k. Willing to go as high as 4ish. I also like that the hustlers have a 3 year/300 hr warranty also. My yard is mostly flat so I think a ZT makes sense.

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I don't have personal experience with the brand except seeing someone else using one.
But the store where my brother works sells Hustler mowers.
They have good rep. He says the commercial Kaw motors will most likely last longer.
If you wanna get it done fast they will do it. I have seen them in action.
Good luck!
 
I mow several different places, it adds up to a lot of acerage. I initially invested in a Scag freedom Z several years ago just because of the fabricated deck. As my mowing increased, I bought a Scag Turf Tiger II (Kept the freedom z). I don't charge for my mowing but I'll usually have my gas covered. I'm just looking out for family and some elderly folks. I know someone will ask why in the hell I'd spend 10k on a TT 2 and not have a business. Well, mowing is therapeutic for me. It's one thing that gets my mind off of everything but the line in the grass I'm cutting. It's instant gratification when you finish. A Hustler should serve you well. Once you get a ZT mower you'll never sit your ass on a conventional again. You can research at www.lawnsite.com
 
My wife bought a zero turn couple years ago but I don't remember the manufacture or ridden it. Never home long enough, she mows the grass.

CD
 
If anything cuts faster than the one I bought it won't run long enuff in my yard to warm up. I bought a cub cadet and the guy told me to run it 10 hrs and change the oil. So I bought oil and filter. It took about 3.5 hrs to mow my lawn with a tractor style mostly because of trees and other obstacles . i mowed the entire first season with the zero turn and was still short of 10 hrs. That thing is super fast.
 
One more thing, if you are going to be on it for more than an hour at a time , and the yard has rough spots, GET ONE WITH SOME FORM OF SUSPENSION SEAT. Also, Kawasaki engines are good but don't scratch a Briggs Vanguard off the list.
 
Brandon1 said:
Honestly, $4k will buy you a low hour used commercial zero that will cut better and faster than residential Hustlers.

Look for Ferris zeros on craigslist. I picked up my 48” commercial zero last year for $2500 with 76 hours.
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^^^ This. I’m on year 18 with a Scag Turf Tiger and I expect that it will keep going for another 18 years. Go good, used commercial if you can.
 
My Toro has been good to me, 4 or 5 acres of bumpy, tree root infested yard for 7 or so years. It's a real life saver for leaf work; I can drop the deck and grind even pin oak leaves into powder with several passes.
 
Brandon1 said:
Honestly, $4k will buy you a low hour used commercial zero that will cut better and faster than residential Hustlers.

Look for Ferris zeros on craigslist. I picked up my 48” commercial zero last year for $2500 with 76 hours.
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Our place out here is flat (go figure) and all grass... after a ton of research, and borrowing my buddy's mower a few times I finally decided on the ferris. Yard is bumpy as hell as most are here from being old cattle stomping grounds. The suspension helps a lot, but if I had it to do over again I'd have gotten the stand on ferris z3.
 
There are many decent homeowner zero turns in your budget, but some makes will have thinner mowing decks, bolt together frame instead of welded, smaller integrated transmissions, smaller drive tires, etc.

For the top two models in your buget, check out the Simplicity Courier and the Ferris 400s zero turns. Pretty much the same model built in the same factory, both companies are owned by Briggs & Stratton. 10 gauge fabricated mowing deck with striping roller, fully welded tubular frames, and suspension on all four corners. Both will be in the $3500 - $4000 range, depending on the cut size and engine. The Simplicity offers Briggs & Kawi with 42" - 52" cut. The Ferris will have Briggs with 44" or 48" cut. 3 year warranties with no hour restrictions and a lifetime warranty on the fabricated deck housing.
Those two models will last you many years if you keep it on your property.

If you tend to pick up a lawn as a favor and that acre turns into a couple acres a week, you can get a used commercial zero turn or a new light duty commercial zero turn in the 5k range.
 
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Honestly I liked my John Deere much more than the zero turn I used for a few months. If your looking for fast Zero turn is your bet. If your looking for a better cut I'd go big lawn tractor but that is expensive as well for the real deal.
 
I've used a Hustler FasTrac for 8 years, with no warranty issues, or breakdowns of any kind. Just routine maintenance. Cut my mowing time in half. I wouldn't do it any other way.
 
We have a little over an acre and bought a cub cadet rzt-sx 54’ deck zero turn beginning last year. Only ran it this first season. Have no complaints so far. Price tag under 4K
 
J R Green said:
Why not?

I started out with a 3K toro time cutter and a few years ago upgraded to a bobcat. I miss the Toro. It had a much smoother ride.
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Because you cut your mowing time in half and your wife will find other shit for you to do. Plus if mine blew I would sell every gun I have to buy another if I had too
 
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Get a commercial unit, they have better construction an a much higher blade speed.
I got a 60” JD 777 with 400hrs for $4K. It does a MUCH faster and better finish than my tractor type could new. The blades are almost as thick as my 8’bush hog, it efficiently shreds fallen 4” dia branches as well.
 
Brandon1 said:
Honestly, $4k will buy you a low hour used commercial zero that will cut better and faster than residential Hustlers.

Look for Ferris zeros on craigslist. I picked up my 48” commercial zero last year for $2500 with 76 hours.
Click to expand...
Would love a commerical mower but all I've seen on CL is high hour beat up junk. Maybe I'm just missing out on the good deals

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22Rimfire said:
Would love a commerical mower but all I've seen on CL is high hour beat up junk. Maybe I'm just missing out on the good deals

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When I decided to upgrade to a full commercial mower, I looked for a year for a used one. I went ahead and bought new and don't regret it.I know the yahoo that's been using this one. If you can wait until next fall you can get a good deal on a demo from a dealer. Good used ones are out there but they don't last long if priced right.
 
I have a zero turn and I hate it. My yard is not flat, so driving this thing is a real chore. I gave up on it and bought another John Deere lawn tractor, love it! The zero turn will be for sale this spring.
 
Going on year 4 with a Dixie Chopper, bought it used with very low hours, 25hp Generac engine, went with a 44" due to having some tighter areas in the yard that a 60" would have trouble with. Have no complaints other than it's a bit of a rough ride if you have dips and ruts in the yard.. also keep in mind zero turns are not intended to cut along inclines. I've stuck mine countless times trying to keep from weed eating the ditch in front of the house.

Defiantly go with a commercial mower, blade speed alone makes a HUGE difference.


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.......its been 7-8 years ago but my FIL got a new Gravely for about 4500 if im not mistaken on price. It was more of a home owner model, but it should be plenty enough to mow just over an acre. He had an olddddddd Gravely he sold, bought a Troy-Bilt that lasted all of 3 years, and went back to a Gravely. The old Gravelys were almost Bombproof.
 
I have a Toro 6000 with a 37 hp efi Kolar it is a beast and easy on gas I cut almost 10 acres in about 2.5 hours Lawn and pasture anyone need a good deal on a 72 inch pull behind rear discharge finish mower as I don't use it on my tractor anymore
 
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I used to sell Toros. I’ve got a 3000 Toro that I sold my Kubota ZT to buy and haven’t looked back. I got to run a lot of different mowers over the 3-4 years that I sold them and I haven’t seen anything better than a Toro! We took all of them in on trades and most wouldn’t hold a candle to the Toros. Just my .02.
 
My yard is only 3/4 of an acre, but it's a tough mow, really bumpy and hilly with a lot of intersecting slopes. I used a John Deere LT155 with a 38" deck for 19 seasons. When it started nickel-and-dimeing me to death, I replaced it with a 50" Toro steering-wheel zero turn. The front wheels actually steer instead of being swivel casters like on a lap-bar machine, so I can mow bumpy sidehills with the pedal flat and it just holds its line. You can even stop and turn around on a hill with absolutely no drama. It's not a commercial machine, but a heavy-duty residential machine, with a welded deck and really high blade speed. Pulverizes everything.

My total time for mow/trim/blow went from 2hr 15m to 1hr 10m, which means for most of the mowing season, I can get it done after work during the week and not have to touch my yard on the weekend.
 
get you a Wright stand on or a Ferris stand on and never have to buy another mower for life, I mow with one every day of the week
 
lufbro said:
get you a Wright stand on or a Ferris stand on and never have to buy another mower for life, I mow with one every day of the week
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Wright just released the Stander B in 48" & 52" for homeowner/ light duty commercial. It will sell for around $5100
 
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Not to be the guy who comes in and totally shucks your original request...

...but...

...you may get more use out of a riding lawn mower. I just bought a dump trailer for mine and use the heck out of it. Plus, with a bagger, it laughs at the leaves in the fall time.

I just see a zero turn being a very specific use for a much higher price.
FAACB49F-0282-421E-976F-B41520878D7B.jpeg

Mower was $1200 at Home Depot, bagger was $300 (actually got it for free because they totally screwed up, but that’s another story), and the trailer was $170 at Home Depot. I’ve done everything from move dirt, haul lumber, stage tools, and currently sitting waiting for a dump truck of driveway gravel to spread around with it. Plus, it’s a hit with the little kids!
 
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9outof10mms said:
Not to be the guy who comes in and totally shucks your original request...

...but...

...you may get more use out of a riding lawn mower. I just bought a dump trailer for mine and use the heck out of it. Plus, with a bagger, it laughs at the leaves in the fall time.

I just see a zero turn being a very specific use for a much higher price.
View attachment 100221

Mower was $1200 at Home Depot, bagger was $300 (actually got it for free because they totally screwed up, but that’s another story), and the trailer was $170 at Home Depot. I’ve done everything from move dirt, haul lumber, stage tools, and currently sitting waiting for a dump truck of driveway gravel to spread around with it. Plus, it’s a hit with the little kids!
Click to expand...
Zero turns pull trailers too.

I also put ATV tires on mine so hills in my yard are not much of a problem.
 
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