Just purchased a new house, and the good/bad part is that it sits on 2.5 acres. The area is mostly grass, with the majority of it being cleared. Gonna need to buy a riding mower, and don't know if its worth going with the cheaper John Deere types at Lowe's for 2k, or getting one of the zero turn fancy ones. Just didn't want to go cheaper, and end of needing to buy new one in two years....
Riding Lawn Mowers
- Thread starter JonSch7
- Start date
I have a guy take care of my lawn here ion Colorado but I have a house on a lake in Ca nada. I bought a John Deere lawn tractor a few years ago and I love it. Pretty tough terrain and it has held up well. I drive up to Ontario from Colorado and look froward to sitting on the mower for a half day or so when I get up there with a coffee or a beer in hand and no thoughts about traffic, speed limits, dumb drivers or cell phone interruptions 
It is worth it to get a good zero turn for that much acreage. I have 61 inch Scag that saves me a lot of time each week. They can be pricey, but will last a long time. That’s a lot of years of making your job easier. I recently added a sunshade that fits the roll bar and that has made it far more comfortable and healthier.
In lieu of going to a box store, I'd go to a dealer if you're going with a regular riding mower. The box stores offer cheaper made models than a dealer.
Used to have Snapper Lawn Tractor 46" Kohler engine. Worked great for 20+ years on 5+ acres.
2 years ago, bought a Husqvarna, Kawasaki motor 21.5 hp, Hydrostatic, 42 in. The deck could not be raised enough to cut tall grass, can't tell how much gas is in the tank and runs down the battery because it's hard to start.
2 years ago, bought a Husqvarna, Kawasaki motor 21.5 hp, Hydrostatic, 42 in. The deck could not be raised enough to cut tall grass, can't tell how much gas is in the tank and runs down the battery because it's hard to start.
I have a guy take care of my lawn here ion Colorado but I have a house on a lake in Ca nada. I bought a John Deere lawn tractor a few years ago and I love it. Pretty tough terrain and it has held up well. I drive up to Ontario from Colorado and look froward to sitting on the mower for a half day or so when I get up there with a coffee or a beer in hand and no thoughts about traffic, speed limits, dumb drivers or cell phone interruptions
Sounds like one heck of a way to cut the grass!
Gravely zero turn! Get a Kawasaki engine on it and you can’t go wrong. I have a small 42” deck and it’s been awesome for about 4 years now....
https://www.gravely.com/en-us
https://www.gravely.com/en-us
I hear good things about Kubota zero turns. A buddy of mine absolutely loves his . I have a old 42 inch Troy built and hope it last one more summer. I may lean towards the zero turn for my next one. I cut about 1.5 acres and takes me 2 hrs . He cut it once with the Kubota in 40 minutes. I hear Cub cadet is pretty good as well
Another zero turn fan, I got lucky my father in law sold me his cheap. It's a John Deere, but its been at least ten years, not sure if they still make a zero turn.
I'll be in the market for a zero-turn in the next couple years, still using my rear engine Snapper for ~1.5 acres.
Here's what I (think) I know:
Don't buy from a big box store.
Welded deck.
How do John Deere, Kubota, Toro, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, SCAG, Grasshopper, Snapper, Gravely, etc. rank?
Here's what I (think) I know:
Don't buy from a big box store.
Welded deck.
How do John Deere, Kubota, Toro, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, SCAG, Grasshopper, Snapper, Gravely, etc. rank?
for 2.5 acres, def a good zero turn, new or a good used one. You don't want to spend forever mowing all the time, especially these rainy sessions
I had a Sears zero turn mower for 7years, it was great. That mower burned up in a fire this March. I replaced it with another Sears zero turn, Kawasaki motor. I also bought a Craftsman lawn tractor with a Koehler engine to replace an other mower that burned in the fire. Both are rated high by Consumer Reports. For my non commercial use Sears has been great.
Funny, I saw one on a trailer yesterday afternoon and remembered I forgot to add it to the list.
.......so my questions is, whats the difference?
I'm assuming it varies based on model/engine/options but say I have around $4k to spend on one. Which should I narrow it to? Which should I not even consider? Is a used SCAG better than a new Gravely? John Deere no matter what?
Most mowers, including zero turns, are on par with each other when it comes to same engines, same/similar hydro pumps, parts, etc. What sets them apart in my opinion, is deck design and quality of the cut. How does it cut tall grass? Wet grass? Does the deck clog with clumps of grass? Stuff like that. Air flow is key.
Also, try and go to a dealer instead of a big box retailer. The Husqvarna or John Deere at Lowe's is not the same quality as the one at an authorized dealer of that make.
Commercial zero turns: In my area (Northeast), Scag, Exmark and Toro are the leaders, with John Deere, Wright and BobCat a close second (Walker is on a whole 'nother level of awesomeness). I believe Hustler is pretty popular in the South.
If money was no object, and the terrain isn't awful, I'd go Walker all day long.
If money is an object, there are many choices. Just choose a fabricated deck over a stamped deck.
Also, try and go to a dealer instead of a big box retailer. The Husqvarna or John Deere at Lowe's is not the same quality as the one at an authorized dealer of that make.
Commercial zero turns: In my area (Northeast), Scag, Exmark and Toro are the leaders, with John Deere, Wright and BobCat a close second (Walker is on a whole 'nother level of awesomeness). I believe Hustler is pretty popular in the South.
If money was no object, and the terrain isn't awful, I'd go Walker all day long.
If money is an object, there are many choices. Just choose a fabricated deck over a stamped deck.
I met a pro landscaper at church this afternoon to cut the fields in preparation for Bible school this week. My wife felt sorry for me for cutting grass on Father's day, but he let me drive his monster SCAG, it was a great afternoon
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