Zero turn mowers

[Kraken]

Need some help from knowledgeable folks on zero turn mowers.

I have about 15 acres worth of Fenceline to cut, and a total of about 5 acres around the house and front path etc.

The terrain can get a bit bumpy, and the fire ant mounds can get pretty big.

What do y’all recommend? Is the market really bad for mowers? Maybe what I need is something else? My lawn tractor is getting old and worn and just died again on me. Ready to sell her.

[Mark1T]

We have a Mustang 50 with a Kohler 7000 25hp Zero Turn.

We take it to get services once per year to realign and sharpen the blades and clean out the fuel lines.

No problems and cuts clean and it is fast as you need.

[deadwoodgregg]

With that much acreage, you should get a 60" zero turn.

Most professional lawn companies in my area use Scag or Exmark mowers. A few use John Deere as they have several distributors here.

I have a "top of the line" 2008 60" Bad Boy AOS with a 27hp Kawasaki. I mow 6 acres now, but at one time, I was mowing 8. The mower has been good, but I have spent some money on the Kawasaki engine (I thought those were bulletproof). I will probably get something with a Kohler engine next time.

Get something that has a great seat system.

Tip: Blow the grass off of your mower. If you wash the mower, water will get into your spindles and ruin your bearings quicker. I replace spindles every three years with Chinese knockoffs from Ebay.

[paulinkansas]

My dad has about 10 acres, and he uses a 72" Hustler.

My wife mows our 3 acre yard with a 60" Hustler.

I mow 23 rental properties with a 48" Hustler.

I see similar questions pop up on tractor forums. The general answer is buy the brand who has the best service that the dealer is closest to where you live.

[Mark1T]

With that much acreage, you should get a 60" zero turn.

Most professional lawn companies in my area use Scag or Exmark mowers. A few use John Deere as they have several distributors here.

I have a "top of the line" 2008 60" Bad Boy AOS with a 27hp Kawasaki. I mow 6 acres now, but at one time, I was mowing 8. The mower has been good, but I have spent some money on the Kawasaki engine (I thought those were bulletproof). I will probably get something with a Kohler engine next time.

Get something that has a great seat system.

Tip: Blow the grass off of your mower. If you wash the mower, water will get into your spindles and ruin your bearings quicker. I replace spindles every three years with Chinese knockoffs from Ebay.

Good point. 15 acres is a lot.

[Kraken]

Thanks for the replies. A lot of this acreage I shred with a tractor. This application is mostly just around the house and the rough fence lines around the entire property.

Current deck size is 42. It’s a good mower for 2 acres, but more than that and time really becomes an issue. For instance, currently I have to cut twice around the fences so get enough safe distance for my shredder, but the 50 to 60 inch will allow me to go around once.

I’m not even 100% sure a zero turn is good for this application, but it would make for a quality of life

[Kraken]

My dad has about 10 acres, and he uses a 72" Hustler.

My wife mows our 3 acre yard with a 60" Hustler.

I mow 23 rental properties with a 48" Hustler.

I see similar questions pop up on tractor forums. The general answer is buy the brand who has the best service that the dealer is closest to where you live.

So you have pretty good experience with Hustler then. How would you rate them from personal experience; reliability, performance, and cost?

Love those Kawasaki motors, but yes, they are very expensive. I’m sure they require a little more maintenance too, because they are well balanced engines

[KeepItMoving]

I have a Dixie Chopper. I think it is a 48". Maybe it's a 50 something inch cut. Zero turn is great for detailed cutting and tight spots. My yard in my home in the midwest has 2 1/2 acres. Lost of trees and borders to cut. Love the Dixie Chopper. They are extremely fast too.

[induced_drag]

0 turn are great EXCEPT on slopes.

But at 15 ac, I would get a full tractor w/ pto mowing deck. [EDIT] opps saw you clarified.


Anyway, zero turn are great, but SUCK on slopes. Almost worthless. Also on very bumpy, your arms sometime transmit inputs into the controls and makes your ride even more jittery. There is no 'cruise' control, like there is on some hydrostat conventional ones where you can just set your drive speed and then make steering inputs as needed. (had a john deere with that a long time ago).


For long fence lines, I'd take a ride on. Zero turn are great for their maneuverability. Eg cutting a smaller lawn and doing a 180 and then going back other direction, circling around trees and landscaping...etc.