OT - Zero Turn Mower?

Toxarch

I know this forum likes to spend help spend money so help me spend mine. Wondering if there is anyone that has recommendations for a Zero Turn Mower. I've had riding mowers for years but it's time to upgrade. 
I know some recommend commercial grade mowers for the bigger motor and welded deck. Some say buy used from a landscape company but I'd rather have low hours and avoid future problems from a high hour machine. 
I live on 10 acres of wooded land. I only regularly mow about 3 acres of it around the house. The part along the road can be mowed with the old riding mower and I have a rough cut brush Hog mower for the rest that is mowed about twice a year.
Price is a concern and I know it won't be cheap. But I don't want to go too expensive. And I do my own regular maintenance so if it's too hard to work on or if I need specialized tools, that would be a negative.

tarheelmatt

What is your budget, that's the main thing. 

tarheelmatt

I do recommend with that size of mowing a 60" deck and the largest motor (Kawasaki preferably ) you can afford. 

I have a Toro Z-Master since 2006. Toro/Exmark are my favorites .  

GregW

There are a number of good mower manufactures available.
Grasshopper is a really good machine.
The real thing that makes a good mower is the engine. No matter what mower you choose, you would do well to avoid a Briggs engine. 

 As tarheelmatt  recommends, the Kawasaki engine will serve you well.

SemolinaPilchard

The big box stores often have name brand mowers at lower prices, but it is usually not comparing apples to apples. There usually are some parts that are inferior to the mowers sold at dealers. That is not to say that the savings are not worth it, I don't know.

RRP

SemolinaPilchard said:

The big box stores often have name brand mowers at lower prices, but it is usually not comparing apples to apples. There usually are some parts that are inferior to the mowers sold at dealers. That is not to say that the savings are not worth it, I don't know.

John Deere is a fine example of letting some marketing muck-head convince powers to be to outsource some lawn gear with their highly respected name on it. I have worked on and with some cheap JD equipment and it is junk!

Carolina Q

Over the years, the large company I retired from used Skag and/or the Exmark Lazer Z. Then, they outsourced and those guys used Exmark too. Those are the only two brands I ever saw. On two very large campuses. For many, many years.

But I've never owned one. I only have half an acre and use a walk-behind 20" Toro.

tarheelmatt

SemolinaPilchard said:

The big box stores often have name brand mowers at lower prices, but it is usually not comparing apples to apples. There usually are some parts that are inferior to the mowers sold at dealers. That is not to say that the savings are not worth it, I don't know.

Those aren't usually made by said manufacturer. In most instances, they're made by MTD. 

If you buy a commercial mower now, it'll last your life. 

JohnnyTarheel

I have a 52 inch Exmark Laser E Series with Kawasaki. It does a fantastic job. You need a 60 inch based on the amount of grass you mowing. 

ryantt

One things to consider, what's available locally, as service in the future is important. Secondly make sure you get something with serviceable hydros.  I really like the John Deere I use to cut our church with, it's commercial grade, and lays down a nice stripe.

DoubleEgger

Toro with a 60" deck. 

theyolksonyou

Kubota diesel 

Tigers34

I have been using a commercial grade John Deere for over 10 years.  Zero service problems.  Do not get a Deere from a box store, they not commercial grade.  However, with this being said my next one will be a Kubota diesel.  (I have a Kubota tractor and am a huge fan.)

Gatorbait42

I will be watching this thread as I am in the market for one too. I've been looking at the new Exmark Radius, however I don't have near the amount of grass to mow as the OP

4Runner

You don't need a commercial mower if you plan to use it once a week.  I have Toro Timecutter that should last me beyond the grave. 

Mikee

I now have to mow my mom's yard; slightly over an acre of mow-able area. She has a Toro Commercial zero turn. Deck is probably in the 50" area. I prefer the Toro over the John Deere Compact Utility Tractor which has a 60" deck. The Toro is fast and maneuverable.  As for comparison of zero turn mowers, I've only used the Toro and it is a work horse. It has over 500 hours and has been trouble free.

tarheelmatt

A good dealer will let you demo a mower. This is actually critical as different mower decks cut differently and each mower handles differently .  

DMW

theyolksonyou said:

Kubota diesel 

According to your father-in-law...

tarheelmatt

4Runner said:

You don't need a commercial mower if you plan to use it once a week.  I have Toro Timecutter that should last me beyond the grave. 

Three acres a week, no thank you. You'd want something with some grunt to help along when the grass is high and cuts time too. Also don't see many of those decks with 60" decks. 

kl8ton

tarheelmatt said:

A good dealer will let you demo a mower. This is actually critical as different mower decks cut differently and each mower handles differently .  

Correct.  My BIL had 4 or 5 demo units before settling on a toro groundsmaster

4Runner

Bush hog...but I'm sure commercial guys cut way more than 3 acres a week. Still overkill for residential. 

tarheelmatt

DMW said:

theyolksonyou said:

Kubota diesel 

According to your father-in-law...

He really only has what his FIL uses or the folks that cut his work lawn. they probably have a Kabota. 

reload

I purchased a Ferris IS Z700 over two years ago.  It has the Kawasaki motor and a 52 inch deck.  I am very pleased with the mower and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to a friend.   I mow a little over 2 1/2 acres and the suspension on the Ferris makes the job much more enjoyable. 

tarheelmatt

Another good idea is to look what the boys around town have on their trailers. Time is money for those guys. 

kl8ton

Here is my kubota 54 inch. ..wish it was 60 or 74.

Also wish my little worker there was a little taller to properly operate it. 

This kubota is a 98 and is starting to cost a bit of money to keep going.  it has about 3600 hours on it. 

Also, this is not a zero turn. ...it is close but I also wish it was a zero turn. I bought it because it came with the snowblower. 

kl8ton

Here is the beast my BIL pulled the trigger on.
10ft cut.

 

tarheelmatt

4Runner said:

Bush hog...but I'm sure commercial guys cut way more than 3 acres a week. Still overkill for residential. 

You'll get it done much faster with a ZTR as long as it's managable. 

OneNole03

I do agree that you would be best served with a commercial grade mower. Especially when I am assuming that you will be mowing over a lot of sandy terrain which can eat up a deck in those residential grade mowers. Toros are generally considered the cadillacs and feel you probably don't need something that nice or that expensive. My family owns a landscape business and own everything from Huscvarna, John Deere, Scag, XMark, and Gravely. Out of my experience I would recommend a Gravely. We like the XMarks but after a few years we have had numerous deck issues. I think Gravely would be a nice compromise on price and features.

Also look into demo'd machines as well for further price savings. 

kl8ton

tarheelmatt said:

4Runner said:

Bush hog...but I'm sure commercial guys cut way more than 3 acres a week. Still overkill for residential. 

You'll get it done much faster with a ZTR as long as it's managable. 

I agree.  my FIL can now my yard in half the time or better. he has EX zero turn 60 or bigger. 

To be able to whip a180 and keep going is key

tarheelmatt

kl8ton said:

tarheelmatt said:

4Runner said:

Bush hog...but I'm sure commercial guys cut way more than 3 acres a week. Still overkill for residential. 

You'll get it done much faster with a ZTR as long as it's managable. 

I agree.  my FIL can now my yard in half the time or better. he has EX zero turn 60 or bigger. 

To be able to whip a180 and keep going is key

Yep. If nice and manageable too, you can run full stick and still have an acceptable cut. 

NPHuskerFL

I've been extremely happy with ours for 1.5-2 acres that is everything but level. For a lot that size I'd bump up to AT LEAST the 60" And definitely go with a fabricated deck. 
Whatever you decide don't buy from the Big Box Orange or Blue Store's. There's a night & day difference in product quality. Not to mention the part availability down the road.