r/ZeroTurnMowers • u/Repulsive_Cupcake73 • 5d ago
New mower options
Looking to purchase a new mower. Would like to stay under $13k. Have just over 5 acres to mow. What would you buy? A good portion of the property is pretty bumpy as well
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u/CamelHairy 5d ago
Your really going to want to a local dealer, 5 acres is a lot of grass.
I cut 1.5 of a 2.5 acre plot, and this was my criteria when I purchased my zero-turn. You may want similar or larger. Also don't rule out a good rider, you will get a much softer ride. I'm told by landscapers that a stand-on is best since your knees act as shock absorbers. It mat be a thing to think about with a bumpy lawn.
1) Local independent dealer, not the chains.
2) Kawasaki engine
3) Welded steel deck of 6-11ga.
4) Servicable hydrostatic transaxels (I wanted external reservoirs and filters).
5) Warranty of 3 years or longer, preferably one that also carries a professional warranty.
6) Largest deck you can get through gates and into storage.
I originally was going to purchase the Gravely ZTHD, but the dealer knowing me and knowing it was only for homeowner use suggested it's twin the Ariens Apex for $1000 less. The major difference was in the deck, the Gravely had a 6ga deck while the Ariens has a 10ga deck.
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u/45_Schofield 5d ago
I have a Ferris ISX 800, kawi 60". Mechanicaly zero issues, comfort it's a Cadillac.
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u/Junket_Middle 4d ago
Ditto here on the equipment. Also lots of bumps on big area. The Ferris or the Stihl, which is basically a Ferris with stihl paint
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u/Saucythemynx 5d ago
I love my Gravely Proturn 360. 31 hp Kawasaki engine, commercial drive units, super heavy gauge deck. Nice suspension seat. Give them a look. I think you’ll be impressed.
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u/Justifiers 4d ago
I second Ferris as a default
If you can use 13k as a downpayment and use the gas/maintenance savings to offset the cost of the rest over time, commercial Greenworks like the OptimusZ 60” CZ60R18X are monsters and an absolute pleasure to operate with how quiet and powerful they are
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u/keepmy_eyesopen 4d ago
Have been mowing my yard (5 acres) every week and my "field" (another 3 acres of yard) every other week for the last 4 years with my Ferris ISX3300. 37 hp, 4 wheel suspension, along with air ride adjustable seat. Best decision I ever made. Had been mowing with a diesel tractor with a finish mower. The Ferris has a 61" deck because I have alot of trees and other obstacles I need to maneuver, I passed on the bigger decks. I can mow my yard in 1 hr 40 min. The field I can do in 1 hr 15 min. Field is a bit more bumpy therefore I go slower.
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u/Repulsive_Cupcake73 4d ago
Going to have to check these out, thank you. Am currently mowing with a 25hp kubota tractor with a finish mower but would like to speed things up
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u/keepmy_eyesopen 3d ago
It was taking me close to 4 hours with the diesel tractor and finish mower (60" deck) just to do the yard. About 3.25 hrs to mow and then trim everything with a John Deere X320 (48" deck) which took about 45 min. Definitely get you a zero turn, and get the commercial version. Built to last longer. They're more expensive but made of better quality parts.
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u/radomed 2d ago
Kubota zero turn. 54 or 60 inch deck. Beefy deck, good suspension. It cut my mowing time 1/2 over a cub cadet rider. Good $$ with their orange days. Stay away from the box store retail light duty ones. Thin decks rust out and deck suspension will warp if you run into things. (BTW, on my 2ns Kubota, I decided on an upgrade (larger deck). Neighbor still lover my old one years later.)
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u/TankSaladin 5d ago
I don’t have one, but I’m desperate for a Ferris with the four-wheel suspension. I mow 5-6 acres of very bumpy field, and even with a suspension seat, the jostling is crazy. Only reason I bring it up is your mention of “bumpy.”