Lawnmower options

[GreensvilleJay]

FYI Cub Cadet is made by MTD, as is Troy Bilt,Toro, Columbia, YardWorks and a few other 'house' brands. Some parts are upgraded, some are not, but they all fit each other !
BTW I've had 3 Zero Turns(48,54,72) and gone back to a regular rider. I've landscaped so I don't have to use a 'trimmer', a push mower....JUST the rider... ONE pass and I'm done.

As for engines, all are kinda equal providing you change the oil every year, keep air filter clean and use good gas. Current cutter is a 20+ year old MTD Cub cadet with a 32 year old 16HP Vanguard in it.
Picked up a 'Troy Bilt ' today, 2009, 18HP Kohler, 42" deck,new battery, new blades, metal mice got to deck. A Toro is donating a replacement deck so for $300 have a real nice backup rider and an easy Mr. Fixit day tomorrow.

 

[jyoutz]

Buy a used commercial mower. they are designed to last forever with replaceable parts rather than disposing of them like a box store mower.

My Exmark Laser Z 60" cuts just fine in rougher terrain. It sucks up leaves in the fall too. I bought for $3200 if i remember and it had 1200 hours on it. You will mow 3 times quicker on a zero turn over the tractor. at least i did

I agree. I bought a used commercial self propelled walk behind last year. It was a snapper machine with a Honda engine. Fantastic machine, but I will need to replace the old bagger. This was my original thought when I started looking for ZTs. But so far I haven’t found one.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Buy a used commercial mower. they are designed to last forever with replaceable parts rather than disposing of them like a box store mower.

My Exmark Laser Z 60" cuts just fine in rougher terrain. It sucks up leaves in the fall too. I bought for $3200 if i remember and it had 1200 hours on it. You will mow 3 times quicker on a zero turn over the tractor. at least i did

Genuinely curious as to what parts are not replaceable on residential ZTs. As long as parts are available and a human put it together, I can fix or rebuild it.

 

[motionclone]

Genuinely curious as to what parts are not replaceable on residential ZTs. As long as parts are available and a human put it together, I can fix or rebuild it.

never said residential zrts dont have replaceable parts. But the residential ones are underbuilt and meant for disposal nowadays, not meant to last year after year like commercial tools. Thats why the good stuff costs so much more.

 

[Chad D.]

I’ve been very happy so far with my Toro Titan ZT. I did splurge for the MyRide suspension, and can mow my “country lawn” at nearly full clip. Takes 1/2 the time that my 8 year old Husqvarna GT 52 XLS did. That thing had good power, but mowed like crap!

The Titan doesn’t care if the grass is a little tall or if it’s still wet. It’s on a whole other level.

 

[The Evil Twin]

never said residential zrts dont have replaceable parts. But the residential ones are underbuilt and meant for disposal nowadays, not meant to last year after year like commercial tools. Thats why the good stuff costs so much more.

I thought you were alluding to that with the statement that commercial units "are designed to last forever with replaceable parts ". Meaning that residential units do not.
I get that commercial ones are intended for daily use. Residential ones would need more attention with that sort of use. However, I don't necessarily agree they are simply ment for disposal. After 20+ years my old rider didn't take much. And the push is still going strong. The guy I gave the rider to fixed it and it's back in use.

 

[motionclone]

I thought you were alluding to that with the statement that commercial units "are designed to last forever with replaceable parts ". Meaning that residential units do not.
I get that commercial ones are intended for daily use. Residential ones would need more attention with that sort of use. However, I don't necessarily agree they are simply ment for disposal. After 20+ years my old rider didn't take much. And the push is still going strong. The guy I gave the rider to fixed it and it's back in use.

20+ year old stuff was built different even residential grade stuff. Also Ops current riding mower is "on its last leg" as he says in post#1 implying its time to throw it out.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

'on last leg'...gee toss it my way !
I enjoy bringing them back to life.Most just need a darn good powerwashing,minor engine tuneup, welding of deck (after getting 30# of wet grass off them...),tubes at all 4 corners, and new bushings/bearings in the steering. TT40 hydro units get $25 CURE, add front bumper after banging dents out of the tin,Spindles get new bearings and blades balanced, eezy, peezy, good to go another 20+ years.
while newer 'residential' riders are made of thinner tin, keep them CLEAN,oiled and aired, they'll outlive most owners.

 

[radas]

Get a middle of a the road Ferris IS600Z (or larger if you're feeling rich ) - they have coil spring suspension on all 4 corners, Hydrogear ZT3200 prosumer axles, and some have the premium seat as well. It'll make rough terrain feel not-so-rough. For reference, I towed the largest cyclone rake with mine and those ZT3200s handled it like a champ on hilly terrain (YMMV).

 

[jyoutz]

Get a middle of a the road Ferris IS600Z (or larger if you're feeling rich ) - they have coil spring suspension on all 4 corners, Hydrogear ZT3200 prosumer axles, and some have the premium seat as well. It'll make rough terrain feel not-so-rough. For reference, I towed the largest cyclone rake with mine and those ZT3200s handled it like a champ on hilly terrain (YMMV).

I just looked at their website. They look awesome, but no dealers within 200 miles.

 

[jyoutz]

Looking at the Cub cadet and Ariens, both higher end residential models with Kawasaki engines. Fairly equal, or ?

 

[radas]

I just looked at their website. They look awesome, but no dealers within 200 miles.

I'll PM you

 

[radas]

Looking at the Cub cadet and Ariens, both higher end residential models with Kawasaki engines. Fairly equal, or ?

Ariens makes a similar unit as the ferris, although they lack a suspension and their prosumer models are pricey (my isx2200 equivalent was about $3-5k more). Stay away from any models sold at the box stores... Junk.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

the other way to look at the problem...
hmm,could just buy some dirt and grass seed.
fill up the low spots, reseed and then have a flat level lawn
that way grankid with push mower can do it real easy.....

 

[motionclone]

the other way to look at the problem...
hmm,could just buy some dirt and grass seed.
fill up the low spots, reseed and then have a flat level lawn
that way grankid with push mower can do it real easy.....

Have you priced out grass seed or loam recently? Depending on the size he wants to level out could buy new mower for cheaper.

 

[jyoutz]

the other way to look at the problem...
hmm,could just buy some dirt and grass seed.
fill up the low spots, reseed and then have a flat level lawn
that way grankid with push mower can do it real easy.....

I’m not looking for a “lawn mower.” I have self propelled push mower for that. I’m looking to mow about 10 acres of native grass around the buildings. I do most with the rotary cutter on the tractor, but I still need to trim places where the tractor can’t go.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

dang 10 acres is a LOT of grass to cut, just to make 'pretty'. any chance you can convert into a 'cash crop', like hay for horses ? Neighbour rents her 10acres out to local farmer...wheat,beans,corn...both win.

While I know grass seed is pricey, I get loam for free, dozens of triaxle loads if I want. Contractors need place to get RID of it when building houses and pools. Yeah it's crazy,only in Canada,eh !

 

[DaveFromMi]

I’m not looking for a “lawn mower.” I have self propelled push mower for that. I’m looking to mow about 10 acres of native grass around the buildings. I do most with the rotary cutter on the tractor, but I still need to trim places where the tractor can’t go.

I mow about 5 acres with my rotary cutter. There are places where it's too dangerous to mow due to slopes. The roadside ditches and banks have too much slope. For these, I use the DR Brush Cutter Pro Max 34. Per the manual, it's good for 20° slopes, but I've mowed much steeper. If it ever got out of control, I would just let go of it. It's a handy machine for trimming brush in tight spots. This DR includes the 34" rotary cutter. I also bought a 42" finish mower to use in places in my yard where it's too dangerous for a riding mower. Also, I got the 42" grader blade. I have used it for smoothing out the gravel driveway, plowing snow (we don't get much), leveling out the new yard, and hilling potatoes. It is like a zero turn if you use the brakes separately. Back in early 2020, I purchased the DR and attachments for $3800.

 

[jyoutz]

I mow about 5 acres with my rotary cutter. There are places where it's too dangerous to mow due to slopes. The roadside ditches and banks have too much slope. For these, I use the DR Brush Cutter Pro Max 34. Per the manual, it's good for 20° slopes, but I've mowed much steeper. If it ever got out of control, I would just let go of it. It's a handy machine for trimming brush in tight spots. This DR includes the 34" rotary cutter. I also bought a 42" finish mower to use in places in my yard where it's too dangerous for a riding mower. Also, I got the 42" grader blade. I have used it for smoothing out the gravel driveway, plowing snow (we don't get much), leveling out the new yard, and hilling potatoes. It is like a zero turn if you use the brakes separately. Back in early 2020, I purchased the DR and attachments for $3800.

I have looked at those, but it’s really overkill because I’m only cutting native grass, not brush when I’m trimming where my tractor and 6’ cutter doesn’t fit. I need a riding mower for around the buildings, windbreak, orchard, gardens… I do have a wheeled string trimmer that is handy, but it takes too much time for the areas I need to cover.

 

[jyoutz]

Well I pulled the trigger today and bought a Stihl RZ152 zero turn mower and my first impressions after testing it on about a half acre of native grass is very positive. These are new for 2023, but mot new technology, just new with a Stihl badge. They are made by Ferris and have the 4 wheel shocks and suspension and serviceable hydro transmissions. After mowing some rough ground, my back really appreciated the suspension system. The deciding factors for me were the suspension system and serviceability, and the fact that the local Stihl dealer I bought it from does full warranty service and stocks parts. I think I’m going to like this machine.