Zero Turn Mower

[Tooljunkie]

Three grasshoppers where i used to work. All diesel. The decks can be lifted 90 degrees to clean deck or replace blades. A very good feature.
Bearing replacement in spindles was not difficult. The bades are decent,and the seats are very comfortable.
Only major issue was one operator was neglectful, never cleaned the rad screens and repeatedly overheated the engine. But they all are in the 2-3000 hour range.
Expensive but if looked after quite durable.
I wouldnt hesitate to buy one with 1000 hours on it.

I really have no experience with other zero turns,as the jd 931 was not zero turn but front mount. Higher operating station, faster and suspension in seat. 60” would match the 72” grasshopper in acres/hour simply because it was faster.

 

[Tornado]

appreciate the additional replies. Ive 100% decided to wait at least another year before making this purchase, as its going to be a little larger purchase. I was so tempted to jump in and do it this year, because I really want a new one, but I need to hold off and pay a few things off before jumping on a new lawn mower. Ive got 2 or 3 good debts that will be paid off this year and will make room for me to buy the mower I really want, rather than trying to squeeze something a little cheaper in this year.

When I do make the purchase Ill come back here and post what I decided on and share some pics. For now Ive got plenty to think on and consider over the next year. I plan to look at kubota rally hard - I hadnt been initially considering them for some reason for a mower. I will look more into grasshopper as well, and some others.

 

[Freeheeler]

I bought a Ferris a few years ago. You couldn't pay me to mow with anything else.

 

[ccoon520]

An idea I literally just thought of and something you could do this year is maybe find a rental yard and see if you can rent some that you are interested in for a week or two and see what you like and dislike from an actual real world test of the things. You can probably rent a grasshopper, snapper, john deere and kubota at the very least and you'll get to see how they perform in the worst case scenario because rental units get quite a bit of abuse.

And I know what you mean about waiting until some loans get paid off. I am in the same boat and am chomping at the bit to get another one paid off real soon. I have to say the last few months of a loan are the worst when you look at what you have and what is left and you have to stop yourself from dipping the cushion too low to pay the thing off now. Especially since knowing my luck the second I do that the next day or week I'll get slapped with an unexpected expense like a car deciding to become a paperweight.

 

[D2Cat]

I bought a Ferris a few years ago. You couldn't pay me to mow with anything else.

That is virtually what everyone says about anything they bought, especially if it is expensive. Humans don't like buyer's remorse or to admit any mistakes.

 

[Freeheeler]

That is virtually what everyone says about anything they bought, especially if it is expensive. Humans don't like buyer's remorse or to admit any mistakes.

Oh, I've bought my share of craptastic equipment in the past and know buyers remorse well. The short story is that I have a "bad back". I've tried several mowers. The Ferris with full suspension is the only one I can mow the whole yard with and still be able to get out of bed the next morning. I literally won't mow with anything else.

 

[dalola]

Oh, I've bought my share of craptastic equipment in the past and know buyers remorse well. The short story is that I have a "bad back". I've tried several mowers. The Ferris with full suspension is the only one I can mow the whole yard with and still be able to get out of bed the next morning. I literally won't mow with anything else.

Very good point....anyone with back issues, the full suspension Ferris models are hard to beat. Rough ground and no suspension can destroy a bad back quickly, especially as the acres add up.

I am able to get by with a back brace & suspension seat for now, but my days are numbered with this set-up. Will be looking closely at the suspended Ferris models when that time comes.

 

[Tornado]

had never heard of ferris. Never seen one. I looked them up. there is a dealer about 50 miles away. Ill add them to the list to check out. Thanks

 

[sandderz02]

I also think that Ferris is one of the greatest manufacturers of mowers. But, honestly, I would also recommend to try model Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic, cause I've tried a lot but it's the most reliable zero turn mower for hills I could find for the half a year. I've had some technical issues with my old mower, and this new model - is a rescue for me, and my huge garden as well. It works smoothly and have no problems with any type of a lawn.

 

[Oliver]

After struggling with bouncing on my B2650 with 72" deck I changed to a Ferris Z2100 Kaw motor with 61" deck and couldn't be happier. Smoother and much faster.

 

[Tornado]

welp a little update on my mower situation. As I said in the thread many weeks ago I was going to just make do with my little husqy one more year. Well, I went to get on it to mow the other day and as I backed out of the garage the deck on the left side dropped and hit concrete. The cracks I had noted in the welds had apparently accelerated quickly the last couple mowings without me noticing until nothing was left.

I wish I had taken pictures now but didnt. I was so aggravated. I needed to get stuff mowed and had a lot going on. I ended up just immediately taking the deck off the mower, throwing it up on some horses and busting out the angle grinder and welder. I spent a good 1-2 hours grinding and welding and repaired the deck. Flipped the deck over and welded cracks from the underside as well. I am no welder. My only experience up to this point had been the expanded metal on the front guard of my l2501 that I shared on these forums many months ago. Thankfully though I managed to get the big metal plate lined back up pretty close and welded it all back in. There were big gaps around it where the thin crappy deck metal and just kinda pulled away. I grinded all that down smooth and then just welded and welded and welded. All of those gaps I slowly filled in with weld until I got to the plate and then welded it in, then weleded from the bottom. When It was all done, I beat on it with a hammer and it is solid. Put everything back together and put the deck and all back on and mowed the entire yard without issue. This mower 100% has to get replaced next year. This deck is just total garbage. 150 hours on this mower and all of the welds on the deck nearly have cracks in them. This is a garage kept mower - it has never seen rain. It is not rusted or weathered anywhere - just a really crappy deck. The metal is so thin in the deck that my little 100amp welder was melting all the way through it at power setting 3 of 4. I literally welded this deck back on setting 1 with a weak little 100amp welder to prevent melting the deck.

If you go buy a new mower, INVEST in a good deck. Thats what I come away with after this mower. Its the number one thing on my must have list now for a new mower - a good, solid, proven deck construction.

 

[Tornado]

After struggling with bouncing on my B2650 with 72" deck I changed to a Ferris Z2100 Kaw motor with 61" deck and couldn't be happier. Smoother and much faster.

Oliver how much was this mower here if you dont mind me asking? There is one ferris dealer fairly close to me (1 hour drive). I like the look of ferris from what I see online, but NO ONE around here uses them. I've literally never seen one used anywhere here.

 

[sparky45]

Are you saying TP is suppose to come off the roll in a particular rotation? I wonder how that opinion is formed? Did folks have serious trouble getting the roll to unwind when started wrong?

Absolutely, just ask my wife.

 

[Oliver]

Tornado it's a IS2100Z with 61" deck and Kawasaki engine. The 61" deck utilizes cast iron spindles, and I've had good luck with Kawasaki engines so that's why I chose that combination for my 2100. I bought it three Summers back for $9,100 (it listed for $9,900 IIRC). I see on Ferris's site they've gone up some since then.

When shopping for mowers and lawn tractors many start looking based on engine HP and deck size when I think other things are much more important. Gauge of the deck, quality of the spindles, and the hydro drive(s) is where I would start. After that look for a commercial rated engine from Kawasaki or Vangard.

 

[Donystoy]

Just recently purchased an Ariens IKON XL60 (Huskavarna parent Co). Paid just over $6000 including tax for it up here so would be considerably less in the USA. Very well made with a good solid deck and commercial hydros. Available with a Kohler 25hp engine(mine) or a Kawasaki.

The only issue I have is that all these zero turn mowers have virtually no suspension and are very rough riding. Larger more costly commercial mowers are more likely to have some suspension. I just installed a suspension assembly purchased on line for under the seat to give some improvement.

 

[sparky45]

Husky; Ariens and Gravely are built by the same company. I settled on a Gravely for a couple of reasons; Dealer proximity and the quality of the Deck. It sports a 10ga welded deck that you step up on to mount the mower. It also has a "unibody" frame constructed of heavy gauge steel tubing. I purchased the ZT HD 52" about a month ago with a Kawasaki motor.
Pros; excellent cut quality; speeds up to 10 miles per hour (I actually reduced the speed by screwing down the limiters); stamped right on the gas cap NO E85.
Cons; only one so far; if you have bumpy or uneven ground, it'll beat the hell out of you; probably a result of the stiff frame.
I debated between a Gravely and a Country Clipper and went with the Gravely because of the Deck. Also considered a Ferris and maybe should have gone that route because of their shock absorber system.

 

[Freeheeler]

Tornado it's a IS2100Z with 61" deck and Kawasaki engine. The 61" deck utilizes cast iron spindles, and I've had good luck with Kawasaki engines so that's why I chose that combination for my 2100. I bought it three Summers back for $9,100 (it listed for $9,900 IIRC). I see on Ferris's site they've gone up some since then.

That's the same model/set up that I have. I bought mine 3 or maybe 4 years ago and paid a bit over half of that. I live in TN and drove down to GA to buy it because it was about $1400 less than what I could get in TN. Sounds like they have gone way up in price, yikes. Knowing what I know now, I'd still buy that same mower today for the higher price if mine ever dies.

 

[Tornado]

That's the same model/set up that I have. I bought mine 3 or maybe 4 years ago and paid a bit over half of that. I live in TN and drove down to GA to buy it because it was about $1400 less than what I could get in TN. Sounds like they have gone way up in price, yikes. Knowing what I know now, I'd still buy that same mower today for the higher price if mine ever dies.

Grasshopper mowers, which I would say is at least equal in quality, has also went up a lot in price, just in the last 3-4 years. Perhaps it has something to do with the trade war with china or something but I suspect it is down to increased costs of manufacture, perhaps in steel? It seems all big brands have went up though in price.

 

[ccoon520]

Grasshopper mowers, which I would say is at least equal in quality, has also went up a lot in price, just in the last 3-4 years. Perhaps it has something to do with the trade war with china or something but I suspect it is down to increased costs of manufacture, perhaps in steel? It seems all big brands have went up though in price.

If you need a mower quick try looking at a state auction or on craigslist/facebook marketplace. 2800 can get you a good used contractor grade zero turn where I am at. It won't be new and won't have a warranty but it will run a lot longer than 150 hours and it will hold it's value fairly well. That way in 1, 2 or 3 years when you have the funds to buy a new one you can still probably get every bit of 2k-2500 back out of it.

No guarantee you get one with all the options you want or even the brand you want but it will be reliable and act as a good bridge while you wait. If it is a little rough cosmetically you may even be able to make a little bit of money off it when you sell it if you clean it up as well.

I know this isn't a perfect solution but it does let you be in a more comfortable state of mind when picking the mower you want in the future, and potentially having to skimp on some options you really want/need because of the sudden need for a replacement. It would also give you a chance to really iron down what additional options would be nice to have and which you'd never use, and if you need more or less power based on the used one you are using.

 

[Tornado]

If you need a mower quick try looking at a state auction or on craigslist/facebook marketplace. 2800 can get you a good used contractor grade zero turn where I am at. It won't be new and won't have a warranty but it will run a lot longer than 150 hours and it will hold it's value fairly well. That way in 1, 2 or 3 years when you have the funds to buy a new one you can still probably get every bit of 2k-2500 back out of it.

No guarantee you get one with all the options you want or even the brand you want but it will be reliable and act as a good bridge while you wait. If it is a little rough cosmetically you may even be able to make a little bit of money off it when you sell it if you clean it up as well.

I know this isn't a perfect solution but it does let you be in a more comfortable state of mind when picking the mower you want in the future, and potentially having to skimp on some options you really want/need because of the sudden need for a replacement. It would also give you a chance to really iron down what additional options would be nice to have and which you'd never use, and if you need more or less power based on the used one you are using.

Nah I will buy brand new when I get one. As I posted I welded mine up and its holding ok for now. Should get me thorugh the year fine I would expect. I tested my welds pretty hard with a hammer.