I have a lead on this zero turn mower, it has 5.7 hours, 2016 model for $4000. Single owner used three times, a friends family member is selling from her husbands estate. I watched a YouTube video and it stated for 3 acres or less, what determines its mowing capabilities?
Motor manufacturer, deck size, hydro pumps sizes, wheel motor sizes, and cooling type mainly. When you are cutting grass 10 hours a day 4 days a week, you want the biggest best stuff you can get so it doesn't overheat and burn up prematurely. For a homeowner use, you don't need the giant pumps and wheel motors, propane powered Kawasaki with efi, etc. Other important features are seat suspension and a beer holder
If I wanted to mow more than 3 acres in a field setting and close to a house with more like lawn grass areas what's a commercial best model. I haven't ruled out a diesel tractor yet.
I think you are asking what is the "best" commercial model? That's like asking which truck is best. Lots of opinions. I personally like exmarks for the cut quality. Each brand has its plusses and minuses. I was at the toro dealer the other day buying a new 30 inch push mower and saw the new toro commercial ztr has full blown coil over shocks for seat suspension! I'd love to demo one. It's also $12,000 though. All the dealers will let you demo them to try out before you buy which is what I suggest for a first time buyer.
plus 1 on lexmark. uncle been using them for 20 years for his landscape business.. I personally bought a ferris because of suspension most people say suspension is over rated... but I do not have lawn it's an old horse pasture called ol lumpy... I like suspension !
Well the kind I paid money for certainly has to be the best?! I have found that people will defend anything as good quality if they parted with money to get it. Can't be seen as a fool paying for stuff that isn't "the best", right? Suspension seems to be the new thing for the ZT mowers. Scag has a model where the entire operator platform is suspended. I think it will run 17-18mph, I suppose the suspension becomes a must at those speeds. I recently settled on a new to me Kubota ZD326. I had wanted a front mount unit, but was unable to find anything in my budget that wasn't plumb wore out or located thousands of miles away. This unit was a one owner that had done 800 hours (non-commercial). I don't make money cutting grass, but wanted a unit that is as reliable and well built as possible. I want it to work when I need it to. Comfort, cut quality and speed after reliability for me. OP: That unit comes out at $5400 if you build it on Kubota's website. Seems a pretty good deal. I think it should have a 400 hour warranty?
When shopping for zero turns, I have found that its sort of like buying hamburger-you have to determine your needs and you budget, and go from there. That Kubota is high end residential model-they usually carry price tags between 3500 and 5500 dollars, depending on size of deck, etc. I think one of those would be good for mowing 2-3 acres of smooth lawn. The one good thing about a Kubota is that there should be good dealer support and parts availability. More than 3 acres and bumpy-you are getting in "prosumer" units-prices between 5500 and 7500. I personally mow a total of 9 acres, and have 2 commercial mowers, a 9 year old Toro and a new one I picked up this spring. Until you go into a Kubota ZD, the commercial units have the same hydrostatic and same brands of engines-choose what you like. Prices? $7500 and up, depending on features. I paid $8200 for a Toro 3000 series with a Kawasaki engine, upgraded seat, and 60" deck. More money in the Toro line gets you things like bigger engines, bigger hydro pumps, fan cooled pumps, suspended operators platforms-you get the picture. If I won the powerball, I'd buy a Kubota ZD 1511-35 hp turbo Diesel engine, 72" deck, Kubota hydrostatic transmission, and a full air ride seat. It's amazing what $17,000 can get!
Agree with the above...for my property, bumpy, holes, uneven, etc. I need a fabricated deck. A stamped deck would be destroyed in no time. I can't afford the fancy ZTRS, but I have a Gravely walk behind that has seen the devil, cut his hair and came back in 3 days to fight again. Buy the best you can afford.
The bumpy lawn at the shop worries me a bit, the other acreage I mow is the same but is for sale so no long term use there. I could always use this as a trade in/up. A diesel model would be very nice. My co worker said buy a skid steer that way I can mow, move snow and lift stuff etc. Kubota skid steer
