Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: DusterKid]
#2741905
02/11/20 12:27 PM
02/11/20 12:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,363 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,363
Marion, South Carolina [><]
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Been using a Grasshopper 225 (gas engine) for the past 10+ years. Bought it used back then. It's been an awesome mower. Yard is a lil over 8 acres so it gets some use.
CHIP '70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60 '69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60 '71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75 '73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75 '90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: an8sec70cuda]
#2741911
02/11/20 12:39 PM
02/11/20 12:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,380 St. Charles, MO
wingman
Uncreative Title
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Uncreative Title
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,380
St. Charles, MO
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We use Ferris and Exmark on the job.
Ferris are very nice but expensive. Exmark are very durable but more basic--price is more reasonable and various deck sizes are available.
1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: wingman]
#2741990
02/11/20 03:37 PM
02/11/20 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,668 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,668
Buford, GA
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Just don't get carried away making your turns too quickly. You'll have a nice round bare spot. DAMHIK. Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#2741993
02/11/20 03:45 PM
02/11/20 03:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,344 Banana Republic
FM3AAR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,344
Banana Republic
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I have 2 acres also. My criteria when I shopped was a welded deck, Kawa motor, commercial grade hydros and greasable cast iron arbors. My Dixie Chopper has been bullet proof all these years. Unfortunately they were recently bought out. Now that I am older, I would look real hard at something like the Ferris/ExMark or anything with some sort of suspension.
“You’ll own nothing” — And “you’ll be happy about it.” K. Schwab
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#2741994
02/11/20 03:48 PM
02/11/20 03:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,018 Morningside
AdventurerSport
waaaay out there in left field
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waaaay out there in left field
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,018
Morningside
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Simplicity Manufacturing makes a full line of mowers, tractor style and zero turn. High quality, well built machines. https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_us/products/zero-turn-mowers.htmlMany models offer an advanced suspension system as well (nicer ride) Good luck! JS
76 Dodge Adventurer Sport Power Wagon W100 318, 727, NP203 Fulltime 4x4 Russet Red 06 Jeep Commander Ltd 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, QuadraDrive II 06 Chrysler 300C AWD 5.7L Hemi 10 Mopar 10 Challenger R/T, #483/500, 5.7L HEMI 10 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd 4x4 5.7L HEMI 11 Dodge Ram 1500 LoneStar Quad Cab, 5.7L HEMI, Fulltime 4x4, Deep Cherry Red 16 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2L Pentastar V6, 9 Speed Torqueflite, 4x4, Black
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: Kidsixpack]
#2742118
02/11/20 11:02 PM
02/11/20 11:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,505 God's Country Maryland
GODSCOUNTRY340
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,505
God's Country Maryland
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I see you're in Keymar, Md. I'm in Cumberland, Md., so I know you have some hilly terrain there. Those mowers aren't popular here because they don't want to turn going up or down steep slopes. I've got numerous friends here that got into accidents with their zero turns and ended up taking them back for a refund the first time they attempted to use them. If you've got flat areas to mow, go for it, but I know there are still hills in your area of Md. so I'd look for something else to mow with.
I love the smell of Deer guts in the morning, it smells like... VICTORY!
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: GODSCOUNTRY340]
#2742166
02/12/20 08:11 AM
02/12/20 08:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212
Minnesota
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The comment on grade considerations is right on. I've had good luck with a Skag zero turn. Not cheap, but worth the money.
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: GODSCOUNTRY340]
#2742168
02/12/20 08:14 AM
02/12/20 08:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772 Keymar, MD
DusterKid
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772
Keymar, MD
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I see you're in Keymar, Md. I'm in Cumberland, Md., so I know you have some hilly terrain there. Those mowers aren't popular here because they don't want to turn going up or down steep slopes. I've got numerous friends here that got into accidents with their zero turns and ended up taking them back for a refund the first time they attempted to use them. If you've got flat areas to mow, go for it, but I know there are still hills in your area of Md. so I'd look for something else to mow with. I live on a farm and most of my "yard" is flat. My driveway is .3 miles long and I have a spot on either side for about 300ft is fairly steep. Its not the funniest to mow currently with my riding mower. Pretty certain a zero turn would be unable to do that. My plan is to get a zero turn to mow the yard and along the edge of the driveway and than at some point get a mid size tractor with a bucket and brush hog to be able to plow the driveway and mow some of the areas I don't feel like mowing weekly.
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: DusterKid]
#2742695
02/13/20 11:00 PM
02/13/20 11:00 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 764 NW Pa.
KD800X
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 764
NW Pa.
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Simplicity and Ferris go down the same assembly line in upstate NY. A great value is the Simplicity Citation XT or Ferris IS800X - Front and rear suspension, commercial transmissions comes in 52" and 61" decks. They are also less money than most in it's category. Keep in mind when doing your research that the transmission is the heart of the machine especially if you have hills. The key thing about the suspension is that it isolates the entire machine and operator from the bumps. Suspension seats only isolate the operator from the bumps. www.simplicitymfg.comwww.ferrisindustires.com
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Re: Zero Turn Mower
[Re: DusterKid]
#2743156
02/15/20 11:49 AM
02/15/20 11:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313 Prospect, PA
BSB67
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,313
Prospect, PA
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I love really good tools and equipment as most folks on here do. But I don't have an endless budget either. So I try to make what I call "proportional choices" And this is a personal thing, so it will be different from person to person.
I own a Snapper Pro with a 48" deck. I would call it a transitional unit that falls between residential, and commercial. It runs about 8 mph, and cuts 2 acres in 40 minutes. The chassis is a little more on the commercial side, the engine a little less (although a true commercial engine was and option for this mower chassis) . I've owned it for over ten years, and it has over 500 hours on it. We did a little commercial mowing with it initially, and we've asked it to do things that were arguably beyond its intended use. I don't maintain it as I should. Its been a great machine, I'm not necessarily recommending this unit, as I'm not sure that today's Snapper Pro units are what they were back then. But I do believe that you can get this level of performance, quality and satisfaction in the $5,000 to $6,000 price range. Here a couple things to consider in making your decision:
1) What is "last a long time" for you? 20 years, or 50 years? 2) How much "blade spin time" will you really have. As an example, here in PA, there are between 22 and 25 mowings per year. Multiply that by 40 minutes. That 16 hours per year. That's 335 hours over a 20 year period.
My suggestion: Look at decent name brands in the price range mentioned (Husqvarna, Simplicity. Snapper Pro....). Although these might not be "the best" but they might be perfect for your needs. Don't buy a box store mower..
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