Have a lot of grass to cut, need some help!

[grump99]

Hello,

I just moved into a new place and have about 6 acres of rolling fields to mow. I am looking for a zero-turn mower that will do the job fast (<2 hrs would be sweet) and last a long time. I will probably be dealing with occasional wet grass and some moderate hills. The fields are somewhat bumpy, but not too bad. I am not looking for a perfectly groomed lawn, just a fast, decent cut.

I have been to all the local dealers and have done a lot of research on my own. I have narrowed my search down to the Hustler Super-Z, Ex-mark lazer z and John deere 737/757. I am pretty open minded as to brand, but am leaning towards Hustler (seem to be faster than the others).

I need some advice on brand, as well as deck/motor size. The largest deck size that will fit in our shed is 66". Which motor brand/size would be the best for my application? I have heard good things about Kohler and Kawasaki. I don't plan on using any attachments or baggers. Am I better off with a 60" or 66" inch deck?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks!

Tony

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

:rolleyes: Here we go with my .02 worth I have TOROS I hear good things about the Exmark and Hustler I can stongly agree with Kawasaki motor thou.
If I were to choose I would go With Exmark. Good Luck with your purchase.:waving:

[nmez21]

I used to have a John Deere 727. I've got a Hustler Super Z 60" w/ a kaw. engine now. A 6.5-7 acre property(half-dozen trees and a 1 acre pond to mow around) took me anywhere from 3-3.5 hours with the Deere. Now with the Super Z I can get it done in 2-2.5 hours. I would suggest the Super Z to you, although I've never used an Exmark myself. For a smoother ride the susp. seat is very nice and you have an option to add flex-forks (~$200). I suppose that you could get it done 10-20 minutes faster w/ a 66", since you've got the room too. The deck has cut marvelously for me even at top speed, like you wouldn't believe.

As far as motor size goes, I don't really know what to tell you if you're looking at a 66". The 25 kawi. suits me fine on a 60", but I know there are others that feel like it lacks a little power. Good luck with whatever purchase you make.

[grump99]

Thanks guys!

[Uranus]

You know your goning to need about 9 grand for a 60" with a decent size engine one it. Not to knock your dealers but you may want to check out ebay. There's a guy from Street, MD that sell decent looking used mowers. I've bid on a few.

[carcrz]

You may want to make sure it has a good suspension on whatever you get. Mainly because it sounds like it is a large lawn/field & is probably a little bumpy. As far as deck size, you are only talking about 6" difference there so it won't make nearly as much of a difference as a larger/more powerful motor will. Out of your options you were thinking about above, I would probably go w/ the Hustler.

[HOOLIE]

I would request a demo for the mowers you are considering...it is a large purchase and you should certainly test drive a mower before buying. Keep in mind you are only mowing one lawn a week (albeit a big one :laugh: ) things like engine brands and such are not a big deal when you're just mowing your own lawn once a week. Get what you like. Personally I've always gone with Kawasaki but at the same time I'm not knocking Kohler.

I'd go with the 66" deck...the extra half-foot will add up over 6 acres, performance/handling-wise wouldn't be much of a difference.

[Potchkins]

do you have many trees, flower beds, or
other obstackels to get between or around

[grump99]

No obstacles or trees, just lots of grass.

[dfischer]

I use a 757 and mulch. It does fine, but it's on the ragged edge power wise. If you're gonna side discharge then it's more then enough.

I'm @ 60" and I promise width makes a HUGE difference. But they can scalp more easily. Cresting a slope w/this will create low spots.

Truly, I'd be looking for a 30 hp diesel w/as close to 66" as I could find from a dealer I trusted. I prefer deere, but it's not like any of the upper crust is bad. I'd be more inclined to look for the right deal on what you liked, rode well, and had a good dealer.

[Accu-cut Lawn Care]

I use a 757 and mulch. It does fine, but it's on the ragged edge power wise. If you're gonna side discharge then it's more then enough.

I'm @ 60" and I promise width makes a HUGE difference. But they can scalp more easily. Cresting a slope w/this will create low spots.

Truly, I'd be looking for a 30 hp diesel w/as close to 66" as I could find from a dealer I trusted. I prefer deere, but it's not like any of the upper crust is bad. I'd be more inclined to look for the right deal on what you liked, rode well, and had a good dealer.

This guy is not going to need a diesel. He is a homeowner and will probably put no more than 100 hrs per year on whatever machine he opts to get. It would take about 30 years of use to justify the extra costs of a diesel engine on a ztr.

[Accu-cut Lawn Care]

I would suggest a hustler super z with a 60" deck and a 27hp kohler. They cut great, ride very smoothly. And after putting 800 hrs on one since last spring, I can vouch for the kohler...it is strong and very dependable.:usflag:

[mgmlandscaping]

I dont know if you have any Dixie Chopper dealers but you have to demo a 60 inch. I have had ours for 6 years and never a problem. I even had two guys sink it in a lake. Yes, I said sink it. I had to pull it out with a skid steer twice. I demo almost everything out there and the Dixie is the fastest and smoothest, in my opinion. Try it out you wont be disappointed.

[BTLS]

You know, you don't even necessaeily have to go with something so big. I'd get a smaller version of any of your choices- like a 36 or 42 in. It'll still take under 2 hours I bet. Then, with $3,000 you have left over, put it down on a Harley or buy a hot tub for your back porch. It's all good. -Ben

[grump99]

Thanks for all the advice! I am going to visit the local dealers and see what kind of deal I can get. I am leaning towards the Hustler 66" at this point, but we will see. Thanks again!

[grump99]

Have another question. What size motor would be sufficient? I don't plan on multching or bagging.

[Rhett]

25 or bigger.

[grump99]

Ok I did some price checking. The best quote I have gotten was $8700 out the door for a Super Z 66" XR-7 deck with 27 hp Kohler (brand new). Is this a decent price? One dealer told me I "need" the 30 hp engine (price was $9100 out the door). I think the 27 hp would be sufficient?

Thanks!

[Accu-cut Lawn Care]

I run a 27hp 60" and it does fine. The salesman that was trying to sell you the 30 was mistaken in his opinion. For commercial use(moreso residential), the 27 hp provides plenty of cutting power...especially when discharging... But is suitable for mulching, too. When it comes to price, I can get a 2766 for about 7600 before taxes. But I buy and use multiple units; so, it's a little bit different for me.

[nmez21]

$8,600 sounds about right. My 2560 Super was $8,200 before demo discount. Like Accu-cut said, 27 should be enough for what you're looking to do. And with the extra $500 you can get yourself a set of flex-forks to smooth the ride out even more.(and still have $300 left over) I wish you the best of luck with whatever purchase you make.

[grump99]

Thanks guys!

[nathannc]

Grump99, I have read this thread and am wondering what did you end up getting?

[grump99]

I haven't purchased yet. Waiting for the weather to break so I can demo. Unless I am unpleasantly surprised, I will be getting the 66" Hustler 27 hp.

[nathannc]

If you haven't bought a mower yet, really consider how rough your fields are. I have an Exmark with a 60" deck and a 27hp Kohler engine that I got recently. I used it immediately to mulch up some leaves before spring came. Just for fun, I took it out and went down the middle of a large field that was smoothed with a disk and drag harrow and planted in grass. The ride over the field was still rough, too rough really for a mower even one as big and nice as my Exmark.

With that said, have you considered getting a used smaller tractor. It would be more versatile than the mower and with a 6 or 7 foot bush hog or finish mower if you needed a nicer cut, if you could make fairly short work of the mowing and it much better adapted for the field conditions you are speaking of. A used two wheel drive model around 30hp with a bush hog go fairly cheap for probably around what you will be spending the the Zero turn and probably even better. A small mower would do what you need for the fine cutting. If you are curious you might want to check out http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/search.asp?guid=53D01FADA377404DA2A42D3EF20B1CBB. It will give you an idea what you can get for the price you want to pay. Also, check out http://tractorpoint.com for advice regarding tractors. A older Ford in the 30hp range would be a good choice I believe. Good luck whatever your decision.

[johnwon]

If you haven't bought a mower yet, really consider how rough your fields are. I have an Exmark with a 60" deck and a 27hp Kohler engine that I got recently. I used it immediately to mulch up some leaves before spring came. Just for fun, I took it out and went down the middle of a large field that was smoothed with a disk and drag harrow and planted in grass. The ride over the field was still rough, too rough really for a mower even one as big and nice as my Exmark.

With that said, have you considered getting a used smaller tractor. It would be more versatile than the mower and with a 6 or 7 foot bush hog or finish mower if you needed a nicer cut, if you could make fairly short work of the mowing and it much better adapted for the field conditions you are speaking of. A used two wheel drive model around 30hp with a bush hog go fairly cheap for probably around what you will be spending the the Zero turn and probably even better. A small mower would do what you need for the fine cutting. If you are curious you might want to check out http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/search.asp?guid=53D01FADA377404DA2A42D3EF20B1CBB. It will give you an idea what you can get for the price you want to pay. Also, check out http://tractorpoint.com for advice regarding tractors. A older Ford in the 30hp range would be a good choice I believe. Good luck whatever your decision.
Be careful if you go this route...I've known people with 5+ acers who went and bought a tractor where one gear was too slow and the next gear was too fast. So they had to mow in the slower gear to get a good cut.

[johnwon]

I haven't purchased yet. Waiting for the weather to break so I can demo. Unless I am unpleasantly surprised, I will be getting the 66" Hustler 27 hp.
If you have not yet bought one yet...our local Hustler dealer in Harrisonburg, Va. had the Super Z W/Kohler 27hp 60" deck brand new but maybe 2006,maybe 2007 model year because they got a big order in near the end of the 2006 year. Anyway right on the tag hanging on the machine was $7,699.00 or maybe $7,599.00 can't remember for sure. This price I was told by one of the salesman is cash price. Anyway they had what I thought to be good prices on all of their Hustlers. I called for a price quote before they had gotten this shippment in and was quoted a good bit higher price on the same machine. I ended up buying something else at another dealer as a result. But now I think why didn't the man just say...hay we got a big order due in soon and we can sell you one for this price. I most likely would have bought one from them had I known they would sell for the now tagged price. I have not stopped in there for at least a month now but riding by...there seems to be a lot of them sitting around. By the way Harrisonburg is at aprox. mile marker 242 off of Interstate 81.

[grump99]

Just wanted to let you guys know how things turned out. We ended up buying a brand-new leftover '06 Hustler (0 hours). It has a 66" xr-7 deck and a 27 hp Kohler engine. We haggled with the sales guy for a good hour and got it for $7950 + tax. He also through in oil, filter and free delivery. They are dropping it off tomorrow night :) .

Thanks everyone for your help!

Tony

[nmez21]

:clapping: Sounds like you got a great deal. Should be an awsome machine for you. I wish you the best of luck.