Think it's time for a new mower?

[dsm]

This might be in the wrong section sorry.

Okay I have spent some time on this site lurking around but am needing to spend more time. My plan was to shop for the ‘right’ ZTR so when my present mower quit/died/broke beyond repair, I would be ready with a well educated answer on what/who’s to purchase.

Well I delayed that ‘shopping’ too long.

So I shall start reading again, but on 28k dial up that will take some time but IKE is suppose to move through today so no firewood cutting will be done.
1.56 acre yard. LOTS of trees, remove gardens, driveways, house and garage, shop, horse barn, two storage sheds, 1600sqft garden, both berry patches, firewood work area, leaves me with guessing right at an acre.

I have been mowing for 7 yrs with this with 30yr old 48” hand operated POS hydro. takes almost 2hrs and beats the crap out of me.

I did it with neighbor’s 50” Dixie in about 1hr, even with hitting the barn twice. Need to learn to drive the thing, and it was an OLD Dixie like a ‘96 ? or so. Also used the 50” cub cadet of a buddies, great for his ‘in town’ yard but not so great out here, would not last a summer, and me would not last half summer that that thing.

No HILL to be worried about here, but a gentle sloping to the back yard. I normally fertilize so during the raining season, every four days I cut.
I have a Dixie dealer about 5miles away, seems like a very nice and honest guy, does all the maint. for the three school districts nearby.
And Dixie’ s 0% for 36 months sounded good for the spring but now their 12month no payments sound even better..
what i really want is a small tractor and a ZTR just for mowing, wife says buy a cheaper lawn mower and the tractor. but i want the mower to last long long time.
will a homeowners version last 20yrs?

What to do?:confused:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/dsm382/DSC04097small.jpg

I borrowed this from a buddy an I need one of these, but don't really want mow the yard with it.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/dsm382/House%20Pictures/DSC04079small.jpg

[mowerbrad]

I know that you would really want a ZTR but those can get quite pricy, especially if you want to buy a small utility tractor too. I would suggest getting a 48" hydro walkbehind, like an exmark or toro. You could get one for under $5000. And for an acre per week that thing will last you for quite a while. A home owner grade mower won't last the 20yrs you want it to. As long as you keep up with all the needed maintenance that machine should last for quite a long time. BTW you could be a sulky on the back of the walkbehind so you don't have to walk.

[coach76]

I have a wheel horse that looks just like that one. It was my dad's. I still have the bill of sale. $1,672 brand new in 1974. The motor and tractor are still great, but the deck is wore out. Good luck with your decision on the ztr.

[Phil G]

Did you shove the Wheel Horse in the hole and back fill? :laugh:


atb Phil
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/SmilieUKFlag.gif

[dsm]

I know that you would really want a ZTR but those can get quite pricy, especially if you want to buy a small utility tractor too. I would suggest getting a 48" hydro walkbehind, like an exmark or toro. You could get one for under $5000. And for an acre per week that thing will last you for quite a while. A home owner grade mower won't last the 20yrs you want it to. As long as you keep up with all the needed maintenance that machine should last for quite a long time. BTW you could be a sulky on the back of the walkbehind so you don't have to walk.walk behind??? damn i'm old well 42 and sure feel old...:) :) understand your thought but if i am going to spend $5k i will splurge for another $2k for a 'good' ZTR and put off the U-Tractor for another year.
got a buddy with 2.5 acres and a 50" dixie he has had for almost 20 yrs with no issues.... that is why i think if i step up to the base comercial grade it should get me there. and like i said when the grass is growing good it's every 4 days. oh and we may be done with having kids and we are in our 9th year of marage (got there last thusday) but i think i will say away from those Sulky's,,,,,,i have heard about them....:D

Did you shove the Wheel Horse in the hole and back fill?
nope that was last weekend..:)

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/dsm382/House%20Pictures/DSC04083small.jpg


So now the wife says get a good riding lawn mower, 20hp 48" NEW.
and buy my U-tractor, but can i be happy without a ZTR?
was looking into those zero turn lawn tractors but was told they stop one wheel and dig holes when you turn.
she can use the lawn mower to haul the trailer around to do the cleaning of the yard and gardening. and we can get rid of the old wheel horses, have two.
i do like the idea of a ZTR and the quickness of going around the trees.....
more suggestions please.
thanks

[Phil G]

Ok, confession time. I used to have one untill a few years back, here's #2 son messing with it on a job
atb Phil

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/SmilieUKFlag.gif


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/DSCF0292.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/DSCF0436JPG1-1.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/crazy.gif

[dsm]

not bad for a wh from acrros the pond............:)

is that a gun on his hip????

[Phil G]

not bad for a wh from acrros the pond............:)

is that a gun on his hip????


A set of Felco #2 secateurs, just in case some old Granny hits on him.:eek:


atb Phil

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g144/PhilGz/SmilieUKFlag.gif

[huskres]

Why not buy a small tractor with a 60" belly mower. It should mow an acre pretty darn fast.

[dsm]

Why not buy a small tractor with a 60" belly mower. It should mow an acre pretty darn fast.
thought of that, was part of reason for borrowing the Kubota i posted pic, of.

he has a 60" belly mower for it i might try out this spring, but don't know mowing twice a week still would be a PIA.