jefflarkin
07-30-2012, 02:18 PM
Hi. New member here with a question. I am helping a small church who has volunteer parishoners who take turns mowing the church grounds. It is a small church on a large tract of land - approximately 9 acres of which approximately a third is finished/lawn area and the balance is unimproved pasture. Currently, we are using a donated Kubota tractor with belly attachment that is an ongoing maintenance challenge. Between fundraisers and donations we have saved up for a replacement. I have been asked to identify options.
We have nearby John Deere and Husquvarna dealerships, and both have recommended a 60 inch ZRT mower. According to both, their "premier homeowner" models (the Z665 Deere or MZ6128 HV) would be servicable, although both sales people said to step up to the entry level commercial (Z720 Deere or PZT-6128 HV) would offer a heavier unit with better reliability. Unfortunately, money is a consideration as the commercial units are 50% ($3K) more.
To me, the assessment is not a matter of hours since the mower would not be used more than once a week. However, for the pasture mowing (monthly during the growing season) to me qualifies as "extreme duty" since there are places the ground is bumpy.
Here are my questions -- (1) given our needs and money, do you view the commercial units as necessary or luxury? (2) Does anyone have any recent practical experience with any of the models listed above that can offer recommendations. Costs and features are very similar.
We have nearby John Deere and Husquvarna dealerships, and both have recommended a 60 inch ZRT mower. According to both, their "premier homeowner" models (the Z665 Deere or MZ6128 HV) would be servicable, although both sales people said to step up to the entry level commercial (Z720 Deere or PZT-6128 HV) would offer a heavier unit with better reliability. Unfortunately, money is a consideration as the commercial units are 50% ($3K) more.
To me, the assessment is not a matter of hours since the mower would not be used more than once a week. However, for the pasture mowing (monthly during the growing season) to me qualifies as "extreme duty" since there are places the ground is bumpy.
Here are my questions -- (1) given our needs and money, do you view the commercial units as necessary or luxury? (2) Does anyone have any recent practical experience with any of the models listed above that can offer recommendations. Costs and features are very similar.