John Deere mower

[Jerry]

I am new and want to know if a used John Deere 525 front deck mower will hold up doing smaller residential lawns (1/4 1/2 acre) It has 17 HP Kawasaki and 921 hrs, 48 inch deck. It's the 3 wheel type mower. Price is $1700. Would this be a good starter mower? How does it compare in productivity and ease of use, dependability to, say, a used Walker, Scag, Exmark ztr models? I hope to do about 30-40 lawns a week.<br>Thank you<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Jerry

[geogunn]

I don't know about that particular model. does it have a steering wheel?<p>I've heard the steering wheel models aren't as manuverable as the independently steered models.<p>in any event, there are several of the steereing wheel models in use in my area and people seem to like them. however, they are very expensive to purchase new.<p>GEO

[columbiaplower]

the 1 he is talking about has no steering wheel

[Jerry]

I think it has a steering wheel. I'm going to check it out tomorrow. I went to the Deere website and the model 525 has a steering wheel. Do you think it is sufficient as a starter mower if it is in good shape?

[Eric ELM]

I thought it had a steering wheel too. It will get the job done, but a ZTR would be lots faster. I've demoed one like that, but I didn't buy it. <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[JJ Lawn]

Jerry, I have a friend that has two JD 525's with 48&quot; decks (w/mulch kits). Some of his yards are the prettiest around. That mower does a fine job. IMO.<p>Jim

[Grasscape Inc]

THe 5 series are homeowner mowers<br>Commercial mowers are the 6,7,9 series.<br>But, if taken care of , and for tha price, I think you would be alright for a while.<br>If you don't want it let me know. We want it.

[accuratelawn]

I think it would be a good starter mower. I know a couple guys that use the 700 series and love them. <br>For $1,700, if it's in good shape, is a great price.

[Jerry]

O.K., last question. I looked at the John Deere front deck mower today. It looks and runs good. Also am looking at used Lazer a guy wants to sell. If you had very limited funds and were just starting, would you buy the John Deere front deck mower 17hp kawasaki single, 900 hrs, 48&quot; deck $1700 or Lazer z 52&quot; deck 25hp kohler twin, 1400 hrs $2800

[accuratelawn]

The Lazer will mow circles around the JD. Go for the Lazer. If you are just starting out the Lazer will get you going and will also provide you with a good back up machine down the road.

[Grasscape Inc]

Jerry.<br>If you go with the lazer, email me, I would like a shot at the JD, as a backup<br>Where are you at?

[HOMER]

Spend the extra money and get the Lazer. The difference in the money will be made up quickly in productivity and your work will probably look better.<p>Homer

[Dale]

Let's see, 48 inch mower versus 52 &quot;??<p>25% more productivity. Get your calculator out and see how soon you get done and can do more cutting for an additional investment of $ 900. This ones a no brainer. Go for the larger cut.The extra money comes back to you in less than 5 months.