Homeowner ZTR, Tractor and mower discussion thread

[MS_SURVEYOR]

Originally Posted by shiplemw

I ramble.
Clif notes: I've was given a JD SE14 push mower that I'm having trouble getting running. What would be a good mower for cleaning up under trees and general mowing. Needs to bag or mulch and be under $400.

Honda 21 in. Steel Deck Smart Drive Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower

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[shiplemw]

MS. Surveyor,

I'll take a look at that honda.

[jtruck618]

Anyone have a Snapper Pro s150 with the 52in cut?

[dwost]

That Honda would be my choice for under the $400 mark as well.

[XtraGrass]

Help please. I am currently mowing my yard and my in-law's yard (1 acre each). I also own a 3 acre vacant lot that I have to maintain. That breaks out to 5 acres of mowing at least once a a week. I currently use a 48" JD tractor to maintain this area. It takes me over 3 hours to mow the 3 acres and 1.5 hours for each 1 acre lot with the houses on them (including trimming). I really need something sturdy and dependable to "cut" down the mowing time. I am a stickler for lawn looks too, no uneven or scalping decks and I like the "striped" look. I have looked at Scag, but I definitely want to make the right choice. Any information that you all can provide, I would greatly appreciate it.

[XtraGrass]

Current mower is John Deere LX277 48" cut. Looking into 61" ZTR models. Already have a trailer to move the mower between lots.

[former farmer]

I had a JD LX277AWS that I was cutting 5.5 acres with and took 6 hours to cut. I also have a JD 955 tractor with a 72" belly mower. In the spring the tractor is tied up with other projects and would end up cutting the entire yard with the 48" deck on the LX277AWS. Finally got tired of all of the extra time spent with the small mower and purchased a Gravely ProMaster 260 this spring. Now I cut everything in under 3 hours.

The Gravely does a wonderful job cutting. One things that I did not anticipate is the cutting around all my trees and leaving tree rings. I have all of my trees mulched around in a 3' diameter or larger circle. With my JD, it was all wheel steer, I never had any issues tearing up the turf. Now, I have to make 4 to 6 turns around each tree to keep the turf in place. I have tried moving very slowly and always keeping the tires turning, but still felt that it was tearing up the turf too much. It seems like the wide rear tire is tearing up the turf as it slightly pivots while turning tightly, even with the wheel still turning. But after you do this repeatedly, you start to notice a definite ring starting around the tree.

So, now I purchased a Honda push mower to help do the trimming to complement the ztr.

Wish that I had kept my JD LX277AWS, never needed a push mower with that unit, but had sold it early this spring even before I had picked up my Gravely.

[XtraGrass]

My LX277 is 11 years old and is not AWS. It does leave rings in the grass when I mow around trees right now. Not to mention the additional time needed to accomplish a 3-point turn at the end of every row.

[ztman]

Just because its a zero turn doesnt mean you have to go in circles. Make a straigt pass in front of tree, back up and make another, you will end up with an octagon and no grass tear or tree circles

[Capemay Eagle]

Originally Posted by XtraGrass

Help please. I am currently mowing my yard and my in-law's yard (1 acre each). I also own a 3 acre vacant lot that I have to maintain. That breaks out to 5 acres of mowing at least once a a week. I currently use a 48" JD tractor to maintain this area. It takes me over 3 hours to mow the 3 acres and 1.5 hours for each 1 acre lot with the houses on them (including trimming). I really need something sturdy and dependable to "cut" down the mowing time. I am a stickler for lawn looks too, no uneven or scalping decks and I like the "striped" look. I have looked at Scag, but I definitely want to make the right choice. Any information that you all can provide, I would greatly appreciate it.

What is your budget? What dealers are close to you? Those two things really determine what might fit you best. Lots of good mowers, all have their qualities. In the 5K to 6K range there is the Hustler Fastrak 48" or the 54" would be a great mower for your needs. If you looked at the Scag, the Freedom Z is a popular mower. Husqvarna has a few good mowers out that have been getting some good feedback.