Overall durability question

[dusty fuller]

I manage a state park, one with an unfortunately large amount of grass. We are in need of a new mower and have been given the funds to do so. In keeping with our purchasing regulations, we have to buy either a John Deere or a Grasshopper. Given my price restrictions and the choice of two manufacturers, I've whittled it down to the JD 925A and the Grasshopper 227/52 - the contract prices are both just under my given funds.

We don't need a huge deck due to the numerous narrow areas between trees and buildings, as well as the fact that some of our staff seem to have difficulty with spatial awareness (they seem to bump into stuff with one of our larger decks). I'm not overly concerned with the bells and whistles, pretty stripes, mulching, or going super fast. As long as the grass gets cut and the lawnmower doesn't break every month I'll be happy. We're pretty good with routine maintenance and have local dealers for both brands.

Any advice is good advice - which one would do you think would last longer, given equal treatment? If there's no noticeable difference I'll go for a test drive and use my own observations. Thanks!

[Jaybrown]

John Deere.

[weeze]

i think either will work fine. go with the cheapest.

if you want a long lasting mower you need to buy a diesel but those cost alot more.

[dusty fuller]

Thanks for the advice - a diesel would be great but the ones that we have on our contract are out of our given price range. I don't have experience with either brand - my previous park had Exmarks bought back in the mid 2000's. They worked, but were gradually going downhill (a "feeding the dead to the living" kind of thing).

[32vld]

I have no experience with the Ghopper.

Though I have been happy with my JD that my next mower will be a JD.

[Landrus2]

JD 900 series is an excellent machine. Amazing cut quality and hill side stability. I love the turn dial deck adjustment. Demo them both and see what one you like.

[williams lcm]

Go for the Deere!!!! But try them both out and c what u personely like

[weeze]

if only they would come out with a hustler super z diesel and put a john deere or scag deck on it. that mower would be indestructable and last forever.

[groundskeeperllc]

You should be able to get the Grasshopoer 329B 52" for close to same price as the 227 and is a whole lot more engine.
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