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Best mower for rough terrian and mixed grass

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12K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  potluckman  
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#1 ·
Mow about six acres in the country that is mostly sloped and the ground is
a little rough, typical of what we call lawns in the country. Same with what we call grass, that means about anything green. So I need a mower that will mow mixed vegetation generally once every two weeks and since I have had two
back surgeries I most have as smooth a ride as possible. Been looking at the
Hustler x-one with flex front wheels and would add a air ride seat. Also have
looked at the Grasshopper Front mount mower as dealers have said it rides much better and I like the diesel but not sure how good it is on hills. Lastly
I have looked at the Ferris 2000 with the frame suspension. One other thought
I have had is that several brands offer a Rear Discharge Mower and I have wondered if anyone has used them on taller grass like I mow. Seems this would be great for keeping clippings and dirt out of my face when the wind is blowing. Oh, don't really care to much about the quality of cut, remember this is not a city lawn. Would really appreciate some thoughts
 
#3 ·
Ferris hands down
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#4 ·
I have a new Super Z with flex forks and suspension seat. It rides way better than my Kubota did. I'm sure the X-One would be similar, and I believe you can get it in a 54 or 60 inch RD deck. I don't know first hand but from what I have heard, you lose some cut quality with a RD but it sounds like that is acceptable to you. Can't comment on the Scag Cheetah or Ferris, never ran them. We probably have similar turf types and I can say that my Super Z cuts great around here, contrary to what you may read on here. I have ran a front mount Kubota and it did not ride as good as any Z I have used.
 
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#6 ·
Thanks guys. With respect to the Scag Cheetah and Super Z equipped with
Air ride and flex arms, have either of you driven the Ferris so you can compare the ride difference.

I drove the Glasshopper front mower today and it does ride fairly nice but I was not impressed with how it handled on slopes whether going vertical or horizontal. Would not climb well at all and on the loose dirt and grass it was very unsteady going along the slope. Drove a grasshopper middeck on all the
same ground and it climbed great and was very stable on the slopes. Course it
rode like crap. Also drive the Ferris and it indeed has a very good ride. Drove the Gravely with the Air Seat at same dealer and frankly the air ride seat did not smooth out ride as much as I hoped and nowhere near the ferris. Only real
negative i see with Ferris is one I was not overwhelmed with the dealer and two Ferris does not offer a Rear Discharge deck. I think I will go to scag dealer and try the Cheetah and see how the system on it compares to the ferris. Ways higher than I want to spend but if ride with suitable I think it has a RD deck available. Again thanks for your thoughts
 
#7 ·
I would pick something with floation rear tires
My dad mows his Lawn at the farm with a 60'' DC And the lawn has been plug by cattle many times He mows up to 6 acres more every cpl weeks
I wouldnt want ride a mower that has no side wall tires

Best Demo one in you lawn first before buying one
 
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#8 ·
If you are looking at front mowers, take a look at JD. They are pricey, but as far as hills they will hold, even better in 4wd. Just set the tires out wider and stay with the open models (meaning don't get a cab).

Since that is probably more machine than what your looking for then based on recent reviews the Gravely 400 series is getting high marks.

You said "sloped"... is this a gentle incline or do you mean steep. If you are consistently mowing steep ground, I'd recommend you look at 4wd compact tractor. I've put those things on some steep ground and not lose traction, at least in the up/down or diagonal directions. They do weigh a little more and don't turn quite as sharp as a zturn (obviously). Just get a hydrostat tran. and the best seat option from that manufacturer.
 
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#10 ·
knox gsl said:
I'm an exmark guy but with your conditions the Hustler with a 60 rear discharge deck will work well. Also remember the dealer matters almost as much as the machine after the sale.
Click to expand...
Im also an exmark guy, but given your terrain id go with knox's suggestion
 
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#11 ·
Hustler with flex forks and suspension seat all the way. RD is probably right down your alley. Drops the grass like a sickle bar mower with almost full size clippings. Should keep you out of the dirt for the most part. Uses less hp. and depending on deck size could possibly get away with the smaller engine to save some on gph. Can't add a bagger later though if ever interested.
 
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#12 ·
Thanks Mtmower. It looks like the way I will have to go after driving several machines. Still have a couple questions. Is anyone currently using a Rear discharge and if so how wide a discharge chute do they have. None of the dealers around here have sold many and have none on display.

Grasshopper also has a rear discharge deck and and flex front wheels similar to hustler and comes with a air ride seat. I have a good local dealer for grasshopper so any opinions on Hustler over Grasshopper.
 
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#14 ·
potluckman said:
Thanks Mtmower. It looks like the way I will have to go after driving several machines. Still have a couple questions. Is anyone currently using a Rear discharge and if so how wide a discharge chute do they have. None of the dealers around here have sold many and have none on display.

Grasshopper also has a rear discharge deck and and flex front wheels similar to hustler and comes with a air ride seat. I have a good local dealer for grasshopper so any opinions on Hustler over Grasshopper.
Click to expand...
RD discharge opening is full width of the deck on a Hustler. May try doing a search. There was a thread on here that had a LCO that runs several I believe for cemetery work.

I've never had much seat time on a GH. I prefer the mid mount mowers over the front deck style. I know GH makes both. The air ride seat is a step in the right direction. Best seat I've used yet.
 
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#15 ·
Thank you MTmower, I drove a GH front mower and although it rode pretty decent it would not climb a slope hardly at all compared the the GH mid-mount I drove on exact same hill and the front mount also did very poorly holding the hill going horizontal on the slope so I ruled it out. Also was concerned about having four feet sticking out the back. I tend to hit things.

Glad to hear the chute is full width so should reduce chance of windrowing. I believe you said you use a Hustler, do you by chance have experience on both the X-one and the super z. I was considering the x-one because of cost but super z has bigger tires which I wonder would hold on a slope better.
 
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#16 ·
potluckman said:
Thank you MTmower, I drove a GH front mower and although it rode pretty decent it would not climb a slope hardly at all compared the the GH mid-mount I drove on exact same hill and the front mount also did very poorly holding the hill going horizontal on the slope so I ruled it out. Also was concerned about having four feet sticking out the back. I tend to hit things.

Glad to hear the chute is full width so should reduce chance of windrowing. I believe you said you use a Hustler, do you by chance have experience on both the X-one and the super z. I was considering the x-one because of cost but super z has bigger tires which I wonder would hold on a slope better.
Click to expand...
I've run side discharge Super Zs for going on 13 yrs. I tend to go big on everything. I push my equipment hard. Bigger tires would be a plus. I've run the early 60" standard deck Super, and a 66" XR7. I have not had any seat time on the VX4. Just replaced one of my Supers with a Gravely 460 and demoed Walker Super B, Husqvarna PZ, and Bad Boy Out Law prior to demoing and purchasing the 460.
 
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