What size zero turn for under 1/2 acre lawns?

smallstripesnc · Jan 7, 2013

I'm considering making the jump to get a zero turn. I currently use a Gravely hydro 36in mower and it works great but I'm looking to speed things up and maybe get off my feet. I'm not a fan of the sulkys because its still standing up. I'm ready to sit down some!

Mostly all the properties in my area are 1/2 acre or under. I always see guys with zero turns around and they seem to make it work instead of using a walk behind but I've never asked/observed what size deck they had. I know I won't be able to use a zero turn on all lawns since some have gates and have hills/slopes which would be unsafe.

I'm pretty stuck on getting a diesel since I'm a huge fan of diesel's plus I've read nothing but good things about them.

Snapper pro makes a S175X with a 52in deck.

Would a 52in be too big for anything under 1/2 acre?

weaver · Jan 7, 2013

Properties about the same here and i use a 48/36 combo and works great. I have some lawns i just couldn't put the 52 in and find the 48 work good and save the 36 for gated/ hill lawns..
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knox gsl · Jan 7, 2013

52 would be ideal on small yards if you just HAD to sit down. I find myself in better shape at the end of the day from standing, easier on my back.

biodale · Jan 7, 2013

I am looking for something about like your needs myself. I'm am looking at Scag Tiger Cat with Kawa or the Gravely 148 with Kohler EFI engine. The Kohler EFI supposed to save 25% on fuel. That would be great because my kawa's use fuel like I'm pouring it on the ground. I'm a little leery about the Koher twin. I cant see the value of a diesel with a 48" mower. I'm not sure they are even available with the 48" deck.
How do you the the Gravely? I'd appreciate some feed back on your Gravely.

newguy123 · Jan 7, 2013

I use a 54" on properties 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre. So you should be good with that 52".

smallstripesnc · Jan 7, 2013

Ive been looking at the kohler efi as well but im just a diesel fan tbh. The 52in snapper pro s175x seems like a solid unit I just hope its not too big.

As far as the gravely I had a 36in scag belt drive and it striped way better than my gravely does but I love it other than that. Has plenty of power and the "pro steer" controls are amazing once you get used to them.
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Monroe74 · Jan 7, 2013

I feel the 52 is about right for small properties that dont have to be walked if there are that many obstacles a ztr doesnt belong on there any how

caseysmowing · Jan 7, 2013

48 or a 52 but I would go with a stander inside of a ZTR.

jones68 · Jan 7, 2013

i run a 56" on most of my properties big and small at times its a little cumbersome so i switch to a 48 or 36 walk behind. I would recommend the 52" for you. when i was working for my father he had 2 48" ztrs and while they did work good and it was nice to sit down the deck did not stick out any past the rear wheels which we found a little difficult around trees and such. I really like the 56"

smallstripesnc · Jan 7, 2013

jones68 said:
i run a 56" on most of my properties big and small at times its a little cumbersome so i switch to a 48 or 36 walk behind. I would recommend the 52" for you. when i was working for my father he had 2 48" ztrs and while they did work good and it was nice to sit down the deck did not stick out any past the rear wheels which we found a little difficult around trees and such. I really like the 56"

I actually find it easier to get perfect stripes if the deck goes out past the rear wheels so the 52 may be q good choice and like someone already said if I cant use a 52in on a property its probably not a good idea for a ztr at all. Ill have my 36 to use on all the gated/hills/cluttered properties that the ztr wont work.

Im a small frame guy so I hate walking all day burning calories I dont have.
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Blades Lawn Maintenance · Jan 7, 2013

Have you thought about looking into stand on. Maybe a 48"

weeze · Jan 7, 2013

i use a 54" on everything i cut. 1/8th acre all the way up to 3 acres. now if you live where there's alot of gated/fenced backyards with narrow gates then you will want something smaller. most fences i've ran into here my 54" would fit through the gate. i've had 1 or 2 where i had to use my 21" pushmower but they were tiny backyards so no big deal.

action1 · Jan 9, 2013

How are you guys mowing 1/8 th 1/4 acre lots with 50" plus mowers? Vacant lots an only 1 pass? I run a 42" ztr on 1/2 to 1 acre lots and it is very quick. On the smaller lots 1/8 to 1/4 my 37" is sometes way too big and have to use a 21 push.
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weeze · Jan 9, 2013

it's more than one pass lol. alot of it depends on how the yard is layed out. here is a pic of one of my small yards:

another one was like this and i had to use a 21" for the backyard because the gate was too small. these pics were before i cut it:

What size zero turn for under 1/2 acre lawns?

smallstripesnc

weaver

knox gsl

biodale

newguy123

smallstripesnc

Monroe74

caseysmowing

jones68

smallstripesnc

Blades Lawn Maintenance

weeze

action1

weeze

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