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Choosing new mower for elderly lady

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16K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  henderpa  
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#1 ·
Hope this is the right area to post this in... My mother in-law is 72, get's around okay, but is having a hard time steering her Kubota g1900 (no power steering). She is mowing about an acre, all flat, with 4 or 5 large trees. She is refusing to let us cut grass for her, and that is good, she needs to stay active. She mentioned a zero turn type mower, thinking that would be easier to steer. I do not have experience with a zero turn, so not sure if it would be easier or not. My first thought is she would have a hard time getting up into the seat of a zero turn type mower?

What do you guys recommend? Budget is 2 to 3k. And electric start is a must.

Thanks!
 
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#3 ·
Garrett1234 said:
Your mother in law sounds like a badass. I'm going to go ahead and say the getting on and off a zero turn coupled with the movements of the sticks would in my opinion seem more difficult than a regular lawn tractor. No clue about lawn tractors. Just get another one with power steering.
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Well she is a 'a$$' for sure! Yeah, I agree on the zero turn, but she is dead set on looking at one. I agree on a regular tractor type with power steering, but not sure what I could find in the budget of 2 to 3k with power steering.
 
#5 ·
Garrett1234 said:
I'm a perfect fit and able early 40's male. And I hate getting on and off my zero turn. Heaven for bid I have to get up to get trash, a ball, etc.....it just sucks.
Heck. Spend more and get her a stander!
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Given the choice is rather be on a stander but a 70+ woman isn't gonna be cool with that. When I got my first stander my wife complained wanting the laser Z back.
 
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#6 ·
Most importantly, I would like to clarify something in my previous post after reviewing what I wrote: I’m not a perfect fit! Plenty of spaces i can’t squeeze into. I merely meant my body is sound and able. Not a physical specimen according to my kids who refer to my belly as “squishy”.
Okay. Now that we’ve cleared that up!
If he knees are good it would be easier to stand than slinking down into a ztr. Not saying 70 is an incapable age for movement, but man ztr’s are a kinda a plop in and hope you don’t have to stand up for a bit kind of machine. Pulling on the sticks to stand up and such would be incredibly difficult come a certain age or physical limitation. I guess standing doesn’t sound like a lot of fun either if your hurting already. Back to the lawn tractor it is
 
#8 ·
Calling 72 elderly? Hah! I'm not there yet, but I'm close.

I think getting into the seat of a ZTR can be easier than many lawn tractors. I have a Turf Tiger 2 and just step up on platform from the front while grabbing one of the control levers, turn around, and sit down. With a standard lawn tractor with similar mowing width it could be a stretch to get across the mowing deck without stepping on it. She should try getting on and off various machines to see what she is comfortable doing.

While there is a bit of a learning curve with controlling a ZTR it comes quickly. For a flat area, as you describe, a ZTR is likely to get the job done more quickly.

Where your MIL might run into trouble with a ZTR, however, is if she has even a little arthritis. With the ZTR one must constantly grasp the controls and make adjustments, while a lawn tractor does not need that constant steering with both hands. Due to some arthritis in one wrist I need to wear a wrist brace when mowing with my ZTR (although if I was mowing only an acre at a time it might not be an issue).

Don't write off your 72 year old MIL yet. She could be the star of the neighborhood whipping around on a ZTR.
 
#9 ·
Someone that old has no business on a zero turn, let alone a stander! If she insists on mowing, a tractor style is her best bet, For climbing into, etc. She could fall off a stander if she hit a bump. A zero turn is low to the ground the seat. I would advise getting a tractor style with power steering, instead of spending a ton on a mower that would not be ideal for her. She will probably be in a nursing home soon anyways
 
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#10 ·
you have a very low quality of 70 year olds near you LOL. My dad isn't quite to 70 yet and crawls around the rafters of home construction better than most 30 year olds. I went to the woods weekly with my grandpa cutting wood and he didn't crawl into the back of a truck or on teh back of a wagon, he jumped in and out. To say they couldn't operate a stander is silly. A few summers ago I rode my bike around lake Geneva with a 76 year old judge from Germany and then hit mtn biking trails the next day in kettle Moraine in WI. not all 70 year olds are created equal.
 
#14 ·
anybody have an opinion on the best lawn tractor in this price range ? i will add this , though remember were just a 2 man business thats always used exmark walk behinds for 20 years on our route of vastly 1/4 acre suburban lots so i know zero about any other machine . but from looking at dealership i was real impressed with kubota zero turns powered by kawasakis that were only $3000+ . yes i know guys that know are gonna buy exmark-scag-deere-etc , but in that price range running a kaw on a real solid looking machine i was impressed
 
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#15 ·
Toro has a smart speed feature for Timecutters that looks similar to the RED system on Exmark commercial machines. It lets you change the operating speed of the engine, also limiting the travel speed and acceleration.

I'd look at those, running them on low/trim while you are getting the hang of it is safer. Without the full power of the engine available the risk of an accident from fudging up the controls is lower.
 
#17 ·
I mean I guess there may be some that are 70 that can operate a zero turn, but I still think a stander is too dangerous. a lawn tractor is safer and cheaper... I also think that it would be unwise for someone who is about to kick the bucket to spend a lot of money on a mower.
 
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#19 ·
vcvtrading said:
Hope this is the right area to post this in... My mother in-law is 72, get's around okay, but is having a hard time steering her Kubota g1900 (no power steering). She is mowing about an acre, all flat, with 4 or 5 large trees. She is refusing to let us cut grass for her, and that is good, she needs to stay active. She mentioned a zero turn type mower, thinking that would be easier to steer. I do not have experience with a zero turn, so not sure if it would be easier or not. My first thought is she would have a hard time getting up into the seat of a zero turn type mower?

What do you guys recommend? Budget is 2 to 3k. And electric start is a must.

Thanks!
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You won't get much with that budget!
 
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#20 ·
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#26 ·
I'd recommend looking at one of the electric ZTRs (Ryobi, Husqvarna, Greentech). You don't have to worry about gas, the startup sequence is more straightforward and being able to mow without hearing protection is something she might appreciate.

Also, if she feels uncomfortable getting on/off, she could add on a Donbar (https://www.amazon.com/DONBAR-Support-Zero-Turn-Lower-Mowers/dp/B01G7JGBPK)
 
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