WestKyTeacher Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 I mow about 2 acres of yard w/25-30 trees but no hills to worry about. I use a 38" traditional simplicity which takes 4 hrs. I have borrowed my parents 61" grasshopper which takes about 1hr 15min. I can't fork over $9000 for a mower like them. Also, I don't hit trees or stumps but the deck on mine bends in over time on the front right, probably because it is so thin. I have lower back pains so I need a good suspension seat. So, what would you recommend I buy? Do I need a commercial, a HD Residential, or just a residential ZTR mower? Or what is the best in each of these three areas? I would love to stay under $4000, but know it would probably be closer to $5000 or even $6000 if it is a good enough deal. Finally, could you provide me the cost of the unit you recommend? Thanks in advance and I plan on buying very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Get what you can afford. Personally I like kubota's equipment. They run 0 apr deals all the time and the end of summer usually can haggle with salesman on what they have left on the lot they want to get rid of. We financed ours over 3 years, very manageable payments, total on the tractor was just under $9000. Far as the ztr's I have little experience with them so cannot really say much for them. I mow our yard with a kubota bx series, also use it for mowing clover plots when I can(small clover plot in picture below). Can mow our yard in less than 2 hours usually, if I had flat even ground would be able to mow it in much less time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Get what you can afford. Personally I like kubota's equipment. They run 0 apr deals all the time and the end of summer usually can haggle with salesman on what they have left on the lot they want to get rid of. We financed ours over 3 years, very manageable payments, total on the tractor was just under $9000. Far as the ztr's I have little experience with them so cannot really say much for them. I mow our yard with a kubota bx series, also use it for mowing clover plots when I can(small clover plot in picture below). Can mow our yard in less than 2 hours usually, if I had flat even ground would be able to mow it in much less time. Ditto. I don't think you'd regret going high end, even if you have to make payments for a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 You can buy a good used ztr commercial mower for around $2k if you look hard enough. That's what I would do. They last a long time if you do your regular maintenance. Ztr is the way to go though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Go look at a few brands and test drive them..get what you can afford without breaking the bank...and get one that rides the smoothest..take care of your back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacherman Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 Don't buy "residential" you will indeed regret it. I use a commercial exmark mower and love it. Get what you can afford; but understand that you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckNrut Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 How about a couple of goats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 Do the math. Cost of vehicle; interest payments; cost of maintenance in materials & labor; Figure in some downtime for rain for available hours to do mowing; Figure out how much you need as your income from the venture. Spread the fixed cost out over time and how much you need to gross up for salary. That is you hourly fee per job. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 How about a couple of goats? They'll eat the trash that blows through the yard too Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 i have a 48 in exmark ztr and will never look back...go commerical... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 Have you heard of Everride mowers? I had not until a few years ago when a local business started carrying them. They are commercial zero-turns at what seems to be a reasonable price. When I talked to them for a friend, I believe the 48" was around $5000 and the 60" was around $6000. Just a thought. http://www.everride.com/html/home/index.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiebuck Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 I use a Hustler Super Z with a 60" deck. I know that is overkill for you, but the Hustlers have a lifetime warranty on the leading edge of the deck. It is stout, and the smaller mowers won't break the bank too bad. Definitely go commercial, it will pay off in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.