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I'm in a spot where I need to consider a new riding mower- but I need something that will cut some pasture weeds left over from last year. I have a small orchard, and some other areas too, so the mower will be used for general acreage clean up duty and mowing as well as keeping the lawn in shape. Needs to be reasonably durable. Anyone got a favorite mower recommendation? Trying to avoid shelling out the cash for a small tractor and brush hog.
I looked at zero turn mowers before opting for a more waistline friendly self propelled Toro walk behind. If I ever go that route it will be a Hustler with the fabricated deck. I believe it has a 21hp Kawasaki engine on the 54" version.
Not that my waistline couldn't stand the work, but my push mower is barely able to make it through the pasture weeds. A lot of bull thistle and other heavy stuff- the walk behind mower has been blowing smoke the last several times I've gone through the thick stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by chillinfish
Kubota is a very good option
would never get a cub cadet (multipl problems)
Husqavarn hydra static transmision issues??
John deere ??, the new model on commercials looks interesting with multiple options for attachments
I have one of those Dr Mower walk-behinds and it does everything they say it will and more. It will pretty much chew up anything you can get it over---has several forward speeds so you can match it to your ability. It mows about a three food swath. I highly recommend it for tough cutting.
However, it won't cut any shorter than about four inches, so it isn't real good for an actual lawn.
+1 on the cub cadet, the axels break too easy, plus other issues. That Deere commercial does look good, plus they are reliable, if you get them through the John Deere dealership. Not to say the Deere products are bad from Lowe’s or Home Depot, just not as reliable. But they are expensive.
My daughter has 11 acres - lots of pine plantation with privet and about 3 acres of lawn. She just got a 54" Husquevarna zero-radius mower, which I have used for about 6 hours. It does a great job on the lawn, and has enough HP to handle the weeds, light brush, limbs, and ground litter in the woods. I've also used her Husquevarna 25 HP lawn tractor with a 54" mowing deck for roughly 40 hours over the past 9 months. The zero-turn is hands-down better riding, more maneuverable, and gives a smoother cut. The zero-turn mower takes some getting used-to, as I tend to overthink the steering, but it is much more comfortable riding, and maneuverable. It is great cutting privet around tree trunks, mowing around the fruit trees & shrubs, and mulching the pine litter . It is very heavy (800# +/-), so it will bog down in mud very quickly (tread gets filled with mud & tires spin). You can't push it out - needs a tow when bogged down.
For a conventional style riding mower go with the John Deere 300 series from a dealer only. The smaller models sold by places like Lowe,s are cheaply made imports. My wife keeps 2 1/2 acres cut and slows down for nothing. The bigger series is holding up well so far.
Mahindra has some nice products too, in mowers
Kubota zero turn is what I have. Kubota has a standard all wheel drive mower also if you prefer that route for steeper inclines. Mine runsthe Kawasaki motor also and I have had no problems with it.
Have a Ex Mark zero turn going on 5 yrs. No problems, love it, has 13 up engine with 52 in. cut. Has a built-in cup/brew holder, great option.
I don't see John Deere allowing their name on a cheap import. The same has been claimed that Walmart guns are cheaply made. That is simply not true.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldfisherman
I've been looking at a lot of mowers, not much closer to a definite pick. Wish there was a test drive option... lol. What ever riding mower i choose I think I'm going to need one of those DR walk behind trail/brush mowers that Haywire suggested to go along with it. For some reason the videos of those things chewing their way through brush makes me smile.
Fordguy, for once the advertising is true. I've been amazed at what mine will do. I would advise that if your new one does not come with the heavy duty blade, to go ahead and get one. Best of luck.
As far as brand of zero turn mowers, I have had very good luck with Gravely. Just bought a new one last year. My son is still using my old one which is about 15 years old and still going. Whatever you get, make sure it has a fabricated deck! Most manufacturers offer several grades of mowers, from no frills consumer grade to heavy duty commercial. I cut 3 acres and normally go with a light commercial.
Gravely walk behind with the later Kohler (12 HP) engine.
Beast doesn’t begin to describe this cast iron monster. Check out the videos on YouTube. They can be had for three or four hundred dollars, with the “mower deck” which is more like a bush hog deck. (The bush hog mower deck is round,...there is a finish mower deck also. It is kidney shaped. There are dozens of attachments the machine can power also.
You can get dual wheels with available adaptors. You can also get a “sulky” also which allows you to sit down and basicaly run it like a normal four wheeled tractor.
There are a few sayings:,...
1) If a gravely can run over it,...it will cut it. (I’ve cut three inch trees down with mine)
2) With the dual wheel adaptors for hill cutting “If a man can walk the hill, a gravely will cut it”.
3) If you lose control of your Gravely in a brush patch. Just wait,...a gravely will come out the other side soon enough.
They’re not the safest machines, with their locked in forward speed controls, and no dead man kill mechanism.
It’s the kind of machine Earnest Hemingway would have owned.....