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ZeroTurn's

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I've rode quite a few, I think JD has the best cut and value for money.. Currently have a Toro Titan, but I will likely replace it with a 7 series Deere next. (Both 60" ). We use Grasshoppers commercially, they are good for long all day mowing but are spendy. IMHO, mid grade (Non MMD) machines are plenty for around the house on several acres.
 
you really can't tow or push anything with a zero turn mowers.

I've towed an aerator and a small yard trailer with ours. You just have to realize you can't make a "zero turn" while towing. It's kind of like steering a boat at slow speed, the back end will kick to the outside.
 
yeah we pull areators and seeders all the time...just takes practice. One trick I've found is get to the speed you want and hold one lever "fixed" and then modulate direction with the other. Depending on slope (side slope) or traction you always have to adjust and if you use both levers you start wagging the dog.
 
This pic is not the one I owned, but I had one just like it. 1972 Ford LGT-100 made by Jacobsen. It had a cast iron Kohler 10hp, probably the same one on your Cub Cadet, Gary. I had a good friend rebuild it for me when it started using oil and smoking bad. That was in the early '90's. It was a beast that took everything handed to it. The deck finally rotted out, so I put some ATV tires on the rear and used it for a little yard tractor.

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Another thing to consider, I know Deere does 0% for 36 or 48 mo on Z turns ( I think the 7 series is around ~6-7k)... I bought my 2032 Tractor / Loader / B-hoe that way several years ago,... be paid off soon but didn't have to pony up the cash out of savings or pay interest:cool::cool:... I didnt want to pay "almost new" prices for something Id have to fix and had an unknown use life. Seems like bikes, ATVs, tractors, mowers.... etc. are all way overvalued these days and folks are trying to use them almost to end of life and get their money back! Many other brands do similar promotions EOY pricing to clear inventory and then again in SPring.
 
Most of the zero turns, even the commercial units, utilize many of the same major components. Hydros and engines are largely shared across the board. It comes down to operator station (comfort) and personal preference IMO. Probably most important is good dealer support within a reasonable distance. When I bought my Scag I had a dealer within 10 minutes of where I work. They have since closed so now any parts I need have to be ordered online and are several days out. At 2k hrs on the clock its not bit me....yet. But I'm sure the day will come. So far its been a great machine. I mow 7 acres including a small orchard with 30 fruit trees to mow around and can do it all in 2 to 2.5 hrs without pushing hard. I just finished rebuilding the gear box that drives the mower deck for the 2nd time. Aside from that its been nothing but routine maintenance.

If looking for a long term unit I'd echo Mikes sentiments on buying a fabricated deck. They take a lot of abuse and will last many many years with a little care. Also air cooled engines have come a long ways but liquid cooled is the way to go hands down. Solid front tires will last nearly forever. I've seen guys with pneumatic fronts with lots of problems if run in rough terrain.


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What a great selection of feedback, Thanks.

Will check out some options, luckily I have 4 good dealers close by, I've used 3 of the 4, and the 4th my FIL knows really well so would not be reserved working with them at all, some have no stock others have stock, so probably not really a buyers market right now for selection but I think the overall answer is yes it will save time.

Service wise the JD dealer is the closest only 5 min, they are the larger of the 4, the other 3 are mom and pop good folks. 2 of which carry Ferris, Toro, and some others.

The one ferris dealer is really close to work only 5 min and they really bailed me out during this winter, snapped a belt on this little Toro single stage snow thrower I just got from them same season, had +30" and together we dug out a path to their storage container and he found a box of belts and sold one to me. They were actually closed at the time but I talked my way into there. So might try them if they have stock.





I have an old what I think is a Case garden tractor, it's pretty complete and I had it running a bunch of years ago, has no deck, and lost the plow frame long ago, it's probably still in the fence row if I really had to go look for it at my buddies place. It has been indoors for about +20 years, but was outside for a long time, seat is shot paint is patina. No real rust. It's a big single cylinder Briggs.
 
I used to mow 6 acers with a 60 commercial toro zero turn.. loved it
if I was in the market for another one I would look at Dixie Chopper. They have the slope warning indicators built into them.
 
Went the Ferris route due to inventory availability.

Supposed to be delivered Mon and then dealer prep and maybe next week have it.

Amazing how destroyed the inventory levels are.

But I had a good choice of 600, 700, 800, 2200 so not sure if I just hit a good date or what.

Also a really good family owned local dealer that my inlaws have used for 40+ years, so that's a plus. I rather go to this local shop and pay a little more for the local support.
 
Was ready for pick up on Sat, but was working so stopped in today to grab it.

Ready for work. Even though I have yet to drive it, I had them load it up just to save time, had to go to real work. I will figure out the controls and the sort at home, I read thru the book which is more then most folks probably would do.

Seat is pretty impressive has quite the suspension to it. I did get up on it and sit on it and make mower noises when I got back to work to show it to folks.

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Congrats! I'm sure it'll treat you well.
Is that the gas tank way up high on the left?
Yep that's the gas tank. Has a small mechanical gauge in front of the cap.

What kind of noises? Like hitting a rock noise?

:D:D
Pretty much, I do some volunteer work for Habitat and I took out one of those little Bambi Fawns and a bunch of reflectors from one home we were doing cleanup. It was a bad day, I was able to replace the reflectors but Bambi did not make it.

Overall I got it out of the trailer (would love to say it came right out.) Reverse is a little squirmy, and drove it around a bit, had to run somewhere so have not dropped the deck yet.

It's pretty quick for sure easier to take out gnomes.

Dealer said he had someone turn into their parked car trying to do some turns by the edge of the driveway. Messed it up pretty good.

It should outlast my mowing career for sure and I'm only 44 which is the hope.
 
I forget that is a common spot for fuel tanks on some of these units. Probably has a lot to do with why some feel they aren't stable on hill sides....other than the rider that is the highest point on the machine and a fair amount of liquid ballast sloshing around.
 
Yours has just the one tank on the left? Ours has one on both sides.
It's listed at 6 Gallons looks like just the left, with all the controls on the right side I don't see where an extra tank would fit on this exact set up they have going on. Looked at the parts book did not see an optional tank.

I forget that is a common spot for fuel tanks on some of these units. Probably has a lot to do with why some feel they aren't stable on hill sides....other than the rider that is the highest point on the machine and a fair amount of liquid ballast sloshing around.
Had to Google the weight. 6.3lb per gallon, so an extra 37.8lb on that left side.

Funny part is the shocks are adjustable coil overs could borrow some race car scales and tune this up for some pretty good left turns.

We would have loved an extra 40lb hanging off the left side when we were racing.
 
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