also posted in the bilge:


I have a small yard but like to keep the "plaid" look with cris-crossed lines from the mower. My Walmart special is about to go and would like a zero turn mower. My buddy has had several Dixie Choppers for part time commercial cutting but I don't need to sink that kinda money in one. Anyone used some of the cheaper models out there. Even Lowe's/Home Depot are selling these things now for just over $2K. What have you got and what would you/wouldn't you buy again?

Thanks,

We run a few grasshoppers at our apartments and they have outlasted any other equipment we have. They seem to go forever without need of maintenance. The ones at home depot are a lot chinsier construction, but for once a week mowing the lawn should be no problem. Just make sure you dont get one too wide a blade or youll spend more time trimming than what you saved from wider track. Around 2-3grand your pretty safe, but for much more id start looking at some commercial mowers. hope it helps...

I love my Cub cadet zero turn. I have 1.3 acres and 27 trees to go around. I get it all done in about 75 minutes.

My mower DOES NOT leave the plaid pattern that you spoke of. That effect is accomplished by either a roller or a shield that is dragged on the grass, causing it to lay down a certain way. My buddy bought a used Exmark and it has what he called a "striper" at the back lower edge of the deck.

My only advice is that a zero turn compared to a regular tractor will cut the mowing time by at least 50
%

Good luck !!!

Just bought a Toro 42" with the mulch kit delivered to the house for $2,800 To jump to the semi commercial was about 2,000 more could not see the benefit.
I cut about 5/8 of a acre so the stamped frame versus a tube was fine and will prob last forever 3 year warranty. Bought it from my local Toro guy and not a Big Box store.
If you look they still may have some of last years models around and you can save a couple hundred and get a few more standard features that are option now but it is less HP and only has 2 year warranty.

Man this thing rocks you will love it you will feel like Tom Sawyer as you sit on deck watching all your freinds fight over who will cut your lawn with it. You prob wont let them though its way to much fun.

Just came out of Lowe's, they had a Troy Built and John Deer, both were 2800.00.

I have a Ariens Mini-Zoom. It rocks! You'll actually like mowing your lawn with a zero-turn mower.

http://www.ariens.com/

The mini-zooms are better for your size lawn and they are build like brick houses. I'v always had Arien's snow blowers and you can't kill them. Their zooms are built the same way!

Take a close look at those two units. The Troy Bilt has a wider deck, more horsepower, and a heavier deck. All for the same $$$$

Do you buy a name just to have green mower or do you buy features?

Buck

I just went through this and three different machines in the last year.

I have a lot of grass about 3+ acres and I realize you are mowing a lot smaller area but a fabricated deck with rollers will give you the look you want. This means commercial mower that will give a high lift cut with no deck flex for an even cut.

There is one cheat that I have heard of guys doing, buy a long mud type flap to mount on the back of the mower to lift the grass in the direction of cut giving the professional striped look you want.

It's all about speed for me I refuse to cut grass when I could be on the lake That is one more reason I have a commercial machine. BTW no matter what you buy change over to Gator blades they will cut and re-cut the blade of grass giving the lawn a better finish without balled up clumps of grass that a mulcher kit will give not to mention a "Kit" will slow down the mow time.

Hope my last year of pain and research helps

One last thought if I had a smaller yard and could not justify the expense of a commercial mower I'd buy a 50" residential Cub from TSC and add gator blades with a rubber flap or all of the above with a bagger.
The Cub is not the Junk they used to be it's a well thought out machine for what it is.

Scott, are you talking about these blades? http://www.gatorblade.com/order.html how long do they last compared to stock blades?
Thanks

Yes and I don't know