Gravely!

My advice...check out what the pros in your area are using. Around here, Walker and Skag dominate whereas the JD dealer is 45 min away though I checked 'em out, and I don't see many Exmarks in use anymore (local dealer carries both). Gravely is non-existant in this area but can't go wrong there for sure. I've got a homeowner's "entry level" Skag ($5K) that is overkill for my current needs, and for me a front deck would be a better choice than my mid-deck...live and learn. I've been mowing for decades on old school equipment that's still going strong after 40-50 years... but NUTHIN' beats a go-kart with blades imo :D

I have this. Bunton Twister. Have been using it for 15 years and not a single problem. About $8K when new 15 years ago. Probably still worth $4K now.

As StomachMonkey and others have said, ZTR mowers can tear up your lawn if you are careless with your pivots or if you start/stop abruptly on wet terrain. But after awhile, you learn the dynamics of the machine and you can maneuver them very carefully if you know how. Triple blade, 52" cut. Mowing is downright fun.

JA

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432951786.jpg

First off your dealer support makes a big difference! Some brands are better than others! 1.5 acres is not too big of a yard for the Raptor.

We started out to get a lawn tractor to replace the Snapper as my Wife did not like it. She drove some. We were about to pull the trigger on a really nice used tractor when the guy asked if we had ever tried zero turns. He knew we had some inclines to mow and he was worried about the lawn tractor.

We tried a couple of units on his lot and Wife REALLY liked the Hustler Raptor the best! Much more so than the Husquevarna. It just felt better to her, oh, she is the one who mows by the way. So we bought this Raptor when they first came out. Dealer tried to talk us into going with something other than the turf tires, we stayed with the basic tires it came with.

On flat level ground it is hard to beat! She cuts better than one acre with this machine in very little time. I think she spends about 35 minutes zipping around. It provides an even cut and performs well. The deck is VERY heavy duty. It has been run into things several times and is still in its original shape (minus a little bit of paint).

On our couple of hills is where it would be nice to have a little different tire. If the ground is wet it will also tend to tear up a bit of the ground but that is only on the hills. You have flat ground so I would not tend to worry.

There is a tow point on the back of the unit and it is able to do some additional chores. But keep in mind we have a full size tractor as well for doing the big stuff.

We love this machine (nothing but oil, filters, fuel, and blade sharpening) to the point we went back to the dealer in search of a solution for our horse pasture. There are some VERY steep inclines that are just very dangerous to mow and work with the tractor, think tipping. He showed us a Hustler zero-turn that is a rear discharge! This beast is WONDERFUL and I have used it many a time on our hills. It is actually faster to use mowing 14 acres of horse pasture than my full size tractor is. Oh, and less fuel!

We have been very happy with the Hustlers. As far as equipment name brands I an not too loyal to any other brand.

All that stated, what other chores do you plan to undertake? A zero turn does take up alot of floor space. What used 20HP International or Kubota small farm/lawn tractors might be available nearby with a small 3pt rear end? I am not talking about the ones at the big box shops I am talking about real equipment. Some of these units will have a belly mower some can take a 4' blade on back. But be careful of some of these units as they are rough cut only!

Awesome insight:cool:

My dad has a 4x4 Kubuta if I need to get serious about a project, he'll just drop it off.

Yes, as pictured, I used to cut the fields for my uncle and his kubota had a 60" 4-blade rear discharge deck and id tow behind the 4' singleblade brush hog, really just to clean up. Thing sounded like ur being followed by a helicopter