Need a new riding lawn mower

Rot 911 · 04-29-2008, 06:31 PM

I come once again to the brain trust. I have two questions:

1. I have been told that you can't use a zero turn lawnmower on hills steeper than 5 degrees as it is very light in the front and can possibly flip over backwards. True?

2. I presently bag my clippings and it leaves a very nice looking yard. If I get a mulching deck will it leave as nice a looking yard or will I see the clippings?

gprsh924 · 04-29-2008, 06:36 PM

I don't know if it necessarily makes a difference between a rider and a walk behind, but our mulching mower doesn't leave noticeable clippings or clumps unless the grass gets extremely long. If it is, I usually raise the blade and cut it twice, once at a high blade setting and then again at a lower blade setting.

M.D. Holloway · 04-29-2008, 06:55 PM

My inlaws have a John Deere 0 turn - Our Son (who is 9) drives it on hills. I tested its ablity to loose it and I couldn't get it to tumble.

rouxroux · 08:27 PM

I bought an Exmark last summer. Best machine I've ever mowed with. I can take a 15 degree hill w/ no problem (although I do add quite a bit of ballast to it

)...You won't need to bag. The suction of the deck and the fine/even clippings (even WITHOUT the mulching kit) is wonderful. I tried many of the ZTRs before I bought the Exmark. Very pleased with my purchase.

EDIT: as you check out the various units, be sure to check the quality and assembly of the frame & deck. Many are cheap stamped steel. I prefer a heavy duty welded deck. Ask commercial mowers and municipal systems what THEY use. The magic is in the high vaccum of the deck. You'll want a foot-operated deck raise system and be sure to get one that you can service the hydraulics on. Many of the cheaper ones can not be worked on, but replaced in huge assemblies.

VincentVega · 04-29-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Exmark

When I worked for a landscaping co. in college I ran these on a regular basis. If you dont need a plow or other attachments, a walk behind is a great choice. If you dont want to walk get a sulky.

kstar · 04-29-2008, 09:20 PM

How about a Dixie Chopper?

The "Xcaliber 3374" has 33hp, can go 15mph and will cut 9.2 acres/hour!

http://www.dixiechopper.com

rouxroux · 04-30-2008, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstarnes

How about a Dixie Chopper?

The "Xcaliber 3374" has 33hp, can go 15mph and will cut 9.2 acres/hour!

I actually looked at the DC's (that one costs about 12,000). The small one I drove did not "feel" as good as the Exmark and the controls were awkwardly placed IMHO. The one I looked at that was in the same price range of my Exmark was much slower but it did have a "mulching" attachment. While the mulch kit is available for the Exmark, after mowing the way way they suggested, I'll never need to add it. Be sure to test drive each unit. I tried over a half dozen before choosing.

Rot 911 · 04-30-2008, 06:36 AM

Thanks guys, but I only have 2 acres to mow and really want to keep the price under $3K. Those mowers are expensive!

KFC911 · 04-30-2008, 07:04 AM

Subscribed...I'm interested too. What size of deck are you looking for Kurt? I want a "small one" say 42" (maybe a bit larger), but don't necessarily "need" the quality of a commercial grade like Exmark, etc. but desire something a bit "better" than you typically find at Home Depot/Lowes. My dad just purchased a Cub Cadet lawn tractor (commercial grade) that is much better than what the big boxes have, so I'm thinking that a commercial grade JD, CC, etc. might be a good compromise.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Snapper. I've had mine over 10 years and it works very well. If you've got a lot of trees around, the snapper works great for sucking up leaves. Easy to get one for under $3k.

I would continue to bag the clippings instead of mulching. Why mess with what you already have setup?

-Z

KFC911 · 04-30-2008, 07:13 AM

Z, how does it do without bagging (something I gave up several years ago)? I'd prefer one that works well without having to bag or mulch (my grass is typically thick enough that both are a PITA) if possible.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Z, how does it do without bagging (something I gave up several years ago)? I'd prefer one that works well without having to bag or mulch (my grass is typically thick enough that both are a PITA) if possible.

I've always bagged my grass clippings, so I can't really comment. Sorry.

-Z

Moses · 04-30-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I Need a new riding lawn mower.

Easy.

KFC911 · 04-30-2008, 07:24 AM

I think I'll take up "bagging" once again

ps: I don't think $3K will even start for that one either...

targa911S · 08:39 AM

Kurt, I have a 1.5 year old John Deere L115 hydrostatic drive, lawn tractor for sale with a snow blade. This is a VERY nice machine and has has over kill care. I bought a bigger older Deere cuz I need something to play with that has hydraulics. PM me if you are interested. I'll post pics later today. $1,200.00 for everything. The machine sold for $1,600.00 new and the blade was $250.00 new. It all looks like new.

Here is a link to Deere for the specs.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets. ProdCatProduct?pNbr=SKU20310&tM=HO

5axis · 04-30-2008, 08:37 AM

Looked at Cub and JD but their consumer stuff is getting pretty crappy these days. This was a few more $ but a much better built machine.
A easy to see difference is the cast steel front axle VS the stampings on the CUB and JD versions.

It is also a hoot to ride and does save me time too.

KFC911 · 04-30-2008, 08:57 AM

What's the deck size and price range on that Simplicity? I do like the looks of Moses' "walk behind", but can't afford the maintenance

FastCarFan · FastCarFan's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

1. I have been told that you can't use a zero turn lawnmower on hills steeper than 5 degrees as it is very light in the front and can possibly flip over backwards. True?

Actually, the danger with zero-turns on hills is not flipping over backward. It is the danger of the front-end "washing out" when driving sideways on a hill. Because they have caster-wheels in the front, there is nothing to "hold" the front-end of the mower from sliding down the hill.

As a result, to drive one sideways on a hill you must use the lap-bars (which control the rear wheels) to prevent the front-end from washing out. It takes some skill. I know if at least 2 instances when people were driving zero-turns on hills when the front-end suddenly washed out, causing the mowers to drive rapidly downhill into a lake!

Typical zero-turns are fantastic for flat lawns & when you don't need to use attachments. There is nothing better for just cutting grass, but they are not recommended for hilly lawns.

The Cub Cadet i1000 Series tractor is the only zero-turn lawn tractor on the market. It combines zero-turn maneuverability with a steering wheel (instead of lap-bars), non-caster front wheels, attachment capability, etc. The i1000 Series is the only true-zero turn that has the same capability on hills as typical lawn tractors. (Disclaimer: I work for the company that makes Cub Cadets.)

For steep hills, neither zero-turns nor lawn tractors are recommended -- lawn tractors can tip over if the angle is too great.

kstar · 04-30-2008, 10:40 AM

KFC911 · 04-30-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5axis

Looked at Cub and JD but their consumer stuff is getting pretty crappy these days. This was a few more $ but a much better built machine.
A easy to see difference is the cast steel front axle VS the stampings on the CUB and JD versions.

It is also a hoot to ride and does save me time too.

I've done some reading online, and like what I see thus far. My dad recently gave me his Simplicity lawn tractor that I mowed with as a kid, and it's still going strong, so I'm familiar with their quality (assuming they are still "good"). Thanks for the suggestion!