Get out yer checkbook ;)....

I see all the commercial guys using Walker mowers out here.

Biggest bang for the buck = used subcompact tractor.

They really do dominate the residential market here too...but smaller, < 1acre lawns. I don't even wanna know what they cost...outta my range, and I only see the smaller ones too...

I've never had a mower on the Kubota. Now that I have a couple of acres to mow (at least until the orchard gets going) I'm going to get a 3-point finish mower to go with my 48" ZTM. The manufacturers don't recommend more that 5 footer for my 18hp tractor. Prices vary by 50% among brands, so I'm a similar quandary as the OP. Are the $2700 ones that much better than the $1600 ones?
I see mowed grass as a huge waste of time and land as well as providing a breeding ground for Japanese beetles. I intend to minimize the amount of land I mow over the next few years.

I have a Kubota Z725KH-60 zero turn... 4 hilly acres with trees and bushes, great mower. Can knock it out in just under 2 hours

It depends on how much you intend to mow, how often.

As you know, the gauge and quality of the metal used on the deck, gears, driveshaft, etc. should be of higher quality on the more expensive PTO mower.

I have an old, large MF 235 tractor I bush hog with. I bought a cheaper grade of bush hog after the unit that came with the farm wore out. The heavy duty work had been done and I really didn't see the point in spent another $1000 for the beefed up version.

That was 20 years ago and it hogs like new. I do store all my implements inside which makes a huge difference.

I am going with the big diesel Kubota rear discharge ZTM next year.

why not rebuild or replace the motor

china honda clones motors are cheap
or spend more for a real honda or B&S

I mow 5 ac. with a Kubota with 6' mid. deck. Takes about 2 1/4 hours. Best thing is this tractor can be used for so many other choirs with a FEL, snow blower and 3pt. hitch that a zero turn can never do.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519308475.jpg

Oh man..I looked....8.5K....sold ;)!

Paul...which one, how big, and how much :)?....ballbark, if ya know...

I see a Kubota occasionally that intrigues me from a distance....I'm gonna pull over and ask about it when I get serious...but I'm $keered to!

Hard to beat a dedicated mowing platform is you have turf. Too rough/rocky/rutted and you need a tractor. I have a lot of time behind an exmark walk behind when I worked landscaping our 'big' mowers were kubota diesels. They ran 8-10hrs a day and worked for 2-4 yrs IIRC.

I'm a bit out of the loop but I still think the commercial machines even mid range stuff is a huge step up from even the higher end home owner stuff. Seating is more comfortable, suspension holds up and they are ok to service. I've been pretty happy with Kawasaki engines but havent dealt with the newer efi models, seems pretty standard now.

Just like there is no perfect one size fits all car the same is true for outdoor power equipment . In my opinion a piece of outdoor power equipment should be as versatile as possible........ IF you need it to do something other than mow the grass . I believe the CUT or SCUT tractors offer the most bang for the buck because they can do many things . Mid mount mower or 3 point finish/bush hog mower . Front end loader and lots of 3 point attachments like box blade/rototiller/receiver hitches etc. but like anything else all these accessories come at a cost . If buying used try to get as many accessories as possible with the initial purchase it's usually cheaper buying as a group/package then piece mealing one by one .

It depends on the size of the deck. I am looking at a side or read discharge ZD1500 with a 72" deck. I have used a friend of mines.

https://nevadapowerproducts.com/Lawn-Mowers-Kubota-Zero-Turn-Mower-ZD1511RLF-72R-2017-Sparks-NV-638e43ea-115f-43d6-b71d-a77100f2d595

15K to 19K. They have zero interest for 48 months but I may just pay cash It depends.

That is a lot of money but I can tell you that comfort and speed matter to me. I figure the ZTM with the diesel 1500 specs will save me a 1/2 hour every weekend and I'll be more comfortable. We'll be here 10 more years with me on the pointy end of the mowing spear so it matters.

I plan on keeping both my MF 2300C's. They are 14 years old but run great and I have a bunch of implements for each. I plan on taking the mower deck off the front end loader 2300 and using it as the implement mule.

In looking for a finish mower I've been wary of the $1600 King Cutter and really reluctant to lay out $2900 for a Woods. Well, Saturday a used Woods rear discharge with the optional chain outlet guard and long PTO shaft popped op on Craigs List for $1100. Ii's in great shape, and got it for $950. Score!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519720944.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519720944.jpg

Obvious advantages of the Woods is heavier steel in the hitch and half inch rod welded all around the lower edge of the deck. The King Cutter deck is just folded under.

Score! My uncle has a 6' Woods finish mower, and I purchased a smaller King Cutter rotary cutter (bush hog) to complement it a couple of years ago...both are great, but the Woods is the best of the best. Awesome deal you got!

Hustler Super Z. They'll mow at 15 mph. Get the "springer" front forks for it. I own one to mow 2 acres. My dad owns one to mow more than 5 acres. If mowing in a straight line it'll do 2 acres in around 20 minutes. I have several trees on my lot, a pool and a few other obstacles so it takes me about 35-40 minutes to mow. The things are built like a tank!
Next suggestion would be Dixie Chopper or Exmark. Also, I have a good friend in Mt Pleasant PA that sells mowers. He carries Hustler and Ferris. He might have a good used one that he took on trade. I could give him a call if you'd like. He also might have a 1 year old floor model he'd cut loose for a decent price.

https://frederick.craigslist.org/grd/d/hustler-super-zero-turn-mower/6491224760.html

Since we are on the subject of small tractors here as well as mowers I'd like to run one by y'all .

We got an Exmark for mowing the new place in fl. Now need a small tractor to help with some building projects, moving and spreading dirt and gravel, and a little ground prep for gravel etc.

Looking to get an older tractor. Have zeroed in on mid 80s ford diesel rigs with front end loader for most of what we need to do. They fall into the budget range that will only get a smaller kubota or other newer rigs.

I've zeroed in on two tractors in the area. One is a fresh restoration gone thru mechanically and really nice paint, everything there works and it has turf tires. But no FEL or other implements. For $5k


The other is in very used condition running ok with FELoader and box blade. But it needs some hydronic work. And possibly other maintaince caught up on. Also

$5khttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519729657.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519729902.jpg


The one with the FEL is four wheel drive but has Ag tires, which we don't want
It's down to $4,5k now. But looks more like a maintainance / repair project in the making

I've been able to find an old bush hog FEL that's been sitting out for a couple of years for $750. That will fit the restored tractor.


That is the way I'm leaning, to go with the refreshed tractor and fix up the FEL to put on it. Bush hog no longer supplies adapters for the old FEL so it may require an adapter to be made for it.

Either way will end up near the same price, probably a little more for the restored one, which way would you go?

Thanks Richardhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1519730718.jpg

I occasionally see a Hustler and Dixie Chopper around here...I'll keep them in mind when I get serious...

15 mph is hauling azz...those "springer" forks must be a requirement for that ;). My baby Scag will haul butt....but it's quite a bumpy ride and I don't mow that fast....oh yeah....Scag over Exmark...easy :).

Oh man..that is tempting ;). If I were in the market right now....I'd be all over that!

I bought my Super Z from a guy that did commercial mowing. It didn't have a lot of hours on it at the time I bought it but I paid $3500 for it.
Believe it or not, the faster I mow the smoother it gets ride wise. The cut gets a little off but my mower is older with a less efficient deck than the new ones have.If you really want to see a beast look up the Hustler Bat Wing mower, those things are incredible and incredibly expensive.