yep i'll had JD's for years ,never had a major problem
Need Advice on 0-Turn Mowers
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yep i'll had JD's for years ,never had a major problem
Some guys say the "residential" J.D.'s are junk (probably), but the 535M is "supposed to be" the entry-level "rel J.D.
Hey, J.D. is like John Dee.
Bear
Spot on! Ferris full suspension hard to beat! Especially on rough ground, or a person with back issues, really makes a huge difference. My dealer very rarely brings one back after a demo run.
John, I don't know much about the Zero Turns but I would suggest a model with a roll bar. A guy I went to high school with had his tip over backwards on an incline and he did not survive.
funny you mention that, the roll bars were a result of an incident that happened here in racine county, guy was cutting along irrigation ditch, went over was pinned in 6 inches of water and died, initially you couldn't collapse them, now you can, but once you pull that pin and collapse them, you have become the manufacturer and assumed all liability. Roll over protection is generally found on commercial machines.
Carbide
Member
I've run the numbers. Not worth it for me. I could buy a brand new zero turn every 3 years for what it would cost to have mine mowed.Hire it out......booom.
I have a John Deere, 22 hp., 54" cut. We love it. No problems at all. It cuts nice. We can't drive it as fast as it will cut, our yard is too rough. There is no doubt the commercial mowers are higher quality, but I doubt it's worth the price difference. I can buy 3 of mine, compared to 1 commercial mower. My last JD mower I bought 17 years ago and it's still cutting the real rough areas. If this one last me 15 years or so, I can buy 1 more and still be money ahead. I would highly recommend a Deere. And I believe you have a dealer not far from home?
those are the same numbers I ran for snow removal. and that is not even factoring in when I am out of town enjoying the snow and I don't have to get a call from the war dept bitching about having to shovel
scottiking
Well-known member
I love my z930m JD
its heavy duty but spendy
i have 5 acres to cut and I went from a JD 54” X530 w power steering which was nice but it took 5 hours to cut my lawn and the new zero turn takes 2.5 hours! Cut the time in half!
they ride like crap tho but mine has the $500 air ride seat which is awesome!
no way would I cut my lawn with out that fancy seat on a zero!
fillings would fall out of my teeth!
i have used the cheaper box store”home owner zeros and ihey are not worth it! They would prob last two years before they fall apart!
just my 2 cents
Scottiking OUT
its heavy duty but spendy
i have 5 acres to cut and I went from a JD 54” X530 w power steering which was nice but it took 5 hours to cut my lawn and the new zero turn takes 2.5 hours! Cut the time in half!
they ride like crap tho but mine has the $500 air ride seat which is awesome!
no way would I cut my lawn with out that fancy seat on a zero!
fillings would fall out of my teeth!
i have used the cheaper box store”home owner zeros and ihey are not worth it! They would prob last two years before they fall apart!
just my 2 cents
Scottiking OUT
Eve4r ride a Ferris, or Toro with suspensions?
Roll bars can get you in trouble though, mowing around trees or other obstacles if you snag something by accident it can be a heck of a ride! That is one bad thing about the better zero turns, the speed that you can mow can get you in trouble
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Simplicity which I believe is the same as a Ferris has it too. My buddy says he sells tons of them after people demo one
Lots of mentioning about suspensions, suspension not only equates to comfort but also equals productivity. What some people don't realize until you mow with a zero turn is your lawn was always bumpy but with a mower that can now cut at 8 to 13 mph...that's when you find out just how bumpy your lawn really is, anyone who hasn't should try a My-Ride platform Toro, Suspension seats are really nice too but with My-Ride you are entirely isolated feet and all from the machine.
scoot
Member
We sell Exmark and Gravely mowers where I work. Great units built to last a long long time. And I can buy them at cost. Having said that, I buy a Cub Cadet (MTD made) from the local Cub dealer and trade them in every ten/twelve years and still come out ahead ca$h wise. I usually trade them when its time to change the second set of belts. I mow three acres, once a week with mulching blades during the mowing season to prevent clumping.
jime
Active member
love my Gravely zt for years and years, Ariens owned today. go welded deck not stamped and you will hurt yourself before ever damage mower. maybe i should have looked into a front deck instead of a center deck, as people have told me less branches in the face while cutting around bushes/trees. plenty of pros and cons either way. the flip-over thing does concern me some days! and there is a learning curve but you'll be driving one handed in no time, i still will tire scuff the grass all the time. funny thing, lent it to the neighbor who proceeded to drive straight into a spruce tree. he owns a zt now.
You're going to find out that there are enough good choices out there that you will probably get a head ache doing research and trying to decide brand and level of machine you want to buy. At the end of the day you are going to want to choose a brand sold within reasonable driving distance from you that stocks some parts. Some of the new warranties are better than the others too. Some of these brands will not take a penny less then their sometimes low or zero percent financing when buying outright either.