Best commercial zero turn?

[kthompson]

One complaint have heard on the front mount mower on the grasshopper is you get covered with the grass discharge. NOW I HAVE NEVER RUN ONE OR SEEN ONE BEING USED. With the deck out front could see that happening with a strong breeze from the right depending on the discharge. I have a mid mount Ferris and if I make a tight right turn can run into the grass discharge if breeze from the right also.

I do like the ability to mow under a bush or fence with the front deck, to tilt for changing blades and the option to use other implement if needed. Also like the idea of less weight running over the grass before being cut. No idea how long they are with the deck tilted for trailering or storage. Have a dealership just few miles from me and if they really stocked and displayed them no telling how many they would sell.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One complaint have heard on the front mount mower on the grasshopper is you get covered with the grass discharge.

This is no more of a problem that with any other zero turn, and with the power that the GH throws the grass out, you have to have a quite strong wind to bring it back to you. Also, you are moving ahead, away from the grass when the mower throws it out, too.

NOW, if you choose the rear discharge mower option, then all bets are off. Also, if you are in the dirt, you will get dust on you, but that's true of all mowers.

The tip up deck is fantastic!!

Also, the front deck goes on and off easily, so you can use the GH with other tools on the front too.

SR

 

[two_bit_score]

If you are mowing in the wind you will get grass and dust on you no matter what you are riding or pushing.

 

[JoelT]

With the deck weight further to the front on the grasshopper is it harder to straight-line on side slopes (that I know are supposed to be avoided)?

 

[stevem5215]

I have a Steiner 420 with optional front attachments and with the 48" deck on the front it will blow dust and grass clippings all over you. That front mower while nice to poke under things isn't what i wanted. I bought a Simplicity Citation XL 61" with full suspension. It rides like a Cadillac. The Steiner with the Balloon type of tires rode well too on the bumpy fields but Simplicity is better overall and less fuel used vs the Onan engine for sure.

Steve

 

[Creamer]

I think the front deck is better for side slopes. The deck is about the same distance from the drive wheels so there is about the same moment to turn downhill as the mid-mounts. The front deck mowers also have weight and wheels behind the drive wheels to offset the pull of the downhill. The best thing about them is the very low center of gravity since you are not sitting above the deck - they will not roll and will back up any hill with their weight balance if you ever get in a spot where you are going the wrong direction.

kthompson - I think because you sit lower you may get a little more grass in your face if you turn wrong while mowing in the wind. Sometimes you have to learn how to mow so that doesn't happen.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I was told by a salesman, if you are mowing anything sandy or dusty, to never buy a rear discharge front deck mower. Fills up the air cleaner/filter fast.

Has anyone got to try out or buy the Gravely with the new Yamaha EFI V twin engine yet?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I was told by a salesman, if you are mowing anything sandy or dusty, to never buy a rear discharge front deck mower. Fills up the air cleaner/filter fast.

Has anyone got to try out or buy the Gravely with the new Yamaha EFI V twin engine yet?

I was pretty excited about that Yamaha line of small engines, until I found out it's just a Subaru, well they bought the line from Subaru. (Robin)

BTW, I'm not saying it's a bad engine.

SR

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I was pretty excited about that Yamaha line of small engines, until I found out it's just a Subaru, well they bought the line from Subaru. (Robin)

BTW, I'm not saying it's a bad engine.

SR

Yep, I wonder if they kept the factories, or re-tooled? They get a premium for them over the Kawi.

https://www.equipmentworld.com/yamaha-outdoor-power-acquires-subaru-industrial-power-products/

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Last I heard, Yamaha bought a couple designs/tooling, Kubota bought a couple and all the rest was sold to china...

SR

 

[tradosaurus]

This is no more of a problem that with any other zero turn, and with the power that the GH throws the grass out, you have to have a quite strong wind to bring it back to you. Also, you are moving ahead, away from the grass when the mower throws it out, too.

NOW, if you choose the rear discharge mower option, then all bets are off. Also, if you are in the dirt, you will get dust on you, but that's true of all mowers.

The tip up deck is fantastic!!

Also, the front deck goes on and off easily, so you can use the GH with other tools on the front too.

SR

If I were to do it all over again I might go with a diesel motor and the tip up front deck for ease of cleaning and removing blades.

I do have the heavy duty lift from Harbor Freight that is easy to use.
75 lb. Heavy Duty ATV/Mower High Lift Jack

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If I were to do it all over again I might go with a diesel motor and the tip up front deck for ease of cleaning and removing blades.

I would absolutely HATE to have to go back to a gas motor!

I doubt I'll ever have to buy another mower in MY life time, so even though it was expensive, it will last enough years to be worth the extra I paid to get a really good mower...

SR

 

[tradosaurus]

I would absolutely HATE to have to go back to a gas motor!

I doubt I'll ever have to buy another mower in MY life time, so even though it was expensive, it will last enough years to be worth the extra I paid to get a really good mower...

SR

I think it would be easier too to have all diesel implements so I don't have to buy non-ethanol fuel. :laughing:

 

[normanb]

Depends on budget, but the diesel ones are the best, an example Diesel Lawn Mowers, Diesel Commercial Mowers - Bad Boy Mowers . Any mower in that class will be about the same, find the one with the best dealer support.

 

[two_bit_score]

I would absolutely HATE to have to go back to a gas motor!

I doubt I'll ever have to buy another mower in MY life time, so even though it was expensive, it will last enough years to be worth the extra I paid to get a really good mower...

SR

Remind me again how many acres do you mow with the Grasshopper? Don't you have two of them? Do you do mowing for customers or have multiple properties of your own that you mow?

.

 

[papa joe]

I bought a new Grasshopper 400D, 61" cut last Monday. It has the Kubota D1305 diesel engine. Air ride seat, hydraulic deck lift, led lights, and foldable roll-bar.
Traded in a 2006 model Grasshopper 322D that had nearly 1200 hours on it. Never any problems. Was given $3000 less than what I gave for it new. Not bad for
14 years use. My old mower was a beast, this new one is a monster. As fast as it will mow, (and mow well) the air ride seat is a must!

 

[NickTaylor]

A local lawn business has several Gravely 60" mowers with 32 hp Kawasaki engines w/about 3000 hours for sale at $4000 each. Anyone know if that's a fair price?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

To me, 3000 hours is a lot of hours. (read too many)

More than I would want if I was buying one!

SR

 

[4570Man]

3000 hours especially on a gas motor is a bunch. Even for a diesel mower the rest of the machine is getting pretty tired. I’ve seen machines like that for $1,000. $4,000 is way too much.

 

[NoTrespassing]

With the bazillion different manufacturers and models out there why aren't there others with the front deck like Grasshopper? Those Grasshoppers have my attention. Still looking....maybe a Grasshopper 526V 52' or Hustler Raptor SDX 54" or...? I'm liking the front deck design of the Grasshopper for claimed stability and being able to see better and poke the front deck into areas. I'm in the country...no golf course, but a few rough areas, grades and obstacles...trees and whatnot. What are the cons? All I can think of might be a wider swing at the rear because of extra length. That spooks me a little because of problems with mowing using a tractor trailing a brushhog.

My choice for front deck mower is Walker.

Walker Mowers