Have you actually tried a zero-turn?[/QUOTE]
prosperity,
thank you. I understand your question but I guess my body is just different. Operations on my hand and elbow in the last year have made this a
real buying factor since it has to be a low control effort system, which many z turns are not, and I've driven Exmarks and Gravelys, and have owned a large Ferris with full suspension. The tops of my arms ached for days afterwards. Arthritis sucks. I was told ten years ago I'd be in a wheelchair by now. Nope. Medicine has improved thankfully. And I just find a workaround, if I can. Or mow half at a time, whatever works.
On point, I spent a hour with the folks at Mitchell Kubota in Washington NC, and they had the F series Kubota, but not with a 72 deck. They also had a very interesting unit made by Cub Cadet that is basically a zero turn with the levers reverse engineered into a steering wheel configuration. four wheel steering. Three models, light medium and heavy. The medium was approx 750 pounds and cost 8 grand(these are off a little) and the heavy one was 1300 pounds and about 11 grand.
So the "tank" model is a competitive commercial grade zero turn with a steering wheel. That model was not in stock. I have to drive it first.
frankly of more interest to me, though it almost doubles the cost is the F series. For five reasons. Kubota diesel, I have two diesel tractors also. Steering wheel. 72 inch mower. 1700 pounds. Entire mower deck flips up to full vertical for super easy blade sharpening or changing. The front mower will reach under fruit tree branches. (and so would gang mowers swept under there but that would require me to be constantly turning my head and looking, which I can't do easily with 3 inches of titanium in my neck)
The Cub Cadet steering wheel zero turns are very interesting to me. It all boils down to the lawn and how much of it. And guys, I walked that whole thing again, and when I was done, I just knew that five feet was not going to cut it, literally and figuratively. So the search is now narrowed to anything that has a six foot mower.
And yeah, the Kubota F series with the outfront 100 inch mower is just amazing. I really wanted a ten grand solution. Looks like twenty to me at this point.
Time to look for used just to educate myself.
this wiry grass looks pretty tough and it's pretty sandy soil so I don't think a heavy mower is an issue.
I have a master bathroom to gut and a kitchen to modernize in my new home in NC so like everyone would I'm trying to prioritize and be smart.
I also know with my health I'm not going to be able to do this for twenty years so I'm also thinking maybe i should get my dream mower while I can still use it.
I don't need a fancy bathroom, but I know I have to remodel with the next purchaser in mind. Which the folks that own the house now did not. And which is why I got a good deal. And a good enough deal that I might, sorta, could justify spending all that money on a mower. Well, I have five weeks before settlement, lots of time to ponder and peruse the used stuff. I'm picky so buying used is challenging for me and I have had mixed results. And new comes with a dealer who will be obligated to fix the thing.
Ten years ago I would have happily cut this new lawn with a 60 inch mower and spent a good part of the day doing it. I'm looking to get it down in three hours or less. And at relatively slow travel speed. About five acres of grass, maybe a little more. Then two or three of border grass that gets bushhogged.
Cub Cadet is MTD's high line product. they still make a 5K garden tractor with shaft drive, and a heavy frame. There was one in the showroom.
They also make inexpensive everything else and they and American Yard Products have flooded the consumer market with inexpensive power equipment.
but not heavy duty stuff. So now CC wants to play in the big leagues with an $11K specialty zero turn.
I admit to a certain bias since I grew up using at least one CC garden tractor on the farm, we wore out a bunch..., and am currently restoring a 1968
Cub Cadet 125. One of the earliest hydro units, will pull a cart or something.
So CC will get a few style points for color match, but my brain tells me to get something bigger.
and that is quite enough for now.