Advice 3 acres with slight hill

[jswanson]

I'm totally new to mowers required for 3 acres with a slight hill. Previously had about 0.75 acres and had a JD D120. It worked very well for that type of yard.

With close to 3 acres, I've been told I really need a zero-turn mower.

I can spend $4000, but would prefer to keep it in the $3000-$3500 range. My lawn is mostly grass with scattered weeds (crabgrass, etc.).

I've searched this forum, but haven't really found the answer I'm looking for.

I've also looked online at the following, but have no idea about quality versus price versus features:

John Deere EZtrak Z245 (48") $3600
John Deere EZtrak Z425 (54") $4000
Husqvarna RZ5424 (54") $3200
Husqvarna Z4824F (48") $3500
Toro TimeCutter SS5060 (50") $3300

Again, I'm completely new to this and have only gathered that I should look at engine brand, horse power, reliability, deck size and construction, and a few other things.

So, any advice in this price range for 3 acres with a slight hill would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dodge man]

There are a lot of people on this forum that own CUTS or SCUTS, which is a compact utility tractor or a sub-compact utility tractor. Do you have other needs, such as snow removal, moving dirt, landscaping, a long driveway to maintain? If you do, you might want to look at a small tractor, which often make good mowers. Do you have a lot of stuff to mow around? If not, you might not need a zero turn.

I can't help you on zero turn, but I'd say the prices you are looking at might be on the light side for a long lasting one. Its possible to spend over $10,000 on a zero turn if you go all out. I bought a cheaper riding mower when I first moved to the country, and they just don't last. Of what you listed, I would go with the Deere, but I don't have any personal experience.

 

[Perplexed]

Welcome to the forum! I too have 3 acres of turf grass, mostly open in the front yard with a number of large trees in the back yard, and it's fairly flat. I was mowing the tract with a 20-hp Land Pride ZTR with 52" deck, but it was taking me the better part of 3 hours each time. Not only that, but the ZTR would struggle in the thicker patches of grass even though I was only cutting perhaps an inch off the top, so I'd have to mow with half the deck, and that took even longer. So I bit the bullet and bought a Cub Cadet Yanmar SX3100 30-hp tractor with a 72" finish mower. I have to say, I wish I'd done that when I first bought the property! Mowing now takes me about 2/3 of the time it did before even with all the trees out back, and the thicker patches of grass don't even faze the tractor. Not only that, but I have a workhorse that can haul dirt and gravel, move large and heavy objects, and when the snow flies, plow snow off my 150-yard driveway.

I realize your budget is limited, but I'd suggest you give some thought to a used tractor before taking the plunge with a ZTR. I'm really glad I did

 

[richamor]

Welcome!!

I'm a firm believer in the right tools for the job. A ZTR is for cutting grass. Nothing else will do as good a job as fast. The Toro ZTR has a good reputation. BiL has been using a Husqvarna to cut 3 yards for about 9 years.

Two thing I would look for are fabricated deck and twin heavy duty pumps. In your price range I would look around for a lightly used commercial mower.

FWIW-I use a Hustler FasTrack with a 54" deck. I cut ~2 acres. From start of mower to the cold beer admiring takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. That includes trimming, cleaning, and putting everything away.

 

[jswanson]

Thanks for the advice so far. It sounds like my price range is on the low side.



Maybe I should ask what is reasonable to expect for my needs. I do have a fair number of trees (~15)and they are spread out so I need to go around them.

I'm seeing all sorts of new brands (to me) like: Hustler, Exmark, Ferris, etc. This makes it more confusing since I'm not really sure about these brands.

Seems like I might need to stay with a zero-turn mower, but do I need to push my limit? Where does my limit need to be? Why do I need a different limit?

What brands should I be considering?

Sorry for all the extra questions, but I'm really new to the area.

 

[richamor]

Thanks for the advice so far. It sounds like my price range is on the low side.

I wouldn't say that. You can get a nice ZTR for that.

Maybe I should ask what is reasonable to expect for my needs. I do have a fair number of trees (~15)and they are spread out so I need to go around them.

How close together are they? That will determine your deck size or how much trimming you want to do.

I'm seeing all sorts of new brands (to me) like: Hustler, Exmark, Ferris, etc. This makes it more confusing since I'm not really sure about these brands.

You will see a lot of primarily commercial names, like those you mentioned and a few like Scag, Bobcat, and Great Dane that you didn't. Toro also makes a real nice commercial mower.

Seems like I might need to stay with a zero-turn mower, but do I need to push my limit? Where does my limit need to be? Why do I need a different limit?

A ZTR would fill the bill. And only you know your limit. I shopped around and ended up with the commercial Hustler for several reasons. Great dealer support, simplicity, reputation, obvious difference in quality. The cost was more but I felt it was worth it. Not everyone does and you may not either.

What brands should I be considering?

Again, that depends on how much you're looking to spend. One suggestion I make to guys is to look and see what some of the professional landscapers in your area are using. See what the lawn and garden or tractor shops have on the lot. I generally stay away from the big box stores for these things.

Sorry for all the extra questions, but I'm really new to the area.

No problem. I LOVE spending other people's money

Good Luck!!

 

[roamerr]

If it's bumpy like my yard try a Ferris. My Kubota BX does great but eventually I want a Ferris. The suspension makes the mowing far better for the operator.