mower selection help, 2 acres, rough ground, 5k budget

newguyjosh · May 2, 2015

We have about 2.8 acres and end up mowing around 2. There are about 14 trees to mow (with 20 inch diameter mulch around them) around as well as 2 utility buildings. This is a home out in the country and the ride is fairly rough. When we first moved in I had a 2006 Cub Cadet z-force 60 zero turn and it just beat the crap out of me so I got rid of it and went with a fairly cheap garden tractor (Husqvarna YTH24V48). The ride is better on this than it was on the cub but still not great and it bogs down easily in thick grass (I don't always have time to cut it as soon as I'd like to). It takes about 2.25 hours to mow with the tractor and leave about 20 minutes of trimming work. So we are in the market for a new mower that will ride better than the cub and get the job done in a decent amount of time. My max budget is 5k. I am completely open to suggestions but as I said I would like to have a more comfortable ride and preferably something that can get the yard mowed quicker. Below are some options I am considering but am open to other suggestions.

-Raven MPV- This should ride much more comfortably than anything else consider the large tire size and the shocks. It is supposed to mow well at 6mph and has a fairly tight (14 inch) turning raidius for a tractor. Also not supposed to bog down with thick stuff.

-Bad Boy zt elite 60 inch zero turn

-Swisher response 66 inch zero turn

Thanks!

4570Man · May 2, 2015

You already discovered the biggest problem with a zero turn. They all ride about the same. You should be able to get a small tractor and finish mower for your budget. The tires on a tractor are larger and ride much smother.

newguyjosh · May 2, 2015

4570Man said:
You already discovered the biggest problem with a zero turn. They all ride about the same. You should be able to get a small tractor and finish mower for your budget. The tires on a tractor are larger and ride much smother.

Any particular model suggestions?

4570Man · May 2, 2015

I have two Kubota B7100's. One has a belly mower. The other has a finish mower. I am hard on both tractors. One has 1900 hours the other has 1180. They both run as good as new. I bought them used for $3500 each.

pmsmechanic · May 3, 2015

I bought a used F-935 front mount John Deere about seven years ago. $5000 + about a $1000 in repairs and I haven't looked back. I added duals to make the ride smoother and every two years I buy new blades. It starts every spring without a lot of fuss. I grease it and I go and mow lawn. I was told that you could mow grass at top speed (14 mph) so I tried it and yes you can do a respectable job cutting off 4" of fresh lush grass at 14 mph. The blades have to be new though. I will never go back to a cheap garden tractor type mower. I won't have to. This one will last me the rest of my life.

4570Man · May 3, 2015

I have a Kubota F series mower, but I like the B7100 better for rough ground. My rough ground has holes over a foot deep. If you have hills or mud the F series has terrible traction. For your budget you can find a used diesel mower. I would not get a gas .

nybirdman · May 3, 2015

Simplicity Broadmor...............meets all your requirements.Very well made and thought out mower.

coffeeman · May 4, 2015

pmsmechanic said:
I bought a used F-935 front mount John Deere about seven years ago. $5000 + about a $1000 in repairs and I haven't looked back. I added duals to make the ride smoother and every two years I buy new blades. It starts every spring without a lot of fuss. I grease it and I go and mow lawn. I was told that you could mow grass at top speed (14 mph) so I tried it and yes you can do a respectable job cutting off 4" of fresh lush grass at 14 mph. The blades have to be new though. I will never go back to a cheap garden tractor type mower. I won't have to. This one will last me the rest of my life.

Agree 110% Last July my Mahindra 4110 had a PTO gear go out. Took 3 weeks to get gears I needed. then needed time to fix it.
Went to Lowes and bought a $2000. rider. Middle of road Troybilt. used it a couple times to cut grass, till Mahindra ready to cut. Bought
little rider with plan of giving to my daughter, after my tractor fixed. She used rider about 4-6 times. Time to cut this year and didn't start. Called Lowes
and asked if could be fixed. $100 to look at + parts etc. Go to Troybilt to get fixed, Lowes said. . Shoulda bought insurance as we told you.
Troybilt service indicated, will take 3 weeks to fix, i believe because I didn't buy from dealer. And why would I expect them to
give good service to someone who buys from Big Box store?

If I ever need rider again I buy a used one from of repair shops in my area. Independents who sell used for 300 - $400 or so. The older the
better. Some thing with none of the pollution crap. Easy to fix. Not much $$. I would bet if ran used one just few times at end season local guy would
service machine even next season without a question. Provided it was bought end of season.

By the way Lowes is off my list for for riders. as per your thoughts, nothing wrong with used and might be best. My Mahindra was used,
when I bought it and I like it.

Cheers...Coffeeman

Sono · Aug 30, 2019

We have 2 acres as well, about 2hours to cut with my Deere 42" rider.
Have you looked at the new Cub Ultima series? Ive been eyeing the ZT2 52" cut, they have suspension on the wheels as well as the seats for comfort. I may even go 54" on it but wont fit through my gate for the back section of our yard.... but can always move that.

Gem99ultra · Aug 31, 2019

Put Big Box Stores OFF of your shopping list with Lowe's at the top. Regardless of their sales talk - they don't honor repair work. And should you get real lucky and they tell you to 'bring it in and we'll take care of it', interpret that to mean that they'll stick it over in the corner to sit until you give up on them getting it fixed.