Tank or 2523

[Cliff58]

I`m thinking of buying either a GT2523 or a M48-khs.
What would be better? I have about 5 ac. to mow.
I`m just wondering if the Tank is good for cutting in or close work. Part of what I mow is around trees and pool, house,etc.
Trading in my Deere for a Cub.
Thanks for any help, Cliff

 

[riches139]

With 5 acres I'd definately go with the Tank unless you have a very hilly or rough property.

Far better cutting close, better control.

There is no comparison between the commercial Tank and the 2000 series. Everything on the Tank is much heavier.

I'd probably go with at least a 60" deck unless you have alot of tight areas and alot of time.

 

[Cliff58]

I mowed my lawn today with my Deere. But this time I ran it at a higher speed,
trying to simulate what the Tank would be like, but slower than the Tank.
It was a rough ride, The back half anyway. The back half was a farmers field at one time.
I`m just wondering if it`s too rough to run the Tank at the higher speeds.
I realize you can run the Tank a slower speeds, but I could run a GT2523
at the same speed and save $1000.00. Plus with the GT2523 I get a trailer/spreader, etc.
hitch, no hitch with the Tank. I could make one for it if I had to.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks, Cliff

 

[Nik]

Maybe you should look at the Ferris 3000 which has a 4 wheel independent suspension. This is the only ZTR that has a suspension system. I test rode one the other day to compare to my Exmark laser AS ZTR. It does help smooth the ride with bumpy surfaces but doesn't completely eliminate bouncing. I tested it a rough parking lot. Price with 60' deck was about $8400. With 5 acres and trees or obstacles I think you may enjoy a ZTR. I like my EXmark which cost around $7000 with tax and 52' deck. I may have bought the Ferris if I had seen it before getting the EXmark. Mowing now is easier and faster than with my kubota tractor and RFM.

 

[goatdoc]

I had a tank m60. A real beast, but I didn't really enjoy using the machine. It rode way to rough, and when I turned the 180 at the end of a row, especially at the bottom of the hill, I usually turfed the inside wheel. I wonder if other makes (eg the lazer) have the same problem. The tank did cut my lawn in record time (at least three times as fast as my old wheel horse.) Plus the tank had no built in cup holder (couln't sip coffee while using it anyway...) I sold the tank to a motivated buyer, a commericial lawn service with all his big mowers at the shop, so I didn't take too much of a hit. I replaced it with a water cooled john deere with a 48 inch deck which cuts beautifully, doesn't patch the lawn and weighs far less than my tc33. I find that when the grass grows fast, my turf is too soft to support a big tractor so I have to bite the bulllet and just take longer to mow /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Cliff58]

Thanks,
The more I think about it the more I like the GT2523.
Thanks for the help, Cliff

 

[cubmaster]

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I'd say good choice but I may be a little bias as I own one /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. But I Love mine , the ride is good the cut is excellent and the quality is top notch as well.