What machine, or equipment, can mow an uneven grassy pasture the fastest? Zero Turn?

[Carl_NH]

Thank you and good suggestion. I will look into the Stihl mowers.

The coil springs on that model are much smaller than the top of the line Ferris, but I presume that is just because it is a different model.

Here is a comparison pix of the top of the line Ferris ....

View attachment 3432578

You will want the RZ700- RZ900 commercial series to be comparable to the Ferris commercial series you showed above.

 

[jyoutz]

Thank you and good suggestion. I will look into the Stihl mowers.

The coil springs on that model are much smaller than the top of the line Ferris, but I presume that is just because it is a different model.

Here is a comparison pix of the top of the line Ferris ....

View attachment 3432578

The Stihl also offers that top of the line repainted Ferris. Mine is a higher end residential model. The model you are showing is one of the commercial models. Still, the suspension is adjustable even on the homeowner’s models.

 

[KBP76]

I have both a Ferris 3200z zero turn mower and a 7 foot wide brush hog. the Ferris is amazing and it is very fast moving lawns but is not capable of moving very high pasture grass. The best mower for great pasture grass mowing is a two wheeled trail brush hog! 48 years of mowing pasture grass!

 

[KBP76]

PS mowing not moving! Crazy AI!

 

[skramer360]

I mow this field with a 60" commercial Gravely zero turn. It's about 4 1/2 acres.

It's pretty rough, but I mow it in about 2 hours or less.

 

[tradosaurus]

I am wondering if a Zero Turn, such as a Ferris with suspension, would be a better faster smoother more comfortable mower for my pastures?

All I see in promotional videos are using these for lawns, not pastures. But if a speedy ZTR could perform well, I might be more comfortable (suspension) plus get more done by mowing faster.

My equipment right now is either an 8 foot rotary cutter or a Ventrac with tough cut. Using the rotary cutter means mowing at about 3mph due to terrain. Sometimes bumpy enough where I don't even try to go faster han about 3mph using a tractor. The Ventrac can average about 5mph, handles bumps a little better, but with a smaller deck and width of cut it is only a little faster than my tractor. And I still bounce around a lot.

I see advertisements for mowing at 12mph in a ZTR. Is it realistic to think a ZTR could mow a grassy pasture that varies between smooth and bumpy? If I could even do, say 8mph, that would be huge.

How many acres are you wanting to mow?

 

[RayIN]

If you do get a zero turn, I recommend that you look at the Stihl/Ferris mowers. They are the only brand I’m aware of that have 4 wheel suspension. The ride is much better on rough ground than any others I’ve used. The new Stihl zero turns are just re-badged, orange and white painted Ferris mowers. But it’s nice because there are Stihl dealers everywhere, but Ferris dealers are limited, so parts are easy to source.

Not all Stihl dealerships carry every Stihl product. A friend owned a Stihl dealership and only sold and repaired chainsaws and string trimmers.
If you didn't buy a Stihl chainsaw or trimmer there he would not accept it for repairs.

 

[plowhog]

How many acres are you wanting to mow?

About 25 total, but broken up into 5 different pastures.

 

[plowhog]

the Ferris is amazing and it is very fast moving lawns but is not capable of moving very high pasture grass.

Is that an issue with horsepower, or the deck, or ???

I see the model of Ferris you use is somewhere in the mid-30hp category. There is a model with 42hp CAT diesel and am wondering your thoughts if that extra HP would make a difference?

 

[ruffdog]

Part of the reason I sold the tractor and bought a Toolcat is all the mowing I do on rough ground. I had 1800 trees removed and the stumps were SORTA ground level but some stick up a couple inches. Until they rot, it is a uneven surface. The Toolcat has 4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel steering, and with the big turfs, rides like a 1975 Eldorado. You can run a rotary cutter, flail, etc on the front and I use a finish mower. It is the best all around workhorse I found. They do cost a bit though.