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

[jyoutz]

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.

Every dealer may not stock every Stihl product, but they can order every product or part.

 

[plowhog]

Every dealer may not stock every Stihl product, but they can order every product or part.

I went to Stihl's website to review their mower selections. They don't list any diesel powered mower in their lineup? The top of the line Ferris has a CAT 42hp diesel.

 

[tradosaurus]

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

Ouch. If there are few obstacles plan on about 1-1/2 to 2 hrs of mowing per pasture.
That's assuming the grass is not higher than say 4-5 inches. You would have to stay on it every 3 weeks.
With a rotary cutter and a tractor you could just get it down twice a year.

 

[Hay Dude]

I went to Stihl's website to review their mower selections. They don't list any diesel powered mower in their lineup? The top of the line Ferris has a CAT 42hp diesel.

Arent they like 45 grand?
I can buy a D1211-72 and a ZD1611-72 for the same price, take the fam out for burgers on the way home and still be ahead of 45 grand.
I did get a quote on one of those and the salesman was laughing while telling me the zero turn was $45,000 (plus tax, of course).

 

[Hay Dude]

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

The issue is how often you want to mow. If it’s under every 2-3 weeks or less, a zero turn could do that, depending on what time of year. In high rain & growth periods, a zeroturn could struggle if left go 3 weeks.
If you only plan on mowing once a month or more, then it’s time for a tractor and rotary mower.

I have one customer with a farm that wants ROW’s and outer perimeter mowed only 2x/month. I do that easily with a ZD-1211-72. Grass is like 18”-24” tall. No problem.

 

[ponytug]

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.

Here is a Ferris ZTR with suspension -- and a CAT 48hp diesel LOL. Only $40,000 and it is yours!!

Q- is anyone using Zero Turns to mow pastures?

IS® 6200 Zero Turn Mower

Comfort, durability, and power are what make the IS 6200 more than a luxury, it's a necessity. The 48 hp* CAT^® turbo diesel engine provides up to two times more longevity than a traditional gas engine. Designed for the rigors of maintaining municipal and industrial properties, the IS...

www.ferrismowers.com

How about a Power-Trac 1845 or 1850? Great on slopes.

TSM Class

Compact Tractors, Slope Mowers, Articulated Tractors, Tractor Attachments, Trailer Packages

power-trac.com

90" rough cut and 96" flail mowers available.
(Have a look on the Power-Trac forum here)

I would not use a zero turn on slopes or irregular surfaces.

Of course, there's also using something to make a 20' fire line of bare earth to slow the fire down, but that's going to take time with a small tractor.

All the best,

Peter

 

[deltabravo14K9]

Just my opinion based on personal use of similar but not identical zero turn mowers.

Our Church has a total of 6 acres, the front 3 are less rough, which our building is in the middle. Two years ago, we bought a Toro zero turn 4000 Series MyRIDE® HDX 72" 35 hp 999cc. This is in the professional mower category with their operator suspension platform. We're not too inclined to take it to the back 3 acres.

I myself being disabled with extra bad back injuries, used this zero turn Toro once. On the good half of the property, I'm still being bounced around badly. I had to use slow ground speed to get through the mowing session.

Caveat, this 6 acres is part of a former apple orchard, and we have limestone all over the property.

It's likely just me that's not suited to the zero turn. My health, specifically the back, is worse than it was when I last used the old zero turn which had almost no suspension.

Our solution to the back 3 acres? We just bought a used Ford 1720 4wd with 1,500 hours, great mechanical shape. We're pairing this with a used Bush Hog rotary cutter. $8,900 for the tractor, $800 for the deck. I just did some test mowing last week. The tractor rides well enough for me in the rough area, and I'll be trying to do this probably monthly.

 

[big bubba]

no doubt suspension is key on these machines. but often overlooked is rear wheel size. bigger the better, adding to the suspension. notice how the box stores sell barbie wheels. tire size makes a lot of difference on the ride quality & overall traction as well

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Man I’d take a small tractor with a flail mower over a ZTR. I love my ZTR, but ride isn’t like the tractor with those big fat azz tires

 

[RayIN]

Take the money a ZTR large enough to mow that acreage reasonably costs and buy a 12' rotary mower. Then if you miss a few weeks you have something to cut it down with, a ZTR has a height limit, over that limit and you not only overwork the machine, you mow at a crawl.