zero turn mower

[Ernie]

It is that time of year that I start my annual "I need a zero turn mower" hunt. I read all the reviews and go look at the local offerings. When Spring actually arrives I can be found out in front of Lowes sitting on a mower while bouncing up and down making motor noises and waving at people walking by. Something usually happens that takes the money that I set aside or a greater need for something else arises so the mower goes on the list for next year. Are there any recommendations on mid-range mowers. Looking at 54" deck and like the Yamaha twin engines. Not interested in the commercial models but I want one that is reliable and not prone to require excessive maintenance.

[Hatchdog]

Reminds me of several years ago when we bought a fishing boat and picked it up very early in the spring. Which….proceeded to be one of our coldest and wettest springs. The boat stayed in the shop for probably six weeks before we got it out. But like you Ernie, I sat behind the wheel and made boat noises,

[Ernie]

[BrokenolMarine]

When we first got here in Oklahoma, we bought a Package of Kubota tractor and implements from the local dealer. We were going to need a mower and they added a Zero Turn to the package during their sale. Tina was never happy with the mower or Kubota Service. When we were in the Polaris Dealer for Service on the Ranger, they had just become a Spartan Dealer and we traded the Kubota in on a Spartan. She has been really pleased, NO issues with the mower and it cuts well and has some really nice features.

spartan mower.jpg (472.57 KiB) Viewed 110 times

It has a Kawasaki motor which runs well. The deck under your feet lifts clear after mowing to aide in cleaning. Digital keypad for starting, no key to worry about. Priced well under the other mowers in it's class and does the same job as well or better. Ours has given us no trouble. (The keypad died, but they swapped it out ON the trailer in five minutes under warranty.)

Would we buy another Spartan Mower? Without a question...

[Mags]

... and it has a cup holder!

[BrokenolMarine]

... and it has a cup holder!

That's actually deep enough so a bottle of water doesn't fall out every time you hit uneven ground. Been There Done That.

[Sir Henry]

... and it has a cup holder!

My Kubota has cup holders and my Branson doesn’t. It really is a big convenience. The orange one also has a USB port.

[Ernie]

... and it has a cup holder!

That's actually deep enough so a bottle of water doesn't fall out every time you hit uneven ground. Been There Done That.

I am going to see if anyone in this area has a dealership
Thanks

[rickhem]

I have about seven acres to mow, and have been using an old Deere 455 with a 60" deck. It's served me well for the past 5 years, and the diesel really powers through areas with longer, thicker grass without issue. But the side discharge and the overall speed were little annoyances. With a long gravel driveway, I'd end up going up and down, back and forth along side, keeping the discharge away from the driveway, trying to minimize weed growth on the driveway. Same with mowing along neighbor's property, or around the house, garden, and around the trees and garages. Definitely had to learn my patterns to mow efficiently without mowing over clippings too much. It takes me about 5 hours to get everything done. I wanted to get something faster, and there are zero-turn mowers that will do 15 mph, not that I'll mow that fast. Would also want to stay with a diesel too. My property has some slope around the pond and in a few other areas, and everyone says the zero turns don't like much slope. I'd prefer not to have both hands occupied the whole time I'm mowing as well, so I started looking at the options with a steering wheel, and rear discharge if possible. This puts me looking at commercial machines, and those sure are pricey.

After a long time of scanning through a few auction sites, and other on-line classified offerings, I found my Goldilocks machine. It's a 2004 Deere 1435 Series II, with a 72" Fastback rear discharge deck. Currently has 453 hours on it's Yanmar 26 HP, 1.1 liter diesel. I was able to work out a great deal, delivery included, from the dealership that was selling it about 200 miles north of me.

It's currently sitting in my garage waiting for spring to get here, when I can see if it really is all that I hope it to be. Weird that I'm looking forward to mowing again, but new equipment will do that.

[BrokenolMarine]

Tina enjoys mowing as well. Zero turn around the house and paddock and coop, then tractor and bush hog for the pastures and orchard. I don't run the tractor much anymore with my issues, just touching up the range berms.