Lawn Mower Recommendations

[cookiedough]

why not do some shopping on craigslist for used units?

https://madison.craigslist.org/grd/d/cazenovia-ferris-is-2000-like-new/7159971049.html

this one seems decent deal even with near 500 hours on it big unit with nice suspension system.

never know though until you go look at them used appears to have been just washed and once power washed removes a lot of the old gunk and grime at least on the camera. 

[carolinarider09]

Not a real fan of purchasing a used mower.  Too many possible issues.  My goal is to buy this one and this one only and hope I can keep using it for another 10 years (my age being the issue not the tractors).

Having said that, I just contacted the two local (within 50 miles) Dixie Chopper vendors.  Neither stock them any longer, after the company was sold twice. 

The recommended replacement is a Exmark mower.   Costs about 10% more (list) than the Dixie Chopper. 

There is a local dealer nearby so that is a plus.  It does not appear as robust in design as the Dixie Chopper but.... Its hard to tell just looking at pictures and videos.   

This is the unit that I would be the equivalent of the Dixie Chopper Zee 2

Quest S-Series 24.5 HP*

https://www.exmark.com/products/mowers/zero-turn/quest/quest-s-series

[carolinarider09]

And now since the Dixie Chopper is no longer an option, I looked a some other sold by local vendors. 

I found a nice Massey Ferguson dealer near McConnells, SC.  I have been there a couple of times to buy parts for my MF 1250 and to look at some additions.  They sell two other Zero Turn Mowers. 

They are

The Big Dog Alpha MPX

and

The SCAG Liberty Z

The advantage to Nance Tractor in McConnells is that they helped me get the parts I needed to fix the water leak on my tractor.  The parts guy was awesome.  And we have been back for a look see at a sub compact tractor. 

So, tomorrow I will visit the local Exmark dealer and have a short chat. 

In case you are interested, here is a review of the SCAG vs the Exmark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-oYxFNUg5c

[six2go #152]

There might be some helpful information here:

www.mowersdirect.com/lawn/zero-turn-lawn-mowers.html

[f6john]

And now since the Dixie Chopper is no longer an option, I looked a some other sold by local vendors. 

I found a nice Massey Ferguson dealer near McConnells, SC.  I have been there a couple of times to buy parts for my MF 1250 and to look at some additions.  They sell two other Zero Turn Mowers. 

They are

The Big Dog Alpha MPX

and

The SCAG Liberty Z

The advantage to Nance Tractor in McConnells is that they helped me get the parts I needed to fix the water leak on my tractor.  The parts guy was awesome.  And we have been back for a look see at a sub compact tractor. 

So, tomorrow I will visit the local Exmark dealer and have a short chat. 

In case you are interested, here is a review of the SCAG vs the Exmark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-oYxFNUg5c

I’m no expert but I can tell you that the Liberty Z is no Turf Tiger. I think the Turf Tiger in the video had the 35hp Briggs and Stratton couldn’t tell what the X Mark had. The X Mark is a good mower, well made and reliable. I think they do have a higher blade speed when cutting, they sound like an airplane getting ready to take off to me.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks for the link six2go #152

And f6john, you are probably right since the price difference is about $3,000 between the two mowers. 

Of course the wife just told me that I need to make sure I get one that will do all the work we need to do. 

So, I told her she could help decide.  I would really like to buy one from the place in McConnells.  They server the farming community and seem to be good guys.  But......   

I will look at eh Exmark tomorrow when I have to go into town.   

[cookiedough]

parts are key to go get local if need be and so therefore if  you like that local dealer,  I might steer towards what they sell, of course, AFTER test riding them for 30 minutes or so to give it a good go around mowing their grass.   

Say,  I just heard Briggs and Stratton are filing chapter 11 bankruptcy,  so might want to get a Kawi engine NO B&S engine, just in case in 10-20 years down the road parts for a B&S mower are nowhere to be found and obsolete.

NO way would I be spending on any mower over 500 bucks any of them without a thorough test run.

I personally have had great luck with 2 used push mowers after running them 1st for 20 minutes and starting them several times soon after the first time running.  ONe was 20 bucks used the other was a TORO 100 bucks with HONDA engine was used well for 1-2 seasons is all but new was 400 at home depot.  For 100 bucks I would take my chances but like you said,  if spending 5K on up,  might as well buy new right?

My first el cheapo menards special was back in 1993 buying a 3.5hp B&S engine basic bare bones 20 inch Rally push mower BRAND NEW for 100 bucks.  It lasted me until just a few years ago so about 24-25 years after held together by paperclips and metal brackets holding the paper thin deck on somewhat.  I gave up after the left rear wheel fell off and the deck was so thin could NO longer mount a wheel to it.  I tossed it in the junkpile for garbage pickup that year thinking NO ONE would take it but low and behold a junker dude came on buy and tossed it into his 100 dollar rusted chevy pickup piled high with junk.  He must have thought something on that thing was salvageable since the mower engine did work still just NO adjustable speed governor since that broke LONG ago held together by my paper clip to idle ONE speed for the past 10+ years.      Needless to say I get my moneys worth out of lawn mowers spending 100 bucks on a new push mower to last over 20 years...

am hoping this 100 bucks I spent on this used heavy duty 22 inch cut TORO push mower with HONDA engine with pretty sturdy/beefy metal deck will last me another 25 years since by then I will be too old to mow my own grass and probably dead by then anyways...   

I also just bought used another TORO mower identical to mine but with B&S engine and FWD vs. mine RWD self propelled another 100 bucks on craiglist new around 375 at home depot a few years old guy was moving out of state did not need.  I was nice and bought it for my daughters boyfriend since they are renting a house and they have no money so 100 bucks for a used mower should last them 15-20 more years as long as he remembers to change the oil yearly and not too lazy to do it.  also, bought a used John Deere snowblower for them smaller unit but ran very well lightly used but an older 1990's model in good shape for 150 bucks vs. new 500 bucks.  They cannot afford 1K on new mower/snowblower but I can afford 250 bucks I guess?   They still have not paid me back just do NOT expect me to change oil on them yearly.   I showed daughters boyfriend how to do it but when I went up there before mowing season few months back,  I asked him if he changed the oil on it since told him was needed when I bought it.  He did not and daughter asked me to do it since his lazy _ss will not do it.   I thought that was funny, maybe not?  Also had to fix there leaking showerhead simple fix rubber seal was buggered up and not sitting right took 1 minute to do and broken poddy handle snapped being cheap plastic replaced with metal one that took me a whole 5 minutes.  I told them weeks ago prior to coming up since ONLY renting the house to get maintenance or owners to get in there and fix or I would hold off on paying rent until both fixed since so simple to do.  Kids nowadays have no balls to get on people to do their jobs.

[Pappy!]

ExMark is one hell of a heavy duty mower!  Well loved in the Southeast.
Nothing on it that they cut corners on at all. Deck is super heavy and well built. Zirc fittings everywhere you need them. Foot rest lifts up so you can blow out the belt area or inspect as necessary. Engine is flawless. Service points are easily accessible.
We expect ours to be the last one we will ever need.

[cookiedough]

I know you dislike craigslist buying used, but if you can save 5-6K off new msrp in like new condition, why not look to see what is out there, might surprise you?  Like said, some used mowers are worth buying me spending 100 bucks on what was a 400 dollar new 2-3 year old push mower.

this is diesel,  4wd which I think is rare would help not getting stuck with some other zero turn mowers, and looks big and rugged and tough?  still not cheap though.  Might be overkill for your needs?  One would think a diesel unit would last longer much like a truck/car supposedly in theory anyways?

https://madison.craigslist.org/grd/d/cross-plains-john-deere-mower/7163046114.html

[Reb]

I know you don't care for Deere John, But if you can wait until 2021...

The *Green* brand has a pretty sophisticated Z500 coming out

[carolinarider09]

Thanks for the link and the info on the new John Deere. 

My previous experience with a John Deere still has been somewhat apprehensive as well as my dealings with the "local" John Deere dealer in Newberry.   My first choice for a tractor when I was building the house was a John Deere. Found a used four wheel drive tractor at the local dealer in Newberry. 

Told the dealer I was interested in it, we agreed on a price and I filled out a loan application (at the time I didn't want to invade the retirement funds).  I did not put a deposit down, pending the approval of the loan application.

Came back by a few days later to check on the approval and the dealer told me the tractor had been sold.  The buyer paid cash so I was no longer considered as a customer.  Never darkened their door again.

And yes, at that time I did have the John Deere garden tractor that failed after ten years due to an internal "governor" that could only be fixed by tearing down the engine.  So....

I try my best to buy from local vendors.  Mom and pop shops that sell name brands and generally that works out.  That has worked so far but they are getting harder and harder to find. 

Today I am going to drop by a vendor to look at the Exmark Quest.  The problem with this vendor is that he is located in an urban area and I don't know what is customer base is like. 

The dealer, Nance Tractor, in McConnells, SC customer base is all farmers.  Well at least every time I was there there was a farmer there looking or buying something. 

[Reb]

Thanks for the link and the info on the new John Deere. 

My previous experience with a John Deere still has been somewhat apprehensive as well as my dealings with the "local" John Deere dealer in Newberry.   My first choice for a tractor when I was building the house was a John Deere. Found a used four wheel drive tractor at the local dealer in Newberry. 

Told the dealer I was interested in it, we agreed on a price and I filled out a loan application (at the time I didn't want to invade the retirement funds).  I did not put a deposit down, pending the approval of the loan application.

Came back by a few days later to check on the approval and the dealer told me the tractor had been sold.  The buyer paid cash so I was no longer considered as a customer.  Never darkened their door again.

And yes, at that time I did have the John Deere garden tractor that failed after ten years due to an internal "governor" that could only be fixed by tearing down the engine.  So....

I try my best to buy from local vendors.  Mom and pop shops that sell name brands and generally that works out.  That has worked so far but they are getting harder and harder to find. 

Today I am going to drop by a vendor to look at the Exmark Quest.  The problem with this vendor is that he is located in an urban area and I don't know what is customer base is like. 

The dealer, Nance Tractor, in McConnells, SC customer base is all farmers.  Well at least every time I was there there was a farmer there looking or buying something. 

Completely understandable.

Even as a JD employee, I haven't had very good interactions with my local dealer.

[six2go #152]

I've heard "Hustler ZTR's" advertised on the radio quite a bit.

www.hustlerturf.com

[Jess from VA]

Unless you are able to fix anything that happens, it seems a good idea to get something from a shop who absolutely knows how to fix it for you.  

I mean, you hope to get good quality that doesn't break, but we all know how that goes.  

But before I spent $17K on something, I'd be calculating how many times that would pay someone else to mow the weeds for me.  And you don't have to do any upkeep or maintenance at all on other workers or their equipment (except a couple bottles of cold water).  

[carolinarider09]

Well,  I went by a local dealer that sells the Exmark brand.  Looked at their units, very sturdy (well the residential version was not as robust looking). 

Had a unit in mind and found out that the engine is made in China.  Its made for Exmark to their specifications (or so I was told).  The Quest and the Radius "E" and "S" series all have this engine.  You have to go up to the "X" series to get the Kawasaki motor.  So.......     

The gentlemen in the shop (was not that well versed on the units but that may have just been my imagination) and I talked about why I did not really want a made in China motor (even if it was made to Exmark's specs).   During the conversation he said to me that China was really a capitalist communist society.  I laughed and tried to explain that the notion of capitalism and communism can not co-exist.

One piece of good news is that they are having a sale with a $1,000 off the price through the end of October. 

Spoke to another store (the one I called fist because they use to sell Dixie Choppers) and had a long conversation with a gentlemen who (it turned out during the conversation) to be the owner.

I was impressed with his knowledge and he told he he just purchased the same mower I am looking at and it is super pleased with it (yeah I know he is the owner).   He is buying one for his brother for a gift.  Also, the mower he had before he got the Radius X 48" mower was a Dixie Chopper.   So, I have a real life comparison and even though he is the owner and somewhat biased, he has used both. 

[cookiedough]

does not surprise me that the motor is made in China.  My Stihl rototiller small carb is made in CHINA and when looking at vehicles I see the motor for the Hyundai KONA small SUV is also made in China.  I guess Korea is near China right?   

what really irks me is when jobs go overseas to Phillippines or wherever to ruin the company and put Americans out of a job.  100's of corporate headquarters jobs are scheduled to go overseas where my wife works but this pandemic has postponed it so far.  How are these hardly able to speak English new workers over there going to get trained?  They cannot be... thus leads to financial ruin of companies.   So they pay them 3 bucks per hour vs. here 17 per hour yet takes 4 people over there to not even equal 1 job here.  How does that benefit anyone?  My wife is going thru that now her favorite word (and mine) is starts with an i and ends in t with letters in the middle dio...

[Reb]

Well,  I went by a local dealer that sells the Exmark brand.  Looked at their units, very sturdy (well the residential version was not as robust looking).  

Had a unit in mind and found out that the engine is made in China.  Its made for Exmark to their specifications (or so I was told).  The Quest and the Radius "E" and "S" series all have this engine.  You have to go up to the "X" series to get the Kawasaki motor.  So.......    

The gentlemen in the shop (was not that well versed on the units but that may have just been my imagination) and I talked about why I did not really want a made in China motor (even if it was made to Exmark's specs).   During the conversation he said to me that China was really a capitalist communist society.  I laughed and tried to explain that the notion of capitalism and communism can not co-exist.

One piece of good news is that they are having a sale with a $1,000 off the price through the end of October.  

Spoke to another store (the one I called fist because they use to sell Dixie Choppers) and had a long conversation with a gentlemen who (it turned out during the conversation) to be the owner.

I was impressed with his knowledge and he told he he just purchased the same mower I am looking at and it is super pleased with it (yeah I know he is the owner).   He is buying one for his brother for a gift.  Also, the mower he had before he got the Radius X 48" mower was a Dixie Chopper.   So, I have a real life comparison and even though he is the owner and somewhat biased, he has used both.  

the *Chinese* motor is a Loncin,
https://www.loncinindustries.com/en/engine/Generalize.aspx?catid=8-10-12

They have become popular with Ex-marks, Toro, and soon to be Deere. Loncin is also the manufacturer of the Predator engine sold at Harbor Freight.

As an engineer, I don't have to much bad to say about them. Although... In typical Chinese patent infringement practice... Their engines contain the best of Briggs, Honda, Kawi and Kohler all mixed together. 

The only downfall with them is a dinky-ass flywheel compared to competitors. This is very noticeable when engaging the PTO going up a slight incline.

[cookiedough]

and do not forget the chinese pot metal they use that will snap like a twig...  

I wonder are the engines actually made in china or just assembled in china?  where do the parts for the motor come from, china or elsewhere?   cheap labor or cheap parts in the motor?

If anything like Chinese scooters, run far far away....  I know 2 who have bought them brand new are JUNK do not last 1 year without major issues...

another what I think good deal popped up locally on craigslist ONLY 74 hours or so on it for only 2K if I needed one I would be looking soon before it is gone

https://madison.craigslist.org/grd/d/edgerton-2017-troy-bilt-42-inch-zero/7162149154.html

Like said,  you would be surprised how cheap some things (and expensive other things) can be on craigslist due to moving or death or other things.  I got my then worth 1800 dollar scooter 8 or so years ago offering only 1K since he was moving out of state to Florida end of November here in WI and snowed a lot the very next day he was moving in 1 week could not take scooter with him he said.  I got my few year old Toro personal pace 22 inch push mower with never used bagger as well locally off craigslist for 100 bucks moving out of state to Utah I think he said in a few weeks NO need for a mower where he was going IMO was worth used IMO 200 bucks brand new near 400.  I could have bought my ex neighbors John Deere basic 42 inch cut riding lawn mower nothing special a L110 or L120 model for 500 bucks with twin baggers in back used for 8 years or so with light city lot use on it I think like 150 hours on it is all in that timeframe stored inside but saw no need for it on my city lot so I sold it for him for 1st 650 bucks I saw sold same day guy came snatched it up.  Could have gotten 800 am sure for it but I wanted it gone ex-neighbor already moved and sick of it sitting around my house he wanted me to sell it for him since he had no room for it in his new place no a need for it.  He wanted 650 so sold it for 650 is all.  When the guy came and drove it around my yard he asked to go down to only 600 said NOPE mininum 650 take it or leave it.  Gee, the bagger alone was over 200 new or so not giving it away.  My neighbor offered 600 saw me outside on it and told him no he really wanted 650 for it and when he saw it sold that same night later on posted on craigslist, he was pissed.  OH well,  you snooze you loose him telling me he would think about it then walked away.  Probably could have had a bidding war on it up to like said 800 easily but there are good deals to be had if willing to look.

[cookiedough]

what about something like this?

https://madison.craigslist.org/grq/d/like-new-yanmar-utility-tractor-with/7165351402.html

used but near new condition with rear attachment mower like brand new and a bucket on front for snowplowing or moving dirt/gravel around?

If i lived in the country I would prefer one of these more versatile for sure doing more things than just mowing.   16K might be a good deal, not sure?

[carolinarider09]

Thanks.  The first thing we looked at earlier this year was sometime similar, but new.

Massey Ferguson if I remember correctly but a sub compact.  The dealer showed my wife how to drive it, it was all hydraulic so the more you pushed on the pedal, the faster it went.

Came with a front end loader (which would have been nice to have this past January) and I would have purchased a new tow behind field mower.  Total price (it was new) would have been about #14,000. 

About what I paid for my 1998 MF 1250.   The only reason I would have gotten the sub compact was to allow my wife to be able to do some stuff since it was a smaller tractor and easier to use than the 1250 (which she has driven but not much).

But, after consideration of what I needed the new device for and the desire to make mowing a lot easier, I opted for the ExMark Zero Turn mower. 

I don't have it yet.  The one I want is not readily available (I suspect because its one everyone wants) but the dealer said he is looking and has also contacted the company.   

I have purchased several things used in my life,  1959 MGA, 1964 Austin Healy 3000, 1974 Trump Spitfire (think that was right year) but those were sort of luxury items. 

Oh I forgot, the 1996 Ford Explorer I still drive we purchased used. 

I believe, this ExMark will out live my ability to use it, which is what I wanted for this purchase.  The only drawback to the device is the gas engine.  And yes, the John Deere I had was gas also.  I just don't want to take a chance in gumming things up when it sits idle during the winter months.  And I will problaby mow the grass more often than i use to 

[scooperhsd]

To prevent gumming of carbs -
STart with non-ethanol gas. Then find Sta-Bil or something like it and use per the directions on the container. If you can, I'd run it til it runs out of gas, then use the Non Ethanol / Sta-Bil.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks.  I had forgotten about the non-enthalon approach.  I will set aside a gas can for that purpose. 

What about the stuff we use in our bikes Berryman's B-12.   

Oh, and I will also get a battery tender. 

[Jess from VA]

I have purchased several things used in my life,  1959 MGA, 1964 Austin Healy 3000, 1974 Trump Spitfire (think that was right year) but those were sort of luxury items.  

OMG... I had a '62 Austin Healy Sprite (really used), and a '69 Triumph Spitfire (nearly new).

Both were terrible cars (with leaky ragtops), but I was hooked on those British sports cars (before 20).  My dad, a US steel guy, thought I should park them down the street (not in front of his house, though I still lived there).    

When I started buying Chevys, it was all good again.

Sorry for the drift.

None of my carbureted gas equipment ever gets any ethanol.  I keep pure gas on hand and replenish from time to time.  It doesn't really need any treatment so long as it gets turned over from time to time (though I will run B12 or Seafoam or Techron in all machines occasionally).  If some gets older than I like (6-7 months), I dump it in my FI truck before driving out to fill up my cans again.  

[Pappy!]

Thanks.  I had forgotten about the non-enthalon approach.  I will set aside a gas can for that purpose. 

What about the stuff we use in our bikes Berryman's B-12.   

Oh, and I will also get a battery tender. 

No on the Berrymans. That is a pretty powerful fuel system cleaner and should not be used as a simple fuel preservative.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Pappy.

Jess, I drove that MGA, with side curtains, from SC to Great Lakes after I finhised Boot Camp and went to "A" school.   Wire wheels, knock off hubs and a 12 VDC system that used to 6 volt batteries wired in series under the back "jump seat" (if memory serves). 

[Jess from VA]

My Sprite had the plastic side curtains (that bolted on, did not roll down but slid back, and when you wanted them off, you had to stick them behind the seats.  Mine were so badly hazed I could hardly see through them.  

The rag top folded down, but did not fit into any kind of a secure boot, and if you went too fast and hit a bump, you were in danger of losing it.  So I'd just leave it at home.  And then it would rain.  

That car was a huge mistake.  

Mine didn't look this good (and was my only red car ever)

 In 1962, a larger 1.1-liter (1,098cc) engine arrived, producing 56 hp and was fitted to all Sprites and Midgets

[carolinarider09]

Sounds like mine Jess.  I had a tonneau cover that clipped down.  I remember one time, when I was in Great Lakes, I had a date and we were traveling down the road at night and it was chilly.  I pulled the tonneau cover over her side and she crouched down under it to keep warm. 

Still, all in all, it was a fun car.  Lots of memories. 

[MarkT]

I replaced my little Honda Harmony with a Kubota BX2370 when the Honda mower deck siezed.  Been happy with the Kubota.  Has tons of zirks on it so you can maintain the bearings.  Unlike the Honda with "permanently sealed bearings".  Bull.  Gonna fail due to not being greased.  And they did but lasted 20 years.

I mow a bit less than half my 3 acres, of uneven ground and native grass - leave half for the deer to eat.  Takes me about 35 minutes whereas the Honda was a couple hours.  I ran the first season on one tank of fuel except the last mow.  How frequently it needs mowing is a fn of the weather - and we are semi arid here.  Anyway the Kubota positively SIPS fuel.  And has lots of torque, weighs over a ton and will pull a car out of a ditch.  3 cyl diesel 4wd hydrostatic with Hi-Lo range, 3 pnt hitch, rear and belly PTO's, front loader, belly mower with very heavy blades - tears through even steel junk I might not see in tall grass, and barbed wire hiding next to a fence, w/o knicking the blades.  The blades spin so fast it will cut grass long after the blades need sharpening.  I bought a front snow blade and rear grader blade and made a trailer hitch for it.  Could have got turf tires but industrial tires are better for snow and the ground here is mostly dry so ruts not a problem. Bar tires also available but too aggresive for mowing.  Plow several of the neighbors - not as fast as a pickup with blade but that won't mow the lawn or move a pile of gravel or grade the drive either. And the snow can be any depth - over your head even - we once had a snowstorm that dumped 4 feet of heavy snow in one blizzard with drifts twice that - and two more 30 inchers that winter.  There are tons of implements for whatever you want to do.  Made in Georgia, engineered by the japs. The Kubota dealer is only 12 miles away - can drive the tractor there as I haven't got a heavy enough trailer for it yet.  Likely won't.  Dealer availability is a big reason I bought it.  Kubota invented the small full featured tractor and others copied.  I have more confidence in Jap engineering - while supporting American manufacture for patriot reasons.

I have farmer friends with JD equipment - they have problems with JD claiming ownership of the computer circuit firmware of their customer's tractors and they are stinkers about it.  Meaning it's "Proprietary" so you have to have THEM work on it - seems a clear violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.  Not buying JD ANYTHING - even though they are priced competitive to Kubota and have a dealer right next door (recently moved there) to my Kubota dealer.

I actually have pulled Jade to the Kubota dealer so I could leave it there for some work and ride home.  BTW I can pull this trailer with Jade as well.

[Patrick]

Winter storage for gas engines. Simple. Non-ethanol fuel with Sea-Foam, turn off the fuel and run the engine til it quits.


I just looked at Ferris the other day. Looks very well built. I think the engine was a Kawasaki and it held about a gallon of oil. They were commercial models and pretty expensive.

[DIGGER]

Ive beenvusing a Hustler zero turn for 8 yrs now.   Kawasaki Engine cuts 60” swath.    Minor problems so far.    Cut about 1 1/2 acres.     Dont know that you will find any mower that is smooth cutting.    Would rather have small tractor but they leave ruts for sure.    Love my Hustler zero turn    Also, the mower deck has a lifetime warranty.   

[cookiedough]

MarkT,

nice Kubota rig you got there and with a more down low powerful diesel even better. If I lived in the country,  would be a good thing to have very useful.

what did the guys at the Kubota dealer say when you were pulling up with the Honda Valk in tow?  Did they say we do not work on cycles......

I always wondered about towing a light, small open flat trailer like that with a cycle.  How does it tow bouncing around all the time on the road?  I know if I hooked up my 7x8' ATV88 triton trailer weighing about 360lbs. it would be bouncing around the VAlk all over the place while on the road would have to take it pretty slow going to be safe...

[Patrick]

I replaced my little Honda Harmony with a Kubota BX2370 when the Honda mower deck siezed.  Been happy with the Kubota.  Has tons of zirks on it so you can maintain the bearings.  Unlike the Honda with "permanently sealed bearings".  Bull.  Gonna fail due to not being greased.  And they did but lasted 20 years.

I mow a bit less than half my 3 acres, of uneven ground and native grass - leave half for the deer to eat.  Takes me about 35 minutes whereas the Honda was a couple hours.  I ran the first season on one tank of fuel except the last mow.  How frequently it needs mowing is a fn of the weather - and we are semi arid here.  Anyway the Kubota positively SIPS fuel.  And has lots of torque, weighs over a ton and will pull a car out of a ditch.  3 cyl diesel 4wd hydrostatic with Hi-Lo range, 3 pnt hitch, rear and belly PTO's, front loader, belly mower with very heavy blades - tears through even steel junk I might not see in tall grass, and barbed wire hiding next to a fence, w/o knicking the blades.  The blades spin so fast it will cut grass long after the blades need sharpening.  I bought a front snow blade and rear grader blade and made a trailer hitch for it.  Could have got turf tires but industrial tires are better for snow and the ground here is mostly dry so ruts not a problem. Bar tires also available but too aggresive for mowing.  Plow several of the neighbors - not as fast as a pickup with blade but that won't mow the lawn or move a pile of gravel or grade the drive either. And the snow can be any depth - over your head even - we once had a snowstorm that dumped 4 feet of heavy snow in one blizzard with drifts twice that - and two more 30 inchers that winter.  There are tons of implements for whatever you want to do.  Made in Georgia, engineered by the japs. The Kubota dealer is only 12 miles away - can drive the tractor there as I haven't got a heavy enough trailer for it yet.  Likely won't.  Dealer availability is a big reason I bought it.  Kubota invented the small full featured tractor and others copied.  I have more confidence in Jap engineering - while supporting American manufacture for patriot reasons.

I have farmer friends with JD equipment - they have problems with JD claiming ownership of the computer circuit firmware of their customer's tractors and they are stinkers about it.  Meaning it's "Proprietary" so you have to have THEM work on it - seems a clear violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.  Not buying JD ANYTHING - even though they are priced competitive to Kubota and have a dealer right next door (recently moved there) to my Kubota dealer.

I actually have pulled Jade to the Kubota dealer so I could leave it there for some work and ride home.  BTW I can pull this trailer with Jade as well.

My Kubota is old enough so that a belly mower won't work unless the bucket frame is removed. Thats a lot of work, why I bought the 3 pointer. The newer stuff is nice.

[Rams]

I know you dislike craigslist buying used, but if you can save 5-6K off new msrp in like new condition, why not look to see what is out there, might surprise you?  Like said, some used mowers are worth buying me spending 100 bucks on what was a 400 dollar new 2-3 year old push mower.

this is diesel,  4wd which I think is rare would help not getting stuck with some other zero turn mowers, and looks big and rugged and tough?  still not cheap though.  Might be overkill for your needs?  One would think a diesel unit would last longer much like a truck/car supposedly in theory anyways?

https://madison.craigslist.org/grd/d/cross-plains-john-deere-mower/7163046114.html

The day I spend almost $18,000 on something that only mows is the day they can lock me up. 

That's nuts IMHO!!!

Rams 

[cookiedough]

I know you dislike craigslist buying used, but if you can save 5-6K off new msrp in like new condition, why not look to see what is out there, might surprise you?  Like said, some used mowers are worth buying me spending 100 bucks on what was a 400 dollar new 2-3 year old push mower.

this is diesel,  4wd which I think is rare would help not getting stuck with some other zero turn mowers, and looks big and rugged and tough?  still not cheap though.  Might be overkill for your needs?  One would think a diesel unit would last longer much like a truck/car supposedly in theory anyways?

https://madison.craigslist.org/grd/d/cross-plains-john-deere-mower/7163046114.html

The day I spend almost $18,000 on something that only mows is the day they can lock me up. 

That's nuts IMHO!!!

Rams 

agree,  paying for the John Deere name......   

[Ramie]

How about one of these

[Patrick]

How about one of these

Well, its a good thing it still has the front brake !

[Rams]

How about one of these

Well, its a good thing it still has the front brake !

Now, imagine that with a flat six...……………………   
Of course, one would also want to go darkside so as to not mess up the lawn with that aggressive rear tire. 

Rams   

[MarkT]

MarkT,

nice Kubota rig you got there and with a more down low powerful diesel even better. If I lived in the country,  would be a good thing to have very useful.

what did the guys at the Kubota dealer say when you were pulling up with the Honda Valk in tow?  Did they say we do not work on cycles......

I always wondered about towing a light, small open flat trailer like that with a cycle.  How does it tow bouncing around all the time on the road?  I know if I hooked up my 7x8' ATV88 triton trailer weighing about 360lbs. it would be bouncing around the VAlk all over the place while on the road would have to take it pretty slow going to be safe...

Feedback I got directly was I did a cool or at least different thing given they called their friends over to see.  I think around the watercooler they talked about the nut who rigged a trailer hitch to pull a flatbed trailer with a big bike on it.  A couple times dealer employees I hadn't met, when I rode up to pick up some oil and parts, asked me if I was the guy who pulled the bike on trailer with a tractor then turned around and towed the trailer with the bike.  That's OK I can be the biker nut.

The trailer tows well.  Doesn't bounce, while I don't put much weight on it.  Just be sure there's enough tongue weight.  This trailer is just big enough to load the Valk and the loading ramp.  More like 4X8 plus the tongue frame.  The bike is wired to power the lights.  I'm sure I could put a Harley on it but the weight would seriously affect braking not to mention handling.  Would only do that if I had to.  If I have access to the trailer I also have access to the 4runner to pull it so not likely.  Maybe on a large bet to show HD drivers what a big rice grinder can do.

[carolinarider09]

My new mower should be arriving any minute.  

Its here.   Got delivered in the rain so no time to do a test drive.  Will have to wait. 

[carolinarider09]

Ok, got a chance to try it out today. 

Holly Cow, it is very maneuverable I mean really.

Some things hard to get use to. 

No brakes.  The only way to stop it is to put the left and right PTO controls (that drive the wheels) in a neutral location.  The neutral location is not indexed.  I mean its sort of there but it is easy to past neutral into reverse.  Right now, stopping on a dime is not something I can do.  I can get close, but...

It has a parking brake but you have to have the controls in the neutral and then pushed out to set the parking brake without stopping the engine.

Its hard to go slow on anything but very smooth terrain.  if the terrain is rough, as you move forward the changes in terrain will tend to jar your arms and there you go....   

Other things. 

I forgot, several times, when I was practicing to lower the mower deck. 

The mowing height is adjustable from 1" to 5" in 1/4" increments. 

Oil change after first 8 hours and then every 100 hours (or once a year).  20w-50 Synthetic 

It has a fuel indicator (not a gauge)

It now has a "battery tender" connected.