Buying Advice Need a New Zero Turn for hilly 3 acres

[Baytown]

Hi everyone from Ken in Australia.
I've just purchased a new property with a gently sloping 3 acres.
We are in the wet tropics in Far Nth Queensland (Great Barrier Reef country), so my John Deere F1145 is too heavy for the ground when it gets soft (haven't tried it, but just know!)
I have a JD 108 42 inch 18.5 HP auto ride on, but it's underpowered to climb the hill easily and mow.
There is no risk of tipping the mower, so I would appreciate any comments on a decent Zero Turn which fits between the 108 Ride on and the F1145. I suggest I would need around the 23HP and min 50 inch deck.
Thanks fellas, and best wishes from Oz.

Ken

 

[Rickpoolman]

Hi Ken,

I mow about 3 acres of rolling hilly land also and just bought a JD 445 EzTrak ZTR. I can mow the whole area in just over an hour. (that includes going around about 20 fruit trees) I have some pretty good hills and the mower will take them fine unless I try mowing when the area is too wet. The 445 is between homeowner models and commercial models. Mine is a 54" cut and 25hp Kawasaki engine. Paid about $4200 US dollars for it three months ago. Deere also makes a z225, z245 and z425 which are cheaper.

Rick

 

[KennyV]

Hey Ken down under...
There are a lot of great ZTRs here in the states that would fit your needs..

For soft or easily damaged turf, try to get something with rounded shoulder tires.
The square edge flat tread looks like it would give the most traction, but I have found over the years that the rounded design, Not over inflated, gives great traction and is very gentle on turf even in soft areas... :smile:KennyV

 

[Baytown]

G'day Kenny and Rick.
Thanks for the replies fellas and apologies for being so slow to reply myself. I'm in the military and have been off the planet for some time.
I ended up purchasing a JD Z465 with a 62 inch deck. Great machine except for some design flaws, primarily the inability to put the seat far enough back, hence the contol levers are too close to the operator (my experience) and also a poor deck design re a strip of steel on the rear lip of the right side of the deck which keeps bending at 90 degree angles, and catching on things, tearing up the turf. Apart from that, I'm very happy. (It'ld be nice to be home to use the darn thing more often though!)

Thanks for the advice again and best wishes fellas.

Ken

 

[Turf & tree]

If you have exmark there, I suggest a vantage stand on. Great on hills and no seat to worry about, so no worries.

 

[mowitall.cl]

Suggest looking at husqvarna's mz2552 has kohler engine 25hp. 52" deck dual hydro gear zt3400 comm drive transaxles heavy 7 guage deck with 1/4" steel skirts around front edge. Retails 4500 and i love mine got 438 hrs no probs