Shopping for heavy duty mower

[Seaburry]

Today I tested an Exmark 60 inch X series zero turn with a Kawasaki engine. I have about 25 acres of farm, pasture and down sides of horse trails. Some smooth and some rough Lots of Bermuda and cogan grass etc. I do not want it golf course manicured, just clean. About five inches tall. Lots of pine trees. What are the thoughts on the right zero turn mower? Have a Kubota 4wd diesel tractor that been wonderful but it's just too slow. Thanks for any help. Wallace.

 

[Briana]

Welcome to LawnWorld!

We moved your thread to the Mower & Equipment Buying & Pricing forum.

 

[djdicetn]

Today I tested an Exmark 60 inch X series zero turn with a Kawasaki engine. I have about 25 acres of farm, pasture and down sides of horse trails. Some smooth and some rough Lots of Bermuda and cogan grass etc. I do not want it golf course manicured, just clean. About five inches tall. Lots of pine trees. What are the thoughts on the right zero turn mower? Have a Kubota 4wd diesel tractor that been wonderful but it's just too slow. Thanks for any help. Wallace.

I recommend that you check out the 60" Gravely Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(model# 991081 with the Kawa). Standard full suspension seat, ZT-3400 HydroGear commercial trannies, cast iron spindles and 7gauge chain-hung/Lifetime Warranty decks Link to webpage below:

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For what the Exmark Lazer Z X-series costs, you could probably step up to the Gravely 200 XDZ series or maybe even the top-of-the-line 400 XDZ series. I love my Gravely and they are serious Industrial-grade Commercial machines!!!

 

[Vanousb]

Welcome. I have an Exmark Pioneer s 60 inch cut I purchased this year. Level below the Exmark you demoed. Very please with it cut power and overall performance. For upper end cutting with zero turn in my area the Exmark is a great mower and the way to go. Extremely well made, awesome details in mower, etc. But I don't have the acres you are mowing. So pioneer was the choice for me. Best I tested around my area to me over some other better know. brands. The laser x is a great option and one of the best commercial level mowers you can buy in my opinion. What did you think of the demo? There are lots of brands at this level to compare, but be sure you are looking apples to apples. Sounds like you are looking at commercial level mower options. From your description of terrain I would definitely want the full suspension seat.

 

[Shughes717]

Can't knock any of the lazer series mowers. If money is not an issue then it is a fine choice. What other brands are available in your area. If you are looking for a great ride for the same price rang as the exmark you demoed and you have a dealer near by you might want to take a look at the ferris is2100. Same engine options, will mow at the same speeds, but has a nice spring suspension. The hustler super z will mow at speeds up to 13 mph. If you want to save money but still get the heavy duty components offered on the other mowers you may want to take a look at the snapper pro s200xt (same as the ferris is 2100 without the suspension). The Country clipper defender is an awesome looking mower as well. If there is a dealer near bye you should at least go take a look. It has a flip forward deck and a single joystick control. Scag turf tiger is another mower worth looking at. The gravely line I see on here also looks like a great mower. Have never seen one in action because we have no local dealers. In truth all of the mowers in the range you are looking at are great well made products. The best thing to look for in your situation is dealer quality and support. I hope you enjoy your search as much as I did mine. Whatever you decide on I would strongly recommend that you get the suspension seat at the very least. With that much mowing you are going to need all of the comfort you can get.

 

[Seaburry]

Thanks for all the great replies guys!! Have found a lot of great info just surching theatds. I'm going to chk out the Ferris dealer at lunch tomorrow may try Gravely if I can squeze it in before I have to run back to work. Too many irons in the fire this week....
Will report back this weekend . Thanks for comments wallace

 

[Vanousb]

Let us know how they compared to the exmark lazer x you tested. I agree with Shughes717, all the mowers at the level you are shopping are great in thier own way. Details differ, but all good in thier own way. Will be you personal preference ...but the best service/dealer would be big on my liist and the suspension seat is a must. Happy searching.

 

[Berners]

With your farm you may qualify for a program Toro is offering on their Z Master series of mowers, similar to the ExMark (same ownership, maybe they have the same program). I was pricing mowers this week and ordered a Z Master because the product fit my needs. The dealer asked me a question because in conversation about my property I mentioned I had outbuildings and a barn. He asked if I had a horse, I said I had two donkeys. Well with that he said call this number because I might qualify for a Toro Equine program. I called it and after a few questions I was told to expect a call back....I got a call back within 15 minutes advising I qualified and what Toro dealer did I want to deal with. I gave him the dealer and within minutes both me and the dealer received emails authorizing the sale of any Z Master series mower at a promo price. The program is granting 26% Equine discount off of MSRP. I got a $7,700 MSRP mower for well under any price quoted previously (do the math, 26% off that). If you have a horse or other equine go for it.

The Toro rep told me to pass the program info onto any horse people I know. They are offering this to get entry to more farms because they know more than likely the farm has either Kubota or JD tractors and would just by the same brand mower; so they are making an effort to move Toro into their mower purchase target sights by offering heavy discount $$$'s. I do not know if the program is national or regional, I never asked that question.

 

[Seaburry]

Great tip on the exmark equine program, almost un believable the savings offered. The x series 60 inch and the ferris 2100 are almost the exact same price. I'm intrigued enough with the suspension on the ferris to schedule at test dive for Wednesday afternoon. Still have gravely to chk out. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Shughes717]

Great tip on the exmark equine program, almost un believable the savings offered. The x series 60 inch and the ferris 2100 are almost the exact same price. I'm intrigued enough with the suspension on the ferris to schedule at test dive for Wednesday afternoon. Still have gravely to chk out. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Have you pulled the trigger on a mower yet? If so, what did you go with? What made you choose it?