Shopping for heavy duty mower

[caryalsobrook]

I hope I am not hijacking this thread but I also am looking for a heavy duty mower. I could be mowing up to 30 acres on the farm(I train labs for HT's). No horses but dogs and about 400 acres of farmland. I mention this because seeing the mention of a discount under certain circumstances. A friend of mine also wants a heavy duty mower and we thought of buying 2 at the same time for leverage with a dealer. Dealers known to be in area are Xmark, Gravely, Ferris and JD. Probably more but just haven't checked. Of course the discount is of interest and I also have a sales tax exemption for the farm. My personal concern is whether to get a 60 or 72 inch deck. Side rails on my trailer would have to be modified for the 72. Haven't seen anyone talk about the 72 but since I am lazy, thought I might ask.

Again, hope there is no problem with my post on this thread but thought it might be better since we are looking at the same type of mower.

 

[monkfarm]

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

I have been very happy with my Scag. . . I just have a couple of acres to mow, however.

 

[Shughes717]

I have been very happy with my Scag. . . I just have a couple of acres to mow, however.

I was checking with seaburry to see what he went with.

 

[Shughes717]

I hope I am not hijacking this thread but I also am looking for a heavy duty mower. I could be mowing up to 30 acres on the farm(I train labs for HT's). No horses but dogs and about 400 acres of farmland. I mention this because seeing the mention of a discount under certain circumstances. A friend of mine also wants a heavy duty mower and we thought of buying 2 at the same time for leverage with a dealer. Dealers known to be in area are Xmark, Gravely, Ferris and JD. Probably more but just haven't checked. Of course the discount is of interest and I also have a sales tax exemption for the farm. My personal concern is whether to get a 60 or 72 inch deck. Side rails on my trailer would have to be modified for the 72. Haven't seen anyone talk about the 72 but since I am lazy, thought I might ask.

Again, hope there is no problem with my post on this thread but thought it might be better since we are looking at the same type of mower.

I mentioned this to seaburry, but any of the mowers in the range you are looking at will be a very well built machine. You asked about whether to go with a 60" or a 72". That depends on the terrain you are mowing and if you want to save some time. With the 72" you get an extra foot on each pass. It would not be a big deal if you were mowing less than 10 acres, but you will be mowing 30 so it may be worth looking at. You should definitely at least look into getting the suspension seat with what ever you buy. Ferris mowers have a suspension on all four wheels and in the larger mowers like the is2100 should help the ride greatly. Exmark and gravely are also fine mowers. The laser z is a very popular model with land scapers. The gravely line is also popular with people on this site and I have read very few negative comments about them. Get the dealers to bring the mowers to your property to test. Best way to determine what you like best is by mowing with one.

 

[caryalsobrook]

I mentioned this to seaburry, but any of the mowers in the range you are looking at will be a very well built machine. You asked about whether to go with a 60" or a 72". That depends on the terrain you are mowing and if you want to save some time. With the 72" you get an extra foot on each pass. It would not be a big deal if you were mowing less than 10 acres, but you will be mowing 30 so it may be worth looking at. You should definitely at least look into getting the suspension seat with what ever you buy. Ferris mowers have a suspension on all four wheels and in the larger mowers like the is2100 should help the ride greatly. Exmark and gravely are also fine mowers. The laser z is a very popular model with land scapers. The gravely line is also popular with people on this site and I have read very few negative comments about them. Get the dealers to bring the mowers to your property to test. Best way to determine what you like best is by mowing with one.

Thanks so much. This forum has really been helpful. We are thinking about waiting til after Sept. 1 in order to get a good discount. So we have time to look. I also forgot to mention that I like the idea of a rear discharge. That would keep me from having to cut in only one direction when mowing next to the road.

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks so much. This forum has really been helpful. We are thinking about waiting til after Sept. 1 in order to get a good discount. So we have time to look. I also forgot to mention that I like the idea of a rear discharge. That would keep me from having to cut in only one direction when mowing next to the road.

That's a good idea waiting until the end of the season to buy. I bought my Gravely in mid-September 2012 and saved over $1,300 from waiting to buy the same model in a 2013. WOW....for 30 acres you will indeed need a "heavy duty" ZTR!! You will need something Industrial grade like the Gravely Pro-Turn 400 XDZ, Hustler Super Z HD, Toro Z-Master 6000 series, Exmark Lazer Z X Series or Scag Turf Tiger(I don't know about the Hustler, Toro, Exmark or Scag but you're looking at around $12k for a Gravely in the 60" or 72"). Below is a link to the info on the Gravely Pro-Turn, where you can click on Find A Dealer to locate your local dealer and go to their website for details including pricing. You would NOT be disappointed buying a Gravely(American made Farm'Lawn equipment since 1916). Right now Gravely has "No Haggle Pricing" which is already discounted off the regular MSRP, but if you wait until September you can "haggle" a bit more on the dealer's in stock inventory!!

Pro-Turn 400 Commercial Zero turn Mower

P.S.
Looking for rear discharge may limit your choices more, but if grass clipping control is your objective maybe you should consider a mulch kit instead. I added a Gravely OEM mulch kit to my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ and grass clippings absolutely "disappeared" and there aren't any clippings going into landscaping, driveway, road etc. Just an afterthought:0)

 

[Shughes717]

Thanks so much. This forum has really been helpful. We are thinking about waiting til after Sept. 1 in order to get a good discount. So we have time to look. I also forgot to mention that I like the idea of a rear discharge. That would keep me from having to cut in only one direction when mowing next to the road.

You may also want to look into going with a diesel. I know some of the brands like the exmark laser z series and the scag turf tiger offer rear discharge decks. The toro z master series are well built mowers. They make exmark, so they will be very similar. I believe you can get a hustler super z with a rear discharge deck as well. The suspension on the is3100 would help out a lot with as many acres as you will be mowing. Ferris offers a rear discharge deck on some models. The price is going to be in the same range as the gravely mentioned by djdicetn.

 

[caryalsobrook]

Thanks for the replies. Just reading the posts on this forum has helped a lot. Now we will start looking and trying to decide which mower. I do have a Case 75 HP tractor and 2 bush hogs. I could cut part with them and some with the mower which is what a friend who is also a dog trainer suggests. That case I would get the 60 inch and be done with it. The good part is that we will wait till September to pull the trigger.

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks for the replies. Just reading the posts on this forum has helped a lot. Now we will start looking and trying to decide which mower. I do have a Case 75 HP tractor and 2 bush hogs. I could cut part with them and some with the mower which is what a friend who is also a dog trainer suggests. That case I would get the 60 inch and be done with it. The good part is that we will wait till September to pull the trigger.

Where in Tennessee are you located? I bought my Gravely from Chiltons Turf Center in Nashville. Roger Smith, the manager, is a great guy; gave me a great deal on my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ and he sells me any accessories or parts at his Commercial customer pricing. VERY good dealer to work with. They also carry Scag and Cub Cadet. Good luck finding the ZTR that is just right for your needs!!!

 

[caryalsobrook]

Where in Tennessee are you located? I bought my Gravely from Chiltons Turf Center in Nashville. Roger Smith, the manager, is a great guy; gave me a great deal on my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ and he sells me any accessories or parts at his Commercial customer pricing. VERY good dealer to work with. They also carry Scag and Cub Cadet. Good luck finding the ZTR that is just right for your needs!!!

Thanks, I live between Murfreesboro and Shelbyville and my farmland is in W. Tn, near Dyersburg. You as well as others have been a great help.