ZTR required and in need of some opinions.

[1striper1]

I really have nothing meaningful to offer anymore and wish you nothing but the best of luck.

 

[KD0UTE]

I appreciate everyone's input and unfortunately I have a larger pool to choose from...which means more research Anyways once I figure out needs/wants and how often equipment will be used versus costs and maintenance I will post.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[1striper1]

You need to determine the cost/value of being snowed in for days vs. having to mow around trees. You did your family a disservice by not thinking about this before. You got LUCKY last winter. Do you want to test mother nature again...and again....and...?
Sorry to be so blunt but putting ones family in harms way strides a nerve with me. If you were alone....have at it.

 

[KD0UTE]

Sorry to be so blunt but putting ones family in harms way strides a nerve with me. If you were alone....have at it.

A disservice...is it not a disservice to put my family in debt and buy things we cannot afford? If the snow is too much for my wife and I to get out with our truck then we do not need to be on the roads. We have emergency kits (wife is a nurse) I am a HAM operator so communications will not be a problem. IF the roads are so bad that we are snowed in for days without power that is why I have a generator that attaches directly to our line into the house. Granted fuel can run in short supply, but getting out of my driveway doesn't solve the problem with the rest of the country roads and the icy highways.

I sir do not put my wife in harms way and God willing my future children's lives.

I may and probably did blow this out of proportion, but you also struck a nerve with me.

 

[1striper1]

You were not prepared to make this move....EOS.

 

[KD0UTE]

Because everyone who lives in the country has everything they need before they do? Notta chance.

 

[Shughes717]

You were not prepared to make this move....EOS.

It sounds as though to me KD0ute is preparing for the up coming winter. He is attempting to find equipment that suits his needs, and is seeking suggestions as to what he can purchase to fulfill those needs while staying in his budget. There is some time to shop around before another winter sets in. I hope he has luck finding something. I must admit that i have never had the amounts of snow in my area that you guys are talking about. We got 19" in 2009, but that's the most I have ever seen. I had no trouble getting around in it with a 4 wheel drive truck. I can't imagine what kind of weather conditions some members on this site must endure further north.

KD0ute, if you have decided on a plow for your truck and are just looking at a mower then the kubota z725 or z726 would be great options as well. They are mid mount ztr mowers, but are heavy duty and could handle your acrage with ease. Would be in the $8k range as well. You may also want to check out the snapper pro s200xt. It will run in the $9k range. Great mower. My father owns one that he uses to mow about 9 acres with. I don't know if you have horses, but in case you do exmark was offering an equine discount on their mowers. The laser z is an excellent mower as well.

 

[KD0UTE]

KD0ute, if you have decided on a plow for your truck and are just looking at a mower then the kubota z725 or z726 would be great options as well. They are mid mount ztr mowers, but are heavy duty and could handle your acrage with ease. Would be in the $8k range as well. You may also want to check out the snapper pro s200xt. It will run in the $9k range. Great mower. My father owns one that he uses to mow about 9 acres with. I don't know if you have horses, but in case you do exmark was offering an equine discount on their mowers. The laser z is an excellent mower as well.

Went to the GH and Exmark dealer last night and I enjoyed both the 727K and the Laser Z. Our ground is smooth enough for 11 mph so that isn't a factor, but I felt the GH was a smoother ride where the dealer was. Both cut well. I am going to the Kubota dealer tonight to test drive different machines and can hopefully make a decision by the end of next week. The exmarck and GH didn't have any used products so they would be a new buy. I like the idea behind the diesel kubota engine over the kawasaki's and kohler's, but I am not sure if it is worth the price increase.

 

[Shughes717]

Went to the GH and Exmark dealer last night and I enjoyed both the 727K and the Laser Z. Our ground is smooth enough for 11 mph so that isn't a factor, but I felt the GH was a smoother ride where the dealer was. Both cut well. I am going to the Kubota dealer tonight to test drive different machines and can hopefully make a decision by the end of next week. The exmarck and GH didn't have any used products so they would be a new buy. I like the idea behind the diesel kubota engine over the kawasaki's and kohler's, but I am not sure if it is worth the price increase.

Demoing all of the brands before you buy is the best way to ensure you get the mower you want. Good luck and let us know what you went with.

 

[rbstern]

You were not prepared to make this move....EOS.

You do realize that people lived in such circumstances before the invention of four wheel drive, air lift ambulances, ham radios, etc? Many still do. We're talking about equipment that represents a luxury to most of the living, breathing souls on this planet.