Zero Turn Mowers

This reminds me of Lucky's speech at the middle of "Waiting for Godot".

Yes, but fliptop427 still has the luxury of choice.

I love Honda engines.

I needed to buy a new mower last year. I did a lot of research and planned to by a John Deere zero-turn mower. At Home Depot I was looking at the model I'd intended to buy and asked the store employee where the attachment point was for pulling aerators and spreaders.

He said it didn't have one, because the transmissions for the zero-turn mowers weren't designed for the extra load of pulling other equipment.

I went back home and did some more research and bought a 'regular' John Deere mower. The deal included a free tow-behind cart. Works great. It has a fairly tight turn radius anyway.

You have to be careful, John Deere wanted to fill the gap the big box stores were fill, so they came out with an economical model to feel the gap, and people bought green just thinking they bought quality as well as other options at below price.

Your post couldn't have come at a better time. I have 8 acres (6 in grass) of land and I have been using the typical big box riding mower. In 15 years, I am now on my 4th machine. The other three, have quit on me. The Kohler engine in one blew up. The others; the deck rusted out and spindles broke off. My current mower has been working better than the others, but the stamped steel deck is a weak point. I don't expect this machine to last another year. I have been looking at zero turn mowers, but the price scares me. The big box brands ranging in price from $2500 to $4500 still have stamped steel cutting decks, which I realize is the #1 weak point of any machine. Whether it is a $1500 riding mower or a $4500 zero turn mower, they all have the flimsy cutting deck.

After much research, I have settled on one that costs $8500 new, but I can pick up used for $4000. It has a welded 10 gauge steel deck; aluminum ball rearing spindle housings and a Kawasaki 2-cylinder engine. It is also 3 years old. A friend of mine has a landscaping business and he has been cutting my grass with that same machine that he will sell to me. The machine has been well maintained and appears in perfect condition, other than a set or two of cutting blades. It cuts 60" and is a commercial model made by Husqvarna. He wants to buy a new machine so he will sell me this one.

I'm sure this is the right decision. One commercial machine will last longer than a consumer model, even if it is used. Repairs on a consumer grade machine are not worth it, but is worth it on a commercial machine. I think this used mower will outlast several consumer models. I have checked the price of replacement parts and am prepared for it.

If you can afford it, buy it.

I've had their motorcycles in my younger years, my brother won't buy any other brand of chain saw, and with 6 acres to mow, you deserve it.

The decks probably rust from the inside out. I wonder if a spray of truck bed liner (Rhino Shield or similar) on the underside of the deck would extend the life?

For something like that, I'd look for a used utility tractors and a mower.

I think that the reason for rust through on most decks is the grass and debris left laying on top, this keeps moisture there all the time. If you look at the more expensive models you will see a cover that seals out this grass and debris from laying on the deck itself greatly reducing rust through.

Be sure to buy one that has grease fittings on the spindles, the axles and steering system and use them often.

You mentioned it was well maintained, that is the key to longevity.

I have been using the same Scott's 21HP KOHLER COMMAND hydrostatic drive with a 50" stamped deck for 16 years now and still going strong. I mowed 3-5 acres for the first 8 years and about 2 acres since.

We have a Christmas Tree farm where I mow around about 6 acres of trees and my mower of choice, by a long shot, is a mower that was made in Peabody, Ks. named a Heckendorn. It is a tricycle wheel setup and has a 3 speed and reverse transmission, a Model A type actually. A couple that I have had were 15 years old when I bought them.

A couple of years I took one to get serviced, belts, settings, etc. and the dealer tried to steer me to a new hydrostatic one that they had come out with a few years before. I asked if he had anything used and he said he hadn't had any come back for resale yet, that was 5 years after they came out. Usually most other machines are on the junk pile already. The ones I now have are a 1976 Model with a Briggs 10 hp (1984 engine) and a 1986 Model with a 10 hp Briggs.

These are amazing machines for cutting a lot of acres. The ones I have are 36" but they also have some larger commercial models with foldup decks.