Totally off-topic

“Does anyone have any particular experience with riding lawn mowers? I've inherited my father's lawn to mow, as well as my own, and it's more than I care to push a mower around. Probably around an acre under grass total between the two yards. I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions, preferences, advice. What about the zero turn radius mowers vs. lawn tractor style? Any experience there?”

“price”

“If all your going to do is mow, go with the zero turning radius mowers. Just think of the health benifits you will be wasting as you ride.”

“My budget could go as high as $4500. I need something that will hold up for a long time, and won't waste a lot of my time repairing it all the time. As for the health benefits, I suppose you're right. But time is the greater factor. When was the last time you tried to mow an acre of grass with a walk-behind mower? I don't mind putting forth the effort, but it would take me all day long to accomplish, and I have a couple or three jobs that I actually have to show up for. My dad has an old Kubota tractor that he has fitted with a mowing deck, but it's a PITA to use, too large and cumbersome, not manueverable enough for my obstacle laden yard, and it's really just plain worn out.”

“you got plenty of money, don't get the cheapest thing out there. and remember service is important after the sale.”

“I would look into a more commercial type lawn mower like a grasshopper brand. They aint cheap but are meant for years of abuse. Do some online research and homework. I have some friends who own landscaping businesses, I will get some info if you'd like.”

“this'll give you good cutting and excercise...http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200284174&R=200284174&storeId=6970&langId=%2D1&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Performics&cm_pla=Performics&cm_ite=Performics”

“Craftsman from Sears.

I had one for years and what little maintenance that was required, ie blade sharpening, was really easy to do. It started every time and gave a pretty good cutting. My 10 yr old son could even handle it.”

“I've been doing lots of reading. I found a couple of forums online. One that seems to have made an impression with lots of people is the Hustler Mini FasTrak. I just got a quote from the nearest dealer of $3300 without any accessories for a 42 inch model. Anyone hear of it?”

“Find a local dealer who you trust, that will provide service after the sale, such as a loaner while yours is in the shop. Don't let the purchase price be the most important issue. Stick with the brand that has the best or most parts in stock. Remember this, some local dealers will not repair anything that they did not sell.”

“I've got a zero turning radius riding mower and it literally cut my mowing time in half from the conventional type garden tractor I had before. The main difference between the residential type ztrs and the commercial types is typicaly the use of integrated hydrostatic pump/motor assemblies versus separate hydrostatic pumps and motors. Commercial models generally also have heavier gauge mower decks.”

“hahahahaha... I USED to mow .85 of an acre with a self-propelled walk-behind mower, which I still needed to "wrestle" into submission on the slopes once in awhile. Took anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours depending on grass length.

Then again, I WAS in the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE doing that week in and out.”

“Whaaa???

It takes me 2.5 to 3 hours to do my 1.2 acres with a push/power mower.

Hobbit...here is some math for you:

1. More gas
2. No exercise
3. Up to $4500 gone???
4. $150-200 for yearly tuneup.

If you invested that $4500, you would be much further ahead!

Worse case, buy a used push power and hire a kid to do the lawn for you.

Just a thought :)

(I would never buy a riding lawn mower!)

Sorry, fellow TTers that have them.”

“I think maybe you'd better have your place surveyed again highcountry. You're talking about mowing approximately 5.66 linear miles of grass. Assuming you can cut a perfect swath with no overlap.(with a 21" deck) Even the fastest self propelled mower will only go about 4 mph. However most won't exceed 1.5 mph while actually cutting grass. That adds up to about 3 and three quarters of an hour. And that doesn't account for stopping to turn, emptying a grass catcher, (unless you mulch) re-fueling etc. You tell a good story, but it doesn't hold water. I think I'll keep shopping.

"Why, when I was a boy, I used to hafta walk to school.... uphill both ways.... in a snowstorm...."
last edited: 5/08/05 8:24:15 AM”

“True, ztrs are costly, but after using one for the past 5 years, I'd never go back. I think of it as a "time machine" (giving me more free time) instead of a mower ;-)”

“Here's my take on the whole thing. Less time spent performing menial labor at home = more time spent backpacking. I'm sold on the whole ZTR thing. Now all I have to do is settle on which one. The TORO Timecutter Z is overpriced for what you get, and doesn't look like a real heavy duty machine. The Walker is a true commercial machine, but way overpriced. I think I'm leaning toward the Hustler FasTrak.”

“kawasaki, cub cadet, scag, gravely, dixon, kubota, john deer, hustler”

“So many mowers are made by MTD. The Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard Man and Sears to name a few. I'm not a huge fan of MTD. I've ordered the Hustler, and it will arrive on Wednesday of this week. Thanks for all the input. I hope I can learn to drive the ZTR before I crash the thing. The Toro I drove was squirelly to drive, but they say you get used to it in a hurry.”