Ride on Lawn mowers

[Alan Loy]

I have 5 acres, mostly flat, but by no means a 'lawn' if you know what I mean. It's had horses and is a fair bit clumpy and paddock like, with a couple of challenging slopes. Plus dirt/rock/grass sections, and quite a few fences and structures to mow around.

Budget is $3k max - I accept this isn't a lot of money to throw at a solid unit. I can find more money later for a better unit, but right now I'm stretched.

I know this is not what you asked but are there no fuss grazing animals that could sort most of your grass out?  Maybe goats if you can't get Lamas or whatever is fashionable.

[Mik01]

Good point Alan, we are definitely getting a couple of sheep to run around the hilly section. Not keen on goats.
Maybe a horse as well.
If I could afford a monster zero turn, I would have one now. Luckily it's so dry (no rain for ages), the grass doesn't need mowing. So I don't need any heavy duty slashing etc. but soon I need to decide so I can start keeping the grass down before it gets to that stage.
More and more I'm thinking of a husky with diff lock. If that's rubbish, at least I haven't blown a huge sum and would look to resell to upgrade.

[muzza01]

Worth a look for $3500

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Massey-Ferguson-zero-turn-mower-/261429592007?pt=AU_Lawnmowers&hash=item3cde6affc7&_uhb=1

[johnyd]

With the new house I have been offered a ride on to purchase as part of the deal. Can anyone give me some feedback on this particular model please. Its only done 50 hours on the clock, thanks.

GG

Looks like the SuperZ HD the cricket club here has one and it is a goer, good ride as well much more comfortable than our consumer level one.  They are around $18,000 new.  I'd say it would do the 4 acres in an hour.  The specs say 7.76 per hour at 80% efficiency.  Depending on your terrain and obstacles I'd say 4 in an hour would be fair. I don't think there are many faster than it. 

Actually can be had for under $16,000 new http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/springwood/lawn-mowers/hustler-31hp-60-zero-turn/1053177539

Specs page http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Super_Z_HD_Hyperdrive

I think if you got it under $14k you'd be doing well.

We have an entry level Cox Cruiser, no where near as comfortable or quick as the SuperZ (given it is a good $13000 less that is to be expected), but it goes alright.

Specs seemed better than the competitors with a fabricated deck, swing-back blades and importantly an adjustable seat!  Seat position was rather important, I looked like a fat praying mantis on the others we tried with arms and legs everywhere.  One model I couldn't have my feet on the rests and push the levers past about 50% without them hitting my knees.

They have a fairly bad website:
http://www.coxmowers.com.au/?page_id=1585

I mow this http://imgur.com/LlqncU6 (Was a poor season when they took that image, currently has nice green grass everywhere around the house and sheds)

Usually leave the spike heading north and still have to clear a few sections for rocks, stumps and various bits of metal. Only about 4500m² (according to SIX) gets done on a regular basis and takes me a little over an hour (can do it in ~45 if I disregard the bouncing).  Would take less if I didn't have all those trees to dodge and a few less fences as well. Roughly 2.4 acres per hour is its 80% efficiency calculation, so my usual is only about 40% efficient with all the tree dodging and having to drive to gates, get off and move things that I didn't find when I checked before jumping on.

Moved there about a year ago now, slowly getting it tamed. There was a bit of a mess of random rocks, stumps and rubbish in the sections around the sheds and along the road that had to be cleared before I'd take the mower in there.

[chillipepperz]

Just had a service done on my Husky YTH2648 and blown away by the cost! The special pre-season service deal of $99.00 was cool, but the cost of a new spindle, and new front and rear stabiliser bars for some reason, pushed the bill to over $400! So the advice before about getting a contractor to do the work may not be that silly when the cost of maintaining this thing is factored in plus the initial purchase cost etc....but then again I do find it strangely therapeutic tearing around our 8.5 acres on the thing. Cheers! Andrew

[GeoffA]

........So the advice before about getting a contractor to do the work may not be that silly when the cost of maintaining this thing is factored in plus the initial purchase cost etc....

....and it would make even more sense if you factor in your time as well....

[Robbo]

Retro Hot Rod Mower

[GGV8Cruza]

A bit of an update and report. We got the Super Z tied into the sale and it has been great. Fantastic cut, fast worker and a joy to use. The manicured part of our block takes around 35 minutes to mow once a week at the moment. The paddock takes around the same time but has a lot more obstacles, the zero turn makes little work of them.

Now all I need to do is find the time to fit up the light bar and we will be set for winter mowing 

GG

[xcvator]

Now all I need to do is find the time to fit up the light bar and we will be set for winter mowing 

GG

Are you a masochist  It's not worth the hassle  My mower man only comes about every 3 weeks in winter

[speewa158]

You will be just driving around for practice in winter , spend your money on a radio/CD unit & hear bids for under the ear muffs .   

[Me]

Agreed, if it were a car it would have done the equivalent of 13200 km (at 100 kph).

No offence,  IMO People need to do a reality check on what they really need to replace when, and look at end of life maintenance and replacement cycles.

Cars, 300k.
Tractors 5000 to 6000 hours
Camper trailers?....

Oh well, if you have the spare $$$ then go for it.

Everyone's circumstances are different. No way I'd keep a car 300K, if I did I'd have to pay the tax man the amount it cost me to turnover cars every 3 years & be stuck with an old car. Buy a new car every 3 years, or give the money I would have spent on new cars to the tax man? For me, that's a no brainer! Your circumstances may be different.