Zero Turn Mowers

[dullbird]

Hi Guys

so we are looking at getting a Zero turn mower,

This is going to be a massive expense for us as we are looking at spending about 10 grand as we are hoping we will only have to buy it once..looking for a heavy domestic to light commercial model around the 52" deck size.

its for 5 acres might seem excessive but our little ride on is starting to get tired doing all this work..

I'm getting a horse however paddocks will still need to be mown and maintained as they will be rotated.

we have looked at Husqavana and really like it....

this is the model we were looking at

GYC - Husqvarna MZ28ZT | GYC More than just mowers (http://www.gyc.net.au/shop/item/husqvarna-mz28zt)

but also know that councils use Toro because they are reliable so was also looking at this model

GYC - Toro Titan ZX6050 CE | GYC More than just mowers (http://www.gyc.net.au/shop/item/toro-titan-zx6050-ce)

one thing that was pointed out to us was that the huskys have supposedly a stronger frame they are all beefed up as if they were on a commercial frame....so they are meant to be pretty dam strong. I dont know a lot about Toro

I have also seen council on kabotas but I have looked at these and they are not really in our price range.

does anyone have any experience with the above? or know of something that is comparable that we should be looking at, we dont know a lot about mowers

What I do know is I'm looking for reliability, its got to be fairly rugged because its got to last, it has to have a minimum of a 52" deck because I want to significantly cut down mowing time (currently spend all day doing it and some times the next day if its a hot day) and I dont want a pressed deck.

I'm not interested in Buying second hand so please dont suggest, simply because we dont want to have the worry about having to work on something, we have enough cars for that! we would just like a little bit of piece of mind in the outset with a warranty.

[MR LR]

We just got an Ariens (think thats how you spell it) 48" for the farm, and from all reports it seems excellent (i haven't see it yet :( ), i think it was about 7.5k brand new, worth a look

Cheers
Will

[goingbush]

for 5 acres you will want something with suspension,
those machines in your link wont last long, nor your back.

have a look at a ferris zero turn mower
Ferris Zero Turn Mowers (http://www.ferrisindustries.com/zero-turn-mowers/)

much better mower for similar money.

[dullbird]

for 5 acres you will want something with suspension,
those machines in your link wont last long, nor your back.

have a look at a ferris zero turn mower
Ferris Zero Turn Mowers (http://www.ferrisindustries.com/zero-turn-mowers/)

much better mower for similar money.

Really even though we have a fairly level block?? as for the back you can option air seats which dampen the effect of the ride I think

[Blknight.aus]

for what you're doing I strongly suggest skipping the mower option and head into the relms of small tractors and slashers.

My theory on this is based from having to deal with the ride on mowers and slashers from the old RAAF Amberly golf club.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Small-tractor-complete-but-NOT-WORKING-2-spare-tyres-/180968122460?pt=AU_Business_Industrial_Farming_Agr iculture_Farming_Agriculture_Equipment&hash=item2a228a685c

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mower-Slasher-Tow-Behind-ATV-Small-Tractor-16HP-Petrol-Engine-Self-Powered-/230835834572?pt=AU_Business_Industrial_Farming_Agr iculture_Farming_Agriculture_Equipment&hash=item35bee34ecc

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mower-Slasher-Tow-Behind-ATV-Small-Tractor-16HP-Petrol-Engine-Self-Powered-/230835834572?pt=AU_Business_Industrial_Farming_Agr iculture_Farming_Agriculture_Equipment&hash=item35bee34ecc
http://www.sotatractors.com/index.php?Doo=ContentView&id=773


http://www.midwaysales.com.au/product/dongfeng-tractor-zb25-optional-4-in-1-loader/

Allibaba has similar items for as little as $3k ea.

[dullbird]

Dave our place is not big enough to warrant a tractor and as I said I DONT want something we will have to work on to start with...the only way we could buy a tractor would be second hand, we wont have any idea on the sort of life it has had.

There are some cheaper chinese tractors available now but the cost comes with buying the extras adn what happens when it brakes how available are the parts...I cant store a tractor either.

I will soon have a horse so once I have the horse the mowing will reduce a lot. I also think the zero turn will be more manoeuvrable than a tractor with a slasher on the back we have a fair few trees down the back. We have looked at tractors and talked about them in the past and came to the conclusion that once the place is paddocked off there wont be a great need for it...

[LandyAndy]

We have 3 Toros at work.Great machines that dont give alot of strife.
Only had issues with the smaller petrol powered unit,the engine needed a rebuild at 700hours due to low compression,we think it was dusted as the airfilter was damaged.
Parts are easy to get and dealer backup (ToroQuip WA) is excellent.
The big 3 gang reel mower was almost $40000:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Andrew

[carjunkieanon]

I worked on the grounds team at a 300+ acre school. The best front deck mower we had was an Iseki Iseki : Home (http://www.iseki.com.au)

It copped heaps of abuse, but seemed to keep on going and going.

No idea what the prices are.

The website has tractors as well as zero turn mowers.

R

[Don 130]

A friend of mine has a Dixon. It's had lots of bits fall off it, and it's because he does what you intend to do, and mow a paddock. Fast yes, but with those tiny wheels it will shake itself and your liver to bits unless your paddock is billiard table smooth. They have a cutout switch under the seat to stop the engine in the event of a rollover, and at speed on a bumpy horse paddock it'll be cutting in and out as you bump up and down. You'll have to go slow with one or do what Dave has already suggested. Tractors have big wheels for a good reason. Or you could disc up your paddock, resow, then harrow it smooth.
Don.

[dullbird]

my ride on has never cut out granted it doesnt go as fast as a zero turn but it goes flat chat if you hit a small ditch when your not expecting it you will bloody know about it...we have also cracked the chassi on our ride on I just find it very hard to believe that a good semi commercial mower is not going to do a better job than our MTD ride on has done for the last 3years??!! and we have bloody abused that little mower and we bought it second hand, its been a great little machine and coped some abuse its just getting tired.

I have a friend who has a Toro and they go flat out around her place and abuse the bloody thing and her place is 30 acres, my place is flatter than hers?????

[rick130]

A friend of mine has a Dixon. It's had lots of bits fall off it, and it's because he does what you intend to do, and mow a paddock. Fast yes, but with those tiny wheels it will shake itself and your liver to bits unless your paddock is billiard table smooth. They have a cutout switch under the seat to stop the engine in the event of a rollover, and at speed on a bumpy horse paddock it'll be cutting in and out as you bump up and down. You'll have to go slow with one or do what Dave has already suggested. Tractors have big wheels for a good reason. Or you could disc up your paddock, resow, then harrow it smooth.
Don.

There's a few Dixon's around here, but whether they are any good or not, I can't say.

All I know is that a contractor had a brand new one go up in flames last week mowing outside one of the studs here.
I missed the call out as I leave the pager in the Defender :angel:

Toro's are popular with the studs, as are Kubota.

We had a front deck, 3cyl diesel, 4wd (with diff lock) Kubota on a place SWMBO managed twelve years ago and it was brilliant.
I think it was also a mid $20,000 mower too :o

[Blknight.aus]

err?

that should have been a link to a 2wd 15hp yellow number with a 1.5m mini deck for $7k.

give me a minute.

[dullbird]

do the studs around your way have billiard table smooth paddocks?

how did you go using a front deck mower rick any issues with mowing a paddock in a reasonable time? I appreciate we are in a slightly different price bracket to each other.

As for the dixons are they the cheaper version of the husky?

[dullbird]

any link other than EBAY dave I need a shop front where I can take the mower close to home in the event of something going wrong...

[Blknight.aus]

Ok, cant find the original link buuut

cub cadet tractor 4wd | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/cub-cadet-tractor-4wd-/130764385990?pt=Tractors&hash=item1e722a2ec6)

think of one like that but without the underslung deck, front loader setup

I found the biggest killers for the ride on for the golf club where the smaller pot holes that hid in the grass trashing the front ends and people hanging the things up on the deck on obstacles.

try these guys

http://www.australiantractorbrokers.com.au/

and kubota, Ive never had problems getting parts for kubota gear in general.
http://kubota.com.au/products/detail.asp?ca_id=1&pd_id=4&mo_id=BX1860

[dullbird]

Ok, cant find the original link buuut

cub cadet tractor 4wd | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/cub-cadet-tractor-4wd-/130764385990?pt=Tractors&hash=item1e722a2ec6)

think of one like that but without the underslung deck, front loader setup


I found the biggest killers for the ride on for the golf club where the smaller pot holes that hid in the grass trashing the front ends and people hanging the things up on the deck on obstacles.

yeah thats what we have basically been using this little mover for over time we have found and filled the holes that are around clear any rocks etc so although our place is not a dead flat block (I personally think you would be hard pushed to find one that has not been redone and levelled because to look at ours it looks dead flat but its not) we can now zoom the little mower round flat chat as long as the grass is not to long without having to stop except for one or two known places that we are still yet to fill.

and as I have stated I can't buy second hand I can not spend that sort of money not knowning that the following week we could be having to spend all day working on it...we actually dont have that much time. we dont even have enough time to work on the cars the disco has been laid up since the last off road trip which was months ago..so no second hand is out of the question.

until we actually get some head way with the fencing and other things around the place I dont want to be worrying about a second hand mower as well.

[Blknight.aus]

yeah thats what we have basically been using this little mover for over time we have found and filled the holes that are around clear any rocks etc so although our place is not a dead flat block (I personally think you would be hard pushed to find one that has not been redone and levelled because to look at ours it looks dead flat but its not) we can now zoom the little mower round flat chat as long as the grass is not to long without having to stop except for one or two known places that we are still yet to fill.

and as I have stated I can't buy second hand I can not spend that sort of money not knowning that the following week we could be having to spend all day working on it...we actually dont have that much time. we dont even have enough time to work on the cars the disco has been laid up since the last off road trip which was months ago..so no second hand is out of the question.

until we actually get some head way with the fencing and other things around the place I dont want to be worrying about a second hand mower as well.

The fencing was why I was suggesting one of the smaller mowers, I tracked in the kubota site for Aus for you.

[Mudnut]

I have a Hustler mini Fastrack. Many of the local garden care mobs use them. They are light industrial, and mine has copped heaps of abuse. I can mow my bottom paddock in much less time than the ride on mower type that my neighbors have. Maybe not twice as fast, but faster. The price was about 2k more for the zero radius than the standard ride on, but it is great for weaving in and around the trees on my block. I purchased the smaller deck, (48") because I need to get through several gates on the properties I mow.

I think the big thing to consider is what brand can be serviced near you.
My father has had bad experiences with the green and yellow brand, and would not purchase one after all the troubles he has had. So far no issues with mine, and 2 years old.

Cheers,

Ken

[dullbird]

the tractors are out of our price range we have 10grand MAX...and thats really pushing it as some of it will have to be financed.

and Kubotas we have already looked at and established they are out of our price range.:(

[Don 130]

BTW, if you go with anything Kubota, this is where to go in your area

Kubota Australia (http://kubota.com.au/dealers/details.asp'de_id=91&querystr=)

Don.

[dullbird]

Thanks Mudnut we are happy to service it ourselves if need be its more if a warranty issue came about I want it to be easy to go to a shop front if that makes sense.

[DiscoGav]

Walker mowers are good machines, have a look at the mc basic and reliable. Kubota are also good more refined but parts can be expensive. What ever you get, a welder, grinder and a hammer will be useful to keep the deck straight and the blades sharp, you will hit stumps and rocks from time to time.

[dullbird]

I would thank you Nod but the button has disappeared!!!

[dullbird]

Walker mowers are good machines, have a look at the mc basic and reliable. Kubota are also good more refined but parts can be expensive. What ever you get, a welder, grinder and a hammer will be useful to keep the deck straight and the blades sharp,
you will hit stumps and rocks from time to time.

we wont because we are removing them all:D that was the purpose of wrecking this little mower as the clean up machine, ready for the pricey one to come in and live a little longer with a less harder life..or at least thats the plan:eek::D

[DeanoH]

Zero turn mowers are the latest sexy craze in mowers. Your dealer will tell you that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, turn on a sixpence, levers instead of a steering wheel, ergonomic as buggery and as technologically advanced as the latest iPhone 6 or whatever. It's all bull****. It's a lawn mower. If you're mowing around a lot of trees or in very difficult places a front deck mower is good but can take a bit of getting used to, but if you're mowing flat paddocks why do you need a mower of this complexity and with a pile more (expensive) moving parts to wear out ?
Sure Huskys are good and a 52" mower will do the job quicker than a smaller mower so why not buy a Husky GTH3052TF Lawn Tractor ?, more powerful than the MZ28ZT, same 52" deck, hydro drive and over $3000 cheaper ? Plus you can put a trailer on the back and use it as a mini tractor for various jobs around the place. Much better value for money and more versatile. It'a a mower, it cuts grass.

As for Toro, brilliant mowers, practically invented front deck mowers BUT their spare parts pricing is absolutely poisonous, plus Toro US have stitched up its dealer network in the US to prohibit sales outside the 'lower 48' states. Recently tried to buy a Toro ignition coil for an Onan motored ride on, $400+ in Australia or $45 in the US but won't export due to trade restrictions. What was that about the North American Free Trade Agreement with Australia ? Haha.................:Rolling:

John Deere stuff is excellent quality and IMO better than Husky and their spare parts are very reasonably priced. Simplicity is also good quality but I don't know about their spare parts pricing. If you're serious about quality avoid the MTD stuff of which Cub is probably the best, but still not a 'serious' mower. Kubota is of course the 'Rolls Royce', but big bucks.


Deano :)

[dullbird]

Zero turn mowers are the latest sexy craze in mowers. Your dealer will tell you that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, turn on a sixpence, levers instead of a steering wheel, ergonomic as buggery and as technologically advanced as the latest iPhone 6 or whatever. It's all bull****. It's a lawn mower. If you're mowing around a lot of trees or in very difficult places a front deck mower is good but can take a bit of getting used to,
but if you're mowing flat paddocks why do you need a mower of this complexity and with a pile more (expensive) moving parts to wear out ? Sure Huskys are good and a 52" mower will do the job quicker than a smaller mower so why not buy a Husky GTH3052TF Lawn Tractor ?, more powerful than the MZ28ZT, same 52" deck, hydro drive and over $3000 cheaper ? Plus you can put a trailer on the back and use it as a mini tractor for various jobs around the place. Much better value for money and more versatile. It'a a mower, it cuts grass.

As for Toro, brilliant mowers, practically invented front deck mowers BUT their spare parts pricing is absolutely poisonous, plus Toro US have stitched up its dealer network in the US to prohibit sales outside the 'lower 48' states. Recently tried to buy a Toro ignition coil for an Onan motored ride on, $400+ in Australia or $45 in the US but won't export due to trade restrictions. What was that about the North American Free Trade Agreement with Australia ? Haha.................:Rolling:

John Deere stuff is excellent quality and IMO better than Husky and their spare parts are very reasonably priced. Simplicity is also good quality but I don't know about their spare parts pricing. If you're serious about quality avoid the MTD stuff of which Cub is probably the best, but still not a 'serious' mower. Kubota is of course the 'Rolls Royce', but big bucks.


Deano :)

I do have a lot of trees down the back didnt you read that bit which is one of the reasons a tractor is not ideal:)

and I still have the little mower to pull a trailer which we just intend on taking the deck off and let it pull hay and **** around the paddock on our little tipper trailer....

I hear John dear are good I also hear they have quite unhappy customers because they have changed their decks to pressed. I wouldn't touch an MTD zero turn even though our little MTD ride on has been brilliant!! because I have read a lot that they self combust:D apparently a few have gone up in flames due to a faulty fuel line and company did not honour warranty..even with new ones...but that was just reading off people that brought them I guess they could be exaggerating

[rick130]

Lou, we have a basic Murray that's ten years old.
My partner scored it for nicks from one of the studs she foal watches at as they couldn't make it go.
An oil change, a tappet adjustment and we have a mower (that's needed the deck welded, and a few bits and bobs) :D

The studs have all gone front deck Toro's as that's what the biggest dealer here sells.

As for paddocks, they use 100+HP tractors with flailing mulchers ;)

The front deck mowers are for the gardens/surrounds and roadsides. (our neighbour has 7km of hwy frontage, up to 20m wide shuolders and it's all mowed with, or was until they employed that new contractor that lost his Dixon last week with a couple of front deck Toros)

The two mower mechanics here don't like the JD mowers, they reckon they're overpriced, spares are overpriced (just like their tractors) and not very durable.
The older ones were much tougher.

[dullbird]

Lou, we have a basic Murray that's ten years old.
My partner scored it for nicks from one of the studs she foal watches at as they couldn't make it go.
An oil change, a tappet adjustment and we have a mower (that's needed the deck welded, and a few bits and bobs) :D

The studs have all gone front deck Toro's as that's what the biggest dealer here sells.

As for paddocks, they use 100+HP tractors with flailing mulchers ;)


The front deck mowers are for the gardens/surrounds and roadsides.

The two mower mechanics here don't like the JD mowers, they reckon they're overpriced, spares are overpriced (just like their tractors) and not very durable.
The older ones were much tougher.

of course they are I forgot you lived in posh land:D:wasntme:

[DeanoH]

I do have a lot of trees down the back didnt you read that bit which is one of the reasons a tractor is not ideal:)........................................... ............

Sorry DB, the term Lawn Tractor is just marketing terminology for ride on mower, it's really no bigger than the zero turn mower you're contemplating. It's not really a real tractor at all. :)

I've just recently gone through a similiar exercise looking at mowers and decided that the zero turn stuff wasn't worth the cost, also way too complex for for reliable operation and thus more expensive and dificult to maintain.

John Deere stuff is excellent, they have three different 'levels' of mower, similiar to Huskys H, L, C categorys. Their decks are particularly good especially on their more serious models.

Both the Husky MZ28ZT zero turn and the GTH3052TF ride on are 52" cut and of the same L (landowner) heavy duty category but I found it a bit hard to justify the additional $3100 asking price for the zero turn mower.

Deano :)

[dullbird]

aaaa I see what you mean about Lawn tractor now.

I cant find this part number GTH3053TF what is it

EDIT: Its OK I found it you had a 3 in instead of a 2

oh and from what I have read only on forums the zero turns are faster especially if you have trees, you do have to be very careful with them on slopes from what I have seen but you do with a ride on as well

[DeanoH]

aaaa I see what you mean about Lawn tractor now.

I cant find this part number GTH3053TF what is it

EDIT: Its OK I found it you had a 3 in instead of a 2


Sorry DB been out for tea, lovely bottle of reisling :). Yes it's a 2 instead of a 3 and it does have a fabricated cutting deck. A little big for me but quite a good mower I thought.

Deano :)

[dullbird]

I did add to my other post I'm guessing the extra cost is for the speed and manoeuvrability as I have read a few forums ride on vs zero turn and everyone says zero turn all the way.

They are fast and have more manoeuvrability I guess thats what your paying for the ability to cut in and out of trees quickly. they can be dangerous on slopes form what I have read though so something for people that maybe reading this to consider...but then so can a ride on.

[rick130]

[snip]

John Deere stuff is excellent, they have three different 'levels' of mower, similiar to Huskys H, L, C categorys. Their decks are particularly good especially on their more serious models.

[snip]

Deano :)

That's interesting.

Everyone here must buy the ones for billiard table smooth 3-5 acre gardens and expect them to be able to mow paddocks and wonder why they're in at the mechanics every week.
(seriously, every week to second week a friends JD is in being repaired. She treats it like a tractor :eek: )

[rick130]

of course they are I forgot you lived in posh land:D:wasntme:

Yes, they just tolerate me here, although all the yoga ladies like me :D

[dullbird]

is that because your a beardy weirdy, :p

[DeanoH]

That's interesting.

Everyone here must buy the ones for billiard table smooth 3-5 acre gardens and expect them to be able to mow paddocks and wonder why they're in at the mechanics every week.
(seriously, every week to second week a friends JD is in being repaired. She treats it like a tractor :eek: )


A bit like buying a 4WD really.

How many people buy their 4WD first and then decide where they are going to take it ? As opposed to buying a vehicle suited to the type of 4WDing they wish to do. :cool:

Deano :)

[Vern]

We've just upgraded to a Toro zero turn, we've gone from an mtd 42" (biggest pile of rubbish), to a greenfield 32" fast cut (great little mower, much faster than the mtd and cuts the lawn real nice), and now a 42" toro zero turn.
Mowing time has nearly halved. (2.8 acres) we bought new as we didn't want the headaches we had with the last 2 mowers trying to start them.
Overall I find it great to use once you are used to it, easier to get in and out off, and it starts first go:D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Do any of them have a rifle rack and camera box?
:whistling::p

[Blknight.aus]

just to be silly.. Why not get a towdeck and haul it behind the landy?

$2kish

[dullbird]

just to be silly.. Why not get a towdeck and haul it behind the landy?

$2kish

Yes thought about that as well but again its manoeuvrability we can only get the car so far around the trees and the landy will not go into the corners of the paddock we all know what the turning circles are like:eek::D

we also thought about a quad pulling one but this blew the price out.

Would prefer a deck because I will have post and rail and currently when moving because the deck sticks out either side we can mow in and out next to the rail and actually cut a substantial amount of grass under the fence between posts I'm hoping we can do the same with a zero.

[rick130]

is that because your a beardy weirdy, :p

Hahaha, no, the beard went five months ago, and none of the ladies approved :angel:

They just like the tall, dark (insert descriptive term :p) hippy clothed part time yoga teacher.

I'll ask a mate of mine that fixes the things what he thinks would be a good thing.

[dullbird]

thx

[Vanguard]

aaaa I see what you mean about Lawn tractor now.

I cant find this part number GTH3053TF what is it

EDIT: Its OK I found it you had a 3 in instead of a 2

oh and from what I have read only on forums the zero turns are faster especially if you have trees, you do have to be very careful with them on slopes from what I have seen but you do with a ride on as well

Mate for $10k you could get a little rebuilt/reconditioned Massey Ferguson 35 and a slasher and you'd still have a couple grand spare. 5 acres is a air wack of land to mow. I would mulch wide around the trees so you creates no go zones... Screw mowing it all. an MF35 will take a 5' or 6' slasher easily enough, plus you might find you have use for other implements later on. Stuff like a spray tank and hose, post hole digger etc.

They are simple machines and little goes wrong month them... Plus you'll have a couple of grand spare that will cover you for modem than your warranty on a zero turn!

[rick130]

Mate for $10k you could get a little rebuilt/reconditioned Massey Ferguson 35 and a slasher and you'd still have a couple grand spare. 5 acres is a air wack of land to mow. I would mulch wide around the trees so you creates no go zones... Screw mowing it all. an MF35 will take a 5' or 6' slasher easily enough, plus you might find you have use for other implements later on. Stuff like a spray tank and hose, post hole digger etc.

They are simple machines and little goes wrong month them... Plus you'll have a couple of grand spare that will cover you for modem than your warranty on a zero turn!

Not enough grunt with an MF35 for 6' I would've thought ?

I'd want 50-55hp to drive a 6', but it all depends on what you're cutting too.

A little Kubota with a 3' or 4' slasher would be more practical in a lot of ways, but probably more $$$.

As I mentioned above, some of the areas the studs mow around here with big zero turn mowers is huge, but the boys are at all day......

[Blknight.aus]

Yes thought about that as well but again its manoeuvrability we can only get the car so far around the trees and the landy will not go into the corners of the paddock we all know what the turning circles are like:eek::D

we also thought about a quad pulling one but this blew the price out.

Would prefer a deck because I will have post and rail and currently when moving because the deck sticks out either side we can mow in and out next to the rail and actually cut a substantial amount of grass under the fence between posts I'm hoping we can do the same with a zero.



with an extended draw bar on it you'll be very pleasantly surprised at just how tightly you can maneuver one. Doesnt solve the problem of under the fences though.

I know Kubota does financing as does John deer but might I suggest that you may be going about this tail around? why not find out what support agencies are in location for you and then look at decent second hand stuff thats fairly modern?

This ones a still supported model but have a look at the pics of it.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251148562276&clk_rvr_id=387388499404&item=251148562276&lgeo=1&vectorid=229515

you may find that the decent grade zero turns are not likely to squeeze in under the railings either


heres the best links I have for price research on new items.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=zero+turn+lawn+mower+prices&hl=en&cr=countryAU&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbs=ctr:countryAU&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=s0FVUMacKa3BiQeUoIGADQ&sqi=2&ved=0CFcQrQQ&biw=1600&bih=1070

http://www.mowercentre.com.au/rideon-mowers.htm

Out of that lot Id suggest that you go the huskies range BUT be prepared to cop it in the tail when it comes to maintenance and repairs.

Just realised, my neighbour has 3 different mowers hes using for a small time grass cutting op, I can go harass him if you like. Hes using something that looks like the ariens pro in the first link

[tdi130dualcab]

We recently got rid of our John Deere (would never have another one again in my life) and replaced it with a Hustler (like mudnut).

Best thing we ever did, quick to mow the yard, easy to operate, and everything is very accessible service wise.

What ever mower you go for I'd choose something with a pre-fab (welded plate steel deck) not a pressed steel deck. Stay's straighter ,pulleys lining up etc, and also if you need to repair it there is actually some steel there to weld onto. (spent alot of time repairing "the deck" on our and other peoples ride-on's....mostly J-D's)

My vote is on the Hustler (here it was also the better end of the pricing compared to similar spec'd units)

Cheers

[Vanguard]

Not enough grunt with an MF35 for 6' I would've thought ?

I'd want 50-55hp to drive a 6', but it all depends on what you're cutting too.

A little Kubota with a 3' or 4' slasher would be more practical in a lot of ways, but probably more $$$.

As I mentioned above, some of the areas the studs mow around here with big zero turn mowers is huge, but the boys are at all day......

Yeah I would stick to 5' but I know a guy who has no issues with a 6'. His lot is all nice grass though, so it has an easy life. I have a 5' on a 38hp tractor and I run in second high across grass, gatton panic, and some other thistles and light wood bushes. It should be fine on a flattish grass block... I'd think it would get an easy life :)

[rick130]

Lou, just received this message from my mate



Hi Rick, I have no probs with any brands, just you get what you pay for- that is more money more metal. Larry

[Piddler]

Dullbird,
we have 5 acres and don't have stock as we spend a lot of time away at our shack. We went this way.

A reasonable Huski normal ride on for around the house.

The local farmer up the road comes down and slashes our paddock 3 or 4 times a year for a carton of beer takes him around an hour. Tidys the paddocks up and looks neat.
You could pay for a lot of slashes for your 10 grand zero turn mower, if you can find a local guy willing looking for a bit of cash.

My 2 cents worth. Good luck
Cheers

[dullbird]

Mate for $10k you could get a little rebuilt/reconditioned Massey Ferguson 35 and a slasher and you'd still have a couple grand spare. 5 acres is a air wack of land to mow. I would mulch wide around the trees so you creates no go zones... Screw mowing it all. an MF35 will take a 5' or 6' slasher easily enough, plus you might find you have use for other implements later on. Stuff like a spray tank and hose, post hole digger etc.

They are simple machines and little goes wrong month them... Plus you'll have a couple of grand spare that will cover you for modem than your warranty on a zero turn!

Im not getting a tractor....;)

I dont want to create no go zones around the trees because its areas to grow grass to be grazed! I will be getting a horse

I already have a sprayer

and once I have finished fencing I wont have the need for a post hole digger Im on 5 acres not a farm.

I also have a series being rebuilt and plan to put a PTO on which can run farm implements should we need anything in the future.

5 acres currently takes us all day to mow....all we are looking for is something that will do it quicker, mow in the corners, mow around the trees give the ability to mow under the fence which it will dave if the deck is out the front as I only have 2 rails not 3 oh and the long draw bar is not going to help if I cant get the cars through even a zero turn is not going to get between some of them:)

something that has a warranty so I don't have to work on it for the first year or two anyway.


Rick does your mate not think that 10grand is enough....from what I found the 10 put us in to the light commercial stuff rather than the residential as there are plenty zeros out there for 5 to 7 grand...they look the part but they dont look very tough at all framework wise.

[Blknight.aus]

Spoke to the neighbour.

his traditional ride on is faster for the main areas and he only uses the zero turn for small yards and tight access area like along fence lines.

[dullbird]

what Ride on does he have Dave do you know?

I read 4 different forums last night and most of the people that changed from a ride on to a zero turn said they couldn't believe they didnt do it early and would never go back.

Can anyone that has owned both comment on this....or have owned either one and changed to either one comment? which do you prefer and why.

[rick130]

Lou, I didn't give Larry a $ figure.

I'll ask the S/BIL how there's is going too.
Can't recall what they bought, but I test drove it when they did a few years back and it cops a caning, mowing around the house, B&B shack and packing sheds on their Macca/Lime farm near Bangalow.

[Blknight.aus]

what Ride on does he have Dave do you know?

I read 4 different forums last night and most of the people that changed from a ride on to a zero turn said they couldn't believe they didnt do it early and would never go back.

Can anyone that has owned both comment on this....or have owned either one and changed to either one comment? which do you prefer and why.

I'll find out, I do know that his ride on has a wider deck and cuts at a guess about 60% wider than the zero turn.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi DB

We bought a Hustler sport with the 54" deck for doing around the homestead because my father is able to get onto it where he had problems getting on and controlling the old ride on after his accident.

We've only had it since February and no problems yet.

What I would say is get the mulching deck, it will save you heaps of time and dealing with clippings. We use it over about 3 acres around the house and sheds and it takes about 1/3 time we used to take.

We went to Hustler because that is the brand our mower dealer (Day's Mower Service Nowra) sells and as you know it is often the after sales service that is most important and we have had good service from Day's since he used to overhaul the engines on our freezer trucks starting over 30 years ago.

Diana

BTW: We also have a 45HP tractor with mower/mulching equipment, but for the house the Hustler is easier to use and gets into more places with less hassels.
... I read 4 different forums last night and most of the people that changed from a ride on to a zero turn said they couldn't believe they didnt do it early and would never go back.

Can anyone that has owned both comment on this....or have owned either one and changed to either one comment? which do you prefer and why.That is the experience my neice's husband is saying, and he's doing most of the mowing. Before dad and Ozzie would spend all day doing the mowing and whipper snipping and not do as much as Ozzie now does on the Hustler and whipper snipping by himself.

[dullbird]

So that's 3 for the hustler now....I don't know anyone around this area that sells thm though so we can go and have a look :(

I can understand your dad having issues getting on and off a ride on if he has had an accident I find them a pain in the arse and I'm perfectly able bodied :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Lou

Ring Day's Mower Service, they will probably bring one up for a demo on your place if you want, if not put you onto a closer dealer.

17 Nowra La, Nowra NSW 2541, Australia
Phone number(02) 4421 4468

Diana

BTW: Dad fell off a ladder last year and has spinal injuries, he can walk with a frame but is in a wheelchair most of the time, can't lift his legs over a ride on and the lever controls on the hustler are easier for his disabilities.

[Tank]

So that's 3 for the hustler now....I don't know anyone around this area that sells thm though so we can go and have a look :(

I can understand your dad having issues getting on and off a ride on if he has had an accident I find them a pain in the arse and I'm perfectly able bodied :D
DB have you checked out COX Mowers, Australian made, have Discs with swingaway blades, plenty of momentum, won't get tangled with vines and long grass like the BAR cutters. I have a Cox Stockman with 32" cut. I only have an acre and it handles woody scrub, tufted long grass, fallen branches up to an inch thick. My next door neighbour bought a Toro or Husky, can't remember which, first ten minutes of use and he had burnt out and broken his main (mower) drive belts, he borrowed my Cox to finish the job. 10" smaller than you want but it will out cut any Bar cutter on the market, Regards Frank.
look here Cox Industries (Australia) Pty Ltd - Cox Mowers Zero Turn Range of Ride-on Lawn Mowers (http://www.coxmowers.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=Cruiser_CZ2442)

[dullbird]

Hi Frank

the guy down the road sells Cox mowers maybe we will go down and have a look.

[rick130]

Lou, Larry reckons Cox mowers are built like tanks, they're very robust and generally much stronger than the US made stuff.

He just hates working on them, which you won't have to do :D

[Vanguard]

Im not getting a tractor....;)

I dont want to create no go zones around the trees because its areas to grow grass to be grazed! I will be getting a horse

I already have a sprayer

and once I have finished fencing I wont have the need for a post hole digger Im on 5 acres not a farm.

Ah... grazing areas! Well you don't need to cut there at all then... rotate some goats before the horses, and stick with a cheaper ride on for the flats. I have halved my mowing requirement by adding cows and pigs strategically! I do like the zero turns but only if you really, really have to spend $10k because of the way your garden is. Otherwise if it's small enough, use a ride on.

I've got an old vineyard tractor I bought from an auction for $8k... it didn't run at all and cost another $8k to make it run :) But I knew it was in bad shape, and a working one of the same vintage would have cost $30k. Anyway, I used to grade the driveway with it before sealing it, use a 200L sprayer, but mostly slash with it. The great thing is, if you have a bushy weed problem is, you can destroy big lantana bushes with the slasher and tractor first :twisted:

If you have a flat block of grass, and no other use for a tractor, then yeah, a bit of a waste. But maybe you can fence out the tricky bits that necessitate a zero, and save a heap by getting a Greenfield ride on or something.

[dullbird]

Actually I will still need to Mow even with a horse the paddocks will be rotational the grass grows VERY quickly here....

I wont be getting goats because I like my neighbours ;)

If I fence out the tricky bits then I reduce my grazing dramatically 5 acres is not a lot of space for two horses....so you have to care for your space wisely or you wont have a lot of grass and you will be hard feeding your horses all year round ;)

The trees also provide some shelter.

[rocket scientist]

Zero turn mowers are the latest sexy craze in mowers. Your dealer will tell you that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, turn on a sixpence, levers instead of a steering wheel, ergonomic as buggery and as technologically advanced as the latest iPhone 6 or whatever. It's all bull****. It's a lawn mower. If you're mowing around a lot of trees or in very difficult places a front deck mower is good but can take a bit of getting used to, but if you're mowing flat paddocks why do you need a mower of this complexity and with a pile more (expensive) moving parts to wear out ?
Sure Huskys are good and a 52" mower will do the job quicker than a smaller mower so why not buy a Husky GTH3052TF Lawn Tractor ?, more powerful than the MZ28ZT, same 52" deck, hydro drive and over $3000 cheaper ? Plus you can put a trailer on the back and use it as a mini tractor for various jobs around the place. Much better value for money and more versatile. It'a a mower, it cuts grass.

As for Toro, brilliant mowers, practically invented front deck mowers BUT their spare parts pricing is absolutely poisonous, plus Toro US have stitched up its dealer network in the US to prohibit sales outside the 'lower 48' states. Recently tried to buy a Toro ignition coil for an Onan motored ride on, $400+ in Australia or $45 in the US but won't export due to trade restrictions. What was that about the North American Free Trade Agreement with Australia ? Haha.................:Rolling:

John Deere stuff is excellent quality and IMO better than Husky and their spare parts are very reasonably priced. Simplicity is also good quality but I don't know about their spare parts pricing. If you're serious about quality avoid the MTD stuff of which Cub is probably the best, but still not a 'serious' mower. Kubota is of course the 'Rolls Royce', but big bucks.


Deano :)
I have to agree.
I have a Kubota 25hp tractor .best thing I ever bought for the farm.
Of course with the bucket etc. it doesn't just cut grass, and saves my back!
The Kubota ride ons are worth the extra.
Try stretching the budget for a small tractor and save yourself a lot of hard work.

[dullbird]

The Budget is stretched PLEASE no more tractor suggestions its actually really starting to frustrate me....I never even asked for opinions on tractors or anything other than zero's. We have already assessed what we think we need no one on this site has any idea what my land is like what use its going to get and what we do with it now so I think I'm the best judge of whether I need a tractor or a goat or anything else.

I appreciate people trying to put different options over but at least read the whole thread and dont keep beating the same drum especially when I have said NO on more than one occasion

[marko66]

Hi All

Dullbird, i have a 32inch mtd mower and my cox 24 inch mower will outcut it by 30 per cent easy :D - side by side on the same patch at the same time we tested them, Iseki front deck mowers were having problems with the turrets leaning in. John deere front decks are what the contractors are using here and they are fast and reliable.

Dont know much about the zero turns but i hope that the rest helps :)

Regards Mark

[dullbird]

Thanks Mark I'm quite interested in the cox zero now as we have heard that they are robust but the guy telling us was the local mower guy, but also the dealer so we weren't sure whether he was just pushing his own barrow or not...I would go a smaller deck with the cox if it was the case that they are far more durable than the rest....

if Im spending the money I just want it to do what I need iit to do relatively quickly and last.

[Blknight.aus]

Neighbour got back..

his ride ons a kubota, part way between a ride on and a tractor, its got the 3 point and PTO on the back but still looks a hell of a lot like a normal ride on. Its an older model its running a 3 blade deck. (one center front and the 2 wing ones a bit further back.)

the zeros a cox, looks like this one https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_AZKuroSjv0hkzr6Po5C2cClMu2dHB sEzJWkziaSXgXe1xdbDUA
and hes looking for another if he can afford it he wants a kubota or a husky (I think hes looking to expand for the summer market this/next year hes asking if Id mind looking at some trucks for him).

His only complaint about it has been the plastic wheels that support the deck

[Piddler]

I noticed the road side verge guys here have brand new Hustlers. They would have good heavy duty ones for that job?

They look good impressive to watch operating swiveling around.
Cheers

[dullbird]

Ok so went out to look at the Cox today and some others...shop we went to hisband and wife appeared very genuine down to earth people they had the huskys and the ariens and the cox but sold the last one and didnt plan to get any in for a little while.

Second shop we went to had the Toros

Third shop we went to had huskys and Toros but only sold the Toros in zero turn.

I have to say I liked the Huskys but we actually liked the Ariens more and even more so Airens commercial brand Gravely was a fraction narrower than the Husky on a 44" Deck and we think that this model will actualy fit on our 7x 4 trailer....

Cant say I overally liked the Toro the one available in our price bracket it was OK and I know they have a good rep but the gravely and even the Airens (semi commercial) looked far beefier in frame and parts.

The guy on the third shop when asked about the husky Zeros was like oh we dont really sell them because the Toros Zeros are better....when I said why? he was like oh because Toro's are leaders! so didnt really give me a reason in fact anyone you ask doesnt give you a reason.

CAnt help but feel like the Toro's are a bit like the toyotas they are reliable but the die hards still cant tell you why they are better than a land rover.

Speaking to the lovely couple in the first shop he said that he took and Ariens home he is on 40 acres he said he mows about 7 (takes about 3hrs) and he took it home to literally hammer it and he said thats what he has done hammerred it over rough ground unlevel ground rocks the lot he said he couldnt fault it....

He advised the huskys are good but he himself personally prefers the Airens and would most definately would have the gravely..although he did say the Airens would do the job no problem for what we want and we dont need the Gravely...

we like the gravely only because its beefy and it will we hink fit on our trailer for transportation. for anyone that is interested its the ZT 44 HD we were looking at.

He got the husky out for Ian to drive up and down the carpark, and he loved being able to turn on a sixpence.

[djhampson]

My parents have got a Hustler FastTrack which was around $7k but was worth the expense. Its really well built - looks like it will last forever and with very few moving parts it should be that parts can be replaced rather than throwing the whole thing out.

It mows really well, the shop warned us that if the ground was uneven you might get scalping but it hasn't been a problem and the ground isn't that even.

Its heaps of fun too... You can do massive power slides in it but that doesn't do too many favours to the lawn! :twisted:

I think they considered Torro as well but its deck was pressed-metal while the Hustler was fully welded. I think Dad was keen on having the strong welded deck so the Hustler won out.

The big think I like about the zero-turns is their simplicity when compared to a tractor mower. The deck height adjustment on the Hustler consists of chains on the four corners of the frame operated by a simple foot pedal. The Cox they had before that was some ridiculous combination of levers and gears.

[Piddler]

My parents have got a Hustler FastTrack which was around $7k but was worth the expense. Its really well built - looks like it will last forever and with very few moving parts it should be that parts can be replaced rather than throwing the whole thing out.

It mows really well, the shop warned us that if the ground was uneven you might get scalping but it hasn't been a problem and the ground isn't that even.

Its heaps of fun too... You can do massive power slides in it but that doesn't do too many favours to the lawn! :twisted:

I think they considered Torro as well but its deck was pressed-metal while the Hustler was fully welded. I think Dad was keen on having the strong welded deck so the Hustler won out.

The big think I like about the zero-turns is their simplicity when compared to a tractor mower. The deck height adjustment on the Hustler consists of chains on the four corners of the frame operated by a simple foot pedal. The Cox they had before that was some ridiculous combination of levers and gears.

Yep, whatever you buy I would definitely get a fully welded deck.

Cheers

[rover-56]

DB have you checked out COX Mowers, Australian made, have Discs with swingaway blades, plenty of momentum, won't get tangled with vines and long grass like the BAR cutters. I have a Cox Stockman with 32" cut. I only have an acre and it handles woody scrub, tufted long grass, fallen branches up to an inch thick. My next door neighbour bought a Toro or Husky, can't remember which, first ten minutes of use and he had burnt out and broken his main (mower) drive belts, he borrowed my Cox to finish the job. 10" smaller than you want but it will out cut any Bar cutter on the market, Regards Frank.


X2 for the Cox, I bought one S/H 4 years ago for $2k, 32 inch NewGen.
It gets a caning on 3 acres of scrub, and all I do to it is oil and grease.

Aussie designed & made too.

Terry

[51jay]

I have only 1 acre with quite a few trees down one side. I had a Husqavarna front cut 30ins mulching deck which i liked but it was getting very old.
Last year I sold it for a very good price and got an Ariens Zoom 50 zero turn 50ins mulching deck and I hate it. I cut my mowing time down by about 75% but I just can't get used to the levers and keep bumping into things. In my opinion it doesn't cut around trees or under fences as easy as the old Husqavarna . Its harder to get at the underneith of the cutting deck for servicing and in fact its not really a front deck at all a quick look at a Husq front cut will show you why.
I believe the lever steering system is old hat now ...the new state of the art :D is a tiny little joystick under your right hand. don't know if they cater for lefties.
I will probably be putting it on E bay and getting a new Husqvarna 48ins frnt cut . The deck rotates through 90 degrees for servicing. No more crawling around for me :)
Good luck with your search for the perfect mower

[roversmith]

Dullbird, I'm with 51jay. Just picked up a Husqvarna Rider proflex on friday, 2nd hand but it has not done much work. This is our second one, so pretty happy with the way they perform. As Jay says the ease of servicing, especially the front deck is very good. They are not really zero turn but near enough to. Very nippy and easy to use. 48" deck has hydraulic lift so just touch a lever to raise it. The only trouble we have had is occasionally throwing a belt, sticks ect. Any thing over 150mm long is slow going,https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/759.jpg
Giudi is as happy as a kelpie with two tails, an extra 10"cut and 5 more horse power. I've always felt Guilty about having the Ducati, but now she has somthing to ride on the weekend I feel much better.:angel: Google Husqvarna rider for a demo

Cheers Greg

[George130]

Gee way to make me feel bad.
Just replaced our Toro Wheel Horse (1980's model) with an MTD 42 inch cut. But I'm happy as I now have steering again!

[roversmith]

Sorry George, just to get the salt out here is the back up mower, 5 acres in half an hour. Dullbird will have to loose the trees ect.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/675.jpg

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Sorry George, just to get the salt out here is the back up mower, 5 acres in half an hour. Dullbird will have to loose the trees ect.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/675.jpgNice to see the Wimmera so green, last time I was there 2007 it was almost a dust bowl. :)

[roversmith]

Hi Diana, that would have been the series one gathering at Lockies place, about 20km up the road. Was a good weekend. I remember meeting you there. Seasons have been more favourable since the drought took a holiday, hope it stays that way.

Cheers Greg

[goingbush]

Ha, if the neighbours dont already think your strange, one of these lawnmowers will help. Not quite zero turn tho.

http://totallytop10.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/9.jpg

[EchiDna]

it sounds like your mind is 100% made up, but don't forget there is always a period of too much grass and then too little once old man el nino returns - are the trees densely planted? mature or saplings? contained within the grazing area?

if within the grazing area, why not just let the grass grow? I know its not very "horsey" to have grass growing around fence posts or trees, but think of the work it will save... and if your horse needs make up feed while you are mowing all the paddock... er... umm... there are other ways I'd be spending my time rather than mowing if I were you ;-)

slash around the outside fenceline every week or so in spring/summer if the grass has grown overnight, monthly or less in winter - should be plenty IMHO... if a few blades of grass remain around a tree or fence post, leave them be, its not a fire risk and the stock should eat them if they are worth their salt...

Am I missing something? is there an additional 5 acre home lawn?

[dullbird]

the mower has been bought and it takes 2hrs to mow now not all day....Echidna my paddocks will be rotational...as I dont have a lot of land so the paddocks not being used will need to be maintained for not just grass but weeds control also...which mowing helps with

I agree with you in regards to el nino I think the grass will get burnt a fair bit....but I do hope to irrigate a little on paddocks that will be used.

I don't actually have a horse at the moment which makes it all the more important to keep it under control...and horses actually don't like long grass, they will eat it if its all thats left but its not their first choice :)

if you saw how rough, weedy, bushy, rocky and grassless oour paddock was when we bought it you will see that our care and attention and continuous mowing has really really help our place...we have the best grassed paddock on our road with very minimal weed. thats how I would like to keep it :) well until a horse comes a long and destroys the lot :D

[carjunkieanon]

Have you considered a tractor???



(sorry, couldn't help myself).

Enjoy your ride on.

[kenleyfred]

Have you considered a tractor???

(sorry, couldn't help myself).

Enjoy your ride on.

Yeah I agree. Should have bought a tractor. And preferably second hand off eBay to save money.

(Sorry, couldn't help myself either)

[isuzurover]

I refrained from posting, but since we are back on the alternatives bandwagon: Have you thought of getting some geese instead?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Have you considered a tractor???

(sorry, couldn't help myself).

Enjoy your ride on.

Yeah I agree. Should have bought a tractor. And preferably second hand off eBay to save money.

(Sorry, couldn't help myself either)Sorry can't agree. We have both a tractor and zero turn mower and for house yards and lawns the mower is far superior.

On the tractor, they are great for large areas without obstructions and overhanging branches but around the house you are a always stopping, reversing to get to awkward spots, yet you still have to clean up with the hand mower or whipper-snipper. Worse still when the ground is wet you leave furrows and tread marks in the lawn.

The zero-turn you can come up to a tree or post and mow right around it. That can't be done with a tractor.

Ben

Not sure that geese are good to saddle and ride!
<snip>
I agree with you in regards to el nino I think the grass will get burnt a fair bit....but I do hope to irrigate a little on paddocks that will be used.
<snip>Lou

Are you on the mains sewer or a septic system?

We had pump out septic systems and a few years ago converted them to bio-digester systems. The waste goes into system of tanks the first being filled with particular bacteria which digest the waste and eventualy the waste water is pumped onto the grass via a sprinkler system. Coupled with rainwater tanks for the flush system and 14 solar panels on the roof it is environmentally friendly. The only restriction is we can't have cattle in the same paddock as the sprinklers are working or for a day afterwards. We rotate the sprinklers around two paddocks and an area of the house lawn. It's a way of re-using the water and irrigating the grass at the same time.

Eventually the solids in the digester tank are pumped out, but that is part of the service contract.

Diana

[Slunnie]

I refrained from posting, but since we are back on the alternatives bandwagon: Have you thought of getting some geese instead?
I did the same, wrote a whole post the other day talking about mower options, uses, performance, brands, ranges, durability etc based on my research and purchases and that of others. Then deleted it.

[EchiDna]

why not agist (sp?) something on the paddocks now to keep the grass down? it will also help to give you an idea of the stock levels you can manage to hold?

5 acres = one donkey and bowling green short grass in my area, meanwhile the neighbours 2 horses which are also on 5 acres eat nothing and walk around in 18 inch high grass waiting for their oats....

A flock of geese would be awesome, fun birds with bonus security system built in!

[isuzurover]

A flock of geese would be awesome, fun birds with bonus security system built in!

Indeed! I am amazed how scared of geese people are...

[dullbird]

Hi Diana

I'm on septic soak away.......the grass grows amazingly over the septic tank extremely green and lush. However we do have concerns about using this paddock due to the septic you hear all sorts of stories of horses falling through into them. So we have decided to be safe, that paddock will only be used in the dry periods of the year when the ground is hard.

I'm not scared of geese and yes they do make great security system...however the dogs would love to kill them as would our high population of foxes here. And as Diana said I would find it very hard to get people to take me seriously in a dressage arena doing a freestyle to music. They tend to fall over when asked to Piaf hahahahah :D

[V8Ian]

You made the right choice Lou/Ian. I've just finished mowing five acres, one acre heavily treed, with the tractor and slasher because the ride on has taken a sickie; what a PIA round the trees.

[rick130]

why not agist (sp?) something on the paddocks now to keep the grass down? it will also help to give you an idea of the stock levels you can manage to hold?

5 acres = one donkey and bowling green short grass in my area, meanwhile the neighbours 2 horses which are also on 5 acres eat nothing and walk around in 18 inch high grass waiting for their oats....

A flock of geese would be awesome, fun birds with bonus security system built in!


Indeed! I am amazed how scared of geese people are...


We got sick of the flock we inherited years ago.

The damned things would hiss at you and try and chase you when you lead a horse past them, but over a couple of years the foxes thinned them out :angel:

One was left, it was smart and made it's way to a waterhole everynight for protection, but being by itself it fell in love with one of the horses and wouldn't let anyone near it :eek:

Hanging around the horses we had to treat it for a broken beak, broken feet, broken whatever as the horses are totally unaware of what's underneath themselves.
Whoever was the poor last lesson of an evening had to help catch the goose to treat it when I wasn't around.

When the horse was sold it fell into a deep despondency :(
It eventually adopted a wood duck family, then when they left a blue water trough :o

When it's old pal Danny the horse came back for lessons a few months later it flew into the horse float with him before he even got off, then followed him everywhere including the dressage arena for the entire lesson, honking merrily away.

Again, when Danny was loaded onto the float the poor goose was devastated and tried everything to get in there with him.

Alas one morning we found him/her dead and headless.
I initially thought fox, but we worked out a cranky mare stomped him/her as he/she was hanging around her feed, and the fox later made off with it's head.

The poor first lesson that morning stopped dead on the track in the arena as the Goose head was sitting up looking straight at her.....



[edit] Good luck training a goose up for a Freestyle Lou, although I'd even pay to see it :D

[dullbird]

thats actually a really sad story Rick....:(

[rick130]

We didn't realise how enamoured it was with Danny, and Danny wasn't ours so he had to go eventually.

Danny would regularly come back for lessons so the whole performance was re-enacted.

The end was a shame, as all endings are, but that particular mare was really narky at feed time and the goose would go around the feed bins pinching grain.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi Diana

I'm on septic soak away.......the grass grows amazingly over the septic tank extremely green and lush. However we do have concerns about using this paddock due to the septic you hear all sorts of stories of horses falling through into them. So we have decided to be safe, that paddock will only be used in the dry periods of the year when the ground is hard.

...Hi Lou

You'd be well advised to look into an enviro septic system, they can even modify your existing septic tank. It's mostly automatic, all you have is a couple of hoses with sprinklers which you leave connected to a couple of the outlets, when the holding tank fills the pump comes on automatically and it waters the grass.

You just move the sprinklers every couple of days or connect them to alternate outlets in the other paddock.

It is the end of soft wet patches over the absorption trench and means you can use all your land without risk to the animals or you on their back. (Not that we ride the cows.)

Diana

[dullbird]

do you know how hard/expensive it is to convert it?

[Blknight.aus]

so what did you get in the end?

[dullbird]

we went with the commercial gravely ZT HD its only a 44" deck but its a bloody robust looking little thing...it has an unbelievably flat cut...its got the 23 kawasaki on it.

http://www.gravely.com/zero-turn-mowers/zt-hd-riding-mower/Pages/default.aspx

ian mowed the paddock in 2 hrs yesterday.

he did get on the hustler but he didnt find it very comfortable to drive and I have to admit it looked like it was tipping him forward and looked awkward but that could be due to his stature possibly.

[Blknight.aus]

nice little motors the kwikasakis......

if it doesnt have one, it might pay to put a flyscreen blind over the cooling air intake ducts Ive seen a honda catch fire around the flywheel from clippings building up on the non finned side of the wheel from mowing dewy/wet grass.

[dullbird]

ok will let Ian know

[p38arover]

Se also http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/215583-ride-zero-turn-mower-buying-advice.html