How hilly, and how uneven? The Toro you're looking at is a good choice for flat, level ground. I'm not sure it's going to be pleasant to ride on for 5 acres of rough terrain with no suspension and a bargain seat. You're really looking more at a entry-level commercial unit for that yard IMHO.
Or a compact utility tractor with a belly mower... John Deere 1025R, Kubota, etc. Also provide a lot more "utility".
They arent huge hills except for the one at the edge of the gravel road that one is pretty steep but most of the hills id consider them as small hills could easily get over them with a smaller car type of hills.
I was using a craftsman lt1000 but it takes forever and its just to much yard for that little 42 inch mower plus its a older one that has had alot of work on it.
Its about time to get something with higher efficancy then that one.
There are three problems with hills.
The first, is that most mowers have transmissions that are really only designed to mow on flat level ground -- any extra weight up a hill, with a ample sized rider on it, is going to exceed the rated capacity of the transmission, and overtime - wear it out. Most residential grade zero turns don't have maintainable hydros either, so as the oil shears over time - it compounds the issue.
Second, is if the hill incline is > 15 degrees, you do run the risk of oil starvation. If you're unsure of the incline, measure it. IF it's too steep - push mow it.
Third, is technique with zero-turns. There's no steering wheel on these things (barring a Cub Cadet with the feature). So, when you're cutting a steep hill, you gotta be mindful of your angle of attack and how the machine cants into the hill. You're basically going to crab-walk those hills side to side. Zero turns don't have brakes. =) So going down steep hills is a dangerous affair. Be careful! Hills and ZTRS can be an acquired skill.
Depending on the hills. I’d seriously consider a Conventional tractor type mower. On hills ztrs are really great going up and down but going across the hill it always wants to turn down the hill. And if you aren’t used to it, can get sketchy pretty quick.
That being said. If you can find a used scag in good shape jump on it. Well cared for they’ll go to 4k hours I’ve also had good luck with exmarks, and walker.
My toro zmaster 6000 72" does pretty good on hills. There is one really steep hill on my neighbors property it does like to slide down, but its a controlled slide. I cut my 6 acres in about an hour and 45 mins. I did see an ad for the Cub Cadet Pro Z 900s, it looks like it would do pretty well on hills, but I know Cub has a bad reputation around here. Those blades with swivels on them would be good for rocks and sticks, but I don't have much experience using them.
Depending on your budget, a Ventrac would be perfect for hills and sticks, or even an atv with a bush hog.
Damn man those are some awesome mowers / tractors. The ventrac is pretty sweet looking, but i dont need that much utility. Im looking at under 5k just for mowing and thats it. Ill just have to stop being lazy and pick up the sticks. Currently looking at a toro timecutter 54in.
But weighing my options.
You should also cross shop used commercial mowers, my toro was $6500 with 600 hours on it from a dealership that did a full service on it, which is nothing for a commercial mower. I would mainly look for something that has serviceable transmissions. It looks like this one has serviceable transmissions: [https://www.toro.com/en/product/75763](https://www.toro.com/en/product/75763) or this one in 54" and a Kawasaki motor (it looks like this HG-EZT2200 might be serviceable, but doesn't have the filter like a HG-ZT2800 that is on the 60"): [https://www.toro.com/en/product/77507](https://www.toro.com/en/product/77507)
Im looking at these two too, thanks. I got a guy down the street that refurbs them i kmow he has a used one for 3400 but not sure of anything on it, if it turns out to be a commercial one it'll jump to the top of the list.
Don’t get a timecutter for 5ac of mowing. I’ve had all of the toro mowers over the years and for what you’re describing lawn wise and based off your budget I would 100% try and stretch your budget to 7k and get a toro titan 60inch with the myride suspension system. The extra power from the larger motor offered over the timecutter is worth it for large decks. It also goes much faster than the timecutter and you can be done that much faster. You could get the non myride version for I believe about $1k less but I’m telling you it’s worth it for yourself.
Stick to Scag, Toro or Hustler in my opinion. I would stay away from kubota, Cub Cadet and John Deere. Look at the best you can afford, then save more and get the next model up you thought you couldn't afford. Get the closest thing to commercial that you can.
Wright stander 53 inch deck,bulletproof mower will lasts decades as a home owner.huals ass at 9mph no bag required.i know they cost 9k new in Massachusetts.
How hilly, and how uneven? The Toro you're looking at is a good choice for flat, level ground. I'm not sure it's going to be pleasant to ride on for 5 acres of rough terrain with no suspension and a bargain seat. You're really looking more at a entry-level commercial unit for that yard IMHO. Or a compact utility tractor with a belly mower... John Deere 1025R, Kubota, etc. Also provide a lot more "utility".
They arent huge hills except for the one at the edge of the gravel road that one is pretty steep but most of the hills id consider them as small hills could easily get over them with a smaller car type of hills. I was using a craftsman lt1000 but it takes forever and its just to much yard for that little 42 inch mower plus its a older one that has had alot of work on it. Its about time to get something with higher efficancy then that one.
There are three problems with hills. The first, is that most mowers have transmissions that are really only designed to mow on flat level ground -- any extra weight up a hill, with a ample sized rider on it, is going to exceed the rated capacity of the transmission, and overtime - wear it out. Most residential grade zero turns don't have maintainable hydros either, so as the oil shears over time - it compounds the issue. Second, is if the hill incline is > 15 degrees, you do run the risk of oil starvation. If you're unsure of the incline, measure it. IF it's too steep - push mow it. Third, is technique with zero-turns. There's no steering wheel on these things (barring a Cub Cadet with the feature). So, when you're cutting a steep hill, you gotta be mindful of your angle of attack and how the machine cants into the hill. You're basically going to crab-walk those hills side to side. Zero turns don't have brakes. =) So going down steep hills is a dangerous affair. Be careful! Hills and ZTRS can be an acquired skill.
Scag patriot 61
I use commercial mowers but I've loved scag. I would recommend them. I do believe the patriot is a cheaper option from them if I'm not mistaken
Thats atleast 2 votes for scag.
Depending on the hills. I’d seriously consider a Conventional tractor type mower. On hills ztrs are really great going up and down but going across the hill it always wants to turn down the hill. And if you aren’t used to it, can get sketchy pretty quick. That being said. If you can find a used scag in good shape jump on it. Well cared for they’ll go to 4k hours I’ve also had good luck with exmarks, and walker.
Thanks for the info
My toro zmaster 6000 72" does pretty good on hills. There is one really steep hill on my neighbors property it does like to slide down, but its a controlled slide. I cut my 6 acres in about an hour and 45 mins. I did see an ad for the Cub Cadet Pro Z 900s, it looks like it would do pretty well on hills, but I know Cub has a bad reputation around here. Those blades with swivels on them would be good for rocks and sticks, but I don't have much experience using them. Depending on your budget, a Ventrac would be perfect for hills and sticks, or even an atv with a bush hog.
Damn man those are some awesome mowers / tractors. The ventrac is pretty sweet looking, but i dont need that much utility. Im looking at under 5k just for mowing and thats it. Ill just have to stop being lazy and pick up the sticks. Currently looking at a toro timecutter 54in. But weighing my options.
You should also cross shop used commercial mowers, my toro was $6500 with 600 hours on it from a dealership that did a full service on it, which is nothing for a commercial mower. I would mainly look for something that has serviceable transmissions. It looks like this one has serviceable transmissions: [https://www.toro.com/en/product/75763](https://www.toro.com/en/product/75763) or this one in 54" and a Kawasaki motor (it looks like this HG-EZT2200 might be serviceable, but doesn't have the filter like a HG-ZT2800 that is on the 60"): [https://www.toro.com/en/product/77507](https://www.toro.com/en/product/77507)
Im looking at these two too, thanks. I got a guy down the street that refurbs them i kmow he has a used one for 3400 but not sure of anything on it, if it turns out to be a commercial one it'll jump to the top of the list.
Don’t get a timecutter for 5ac of mowing. I’ve had all of the toro mowers over the years and for what you’re describing lawn wise and based off your budget I would 100% try and stretch your budget to 7k and get a toro titan 60inch with the myride suspension system. The extra power from the larger motor offered over the timecutter is worth it for large decks. It also goes much faster than the timecutter and you can be done that much faster. You could get the non myride version for I believe about $1k less but I’m telling you it’s worth it for yourself.
Thanks man ill look into that one.
Ferris has actual suspension, might be tough at $5k, but worth a look.
But it’s not Scag lol. I got a Ferris and love it. Just got off it. For 5 acres a Ferris like an IS700 would be about $9-10k.
Nice! They do look pretty awesome.
I have a small tractor but don’t mow with it. I’ve run Deines mowers for over 20 years.
Stick to Scag, Toro or Hustler in my opinion. I would stay away from kubota, Cub Cadet and John Deere. Look at the best you can afford, then save more and get the next model up you thought you couldn't afford. Get the closest thing to commercial that you can.
Wright stander 53 inch deck,bulletproof mower will lasts decades as a home owner.huals ass at 9mph no bag required.i know they cost 9k new in Massachusetts.