Lawn Mower

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Bruce SEKs

Member

• Mar 4, 2014

• #1

Just wondering if you guys could give me you opinions on John Deere and Exmark zero turn mowers. Commercial quality. I have a hustler fast trac now, but have never been really satisfied with it.

 

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VicS

Well-known Member

Location

SE Il.

• Mar 4, 2014

• #1

I don't have one but, my son-in-law says a X-mark is the best. He thinks the blades turn faster. Everything else they have is JD

 

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Busflyer

Member

• Mar 4, 2014

• #1

I've had my Exmark for 5 years now. It has been a great mower. I've put about 250 hours on it and the only problem I have had was a safety switch on the blade engagement switch went bad, other than that it's been perfect.
(Mine has the Kohler engine)

 

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PJH

Well-known Member

• Mar 4, 2014

• #1

A fellow in our church has a mowing business, mostly cemeteries and commercial properties. He wore out two X-Mark mowers - liked the machines, but didn't like the dealer. Now he's using another brand.

 

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howdy1960

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

Sorry but have nothing to add but my lawnmower is sitting under about 3 ft snow and I aint about to dig it out :

 

Doug Anderson

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I have cut for profit many years, nothing cuts wet thick grass better than a JD green deck.
Later,
Doug

 

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WGM

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

Love my Dixie Chopper

 

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Alaskapete

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I have had several zero turns, and the best one by far is the Exmark I have now. It cuts very well and is built to last. I suspect it will outlast me.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

If you want the best cut and ride by far you need a ferris only one made with independent suspion

 

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1970-1655

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I tried several brand demo models. I mow a lot of uneven ground. Ferris with the independent front suspension is the only one of the zero turns that did not hang up. However I bought a John Deere F935 diesel with a front deck so I can mow under low limbs or reach out over a ditch where I mow. Try that with a zero turn. And a diesel will usually use a lot less fuel and last longer than a gas burner, at least in my experience. My next mower will be a front deck and probably JD with the 4 wheel drive for some of the hills and slopes I get into.

 

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OP

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Bruce SEKs

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

would have test drove some yesterday. Snow was a problem also

 

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OliverGuy

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

We've been mowing for 40 years commercially. Toro was the only mower we used for most of that time, now I have both Toro and Exmark (very similar). I don't know if they're the best, but we throw everything under the sun at 14 Z's and they hold up pretty darn well. I really like FI, liquid cooled Kawasaki's or diesel's for longevity. I've got liquid cooled's that have over 4,000 with no rebuild.

 

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JayinNY

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I have 2 exmarks a 52" and 60" ones 11 years old, on it's second kawie, the others 9 years old and on it's 3rd kohler. My brother also has a exmark 60" also on its 3rd kohler, Had I known the mowers would have lasted this long, I would have spent the extra $$ back then for Diesel engines, I already blew $3600 on these crapper kohlers. But the rest of the mowers have been trouble free, just normal maintenance, and I've had to put in rebuilt hydro pumps, as mine started leaking. The 2 60s have about 7300 combined hours, the 52" one had 2600 hrs on it when the engine blew, the hour meter also stoped working then too, that was 4 years ago.

 

jm.

Well-known Member

Location

Dover TN

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

Was an ex-mark dealer until Toro bought them out. Toro tried to cheapen them up and had problems. Most instances you can buy the same mower with the Toro name for a few bucks less. Kubota has now made a homeowner gas zero turn that competes with the ex-mark/toro pretty good.

 

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ztrmowers

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

wher you at come test drive. got several Dixon units out. i put them up against anything out there. but in all honesty pick the color you want to be seen on cause otherwise far as running components all come from same source mostly. have taken in several deere units and dixie chopper units last season. the hustlers i have seen come thru shop have had smallest engines per size of units that i see.

 

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OP

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Bruce SEKs

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I'm in SE Kansas, going into NE Okla., I have looked at the Dixon, used to be made a few miles from me. Brother in law works for a city that used them and he didn't give very good reviews. Sure that a lot of the problems were the operators. I have looked at the Kubota's also. You're probably right about all being close to same

 

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G1355

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I'd get a Dixie chopper they will be expensive but you won't regret buying it.

 

OP

OP

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Bruce SEKs

Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

Dealers close to 100 miles away

 

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MikeinKy

Well-known Member

• Mar 5, 2014

• #1

I used to have a Dixon, wouldn't have another. I now have a Country Clipper and like it. Neighbor had a new Dixie Chopper and never liked it. He traded it for a Xmark and loves it.