Unless you can get a really good deal on a commercial model I would disagree. It's not worth the extra money for residential use.

 

Kinda what I was thinkin.

Mowing 5 acres is a lot and I would also consider a commercial type mower. I demo a nice JD 62" with the steal stamped deck at the beginning of mow season this year, I mow 3 acres and it took me a little over 2 hours. I cant remember the number of it but the price $9500.

This should be a good time to buy a mower.

 

I mow 6.25 acres with a Husqvarna 54" heavy duty mower. The price was right, it was a Lowe's return, and I have mowed a year with no issues (knock on wood). Previously, the back field was cut with a tractor, so there are some ruts. I agree with the statement that there is not much shock absorption is a zero-turn, and I have had several chiropractic adjustments. About mid-summer, I decided to leave several acres uncut to let go back to a "Humane Backyard" which supports bug, birds, and other wildlife. I cut paths around and through it. I am glad I did it this way as I not only save time and gas, but it supports a better environment IMO. Some day I may be able to put herbivores out there, but until I do, I will manage part of it as a wildlife area.

 

Mowing 5 acres is a lot and I would also consider a commercial type mower. I demo a nice JD 62" with the steal stamped deck at the beginning of mow season this year, I mow 3 acres and it took me a little over 2 hours. I cant remember the number of it but the price $9500.

 

If your going to spend that much I would probably go with a higher end Hustler or a Bad Boy.

If your going to spend that much I would probably go with a higher end Hustler or a Bad Boy.

 

Never heard of those two brands, are they pretty good.

Another thing to consider is how wide do you want to go? Extra width gets pretty pricey, and the extra width creates the need for more power obviously to turn the blades to cut more grass. Additional width also creates a higher risk of scalping. I originally was thinking 60" or so for my place, but I decided (when I found a good deal) to be satisfied with 54", and actually I am glad I went with that size. Also, I don't have a barn yet, so it is taking up garage space, but clearly a bigger mower creates a bigger space need.

Another thing to consider is how wide do you want to go? Extra width gets pretty pricey, and the extra width creates the need for more power obviously to turn the blades to cut more grass. Additional width also creates a higher risk of scalping. I originally was thinking 60" or so for my place, but I decided (when I found a good deal) to be satisfied with 54", and actually I am glad I went with that size. Also, I don't have a barn yet, so it is taking up garage space, but clearly a bigger mower creates a bigger space need.

How long does it take you to mow?

Kinda what I was thinkin.

 

Commercial gets you better pumps etc., way better than anything you are going to get at Lowe's.

I love my John Deere ZT. A couple of guys I work with have Hustlers and love them. Another that has a lawn care business on the side has a nice SnapperPro ZT that he's fond of.

Commercial gets you better pumps etc., way better than anything you are going to get at Lowe's.

The ones you get at lowes won't have pumps. They have dual hydrostatic transaxles. A lot of the manufacturers are going away from seperate pumps and motors to integrated powertrains.

How long does it take you to mow?

 

I mow the acre around the house in 40 to 45 mins....there are a number of obstacles. I mow this area at least weekly. In the field I probably net mow only about 1/2 of 5.25 acres, and roughly 1 1/2 hours I am guessing. I only mow this area every two weeks or so.

There is a 54" craftsman 2014 model listed in Farm and Garden in craigslist today.

I used a friends zero turn on our 5.1 acres today. It was a Cub Cadet 50 in with a 26 hp Koehler. I was grateful to have it to use but man the ride was brutal. Took forever too. I'm still unsure with what to buy. I'd love something that is 60 in and rides a lil better for sure.

I used a friends zero turn on our 5.1 acres today. It was a Cub Cadet 50 in with a 26 hp Koehler. I was grateful to have it to use but man the ride was brutal. Took forever too. I'm still unsure with what to buy. I'd love something that is 60 in and rides a lil better for sure.

 

IMO you will need to go with a commercial grade mower. John Deere or ExMark with an upgraded suspension seat. Also consider going with a 72 inch cut if time is a concern. Check with your local dealers to see if you can demo one.

I use a 777 John Deere zero turn with a 72 inch deck and a 27 horse motor. I also use a New Holland compact tractor with a 60 inch belly mower and a 29 horse motor. I can cut 3 times the amount of grass on the zeroturn compared to the same amount of time on the tractor. Yes the ride on the tractor is smoother and it is better on hills but WOW I can get a lot of grass cut with the zero turn and it looks better.

Get out the check book homie.