Equipment for maintaining 5 acres

[djrussell]

Hey LMFers.

I'm moving to 5 acres in the country near Savannah, GA and am trying to figure out what kind of equipment I'll need to take care of it and would appreciate your valuable feedback.

It's nice and flat, maybe a little bumpy in places. There are like 25ish medium sized pines. There's about 250 feet of roadfront with a ditch. We'll have the house, some vegetable garden area, and maybe some areas of "meadow" where we'll plant wildflowers. I can probably count on mowing 3-4 acres of it. I'll also need to till the garden and probably the meadow areas (once).

The best strategy I can come up with at the moment is a 60" zero turn in the high-end residential or low end commercial range ($5000-6000) and a walk behind tiller. I've already got a nice push mower and trimmer/edger but obviously don't want to cut around every tree. I'm leaning towards the ZT primarily for efficiency and maneuverability around the trees. I might put 50-75 hours on it per year.

If this were yours to do, what equipment would you be looking at and why?

I have a coworker that's trying to talk me into a SCUT or older tractor. It would be nice to have the 3 point hitch for using ground engaging implements. Diesel power and longevity certainly wouldn't hurt either. I know I'll have a hard time getting around trees though and the cost will for sure go up.

Or maybe an ATV / UTV to tow a finish mower and tiller would work. I haven't looked into that much yet.

HELP! :confused2::confused2::confused2:

 

[reynoldston]

Ferris Pro 61 for sure, Buy it once and be done with it.

 

[djrussell]

Thanks for chiming in. I've got the Ferris IS700z on the short list. 24HP Kawasaki FS. ZT-3400 hydros. It's definitely one of the better but more expensive units at around $7000. Is the Pro 61 one of the 3 wheel models?

Right now I'm really just trying to figure out type of equipment and not necessarily specific models.

 

[reynoldston]

I don't know your money situation. I bought my Pro 61 in 2000 and my wife though I was nuts to spend 8500 for a mower. I always bought cheap mowers. This Ferris cuts and runs as good as the day a bought it and I have never been sorry I bought it. The Pro 61 go's over 10,000 dollars now but it will last a life time if taken care of. Yes that is the three wheel mower which is good for getting under low limbs, Also seeing you can lift the deck it gives the mower extra traction like coming out of a ditch or cleaning under the deck and changing blades. I am sure there are other good brands out there and sure you will hear more on this then just me.

 

[Ric]

Thanks for chiming in. I've got the Ferris IS700z on the short list. 24HP Kawasaki FS. ZT-3400 hydros. It's definitely one of the better but more expensive units at around $7000. Is the Pro 61 one of the 3 wheel models?

Right now I'm really just trying to figure out type of equipment and not necessarily specific models.

If this were yours to do, what equipment would you be looking at and why?

I'd be looking at the same thing, a Ztr IMO would be the way to go. I'd be looking at a well known type or name commercial for $7000 though. Something like a Toro, Hustler or Scag. If your looking at the low end commercial unit you can get the Toro Z-Master for the same price as the Ferris but it has the FX Kawasaki instead of the FS with the 3400 drives. If your looking at the high end Residential units I'd look at the Hustler Fastrak sd.

 

[JD is best]

This is probably out of the question and budget, but have you considered a John Deere 4 wheel steer tractor? That would take care of maneuverability and you could run a tiller on it.https://m.deere.com/en_US/products/...wn_tractors/select_seriesx300/X304/X304.page?.

https://m.deere.com/en_US/products/equipment/riding_mowers/x700_signature_series/x754/x754.page?

 

[MRCo.]

I'd rethink buying a tiller unless you are going to use it a lot. Most people buy them and they sit 6 months between uses. And you can't find much in the way of a good tiller for under $1000. You're better off renting one and putting more money in to a good mower. I'd recommend a Hustler Fastrack SD. This year has a new model, so you might find a steel on a 2014 model. Great mower. Scag Freedom Z is in this area too.

 

[djrussell]

Hmm... lots of good points here.

Money is not unlimited but I try to get good value ie bang for the buck. I'm sure anyone could walk me all the way up any product line showing how an extra $500-1000 will get me this or that better feature and how they're worth it. So really it comes down to finding the right equipment for the job. If I'm spending $5k+ I'd really like it to last at least a decade.

As far as specific ZTs, I'm mainly trying to find ones with a Kawasaki FR and ZT-3100's. Does that sound about where I need to be? Does stepping up to the FS / FX and ZT-3400's make sense for my use? I still have a couple brands to research but so far have liked the Bobcat XRZ61, Gravely ZT HD 60, and Bad Boy ZT elite. All have similar specs and are priced within a few hundred so it would come down to personal preference.

The Hustler Raptor SD seems well liked and a reasonable price. It uses ZT-2800's though which I fear are a little light-duty.

I'll take another look at the JDs. I had sort of ruled them out as being too expensive for what they offer. I had looked at craftsman's tight-turning yard tractors but they seem at the low end of the market.

Care to throw out a good model / price of tiller? Yes, it would probably only get used 2-3 times a year. If renting one at $80(??) a day, it would take 4-5 years to break even. I could really go either way I guess. It would be one less machine to maintain and store but I'd also have to pick it up and drop it off each time.

 

[reynoldston]

Find a good used tiller. Lot of them out there with little use.

 

[Ric]

Hmm... lots of good points here.

Money is not unlimited but I try to get good value ie bang for the buck. I'm sure anyone could walk me all the way up any product line showing how an extra $500-1000 will get me this or that better feature and how they're worth it. So really it comes down to finding the right equipment for the job. If I'm spending $5k+ I'd really like it to last at least a decade.

As far as specific ZTs, I'm mainly trying to find ones with a Kawasaki FR and ZT-3100's. Does that sound about where I need to be? Does stepping up to the FS / FX and ZT-3400's make sense for my use? I still have a couple brands to research but so far have liked the Bobcat XRZ61, Gravely ZT HD 60, and Bad Boy ZT elite. All have similar specs and are priced within a few hundred so it would come down to personal preference.

The Hustler Raptor SD seems well liked and a reasonable price. It uses ZT-2800's though which I fear are a little light-duty.

I'll take another look at the JDs. I had sort of ruled them out as being too expensive for what they offer. I had looked at craftsman's tight-turning yard tractors but they seem at the low end of the market.

Care to throw out a good model / price of tiller? Yes, it would probably only get used 2-3 times a year. If renting one at $80(??) a day, it would take 4-5 years to break even. I could really go either way I guess. It would be one less machine to maintain and store but I'd also have to pick it up and drop it off each time.

What you're looking for is a good combination but if you fear the 2800 drives I'd fear that FR to last a decade. As far as stepping up to the FS / FX and ZT-3400's making sense for your use? If your looking for a machine to last a decade it makes perfect sense. The thing is nobody can make any guarantee or any on this stuff to last. Like you said they all have similar specs, they all run the same drives , engines. The differences comes in with the build quality, What size and gauge is the frame, what gauge is the deck, what size are your spindles 4"maybe 6" 8"or a 9 3/8" are they sealed bearing or do you use a grease gun every 25 hours and the list goes on. Personal preference doesn't make a difference if you want the most for your money.