What about this mower?

[livemusic]

I need another mower to keep my 3 acres (2 houses, 2 lots, contiguous) from growing up in trees! lol What do you think about buying a mower from Home Depot? I have never thought highly of that but they now carry some big zero turns, they seem to have upped their offerings. I do my own maintenance and repairs unless it's something I can't handle. But if you had something you couldn't handle, who would fix it? They don't have a shop. I asked a worker how it worked if you buy one. She said it's a 5-yr warranty (I think that is what she said) and if you have an extended warranty it goes beyond that. If you have a problem, we send someone to you to fix it. Wasn't aware of that. I think my brother had something like that from a mower or something he bought at Sears I think, and the service was not good according to him.

They have this Cub Cadet 60 inch (owned by MTD, which I never was impressed with) with Kawasaki 24hp motor and I like Kawasaki motors. It's $5,000 and that is probably the lowest price 60 inch I have seen. I have an eXmark 50 inch (more or less a Toro) with 23hp Kawasaki and it's been good but a 60 inch eXmark (or Toro) would cost way more than $5k. I also don't like my dealer, lol. But I could go to another dealer that sells the brand but it's twice as far away. Really doesn't matter though, as I do my own work if I can, as I said.

Another mower I kinda like is Spartan, it's pretty heavy duty. The owner was part of Bad Boy mowers but the two co-owners split and this guy started Spartan. And just sold to Toro or their parent for $400 million! Sheesh, only took him a few years, that's nuts!

I'd like to have at least a 54 inch, up to 60 inch. Again, this Cub Cadet at $5k is the lowest I have seen, seems a good price. But... service if you need it? Maybe there is a dealer around here who sells Cub Cadet.

Opinions appreciated!

Cub Cadet 60 inch -- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cub-Cadet-Ultima-ZT2-60-in-Fabricated-Deck-24HP-V-Twin-Kawasaki-FR-Series-Engine-Dual-Hydro-Drive-Gas-Zero-Turn-Riding-Lawn-Mower-ZT2-60/318303304#overlay

[Southside]

I find their saws, mowers, and such to be like their lumber, there is a reason it's cheaper than from an actual dealer that has to look at you face to face.  

[Firewoodjoe]

I'm starting to think there's different quality's of the same brand. Some stuff I've bought will be maybe a different color or shape and cheaper but same company and turn out not as good. 

[Southside]

There are different specs for some companies, Walmart is one that is big on that. 

[BargeMonkey]

 What are you really planning to fix on it ? The clutch, spindles, drives, switches, all of its available online. I would read the warranty paperwork really close, may cover manufacturers defect but not wear and tear. 

[TroyC]

I bought an Ariens Icon 42" zero from Lowes couple years ago just before the big price increase. Ariens owns Gravely and they are pretty much identical except for the decals. Has a welded deck and 18 hp Kawasaki. Nice mower. You could probably get a 52" in your price range and it would come with the 24 hp. I personally like the Kawasaki over the other choices.

[Hilltop366]

If the frame and deck and spindles look sturdy enough the engine and the drives are the two main components that can be researched for dependability the rest is easier to replace or repair as mentioned with dealer or aftermarket parts.

Its got the Kawasaki engine which has a good reputation but it's a good idea to check the specific model so the next thing would be to do a search for the drive and see if it has a high failure rate.

I usually search brand + model name/number and problems or issues or repairs to see what comes up.

[cutterboy]

Never buy a big item from a box store. It is made cheaper so it can be sold cheaper. Go to a dealer and spend a little more money. You will get a lot better machine. Plus service.

[moodnacreek]

Machines purchased new should come from 'the little man' whenever possible. Most of the little men have been eaten by the big man.   And it takes balls to go to the little man for parts or service after buying from the big store who has nothing else to offer after the sale.  The mower shop here is operated by a husband and wife who are life long friends who knew my people.  I have never met Mr. Home Depot or My Lowe.

[scsmith42]

If I were you I'd search around for a good, used commercial grade mower.

Twenty years ago I bought a SCAG Turf Tiger.  It hurt my wallet at the time, but I justified it by knowing that it would probably be the last lawn more that I every bought.  We've used the snot out of it here on the farm, and I probably would have worn out 4 - 5 lesser quality mowers during the same time - doing the same mowing.

Watch for the brands that your local commercial landscapers use.  Hustler, Ex-Mark, Scag are the brands that I see used the most locally, and especially Scag and Hustler.

Commercial mowers will be no-frills, be well engineered and manufactured, and quick to repair compared with consumer models.

[Magicman]

Club Cadet is more of a light duty "homeowner" machine with cheaper/lighter duty decks, spindles, and idler wheels.   Spend your $$ once for a commercial grade mower and you will be much more satisfied and money ahead.

[Old saw fixer]

Since MTD (More Time Down) now owns Cub, I would not consider purchasing one.

[nativewolf]

Not to be the idiot that asks the question  but why not more trees and less mowing.  Costs a lot less than 5k to plant 3 acres, put the money into a stock.  Put the free time into something other than mowing (i hate mowing).  

Oh...not done yet  :D...ok if you have to have grass...why not get a small flock of baby doll sheep fence it and be done with it but for weedeating the fence a time or two a year.  

[customsawyer]

I agree with others. Get a commercial mower and you won't look back. Last I knew homeowner models have a blade speed limit and commercial mowers don't. You won't be able to get a commercial mower at the box stores. It will cost probably twice as much and there is a reason for that. The reason is that they are that much more of a mower. The decks and about everything else about them are heavier duty. Get it from the small local dealer and you will be valued instead of in the way. I have a Gravely and it takes everything I can throw at it. 

[Gary_C]

I've had three Cub Cadets and the last two were made by MTD. I will not make that mistake again. Every year with those MTD built mowers required a major rebuild, especially with the deck but also with belts, etc. even though it was a shaft drive. Finally the Kohler engine had a valve stick open and it is now gathering dust in the barn. 

I moved on to a top of the line Husqvarna commercial zero turn from a local dealer and now just mow, change oil and lube. 

[livemusic]

I agree with others. Get a commercial mower and you won't look back. Last I knew homeowner models have a blade speed limit and commercial mowers don't. You won't be able to get a commercial mower at the box stores. It will cost probably twice as much and there is a reason for that. The reason is that they are that much more of a mower. The decks and about everything else about them are heavier duty. Get it from the small local dealer and you will be valued instead of in the way. I have a Gravely and it takes everything I can throw at it.

I have a friend who just bought a new Gravely for $7,000. He had a Gravely but said the dealer told him it the motor was completely shot and would need a new motor, so, he might as well buy a new one. Which he did. He 'only' had it for 7 years. My thought was why did it wear out in 7 years! He acted like that is normal, hey, they just wear out, is what he said. He doesn't do repairs, he always has the dealer do it.

[Old saw fixer]

There is a limit on blade tip speed to meet ANSI certification. 19,000 feet per second or 216 miles per hour.  The mower deck thickness is also important, so a broken or otherwise propelled blade won't penetrate the deck.  Rev 'em up over limits at your risk. 

[livemusic]

There is a limit on blade tip speed to meet ANSI certification. 19,000 feet per second or 216 miles per hour.  The mower deck thickness is also important, so a broken or otherwise propelled blade won't penetrate the deck.  Rev 'em up over limits at your risk.

Your knowledge of that solves my question of why I never see over 18,500 RPMs touted. Thanks!

[Wallys World]

Check out the hydro trans axles. See if they have external filters on them. If they don't most likely they are only 250 hour life span. Like others you pay for what you get. I have a John Deere 445 with 1300 hours on it still running strong. Bought back then with 54" deck, rear 3 point hitch, rear pto and full hydraulics for $8500. Like I said you pay for what you get.

[Dom]

I was wondering when someone would mention Deere. At 2 to 3 acres I would look at minimum 60 inch. A zero radius is nice for a landscaped.

My uncle has a cub cadet zero radius with steering wheel, he's happy with it. My father has a Kubota 326 zero radius. The Kubota is solid and has a better resale value. In the end, they both cut grass and will serve them for many years. I do support buying from a dealer if possible.

[711ac]

I was in your position but needed 4wd. I bought a used kubota f 2000 commercial mower from a commercial cutter. It was kinda expensive ($4500 iirc) but I told my young wife that it would be the last mower that we'd ever need. 
That was around 38 years ago, I cut the grass with it 3 days ago and I can buy parts for it today! 
Go buy a little B model kubota diesel.

[thecfarm]

I had a Kubota. The reason I got rid of it, I had to wait 2 weeks for parts.  :  ??? 
I did keep spare parts on hand, but why should I be the warehouse?
Then when a part broke, I would order another one and wait 2 weeks for it.

[711ac]

I've got things like a starter or a little lever for the hydraulic deck lift,  key switch in a couple of days. This was in the last 4-5 years.