I mow about 1.5 acres with about 20 trees plus various other obstacles.  I have several sloped areas/ditches, but nothing too major.  I would like to stay under 8k, really would like to find something around 5k.  I don't have a preference either tractor or ZTR.  I will buy used if I can find a mower that fits my needs.



I am currently considering the Kubota GR2100/2110 or Bad Boy ZT Series.  What else should I look at?  We have a dealer for nearly every brand within an hour or so.



Please don't recommend that I buy a POS re-badged MTD at Lowes or Home Depot.

 I would like to say man up and use a push mower but it wears me out too every sunday. I have a self-propelled Toro that I mow my 1.5 acre yard with. I would say buy one of those but is blew a head gasket sunday and my buddy is fixing it right now. It lasted 3 years almost no maintainance. However, I would like a rider as well. My mother as well as every other house in my neighborhood have a John Deer rider. They are nice and cost well under 5k. I will go with one is my Toro isnt fixed this week or cannot be fixed.

Go the ZTR route for sure if you have a lot of obstacles. My mower broke down last week (50" deck Crapsman) & I borrowed my FIL's Swisher 60" ZTR....lets just say I'm ruined now. What takes me 3 hours with the tractor I got done in less than half the time with the ZTR. I usually hate to mow but the ZTR made it fun.

I'm just starting to research the ZTR mowers, but so far I'm liking this - http://www.badboymowers.com/view/60

Costs right at $5K

I'm on three acres and I actually mow about 1.5 acres of grass.  It takes me around two hours to mow/trim on a rider on a good day, sometimes closer to three.  How long does it take you to mow 1.5 acres with a push mower?  



If I wanted to man up I would use my 50 year old, 18" reel mower, not some sissy gas powered self propelled job.  




 

I went to the local TSC and checked one out today.  Built like a TANK!  The 3k Cub Cadet ZTR sitting next to it looked like a toy.



 

Before you buy a zero turn mower, test it on a slope equal to the ones you have to mow.  Some zero turn designs do not like slopes.

I have heard good things about the Dixon ZTR and Gravely ZTR mowers.

Kubota GR2110.

4wd, diesel, power steering, and turns on a 11" circle.  We sell these to guys who have land too steep for a zero turn, yet have lots of trees and other obstacles to mow around.

If diesel bothers you, they also make a GR2010 in gas.

http://www.kubota.com/f/products/gr.cfm

Oh, it's not the diesel that bothers me, it's the 9k MSRP.  I would like a GR2110, but it's really at the upper limit of what I want to spend and they just aren't for sale used around here.





 

Bro, never pay MSRP.  I wish I was located closer to you

Look at Toro products. I worked at a mower shop, selling and repairing them years ago. Great machines very reliable, take a look at the 40 " walk behinds if you want the exercise.
+1 on the recycled mtd junk comment, they are total crap. Deere is just a name, overpriced for an average mower.
Toro has the best deck in the business, the airflow and discharge is patented, the cut is second only to a reel.

The possibilities are endless.

AB

Keep in mind my backyard has no trees or anything, just grass and mowing takes about an hour. I usually half ass the trimming in the back and focus my attention on the front yard which is about 1/4 acre. All together I would estimate 2-2 1/2 if I take my time and limit my water breaks. My neighbor has the same 1.5 acre backyard and he hauls ass on his rider in about 1 hour.....again just grass. My mothers house has  5 and some change and I swear it could use a small tractor with all the obsticles and little decline in her yard.

Its not like I have a farm or anything and I believe 1.5 acres is about maxed out for a push mower. Like I said, if my toro is not fixed by sunday when I need to cut grass I'm going to the John Deer or Kobota store and bringing something home with me.