I have just less than 1/2 acre. A Self-Propelled mower could cut it but that would take over an hour, plus any trimming. I'd rather do it faster. Since most of the yard is flat (slope to street can be a cordless mower or trimmer), I thought about a rider. Friends said get zero-turn vs tractor. I figure: -no more than 42" width (to fit in shed that is 50" wide door) -has towing (for trailer/compost/firewood hauling)
Narrowed down to a Craftsman, Toro Time saver or Ariens Zoom. (priced in that order from lowest to highest).
Find out who actually makes the Craftsman. Then look at reviews for that model/manufacturer. Many manufactures make their equipment, including Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, and MTD. I'm not sure who makes their zero turn models. And keep in mind that while someone else makes it, they are usually changed slightly in some ways. The Toro and Ariens are both top notch equipment.
That's a pretty small piece of property for a ride on. I do 1.5 acres with a 48" in under an hour. You should be able to do 1/2 acre with a 30" - 33" self propelled in 1/2 hr, I would think.
American Yard Machines makes the Craftsman. I've solicited some others and now I am told to get a bigger walk behind or pay a service. I'm leaning on the least expensive vs time saver.
Yeah, I saw that Club Cadet. Much cheaper than 0-turn. (I bought a house in NJ btw...) but not enough experience on use. I was thinking about future... Maybe get a Honda 22" self-propelled, and see how it goes. If I need a rider with hitch (for mulch, stone, firewood...) I can do that later...
It will be unless you get some neighborhood kid to do it. I suspect -- and this isn't a criticism of lawn-care companies -- that they have a minimum charge and it will be above $50/cut. As the area gets larger and larger, then they do go by a 'per square yard' rate.
I'd go for the 30" cut Toro Time Master self-propelled. I can cut my .35 acre lot with my 21" Toro Super Recycler in a little over an hour. If I decide to bag instead of mulch add another fifteen minutes or so.
For a grand you'd be set...
I had a 50" deck when had a .60 acre lot at the old place. Looking back, it was overkill.
No calls yet. But if its more than $50/cut... I see your point!
It'll be $50 a cut or more, I suspect and you'll need 30-40 cuts. I put 40 hrs/yr on my tractor. Welcome to NJ, it's not 1/2 as bad as some people say.
I should have said, moving BACK to NJ. No, its not as bad as they say. Taxes higher but QOL is better for me (3 miles to work vs 24mile 1.5hr commute that I had). And Yuengling is cheaper here by the case than in PA (where its brewed!) I may go with the CC760ES. Thanks!
I'm with Lon, less than a half-acre? Do you have any trees? I doubt a rider is going to save you any time at all, unless you have a perfect circle with no trees, shrubs, or buildings/obstructions of any kind.
I have a 36" Hustler Mini Fastrak and about 6 heavily treed & landscaped/gardened acres. Unless you don't care about trimming there will always be string trimming and/or push mowing to do anyway...
I am going to be partial to Toro. I have a Toro Z4235. No issues with it after 4 years or so now. I got it with the Kawasaki engine. Plenty of power. I pull around a trailer with firewood and yesterday I rolled my lawn. Cuts nice and even.
Wouldn't know how the service department is, because I fix things myself. My craftsman (which I found sitting out for the trash 15 years ago) is running like a top with only two repairs over the 15 years I've owned it.
No calls yet. But if its more than $50/cut... I see your point!
It'll be $50 a cut or more, I suspect and you'll need 30-40 cuts. I put 40 hrs/yr on my tractor. Welcome to NJ, it's not 1/2 as bad as some people say.
Don't be so sure. I pay $30/cut and I'm on just over 1/3 acre. Competition is fierce.
Just a consideration...Make sure you check the actual width of which ever model you choose. The discharge chute will add some to the 42inch blade housing.
I wanted the AWD one but then when I saw $$$$, um... I decided: maybe a walkbehind first. If that isn't what I need, I can always sell it (before warranty is up) and get rider (likely zero turn). Right now, I am trying to find info on deer-resistant privacy shrubs!