That's a new Great Dane...Almost the same as a Scag, same designer.
Lawnmowers???
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That's a new Great Dane...Almost the same as a Scag, same designer.
Just read this...Are they the ones that bought Great Dane??
I am not familiar with Great Dane. Their mowers look a lot different than Walker mowers. Not sure about them at all .
They are almost identical to Scags but the new ones (after being bought out by ???? have center mounted levelers instead of the normal way the levers are done...And they are Yellow.
EightSecV6
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I have a 50" commercial Dixie I bought new 2 years ago for my yard (2.5 acres) with 39 trees. I can mow the entire lawn in 40 minutes and it stripes nicely. Not alot to it as far as maintenance goes, it is a very simple machine. I have turf tires on it and once you learn how to not tear up the grass it simply will not. It uses a Kohler 20hp engine. The only thing I have had to do it is replace the exhaust, it fell apart inside and rattled like crazy. I built a complete new one out of stainless. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one. Just my.02
a trail rider
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Center mount is actually the "normal way" imo. The first ZTR mower I ever used was a Dixon, about 1981. I'd first seen them in the mid-late 70's. At the time, I remember their ad that it was the first real ZTR(which is trademarked by Dixon) and the sticks were in the center.
That's not to say it's the better way. I believe it isn't. But that's how the first ones I recall were built. Dixon also uses the latest standard, side arms. They seem to make things easier, but I haven't had one in yrs. Since I prefer frontmount decks, the ZTR is basically out for me.
That's not to say it's the better way. I believe it isn't. But that's how the first ones I recall were built. Dixon also uses the latest standard, side arms. They seem to make things easier, but I haven't had one in yrs. Since I prefer frontmount decks, the ZTR is basically out for me.
I kinda expected you to have a turbo on that Dixie. They had a one time a Dixie CHopper with a Chinook jet turbine engine on it. Ran is at expos. It was on Home Improvement once. http://www.elmlawnsite.com/dixie_chopper_page.htm
I think you need to build a turbo powered one.
TexasT
Texas, Where are you from
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Gravely has a 27 hp turbo diesel with a 72" cut. The turbo is a cute little one. They also have a little 34Z with a Kawasaki 15 hp that is great for getting through gates.
turbov6joe
Signal 1 J-12
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I did a lot of research into the ZT mowers before I bought my Dixon 60" with a Honda 24hp motor. From what I could find, the Dixon seemed to offer the most for the $$$. I was more concerned with how well the deck was built, what motor they used, and what series Parker wheel motors were down there. In the case of my Grizzly they used a commercial grade Honda motor, Paker TL drives with a 14cc pump, and a 10 gauge fabricated deck...very tough! The Ferris mowers are also VERY well built but I got an extra 12" of deck and a better motor (my opinion) for the same $$$ I was going to spend on a 1000 or 1500 series Ferris; I believe the units with the HD suspension are a series or 2 up....the entry level mower with the suspension has cheap components.
a trail rider
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Seeing mention of turbo diesels, I think someone now offers a TD 33+hp CAT on one of their machines. That's gotta be nice. My old Ransomes had a 3cyl. 23hp Mitsubishi which did well.
I'd be okay with a 26hp B&S commercial series myself. I used B&S and Tecumseh, Onan and Kohler and the only one I didn't care for was Tec. because they burned oil nearly as quickly as gasoline. Back then, B&S was the least expensive and they really were good engines. Honda came along and blew everything else away with true bearings, which allowed for easier starting and longer life... But MAN were they expensive(still are).
I still say any commercial grade will do for under 15 acres imo, but I have preferences too.
I'd be okay with a 26hp B&S commercial series myself. I used B&S and Tecumseh, Onan and Kohler and the only one I didn't care for was Tec. because they burned oil nearly as quickly as gasoline. Back then, B&S was the least expensive and they really were good engines. Honda came along and blew everything else away with true bearings, which allowed for easier starting and longer life... But MAN were they expensive(still are).
I still say any commercial grade will do for under 15 acres imo, but I have preferences too.
I have a Cub Cadet with a 28HP Cat diesel and a Hustler with about a 31HP Cat Diesel but neither are turbo'd. I did sell a Cu Cadet small compact tractor a few years ago with a Mitsubishi Turbo diesel. It was the cutest turbo I have ever seen. Wish I had a picture of it noe.
See that's my problem all of our Dixie's have mud tires on them and since the front end weight is so heavy on them (and we use em in some pretty rough terrain), they need the mud tires...My buddies Scag has basically no weight on the front tires (when the front tires are low they don't even squat) so turf tires provide it with plenty of traction and they don't tear up yards as much.
EightSecV6
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I hate cutting grass more than turbo Buicks! The cool thing about it is if you put it on asphault and shove one lever forward and the other backwards, that sucker will spin around faster than you can imagine and the smoke just flies!
a trail rider
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Another reason I prefer a front mount deck... Hydraulic operation that tilts! I can run it over the edge of a hill or water and the deck stays at basically the same level. It isn't a ZTR, but it does turn well enough, and with that deck ahead of me, I can see where/when I want to begin a turn sooner, and get closer against shrubs, trees, whatever. I really like being able to get it beneath the lower hanging limbs without having to lean nearly off the mower...
The tires won't matter much either, because you aren't ripping as you turn since it won't just spin around. That can be largely avoided with a ZTR, but it takes time away from mowing speed and you have to be very aware of your controls to avoid that ripping type turn. Mud tires make it harder, but I don't like using those on a lawn, even when they add traction. They're bound to tear things up sometimes, by design. That's why they call 'em "mud tires" though, ain't it!:biggrin:
The tires won't matter much either, because you aren't ripping as you turn since it won't just spin around. That can be largely avoided with a ZTR, but it takes time away from mowing speed and you have to be very aware of your controls to avoid that ripping type turn. Mud tires make it harder, but I don't like using those on a lawn, even when they add traction. They're bound to tear things up sometimes, by design. That's why they call 'em "mud tires" though, ain't it!:biggrin:
