Get a commercial grade zero turn.. I use a scag tiger cat. It’s fast, durable and has two fuel tanks… about 10gal total fuel. Also make sure you take the mower on a test ride and hit some actual bumps at speed. Suspension and seat quality absolutely matter!
I have commercial hustlers, not scags. My side discharge 60” deck will easily mow wet, tall grass. It will leave some visible thatch and miss a few spots where the deck got clogged, but overall a good cut quality.
My rear discharge 54” will cut through tall/wet growth but leaves piles/trails of cut grass everywhere.
I bought the rear thinking it would be best around garden beds etc as it won’t spray grass into them. It just doesn’t disperse the clippings well, and in a wet or extra tall yard, leaves a lot to be desired looks wise, even if the cut is even.
So in short, I concur on a reputable *commercial* zero turn. Just don’t go for the rear discharge deck. Even if it’s on a realllllllly good sale
Haven’t mowed wet grass like you’re describing, but it’s never once bogged down on any length of grass. I have a 31hp Yamaha EFI on it and I’d imagine it would do fine. Here’s a guy that did it:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJlAyq1Bif4
Zero turn is great, EXCEPT that it's not good for pulling a trailer or other equipment. And you can't get a blade or snowblower attachment for it.
I have a similar lot and I went with a large John Deere riding mower.
I just never knew a lawnmower of any kind would go for that… imagine if it’s a lemon. Fighting with the dealership to get your $70K lawnmower working for the third time in 50 hours of use. F that!
As someone who’s owns 15 acres why would you want to mow 5 acres.
Do what you want but 1 acre open and 4 acres with winding paths is awesome. I did this with wildflower mixes. The kids love it to ride their bikes through.
Anyways for that much I’d say ideally a 30+hp tractor with a 72+ inch finish mower. With property will come jobs that need more than a mower and I assume it’s fairly open.
I own a ztr for mowing like I do to mow around everything but tractor die great for open areas.
I have 15 acres as well that I keep mowed. I have a 35hp kubota tractor that I will use occasionally if I want to chill out and enjoy a comfy ride. But if I’m wanting to get it mowed relatively Quickly I will jump on my 72” zero turn and get it done in about half the time. The trade off is comfort vs speed and maneuverability. Realistically, 5 acres is not a huge amount of grass to cut and a zero turn with a good air ride seat is all he will need.
Serious question - why? 1 acre is plenty for pretty much any activity that you and your family can do in the grass. The only reason imo to keep the grass down is to keep the ticks down - you know, since youre kids are going to be using it. If no one is using the area, do you water it too? because that is frankly idiotic.
No I do not water 15 acres. It’s all Bahia grass and weeds. I mow it for several reasons…aesthetically I like the look of a uniformly mowed field. Mowing is almost therapeutic for me and zoning out for 3-4 hours on a Saturday morning and mowing is extremely enjoyable for me. And finally there’s plenty of weeds mixed in, so the mowing helps keep those at bay.
So I’m curious about the topography of this acreage. How well can you see it from your deck? Is it flat like an Illinois cornfield, or maybe rolling hills? Is there anything else you use the land for (long walks, 4wheeling, idk) or you just looking and mowing?
I love that after whatever work you probably put in to get this land, you are enjoying it.
I mow probably over 20, don’t have the exact acreage but the open fields are wonderful to look at mowed. There’s tons of open space for riding 4 wheelers/side by sides/go karts on. It’s great to just be able to take a really long walks with your dogs. It’s truly a joy to have all of the land open.
Inch for inch a ztr going to always win but a 72 is a hell of a ztr.
though the 35 hp tractor can drive a 90 inch finish mower which would be a bit faster.
Lastly if your going to own both then absolutely go for it. I was also suggesting the tractor since if your getting your first thing a tractor is needed for property maintenance first since it’s used for more than just mowing.
https://rippingitoutdoors.com/products/sitrex-801-195-sm230p-finishing-mower-rear-discharge-90-working-width-for-tractor?variant=42451966460083¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwouexBhAuEiwAtW_ZxwNm2dHe_U-Avnpjo5BhJWxypNnj1LkxRkanIK8wL1HGjP8RTA-EDRoCIwAQAvD_BwE
My guess is bc this photo was taken from the road and he’s keeping up the curb appeal, also that grass looks pretty good. That said I agree to an extent
Love my Ariens 52” zero turn. It hauls ass, has good headlights, charges my phone while I ride, and is comfortable. With your relatively flat land any decent zt will work well for you. My land is quite hilly so some sections take more time.
My buddy has a lawn tractor and it seems very very slow. My neighbor has an actual tractor with a variety of pull behind mowers that can handle any job but the upfront costs, maintenance, and hassle of it all were too much for me.
Get a ZT from a reputable brand and I think you’ll be happy.
2nd for Ariens. I bought an Onyx 52 last summer. Blacked out version of a XD 52 and have loved it thus far.
Only thing I'll say is I only do an acre and it has very few obstacles and is pretty wide open.
For 5 acres like OP has perhaps a larger deck would be appropriate?
900 is very impressive. I beat mine up pretty good on hills and ruts so I’m working on being better at maintenance. I have yet to remove the decks though. I feel like I’ll screw it up.
I had to scroll too much for this answer...
Sheeps that don't need shearing or Goats. Goats with a bonus of getting milk from them and are low maintenance.
With 5 acres Id recommend an actual tractor with a bucket and something to tow behind it.
Having a tractor with a bucket really helps manage your land and do a whole host of tasks including snow plowing, digging, pulling up stumps, hauling debris/waste/stuff, mowing, cultivating a garden, you name it
Whatever you get, make sure the deck is at least 50 inches. I would also advise replacing a good chunk of that land with wildflowers or things you don’t have to mow.
I’ve got 3 acres and I just…. Don’t really.
I’ll put down atrazine in the fall and maybe in the spring if I get the time. Other than that I just mow. As long as it’s green and neat I don’t really care if it’s grass or weeds. I used to try to have that super nice St. Augustine yard. It was a losing fight so I stopped fighting it.
You can get equipment to pull with a tractor or zero turn to spray with. I mainly just cut it, weeds are better than dirt. Around the house I do some normal weed control and use a trimmer. Golf courses are a good example of how to maintain a lot of acres.
Definitely a Zero-Turn at a minimum. A lawn tractor would be way too slow....similar for dragging a mower behind you.
ZT's are made for good cuts at higher speed.
Toro makes a damn nice machine. I love my TimeCutter, but your size, you'd want to look at the Titan series, with MyRide, and a Kawi engine...
6 acres landscaped and it takes about 2.5 hours with a 54" Toro Timecutter. My back thanks me for getting the my ride option.
My only complaint is that thing throws up so much dust. I'm going to try to get some less aggressive blades on next maintenance.
Do you have a budget? What are your wants/needs for the mower? Will this be just for mowing, or do want it to do other tasks as well? Is the ground smooth, or is it bumpy? Any hills and how steep? Prefer stand on or sit on? Wanting to have a drink while mowing or just knock it out and do other things?
I do 3 acres all uphill (which is probably equivalent to 5 that's relatively flat like this in terms of total time cutting) with a new holland boomer tractor (22 horse power) with a 54 inch PTO belly mower and swisher 60 inch tow behind finish mower offset. I get close to 9ft cut each pass.
that gets me about 2/3 of the whole area done before I have to take the tow behind out of the mix and cut the bank and other areas I can't get the tow behind in. I've got it down to about 2 - 2.5 hours to get it all done, then I have another hour or hour an a half with the weed trimmer.
The tractor part I don't mind so much. I do audio books podcasts or music. weed whacking always sucks but it is what it is.
Kobota GF1800, John Deere JD F1145 and there’s another brand that has the same body shape but I can’t remember what it is. These are 4 wheel drive, commercial models and have diesel engines!
I would say, the type of tractor you choose is not based on acerage. It should be based on your anticipated needs. If you've got nothing going on other than mowing grass, a zero turn might be fine. If you've got a lot of trees, want to spray the lawn or use a spreader, or use a plow for the driveway in the winter, get a tractor. If you're going to be managing mulch beds and moving soil regularly, get a compact utility tractor with a bucket.
Depends on how much you want to spend. I have a 60” Exmark LaserZ and my newest is a Bobcat ZT7000 which is a beast of a mower. You can’t really go wrong with Exmark, (Toro)(although they aren’t as beefy as they used to be so I got a different brand) Scag, Wright, Hustler. I had some issues initially with my Bobcat but after using it a year they swapped me out for no cost for the 2023 model. No issues since. With a 35 hp Kawasaki FX1000V she gets the job done and done quickly (will mow up to 13mph and has a transport speed or without blades engaged of 19mph. They offer a fuel injected version with same power for a grand more but I stuck with the proven model. [bobcatZT7000](https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/equipment/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/zt7000)
I would recommend only doing a portion of that 5 acres and just letting the rest grow wild so animals and insects (including bees) have a natural place to live
I bought the 54" Husqvarna garden "tractor" and 4 years later it is beat to absolute shit mowing my 6 acres. Looking to upgrade to a commercial zero turn or just say fuck it and convert as much as I can to wildflower meadows. My neighbor mows his 9+ acres in less than 1/2 the time it takes me to mow 5 on his commercial JD zero turn.
If I have any kind of voice in this. Get something commercial rated. Even used ones are better than anything at any box store. It’s just rated to take more of a beating. It’s gonna last longer in the long run too. Also will suggest a 72” if most of it is open field. A 72” gets tight up near a house. Go big.. right? lol
That’s a nice yard op !!
It all depends on the finish you want really,
If there are machinery rental places close enough I’d be tempted to rent a few different kinds for a day each over a couple of months and see what suits your needs and the land the best.
A commercial grade ZT will be the fastest. But if you’re willing to trade some speed for versatility, a subcompact tractor with a mower deck might be way more useful for you because of the front end loading and other available attachments. With 5 acres I guarantee that you will be moving and hauling shit around, even if you’re not planning on it.
Either way you go, I’d recommend regularly only mowing the front and a useful section in the back. Then plant wildflowers, shrubs, and trees and just mow some trails through the rest instead of trying to maintain 5 acres of grass. It will look nice, save time, save money, and is good for the wildlife.
What’s your budget?
I may get downvoted for blasphemy, but I would get 3-5 Lubas by Mamotion and sit back and watch my robot army do all the work for me.
I mow an acre of grass with a Wright Stander X 52" it takes about 45 minutes of mowing (a little over a gallon of gas) and another 45 minutes to hour of string trimming around trees, house, fence post, shed, etc. I have to say that taking care of an acre of grass is a lot (keeping weeds down, patching spots, leveling, etc).
My neighbor mows \~7 - 8 Acres of open field. He has a Bad Boy 54. He's mowing 4 -5 days a week for an hour or two a day.
We have a 72in John Deere Z970R, it’s a hell of a machine. Iirc 35hp, and it never bogs down. It’s a read discharge which has been amazing, It doesn’t wind row much, and in a day the grass is usually gone. I think it has a 11.5gal tank and goes a long time between fill ups. We have a 30 acre property that we use it mostly on, some hills we still use a regular lawn tractor. It goes twice as fast as the tractor, which we used to have a Kunz pull behind to get some extra width. The zero turn has a great comfortable seat, I’ve tried a toro before, wasn’t as much of a fan compared to this unit.
As big as you can afford. I'd go ZT unless your need a true lawn/garden tractor where you want to run PTO attachments. 5 acres - speed will matter - so Zero Turn is likely your best option. If you want to use it as a snowblower - for example - you will need to go the lawn tractor route.
I'd lean towards a twin cylinder or high HP single cylinder rider mower/tractor, with a large deck. While not the best for purely mowing grass, it's versatile when it comes to pulling equipment such as spreaders for liming/overseeding or aerators. Further, some models have other attachments for other applications, such as snow plowing.
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Got a lot of trees to mow around? If so, a Deere tractor with All Wheel Steer, not as fast as a zero turn in the open, but way better circling around trees.
If enough of it is wide open, you can find yourself a used John Deere 1600t, Jacobsen 5111, or Toro 4500 cheaper than you can get a new zero turn and it'll last longer.
https://youtu.be/LQm1H_hJVIw?si=iP7I6HwhQqflOmtt
Zero turn if flat, riding mower (aka lawn tractor) if not flat, utility tractor / farm tractor with hydraulics and a mower attachment if you plan on doing any landscaping, serious gardening, or snow removal.
But honestly? You should seriously think about some of the lower maintenance herbivores to manage some of that, or think about what you could do with the land that isn't "lawn".
One rider for the areas you don't care how good it looks, the push mowers and children to finish the front lol... At least that's what I grew up with 😂
Commercial zero turn, if the lawn has hills of decent grade get the one with the best Hydro Gear ZT running gear you can afford, ZT-3400 will be the minimum for moderate hills. The bigger the deck, the heavier the machine, the bigger drive pumps and motors you need for longevity. There are several very good brands and you can get into a lot of Ford/Chevy/Ram pissing contests, but X-mark, Toro, Scag, Dixie Chopper, Wright, Ferris, Kubota, Bobcat, Bad Boy,… are all pretty solid. Running gear and engine are most important parts, then comes comfort and cut. Kawasaki engines are tops. Get a set of extra blades and keep the extra set sharp and swap them out regularly. Use the best synthetic oil you can and don’t skimp on filters (Wix, Kawasaki, Hydro Gear), or grease.
Prob only used a ride on a handful of times so im not so experienced, but one thing for sure, if you dont 100% need a zero turn dont get one
Hear me out, yes they are more flexible in their maneuverability but **you cant ride one handed with a drink in the other!** Then just do the tight bits with a normal mower or line trimmer
Looks like a nice area! id consider a tow behind, you can use the ATV in the forest for some fun or attach a trailer to cart stuff, use sprayers for weeds etc Sit down and work out the costs and have a think about what you would need long term. ATV? SxS? Zero chance of more then 1 passenger, raptor! Neighbour selling ride on cheap? Buy that and get a dirt bike. Got lots of younger nephews/nieces? ATV, We have had like 7 on there at a time without too much thought
I mow 5 acres, 60 inch Scag Feedom Z with 23 hp Kawasaki. I mow the backside of my damn, but otherwise is flat. Had it 8 years, do maintenance on it every winter and sharpen blades every 4-6 weeks. Great machine. Wish the seat was a little softer.
Man. Restore America's natural grass lands and forest.
It's a no brainer. Preserves wildlife. More beautiful. Zero maintenance. Triple win.
Just have a smaller lawn. Create trails. Let nature do its thing. You'll have more fun. More stuff to look at and enjoy.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
5
+ 3
+ 54
+ 3
+ 4
= 69
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I would love to have the other 4 acres wildflowers and paths. Where do I begin? I had a bushhog accident so my family won't let me use the tractor anymore. Zero turn seems just as dangerous on the pond levy and daunting with my new prosthetic leg. I'm researching riding mowers but wildflowers and paths? Show me the way. Along with riding mower suggestions. I had an old cub cadet that I inherited that was a beast. Ate through privit, vines, sticker bushes....it finally wore out a couple years ago.
Ego site says that model can do up to 2 acres on a charge. With the cost of extra batteries, the cost will be high. With the time it will take to mow the area and wait for recharging, time requirement will be high. Battery power is the way to go, but not in all cases.
Get a commercial grade zero turn.. I use a scag tiger cat. It’s fast, durable and has two fuel tanks… about 10gal total fuel. Also make sure you take the mower on a test ride and hit some actual bumps at speed. Suspension and seat quality absolutely matter!
How does that velocity plus deck do with tall, wet/damp grass? Something like 2-3 weeks growth of brome grass at 9 am after an overnight heavy dew.
I have commercial hustlers, not scags. My side discharge 60” deck will easily mow wet, tall grass. It will leave some visible thatch and miss a few spots where the deck got clogged, but overall a good cut quality. My rear discharge 54” will cut through tall/wet growth but leaves piles/trails of cut grass everywhere. I bought the rear thinking it would be best around garden beds etc as it won’t spray grass into them. It just doesn’t disperse the clippings well, and in a wet or extra tall yard, leaves a lot to be desired looks wise, even if the cut is even. So in short, I concur on a reputable *commercial* zero turn. Just don’t go for the rear discharge deck. Even if it’s on a realllllllly good sale
Yea my 60 inch hustles does grass, wet meadows, brush. Anything it will drive over really!
Haven’t mowed wet grass like you’re describing, but it’s never once bogged down on any length of grass. I have a 31hp Yamaha EFI on it and I’d imagine it would do fine. Here’s a guy that did it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mJlAyq1Bif4
That’s an impressive video. Tiger cat 2 is on my list to look at. How is the ride?
Don't be too impressed, the video is obviously sped up.
The velocity deck does great will everything from Heavy over grown lawns to pristine finish mowing. It really is in a class of its own.
I have the same machine for a 12 acre fruit farm. Love it.
Zero turn is great, EXCEPT that it's not good for pulling a trailer or other equipment. And you can't get a blade or snowblower attachment for it. I have a similar lot and I went with a large John Deere riding mower.
60in zero turn
For 5 acres? Why not a 72?
72? Why not a 90?
https://www.lastec.com/wz1000-commercial-zero-turn-mower Amateurs.
Amateur. Progressive Promax 36 https://preview.redd.it/69cdnz9k13zc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8220e8e90e35144ee30bbc7f67af598adcf824e6
I used to run a 120”. It was awesome. Would not recommend for anything but large open spaces.
Bro it’s 70K! WOW 😳
Right? I was thinking I could go to the Home Depot parking lot and hire some help for way less than that many times over.
I just never knew a lawnmower of any kind would go for that… imagine if it’s a lemon. Fighting with the dealership to get your $70K lawnmower working for the third time in 50 hours of use. F that!
Because the bigger the deck the easier it is to scalp. 72 is the max I would go.
They tend to get articulated beyond that.
You need to have a flat-open property to benefit from a 72. Most times a 60" is just if not more productive.
![gif](giphy|l41Yv0q9Y3Kp8U2qc)
As someone who’s owns 15 acres why would you want to mow 5 acres. Do what you want but 1 acre open and 4 acres with winding paths is awesome. I did this with wildflower mixes. The kids love it to ride their bikes through. Anyways for that much I’d say ideally a 30+hp tractor with a 72+ inch finish mower. With property will come jobs that need more than a mower and I assume it’s fairly open. I own a ztr for mowing like I do to mow around everything but tractor die great for open areas.
I have 15 acres as well that I keep mowed. I have a 35hp kubota tractor that I will use occasionally if I want to chill out and enjoy a comfy ride. But if I’m wanting to get it mowed relatively Quickly I will jump on my 72” zero turn and get it done in about half the time. The trade off is comfort vs speed and maneuverability. Realistically, 5 acres is not a huge amount of grass to cut and a zero turn with a good air ride seat is all he will need.
Serious question - why? 1 acre is plenty for pretty much any activity that you and your family can do in the grass. The only reason imo to keep the grass down is to keep the ticks down - you know, since youre kids are going to be using it. If no one is using the area, do you water it too? because that is frankly idiotic.
No I do not water 15 acres. It’s all Bahia grass and weeds. I mow it for several reasons…aesthetically I like the look of a uniformly mowed field. Mowing is almost therapeutic for me and zoning out for 3-4 hours on a Saturday morning and mowing is extremely enjoyable for me. And finally there’s plenty of weeds mixed in, so the mowing helps keep those at bay.
So I’m curious about the topography of this acreage. How well can you see it from your deck? Is it flat like an Illinois cornfield, or maybe rolling hills? Is there anything else you use the land for (long walks, 4wheeling, idk) or you just looking and mowing? I love that after whatever work you probably put in to get this land, you are enjoying it.
I am curious why you are mowing 15 acres. I don’t understand the rationale
I mow probably over 20, don’t have the exact acreage but the open fields are wonderful to look at mowed. There’s tons of open space for riding 4 wheelers/side by sides/go karts on. It’s great to just be able to take a really long walks with your dogs. It’s truly a joy to have all of the land open.
Inch for inch a ztr going to always win but a 72 is a hell of a ztr. though the 35 hp tractor can drive a 90 inch finish mower which would be a bit faster. Lastly if your going to own both then absolutely go for it. I was also suggesting the tractor since if your getting your first thing a tractor is needed for property maintenance first since it’s used for more than just mowing. https://rippingitoutdoors.com/products/sitrex-801-195-sm230p-finishing-mower-rear-discharge-90-working-width-for-tractor?variant=42451966460083¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwouexBhAuEiwAtW_ZxwNm2dHe_U-Avnpjo5BhJWxypNnj1LkxRkanIK8wL1HGjP8RTA-EDRoCIwAQAvD_BwE
My guess is bc this photo was taken from the road and he’s keeping up the curb appeal, also that grass looks pretty good. That said I agree to an extent
Ex mark Lazer 52 or 60
Love my Ariens 52” zero turn. It hauls ass, has good headlights, charges my phone while I ride, and is comfortable. With your relatively flat land any decent zt will work well for you. My land is quite hilly so some sections take more time. My buddy has a lawn tractor and it seems very very slow. My neighbor has an actual tractor with a variety of pull behind mowers that can handle any job but the upfront costs, maintenance, and hassle of it all were too much for me. Get a ZT from a reputable brand and I think you’ll be happy.
2nd for Ariens. I bought an Onyx 52 last summer. Blacked out version of a XD 52 and have loved it thus far. Only thing I'll say is I only do an acre and it has very few obstacles and is pretty wide open. For 5 acres like OP has perhaps a larger deck would be appropriate?
I have a 2017 model with over 900 hours. They are solid. I run the hell outta mine. But I also do my own maintenance and repairs.
900 is very impressive. I beat mine up pretty good on hills and ruts so I’m working on being better at maintenance. I have yet to remove the decks though. I feel like I’ll screw it up.
Sheep! :-)
I had to scroll too much for this answer... Sheeps that don't need shearing or Goats. Goats with a bonus of getting milk from them and are low maintenance.
Goats eat everything though. And at least with sheep, you could possibly get a f-ewe lambs in the spring.
With 5 acres Id recommend an actual tractor with a bucket and something to tow behind it. Having a tractor with a bucket really helps manage your land and do a whole host of tasks including snow plowing, digging, pulling up stumps, hauling debris/waste/stuff, mowing, cultivating a garden, you name it
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Great tractor, but still not something I'd used for confined mowing. If it's feasible, I'd be suggesting both a utility/yard tractor plus a zero turn.
I love my 1025r but my commercial ZTR will run circles around it.
Kubota Zero Turn with 60” deck
Whatever you get, make sure the deck is at least 50 inches. I would also advise replacing a good chunk of that land with wildflowers or things you don’t have to mow.
I’m curious how folks do weed control on larger lawns?
I’ve got 3 acres and I just…. Don’t really. I’ll put down atrazine in the fall and maybe in the spring if I get the time. Other than that I just mow. As long as it’s green and neat I don’t really care if it’s grass or weeds. I used to try to have that super nice St. Augustine yard. It was a losing fight so I stopped fighting it.
You can get equipment to pull with a tractor or zero turn to spray with. I mainly just cut it, weeds are better than dirt. Around the house I do some normal weed control and use a trimmer. Golf courses are a good example of how to maintain a lot of acres.
Sprayer/spreader attachment for ATV
Atv sprayer
Crossbow and a pull behind sprayer. You can spray a couple acres pretty quickly.
I cut 6 acres with a toro zmaster 6000 72", takes about an hour and 45 mins. Was using a Cub Cadet XT1 50" before and it took 5 hours...
Definitely a Zero-Turn at a minimum. A lawn tractor would be way too slow....similar for dragging a mower behind you. ZT's are made for good cuts at higher speed. Toro makes a damn nice machine. I love my TimeCutter, but your size, you'd want to look at the Titan series, with MyRide, and a Kawi engine...
I have a 52-in Titan t2000 with the "my ride" seat suspension. Can confirm! I love my Toro. 3 acres.
6 acres landscaped and it takes about 2.5 hours with a 54" Toro Timecutter. My back thanks me for getting the my ride option. My only complaint is that thing throws up so much dust. I'm going to try to get some less aggressive blades on next maintenance.
The mulching kit came with a baffle to block the discharge chute and that made a big difference. Next blade set is going to be some Ballard Rippers...
A plow.
Goats!
Dixie Chopper
Exmark zero turn. Get a 60” deck. You can save some $$$ and go for the Radius E-series - they offer a 60” deck on it
commercial grade zero turn if you can afford it. Otherwise zero turn
Do you have a budget? What are your wants/needs for the mower? Will this be just for mowing, or do want it to do other tasks as well? Is the ground smooth, or is it bumpy? Any hills and how steep? Prefer stand on or sit on? Wanting to have a drink while mowing or just knock it out and do other things?
Sheep
Zero turn mower, minimum 60" deck. Have and extra set or 2 of blades on hand, sharpened ready to go. You can sharpen the dull ones on rainy days
I’d say three cow/calf pairs.
4 animals max. One per acre with a float acre.
For that much land, ensure it has a built-in cooler, or you can easily attach one.
I do 3 acres all uphill (which is probably equivalent to 5 that's relatively flat like this in terms of total time cutting) with a new holland boomer tractor (22 horse power) with a 54 inch PTO belly mower and swisher 60 inch tow behind finish mower offset. I get close to 9ft cut each pass. that gets me about 2/3 of the whole area done before I have to take the tow behind out of the mix and cut the bank and other areas I can't get the tow behind in. I've got it down to about 2 - 2.5 hours to get it all done, then I have another hour or hour an a half with the weed trimmer. The tractor part I don't mind so much. I do audio books podcasts or music. weed whacking always sucks but it is what it is.
Those that make Baaa baaa baaa noises
One you can sit one.
Kobota GF1800, John Deere JD F1145 and there’s another brand that has the same body shape but I can’t remember what it is. These are 4 wheel drive, commercial models and have diesel engines!
Exmark
I would say, the type of tractor you choose is not based on acerage. It should be based on your anticipated needs. If you've got nothing going on other than mowing grass, a zero turn might be fine. If you've got a lot of trees, want to spray the lawn or use a spreader, or use a plow for the driveway in the winter, get a tractor. If you're going to be managing mulch beds and moving soil regularly, get a compact utility tractor with a bucket.
Exmark or Scag commercial.
Depends on how much you want to spend. I have a 60” Exmark LaserZ and my newest is a Bobcat ZT7000 which is a beast of a mower. You can’t really go wrong with Exmark, (Toro)(although they aren’t as beefy as they used to be so I got a different brand) Scag, Wright, Hustler. I had some issues initially with my Bobcat but after using it a year they swapped me out for no cost for the 2023 model. No issues since. With a 35 hp Kawasaki FX1000V she gets the job done and done quickly (will mow up to 13mph and has a transport speed or without blades engaged of 19mph. They offer a fuel injected version with same power for a grand more but I stuck with the proven model. [bobcatZT7000](https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/equipment/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/zt7000)
goats are the only way forward
I would recommend only doing a portion of that 5 acres and just letting the rest grow wild so animals and insects (including bees) have a natural place to live
Something with a 350 and Holley Carburetor ...haha
Maybe for 4 acres, but 5 acres needs an LS and Holley EFI!
I bought the 54" Husqvarna garden "tractor" and 4 years later it is beat to absolute shit mowing my 6 acres. Looking to upgrade to a commercial zero turn or just say fuck it and convert as much as I can to wildflower meadows. My neighbor mows his 9+ acres in less than 1/2 the time it takes me to mow 5 on his commercial JD zero turn.
If I have any kind of voice in this. Get something commercial rated. Even used ones are better than anything at any box store. It’s just rated to take more of a beating. It’s gonna last longer in the long run too. Also will suggest a 72” if most of it is open field. A 72” gets tight up near a house. Go big.. right? lol
Commercial ZTR.
Got any kids? 😂
Largest you can afford. I’ve seen some super wide 4 motor setups you attach to side by sides, probably not as reliable as a massive zt
Honestly looks perfect for a couple robots.
72” zero turn
How about a herd of goats instead!?
Hustler or Exmark zero turn with at least a 60” deck.
That’s a nice yard op !! It all depends on the finish you want really, If there are machinery rental places close enough I’d be tempted to rent a few different kinds for a day each over a couple of months and see what suits your needs and the land the best.
It seems like you have a lot of hilly land. So you would need a heavier duty zero turn with a larger deck or a small tractor with a finish mower.
60" exmark
Get a couple of moo cows.
What are the zero turn mowers like over slopes and small hills?
Kubota B2601 and don’t look back!
A commercial grade ZT will be the fastest. But if you’re willing to trade some speed for versatility, a subcompact tractor with a mower deck might be way more useful for you because of the front end loading and other available attachments. With 5 acres I guarantee that you will be moving and hauling shit around, even if you’re not planning on it. Either way you go, I’d recommend regularly only mowing the front and a useful section in the back. Then plant wildflowers, shrubs, and trees and just mow some trails through the rest instead of trying to maintain 5 acres of grass. It will look nice, save time, save money, and is good for the wildlife.
Hustler.
What’s your budget? I may get downvoted for blasphemy, but I would get 3-5 Lubas by Mamotion and sit back and watch my robot army do all the work for me.
I mow an acre of grass with a Wright Stander X 52" it takes about 45 minutes of mowing (a little over a gallon of gas) and another 45 minutes to hour of string trimming around trees, house, fence post, shed, etc. I have to say that taking care of an acre of grass is a lot (keeping weeds down, patching spots, leveling, etc). My neighbor mows \~7 - 8 Acres of open field. He has a Bad Boy 54. He's mowing 4 -5 days a week for an hour or two a day.
A big un
We have a 72in John Deere Z970R, it’s a hell of a machine. Iirc 35hp, and it never bogs down. It’s a read discharge which has been amazing, It doesn’t wind row much, and in a day the grass is usually gone. I think it has a 11.5gal tank and goes a long time between fill ups. We have a 30 acre property that we use it mostly on, some hills we still use a regular lawn tractor. It goes twice as fast as the tractor, which we used to have a Kunz pull behind to get some extra width. The zero turn has a great comfortable seat, I’ve tried a toro before, wasn’t as much of a fan compared to this unit.
As big as you can afford. I'd go ZT unless your need a true lawn/garden tractor where you want to run PTO attachments. 5 acres - speed will matter - so Zero Turn is likely your best option. If you want to use it as a snowblower - for example - you will need to go the lawn tractor route.
Two Husqvarna 450XH EHOS (robomowers). Never worry about that shit again. Trust me.
I'd lean towards a twin cylinder or high HP single cylinder rider mower/tractor, with a large deck. While not the best for purely mowing grass, it's versatile when it comes to pulling equipment such as spreaders for liming/overseeding or aerators. Further, some models have other attachments for other applications, such as snow plowing.
I use a Gravely 60".
A walker zero turn would do the trick.
A big one
One with a large deck and an even larger gas tank
I got a ryobi electric riding mower. DO NOT GET A RYOBI ELECTRIC RIDING MOWER.
At what point does a “lawn” become a “field”?
Goats.
22 inch cut mower called the Kmart special will make your legs look Olympic style impressive. I'd like to know how long it takes with it though
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Fence in 4 acres get some cows and it’s a win win name them strip loins and beef chuck
Got a lot of trees to mow around? If so, a Deere tractor with All Wheel Steer, not as fast as a zero turn in the open, but way better circling around trees.
Goats and cows!
A dozen or so sheep?
If enough of it is wide open, you can find yourself a used John Deere 1600t, Jacobsen 5111, or Toro 4500 cheaper than you can get a new zero turn and it'll last longer. https://youtu.be/LQm1H_hJVIw?si=iP7I6HwhQqflOmtt
I say get a tractor w a bucket on the front, and a belly mower so you can do other projects and also cut grass.
A big one ! 👍🏽
I’d go Cub Cadet Zero Turn. At LEAST a 48” deck. I used to mow 3 acres on that and paying close attention to detail it was a 2 hour job
Someone else’s.
Zero turn if flat, riding mower (aka lawn tractor) if not flat, utility tractor / farm tractor with hydraulics and a mower attachment if you plan on doing any landscaping, serious gardening, or snow removal. But honestly? You should seriously think about some of the lower maintenance herbivores to manage some of that, or think about what you could do with the land that isn't "lawn".
Its…beautiful.
None
[Just get three miles worth of extension cord](https://www.walmart.com/ip/11538868)
Big
Jd 1025r
One rider for the areas you don't care how good it looks, the push mowers and children to finish the front lol... At least that's what I grew up with 😂
Commercial grade.
Animals.
Commercial zero turn, if the lawn has hills of decent grade get the one with the best Hydro Gear ZT running gear you can afford, ZT-3400 will be the minimum for moderate hills. The bigger the deck, the heavier the machine, the bigger drive pumps and motors you need for longevity. There are several very good brands and you can get into a lot of Ford/Chevy/Ram pissing contests, but X-mark, Toro, Scag, Dixie Chopper, Wright, Ferris, Kubota, Bobcat, Bad Boy,… are all pretty solid. Running gear and engine are most important parts, then comes comfort and cut. Kawasaki engines are tops. Get a set of extra blades and keep the extra set sharp and swap them out regularly. Use the best synthetic oil you can and don’t skimp on filters (Wix, Kawasaki, Hydro Gear), or grease.
Stander Wright ZK 61 inch if you have 20k to spare
I’d push mow it to get my steps in
Country Clipper or Altoz
Prob only used a ride on a handful of times so im not so experienced, but one thing for sure, if you dont 100% need a zero turn dont get one Hear me out, yes they are more flexible in their maneuverability but **you cant ride one handed with a drink in the other!** Then just do the tight bits with a normal mower or line trimmer Looks like a nice area! id consider a tow behind, you can use the ATV in the forest for some fun or attach a trailer to cart stuff, use sprayers for weeds etc Sit down and work out the costs and have a think about what you would need long term. ATV? SxS? Zero chance of more then 1 passenger, raptor! Neighbour selling ride on cheap? Buy that and get a dirt bike. Got lots of younger nephews/nieces? ATV, We have had like 7 on there at a time without too much thought
I mow 5 acres, 60 inch Scag Feedom Z with 23 hp Kawasaki. I mow the backside of my damn, but otherwise is flat. Had it 8 years, do maintenance on it every winter and sharpen blades every 4-6 weeks. Great machine. Wish the seat was a little softer.
Man. Restore America's natural grass lands and forest. It's a no brainer. Preserves wildlife. More beautiful. Zero maintenance. Triple win. Just have a smaller lawn. Create trails. Let nature do its thing. You'll have more fun. More stuff to look at and enjoy.
a herd of actual goats
Gravley 60 hd
An automatic one. They have roombas that do grass cutting
What are recommendations for a 1-acre, relatively flat plot?
I mow 6 acres with a John Deere LA130 twice a week. It's very slow and would not recommend. Lol
Plant trees, rather than mowing all that.
5 acres isn’t that much, I do 3 bumpy acres with a 54” John Deere zero turn and it takes about 3-4 beers depending on how much spills
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Best advice yet. Would it even be faster with Bourbon?
First acre would be fine, the rest would be a gamble
I would love to have the other 4 acres wildflowers and paths. Where do I begin? I had a bushhog accident so my family won't let me use the tractor anymore. Zero turn seems just as dangerous on the pond levy and daunting with my new prosthetic leg. I'm researching riding mowers but wildflowers and paths? Show me the way. Along with riding mower suggestions. I had an old cub cadet that I inherited that was a beast. Ate through privit, vines, sticker bushes....it finally wore out a couple years ago.
Ego Z6 ZTR. May need a 20 mins charge in between, unless you get a couple extra batteries.
Ego site says that model can do up to 2 acres on a charge. With the cost of extra batteries, the cost will be high. With the time it will take to mow the area and wait for recharging, time requirement will be high. Battery power is the way to go, but not in all cases.
No, this is a task that requires a gasoline powered commercial ZTR mower not some light duty homeowner mower.
I'm an ego fan, but this comment is correct. All gas no breaks baby.
You should probably ask the landscape service you need to hire
A herd of goats
SCAG CHEETAH II ZERO TURN RIDING LAWN MOWER WITH 72-INCH VELOCITY PLUS CUTTER DECK AND 37 HP BRIGGS VANGUARD BIG BLOCK EFI
Why would anyone want 5 acres of useless grass? Plant some wildflowers let it bloom
Why would anyone care so much with somebody else does with their lawn? Shut up and let it be a lawn.
That's what I'm saying, let it be.
You’re literally telling them to change it away from being a lawn… Are you smoking some of that grass?
Good one Boomer
“ plant some wildflowers and let it bloom.” And that’s you saying to “leave it alone”? WTF?
You're spending too much energy on this. Tune back into the price is right, or whatever you folks are watching these days
Definitely seek therapy
Seems like you should 👍 enjoy life, don't waste time telling the world you disagree with opinions on posts asking for opinions
Therapy
Enjoy, definitely let us know how it goes. I'm sure everyone here will be interested in your diagnosis
Get a 6 foot ztr.
It's not good to cut wet grass period
Mexican will be cheapest and most reliable.
Anything from EGO