Moving into a new house on an acre in the north Dallas area this summer. Looking for recommendations on a reliable zero-turn mower and weed-eater. I'm curious what size deck is the best for this size lawn as well.

I grew up with several zero-turn mowers and mainly echo weed-eaters, but have never purchased one myself. I'm trying not to spend a crazy amount, but willing to go higher-end to get a good-quality, long-lasting tool.

Thanks in advance!

Following this one as well.

On the weedeater, I think you need to look up how much you will need to actually do. How much edge work and how many structures etc. It is probably heresy here but I would try and avoid having small engines as much as possible. We are looking at a place on 20 acres nut the homesite is around 1 and I will probably keep my battery powered weed eater because I had the absolute worst experience with my previous 2 echos.

But if you have landscaping, other strictures, trees, etc etc etc you can obviously throw that rec out the window.

Echo SRM 225, mine is a decade old and running strong. I have a hustler raptor xd 52 but that is probably overkill on what you need. Others will have good mower input.

Edit to add you could also do an Echo PAS 225 and have the options for different attachments. I'd probably do that now.

Fair point. The main use would be around the fence-line for the back yard, around the house, and driveway...so pretty light use from my POV.

Spend the Money get the STIHL

I second echo. I have both a gt225 (curved) and srm225 (straight) and they both run great. I Like John Deere for a zero turn due to having a Deere dealer local.

I can mow, weedeat and blow my current 7k square foot lot on one battery and depending on how long i let it get, could start the job again. I wouldn't hesitate to have an electric weedeater for that job with a 50mah battery. I would think it handles that with ease and then some. Could get a blower too but may want a 2nd battery just in case.

I really really hate gas engines though, so may want to take that with a grain of salt. I am very interested in the mower conversation. I'll be looking used though because I am going to need to pinch pennies for all the projects.

My initial interest was with that SRM 225, but have read a lot of reviews that the newer models have reliability issues, which has made me hesitant towards Echo. Always heard good things about the Hustlers, but obviously 52 is probably too big for my circumstance. Do you think 42 or 48 would be best?

I've considered the battery weed-eaters, but biased towards gas. Are you sacrificing any power with the battery?

Which model?

Ever so slightly but it has several power settings so if i have an ornery area or I need to get afternoon ill crank it up and get what I need to. That obviously uses more power. I haven't once wished I had a gas powered one in the several years I have owned it though. I dont even have the top of the line one though, so I'm sure there is a more powerful one. I also use it to edge my drive way and sidewalk as another data point. You can come test mine out of you want, im in the SE houston area.

I also have not had issues with auto feed trim ljne either on this one which I love.

My whole setup is ryobi, fyi

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Spend the Money get the STIHL

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I second this. I would recommend the FS90R or the FS110R. I have the FS90R and have put it through absolute hell and it still runs like it is new.

Edit: I guess they are calling them the FS91R and FS111R now.

No help here on the mower. I have had the Echo PAS for a good 10 years and it's been extremely reliable and sufficient. I use it with the blower head almost daily. I use the string trimmer weekly in warmer months, and use the hedge trimmer and edger regularly.


All that said I would PROBABLY go battery powered if I were starting over. I have a lot of the Dewalt 20V stuff and it's impressive!

Stihl for weedeater. I have a RedMax zero turn that works great for 1.5 acres. Less expensive, but reliable.

Not sure on deck size. I have a 6' deck. Get the biggest you can 'fit between' anything you need to mow.

My likes are John Deere commercial for zero turn and Stihl for string trimmer. Other commercial grade zero turns are probably ok as well if you have a service center close by. If you do your own work, then it doesn't matter. Deere seems to have service shops everywhere but I have never needed it in the 12 years I have owned my ZTR, knock on wood.

This question is opening a can of worms. It's like asking a random guy what's the better truck, Ford, Chevy, or Ram? But. I will give my input as I have gone through multiple mowers and other lawn equipment and have very strong opinions on some of the better known brands.
First, it is essential that you get something that has a good service department relatively close to your house. If you buy the best of the best and then have to haul it 80 miles to get serviced when you need something you will come to despise it. Second, you have to ask yourself, what kind of lawn do I want? Do you want a highly groomed lawn that requires a weed and fertilizer program and looks like a golf course, or do you just want a lawn that you cut and keep clean looking. The difference between those are $. If you just want to knock down the tall grass and weeds then just go to Lowe's or HomeDepot or some such and get a pressed deck Hustler or JD yellow deck and be happy. Remember weeds grow faster than grass and you'll mow a lot more often but you won't be out $$. I think one of those options would last 10+ years with proper preventative maintenance and care. Now, if you want a beautiful lawn, then it gets tricky. First and foremost you will want a commercial grade mower that will be several thousand dollars more than those options. You will also want a welded deck instead of a pressed deck (with exception of JD's 7 iron pressed green deck, more on that in a minute). Just Google welded deck vs pressed deck on ZTR's if you are not sure what I'm talking about. Next, what is the terrain like in your yard. Do you have flat open space or do you have trees or other obstacles and uneven ground. Makes a massive difference. If you have flat open ground and wide gates go with 54" or bigger. However, anything other than open flat space stick with 48" or smaller. It will take more time to mow but your cut will be more pristine. On uneven ground one side of your mower will be higher than the other side which transfers to the deck and you can cause gouges in the lawn. Smaller deck means more cut time but prettier cut. Now for brands. This is my list after years of experience.
Tier 1 (best groomed cut)
1. Exmark E series or up. By far the most superior cutting deck on the market.
2. John Deere ZTR any model with Green colored 7 iron deck. Usually only available at JD dealership as John Deere models at big box stores with the yellow decks are not true JD's
3. Scagg. Any model above Turf Tiger
Tier 2
Toro. Commercial grade
Ferris. Commercial grade. Smoothest riding of any ZTR
Dixie Chopper. Same as above
Kubota. Commercial grade
Tier 3
Everything else

Wow this is becoming a novel. Lastly I will say. Get an Sthil weed eater with an exchangeable attachment boom. You will have access to multiple different tools at a small cost after initial investment. Also, don't forget a push mower to compliment your small areas. Honda all the way on a push. Sorry for being long winded

Dang it. Sorry. Hustler welded deck commercial needs to be added to Tier 2. Not the pressed deck ones at the big box stores but a true commercial Hustler

I have a Toro Timecutter zero turn with a 42" deck. Bought it a couple years ago, didn't break the bank, and it cuts my grass and my folks' grass - less than an acre of actual grass but not much - in less than an hour.

I hate weedeating with a passion so I use roundup and kill everything next to the fences and the houses, but I use an Echo weedeater where necessary because it's the best bang for my particular buck.

Here is my $0.02. I own a Dealership that sales Kubota, Scag, Toro, and Walker. All good brands. My #1 recommendation is to purchase from a dealer that is close by that can get parts and will service your machine. Not the box stores!!!

If you are looking at a unit and it is a lot cheaper than another brand, there is a reason. Quality of frame, Deck, Engine, and the Hydro that drives it is probably not the same. If things are equal the price is usually similar.

Then it is just based on comfort and warranty periods.

Where are you located?

I am on 7 acres. And mow a few properties from 1 to 5 acres.
Great performance from my John Deere Ztrak. Very cushy suspension seat, rear tweels, and front tweels with the torsion front arms. Very cushy ride.

Have had Echo PAS with attachments for over 25 years. Replaced the engine once. So two Echos in over 25 years using all the attachments regularly. Have the weedeater, edger, chainsaw, blower, articulating hedge trimmer, tiller, and 3ft extension.

They all do the same thing. They are all built like tanks....and tanks break. So go with whoever has service near you.

Wichita Falls, TX

I have an Echo PAS 265 that is 13 years old and going strong. I have the pole saw and brush saw attachments and they work great.

Only recommendation I have off the top of my head is to go to a dealer. Don't get something at Lowes, Home Depot, or stores like that.

KubotaAg02 said:

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Wichita Falls, TX

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Do you deal in used tractors as well? I may just want to bend your ear on tractors in general

I have a Bad Boy zero with a 60 inch deck. I love it but have nothing to compare it to.....I do have a dealer in Shiner for maintenance if needed.

I have a Milwaukee M18 Fuel battery string trimmer that is a beast. I had gas with Stihl and Echo (which were awesome) but will never go back to gas. Only thing I gas these days is the mower and tractor.

But this question is like many on OB....you will get several responses that are opinions disguised as facts and certainties. Think about what means the most to you, do your research outside of Texags (youtube is actually great), and stay away from the cheap options on outdoor power equipment.

I have a zero turn for sale
It's almost a year old.
Toro timecutter less than 40 hrs
50"
My yard is way too small now.
Text if interested
9035207540

I've had stihl and echos
I don't think you can go wrong on either. Personally I think echo is a notch above though. At least when it comes to trimmers.

The last year I switched to the largest ego that Lowe's carrys. It is amazing for electric. Runs for about 50mins
Has just as much power as the echo 225s I have.
Auto feed on the refill and as you're using are awesome features.
I recommend it over everything.

Live on an acre and a half. I have a hustler raptor xd and love it. Have a 60v dewalt string trimmer and it uses the same batteries as my tools. Will never go gas again.

A few years back, a poster recommended "E-Go" weedeaters. I got one and like it……….but I still hate using the damn things. Roundup is mu friend.

Sea Speed said:

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KubotaAg02 said:

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Wichita Falls, TX

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Do you deal in used tractors as well? I may just want to bend your ear on tractors in general

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Yes...we deal with used tractor. Glad to help if I can.

If you wouldn't mind, Shoot me an email at username2121 at Gmail and ill hit you back with my real email address and we can chat.