Over the last few months, I have been asking various questions about Zero Turn mowers. I have had some great responses which have helped me significantly in my decision. My choice was the John Deere Z530M with the addition of the Mulch Control Kit. This would allow me to to mulch the grass of a particular client who ideally would like the grass collected. Issue is that he has about 4 acres of grass and some of it grows quite long. Having ordered the Z530, I happened to be in the showroom when they had the Z545 on Display. It looked really good and because it was the R model had lots of extra features that the M does not. Despite the additional comfort options, it has a better deck (according to the salesman, it is a commercial deck, which is found on the high end machines), EFi engine and dual Hydrostatic. For the extra money, I thought it was worth it. I Took the plunge this morning and ordered the 545 rather than the 530. Received a call later on from the salesman. The optional Mulch Control Kit is not an option for this mower. It has to be either a dedicated mulch or side discharge. This now puts me in a predicament as to which machine to go for.
This machine is fundamentally being bought for two large jobs. I am going into my 4th Year with my main client who has about 8 acres to mow. The terrain can be quite rough due to rabbit damage and at times, the grass can be quite long. He is happy with side discharge. My second client has about 4 acres to mow. Ideally, I would like to be able to mulch some of his grass. However, according to the salesman, the High Capacity deck will leave a lovely cut and if the grass is short enough, clippings should not be seen.
I need to make a decision as to which way to go. As I'm writing this, I am leaning very heavily to the Z545. It is faster, more economical and has an excellent deck. My main customer is happy with the side discharge. It works out £500 more than the Z530. I do wonder if the dedicated mulch deck could cope with long grass, if it had several passes, taking a bit down at a time. Alternatively, am I missing a trick with the Z530? If I bought the Z530, it would be mainly for the second customer. My concern is if he decided to go with someone else, I could end up with the lesser machine for my main customer.
I hope the above makes sense and I value any opinions that are offered.
As always, thanks.
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Replies
James, can't comment on JD as we run Toro, but I would want to keep my options open and have the flexibility to mulch/side discharge with one machine.
There are.many occasions either due to weather or a new job coming in with overgrown grass that we need to side discharge and would be stuffed if we could only mulch.
Buying a machine primarily to satisfy the needs of one or two customers is a risky decision, who's to say you'll have those customers in the future? People sell up, new people move in with different ideas or want to do the mowing themselves etc. We have been caught out with a client saying 12 months ago "the jobs yours for as long as you want it " We bought some new kit specifically for that job, they have just sold up and new owner is doing the work ouch! Eggs and baskets!
Go with side discharge, going over 4 acres twice is a lot quicker than going over 8 acres 2 3 or 4 times because the mulcher can't cope or even worse having to come back another day when the weathers better and when you return lo and behold the grass is even longer!
I second Peter as well on buying specifically for a client but I suppose the zero turn will give you the option to take on big grass cutting jobs in the future
I totally agree with not buying specifically for a client. In the back of my mind, I'm always conscious that the plug could be pulled. My main client is very upfront and I know where I stand. He pays me a monthly amount to endure his grounds look nice. It is an arrangement that works well for both of us. I definitely have another season's work. The way I look at it is if my services are no longer required, the machine will have earnt a seasons money and would still have good secondhand value. True, there would be a loss, but, the season'swork offsets that.
Ideally, I would like to keep my options open and have the mulch function. I cannot stop thinking that the EFi engine and better deck would pay dividends. Apparently it will power through much taller grass, which occurs at both properties. I'm still undecided!
Always buy the best machine you can afford.
But it's got to be the right machine, and that is your predicament.
Out county cricket grounds are cut in spring and autumn with a side discharge machine weekly and there is no visible clippings.
That's good advice, Jamie. When I bought my X166, I was new to the game. The 300 wasn't much more. In hindsight, perhaps I should have gone for that. Relating it to your comment, I think the 545 is the way to go. I think the EFi engine is the way forward. I appreciate comments about mulching. However, the grass has to be of a suitable length. 8" grass is quite challenging. Really interesting about your cricket ground. The salesman suggested that the deck would cut the grass so that you can't see it. I'm also thinking about cross cutting - from what I've read, this is a good way of dispersing the grass.
I have a John Deere 535m. I have owned it for six years. I have the mulch kit fitted. I did though use it for the first season without the mulching kit, as side discharge only.
The difference in the finished appearance between mulching and side discharge could hardly be starker. The dealer who has told you that the 545 with ‘side discharge only’ would not leave much in the way of visible clippings is either deliberately trying to mislead you or is smoking something rather strong. Do not think for one moment that side discharge will leave a high end finish. It was acceptable for a large playing field, but would not be good enough for most other work/clients both commercial and domestic.
I bought the machine initially for a Council Contract with several playing fields. One is 4.8 acres. [I have just retained the contract for another three years – six years done]. This very large work is now done by my subcontractor with a Ransomes 2250 – a much better ‘fit’.
My 535m has seen much hard work and has been totally reliable. If I were you I would buy the 530. How many jobs do you have where side discharge would be acceptable? The mulching kit means that the machine can be used on any work, both the high finish and the rougher work. Why buy such an expensive machine [the 545] that has such limited use. Any investment like this needs to have as much use as possible.
The mulching kit delivers a top finish.
Thanks, Vic. I know you're a big fan of the John Deere. Based on your previous advice, that's why I was looking at the 530 with the option of mulching. As I said, I was all set up for this until I saw the 545. From the engineering perspective, the 545 is superior. The suggestion is that the deck is superior. It will take a mulching kit. However it is dedicated rather than flicking the lever. I am now going into my sixth year. In that time, I have only acquired 2 customers that require ride on mowers. Both of whom I have mentioned here. That is not to say others may not contact me. The reviews suggest the deck on the 545 is much better quality. I've tried finding independent reviews, but, they are limited and there are no direct comparisons. One factor I need to take into consideration is maintenance. I wonder how many non specialists could repair the EFi if something went wrong. I've got to make my decision by tomorrow as I need to get moving on it. Both machines are currently at the dealership waiting to be built.
Once again, thank you for the replies. I took possession of the Z545 a couple of weeks ago. It is a lovely machine and the deck cuts really well. I haven't gone for the mulching option. However, if the grass is relatively short (as required for mulching) because of the deck and the way the grass discharges, you do not see the grass laying on top too much. It goes through very long grass and to date, nothing has stopped it. Long may this continue.