Tractors, Mowers, Chippers, Trailers, Chainsaws, Generators, Driveway Erosion Control, ETC.

You know your driveway better than I do, especially after just looking at one picture. But if you wait until you've had a few days for the ground to dry out, then have the dump driver spread the gravel as they back up your driveway. That way, they are driving on the gravel they just laid; I think it'd work out just fine.

 

I’ve taken a semi truck up worse driveways.

 

That’s the asphalt part gravel needs to get to the top parking area.

Worried about a fully weighted dump truck blowing out the first part of the driveway with steep 4-6ft sides going over a culvert pipe underneath

 

The dump truck wont be any worse on that driveway than a pickup and trailer, yes it weighs more but it has 10 large tires to spread the weight around on

 

me too. its a lawn if the lawn mower can hack it.

 

on gravel topic i may be buying much less than expected. my neighbor has a 3 series deere with a new box grader. it made our road sweet. looks like a fresh pour and grade. free driveway work for me soon!
was planning on 13 yrds of 3/4 minus.will see soon.
fwiw where i live its 500 delivered.

 

It has been a few years since I last had rock delivered for my driveway, but the last time I did it was $260 delivered for a 20yd load.

 

Some of you may recall I had been looking for a zero turn mower for our new property. Due to the size of our place (9 acres total, about 6-7 that need to be mowed), I was looking at trying to get a used commercial grade mower, but we couldn't get the financing [bought our house and "new" Highlander for my wife in the last 6 months]. So, I ended up going with a residential unit, with extended warranty. As long as it lasts 3 - 4 years, we will be able to then move up to a commercial grade mower when needed.

I had enough to pay cash for this one without using our entire budget on a mower, so now we can still do the electrical and plumbing repairs the house needs, and complete my wife's bee hive pad (you can see in the background) and chicken coop, and garden, and then fencing around the same.

Just got this home last night.

 

Very nice!

 

Nice congrats!

 

I may have my wife take a video of my maiden flight. I've never touched a zero turn before. Who da hell knows wut I may end up like once I turn it loose

London dealership actually had to get this one from Somerset shop, they didn't have any of this model line in London.

 

Need some direction from my zero turn people. I have a little more then 2 acres to mow, and this time of year I am mowing every 5 days. I also have a lot of trees which I have been cutting down and moving the logs around with my tractor. My XT3 is great for towing, but with a top speed of 5.5mph and 54" deck, I am about done spending 2+ hours mowing every 5 days. My yard is bumpy, so in some areas I can't hit top speed anyway.

ZT's in my area are Gravely, Scag, Hustler, Grasshopper, Dixie Chopper, Exmark. I would love a 72" deck. I have a couple places where it would scalp, but I think it would be worth the time savings. It also needs to be able to tow. I have been leaning towards a Dixie chopper classic for what I have read about the robustness of the wheel motors and pumps, but all I ever see landscapers use is Exmark, and nearly everywhere carries parts for them. My nearest Dixie dealer is a little drive away. Damn these things are expensive. Who's got some insight? I want it to be the last mower I ever buy. (I am at about 280 hours on my XT3 after 6 years of ownership)

 

Nice looking unit!

Set the throttle to a 1/4 and drive around a bit without the deck running, you will probably find they are quite intuitive to run - and fun.

Once you get the hang of it throttle up and let 'er rip tater chip!

 

I'd say you have a pretty good answer right in your post.
If you can't get the parts when you need them it doesn't matter what color the machine is.
All the brands you listed have good reputations.

 

My JD dealer gave same advice when I picked it up yesterday. He said "most people want to start mowing right away as soon as they get it home, but especially if you have never used a zero turn before, just ride it around your property for 20 minutes to get the hang of the throttle, steering, braking.... then set the blades, and mow!"

 

Must be nice. Just got quoted $482 for 6 1/4 yards delivered

 

Throttle it down at first then work up to more RPM's as you get comfortable with the controls. After several years of ownership I still throttle my ZT down when I am doing tight maneuvers. It doesn't spin the tires as easily and the movements are smoother and less herky-jerky.

 

Solid advice, thank you

 

That would work too. Having the end paved makes it easy to scoop up the gravel. If you do put it partially on the street then just take your vehicle and park it on the street in front of the pile to make people have to go around it. Better than cones!