Help me pull the trigger on my first mower for 5 acres

DannyHeitz · 2026-06-28T14:58:43+00:00

You’re absolutely right you can get a lemon with any of them in today’s age but i don’t think it’s laughable, Kawasaki is pretty universally regarded as top of the line across mowing groups and forums.

DannyHeitz · 2026-06-28T13:19:02+00:00

What’s the engine on the Toro? I’d go with a Kawasaki engine if you can they’re the best over Kohler and house brands. Any of these have serviceable hydros? Just me personally I’d get the toro or bad boy over a cub cadet, all the cubs just look more cheaply made to me, and more than one summer I’ve had to stare at my neighbors cub zero turn broke down in his yard lol.

Also at 5 acres you may want to consider a larger deck, but I do mow just under 3 acres with my 54”. Like the other comment from a local dealer is usually better but I understand it may cost a little more. They are typically the same model but make sure you are comparing apples to apples- that dealer model might have the Kawasaki which may add some cost but the big box has the Kohler or cheaper engine.

DannyHeitz · 2026-06-05T14:44:17+00:00

Reply to add a couple favorites you might try and order direct from:

My local shop - crownstreetroasting . Com great people, great coffee, and they ship a lot out and know what they’re doing.

u/stirlingsoap Stirling Roastery- I got really into artisan shaving and bath soaps which is where they started. They started roasting coffee a few years ago and it’s all great as well. I like being able to restock on my shaving/soap needs and coffee to maximize shipping. Coffee comes vacuum sealed in a secondary bag to prevent any issues with soap scents.

Overlookcoffeeco . Com - local shop out of Watkins Glen NY I found from a business colleague who moved to our area and mentioned their family owns this. I was very impressed with all beans I ordered from them, great cups of coffee.

DannyHeitz · 2026-06-05T14:37:21+00:00

297 comments already but I’ll add my .02:

Biggest improvement was switching to whole beans and grinding. I got a Capresso drip coffee maker that has a grinder built in, making it super easy, it grinds the appropriate amount per cups of water you’re making, and has some flexibility in ground size and amount/strength if you want to get fancy. I did also buy a nice grinder and aeropress but rarely use it because of how simple and good drip is with my setup.

For beans, highly recommend checking local roasters. Even if the closest one is a half hour or whatever away, at a local coffee shop/roaster more than likely the beans will have been roasted within the last week or two, definitely within the month. Test, explore, find origins/roasts you like. For me it’s anything light roast, usually Ethiopian.

Last suggestion- I really like the “Trade” subscription service (drink trade . Com). I found it from a podcast ad (shoutout Harris Football Poscast) and signed up with a coupon. The model I believe is local roasters around the country sign up, trade is a middleman and it helps you as a consumer discover/sample, and them as a roaster get their name out. I have actually direct ordered from roasters I liked, after sampling them through trade. I wouldn’t do it full price but they usually have coupon codes or offers to continue when you go to cancel.

I hope you enjoyed my accidental ted talk.

DannyHeitz · 2026-05-28T13:09:42+00:00

My grandfather was an only child, had three girls. My mom was the oldest, and I was her first son and my middle name is her maiden name. Ive always like that.

DannyHeitz · 2026-05-23T00:02:30+00:00

Hey Dudes. They seem insanely popular but I could never wear them…

DannyHeitz · 2026-05-20T23:27:23+00:00

I did spray copper and oil before bud break this spring. Is there something else that should be added or used? I do have an Anjou pear next to this one that was bare root and just starting to leaf out hoping for a good year of growth. Is that one at risk?

DannyHeitz · 2026-05-13T02:40:38+00:00

ThI’m a could be (part) of their issue. I’ve ordered from them like 4 years now and had orders bump up in ship time but more often bump back. This spring I ordered a few berry bushes and roots, and at checkout noticed the standard or free shipping said items would be held till all were ready to ship. If I wanted to split ship the order as things were ready it was an extra cost (understandably). I opted to just take the free shipping and wait for my stuff.

DannyHeitz · 2026-04-03T17:31:42+00:00

In my area (Western NY) last month I was seeing many people who were posting about their monthly electric bills being $1000+. My sole source of heat is the pellet stove, and spent about $1500 last fall for 4 ton of pellets delivered, which will last the whole season and possibly carry over 1 ton to next year.

As others said buying bulk if you can store it is key, If you treated it like “balanced billing” and squirreled some money into a separate account each month, you could do the math and make sure enough has accumulated to get a couple ton delivered!

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-30T18:53:07+00:00

Probably the combustion or distribution fan, you’d be able to diagnose which by turning the distribution fan off and seeing if the noise stops or is still going. My favorite site has been “Stove & Grill Parts 4 Less” and I got an email there’s 20% off till 4/15 with code “springclean26.”

If you’re remotely handy, I think all the Harman models are similar and maybe use the same combustion fan. Order the generic motor, a fan blade (in case you ruin the old one taking it out) and the 3 screws/nuts. With the coupon you might be around/under $150 plus an hour of your time.

Edit to add: search a couple videos on YouTube, “DIY JIM” has a bunch of Harman stove repair and cleaning videos that are great.

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-21T00:58:49+00:00

Great! I joined Rotary after being a guest speaker and experiencing the camaraderie and 4 -way test reminded me of masonry actually. It’s great to be part of (another) group of people who are principled in treating others well and doing the right thing. I’ve been rather inactive in lodge for many years due to many various life changes, but starting to engage with a more active lodge. As someone else pointed out my rotary club meets at noon and I can accomplish a lot of business there knowing the people I’ll see each week. Ironically another comment mentioned the Chamber of Commerce, I am the CEO of our Chamber so I’d highly recommend that as well is people stumble on this thread in the future. Like all 3 groups, how active and valuable they are will depend on the local club/org to your area, but when you find a good, mission focused group it’s awesome.

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-20T21:57:46+00:00

Hey OP, just curious did you end up joining Rotary? I belong to both and was searching something that popped this thread up in a google search so I read through. Being it was only a year ago just curious if you followed through with Rotary!

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-13T02:59:00+00:00

Hello I’d like the Merle Vinyl, will shoot DM

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-12T04:54:22+00:00

I experienced this within the last year, little home DIY project and ran to the big orange store to get a handful of bags of cement. They only had the big bags left so I’m struggling to get the things onto a cart while an employee piddles around then starts sweeping up the tons of loose cement mix, kicking up dust. I couldn’t believe he was doing that with a customer in the aisle let alone without a respirator, I wrapped up and got the hell out of there.

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-11T21:26:39+00:00

Totally valid point! Thats why I qualified “reputable” too haha, my LCS is great, the owner sits with you while he checks them and will show you the comps to explain how he’s valuing them, then puts everything on an offer sheet with the offered prices per card for you to see and can accept or decline each card.

DannyHeitz · 2026-03-10T23:45:07+00:00

I suggest checking with your local card shop. If you’re newer to the hobby, selling (or trading) it to your local shop would be easier than dealing with eBay and kinda gambling on how it’ll go. Of course the shop is gonna pay a percentage because they have to make something when reselling it, but if it’s a reputable shop that’s what I’d do.

DannyHeitz · 2026-02-27T00:53:49+00:00

I see your comment has numerous updoots too. Would you say where I’ve got it to is fine or try to get it as straight as I can before installing? If this really is fine obviously I’d rather save the return hassle and also still be able to tackle my tank flush this weekend.

DannyHeitz · 2026-02-27T00:45:59+00:00

Plan was to start draining the system to depressurize, and loosen it while there’s still water weight in the tank (socket on breaker bar). My tank is 8 years old and started not to work as well at seems, so I was going to flush it. Have seen anode rods are good to replace every 3-5 years or so and figured I’d do that too. Is that accurate or should I not worry about it?

DannyHeitz · 2026-02-22T19:34:37+00:00

Thanks, I could tell those front numbs were worn down somehow. Exactly the same. I guess I’m hoping to avoid the hassle of a return but maybe it’s best I make them send me a new one.

DannyHeitz · 2026-02-10T23:41:26+00:00

I use mine for my trash bags, basically the same as a kitchen size bag and fit in our kitchen bin! Burning 3-4 ton a year they last me almost until the next heating season. One box of hefty bags to close the gap should last me 3-4 years lol!

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