Grasshopper Mower review: Rural homeowner loves his FrontMount with HighLift bagger

Key takeaways in this article
- Best mower for acreage: A Grasshopper FrontMount zero-turn lawn mower handles rural acreage with durability, cut quality, and easy versatility, one owner says.
- HighLift bagging: The Grasshopper 15B HighLift PowerVac holds 15 cubic feet and raises up to 72 inches for easy unloading with the flip of a switch.
- Two-minute mulching switch: Grasshopper's toolless Quik-D-Tatch system converts the FrontMount from bagging to mulching in about two minutes.
- Floating deck follows contours: The Grasshopper FrontMount deck floats separately from the mower, following ground contours to avoid scalping on uneven terrain.
- Built to last: Grasshopper mowers use all-steel frames and 1/4-inch MARBAIN blades that last twice as long as aftermarket copies.
When Greg Crawford moved to his sprawling property in rural North Central Texas, he knew his lawn mower was going to be one of the most important purchases he made.
“We love taking care of our yard and take great pride in how it looks when it’s finished,” Crawford says.
Crawford had tried many different zero-turn mowers in the past. But for this proud resident of the Lone Star State, a lone mower brand can provide the combination of cut quality, versatility, and convenience he’s looking for.
Is a Grasshopper a good mower for several acres? What do real owners say?
According to Crawford, a Grasshopper FrontMount™ Zero-Turn Mower is the best mower for acreage. Roughly 4 of his 30 acres consist of turfgrass that needs to be mowed on a regular basis. He also has several miles of trails throughout the wooded areas that need to be mowed and maintained. Crawford says his Grasshopper FrontMount delivers excellent durability and cut quality, while also allowing him to conveniently switch between bagging and mulching to enhance the mower’s versatility across different areas of his property.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key features that make a Grasshopper FrontMount the top choice for rural property owners like Crawford.
Unmatched bagging and dumping capabilities
When Crawford was deciding on which mower he should buy, a good bagging system was high on the priority list. “Grasshopper’s is the best one on the market by far,” Crawford says.
Crawford opted for the Model 15B HighLift™ PowerVac™ Collection System. With a 15-cubic-foot capacity, this all-metal hopper lifts up and back in a single motion, reaching as high as 72 inches off the ground. All it takes is the simple flip of a switch, making it easy to dump clippings into trailers, over fences, etc. The sloped sides help debris slide toward the opening, making emptying faster and more complete. The 15B HighLift is compatible with the 700 and 900 Series FrontMount mowers.
Easy to convert to mulching
Crawford prefers to bag clippings when mowing around his house and pool area. But that’s only a quarter of the 4 acres he mows on a regular basis. For the other 3 acres, Crawford prefers to mulch. He says his Grasshopper makes it easy to have the best of both worlds.
“The whole PowerVac Collection System pulls off so you can set it to the side,” Crawford explains. “Within two minutes you’re mowing again and you’re mulching.” Grasshopper’s toolless Quik-D-Tatch® system makes the conversion from bagging to mulching or side-discharging quick and easy.
Clean cut
Whenever he has guests over to his house, Crawford says people remark at how beautiful the lawn looks. He credits his Grasshopper. “You’re not going to get a smoother cut with a lawnmower than you are with a Grasshopper,” Crawford says. “The FrontMount deck literally floats on top of the grass.”
With a Grasshopper FrontMount deck, the deck moves separately from the mower itself. This allows the deck to better follow ground contours to provide a more even cut and avoid scalping. Additionally, Grasshopper FrontMount mowers offer special bushings that further enhance a deck’s floating ability, making the mower highly effective on uneven terrain.
Rugged durability
Crawford says the durability of his Grasshopper gives him the confidence to drive through his woods to keep his trails mowed and in tip-top shape. “I have no problem cutting up small limbs and whatever is in my way,” Crawford says.
Grasshopper mowers are built strong with an all-steel frame and deck. The mowing deck specifically is made from robotically welded, heavy-gauge, formed U.S. steel. Then, 1/4-inch-thick MARBAIN® cutting blades are through-hardened to hold their edge longer, delivering better cutting performance while lasting twice as long as copycat aftermarket blades.
All in all, Crawford says he’s been very happy with the performance of his Grasshopper FrontMount Zero-Turn Mower with the HighLift PowerVac Collection System.
“I would never buy any other mower ever again,” Crawford says.
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Frequently asked questions
For a large rural property, a Grasshopper FrontMount zero-turn mower is a strong choice, delivering durability, cut quality, and quick versatility across mixed terrain. Texas owner Greg Crawford uses one to mow roughly 4 of his 30 acres plus miles of wooded trails, switching between bagging and mulching as conditions change.
The Grasshopper 15B HighLift PowerVac Collection System holds 15 cubic feet of clippings and raises its all-metal hopper up to 72 inches off the ground to dump. It also reaches 34 inches behind the mower and empties with the flip of a switch, making it easy to unload into trailers or over fences. It fits 600, 700, and 900 Series FrontMount mowers.
A front-mount mower carries its cutting deck ahead of the operator, on a deck that moves separately from the machine so it floats over the grass. On a Grasshopper FrontMount, that floating deck follows ground contours to give a more even cut and avoid scalping, which makes it well suited to uneven terrain and wooded trails.
You can do either, and a Grasshopper FrontMount lets you switch between bagging and mulching to match the area you're mowing. Owner Greg Crawford bags around his house and pool, then mulches the remaining acres. Grasshopper's toolless Quik-D-Tatch system converts from bagging to mulching or side-discharging in about two minutes.
Grasshopper zero-turn mowers are built for durability, with an all-steel frame and a deck made from robotically welded, heavy-gauge, formed U.S. steel. Their 1/4-inch-thick MARBAIN cutting blades are through-hardened to hold an edge and last about twice as long as copycat aftermarket blades. Owner Greg Crawford drives his through woods to clear small limbs without trouble.





