Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

s&wchad · Apr 11, 2021

Recommendations please!

I’m looking at smaller mowers with a 42” deck, since our yard is under an acre. We have a bit of a slope on the side and back yards, so a conventional riding mower is out.

I’ve researched John Deere, Husqvarna, Ariens, Hustler, Bad Boy and Cub Cadet. I’m leaning towards a Kohler or Kawasaki engine and have almost ruled out Husqvarna mowers. Husky’s seem well made, but I’ve read a number of reports of oil leaks and wiring problems.

hittman77 · Apr 11, 2021

s&wchad said:
We have a bit of a slope on the side and back yards, so a conventional riding mower is out.

My neighbor with a Hustler says the only thing he does not like about it is mowing slopes and hills. Says even the slightest bit of dew or other moisture and gravity takes over.

No personal experience here, just what the neighbor says. His side hustle is mowing about a dozen yards.

Hair Trigger · Apr 11, 2021

s&wchad said:
Recommendations please!

I’m looking at smaller mowers with a 42” deck, since our yard is under an acre. We have a bit of a slope on the side and back yards, so a conventional riding mower is out.

How much of a slope? IMO, a ZTR is no better on a hill than a "conventional" riding mower. If the hill is too steep for a conventional, it'll be the same for a ZTR. The track width may be a bit wider, offering less rollover danger, but mowing crossways on the hill, it's more difficult to keep from "wandering", unless it's a bigger model, and up and down a steep hill you can have issues with a light front end going up, and tendency to slide going down, if you try to stop suddenly, same as with a conventional unless it is 4WD. And like conventionals, maybe even more, smaller ones have a harder ride.

Also, do you ever have a need for doing other than mowing with a lawn machine? A medium size lawn tractor can tow better. I may be a bit biased towards tractor-style mowers, they are what I use and prefer, and I do have a couple of hills steep enough that I get slightly uncomfortable on if the ground is wet, but a ZT would be no advantage. FWIW, I have used a ZTR a few times, but never could warm up to it. They are best for large, open ground where speed (time consumption) is an advantage.

Whichever one you go with, you should investigate what transmission is used on it. Many of the lower end LT and ZT mowers have transmissions not well suited to heavy use on hills.

Overall, I'm a Deere fan and would look first at them, but some of the "specialty" makers (Like Hustler and Bad Boy) that only do zero-turn mowers are worth looking at, too. Toro's commercial line is also a good one, they seem pretty popular around my area. Ferris seems to be top of the heap for ZTR's, coil spring and shocks suspensions, but I don't think you're looking for something at that level.

I mow about 5.5 acres at my home and next-door rental property, and a bit over a half acre at my Mother's house. My three mowers:

fkd713 · Apr 11, 2021

I had a cub cadet tractor for 10 yrs w kohler engine and got great service but have had recommendations from friends that prefer kawasaki. I currently have a Ferris sero turn. I cut 3+ ac of lot that is more field grade than yard and got it due to ability to handle rougher terrain. A few pointers on zero turns. They are not great on slopes and I agree w previous post. Can be very difficult to stay on slope and you cannot shift your own weight like you can on tractor mower. Also zero turns can easily spin tires and chew up grass if you turn too fast or its damp. I’d recommend you look for a fabricated deck over pressed steel deck for durability. If you have low hanging trees be cognizant of the ROPS as they can hang on branches. Get one w folding ROPS. I speak from experience here. Zero turns will not tow so pulling aerator or trailer won’t likely work. Have a Friend who just bought a JD 370 w very similar yard as you described. He tried both types. Settled on the JD tractor over zero turn. I’d say you’d likely do better w tractor type. They aren’t as fast but for your size yard it won’t make much time difference. Hope this helps.

Tenn2 · Apr 11, 2021

You might want to look at TORO. They may be a little more expensive but worth the money. I have 2 of their zero turns and have never had any problems. One is a 54" that I use around trees and such. The other is a 72" commercial as I have a lot to mow.

The 54" is 6 years old and the 72 is 5.

6518John · Apr 11, 2021

Dave—I have learned three immutable rules that apply to equipment purchases from buying heavy equipment to work a pipeline project to a push mower for postage stamp yard. These are in order of importance.

1. Buy the DEALER. The brand logo and colors will fade. Anything made by the hands of man will break. The dealer and his proximity to you is the single most important factor in a purchase.

2. Buy his service department. Proximity to you, friendliness, availability by email/text. (I can’t count the number of times it has been critical to text a picture with “this hose is leaking.” “This seal is blown,” “The engine has a hitch in it’s get-a-long, watch this video we took of how it’s acting.”).

3. Take the biggest machine you EVER think in your wildest plans you will use, then DOUBLE that. (You will thank me later for this recommendation). And talk to the dealer about your needs. This will give you an initial, and good way to analyze if they are right for you. Are they pawning you off on some kid, or are you treated like an important customer? Are they just trying to upsale you or are they listening and trying to help.

John

BAM-BAM · Apr 11, 2021

Currently in the process of getting a Ariens 42" Ikon XD with a Kawasaki
18hp motor.... on sale for $2999/ $3550 list. They own Gravely and Gravely used to sell rebranded Ariens mowers.

Ariens is a family owned American built Co., which has been building outdoor equpt. since 1933. Highly rated over the decades by Popular Mechanics.

I have just over an acre, flat by the lake and road with a slight slope (1 to 12) between the flats.

I getting it from the same shop that been supplying my Stihl equpt. and doing repair work for me and my Dad for 20+ years. In Zero turns they sell the Ariens and bigger Gravely's.

A few of the neighbors at the lake have had them for 3 or 4 years and are very happy with them.

Edit: everyone says get one with a fabricated deck avoid stamped decks

lkabug · Apr 11, 2021

Take a look at the Scag. Manufactured in Wisconsin. Very good equipment. Although 48" is their smallest deck size.

Jim R · Apr 11, 2021

Our gun club bought an $18,000 Bad Boy Zero Turn Mower about three years ago. I will not say it is junk but we have had a lot of problems with it. We are very careful on who can use it and that has helped to keep it running but we are still having problems, not with the power train but with everything else.
Welds have broke, and it reminds me of an old BSA motorcycle I had. You ride it for two hours then tighten nuts and bolts for 4 hours.

Targets Guy · Apr 11, 2021

I loved my zero turn but on damp grass the slope of the yard took it into the fence too much. got tired of using the Gator to pull it away from the fence.

Wdbutcher97 · Apr 11, 2021

I have a Cub Cadet 54 " RZTL Zero turn that I've had for about 4 years. It has a 24 HP Kohler motor which has plenty of power. The only thing I have an issue with it is it develops an oil leak from the valve cover on one side. I hear this is not uncommon. I believe the Kawasaki motor may be a little better motor, but I believe this option costs you about $200 more.
Like others have said, the Zero turns have a tendency to gravitate downhill while you mow on a slope. I have a friend that has the same basic mower, except he has the model with the steering wheel. He says he doesn't have this problem with his. He also says he likes his better because it doesn't take both hands to steer it. That's pretty handy if you want to drink a beverage while mowing. His girlfriend likes the steering wheel better too.
I believe my mower was around $2800 on sale. The ones with the steering wheel was a little more. I think my mower had a 3 year warranty. My dealer is only several miles away from me and they delivered. Win, Win.

Wdbutcher97 · Apr 11, 2021

Targets Guy said:
I loved my zero turn but on damp grass the slope of the yard took it into the fence too much. got tired of using the Gator to pull it away from the fence.

John Deere make some real tanks when it comes to mowers, but they also make some that aren't. I hear it's not wise to buy the ones in the Big Box stores. They're not the same as the ones you buy at a John Deere dealership, but they carry some super light weight Zero turns too. I was surprised to see that they made anything like some of the smaller ones I saw.

Eric300 · Apr 11, 2021

Toro/ExMark - Our cut crews beat he heck out of them and they still run like new. I prefer Kohler over Kawasaki engines. If you're not going 'Commercial Grade', check out the 'Time Saver' machines from Toro. I use this one on my property, but it runs around $14k.

moosedog · Apr 11, 2021

I've had my 60 inch Exmark for over ten years now and other than oil changes and one new battery there has been little maintenance needed.
It has the Kohler engine as does my whole house generator and can't say anything bad about it.
I would buy another one but this one will probably out last me. The new ones have really upgraded the comfort of the seats.

SMSgt · Apr 11, 2021

My 42-in Murray tractor does well on slopes, both vertically and horizontally on slopes I probably should not be trying. The commercial mowers use the zero turns, and I watch them mowing the "privacy berms" and their lines are not very straight.

I think the tractors are a better "utility" choice if that is one of your needs.

goatsnguns · Apr 11, 2021

Chad,

I have a Husqvarna and I am very happy with it, I also have a sloped lawn and the best that I can recommend is to put AG type tires on the drive wheels. They do not tare up the grass any more than the turf tires, but give you much better control, you just have to take it easy. By the way going to a ZT was the best decision I've made in a long time.

Best of luck,

Gary

glowe · Apr 11, 2021

My needs are for a strong utility trailer puller in the spring & fall, a lawnmower in summer, and a snowblower in winter. I have had John Deere (grossly over-priced), Craftsman Yard tractor which was not built for country living or rough terrain, and now have a Cub Cadet XT3 with a 54" welded deck. The best thing about both the Craftsman and the Cub Cadet is the Kohler engines. Both tractors had twin cylinder 25 HP engines and both are still running like new. For 8 years I used the Craftsman for everything. 54" mower deck, snowblower, and hauled more wood, brush, and leaves than most anyone else. It is still running and now mows at our local shooting club.

My Cub Cadet with locking rear differential is a great tractor, so far superior to the Craftsman Yard tractor. Does anything I need to do with my yard and standard maintenance is all it has needed so far. I mow a couple acres full of trees and buildings and still beat the neighbor that is using a zero turn mower. I thnk that is because the Cub Cadet has power steering, which makes a big difference for me. Zero turn mowers look great in the ads, but rarely is an owner skilled enough to make any meaningful difference in time saving over a standard tractor mower.

My John Deere was fine, but I was never really impressed with it. Nothing special and cost way more than it should and I mean way more! Everything is expensive about owning a John Deere, including even standard maintenance parts. I would not have thought that a Cub Cadet XT3 would run circles around the JD, but it does it with ease.

4barrel · Apr 11, 2021

I have the Bad Boy with the Kawasaki motor and my wife won't let me drive it. Pay a little more for a better seat. They crank on the first turn and the oil filter is easy and no mess. It has a cut out for easy drain. Belts are replaceable from the top. All the bearings are sealed so all you do is change oil and keep air in the tires. It is so easy I cant believe it. It has a picture of Willie Nelson on the deck

but you don't have to look at him.

Targets Guy · Apr 11, 2021

Wdbutcher97 said:
John Deere make some real tanks when it comes to mowers, but they also make some that aren't. I hear it's not wise to buy the ones in the Big Box stores. They're not the same as the ones you buy at a John Deere dealership, but they carry some super light weight Zero turns too. I was surprised to see that they made anything like some of the smaller ones I saw.

I've been buying John Deere's for almost 20 years now. I like to trade out just before they go out of warrantly. I use a local dealer who treats me fairly. I get at least half my money back in the trade; sometimes more.

I've finally settled on the X738. It is a fine mower and I now have snowblower for it during the winter. Handles my four acres, with over 70 trees and my over 200 feet of driveways just fine.

djohns6 · Apr 11, 2021

Bad Boy 42" MZ .

Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

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