What's a good zero turn mower?

[bgrafsr]

Wife and I are buying a home with 2.5 acres, located about a mile from her family farm.
We are looking at Cub Cadets, Gravely, possibly John Deere.
We looked at the Cub Cadet with the steering wheel, which I like, but it was difficult for me to get on and off, and it did not give me much leg room. I have Arthritis and an unsteady balance too.
Any recommendations?

 

[Injunbro]

John Deere is the best. Ever notice the only used ones for sale are from estate sales?

 

[Autonomous]

The hydro-static transmissions are the critical part. Especially if you have hills don't skimp there, they are expensive. You will find there are only one or two (IIRC) manufacturers of them. The rest of the mower is built in one of a few plants and then given a brand name.
I have a Cub Cadet garden tractor and tiller. No complaints.

 

[Goldstar225]

I've had my John Deere Z445 for six years and mow 1.5 acres at least weekly from April-Oct. It now has 361 hours on it. I have annual spring maintenance done on it each January. The only repair needed was replacing a battery at the five year mark.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I've had my John Deere Z445 for six years and mow 1.5 acres at least weekly from April-Oct. It now has 361 hours on it. I have annual spring maintenance done on it each January. The only repair needed was replacing a battery at the five year mark.

Exactly the same for me - annual maintenance and all I’ve replaced is the battery.

 

[bgrafsr]

The hydro-static transmissions are the critical part. Especially if you have hills don't skimp there, they are expensive. You will find there are only one or two (IIRC) manufacturers of them. The rest of the mower is built in one of a few plants and then given a brand name.
I have a Cub Cadet garden tractor and tiller. No complaints.

The acreage is flat and pretty much open.

 

[Farmer17]

Ferris seems to be the most popular brand around here, my next door neighbor has one and it will mow his two acres really fast! I might get one but my property has some really rough areas and I think a standard tractor type mower may be better for me, plus the zero turns are wide and take up a lot more space in my garage that's already too full.

 

[Geno44]

The price range on these is probably $3000 to $17000 and encompasses a wide variety of horsepower, mowing width and suspension systems. What is your budget for this project? How level and smooth is the ground? Have you ever driven a twin stick? The main advantage of a twin stick is speed. If the ground is rough you can't drive it fast unless you have suspension like the Ferris. These get into some serious money but are good machines.

 

[TheHobbyist]

John Deere zero turn here also. Really good product from a very ethical company that manufactures in the US.

 

[Puller]

I perfer orange paint as to green/yellow since all my gear is orange and I've had very good luck with them, although I admit I've gotten good service out of the two conventional JD mowers I've worn out.

For the 4 acres I mow I use a Kubota ZG227 with 54 inch deck, gasoline, air-cooled V-Twin with heavy-duty canister air filter, with hydrostatic transmission and hydraulic deck lift system, It's an awesome mowing machine

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My brother bought a 5' Kubota zero-turn for his wife, she couldn't use it because of carpal tunnel in both wrists. He loved it but replaced it with a small tractor. Cost for Zero turn was about $6000

I had a Cub Cadet 42" With 23 HP Kawasaki engine (DO NOT THEM SELL YOU A KOLHER ENGIN!!*) I mowed 3 acers at my farm. It to 2 hours in summer and fall. and 3 to 3.5 in early Spring! Used 1/2 gas and 1/2 the time of the Cub Lo-Boy 185! Replacement cost is about $4200.

Friend has a X-Mark 72" Diesel, mows 6 acers in 3 hours! Has a shock absorbing seat and golf course striping roller (make the yard look plaid!)
It came with the house, but replacement cost is $27,000

* When I was young Kolher engines were the gold standard, not any more!

Ivan

 

[Old Seabee]

Mower

Ferris is more expensive but the suspension and seat are well worth it . In my opinion . OldSeabee

 

[The Norseman]

Close call

Great Thread. I too might be considering a Zero-Turn.

My deal is, all I know if I buy one, I'm definitely buying
something I can get Serviced or Fixed by a Reputable Dealer,
if the need arises.

So what I'm saying is; I would consider finding a Reputable
Dealer with a Service Department and Replacement Parts.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[ispcapt]

I'm mowing 2 ac here. If you want a commercial grade look at what the lawn services use. Around here it's a lot of Xmark and Scag. Commercial lawn services will argue which is better. Sort of a Ford/Chevy debate. I got an Xmark a couple of years ago and really like it. The Xmark blades spin quite a bit faster than some of the other makes. That makes a big difference when the grass is a bit taller and wet. You won't get the clumping like slower blades.
Get a fabricated deck. A lot of the lower priced units are stamped. They're not as heavy or well built like a fabricated.
If your lawn is a bit rough then Ferris rides a bit smoother with it's suspension. However, there are aftermarket suspensions you can install on some of the other brands. All the top commercial grades will have adjustable suspension seats.
Gravely, Hustler, and Bad Boy also make a high quality mower.
Ariens and Husquavarna aren't bad either and can usually be a bit less expensive than those named above. They seem to have a wider dealer net at least around here.
I've read good reports on Swisher and Dixie Chopper but no dealers close to me so I never considered.

 

[moosedog]

Look at what the lawn maintenance professionals use and you'll over whelmingly see the majority using ExMark. ExMark is top of the line commercial grade MADE IN AMERICA.
They also have recently come out with smaller home use models that are still commercial grade rigid.
John Deer and most of the other home use stuff is made off shore and is no where near as strong and dependable. Look up where John Deers are made and you'll be surprised.
And never buy a mower from a Home Improvement Store. Looking for parts for that when it breaks, which it will, is an adventure.

 

[URIT]

I'm singing the same tune as The Norseman. Buy from a reputable dealer that services the mower and has an adequate parts department. Close to home is a plus but service is #1.

2.5 acres is like two football fields so I'd want a fast-moving mower with a large cutting deck to get the job done quickly. I'd also want one with a comfortable seat.

 

[bgrafsr]

The price range on these is probably $3000 to $17000 and encompasses a wide variety of horsepower, mowing width and suspension systems. What is your budget for this project? How level and smooth is the ground? Have you ever driven a twin stick? The main advantage of a twin stick is speed. If the ground is rough you can't drive it fast unless you have suspension like the Ferris. These get into some serious money but are good machines.

We're looking around $5,000 to $6,000. Ground is flat. I have driven a zero turn, but not very well. It would take some time to learn.
I do like the Cub Cadet with steering wheel, but as I said, it's difficult for me to get on/in it, and leg room is not enough for me.

 

[Eric300]

After a few other Zero Turn mowers over the years (Ferris, Z-Max, JD), I bought this Toro (they own ExMark) Z-Master Pro with 'MyRide' suspension. At 62, I got tired of bouncing around while cutting my 5 acres. 25hp EFI Kohler engine, 72" deck, and the suspension is unbelievable. Check out the Z-Turn mowers from Snapper, too. But, I'd stick with Toro, or, ExMark if you want something that will last a looooong time. I would never even consider any 'Garden Tractor' for cutting grass when there are Z-Turn mowers available.

 

[snake803]

Zero turn looks good, but try to drink a beer while mowing???
JIM...........................

 

[doublesharp]

This is right down my alley. I've been a member of LawnSite Forum since 2000 and have owned a couple dozen ztrs since my first Dixie Chopper in y2k. These days, by far, the best zero turn is the one an honest, nearby dealer sells and services. I'd stay away from box stores with the exception of my local Rural King, they have a fine in house service dept for items they sell.

If you're near Louisville are I can hook you up with one of the USA's great power equipment dealers, Southern Indiana Equipment. They sell multiple brands and are big enough, with 2 interstate hwy locations, that they can handle trailer load closeout deals. They also get much of the demo equip from the annual Outdoor Power Equip show in Louisville.

I've owned Bobcat's best, the Predator Pro and it's great, so is the Hustler Z series, actually they are pretty much all good these days so that's why it's the dealer that is important. John Deere is great but you pay more for parts and maintenance. GrassHopper uses smaller dealers as a rule and they make a quality poduct. Hustler/Big Dog are my favorite mowers, made in Kansas and been in business forever. Parts are readily available and the mowers seem to be designed with service in mind.

As of this season, I no longer mow any yard but my own. I used to do 5, acre sized yards and a 2 acre field but now it's just my own 3/4 acre and I've got the perfect mower for it, the Edsel of the Hustler line-up. Big Dog Power Bar 748, same frame/mechanics as Hustler Fastrack but has the motorcycle steering of the Hustler Trimstar. Did not sell and I bought this new for less than the transmission and Kawasaki engine would bring. I like this much better than a conventional ztr because it's easy to use one handed, ez on and off and my wife likes to use it.

A word of caution about zero turns. One of the most prominent businessmen in our area was mowing around a small lake on his rural property using a Scag Turf Tiger. The mower slid sideways into the lake, the lapbars pinned him in and he drowned. I've mowed steep hillsides and it's always a thrill ride when they start sliding.

My Big Dog R748


my first one 2000 model Dixie Chopper


my moneymaker BobCat Predator Pro w 1000cc Kawasaki fuel injected engine