Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

[windypoint]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Walker mowers. They are pricey but tough as nails. I've spent a lot of hours on one on flat and on slopes, take the slopes straight on rather than parallel. I've been looking at possibly buying used. They have a lot of features that make them easy to maintain.

I have a Walker 31 horse with the high lift option. It is a great machine but pretty complicated. A good local dealer is essential. The grass collector is great but it takes a lot of power (gas).

For what the OP has posted, I would suggest a Kubota zero turn. Bigger motor is a good thing as well as the most comfortable seat.

 

[6518John]

With all the down to earth and practical folks here I can’t believe no one has mentioned the Greatest [mower] Of All Time (caps intentional, no pun intended). The GOAT!! You can hold beers in BOTH hands, sit in the shade or lie your hammock and supervise. Even train the Mrs. to be the head goat roper. Heck she can start her own business shipping them around the neighborhood to cut other lawns. Turn your mower into a moneymaker instead of a drain on your wallet.

They do all the fertilizing and weed-eating too. All you have to do is tell your wife—“Bingo missed a spot of there by the drive way,” while pointing your beer in the general direction.

 

[BAM-BAM]

If you can handle the "spooky" eyes!

Actually IIRC there are places that use them to keep hillsides/woods clear of underbrush.

 

[4barrel]

Hydro control- How far you push the arms is how fast you go. They need to be all the way out to crank. Safety features. Get out in the middle of the yard and treat it like a shopping cart when you turn. You will be a pro in 1/2 hour.

 

[s&wchad]

Thank you all for the recommendations and advice! I greatly appreciate it!

I went with a local shop that caters to professional lawn services and bought a 42” Bobcat ZT2000. The EGO electric ZT mower was tempting, but it’s only been out for a couple of years and there’s no track record on longevity. I chickened out and went with an old school fossil fuel mower.

Gravely doesn’t have a dealer in my area, the local Kubota dealer didn’t impress me and I wanted to deal with a shop that can perform routine maintenance and offers free pick up and delivery. The dealer told me that customers who buy from him go to the front of the line when service work is required and he spent over an hour showing me his various mowers and pointing out the construction. I was impressed with him and didn’t want to spend another $900 on a trailer that I have no where to store.

The Bobcat is built like a tank, has serviceable parts and they include a 3 year/500 hour warranty. It’s got a Kawasaki motor, a 7 gauge fabricated deck and a 7 gauge tubular steel frame. I cleared out room in the garage and it should be delivered in the next half hour!

I had the Mrs. move her car out of the driveway and I’ll do the same with my truck before mowing. I don’t want to risk crashing into one of them while I’m learning how to drive the thing!

——————
Edit:
The mower was delivered on time, I got a quick lesson and mowed the lawn. I was pretty shaky at first, but felt fairly comfortable with it by the time I was done. It took me about 30 minutes, which already cut my mowing time more than in half. My knees and ankles don’t hurt either! I got whacked by a couple of branches, so now Ive got some tree trimming to do. Always something....

Here’s my new beast. Bob seems like an appropriate name!

 

[4barrel]

Looks good--On the safety guard rock flap you can drill a small hole where the curve starts and about 3'' from the end and install a rubber strap where you can reach it and move the flap up and down without getting off. I used a correct length tarp strap with S hooks on mine.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Glad you got something you like. Range report is needed...

 

[tops]

Get out in the middle of the yard and treat it like a shopping cart when you turn. You will be a pro in 1/2 hour.

I never thought of that until I saw a guy on TV teaching a woman to drive one and that is what he told her. That is how they steer buy I never connected it too a shopping cart. If a person can push a shopping cart they can drive a ZT. Larry

 

[WR Moore]

The various comments about beer holders reminded me of something I saw a few years ago while driving on a country road. A good ol' boy was wailing his riding lawn mower near the road wearing a sunburn, an ear to ear grin and a pair of cut off jeans while holding a what looked like a half empty liter beer glass. It didn't seem to be his first.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[palmer89]

Ariens IKON XD and Troy-Bilt Horse both are great zero-turn lawns that have 42-inch cutting width. I have a Troy-Bilt Horse with a 42-inch deck. Its 3 yrs old and we haven’t had any problems whatsoever

 

[Chubbo]

Grasshopper mowers.

I’d like to make a recommendation, backed by experience. My last three lawnmowers have been Grasshopper zero turn lawnmowers. I’ve been well pleased with their warranties, dealerships, business ethics, and the performance of their products.

Why not consider the company that originated the idea? The Grasshopper Co., of Moundridge, KA., in 1969. They have been in business, and perfecting their Zero turn lawn mowers, and their products ever since, with great success.

 

[Kevideren]

I am voting for the Husqvarna MZ61. It is a premium-quality riding lawn mower featuring a 61-inch cutting width. These mower is extremely well designed and equally well built. Fit and finish is first rate. Features are plentiful. Starts easily, runs very strong with the Kawasaki 24HP motor.

 

[Mike0251]

Been cutting 5 acres for 40 years here, had everything including a 1956 model 600 Ford tractor with a 6' Woods finish mower. 10 years ago I bought myself a commercial Scag Turf Tiger and have never looked back.

 

[Tom S.]

Been cutting 5 acres for 40 years here, had everything including a 1956 model 600 Ford tractor with a 6' Woods finish mower. 10 years ago I bought myself a commercial Scag Turf Tiger and have never looked back.

Scag mowers have a great commercial mower reputation but would be overkill for most people. Kind of like buying a 450 Ford behemoth to pull a utility trailer. Your 5 acres puts you in the group who can justify and need such a machine however. I live on a small residential lot and my Toro Timecutter is more than sufficient for my needs. Which reminds me, I need to get it out from winter storage and do the first cut of the year.

 

[Mike0251]

I hear you Tom. After running many machines into the ground over the years I had to bite the bullet. It is also a huge time saver as well. I can knock that all out in 90 minutes whereas back in the day (1981) it took me 5+ hours on a Craftsman 38" that was plum wore out in one year...me too lol. Now I can kick the feet up sooner!

 

[Boox]

I'm very happy with my Cub ZT with a 54 in deck. Replaced my Toro tractor with a 48 in deck and the best result was my mowing time on my 5 acres was cut almost in half. Of course it's all flat so speed is the major factor in the time reduction. 4years, 4 oil changes otherwise no problems

 

[Jon42]

A shirt with a pocket also works to hold a beer while mowing. Still not as handy as a big tractor with an ice chest.

 

[tinkerer]

I've run a 60" Bad Boy Elite for 8 years now. Mow everything from flat, 4:1 and 3:1 slopes in my yard. Haven't owned a push mower in 40+ years.

Operated 60" & 72" Exmark and Toro's for 8 years mowing school grounds. Lots of 3:1 slopes. Especially around football and track stadium bleachers. Some of those slopes, 2:1, will put a 'squeezin' on places you didn't know you had.

The trick on slopes is to crab the mower slightly sideways, mind your speed and keep the front wheels pointed uphill at all times. If you are going to point the front wheels downhill, pick out a soft landing spot. You'll soon be there!

Damp or wet grass can make for an interesting ride. Very dry grass can be more challenging than one would imagine.

Stay out of the mud! You'll get stuck on flat ground.

Learn which side of the mower handles the slopes better. There is a difference.

I too can operate my mower with one hand and hold a beer in the other. The ride in my yard is too rough and I can't stand foamy beer.

Used a standard riding mower on my place for many years. Wore out one side of the seat mowing hills. Had them chained up too.

Once you get familiar with a zero turn, you won't want to go back to a rider.

As with any machine, use caution and get very familiar with it.

And never think you can't or won't make a mistake!!

YMMV

Tinkerer

 

[meaneyedcatz]

We have a John Deere and we love it.
But don’t even think of trying to mow when the ground is wet and trying to plow through it.
You’ll sink like a liberal at a morals and ethics convention.