Zero Turn Mowers

[Faulkner]

So I'm thinking about a new mower for the Mrs. for Mother's Day and I've been looking at zero turn mowers. I just think it'll be easier for her to operate and she can get the job done quicker. She's mowing about 3 acres of actual yard, I bush-hog the rest of the place with my tractor.

Looking for input/recommendations from those with experiance. What to look for and what to stay away from. I've looked at a number of different ones and I'm liking the BAD BOY Mowers.

Don't worry, I'm getting her a real nice card to go along with the new mower.

 

[Engineer1911]

Don't bother with excuses. Zero Turn Mower (For Mother's Day) = Dog house forever ! ! ! ! !

 

[cowboy45]

Zero turn and you will never regret.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I think what you're doing is very thoughtful. Anytime you can save your significant other some time in the heat, sweat, dirt, dust, exhaust and hot sun I'd say you're doing her a big favor. Just think, now she won't be wasting as much time when she has to get off her mower and come in and get you another beer. And, it should be easier for her to have supper on time. I'm thinking about getting a zero turn next year. I don't have a significant other so I'll be buying one just for me. I've looked at several and so far the Hustler is at the top of the list. I kinda like the HD 48" cut.

 

[A-37]

Recommendation

I bought a Toro 50" Time-Cutter ZTR three years ago. Annual oil/filter changes, periodic pressure-washing under the deck, and blade sharpening. That's it. I like everything about it. Problem free.

Buyer's bonus: A Toro ball cap and a pair of safety sun glasses...woo hoo!

 

[Pete99004]

My 54" Hustler Fastrac is now 12 years old. I just rebuilt the deck this spring with new bearings and pulleys and did my annual service job. Runs great, cut my mowing time down in half from my old 48" Yardman tractor - only thing I can find wrong with it is it's not easy to clean the bottom of the deck if you mow damp or wet grass. We do 5 acres here, and like to mow in the mornings when the grass is still damp in places if we have any dew overnight. Not a deal buster by any means, just know that if you need to clean the deck, you need some manner to get the unit high enough to get under it, either manually with a putty knife or with a power washer. I need to buy a 90 degree elbow for the power washer I guess, right now I use the JD tractor to lift the front off the ground to get access. Once you own a zero, you will never look at yard tractors for mowing again.

Hope this helps.


Pete

 

[jrd1976]

My wife loves her new X-Mark.

If your wife mows, get her the one she wants.

 

[dswancutt]

My 54" Hustler Fastrac is now 12 years old. I just rebuilt the deck this spring with new bearings and pulleys and did my annual service job. Runs great, cut my mowing time down in half from my old 48" Yardman tractor - only thing I can find wrong with it is it's not easy to clean the bottom of the deck if you mow damp or wet grass. We do 5 acres here, and like to mow in the mornings when the grass is still damp in places if we have any dew overnight. Not a deal buster by any means, just know that if you need to clean the deck, you need some manner to get the unit high enough to get under it, either manually with a putty knife or with a power washer. I need to buy a 90 degree elbow for the power washer I guess, right now I use the JD tractor to lift the front off the ground to get access. Once you own a zero, you will never look at yard tractors for mowing again.

Hope this helps.


Pete

Pete, get yourself one of these, It's kinda pricy but it's the best money I've ever spent on equipment.

Pro-Lift Heavy Duty Lawn Mower Lift - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[arch stanton]

I would not recommend a Dixie chopper. I've had one for about 5 years and it mows great. The problem is durability. I've had several issues from deck bearings to hydraulic hoses to an exhaust valve breaking off and ruining a cylinder head. Parts are expensive and slow to get. I would trade it off but the Dixie chopper dealer is the only place that will give me anything for it and I don't want another one.

 

[tomf52]

I have a ZT1740 Gravely for ten years and have no comp;aints. My neighbor however, just bought a Husqvarna and it is a very impressive looking machine.

 

[garystl]

Check the latest Consumer Reports for a writeup on mowers including zero turn.

 

[rettxpo]

+1 on the Hustler.

The first one I bought was the Fastrac which had the Honda motor. It ran great and had no problems with it at all over the 5 years I owned it. The only thing I didn't like about it was the metal discharge chute. I sold it to a friend and then bought a larger model. I ended up buying the Hustler Mini-Z with the commercial Kawasaki motor and the rubber discharge chute. I've had this one for 5 years now with absolutely no problems. I mow almost 5 acres a week with it beginning in April and ending in November (I also use it for mulching leaves in the Fall and Spring). I change the oil/filter, lube the grease points, and sharpen the blades every 50 hours. I've also changed the filter/oil for the drive motors once. I bought the mulching kit and an extra set of high lift blades for it. No clippings can be seen at all after I cut the grass or mulch leaves.

Whatever you decide to buy, make sure it has a fabricated deck not a stamped deck.

Mowing time will be cut in half once your wife gets used to it (and it won't take long). I love mine and if it wears out I'll buy another one.

 

[Class III]

X-Mark Lazer Z Series with a 60" cutting deck. I use it to cut about two acres around the farm house and just short of 1/3 mile driveway every couple of weeks and use an OLD three blade TSC finish mower pulled behind the Honda Rancher to cut the ROUGH stuff out by the road (2 - 3 passes x 3/4 mile plus). This setup works well for me.

I also use the TSC finish mower to keep the shooting lanes open on the handgun/rifle range and the hunting lanes open before deer season.

Only problem in the last few years has been with the TSC finish mower burning up the starter a couple of times.

Only maintenance on the X-Mark has been normal routine since new to me 4 years ago (Now a 5 YO mower). Sharpen and balance the blades/replace the blades. Change the oil and filters. One flat tire hitting an old well head.

With the X-Mark it takes me about 1.5 - 2 hours to cut 2 acres around the farm house, tractor and pole barn, peach and apple trees, pecan, redbud, Catawba and pine trees and 1/4 acre vegetable garden. Just over 2 plus hours depending on if I want a halftime beer break.

Class III

Follow-up: As Snafu177 says below, If you go X-Mark make sure you get the Kawasaki commercial engine model.

 

[snafu177]

I have a Emark Lazer Z X Series and love it. Very comfortable and had the best warranty when I was looking. The demo I used had the Kawasaki engine and bought one with a Kolhler. After the first season I traded it back in for one with the Kawasaki.
It will make short work of that three acres.
Most dealers will let you demo them. And with all the different kinds you should be able to get at least a month of free rental.

 

[tops]

I have a 52 in. Bobcat with a 19 HP Kawasaki engine. I have been mowing a couple of acres for 12 years. The first year I had it a wire for the power takeoff came loose and back to the dealer. Last year the tube that holds the oil dipstick came loose and back to the dealer. Other than those two problems I just do routine maintance once in a while. I use a leaf blower to keep the deck clean. It is my opinion that washing the deck puts water in the bearings. Larry

 

[doublesharp]

I think your dealer is as important as the brand. My advice is to buy from a mower shop and not a box store like Lowes/Home Depot.

My main mower is a Bob-Cat Predator Pro 61" with a 1000cc fuel injected kawasaki big block. I go through waist high weeds if I have to.

Scag, Hustler, Exmark, Ferris, Bob-Cat are my top 5 brands but most all brands are good. Grasshopper and John Deere are top line too but the dealers tend to gouge on parts. Kawasaki dominates the engines but Kohler efi and Briggs Vanguard are worthy. Kubota diesels go thousands of hours with moderate maintenance.

The reason I bought Bob-Cat is dealer support but in 3 years my mower hasn't been back. Little touches like built in tie down points, dual 7 gallon gas tanks, folding roll bar thats out of the way, run flat front tires are nice to have.

I run G6 gator blades and they turn clippings to dust. I'd advise against a dedicated mulching deck because they don't perform well in overgrown grass/weeds and I use mine like a bushhog on occassion.

Here's a first day pic.

This Hustler is one I'm trading on and the T bar steering is a marvel. Similar to a motorcycle, just twist the grip to go. Very intuitive. This has 60 hours and I'll get about $3k out of it. I bought it from a lawn co that went belly up last year.

 

[GrayGhost99]

Had a Husqvarna when I lived in the country and on the straight flat areas it would mow at like 11 mph. Fun fun.

 

[SteveA]

Hustler here. Had my Fastrac for ten years and no problems. Regular service and that's it. I've used it in lieu of my bush hog when my tractor was down.

 

[msinc]

My wife loves her new X-Mark.

If your wife mows, get her the one she wants.

And if she gives all of them a try she will no doubt want the Ferris...it is the only one with suspension. It rides like a Cadillac. The John Deere is powerful, you can just about bush hog with it. The Skag Turf Tiger is fast. But the fact is that for a female operator, only the Ferris is smooth...the rest will rattle your teeth.
You need ear plugs for all of them {why is that these days????} and they are all heavy, so you will rut your yard if you cut every time with the same pattern...something most women find impossible unless it involves buying shampoo. Change??? Why???? It worked O.K. the same way I did it last week!!!

One other neat thing about the Ferris...it has a curve on the very end of the blades so as you sharpen them you don't make them shorter and loose your cut width and get uncut blades in the center. Blades are cheap for the John Deere...they are the only thing they sell that you can say that about!!! I guess they are not painted green.

 

[doublesharp]

FYI here's a link to a pretty good equipment auction that will give an idea of what used equipment is bringing here in the heartland. Beckort runs a good auction and many of the zero turns listed are trade ins that came from my buddies at SIE. SIE is the Bud's of the outdoor power equipment business and they are located less than 10 miles from me. Great business and I've never been able to beat their prices. I've made some pretty good wam flipping their trade ins over the years.

SPRING EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

If I was buying for 3 acres I'd look hard at this Snapper Pro S125xt 61" for value and performance. Snapper Pro is made by Ferris using commercial components but are offered at a bit lower price. The icd deck is a dandy and leaves a beautiful cut. Great warranty and easy parts availability.

2014 Snapper Pro S125xt Series S125XTKAV2461 Southern Indiana Equipment