Zero Turn Mowers

[Ret. Coach]

Most of them, doesn’t matter the brand will have similar parts (motor/hydros). Just go with a dealer close by you want to work with!

Also make sure you have enough motor for your 50-60” deck. There is a big difference in how the 23-25hp mowers cut compared to the 30+ with that size deck.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

One thing I found out with a zero turn mower is that they are a lot faster. In addition to the turning advantage is they will cut at a lot faster speed. I save about 25% timewise and the fuel also, when compared to my old garden tractor style.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Been running a SCAGG patriot 52" for 9 years now...I cut 3 acres...takes 45 min...22hp Kawasaki..with the 3100 hydros. Great machine, super easy to service.

 

[doc holiday13]

I'd wonder if you'd find more use out of a 30hp tractor with finish mower or brushhog? 30hp should be enough to have a 60-72" cutting deck. A tractor might be more useful.. Zero turn is great if you only need to cut grass.

Then again.. I also question mowing more than 1acre. I'd be grazing that with stear or chickens and sheep

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I've been using a Scag Liberty 52" with Kawasaki engine since 2018. The first 5 years I was mowing 5 acres of pretty rough ground. My lawn got smaller when I moved in 2023, and I've only been mowing about 1 acre since then.

The Liberty is a homeowner model (not part of Scag's commercial line) but still well built. Many times the lawn has gotten away from me, and I've had to use the mower more like a brush hog. It often takes multiple passes, but I've been impressed at its ability to power through thick patches of overgrown grass/weeds. I did add an aftermarket suspension seat kit similar to this one to make the ride smoother. The only maintenance I've done is oil changes, blade sharpening, and battery replacement.

 

[KenLee]

I'd wonder if you'd find more use out of a 30hp tractor with finish mower or brushhog? 30hp should be enough to have a 60-72" cutting deck. A tractor might be more useful.. Zero turn is great if you only need to cut grass.

Then again.. I also question mowing more than 1acre. I'd be grazing that with stear or chickens and sheep

Animals pen you to home just like them.

 

[North of 60]

Kinda depends on how big the property is and how long you want it to run. If it is over 5 acres i'd go with a commercial grade mower. We have 3 acres and mine is currently a Scag Liberty Z with a Kawasaki engine.

The previous mower was a Hustler with a Kohler engine. i rebuilt that engine after about 7 or 8 years and it lasted another 5 or so and died. I'll never own another Kohler engine. The Kawa on the Scag is great.

The Hustler mower gave me less trouble than this Scag. The switches don't last as long on this Scag and i also had to re do the main hydraulic hose.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Here is what I mow.....

 

[Crewsn]

Biggest thing to look for is the serviceable transmissions. Do a little research on the engine it has and go from there.

 

[KurtR]

Have had a hustler for 5 years now and my wife likes mowing yards right at an acre . She could wreck an anvil and it’s held up. Before that she wrecked 2 craftsman. Don’t ask me how she does it.

 

[IdahoElk]

Hustler mini z for 23yrs, 1 acre, no problems.

 

[weekender7]

With a 6K budget I would get a Hustler 60". I have had 2 for 10 years, mowing 7 acres, both trouble free. One has Kawasaki and the other has Koler. Both been solid.

 

[North of 60]

Yes, a Hustler machine with a Kawasaki engine may be my next mower if i still have a big place to mow when the Scag goes to mower heaven.

 

[TX_hunter]

I bought a used toro 42" for $700 used without doing a ton of research.

I have 2.5 acres but usually mow 1.5 of the acres.

It gets it done fast, but I found out the hard way I had the non serviceable transmissions. There is no drain plug, and you can't access the fill port with it installed in the mower (that is until I used a hole saw to cut a hole in the deck above the fill plug). You have to pull the transmission and take the side cover off to change the oil. I had a leak and had to do it a few times. it's not that hard but a completely stupid design.

 

[jjschuh]

Look into Gravely and Ariens mowers. Made in Wisconsin, there's a lot people around here that use them with no issues year after year.

 

[rodney482]

I mow 3 acres. Toro Zmaster 3000 w 60" deck has been great the last 6 years

 

[KyleR1985]

Just got a Gravely ProTurn 260 with 150 hours on it. Have 2-4 acres to cut depending on how I’ll end up using the property (just bought in October).

It’s overkill but got a sweet deal.

I cut 1.5 acres without ever having driven one of these machines in about 45 minutes. Half of that was figuring out how to operate it. Grass was 8-10” tall, and I could run it full speed. Wild.

 

[jorswift]

Ive had my Grasshopper for 20 years now maybe. Only has about 350 hours on it, but has been great. Service yearly and no issues.

 

[MallardSX2]

Scag.

Trust me on this one, its the only way.

I have the Turf Tiger II (STTII-61V-40BV-EFI) and its awesome and will last a lifetime of normal use with proper maintenance. My FIL uses them for his commercial operation. He runs them for 5-8 years years running them hard daily then he sells them for half of what he paid for them. So they hold their value real well.

Turf Tiger II™ Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower | Products | Scag®

Scag® Turf Tiger II™ zero-turn riding lawn mower has replaceable front caster extensions, flat free caster tires with tapered roller bearings and more.

www.scag.com

I have 2000 hours on mine and the only thing I have replaced on it (Other than belts and blades) is the electric clutch. I mow 3 acres with mine.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Grasshopper followed by exmark assuming you have a dealer close by. Nothing is immune to the abuse a mower might take. I wouldn't buy anything that didn't have a dealership in my backyard but these two are consistently the best in the industry.