Zero Turn Mowers

[bowhuntercoop]

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.

I have an ikon 52 with 600 hours on it already in 5 years. Cut 5-10 acres depending on if I only cut the yards or pasture and my in laws 2.5 acre yard. Has the kawi. Just routine maintenance. US made like you mentioned and great value.

I see prices have increased and Lowe’s now carries them. Mine was 2300 new from the dealer in 2020 and it was money well spent.

 

[Winnie]

My dad, my brother, and I all have John Deeres. they have been flawless. Dad tried a Toro first and it blew the motor the first summer.

 

[Sabot]

Agree with those saying buy from a dealer. I went with a gravely and bought an annual service plan. No issues so far

 

[Pulleye16]

Just remember, It's impossible to drink beer on zero turn machines that utilize two handles...just saying

 

[hunterjmj]

Unfortunately I don't have a dealer nearby. Couple hours away for any dealer. I have a local small engine shop that is great with basically everything. What I've found so far is around $5500 get you serviceable transmissions (3100) and Kawasaki engines. Will head to Billings next week and look at some mowers.

 

[deer310sg]

Just remember, It's impossible to drink beer on zero turn machines that utilize two handles...just saying

Practice makes perfect! Trust me it can be done!

 

[LostArra]

When I first bought our 20 acres I rented a 60" Scag Turf Tiger and mowed the entire acreage a few times before the house was built. Grass, weeds 3' tall and even some sapling cedars. Seeing how it performed I ended up buying one and kept it for 25 years mowing about 4 acres of yard and another 2-3 acres of trails.on a 3D course. (I then had a tractor for the big stuff). I sold it for $500 and bought another Scag, Tiger Cat 60". Scag is a tough machine especially the commercial line. The others I considered were Grasshopper and Dixie Chopper but at the time there wasn't a dealer in the area.

(My new Scag has a beer can holder. They call it a cup holder but cups spill too much)

 

[deer310sg]

I'm in the look out myself. Been wanting to replace my JD Z465 for the last couple years.
Way to big.
Looking at the Bad Boy ZT Elite or Maverick in 54" deck.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

We mow 3 acres and have been looking at zero turns for a few years. Yesterday I picked up a '23 Kubota Z422 with 440 hours, Kawasaki, fab deck, suspension seat, and Hydro-Gear ZT 3600s, off marketplace for $5,000. These run $10-11k new, and if the Kubota zero turns are as well-built as my tractor, I don't anticipate any major issues.

We were set on a Bad Boy with Kawasaki, Suspension seat, and 54" deck, but this was too good a deal to pass up.

 

[elkguide]

Had John Deere (tractors, walk behinds and Z-turns), Cub Cadet, Case, and all bit the dust. Currently running Hustler Super Z and Ferris. Both are 60" units. I only mow 7 - 10 acres. As has been said, only buy a commercial rig. Homeowner machines and machines from Home Cheapo and Lowes are just throw away units.

 

[KenLee]

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.

Looks close to a commercial Cub

 

[MallardSX2]

Looks close to a commercial Cub

You wouldn't find me riding that yellow trash anywhere. haha

 

[RME]

Practice makes perfect! Trust me it can be done!

Definitely! I drive one handed and drink coffee all the time on a Bad.Boy Rebel

 

[Redwood]

I bought a 60" Bad Boy ZT elite last spring. It has been great so far. Mow about 4.5 acres. Actually bought it from western ranch supply in Billings.

 

[JAshley73]

As a long-time-ago small engine mechanic, and now Year-5 part-time commercial mowing business. My advice is to find a used, commercial mower, that has a reputable dealer near you. You will need them for maintenance-parts at a minimum.

I'm also a big fan of working on these yourself. They are not SpaceEx rockets - mowers are simple machines.

I would recommend a 60" mower. 52" 60"/61" and 72" deck sizes are common commercial mower sizes. Avoid the others, as there is no benefit, and they are simply "fill-in" sizes as marketing gimmicks to impressionable homeowners...

If you go to check out a used mower, look for hydraulic oil leaks, noisy deck bearings/idler pulleys, and broken/welded repairs. Noisy deck bearings/idlers are certainly not a "red flag" but should be a negotiating tool, as idlers or spindles could be $50-400 to replace. (Painting with a very wide brush there...) Belts can run up to $150 as well, so just keep in mind.


But in general, but a not-beat-to-death condition used commercial mower (Scag, Exmark, Wright, etc...) and save yourself some serious coin. Honestly, I wouldn't even balk at a 1,500-hour machine, if the condition & price is right.


Looking for more specific info - tag me & ask away.

 

[Read1t48]

I have a Walker. Amazing mow but not intended for rough stuff. It’s a great mower for nice yards. Grasshoppers are great. You can get a used Walker within your budget. The walker probably has the best leaf pick up system on the market. It’s amazing in the fall if you have lots of leaves

 

[JAshley73]

Let me offer a little more specific advice too if I may...

If this is going to be a mowing machine only, I would HIGHLY suggest you look at, and demo a stand-on mower. They are faster in every way, without any major downside.

I was the world's biggest skeptic, but rolled the dice on a 1,200-hour used Wright ZK, knowing I could at least get my money back if it sucked.



The first month was akward getting adjusted to it. After that, I'd never consider switching back to a ZTR mower again.

• EVERYTHING is faster. Mounting, starting, dismounting, pausing, bending down to pickup garbage, etc...
• They turn on a dime
  • (I think this is inherent to the spring-loaded, return-to-neutral controls.)
• They are all of commercial quality, usually have larger engines standard, and are built to run forever with little downtime for maintenance.
• They are easy on your back - especially over rough ground - and despite me having achy knees, they are easy on your legs as well.
• They are FAR safer when using on hills, or near water
  • (You just jump off, vs. getting crushed or drowned under a machine.)
• They are easier to duck under tree limbs.
• They are easier to drive one-handed
• You can drive one-handed, and wear a backpack blower for blowing things off...
  • (And you can blow things off using the deck, and the backpack blower at the same time.)
• They are usually shorter, and take up less room on a trailer, and in a garage.

I still own an Exmark Lazer X-series ZTR, but "gave" it to my parents. The Lazer-X is a VERY good ZTR, but there is no comparison to using a Stand-On mower... My only exception to this would be on VERY large properties, with VERY smooth ground, where you would not get beat up by rough ground...


Anything from Wright is solid. Scag V-Ride2 is solid. Others may be alright, but make sure to do your homework first.

 

[JAshley73]

I have a Walker. Amazing mow but not intended for rough stuff. It’s a great mower for nice yards. Grasshoppers are great. You can get a used Walker within your budget. The walker probably has the best leaf pick up system on the market. It’s amazing in the fall if you have lots of leaves

Agreed. Not for everyone, but in a class by themselves when the property allows.

 

[Hunter26]

I would not recommend a toro timecutter 50 inch. I think it has a 23 hp Kawasaki on it. I know nothing has been said about bagging but it plugs way to easy and just doesn't have enough to mow anything outside of my bluegrass without the bagger. I do have an old Ransomes diesel 72" mower and it is heads and shoulders better. I really like the deck out front because it allows me to get under and around things easier.