Brain Hurting over Zero Turn Mower

[Sockwell]

Made the decision earlier this year to try to find a new mower. I mow about 3 acres of uneven country yard. Thought it would be no big deal to find what I wanted, with a budget of $5k. This decision is harder than buying a tractor. Too many choices. When I start leaning toward one, a search will show that model has problems. Help.

I'm trying to find a ZT with a minimum cutting width of 48". We have the typical options of HD and TSC, but would prefer to use servicing dealer. In the area (<30 miles), we have SCAG, Husqvarna, ExMark (same dealer I bought L3240 from), Grasshopper, Hustler, and Snapper dealers that have good reputations. We have a CC dealer that, IMO, is not a selling point. They seem to concentrate on internet part sales. There is also a Bad Boy dealer that I know nothing about.

I was looking at the CC, but saw several posts where there have been problems with the HydorGear EZT transmissions on Cubs and other brands. Because of this, I started looking at models that have ZT2800's or larger.

Started looking at a Husqvarna EZ5224, then read about their ZT's having issues. I'd like to hear from some of you guys that own the brands mentioned above, pro and con. I'm also wondering if the posts are truly representative, or if they represent a small percentage of lemons. Your feedback is appreciated. Please.

 

[jayhawkerroy]

My sister and brother in law own a SCAG. Are very happy with its performance. Plus is that the dealer is closest to them. One repair in 5 years track record so far. Gets bare minimum annual maintenance.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Scag and Bad Boy are both great machines with a strong following in my area but Ferris is the king.

Chris

 

[Bird]

About 5 years ago, it seemed to me that most of the commercial operators I saw were on Skags. But in the last couple of years, nearly everything I see in this neighborhood is Toro. But I recently visited the nearest Kubota dealer, which also sells Skags and during our conversation, the salesman said the Skag was the best gasoline powered ZTR and the Kubota the best diesel. Of course, I know that's what you expect, since that's what he sells. But they do appear to be fine machines.

 

[sweettractors]

Made the decision earlier this year to try to find a new mower. I mow about 3 acres of uneven country yard. Thought it would be no big deal to find what I wanted, with a budget of $5k. This decision is harder than buying a tractor. Too many choices. When I start leaning toward one, a search will show that model has problems. Help.

I'm trying to find a ZT with a minimum cutting width of 48". We have the typical options of HD and TSC, but would prefer to use servicing dealer. In the area (<30 miles), we have SCAG, Husqvarna, ExMark (same dealer I bought L3240 from), Grasshopper, Hustler, and Snapper dealers that have good reputations. We have a CC dealer that, IMO, is not a selling point. They seem to concentrate on internet part sales. There is also a Bad Boy dealer that I know nothing about.

I was looking at the CC, but saw several posts where there have been problems with the HydorGear EZT transmissions on Cubs and other brands. Because of this, I started looking at models that have ZT2800's or larger.

Started looking at a Husqvarna EZ5224, then read about their ZT's having issues. I'd like to hear from some of you guys that own the brands mentioned above, pro and con. I'm also wondering if the posts are truly representative, or if they represent a small percentage of lemons. Your feedback is appreciated. Please.

We sell the "Dixon" (Owned by Husqvarna and their top end mower) and it has been strong in our area for over 20 years and have been in business for over 35 years. Call My Son at 270-524-0385 Munfordville, Ky and I bet he can fix you up with a nice mower including shipping and save you some dollars. I think He may have a new 52 inch cut for little over $3K + shipping. Ken Sweet

 

[CurtisG]

Scag and Bad Boy are both great machines with a strong following in my area but Ferris is the king.

Chris

:thumbsup:I have a Ferris and really like the shocks on it, it reduces the jarring of uneven ground. Of course if you don't have a nearby Ferris dealer that is of no use to you. Exmark and Gravely are real strong in my area also.

Curt

 

[trouble007]

i would lean against a ZT after a while of cutting the grass burn marks will appear where u are always turning

 

[MMagis]

You realize that by posing the question to everyone, you will increase your confusion? Everyone has their favorite, usually based only on their limited experience, and every brand will have problems from time to time. I think you're right that you tend to hear more about the problems than about the good machines that never have issues.

 

[sweettractors]

The fellow that mows my yard is a retired school teacher, He mows 37 other yards per week and he only works 3 days a week. Fishing or hunting the other 4 days. Never ran anything but a Dixon ZTR mower. Been doing this for 17 years and he is NOT mechanically inclined. Ken Sweet

 

[Nitro-Fish]

i would lean against a ZT after a while of cutting the grass burn marks will appear where u are always turning

Only if you don't know how to operate one! I've been using one for several years and don't have any burn marks, you may drag some turf (very minimal) while getting used to the operation of a ZTR, but it doesn't take long (my other half mows most of the time & if she doesn't tear the turf, anyone can master the ZTR). On a side note, you shouldn't be cutting in the same direction everytime you mow the grass anyway, it will get "trained" by any mower if you continually cut in the same direction; its good to cut a different pattern each time.

 

[Diamondpilot]

With buying anything like a tractor or mower you need to look at the support in your area. My neighbor is a commercial mower running mainly Ferris and one Scag. When we go on road trips we notice what is poplualar. In town A its brand A, ect.

Where I grew up NH tractors are king. I would guess 70% are NH, 15% Case, and JD maybe 10% with the other 5% covering the rest. Where I live now 75% are JD, and the rest Case. I have not seen but a handful of NH or any other large brand.

It all comes down to the dealer in the area.

Chris

 

[donn12]

I would recommend a used mainstream brand commercial. Exmark, Scag, John Deere(excluding 800 series) or Toro all have great reputations.

 

[American Bulldog]

I have a JD 60" Zero turn, and it has been a good machine. IT has a 25 HP Kawasaki, that has always run well. The shocks on the Ferris sound interesting. I have some uneven ground, and if I go too fast I bounce up on the seat, which kills the motor and the PTO. It starts running again when I settle, but sometimes makes a backfire sound as the unburned fuel explodes in the exhaust. The JD seats are too darn sensitive to bumps.

Another note, air cooled gas engines on these things are complete gas hogs. The money is one thing, but it is a downright hassle to have to fill up the tank all the time. A diesel unit will get you mowing more, and filling the tank less...:laughing: Unfortunately, most are probably out of your price range.

Best of luck.

 

[firemech]

I have and use a Toro Z4200 Timecutter and an older Husqarvarna Z4818 mower and like them both. The Husky seems to put more dust in your face but the larger tires give me a better ride than the Toro. Have not had any trouble with either (Toro 3 years, Husky 5 years).
firemech

 

[yomax4]

I have a Husqvarna 25HP and would like to trade even up for a K-Mart Blue Light Special.. At least it may perform. In case you have not caught on, Save yourself, Do not buy a Husqvarna anything....

 

[JSUnlimited]

I would'nt discount CC yet. Make sure you are looking at the commercial series of ZTR mowers. I bought a M-60 Tank several years ago and I beat it pretty hard and have had zero problems. It's 60" with the Kohler 27hp engine. Here is a couple of pics for you, the mower and some of the area I mow. Theres more I mow not shown in the picture.

My only regret was not buying the 72" model with the CAT diesel.

FYI, unless things have changed, LESCO was making these for CC.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

i would lean against a ZT after a while of cutting the grass burn marks will appear where u are always turning

You have take it easy on them turns I actually use almost a Y pattern to turn around

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

@Mega

I don't think I would look at anything over 60" unless your ground is as flat as a ballfield

 

[JDL538]

I have a Exmark Lazer z 60 in. cut 06 model. Its one heck of a machine it cuts grass faster and better than anything I have ever used.
Have used just about every kind of Tractor, they are a little ruff, if you go to fast, but boy or they fast can cut in half the time, plus it looks like a gulf coarse when done.
They can take some time to get used to, don't go down hill on wet grass ever.

 

[EddieWalker]

Before buying my Scag, I set out to buy a mower that would get the job done, but nothing too fancy. My goal was to spend what it took to get quality, but to also find something that I could get good support from. I didn't have a brand favorite, but started out looking at the low end stuff. With a set budget, I was very disapointed in what I saw, and very curious about the stuff I couldn't afford.

With time, and reseach, I realized that I need to raise my budget. I read more, and also really started paying attention to what the pros were using. And not just what they were using, but what they were driving and how profesional they appeared. My reasoning is there are guys out there making a living with junk, and those who are doing very well who can afford to buy the best.

Scag and Exmark are what I see most of the time. I looked at other brands, but none compared to the quality of build, or the dealer support of the Scag. Then after realizing that the Scag was what I was using as my standard, I spoke to a few dealers a second time to get their feel on why their product was better then the Scag, and why I should consider buying from them instead of the Scag.

I spent a few months looking, and havn't regreted buying Scag. I know that a few guys on here like other brands, and Dargo had me seriously looking at Grasshopper, but that dealer wasn't too keen on making a sale of the mower I wantd, and instead, wanted to sell me something else. Not knocking Grasshopper, but that dealer killed any chance of a sale by not listening to me, and wasting my time.

Number one rule in all tractor, farm related purchases is to buy from the best dealer around. Brand is on as good as the dealer, and if you have worthless Scag dealer, then buying a Scag would be a big mistake for you.

My dealer is awesome, and my Scag is amazing, but it's the only zero turn that I've ever owned, and like most of us on here, that's all we can talk about.

Good luck,
Eddie