Mow with my bx24 or buy a zero turn mower?

[Popster]

Personally, I would stay away from units from Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart..etc... While they may be ok for somebody mowing 1/4 acre of manicured lawn... they are built cheap. Much like the CUT market, many of the "major brands" are simply sticker engineering. Take the time to shop your local dedicated lawn and garden dealers. Its always a good sign if they actually have a parts inventory and a service department.
Diesels are a nice option, but repair costs could be substancially higher. Definitely spring for a fully welded deck, greasable joints, and rebuildable/servicable spindle shaft assemblies. Also, make sure it has the simple things, like arm rests on the seat, a small tools/trash storage spot. Drink holder, option for a sun cover;
My in-laws ZTR you have to keep the steering yokes pushed forward. So if you need to scratch your arm, you end up doing a donut or having to come to a stop. My Toro isnt spring loaded, I can actually drive it one handed. Just some things to consider when you go shopping.

I agree. I can keep my Scagg going straight for short distances with on hand; the levers are close together.

One of the mavens on the 8N board swears by the Cub Cadet from TSC. I went with the commercial Scagg.

 

[Alan L.]

i have no actual seat time on a zero turn.

the old allis chalmers CA has small front end. almost like a 3 wheeler. it is about as close as you can get to a zero turn, without being one. boy does it make a difference. in mowing from a good old riding lawn mower. to the CA with a belly mower. the turning abilty is the key. if i actually slow down (again if i slow down) i can pretty much cut everything right up to the trees. with maybe an inch to spare. (haven't hung it up yet on a tree, *knocks on wood*) if i did same thing on a riding mower. it would take for ever including doing some weed whacking with the weed-eater.

when speaking to a couple others had there small sized zero turns. and then i caught a post a couple days ago here on the forums. is that once the grass gets thick and just a tiny bit to high. even with deck raised up all the way and blades freshly sharpen. the zero turns. turn out to be duds.

and i am wondering after seeing other folks statements about getting a commercial unit vs the low entry market zero turns. if perhaps above is the reason and being able to deal with taller grass. and perhaps a little more weight and bigger tires for extra traction.

*looks confused*

I can't speak for "small" or residential grade ZTRs. But I can tell you my commercial Scagg Wildcat ain't afraid of tall or thick grass. My grass is at least 8" and sometimes 12" by the time I cut it. The Scag chews it up.

 

[Bobcar]

If the ground is not that level dont go with the 60" deck unless you dont mind grinding up some dirt.

 

[boggen]

If the ground is not that level dont go with the 60" deck unless you dont mind grinding up some dirt.

if the yard is that rough. it would be time to re chopping of the yard up to smooth it out.

 

[Johnbro]

We got into the landscaping biz last year and bought some equipment. First mower was a Kubota Diesel 60" ZTR. It will cut really fast and neatly, but there are some drawbacks:

1. Although you can pivot around one wheel at the end of a cut you can also tear up the ground when you do it, particularly if it's wet. We train our guys to make a three-point turn; only slows us down a bit

2. they are two wheel drive only so if you've got hills you can have traction issues (again in the wet--something we have way too much of here)

3. If you need to bag your grass you have to buy a pretty elaborate system to do it. We use mulching blades and they don't leave much behind you can see, unless the grass is way too tall when we cut it.

We also have a Scag ride-on which has controls like a ZTR but you can walk behind it or stand on it. It's a lot lighter and more nimble than the ZTR but of course not nearly as fast. It will, however, climb hills better than the ZTR (cause it's lighter and you can get off and walk behind it).

The Kubotas are very expensive, but they are commercial machines. We found they cost less than a comparable Exmark with (Kubota) diesel engine. The diesels are much more fuel efficient than the gas engines. We expect to get many many hours out of the mower.

 

[Tollster]

I did about 3 months of research on ZTR's, I checked the Bad Boys, Dixies, Grasshoppers, Bota's, Toro's, Skaggs,and Exmarks. After all the research, all the trips to the dealers ect. I narrowed it down to the Skag and the Exmark.
Then from there I settled on the Exmark Lazer Z, 24HP, 52" cut. The dealer is close, friendly, and had a leftover he wanted to move. He also beat the other dealer hands down on the same leftover. Out the door it was 6500.00 in 2008. 2009 had some design changes that raised the price 2K and made it more appealing to the commercial guys, so I jumped on the left over.
I was limited on the skage dealers, and the price was about 2-3K more than the lazer. Like the other guy said, I should ride this one to the grave, they are that solid. I reallydo love it and its a joy to mow with.
I can crack wheelies on it, **** near ride a few too. What can I say, I had to see if it would.

 

[TracTrac]

The Kubotas are very expensive, but they are commercial machines. We found they cost less than a comparable Exmark with (Kubota) diesel engine. The diesels are much more fuel efficient than the gas engines. We expect to get many many hours out of the mower.

Jonbro, I also found the Kubota Diesel ztr to cost less than the Exmark diesel in 2007. I ask my Kubota dealer how was that possible. He said that Exmark must purchase their engine & pumps from a seperate manufacturer. Kubota makes their own engine and tranny in house.

 

[lutt]

I bought a new Kubota ZG 20 in 2007. I have 400 hrs on it. No problems whatsoever. I do not mow commericial, but quite a bit. We mow 13 acres of cemetaries, my mothers acre, and five out of 16 acres at my house. I studied long and hard at different brands. The Kubota imo was built the strongest,has more mowing friendly features such as a jack built in for blade changing,grease fitting galore, one belt, only on the deck, a quick disconnect pto shaft, hydraulic lift deck with a foot control "button". Its built like a tank, the deck weighs 500#'s,the machine weighs 1100. It is also extra wide for stability.

 

[sw03]

It's not a matter of how well the lawn will look afterward it is about how long it will take. To each his own.

I mow my front and side in 20 minutes (almost 1/2 acre) and that is the outcome..A BX is a better tool since it does more then single use ZTR. Cant install lawn sprinklers, move 30 yards of mulch, a little backhoe to play with!

And the mowing is not bad either.

 

[sw03]

If the ground is not that level dont go with the 60" deck unless you dont mind grinding up some dirt.

Depends on how bad. My 60" works fine on my uneven 1/4 acre.