Advice on zero turns

Manshoon · Sep 12, 2014

This is just an option for you, they are very well built machines, although not commercial, but they are built as well as anything I have read up on. Toro time cutter 50" I just bought one myself, on Sale with Baggers and extra blades shipped for only 2700. priced matched. Because my neighbor has had one for over 5 years and it does a wonderful job on his property. Can't beat real life reviews and Since I have had mine, I can say "yes" it's a wonderful product so far. He has the 50" with the Kawasaki engine, I bought mine with the Kohler 23hp engine that people and industry have given excellent ratings.

It's Big, Red, and cuts anything in it's way so far, and with the 7MPH cruise speed, it's Fast as well.

Capricious · Sep 12, 2014

"..Toro time cutter ..."

It is my understanding that these machines, as well as many other "lower-end" zero-turns, use the Hydro Gear EZT drives. A little internet searching shows that the EZT drives do not have a stellar reputation. In fact, one can find several stories of failures, usually the left side drive.

If I were going to buy such a machine, I would not want one with this particular drive.

tcartwri · Sep 12, 2014

Capricious said:
"..Toro time cutter ..."

It is my understanding that these machines, as well as many other "lower-end" zero-turns, use the Hydro Gear EZT drives. A little internet searching shows that the EZT drives do not have a stellar reputation. In fact, one can find several stories of failures, usually the left side drive.

If I were going to buy such a machine, I would not want one with this particular drive.

You can find issues with every level and brand of equipment. The internet just makes it easier to find people who have something to complain about.

bigdogmax1 · Sep 12, 2014

Thanks again for all the imput. I still will be going with either the Scag Tiger Cat or Hustler X-One. I get 12 cc pumps on the Hustler vs 10 cc on the Scag, and I can get the bigger Kawasaki FX850 on the Hustler or the FX730, vs just the 730 on the Scag. Do I really need more than the Scag...lol probably not but hey, the X-One goes on promo for about the same as the Scag so why not go bigger. I think the biggest thing I here is that Hustlers handle and ride better, but the Scag has a prettier cut. Of course, the Hustler now has the VX4 Deck which I here is just as good as the Velocity. I will definitely hop on both before I make my decision. I did like the visibility of the deck on the Tiger Cat when I sat on it. I think that would be great going around my trees, driveway, flower beds, and pond. I wish we had a Ferris dealer here but the closest is almost an hour away. I will not own something that I can't have a service department close by. The Dixies are pretty cool looking but I just don't know.....we have a local dealer and they're priced competitively. Ex Marks just aren't what I expected for the price. Plus the warranties with the Hustlers are awesome (5 year), and Scag right behind them with the warranty (3 year.) I still have plenty of time to compare. I don't think ANY of our dealers demo.....

IndianaDC · Nov 13, 2014

So, my guess is I am late to party here but wanted to throw in my 2 cents anyway. Prior to a recent ZTR purchase, my wife and I would spend 8 hours total between us mowing the lawn each week. I would use my Case IH Farmall with a 5' finish mower and she would use a Toro Wheelhorse riding mower with a 52" deck. This summer we purchased a Hustler SuperZ HD with a 35 horse Kawi motor and 60" VX4 deck. I can now mow everything on the ZTR in a little less than 4 hours even up around the house. This unit has exceeded all my expectations. It was expensive no doubt, but the dealer is a family member and the unit was a demo with 24 hours on it so I got an awesome deal. I have a significant hill on my property as well as a pond and the Hustler has no issues what so ever. I was worried about this a great deal since I mowed those areas with my 4WHD tractor. I do use the ROPS and seat belt and never mow the hill or pond when wet. It took a while to get used to it and I am still figuring it out but mowing with this unit is pleasure. I have now even stated mowing fields with the ZTR that I used to only mow with the Tractor and bushog. I could not be happier with the unit.

Capricious · Nov 13, 2014

".. I have now even stated mowing fields with the ZTR that I used to only mow with the Tractor and bushog...."

How rough are those fields? Can the ZTR handle tall grass (like knee-high or waist-high) without the deck holding it below the level of the blades?

I have about 5 or 6 acres of rough ground to mow and made an offer on 3 acres more (turned down, but it aint over yet.)

Navasot · Nov 13, 2014

Just go sit on them all and see which one you like. If you have a cub cadet dealer near you it would be worth checking out the New Zforce LZ Commercial since its a good bit cheaper than what your looking at. Also if your mowing a lot of steep slopes like the tank dam a SZ model with a steering wheel and front wheel control might suit your needs better

MinnesotaEric · Nov 13, 2014

Whatever you do, get Kawasaki power and pulleys made from metal. The front steering zero turns are better on hills. With just castor wheels on the front of my zero turn, I added a bar that accepts bar weights and with fifty pounds, this weights the rear wheels so they hold on hills. My next upgrade will be new, wider tires.

Capricious · Nov 13, 2014

My concern is cutting tall grass; the old garden tractor that I sometimes use can only handle grass up to a certain level and then the front "wall" of the deck holds it down below the blades and nothing gets cut. I had to buy a tractor & rotary cutter for when the grass gets that high. I should mention that this is wild grass and some sprouting stumps, along with a few rocks, but no real heavy brush (not any more.)

I have trimmed a bit off that wall on the garden tractor deck, and may trim a bit more, but I don't want to cut steel off the deck of a new or "newer" machine.