zero turn lawn mower

kydick · Jun 9, 2022

has anyone made a support to hold on to as you get on and off of the lawn mower. getting older and having a hand hold to hold on to would help in keeping my balance. just a little support means a lot in stepping up or down.

NormL · Jun 10, 2022

Thank you for posing the question. I'll be watching this thread for ideas because I'm there with you!! Pushing 80 and feeling it.

metalbender · Jun 10, 2022

I'll be watching as well. Hopefully after the knee heals, getting on and off will be easier. Two hand holds would be great.

Carl_NH · Jun 10, 2022

Really depends on the mower brand and deck/handle setup. For example my Ferris ZT has a 10 GA deck with a step, and the handles allow for a grab point. The handles when opened are sturdy sitting in U channel and don't move around.

2manyrocks · Jun 10, 2022

Posting a pic or a link to a picture of your ZTR would make it easier to offer suggestions. I just finished one for my tractor yesterday.

shooterdon · Jun 10, 2022

Here is what I got when I ordered mine:

https://www.badboymowerparts.com/Mount-Assist-Handle/

Should be easy enough to make out of some pipe, but for $50 I let the dealer supply it.

NormL · Jun 11, 2022

Thanks shooterdon, that gives me an idea for mine. What I need is a safe step instead of using the front wheel which can be slippery. The deck is a no-no as it swings from chain.

2manyrocks · Jun 11, 2022

Paint on bed liner from Walmart or Lowes can help some situations. You just need to clean and scuff any painted surface for the bed liner material to adhere well without peeling later.

3Ts · Jun 11, 2022

I've been thinking about doing one in the same line as the one shooterdon posted, except I was going to add a light or two so I could mow at night when the temps are cooler, and probably put a step on it as well. Mine would be for John Deere's Z525.

scaredychicken · Jun 11, 2022

kydick said:
has anyone made a support to hold on to as you get on and off of the lawn mower. getting older and having a hand hold to hold on to would help in keeping my balance. just a little support means a lot in stepping up or down.

as it turns out I just made a deal this week, on a zero turn 2012 Cub Cadet RZT S50.

I have similar needs / requirements, as getting on / off equipment is a bit challenging for me (cerebral palsy).

The agri-repair service place that I purchased the machine from is now doing some custom fabrication for me to add (additional) hand controls for braking, forward, reverse (they will add to the existing bars for the pedals). They will also add a grab handle bar for me - probably off the rear - going up from hitch area (?), OR from the corner bolts near the front wheels. I will get the machine in a week or two, will post photos.

tractordata image

metalbender · Jun 11, 2022

Two weeks into my knee replacement, grass needed some goats or mowing. Getting on and off the Toro Titan was easier than anticipated. Managed a couple of hrs, thanks to the MyRide system The deck on mine has a serrated bit for an actual step.

2manyrocks · Jun 11, 2022

There are some "senior helper bars" on ebay for ZTRs that bolt to the holes in the foot platform. Senior Handhold "Helper" Bar for John Deere Zero Turn Mowers | eBay

Here is a link to a DIY version made with pipe fittings that doesn't require any welding. The Toolbox

kydick · Jun 11, 2022

scaredychicken said:
as it turns out I just made a deal this week, on a zero turn 2012 Cub Cadet RZT S50.

I have similar needs / requirements, as getting on / off equipment is a bit challenging for me (cerebral palsy).

The agri-repair service place that I purchased the machine from is now doing some custom fabrication for me to add (additional) hand controls for braking, forward, reverse (they will add to the existing bars for the pedals). They will also add a grab handle bar for me - probably off the rear - going up from hitch area (?), OR from the corner bolts near the front wheels. I will get the machine in a week or two, will post photos.

tractordata image

sounds good. i have thought and thought about this for a while. just need a nudge in the right direction and i think i should be able to make one myself

scaredychicken · Jun 12, 2022

kydick - I think the fabrication would be fairly easy, although that is not my skill. I can get creative with ideas, and solutions, but I don't weld at all, so if I was to design it, it would be a bolt on handle. Since I'm purchasing the machine, I'll have him do it to sweeten the deal for him. Still considering adding a single, square LED headlight also.
all the best with your build, solution
what model(s) of Ford/ NH do you have ?

2manyrocks · Jun 12, 2022

Another option would be to look at grab bars for golf carts to see if one of those might work on your mower. Amazon.com : Performance Plus Carts Universal Golf Cart Grab Bar : Sports & Outdoors

Gil A · Jun 12, 2022

kydick said:
has anyone made a support to hold on to as you get on and off of the lawn mower. getting older and having a hand hold to hold on to would help in keeping my balance. just a little support means a lot in stepping up or down.

Purchased a Bad Boy Elite last year and they have a "add on" hold on for mounting and dismounting the mower. Check their site to see it. It will show where it is mounted and possibly give you ideas on how to make one. It seems rather simple. Understand the mounting issue as I will be 85 come September.
Regards, Gil A

gstrom99 · Jun 12, 2022

When I was shopping for my ZT last year, I remember seeing a helper handle "somewhere" as an option. Sorry, but I can't remember what brand it was. My JD 530R has a really study deck, designed to be stepped on and includes a non-slip pad. I use the steering handles for stability getting on/off and they work pretty good (for me - so far).

RalphVa · Jun 12, 2022

I use the side steering bars, folded to the side. They really could use a step because you cannot step onto the mowing deck.

cnrenterprises · Jun 13, 2022

Carl_NH said:
Really depends on the mower brand and deck/handle setup. For example my Ferris ZT has a 10 GA deck with a step, and the handles allow for a grab point. The handles when opened are sturdy sitting in U channel and don't move around.

Since the ROL looks to be not used. Can you reverse install it so it folds forward and provides upper support to grab to get on and off?

JayGee59 · Jun 13, 2022

kydick said:
has anyone made a support to hold on to as you get on and off of the lawn mower. getting older and having a hand hold to hold on to would help in keeping my balance. just a little support means a lot in stepping up or down.

I have one of these also and have NOT yet done the following. But you should be able to weld a sturdy bent pipe from side to side on the very front of your mower. IF YOU DO THIS be very careful of any low lying limbs of trees as this MIGHT catch the limbs and flip them right in your face. Otherwise there shouldn't be a problem with this mower. Make sure and download the MANUAL for the mower as the belt takes some twists and turns that you may not remember when removing the deck to sharpen the blades. Not bad to remove the deck - but it can be a bear to re-install it. One good TIP is to get a long handled breaker bar that will fit into the square hole in the arm of the SPRINGED PULLEY to help get the belts in place. That makes it much easier to set the belts.