best zero turn $3000

[PVHIII]

good info as always... my wife told me that if I bought a zero turn, she would NOT be cutting the grass. She said it like a threat, but I'm counting on that

the best feature (for me) is that there is no leg work / foot pedals to mess with (that's why I want one)

My zero turn...turned something I dreaded because of the time it took me and every time I mowed I would feel it in my lower back for a day or two afterwards... Into something I thoroughly enjoy... My grass can't seem to grow fast enough to suit my mowing addiction... I sometimes catch my self slowing down just to prolong my enjoyment ;-)

 

[DK35vince]

good info as always... my wife told me that if I bought a zero turn, she would NOT be cutting the grass. She said it like a threat, but I'm counting on that

the best feature (for me) is that there is no leg work / foot pedals to mess with (that's why I want one)

I rarely get to run our zero turn. My wife mows with it.
She mows the yard at full speed like she's in a race.
I generally use the tractor/rear finish mower for mowing.

 

[Coyote machine]

Am I missing something, or somewhere in this thread did I see mention of some folks shifting over to different than turf tires to get better traction with zero turns? Were ATV type tyre treads recommended or something different? I've had my Scag Wildcat with turfs on the rear and smooth spindle swivel wheels on the front since I bought it in 2009. I find no matter what I do I seem to tear up the ground when I turn whether going fast or slow when I change direction? Is it me or the machine? Does anyone else experience this when using zero turns, regardless of brand?

 

[dragoneggs]

Am I missing something, or somewhere in this thread did I see mention of some folks shifting over to different than turf tires to get better traction with zero turns? Were ATV type tyre treads recommended or something different? I've had my Scag Wildcat with turfs on the rear and smooth spindle swivel wheels on the front since I bought it in 2009. I find no matter what I do I seem to tear up the ground when I turn whether going fast or slow when I change direction? Is it me or the machine? Does anyone else experience this when using zero turns, regardless of brand?

Good question... I have the same issue tearing up the grass but it is new and still getting established. Wondering if it is operator error... and I am just not to the top of the learning curve. I do have a lot of tight turns and it seems I do the most damage when turning tight from a downhill attitude to parallel with slope. I am thinking the key is to keep both wheels turning whether they are going in the same direction or not. :confused3:

 

[aczlan]

Am I missing something, or somewhere in this thread did I see mention of some folks shifting over to different than turf tires to get better traction with zero turns? Were ATV type tyre treads recommended or something different? I've had my Scag Wildcat with turfs on the rear and smooth spindle swivel wheels on the front since I bought it in 2009. I find no matter what I do I seem to tear up the ground when I turn whether going fast or slow when I change direction? Is it me or the machine? Does anyone else experience this when using zero turns, regardless of brand?

Are you doing "K turns" or "zero turns"?

BOTH wheels must be moving so the pivot is between the axles, not on one tire or the other.

Aaron Z

 

[Coyote machine]

Good point. I was never taught how to operate a Zturn. Guess I do tend to lock the left wheel mostly and then spin around with the right. Guess I'm not sure how to do a real K turn, but I did watch some of the video links and guess I'll have to practice to get it right. Seems counter intuitive to have a wheel going backward to get it to not cut divots in the lawn, but keeping both wheels moving makes sense.

 

[dragoneggs]

Are you doing "K turns" or "zero turns"?

BOTH wheels must be moving so the pivot is between the axles, not on one tire or the other.

Aaron Z

Good short video... I try to drive it like a Zamboni (offset ovals) but I need to work on not pivoting.

 

[farmer2009]

If you will mow a border of 2-3 mower passes. Depending on the width of the mower. Mines 60" so two gives me almost 10 feet. You will have plenty of room for the K turns. I have found the the K turns if done in the right direction will also help with the wind blowing the clippings back onto you. Another words keep your discharge shoot down wind till your done cutting.

I'm running an ATV bar and knob tire on my mower. It had an ATV tire size on it. But now they are making a mower grade tire that is a bar lug. Just like r-1's on a tractor.

 

[EddieWalker]

If your budget is $3K, then I would look at a riding mower instead of a zero turn. You can get a VERY NICE riding mower for that amount, or a crappy zero turn. The advantage of a zero turn is in the speed it mows and it's maneuverability. You pay for this ability by needing heavy duty parts and a frame. A cheap zero turn is going to be very light duty, which means problems and down time. Or it means buying a commercial unit that is worn out and at the end of it's life.

I have a Scag Wildcat zero turn that is a beast of a machine. I paid a lot of money for it, and it does what it's supposed to do. Knowing what I know now, if I had less land to mow, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to a riding mower.

Eddie

 

[LD1]

If you will mow a border of 2-3 mower passes. Depending on the width of the mower. Mines 60" so two gives me almost 10 feet. You will have plenty of room for the K turns. I have found the the K turns if done in the right direction will also help with the wind blowing the clippings back onto you. Another words keep your discharge shoot down wind till your done cutting.

I'm running an ATV bar and knob tire on my mower. It had an ATV tire size on it. But now they are making a mower grade tire that is a bar lug. Just like r-1's on a tractor.

Yep, two passes with my 61" cut then do down and back diagonals with k-turns. I a, running bar tread tires. AT101's. No issues tearing up lawn at all.

As far as wind, I find it best to try to mow into the wind with it at about 1'o'clock position. My discharge is out the right. So when mowing into the wind at 1:00, it blows the clippings slightly behind me. When coming back, the wind is at the 7:00 position, which carries the clippings forward and away.

Mowing with the wind at my side, one of the trips, either down or back, I am gonna be eating grass.

 

[scaredychicken]

greetings all - so as not to confuse people (I am not the original poster of this thread), but I have another question or two... in response to this thread, I initially mentioned that I was also looking at a Hustler Raptor - that is still a consideration.

Today, I see a private sale posted for a John Deere EZ Trac Z425 zero turn, in a community about 2 hrs away. it is a 22hp, 48 inch cutting deck, gas engine - described as "John Deere EZ Track 425, $3,000.00, John Deere EZ Trac Z425 zero turn mower. Only used 2 years. Lawn mower is in excellent condition"... naturally, I did a little research, asked a few questions 1) is it a 2013, 2012 or ? 2) what engine does it have ? 3) how many hours (forgot to ask that one, but I will) 3) please provide serial number of model?

I don't know if it is because I am talking Canadian, but I can't find any info about that unit on TBN, or TractorData - no photos, no reviews, no specs etc. If anyone has any details on this unit I would appreciate hearing about it. This sounds like not a bad deal but I'm a bit suspect about the "used 2 yrs" phrasing ??? - which 2 years ? (does not appear to be a current model - that much I figured out, but the mfg dates were not available, nor were the serial #s. Now I'm just curious.

Would this be worth considering, over a brand new Hustler Raptor ? or a Husqvarna ? (both local area)

Happy Fathers Day !!!

 

[AaronS]

https://www.deere.com/en_US/products/equipment/riding_mowers/zero_turn_mowers/z400_series/z425_48inch/z425_with_48_inch_deck.page

Looks like a box store mower. Google shows them advertised at Lowes and Home Depot.

 

[scaredychicken]

thanks Aaron, that's good to know.

 

[bigballer]

Some good feedback gents. I am reconsidering my options. Does moving to 4k help my situation at all. The 4.5 acres included about 1.5 acres of pasture but I can hit that with my brushhog as well. That hustler raptor looks like a decent mower. At least it has good reviews online aside from a few people complaining about clogging but that could be due to various reasons. Talk set grass for instance. The other option is to go for a residential kubot and take advantage of their 0/48 offer.

 

[gladehound]

I think going to 4K give you a reasonable chance of finding a good deal on a good condition used commercial mower. As mentioned previously, I found my 2010 Exmark Laser Z with 400 hours of private use on an estate and negotiated $4500. I probably could have negotiated a little harder. Before the Exmark I had a box store ZTR. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't go that route again. I think you'll get many more years out of quality used compared to low quality new.

 

[Beltman60]

lets face it, we all have been thinking about getting the bush hog out but we are already sitting on the zero turn so why not just go knock out the other 1 1/2 acre
I do it all the time and if you are even thinking about that you need something in the 6-7K range or it will only last you a few seasons
my :2cents:

 

[ztrjim]

Personally I would consider a Hustler Raptor, for the $3000 mark I think it's the best you can find. Here is more information along with a nice detailed review, but good luck with your search!

 

[slow84ta]

Personally I would consider a Hustler Raptor, for the $3000 mark I think it's the best you can find. Here is more information along with a nice detailed review, but good luck with your search!

The more I read about Hustler, the more I want one. Especially the Raptor SD with Flip Up Mowing Deck. I know Country Clipper has a flip up deck along with some commercial zero turn mowers. But Hustlers seem to be best bang for buck. I think the Toro Timecutter and Ariens Max Zoom are good mowers too. I am still in the market for a zero turn myself, probably buy one in spring.