Does anyone have "zero turn regret"?

[DK35vince]

I've owned my Hustler Super Z (72" deck with 35 HP Kawasaki) for 4 years now.
Still impresses me how fast this thing will mow every time I use it.
Mows my 8 acre yard in 2 hours.

 

[Wasmeneh]

I've had an early Hustler rear discharge 52" ZERO TURN and currently have an older rear discharge with anger Toro and a 48" Bobcat. The Bobcat is the simplest to work on I bought them all used and they would,be considered commercial models. The rear discharge is nice Because you can go around things in both directions. I wouldn't buy a Residential model I don't think it would take the beating I give them.

If your land is relatively flat go for it if it's hilly go rent one and see if it works for you.

 

[tcreeley]

I have a Craftsman ZTR. I beat on it. It is fast- handles everything- from rough trails for riding to the lawn. My wife handles it fine (65), just not as speedy as I am.
Much better than the little 24 hp craftsman garden tractor I have for speed and easy use.

 

[Dredwolf]

I am lucky that my local Cub Cadet dealer is less than 5 miles away.
I dropped by there again today to pick up a new set blades for the Hardee rotary mower, and looked at the Z Force LX closer. I thought I wanted a foot pedal deck lift, but apparently the Cub Cadet one is spring-assisted. As I was looking at the spindles and deck linkage, I was raising and lowering a fabricated 54" deck with one hand, in a less than optimal position to apply full strength. And I got to inspect the frame closer, its not the rectangular tube frame like the Husky or Graverly, but its not wimpy either.
And the idea the spindles have grease fittings appeals to me, while the Graverly does not. I am not a stranger to a grease gun.

But I am noticing so far, nobody is saying owning a zero turn was a terrible decision. I got the hang of operating one quickly, and managed to not leave any divots in the yard around the house.

 

[xring100]

I hated the build quality of my Turd Cadet RZT-22. Rear Deck attachments broke and deck fell off around 10 hours. Took 3 months while they re-engineerd the deck to get it fixed. The cut quality was around 0.5 stars out of 4. Deck baffling was non existent and it always blew the grass down between the middle and right blade. Seat frame broke due to high stress concentration and beer can thickness sheet metal. The idler pulley had vibration issues from day one. My rough yard caused cracking at the front axle attachment to frame. Briggs Engine started leaking oil from valve covers. Exhaust had no heat shield if stopped in the grass for more than a few seconds it would burn and kill the grass in a nice rectangular pattern.

Overall it was the biggest disappoint of any piece of equipment I have ever owned. Bought a ZD-1211 and not regretted it. I generally have high expectations for my equipment. I bought the turd cadet with significantly lowered expectations. And it constantly found ways to fail to meet them. Like many people with boats the two best days of ownership were the day I bought the cub and the day I sold that pile of crap for $300

Cub may have been a good brand and one time they may still sell some good models but MTD has ruined another good name in my opinion.

 

[Loadstar]

I have seen in some forums where zero turn owners have even started using lug tires. I had a little slippage on the RZT I borrowed, but I could tell what was happening quick and compensated. I even cut the sides of the graded bowl my older barn sits in, but if its too bad, thats what the LTX-1050 will be kept for.

I run them on mine and would never go back. They hook up and do less damage. Finally talked a buddy into it with a large scag that has a large steep dam to mow. His quote "my god, it's not even the same machine it just hooks and goes"

 

[Dredwolf]

I hated the build quality of my Turd Cadet RZT-22. Rear Deck attachments broke and deck fell off around 10 hours. Took 3 months while they re-engineerd the deck to get it fixed. The cut quality was around 0.5 stars out of 4. Deck baffling was non existent and it always blew the grass down between the middle and right blade. Seat frame broke due to high stress concentration and beer can thickness sheet metal. The idler pulley had vibration issues from day one. My rough yard caused cracking at the front axle attachment to frame. Briggs Engine started leaking oil from valve covers. Exhaust had no heat shield if stopped in the grass for more than a few seconds it would burn and kill the grass in a nice rectangular pattern.

Overall it was the biggest disappoint of any piece of equipment I have ever owned. Bought a ZD-1211 and not regretted it. I generally have high expectations for my equipment. I bought the turd cadet with significantly lowered expectations. And it constantly found ways to fail to meet them. Like many people with boats the two best days of ownership were the day I bought the cub and the day I sold that pile of crap for $300

Cub may have been a good brand and one time they may still sell some good models but MTD has ruined another good name in my opinion.

I understand your feelings towards them, I guess I have been lucky with the LTX-1050. We have put 275 hours on it, and other than rear tubes, a drive belt, a deck belt, two scalping wheels, changing the oil, oil filter and air filter, it's needed little other than fuel. I bought a spare set of blades, sharpen with a flap wheel on a grinder, and change twice a season. The finger/stone guard that broke would have been a pain to pay $40 to replace, but in 45 minutes of fabrication and welding, I repaired and reinforced the broken one.

I would like to have a quality unit, but at this time, my budget says $5K and under. But I will drop by the local dealer and check them out.

 

[xring100]

I understand your feelings towards them, I guess I have been lucky with the LTX-1050. We have put 275 hours on it, and other than rear tubes, a drive belt, a deck belt, two scalping wheels, changing the oil, oil filter and air filter, it's needed little other than fuel. I bought a spare set of blades, sharpen with a flap wheel on a grinder, and change twice a season. The finger/stone guard that broke would have been a pain to pay $40 to replace, but in 45 minutes of fabrication and welding, I repaired and reinforced the broken one.

I would like to have a quality unit, but at this time, my budget says $5K and under. But I will drop by the local dealer and check them out.

Have you looked at any of the hustler or big dog entries. I know several people with versions less than 5k or just above they look to be built fairly well. Gravely makes a pretty nice mower as well. If at all possible i would try to avoid the EZT or lower hydros. The 2800 would be more desirable with serviceable filters

 

[Wasmeneh]

I saw a very nice looking Big Dog at Tractor Supply the other day, looked very well built and was less than $5000. I believe it was a 54" cut.

 

[xring100]

I saw a very nice looking Big Dog at Tractor Supply the other day, looked very well built and was less than $5000. I believe it was a 54" cut.

I think TSC sells bad boy mowers ive seen a lot of people with quality issues with those on this site
Http://www.badboymowers.com

Big dog is made by the same parent company as hustler. Excel industries
Commercial and residential BigDog ZTR zero turn… - BigDog Mower Co.