Buying Advice Tips and Guidelines before buying a Zero Turn Mower

[MESSMAKER]

I want to get a used commercial ZTR for my 38 acre farm (2-5 acres to mow). What make do you recommend and what make would you not recommend?

Thanks,

Horse farms everywhere around me. Scag rules. They claim they take more punishment and break down less, but I believe other brands are just about as good.

 

[ztrjim]

Scag seem complex for the everyday homeowner, but yes they are a good machine!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Scag seem complex for the everyday homeowner, but yes they are a good machine!

I don't see how Scags are any more complex than any other ZTR mower. They are expensive, but so are all professional grade ZTR mowers.

 

[Bheal]

I want to get a used commercial ZTR for my 38 acre farm (2-5 acres to mow). What make do you recommend and what make would you not recommend?

Thanks,

We have tested and had several different commercial mowers on our horse farm. We have never tried Scag, but of the other mowers we have found that none compare in durability with the John Deere 997. As far as quality of cut all the mowers do more or less the same in my opinion.

 

[ztrjim]

John Deere's 900 series are well built

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a John Deere. Hard to be much happier. It has the stamped deck and pretty much seems indestructible.

 

[Clay45]

SCAG Tiger Cat here. Love it. But one thing a residential user needs to realize is a commercial piece of equipment has to be maintained as a commercial piece of equipment. You need to be able to jack it up, remove blades, wheels, etc. to service it. A grease gun and a few other things that a guy with a Craftsman push mower seldom thinks about. Yes, it should last many years longer and you will have it much longer with proper attention. I mow about 5 rough somewhat hilly acres and wouldn't want any less but in town where I lived before it would be way overkill.

 

[ztrjim]

One of the best new residential zero turns out now is the all new 2015 Hustler with flip up deck.... 2015 Hustler Turf Raptor Flip Up Deck Zero Turn Mower

 

[RollingsFarms]

I have a John Deere 910A that has given me excellent service in the 4 years I've owned it! I wanted an Exmark or a hustler but Deere was willing to give me a better deal at the time. I also liked that I knew getting parts wouldn't be a problem because the dealer I bought it from also carries a ton of tractors and I can always get parts easily for my tractors. If I could give anyone advice it would be buy the suspension seat NOW as well as get a mulching kit (where you can open and close the chute).

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think how much $ you spend on a zero turn, depends on how much you are going top use it, and how long you expect it to last.

I wanted a mower that would last many years, doing a LOT of cutting and would be useful in the winter too. Also I have bushes to mow under, so I wanted a front deck too. The front deck models ride a LOT better, so that helps my back issues, as they ride a lot better with the deck out front.

Anyway, I chose a Grasshopper 725-D and the D stands for diesel, as in Kubota diesel.

Also I opted for the electric lift on the deck,

That makes it REALLY easy to clean under the deck and when sharpening the blades is needed!!

I also bought the sno-blower option,

It's an amazing sno-blower! It works waaaay better than I expected it to, and throws the snow about 30'! It easily eats it way through deep snow too...

Anyway, I've owned/run different zero turns, but this one easily out shines the others I've used!

SR