What to Look for in Zero Turn Mower

[RjCorazza]

For a flip up deck your choices are very limited, Kubota F series or a JD front mount or a Grasshopper front mount. No mid mount will have that feature.

The Kubota ZD zero turns don't have flip up decks, but the front axle rotates via a built in screw jack to lift the whole front of the machine. Makes servicing the blades and deck a breeze.

 

[kozal01]

Get a unit with a good fabricated and deep deck, ZT2800 HST's at minimum and the Kawasaki engines are the best hands down until you get up in the high HP commercial units. Also the bigger the tires the better and make sure the seat is comfortable.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I think I'm going to upgrade from my riding mower that doesn't cut well. This would be to mow about 1.5ac, including around a lot of trees. I'm probably going to look at 48-54" deck width. I don't need commercial level, but would like something that is still dependable and serviceable.

There are a lot of brands and I know each brand has their various levels of machines. The ground isn't that smooth, so something with a bit of suspension would be nice. From what I've read, most recommend the Kawasaki engines for gas. No interest in electric.

Factory Tour

Step inside the Walker Manufacturing factory in Fort Collins, CO and learn about each section of the factory.

www.walker.com

Since you're in CO, you can probably find a good used Walker mower.

 

[NoTrespassing]

For a flip up deck your choices are very limited, Kubota F series or a JD front mount or a Grasshopper front mount. No mid mount will have that feature.

and Walker

 

[shooterdon]

I did not listen to the "enablers" who push commercial grade or used commercial.

Like you, I have an hour of grass to cut. I cut grass 15 times a year. But say you cut it 30 times a year. The "crap" ZT's will last 900 hours. That works out to 30 years.

Unless you are "pushing" the hydros with lots of uphill work and/or towing stuff why do you need a 2000 hour life hydro?

Take the money you save, invest it and buy a new "crap" ZT in 20-30 years. I am in my 70's and will not need another one...YMMV.

Guys talking about putting over 2000 hours on a ZT have different needs than Joe Normal. You have 1.5 acres. Do not listen to advice from someone who is cutting 5 acres. They do not understand your needs.

 

[rgr33]

I have an Exmark I purchased new in 2006. Built like a tank, and has been used to mow a lot rougher ground than a lawn. Only thing I have done other than regular maintenance, is replace one idler pulley, all spindles are the originals. Hour meter stopped a few years ago at 1100 hrs, havent replaced it yet

negatives, rides like a tank too, no real suspension, other that a suspension seat I installed 10 years ago.
It looks like this thing might outlive me, which is good, but I sure would like one of those budget busting Kubota front deck machines

 

[NoTrespassing]

I did not listen to the "enablers" who push commercial grade or used commercial.

Like you, I have an hour of grass to cut. I cut grass 15 times a year. But say you cut it 30 times a year. The "crap" ZT's will last 900 hours. That works out to 30 years.

Unless you are "pushing" the hydros with lots of uphill work and/or towing stuff why do you need a 2000 hour life hydro?

Take the money you save, invest it and buy a new "crap" ZT in 20-30 years. I am in my 70's and will not need another one...YMMV.

Guys talking about putting over 2000 hours on a ZT have different needs than Joe Normal. You have 1.5 acres. Do not listen to advice from someone who is cutting 5 acres. They do not understand your needs.

Wow, I'm an enabler for suggesting a used commercial grade Walker mower?

I've owned a bigbox store mower and on my 1 1/2 acre lawn it lasted about 10 years. My Walker is a 2000 model. I purchased it used 11 years ago and love it.

 

[5030]

As with everything in life.. You always get what you pay for. Buy cheap and weep or buy quality and smile.

 

[5030]

Only thing I 'love' is my wife and my dog. Everything else are just tools and have no feelings what so ever.

 

[5030]

but I sure would like one of those budget busting Kubota front deck machines

You got that right. New, they will set you back around 25K. Same with the Deere edition and the Grasshopper as well. None of them are a cheap date by a long shot which is why I bought a used one because in reality, they don't expire in 10 years.

Again, I like the Kubby because it's essentially a B series CUT running backwards. Deere uses Yanmar diesel engines and Grasshopper uses a Kubota diesel in their diesel powered units and Kawasaki V twins in the gas variety. IOt is pretty strange to see the flywheel on an F series hanging out the back instead of inside a bell housing. You have the flywheel out back, then the engine and then the hydrostat and hydraulic pump and then the PTO driveshaft running the deck and the lift arms are out front as well. Mine has auxiliary hydraulics as well though I'll never use them. Has a pair of Pioneer QD's up under the foot rests and a hydraulic lever on the actuator panel. Just like a B series CUT but backwards. No tach, just an hour meter, fuel gage and temp gage along with a switch to turn on the headlight. Does it mow? Damn right it does. It gobbles everything right up no issue.

 

[shooterdon]

Wow, I'm an enabler for suggesting a used commercial grade Walker mower?

I've owned a bigbox store mower and on my 1 1/2 acre lawn it lasted about 10 years. My Walker is a 2000 model. I purchased it used 11 years ago and love it.

Walker??? Had to look it up. Closest dealer is over 100 miles away.

What the heck did you do to a new mower to have it last only 10 years mowing 1.5 acres? My Husqvarna rider was still in great shape after 10 years and sold it for $1000 to a buddy who was thrilled to get it. I replaced a spindle ($25) when I hit a large rock (my fault), a bad seat switch ($25) and a starter ($60). But I did baby it. Changed the oil every 50 hours, greased it once a year, changed the blades regularly, kept it on a battery tender, always stored in a garage. Only used it on level ground and did not pull a trailer with it. Pulled a tow behind sprayer about 10 times.

I sold the Husky because I hate cutting grass and the ZT does it twice as fast. Plus I have a lot of trees to deal with and the ZT does better with less trimming needed. Just pure laziness on my part.

I would rather have a new $5k mower with a warranty and local dealer support that will last 30 years with periodic maintenance than a used machine that may have been abused and not well maintained. At 70+ YO, my Bad boy will outlive me.

 

[lincmercguy]

Commercial mower is probably out of the question for my budget and needs. I'm probably looking for a mid to high end consumer unit. I'm thinking around $5k, less if used.

The high end commercial units would be like buying a semi truck to haul a couple bags of mulch for me.

For any "heavy" work or towing, I have tractors and a brush hog. This would just be for the "lawn" areas and close to the tree rows.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Walker??? Had to look it up. Closest dealer is over 100 miles away.

What the heck did you do to a new mower to have it last only 10 years mowing 1.5 acres? My Husqvarna rider was still in great shape after 10 years and sold it for $1000 to a buddy who was thrilled to get it. I replaced a spindle ($25) when I hit a large rock (my fault), a bad seat switch ($25) and a starter ($60). But I did baby it. Changed the oil every 50 hours, greased it once a year, changed the blades regularly, kept it on a battery tender, always stored in a garage. Only used it on level ground and did not pull a trailer with it. Pulled a tow behind sprayer about 10 times.

I sold the Husky because I hate cutting grass and the ZT does it twice as fast. Plus I have a lot of trees to deal with and the ZT does better with less trimming needed. Just pure laziness on my part.

I would rather have a new $5k mower with a warranty and local dealer support that will last 30 years with periodic maintenance than a used machine that may have been abused and not well maintained. At 70+ YO, my Bad boy will outlive me.

Well, I bought that MTD Troybuilt from Lowes. I didn't baby it, I mowed with it including heavy grass sometimes. The stamped steel axle mounts fell apart, the deck fell apart, the hood assembly fell apart. The drive belt was next to impossible to change although I eventually managed it. I did get my $1500 worth out of it in the end I guess. The Briggs V-Twin was still running strong when the rest of the unit was scrapped.

To each their own, I'm just sharing my experience with a fantastic, well-engineered Walker mower. Did I mention they have about 33 grease zerks and that the blades/spindles etc. are protected by shear screws? The flip-up deck is awesome too.

 

[WM75Guy]

Whatever you get,make sure you can get reliable access to parts and service. Eventually you will need it. Looking at a dealer that can provide service and parts inhouse would be my preference over a place that just retail sells mowers. The big box stores around here all farm out their service to a third party repair place that is weeks behind in service.

I started with a Husqvarna 48" rider and then switched to a Cub Cadet RZT50 50" for mowing the 2 acres around the house, outbuildings, and arena. It was a crapshoot whether I could get it to start and mow everything without having something go wrong mechanically. Plus, I got tired of having to stop and fill it up with gas and the maintenance of a gas engine. I switched to a Kubota ZD1211. Made a big difference. Now mowing is fun. Fill it up every 4th or 5th mowing job, service the engine once a year plus occasional greasing of moving parts.

Now that I am retired, I have expanded my mowing to include another acre under the trees and the 2 acres of horse turnouts. Trying to get the place to looking more like an estate, as we are starting to operate a stained glass business from home. I lucked out and found a Kubota F2560E 72" for $5,000. I put on my 3M Workmates hearing protection with Bluetooth and listen to XM Radio from the cell phone while mowing. Both mowers are 25HP diesel.

 

[5030]

All I know is my F2880 has way more balls than I'll ever need. It eats grass and everything else in it's path, no issue.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

For a flip up deck your choices are very limited, Kubota F series or a JD front mount or a Grasshopper front mount. No mid mount will have that feature.

Country Clipper also offers a flip up deck.

 

[kozal01]

Country Clipper also offers a flip up deck.

Hustler makes a flip up deck ZTR as well

 

[aesanders]

I have beaten the crap out of my Gravely 60” HD 160. I would recommend them just because I know how well it cuts and the abuse it takes. I have had mine since 2012, and it has at least half its life left. Gets used for bush hogging, lawn cutting, etc. Tough machine.

That said, if I had to replace it, I would buy a Ferris with their nice suspension system.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I started with a new 46" Craftsman lawn tractor. Paid $2500 as I recall. Have over 500 hours on it but it took 6 hours to mow my 5 acres with lots of trees, a 1 acre pond and 2 acre field. After 5 years I upgraded to a Hustler 54" Raptor SD zero turn. Paid $4500 for it. Cut mowing time down to 3 hours. Sent the Raptor SD in for warrantee work after 3 years and the dealer let me borrow a demo Hustler 60" X-One zero turn, a commercial unit. Did my 5 acres in just under 2 hours. I called him up and told him he wasn't getting the X-One back, and to write up the paperwork to trade in the SD. Since the X-One was a demo, he sold it to me at 60% of what a new one cost or $6000 which was only $1500 more than what I paid for the SD when it was new. I fully expect it to be the last mower I ever have to buy. Had I been smart, I would not have wasted $7000 on the Craftsman and Hustler SD and simply gone with the X-One in the first place, but in my mind, it was way too much money for a mower. Lesson learned.

 

[lincmercguy]

Nothing that impressive in stock at Tractor Supply. The interesting one said it was in stock, but they didn't have it. Bomgaars had Bad Boy mowers, but they were really proud of them price-wise for what they were.

I'm not sure the suspension thing is going to happen, really trying to keep it $5k or less. There is a Gravely dealer that I might go check out. There is a boat shop in town has a bunch of what look like non big-box mowers, but they're only open during my working hours. Maybe I can take a long lunch some day.

The local JD dealer does have several Z530R's in stock (green deck). It's a bit over my price, but it's green, so more expensive. I do have a bit of a green theme going with my tractors. ZGlide does make front suspension kits for the JD models that are pretty reasonable. There is a bit of an advantage to getting one 10 miles away and I do like to support businesses in the town (it's a regional dealer, of course).

Overwhelming number of choices to be sure.