Zero turn mower recommendations

Squanchy

Squanchy

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We have a 1 acre yard that is pretty flat. We are adding a bunch of crap in the yard to mow around though, fruit trees raised gardens beds chicken coop (next year) and god knows what else my wife wants. We currently have a really beat old John Deere L130 with 950 hours on it 23hp 48" cut. I have to replace or fix something every month. Takes me about 2 hours to mow everything and I haven't even started putting raised beds in or anything else.

Looking at getting a zero turn mower and the way I am I like to try and keep stuff for a long time and fix anything that breaks. Wife sat on a bad boy zt elite at tractor supply and absolutely loved it. But trying to get opinions on other brands as well. I'm assuming a 54" deck is probably larger than I actually need but I was thinking it'd cut my mowing time down considerably and if it's something that maybe I can get to last it'll be good for the next home we buy which I hope is 5 or more acres. We are in that 6k or less range which includes bad boy, gravely, scag, hustler, bobcat etc.

If I understand the interwebs correctly some of the entry level zero turn hydrostatic transmissions are not user serviceable. You just throw it out... Let me know if I'm crazy. I appreciate yalls time.
 
Bad boy make some great options. I wouldn’t worry about serviceable hydro units for a homeowner use - even with a lot of grass. I have an original Dixon with integrated hydro gear transaxles on each wheel - this was “homeowner “ grade at the time - some larger units have separate pumps and wheel motors at the time. My machine was built in 2001 and still going strong.
Unless your ground / yard is really smoothed out well - larger / wider tires in the back will help the ride as well as minimize turf damage when you perform a “zero turn” , but dont forget the casters ( same goes taller or wider is better ) seats can also help the rider comfort. If you do move to 5 acres a larger heavier unit will help.
The cutting deck is important - look for something that is welded construction vs a stamped piece of sheet metal
Engines are all pretty good now as long as you perform normal maintenance
 
Squanchy said:
If I understand the interwebs correctly some of the entry level zero turn hydrostatic transmissions are not user serviceable. You just throw it out... Let me know if I'm crazy. I appreciate yalls time.
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That is definitely a problem with Toro. I donated mine to the church so it can be used infrequently for it's remaining life. I have a Hustler now, far better machine.
 
I've been using the same Toro 60in zero turn for at least 10 years. And it was bought used so I'm unsure the age but it still running well. My dad used this Toro before he upgraded to Ferris. Ferris is expensive but he loves it and has excellent ride quality. Friend owns a landscape business and has scags stand on mowers. They are great. I help him on occasion and they run good. I will say the stand on one's are worse for cutting under trees.
 
I've had my 16 year old Cub Cadet for one season so can't say much about what to look for on a machine.

But I'll strongly suggest spacing plantings at least 70 inches apart so you can get a mower in between. Yes most mowers won't be that big but plants / trees grow or wives add stuff to the base. Try avoid creating spots that need a weed whacker.
 
Pogue said:
Scag….your wallet will eventually forgive you.
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Do you have a scag? Neighbor has a turf tiger and he cuts with it wide open through very tall grass. I can't afford a turf tiger but didn't know if their smaller residential stuff was good.
 
I have a toro 50 inch had it for about 7-8 years now. Only issue is replace the belt once a year or always have a spare. If you hit something hard(wide drives it). The deck can become uneven it normally jumps out of the hanger from that. Easy fix though. I got the fabricated deck not the stamped deck. Bigger motor better pulleys with that upgrade.
 
Stay away from the big box store and national chain store brands. Find your nearest power equipment dealer and start comparing specs. Compare engines, transmissions, mower deck ( fabricated vs stamped ), spindles ( aluminum vs cast iron ).
Your local dealer will have warranty service, repair shop, and parts for the brands they sell.


I like Wright stand on mowers, easier on your back and better on slopes. They start out in the low 6 thousand range with the Stander B 48. They only make commercial mowers.

If I was going to buy a nice zero turn it would be a Simplicity Courier XT 52 / Ferris for the suspension. Orange vs red paint. Just over budget in the mid 6 thousand range.

Husqvarna MZ series is one of the best bangs for your buck. The MZ48 is coming in under budget at just under 5 grand. The MZ54 is in the mid 5 thousand range.
 
Check out Husqvarna, maybe a mz-52. Western Auto in Siler City usually has a good inventory, stand behind them, have a supply of parts/maintenance items and can provide all maintenance and service if needed. Mines an mzt52 and it has a little over 300 hours and all I've ever had to do is replace the drive belt. It has serviceable hydros I serviced myself at 20p hours. If you compare specs the Husqvarna is the best value with Hustler a close second.
 
Squanchy said:
Do you have a scag? Neighbor has a turf tiger and he cuts with it wide open through very tall grass. I can't afford a turf tiger but didn't know if their smaller residential stuff was good.
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I have a SCAG Liberty Z 52". LOVE IT!!!
Only wished I had gotten the 48....as it's easier to get in and out of gates....but 23HP Kawasaki purrs!

Buy it...you won't regret it.

DS
 
I have a toro 42” that I bought used 4-5 years ago. I have use it as a bush hog a couple of times. Never a issue. If it dies, I’ll buy another just like it. With a acre anything over a 42” is a over kill. A ZT will cut your mowing time in half.
 
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Me. said:
Thanks… that‘s what I figured, with the engine hanging out behind the rear tires. I pictured myself wheelieing over backwards the first time I try to go up my front yard! It’s already pretty terrifying with the lawn tractor.

I’ve considered adding weights up forward of the front bumper.
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Ill probably sound like a child saying this but older tractors used to have independent brakes. The rear end on my john Deere is open if they just threw some brakes on it, I could probably do a zero turn lol
 
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If you can find one, Dixie Chopper all the way.
Built like a tank; runs full speed over everything you need cut. Easy to work on, parts from almost anywhere. Stainless steel and crazy strong frame; i cut 7 acres with mine, love it !!!
 
Me. said:
Piggybacking on this….. can a zero-turn mower climb hills?
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Climb a hill, sure. Mowing along relatively steep slope/ditch bank is a totally different story though. Front end wants to dive down hill. Nature of the beast, those casters won't hold a line, gravity wins. Just like a shopping cart.

I've got a 17 year old Dixie Chopper, Bought it used 7-8 years ago or so, its been flawless. Plows though tall grass with no issues. Oil changes and one replaced idler pully on the deck are all i've had to do to it. Generac engine, I think either 25 or 27hp.
 
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Squanchy said:
Do you have a scag? Neighbor has a turf tiger and he cuts with it wide open through very tall grass. I can't afford a turf tiger but didn't know if their smaller residential stuff was good.
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I have a tiger cat 2 I bought last year…..love it still, only complaint is it throws a ton of dust. I’m sure that suction is one of the reasons it cuts well, but I’ve learned to turn at the end of each row and mow with my eyes shut for a few seconds until through the cloud.

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SCAG and never look back. Super Saber tiger 72" with 31HP engine chews through anything that goes under the deck.
 
I can't recommend a particular brand, because I've only owned one, and it was a cobbled together monstrosity. It worked, though.

As I was reading the intro, my first thought was "don't get the ZT for the one acre you described." Yours sounds just like my current lot. One acre with house, landscaping, detached garage and shop, chicken coop, camper, fencing... The ZT shined in what little open space I had, but for everything else, it was a workout, although the time spent cutting grass was reduced. And cutting the ditch bank was interesting.

That being said, if you're about to switch up to around five or so acres, a ZT sounds like the trick.

Good luck with your search.
 
I mow....a lot. Most of your name brands (Scag, Exmark, Hustler, etc) will all do what you need for 1 acre or a little more. With a lot of obstacles I’d recommend a 48”-52” deck. Since you are planning on having a few fruit trees, don’t get a mower that puts you in a high seated position or you’ll be eating limbs as the trees grow. I run Scag’s and love them, tough and dependable. My first one was the entry level Freedom Z 48”. She’s been through hell for the past 10 years but still gets it done. I also run a 2016 Turf Tiger II with a Briggs Vanguard. She’s a beast but it’s for large, open tracts. As far as hills, they are fine going straight up or straight down. Going up is better on the really steep slopes since the engine weight holds the rear down. I have some places, one that I’m mowing today, with a really steep hill. I only mow it going up. I then circle around and go up again. One more thing to mention is that the freedom Z has no seat suspension and it’ll beat you to death in rough areas. If you’re young, it won’t matter😁
 
Go commercial, not big box. Commercial mowers have a much higher blade speed than residential units.
I’ve a 14yo John Deere 60” Z-Trac that looks and runs great. I’m cheap & it took me 1.5 years to find a deal on a used one. It’s a tank & has been used as a Bush hog more than once. In ten years, six of those mowing 6ac of thick pasture I’ve replaced a throttle cable, tires once, almost all the belts once, belt clutch, blades, oil, battery and filters. It mowed fast, and the finish is MUCH better than previous mowers.

Go look at the BigBoy on auction, and bring a jump pack. I bid on a couple in the past that we’re in rough shape & they went for way too much. But you never know.
 
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MCQUADE said:
first one was the entry level Freedom Z 48”. She’s been through hell for the past 10 years
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I'm guessing you probably have high hours on this one? Sounds like you do it professionally lol
 
Squanchy said:
I'm guessing you probably have high hours on this one? Sounds like you do it professionally lol
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Yes on high hours. I don’t consider myself a professional but I’m mowing 4 days a week since I retired. Usually just helping out older folks that can’t afford the big landscape companies. Plus it keeps me busy outside. I try to mow from sunup to noon then it’s “me” time for my own stuff. I have a couple of large, remote places with no neighbors that I can start on at 6 am. Did one of those yesterday.
 
I’ve got a 60” Hustler Z with the Kawasaki engine that I bought 15 years ago. I went with it because we had a local dealer that serviced them and because the seat position is really low. My old yard had some hills in it and the Z cut them with no issues. I mowed 6 acres there and it took me about an hour of seat time. It’s a low and wide mower that did a great job at that house.

The same mower at the small rental I’m staying at now takes about 10 minutes to cut. The wide deck doesn’t follow the contour of the ground very well so it was leaving scalped ares and high areas. We just cut it with a push mower for now. A smaller deck on a rider would be better for this yard.

CHRIS
 
I've got a Bad Boy ZT elite, 54 inch cut and about 3 acres. I love mine, zero problems in the 4 years or so since I've had it. I got it new from a local shop.
 
kcult said:
As I was reading the intro, my first thought was "don't get the ZT for the one acre you described." Yours sounds just like my current lot. One acre with house, landscaping, detached garage and shop, chicken coop, camper, fencing... The ZT shined in what little open space I had, but for everything else, it was a workout, although the time spent cutting grass was reduced. And cutting the ditch bank was interesting.
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My lawn, about 1.25ac, is an obstacle course of trees, sheds, chicken coop, flower beds, and ditches. My mother mowed it for me once, using a ZT, and called it a real rat bastard to mow. Even with the ZT, it takes a good hour. I would hate to try it with a conventional mower and trying to use a push mower would be silly.
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
Go look at the BigBoy on auction, and bring a jump pack. I bid on a couple in the past that we’re in rough shape & they went for way too much. But you never know.
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I was up there the other day, hate I didn't give it more of a look over. Its a BIG mower, i was tempted to drop a bid on it too but I tell ya, these gov auctions have just gone insane over the past couple years. Darn near retail pricing and the taxes/fees on most of them are pretty rough. It will surprise me if it ends under 2800-3k.
 
kcult said:
I can't recommend a particular brand, because I've only owned one, and it was a cobbled together monstrosity. It worked, though.

As I was reading the intro, my first thought was "don't get the ZT for the one acre you described." Yours sounds just like my current lot. One acre with house, landscaping, detached garage and shop, chicken coop, camper, fencing... The ZT shined in what little open space I had, but for everything else, it was a workout, although the time spent cutting grass was reduced. And cutting the ditch bank was interesting.

That being said, if you're about to switch up to around five or so acres, a ZT sounds like the trick.

Good luck with your search.
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That's funny, I think the opposite. To me the zero turn shines around obstacles, cutting an open field/yard doesn't offer any advantages to the ZT, I can do our fields just about as fast on our 48" riding mower as I can with the 50" Gravely ZT, the main difference being the Gravely cuts a little faster but not really related to it being a ZT.
 
If you decide on an electric the Ryobi that they are about to replace has crappy lead acid batteries that barely mow an acre after a few months of ownership according to Aging Wheels
 
Hustler fast-track super duty, is what I have used for the last 10 years. Oil and filter changes is all it has gotten until this year when I had to replace drive belt, hyd pump belt, and hydraulic belt idlers. 54 inch cut, operates very smoothly, and cuts great. I have a husky here that belongs to a bil that is a lot newer but does not operate as smoothly as the hustler, it’s very jerky compared to my mower. Kawasaki motors are the only way to go. Just my $.02 .
 
Slightly off topic and at the risk of stating the obvious - use Ear Pro!! I use my shooting ear muffs with blue tooth connectivity so I can listen to pod casts or music.

1st couple months I didn't bother but I would rather have selective hearing aka Marital Deafness by choice vs legit deafness.
 
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