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Zero Turn Lawn Mower Recommendations
Posted on 7/28/21 at 11:59 am
Posted on 7/28/21 at 11:59 am
Long story short... I currently have a 3/4 acre lot where I live but have a 3 acre lot that my wife and I plan to build on in the next few years. When we bought our house 5 years ago I bought a standard ride on craftsman lawn mower. It has been a decent mower, still runs great but the deck is in bad shape. Over the last month I have been having to jump start it every time I need to mow (I assume the alternator is going bad because I already changed the battery this year) and the belt keeps coming undone. It ate up the second belt in 2 months this past weekend... On top of that it has a slow leak in one of the tires that I am too lazy to change so I just air it up each time. Honestly at this point I am just looking for a reason to get rid of it and buy a new zero turn.
My dilemma is what to buy? I want a mower than will be big enough for my 3 acre lot but not too big for my current home. I also want something that is dependable and is going to last. What do you have and what do you recommend? TIA
My dilemma is what to buy? I want a mower than will be big enough for my 3 acre lot but not too big for my current home. I also want something that is dependable and is going to last. What do you have and what do you recommend? TIA
29
Posted on 7/28/21 at 12:01 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I have a deere 375r 54". Was reasonably priced and I cut 3 acres in ~ 1.25 hrs. I dont think 3 acres justifies an expensive commercial machine.
Since you have a smaller yard to cut maybe 52 would be more appropriate if you need to fit in some tight places.
Since you have a smaller yard to cut maybe 52 would be more appropriate if you need to fit in some tight places.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 12:07 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I bought the Gravely ZT-HD 52 with the Kawasaki engine. It's a residential but is about as close to a commercial unit there is. ZT-3100, Kawasaki engine, commercial deck. All around seems to be built like a tank. I've had mine for a year and a half with zero regrets. 4 year 500 hour warranty.
This post was edited on 7/28/21 at 12:31 pm
Posted on 7/28/21 at 12:25 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Look for a used commercial mower with lower hours. You can find pretty good deals if you are not in a rush.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:00 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:53 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I have a husqvarna z254f. 54” Welded deck with a Kawasaki engine. Cut 1.5 acres and have no complaints
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:06 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I have 18 acres, 8 of which I cut every week. Bite the bullet, get a Scag, its the best piece of equipment i have ever owned. Been cutting with it for 8 years, still as solid as a rock.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:10 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Another vote for gravely.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:58 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I got a John Deere from a dealer, not big box store. Just went with a basic Z335 and it does the job just fine. No problems so far.
I cut 1/2 acre in 15-20 minutes.
I cut 1/2 acre in 15-20 minutes.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:13 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Hustler.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:48 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Exact same situation. I live on 3/4 acre but I’m building on a much bigger piece. I bought a gravely zt hd 52, no regrets yet.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 10:23 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Buy the best / biggest scag you can afford and don't look back.
0% financing for 48 months.
0% financing for 48 months.
Posted on 7/29/21 at 6:46 am to Hold Dem Tigahs
Whatever brand you decide on, please go to a local dealer and stay away from any of the mowers that are sold by the big box stores. 
Posted on 7/29/21 at 9:58 am to Hold Dem Tigahs
Hustler baby
Posted on 7/29/21 at 12:47 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I would say any 52"+ welded deck ZTR with a Kawasaki Engine.
52" isn't crazy oversized or over priced for your current application and should handle your bigger lot in the future.
I am partial to Hustler but there are lots of good brands in this type. Probably more important is your nearest dealer and getting parts and support long term.
Stay away from a Briggs engine, HD or Lowes (IE buy from your nearest supporting dealer) and I prefer Kawasaki over Kohler, but that is just me.
52" isn't crazy oversized or over priced for your current application and should handle your bigger lot in the future.
I am partial to Hustler but there are lots of good brands in this type. Probably more important is your nearest dealer and getting parts and support long term.
Stay away from a Briggs engine, HD or Lowes (IE buy from your nearest supporting dealer) and I prefer Kawasaki over Kohler, but that is just me.
Posted on 7/29/21 at 11:11 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
I own a Grasshopper 725D and an EXmark Radius 48. Both are excellent mowers. I can recommend either brand without reservation.
Pay attention to the deck of whatever mower you decide to test. The deeper the deck the better the cut in my opinion. Also check to see whether the deck is stamped or fabricated. Fabricated is more durable. Kawasaki makes several tiers of mower engines. Do a little research before assuming it’s a top of the line engine just because it’s a Kawasaki.
Pay attention to the deck of whatever mower you decide to test. The deeper the deck the better the cut in my opinion. Also check to see whether the deck is stamped or fabricated. Fabricated is more durable. Kawasaki makes several tiers of mower engines. Do a little research before assuming it’s a top of the line engine just because it’s a Kawasaki.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 6:43 am to Hold Dem Tigahs
1) Stay away from John Deere as they are a marketing company and you are paying for green and yellow paint along with less warranty.
Most dealers can match you up with a better built unit, better warranty, and give you better service.
Reality with Deere you are waiting behind a tractor repair. Guess what they don’t care about 1 mower customer they want the larger commercial guys.
You are extremely over paying for a transaxle, less quality engine a lot of the units run Briggs which the quality fallen off in the last few years, and less warranty versus the competition.
2) I would look for a unit with Kawasaki FR engine fine, ZT2800 transaxle fine, and fabricated deck. Ball park $4k ballpark.
Warranty should be in the 3yr range some creep up in the 4 yr minus engine as some mfg follow engine warranty on that. Sometimes a real 4yr does not mean that when the engine only 3 yrs as they have to file with the engine mfg for claims. Need to ask about that.
3) Gravely, exmark/ Toro, Textron brands Hustler & Bigdog, Bad boy, Cub Cadet ZT2 series, Bad Boy and I’m sure there is other brands you can get out the door for under $5k easily.
4) Deck for smaller property I assume will dictate deck size.
Usually looking at 48” if you have to get around gates, trees, etc.
Avg size 50” and 54” and 60” takes a wider trailer.
Most dealers can match you up with a better built unit, better warranty, and give you better service.
Reality with Deere you are waiting behind a tractor repair. Guess what they don’t care about 1 mower customer they want the larger commercial guys.
You are extremely over paying for a transaxle, less quality engine a lot of the units run Briggs which the quality fallen off in the last few years, and less warranty versus the competition.
2) I would look for a unit with Kawasaki FR engine fine, ZT2800 transaxle fine, and fabricated deck. Ball park $4k ballpark.
Warranty should be in the 3yr range some creep up in the 4 yr minus engine as some mfg follow engine warranty on that. Sometimes a real 4yr does not mean that when the engine only 3 yrs as they have to file with the engine mfg for claims. Need to ask about that.
3) Gravely, exmark/ Toro, Textron brands Hustler & Bigdog, Bad boy, Cub Cadet ZT2 series, Bad Boy and I’m sure there is other brands you can get out the door for under $5k easily.
4) Deck for smaller property I assume will dictate deck size.
Usually looking at 48” if you have to get around gates, trees, etc.
Avg size 50” and 54” and 60” takes a wider trailer.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 12:42 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Scag Liberty z with 48” or higher deck.
Should run just over $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the deck
Go with Kawasaki Motor.
Should run just over $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the deck
Go with Kawasaki Motor.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 5:12 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Buy from someone who services what they sell.
Posted on 7/30/21 at 10:13 pm to Hold Dem Tigahs
Game changer for me was buying a front mount deck zero turn. I got a grasshopper---they ain't cheap but they are fast, go places you can't go with a regular zero like under shrubs, and the deck turns up so you can service the blades very easily.
MUCH easier to mow than with my hustler mid mount zero.
MUCH easier to mow than with my hustler mid mount zero.
This post was edited on 7/30/21 at 10:16 pm
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