Best zero turn or lawn tractor for 1 acre yard with slopes?

I have just under an acre with some substantial slopes. I purchased a Gravely 42" ZTR. It requires some touch to mow the hills. Not sure I'd go back with a ZTR again due to the hills.

I liked my Grasshopper when I had that size of a yard. Was almost a mix of a commercial and residential mower. Built better than any mower out there imo but are a bit above the 6k price but not much. I never had a single issue with it. I just moved and it was a bit overkill for my current yard. When I was buying it I looked at every zero turn possible and you could just sit on it and tell it was built better.

The Gravely makes a really nice zero turn that is worth lookin at too. They have some residential mowers that seem more like commercial mowers as well.

I have a Toro right now and no issues/no complaints so far. More than good enough mower.

I'd definitely go zero turn though especially if you have slopes. If it was all flat it wouldn't be that big of a deal (I'd still go zero turn because they aren't THAT much more), but it'd get old making them wide turns on a sloped yard. You'd definitely add to your cutting time with a lawn tractor.

I'd suggest buying it from a power equipment/outdoor company that workd on them as well instead of a Lowes or Home Depot. Usually the same price if not better and if something goes wrong, dealing with Home Depot or Lowes service is a pain. Had a lawn tractor from Home Depot back in the day and some things went wrong with it numerous times and each time that mower would be gone for months before it was fixed.

LINK

Here is a good comparison video from a dealer that sells quite a few brands.

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Cub Cadet

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No

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I've had ZERO issues with my Cub Cadet XT2 and researching on the Home/Garden board convinced me it would be a safe purchase. I purchased it from a local outdoor store here and not a big box store. If something does go wrong, they can service it and it's close by. I'd make sure you have service nearby for whatever brand you get. That's going to be one of the most important things.

As for slopes, usually lawn tractors are recommended over lap bar-steered zero turns due to stability and ease of turning. But if you can find a zero turn in your range that is equipped for hills (e.g. one with special wheels) then that would be best.

Your mentioning your mowing some "steep slopes" reminded me of how people in Natchez, MS mowed their front yards with push mowers in the 60's. They tied a rope to the mower's handle, then lowered it straight down and back up. Remember seeing one yard with an upper and lower slope. A guy was at the top slowly letting the mower down one hill, and then the lower one. Then he pulled it back up and repeated the slow descent. We got my dad to pull over and let us watch those guys. Some had to have 30 feet of rope to reach the sidewalk down at street level. Most of the grass was growing on the vertical surface. Without any hill, the house would have been maybe 20' from the sidewalk. Anyone ever seen what I'm talking about?

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I would get something with a kawasaki engine from a dealer

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I did exactly this and have been disappointed in the Kawasaki.

I babied this motor, always blew out the air filter before every mow, changed oil & filter well before the manufacturer recommendation. It has 300hrs on it and smokes like a mosquito truck fogging the neighborhood.

I'm not going to get into brands of mowers. I owned a lawn care business that serviced commercial and quite a few government contracts. I have a lot of experience buying, using and running the heck out of those machines.

Kawasaki engines aren't God's gift. 810s are good. I personally wouldn't get a 730 but whatever. I'd take a Vanguard (not a normal Briggs & Scrapiron but a Vanguard) over Kawasaki these days.

If you have 1 acre and if you have limited storage (small trailer, small shed or garage) then the best bang for your buck is a stand up rider. Don't kid yourself. Those things are bad commercial level machines with a small foot print. Your legs absorb bumps, not your butt. Now I don't own one but if I stll had my business, I'd own a fleet if them.

Am I the only one that hates a ztr mower on slopes? You have zero control of front wheels trying to steer on a ztr. Once you lose grip with rear tires your toast.

I’d get a 48” regular riding John Deere mower from your local John Deere dealer and call it a day. Whether you get the commercial grade or residential grade is up to you.

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No, that's what I was kinda saying. It requires a lot of finesse, so much so, that my 16 year old can't be trusted to mow.

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That's what I was getting at as well. The mower in the OP is a zero turn with the steering wheel and is recommended for slopes up to 20 degrees. If he is set on a zero turn, that and ones like it, are a good option.

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man have you ever tried to mow something like a ditch embankment on a zero turn.

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no i havent, but i have replaced nearly a dozen transmissions on lawn tractors that go up and down hills all the time. i had been repairing mowers for 15 years before i retired