Zero Turn Mower Recommendations

Several threads in here lately. Use the search feature.

Lots of threads on ZTs. 60” is pretty big for 2 acres, but if you can store it and don’t have to pass through gates or other limited width areas, go for it.

Avoid box store mowers and try to go to a local dealer. Inventory is pretty limited so you might SOL on new ones.

I always recommend Gravely, Hustler, Bad Boy, or Scag. I’ve had a Hustler and now a Gravely with no real complaints.

I got a quest 50 inch, I think the biggest they make is 54, but it was cheap and mows great.

Looking at Gravelys, local dealer has one left, 54in for $4499.. what kind of issues are you seeing? I'd be mowing in a mix of flat land and dense wooded areas so I need something that will hold up on exposed tree roots and whatnot

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Why? Nothing wrong with box store mowers. They’re the same as dealer mowers of the same model. All these fancy mowers like gravely and hustler and what not are extreme overkill for a residential law. And yes, dealers will work on them.

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There’s nothing “wrong” with them, but you have a much more limited selection as they tend to have only lower end residential models. The box store will also not service them at all, so you are forced to go to a local dealer or a generic repair shop anyway. This shop may give you lower priority, but it’s usually not a major factor. The prices are effectively the same, so by encouraging a purchase from a local dealer you both create a relationship and ensure you have a local shop that can/will perform maintenance on your mower.

For example, you can buy a John Deere from HD/Lowes, but they will not work on it. If a local JD dealer is 150 miles away, well guess where that mower is going? If you had focused on local dealers, the service center becomes a potential consideration. Not a deal breaker, but should certainly factor in if it were to be needed.

As far as overkill, I agree and have advocated against those who claim they NEED a commercial machine. Residential machines are usually all anyone will need for personal use. However, there’s a big difference from a low end machine to a high end machine. When you start getting into multiple acres, it makes a noticeable difference.

Commercial grade mowers don’t last a lifetime. It all depends on maintenance and the operator of the equipment.
Commercial grade equipment is only necessary for companies that have many accounts in which the equipment will be used daily. Commercial grade equipment is not necessary for someone that uses the equipment once a week.

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Looking at Gravelys, local dealer has one left, 54in for $4499.. what kind of issues are you seeing? I'd be mowing in a mix of flat land and dense wooded areas so I need something that will hold up on exposed tree roots and whatnot

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What model?

I have a ZT-HD and it’s been great. It’s built very solid compared to the previous Hustler. Can be finicky to start for me for some reason, assuming due to neutral or seat switch (electrical, not engine). They also had a problem with vibration in the 52” models due to the deck pulley system. It may be worked out in the 2022 models, but I’m not sure. Hydros and deck are some of the better values on the market. It’s certainly faster than my Hustler, but also feels very heavy. So if you have some soggy ground or areas that hold water it may cause some ruts or get stuck.

Gravely HD laughs at your 2800 hydros. Same price.

So, I guess you were right, nothing else compares, but several are better.

To the OP, these threads are always littered with mowers that those posters bought even if it is a totally different price category, etc. And they may only have exposure to one or two brands/models.

I have zero brand loyalty to any of them, my business just made a lot of money using them.

Any dealer worth their salt will let you yest drive a unit. Don't buy one from a place that won't let you.

I could write some bullshite like get a Turf Tiger even though it's about 4 times your budget. But that would be just me telling you what I might have and doesn't help you at all.

Those Bad Boy residential mowers in that price range are definitely a good bang for your buck. And Bad Boys are probably the easiest to work on. I've had Scags that are great but dang near impossible to get to the hydros, etc for maintenance.