School me on zero-turn riding mowers

[pronstar]

Sellers accepted our offer, looks like I’ve got 1.2 acres now, with lots of grass to mow.

Other than a cup holder, what should I be looking for?
Good brands/models?


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[4Waters]

Sellers accepted our offer, looks like I’ve got 1.2 acres now, with lots of grass to mow.

Other than a cup holder, what should I be looking for?
Good brands/models?


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Cup holder don't you mean beer holder

 

[MillerTime]

I think a welded deck instead of stamped, thick blades, a kawasaki or kohler engine (fyi my 3 year old kohler has started a slight oil seep that leaks on exhaust when stored between cutting) and ease of service and parts is paramount in my opinion.
I have sandy soil, so it eats blades up. I usually mow about 3 or so acres. I bought a Bush Hog 54" mower. Dealer is my best friend, his shop is 3 miles down the road. I got a 20hp kohler, but wish id a got the 25hp, but it wasn't in stock and was $500 more. Honestly 20hp is fine, but......25 would maybe be better, but so would 30...you know the sickness! Lol!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

You should be looking for one with 2 cup holders.

 

[rvrrun]

Cup holder don't you mean beer holder

That's all I know. I've always wanted one (and a lawn big enough to warrant). A riding mower is the embodiment of nirvana.

 

[wsuwrhr]

So..you bought another house?

 

[River Runnin]

They're Awesome! ...

https://www.gravely.com/en-us/zero-turn-mowers/gravely-zt-xl

Have this one with all the accessories, (brother uses it now) and only replaced belt one time so far!

 

[pronstar]

Oddly looking forward to mowing my lawn LOL

So..you bought another house?

Yeah long story short:
Lease with purchase option on our current house.
Tons of drama when it came down to signing the contract.
So have a few months rent-free and found a better house elsewhere [emoji106]

They're Awesome! ...

https://www.gravely.com/en-us/zero-turn-mowers/gravely-zt-xl

Have this one with all the accessories, (brother uses it now) and only replaced belt one time so far!

What something like that run?
About $5k?


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[Dport]

They're Awesome! ...

https://www.gravely.com/en-us/zero-turn-mowers/gravely-zt-xl

Have this one with all the accessories, (brother uses it now) and only replaced belt one time so far!

Yep, I bought my ZT-HD 54 in. cut, six years ago, and, knock on wood, haven't done a thing, except maintenance. Highly recommend!

 

[pwerwagn]

Oddly looking forward to mowing my lawn LOL

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I love mowing/irrigating my “lawn”. It’s fulfilling mindless work.

 

[RandyH]

About 12 years ago we moved to a place that had an acre to mow with lots of trees. I bought a Great Dane 54 inch, steel deck, 25 Kohler. Side mount leaf blower, three huge bags. It will suck acorns up it they aren't pressed into the soil. John Deere must have liked Great Dane too. They bought them out. Zero turns can rip turf around trees. I like mine but like anything ,you always look for something better. Grasshopper makes some interesting machines. Last winter I bought a Deere tractor X739 4 wheel steer with AWD. Mounted a 54 inch snow blower on it. I think with a few less trees it would probably make a fine mower package. The 4 wheel steer is plenty capable. They all eat garage space too. At my business, we hire 3 acre mowed, manicured, etc. They use these smaller front deck mounted machines . Drive wheels right under the seat and two tiny wheels in the back. Very maneuverable and you can manage the deck position easily out front. Walker might be the name. I would try one. Good luck

 

[WhatExit?]

This BAD BOY mower and others are on sale now...
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...IAL+DAY+LP-_-Bad+Boy+ZT+Elite+Zero+Turn+Mower

 

[copterzach]

60” Bad Boy Outlaw. The ones that TSC sells are usually the lower end, lighter duty mowers. Find a BadBoy sealer.

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[HavasuHank]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, as I might have to get a riding mower in the very near future

 

[River Runnin]

Oddly looking forward to mowing my lawn LOL

What something like that run?
About $5k?


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Exactly what I paid in OR with no tax!

 

[96scarab]

Armrests, high backrest and also cuts in reverse... Not from experience but I heard bad things about Kohler. I have a John Deere with a briggs....

 

[Dport]

Armrests, high backrest and also cuts in reverse... Not from experience but I heard bad things about Kohler. I have a John Deere with a briggs....

I agree, Kohler has changed for the worse, in my mind. Mine has the Kawasaki 24 HP., no leaks oil or fuel. My yard is around an acre and a half, and I sometimes help the neighbor cut his 3 acres. I also have a homemade lawn vac I built and pull, in the fall, so the machine gets used a lot.
Briggs has come along way with their motors too. I like their v twins.

 

[copterzach]

Mine has the Kawasaki also


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[96scarab]

I don't know much about the Kawasuckies

 

[Old Texan]

Read consumer reports and look for little things like wheels, tires, etc that wear on many. I bought a Craftsman that was rated equal with JD. But JD fitted higher quality wheels/tires and made their product superior. Saved $250 with Sears and spent it later on parts

Motors are all good these days so concentrate on fit and finish quality

 

[Old Texan]

I agree, Kohler has changed for the worse, in my mind. Mine has the Kawasaki 24 HP., no leaks oil or fuel. My yard is around an acre and a half, and I sometimes help the neighbor cut his 3 acres. I also have a homemade lawn vac I built and pull, in the fall, so the machine gets used a lot.
Briggs has come along way with their motors too. I like their v twins.

If you haven't, check the specs and research online about your transmission's ability to pull loads. Many lawn tractor/mowers aren't intended to pull heavy attachments. I found out the hard way.

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

Yep...

 

[charitycase]

Sellers accepted our offer, looks like I’ve got 1.2 acres now, with lots of grass to mow.

Other than a cup holder, what should I be looking for?
Good brands/models?


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Sent you a message. Look at Exmark. The main thing is stay away from "consumer" lines. Stick with a commercial unit. Also make sure you have a reliable dealer close to you. Hope this helps. Good luck. Casey.

 

[Dport]

If you haven't, check the specs and research online about your transmission's ability to pull loads. Many lawn tractor/mowers aren't intended to pull heavy attachments. I found out the hard way.

Good advice, that was one thing I wonder about with the Gravely, pulling a lawn vac. I changed the hydro oil, going back with recommended oil and haven't had any trouble pulling the vac.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Motherfuckn P.I.M.P Pronnie.

Brian

Oddly looking forward to mowing my lawn LOL




Yeah long story short:
Lease with purchase option on our current house.
Tons of drama when it came down to signing the contract.
So have a few months rent-free and found a better house elsewhere [emoji106]
What something like that run?
About $5k?

 

[infield]

The brands are kind of regional so I don't know what is sold where. I live in south central Kansas. Hustler is really good and they are built about 75 miles from here so Unknown to me if they are sold everywhere. I really like the the looks of he SCAG turf tiger II. Hard to beat the John Deere commercial models and those would probably come with better service for me due to my other business with the dealer. I would not buy one without a 72 inch deck and at least 30 horsepower. I currently have a big model Zipper but they got bought out and then went defunct.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Mines has an operator and she make a great Sammich too , this baby can mow 3 acres in the time i can sip a few cold ones

 

[MisplacedSooner]

I'm a big fan of eXmark Lazer Z series mowers, if you have them in your area. We use them in KC on our pipeline ROW and some easement property we own that has meter stations. Granted I didnt have to fork out the money but I know what I have spent in maintenance the last 5 years and its not very much.

 

[96scarab]

I'm going to go against popular opinion here. I don't think you need to shell out thousands of dollars more for a commercial grade mower. You will be fine with a residential mower since that is exactly what you will be doing with it. Lets face it, it is only 1.2 acres so you will use it 1 hour a week. Do regular maintenance, don't beat the hell out of it and you'll be good for 10 or more years...

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I'm going to go against popular opinion here. I don't think you need to shell out thousands of dollars more for a commercial grade mower. You will be fine with a residential mower since that is exactly what you will be doing with it. Lets face it, it is only 1.2 acres so you will use it 1 hour a week. Do regular maintenance, don't beat the hell out of it and you'll be good for 10 or more years...

Word..

 

[Uncle Dave]

Agreed - OP could get by with something way less than a bad boy - but if he's got the bucks its just another toy.

I think you can get a baby cat diesel (c1.1) as an option in the bad boy - that'd be phat.

You can get a 55 gallon drum and not worry about fuel going bad season to season.

UD

 

[pronstar]

I'm going to go against popular opinion here. I don't think you need to shell out thousands of dollars more for a commercial grade mower. You will be fine with a residential mower since that is exactly what you will be doing with it. Lets face it, it is only 1.2 acres so you will use it 1 hour a week. Do regular maintenance, don't beat the hell out of it and you'll be good for 10 or more years...

The Bad Boy MZ single-cylinder is $2999, the MZ Magnum V-Twin is $3499.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/s...rBy:&pageView:&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

The residential mowers from Home Depot start at $2299.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoor...ing-Lawn-Mowers-Zero-Turn-Mowers/N-5yc1vZc5ak


Which would you recommend?




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[96scarab]

I would recommend against buying from a big box store. You will be relying on a 16 year old kid putting it together and if you have warranty work it's better to take it back from where you bought it.

 

[wsuwrhr]

From an engine perspective, I would always go with a twin cyl over a single.

Brian

The Bad Boy MZ single-cylinder is $2999, the MZ Magnum V-Twin is $3499.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/bad boy#facet:30744573456166767059010111411132841171141103277111119101114115&facetLimit:morelink_producttype|30744573456166767059010111411132841171141103277111119101114115|producttype:Zero Turn Mowers&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

The residential mowers from Home Depot start at $2299.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoor...ing-Lawn-Mowers-Zero-Turn-Mowers/N-5yc1vZc5ak


Which would you recommend?

 

[wsuwrhr]

I would agree with this as well. Big box stores likely aren't going to work on anything, you would likely have to deal with whomever manufactured it, and at wherever their base is.

....and if you have warranty work it's better to take it back from where you bought it.

 

[96scarab]

And to add to that if you buy from a dealer they are more apt to give you a loaner unit while yours is bring serviced. It would suck being 2 or 3 weeks without a mower.

 

[Ziggy]

Sellers accepted our offer, looks like I’ve got 1.2 acres now, with lots of grass to mow.

Other than a cup holder, what should I be looking for?
Good brands/models?


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Make sure you find one with Spanish instructions on the label. Don't want Jeffe to accidentally run over the petunias.

 

[pronstar]

I think I’m leaning toward a $3k consumer-grade unit from a servicing dealer.

Totally agree about buying from Home Depot.

Make sure you find one with Spanish instructions on the label. Don't want Jeffe to accidentally run over the petunias.

If I’m hiring someone to do this, he’s bringing his own $3k damned mower LOL


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[wsuwrhr]

When we come out Pronnie, Im mowing the lawn, if that is cool.

I always wanted a lawn big enough to use a rider.

Brian

I think I’m leaning toward a $3k consumer-grade unit from a servicing dealer.

Totally agree about buying from Home Depot.





If I’m hiring someone to do this, he’s bringing his own $3k damned mower LOL

 

[WhatExit?]

Tractor Supply also has Cub Cadet units on sale
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/1072836 | 1116722?isRfk=N&cm_mmc=Email-_-Ecom-_-2-18_2018_05_27_MemorialDay-_-Tile1&cm_lm=44414e463931333932405941484f4f2e434f4d

And if you click on the above link they've got a lot of other options to shop:https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ab-54-in-24-hp-zero-turn-mower-carb-compliant

Of course "Nothing Runs Like a Deere" especially a V-8 Deere...

 

[Ziggy]

I always wanted a lawn big enough to use a rider.

Brian

Me too.
Nowadays though, I wish I didn't have so much lawn to keep up and super glad I never bought that "big place" I thought I wanted.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Better put some "studs" in the tires of that ol girl if you will be in any wet grass.

Of course "Nothing Runs Like a Deere" especially a V-8 Deere...

 

[wsuwrhr]

It happens zigmeister sir.

Me too.
Nowadays though, I wish I didn't have so much lawn to keep up and super glad I never bought that "big place" I thought I wanted.

 

[Ziggy]

It happens zigmeister sir.

With age comes some laziness[emoji4]
.
I'm not far from installing Turf, aka plastic grass. That's kinda like a maintenance free battery.[emoji16]

 

[fat rat]

I have had a zero turn Toro Z420 for 15 years , I run the hell out of it, bought from the Depot. We have had no issues with besides maintenance , oil and blades. I opted for the mulching deck and love it.

I have just over a 1/2 acre takes me about 45 minutes to mow. If you don't have a lot of obstacles to mow around then I would go with a standard front engine tractor. The only thing I don't like about it' like mentioned above are the devits it leaves when turning. I found changing up my mowing pattern makes a big difference.

 

[96scarab]

Yes! I just put a mulching kit on mine...

 

[Carlson-jet]

Good advice, that was one thing I wonder about with the Gravely, pulling a lawn vac. I changed the hydro oil, going back with recommended oil and haven't had any trouble pulling the vac.
View attachment 648533 View attachment 648534

Had you used an electric motor and a generator on that leaf collector you could have installed A/C on the mower.

In all seriousness to the OP, I don't know much about Zero-Turn mowers but I can advise about quality in mowers in general.
Craftsman are crap. The decks just suck. If you do purchase such, Buy the super extended warranty. My BIL has 3 decks stacked up in his garage from warranty work. They are thin and the brackets crack out around where they are spot welded. I have a Cub-Cadet series 3000. It is full hydro static and uses a pto to drive the deck as well as power steering and deck lift. A few friends liked it so much they ran out to the big box stores and purchased something that looked similar from 30 feet away. I was given mine through my wife's grandma when she could no longer mow the yard. It was about $5k 10 years ago. What I have and what they bought are night and day. As mentioned, buying a quality machine from a local dealer who can service including pick-up has many benefits. One which is it will most likely not be the lower grade version a big box store sells.

 

[Ouderkirk]

Sellers accepted our offer, looks like I’ve got 1.2 acres now, with lots of grass to mow.

Other than a cup holder, what should I be looking for?
Good brands/models?


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I have an 30 year old John Deere 322 mower. Onan 3cyl, 22hp, water cooled. Hydrostatic trans, and 50" welded mower deck. It was expensive when I bought it for a lawn mower, but it has withstood the test of time (30 years) and is capable of much more than just mowing.

As for a Zero Turn, I am not a fan of them. Too limited in what you can use it for.

The nearest comparable to the JD 322 these days is the the JD X734 https://www.deere.com/assets/publications/index.html?id=0d5921a7#14 or the Kubota GR2020. https://www.kubotausa.com/products/mowers/lawn-garden-tractors/gr20


Avoid anything by MTD.

 

[JNS]

Most ZR’s require two hands to steer. So what good is the cup holder for a beer. It will foam out from the bumps.
Check out Cub Cadets steering wheel ZR. One hand steering. Still have a motor on each rear wheel as do the lever steers requiring both hands. Front wheels are controlled too so you have four wheel steering with one hand on the wheel. You can run straighter lines with one hand vs lever and not require a beer helmet! Balance beer in free hand!
We have a 60” Tank Commercial and a 72” Commercial with air ride seat.
Both are welded plate decks, 35 -37 hp Kaws.
With my Bose Noise Canseling Phones I love to mow!
Tried many others and these are still fun after several years of mowing 5 acres. Imho

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I have an 30 year old John Deere 322 mower. Onan 3cyl, 22hp, water cooled. Hydrostatic trans, and 50" welded mower deck. It was expensive when I bought it for a lawn mower, but it has withstood the test of time (30 years) and is capable of much more than just mowing.

As for a Zero Turn, I am not a fan of them. Too limited in what you can use it for.

The nearest comparable to the JD 322 these days is the the JD X734 https://www.deere.com/assets/publications/index.html?id=0d5921a7#14 or the Kubota GR2020. https://www.kubotausa.com/products/mowers/lawn-garden-tractors/gr20


Avoid anything by MTD.

Good luck, MTD builds everything from Toro down to store brand mowers.