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New to zero turns. Was originally set on a Huskey TS 348XD tractor as my Craftsman 46" tractor with B&S motor (came with the house 5 yrs ago) has just bit the dust. My nearest local Husky dealer is a good bit away and I do not have a trailer so I always have to try and borrow one. My nearest equipment dealer is literally right around the corner and I have previously purchased my Stihl trimmer from them. They sell Toro, Gravely, and Ariens zero turns. I could literally drive the mower to them. So I'd rather have the convenience of service/parts vs a tractor just because I'm used to it. I have one acre that's relatively flat with only a few trees. In the summer I have to mow about every 5 days so even though it's only an acre, I mow a decent amount. Probably 130hrs a year with the Craftsman.

I stopped in today and the local dealer answered pretty much everything I could think of. I'm looking at the Ariens Ikon HD 42" with Kawasaki 18hp or the Toro TimeCutter 42" with Kohler 7000 22hp and My Ride suspension. Both have the fabricated decks. The Toro was originally $700 more but since he has a few of them, he's offered me $400 off of one. No price break on the Arien as he only has 1 left.

So it comes down to a $320 difference after taxes between the two. Do I opt for the smaller Kawasaki motor or go with the better Toro machine with the nice suspension and the Kohler 22hp?

The "Hustler" brand seems to be popular around here. And no I don't live in Cincinnati, but it's about 2 hours away.

Gravely of those options.
Mine is a beast. It’s older but has the 17hp Kawasaki and still runs strong.

In my price range, I'm deciding between the stated two choices.

quote:

Originally posted by steelcityfishanddive:
In my price range, I'm deciding between the stated two choices.

Then of the 2 the Toro. Gramps had a Toro Commercial that did well. The Kohlers are good engines.
Also if the Toro suspension is much like their X Marks you’ll be quite happy.

My dad was going to go with an Ariens as he liked the features they offered over most other manufacturers. Ariens also makes the Gravely so it's almost apples to apples between the two. He found a used Ferris though and he liked it better and the price was right. So far he is enjoying the Ferris and has no regrets. He spent quite a bit of time researching and was sold on the Ariens though before he found the Ferris.

For what you do it matters not. go with the cheapest option.

Both are decent homeowner machines. I'd probably go with the Toro. Ariens is now part of the Husqvarna group but that isn't a bad thing.

Toro hands down. My adult daughter loves hers. Cannot wait to cut the grass. LOL

Grab either for 1 acre and you'll be glad you did. I went from riding mower to a Scag Patriot zero turn and cut mowing time considerably. I'm mowing 4 acres every 5-7 days from April-November and I only put 30-40 hours on the machine each season. It is such an eye opening experience that I will never consider an old tractor style mower. As a side bonus: the things are pretty fun to use after getting to know the controls. If you've had any skid steer experience, you'll adapt quicker but there's a learning curve if you haven't used something similar before.

I have a Toro Timecutter 5000. I've had it about eight years now and would buy another one just like her if something happened. Will cut anything I run it through and has never cost me a dime outside of maintenance. Great machine.

I’d go with the Toro but each of your options are good ones.

It’s kind of a toss up really and for your yard it’s probably not going to matter since it doesn’t sound like you have a ton of obstacles to constantly maneuver around. The Kawasaki is a good engine.

Personally I have an Exmark so I would favor the Toro. Realistically I would compare the hydro pumps and go with the one with the bigger pumps. That’s the most likely thing to die so I would go for the one with the beefier pumps. If they both use the same pumps then I would probably save the $320.

Toro. I had a 50 inch with the myride it was awesome. Cut my mowing time in half and didn’t feel like I’d just been through a paint shakes when done.

Kubota zeros are first class. I mow every week on about 2.5 acres. Mine is a 48” 22hp unit that is over 10 years old. I change oil annually and sharpen the 3 plates about monthly. Absolute wonderful machine. 3 of them in my extended family.

I have a Cub Cadet RZT54 and it us now 7 years old. My old John Deere took about 2 and a half hours to mow my yard. The RZT gets it done in about a half hour.

When replacing the Deere, I looked at a couple of brands, but living in the small town where MTD/Cuba Cadet is made, I went with them. My Cub has only cost me gas and oil in the 7 years that I have owned it.

I would go Toro all day long.

My neighbor has one. I have access to it. I tuned it up last summer. Replaced all the spindle bgs belt blades and serviced the engine. Parts availability is plentiful. It was a breeze to work on and no pissy design issues.
It is also easy to operate. It lives a hard life in that it stays with the neighbor across the street who cuts his shitty ass yard and the empty lot behind him.

A lot of these are built very similar. I have a Kubota that works very well; if the deck has problems, the dealer is close, but its really not that hard to work on. Whatever you get, I would recommend something with a Kawasaki engine. Fuel pumps (ruined by ethanol), carbs, plugs, filters are generally easy to find and replace.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MRBTX,

Can't go wrong with horsepower and suspension. Even if you don't feel much difference your machine will. Go with the Toro. The Ariens is probably a great machine but I think that will be the worse $320 you ever saved. And amortized over 10-15 years it's nothing. (btw Dixie Chopper here)

Well Toro it is. The dealer also threw in my first maintenance kit. Already delivered sitting in my garage and ready to begin learning this afternoon.
Obligatory pics