Seeking the wisdom of the group -

Maybe in the market for a good, used zero turn mower. Current tractor has a 60” deck and would like that or maybe a bit bigger.

What brands do you recommend?

Besides durability and reliability I am interested in ease of service. I do much of my own service on my machines and want to continue. New, complex with lots of “features” is not what I want. If yours cost big bucks to maintain let me know so I can avoid it.

Current machine is a Gravely tractor and it turns 30 this year. It has never been in the shop but the mrs won’t drive it, says she will do a zero turn.

I don't have one as big as you need, but my 48" Toro has been trouble free for about six years now. I used to cut 1.25 acres up until three years ago, but now only have a half acre. Mine has the Kawasaki engine which has been great.

Which ever brand you pick, I would get one with the Kawaski twin cylinder (20+hp) gas engine. I have a Kubota 42" and it has been used hard, holding up well.

Because I like to overdo everything:




My theory is to buy heavier duty than you need. If it will stand up to the daily abuse of a professional it should last a lifetime for your personal use.

Yup - Ferris is a good looking heavy duty machine. Definitely a brand I will consider. I was impressed with cup holders built in (back when nobody had them). A place for my Guinness!

I'm a big fan of Scag. I had one for a few years before we moved down south. My father in law is still using it. No issues in six years or so.

My friends 60" Grasshopper impressed me. He had it for many years and cut a lot of grass without any fuss.

Take a look at the Toro TimeCutter line. I went with a model with a fabricated deck several years ago and have been quite happy with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Bigbuck5:
I'm a big fan of Scag. I had one for a few years before we moved down south. My father in law is still using it. No issues in six years or so.

Big +1 for Scag ZTRs. You can't go wrong with the Turf Tiger II, which comes in a 61" deck model. You have a few engine options, including MRBTX's Kawasaki pick. Personally, I like the Kohler.

-Rob

Kubota all the way.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
... My theory is to buy heavier duty than you need. If it will stand up to the daily abuse of a professional it should last a lifetime for your personal use.

Unadulterated truth. The Ferris is great because of the suspension. You can run a bumpy yard at full bore and not feel like someone took a baseball bat to your lower back.

I prefer Toro Zmaster for the quality of cut but the Ferris is plenty good.

I was able to negotiate a pretty good package deal on a John Deere ZT when I ordered my tractor, so that's what I ended up with. It's OK and I haven't had problems, but I sure wouldn't say it's anything special.

Bought a Kubota 48" ZT last year. It cut's so well....I have even used it to cut my 12 acre field. Works so well I'm thinking of selling my big kubota tractor with the bush hog/mid mount 48" mower!

Kubota usually has a 0% interest sale each Spring.

When I was researching zero turns, I noticed many of the lawn care professionals in my area were running Exmarks. That is what I went with and it has been great.

I tried out a Scag, an Xmark and a Ferris. The Ferris suspension system sold me on it. The Ferris with it’s Kawasaki engine have been trouble free for over 10 years now.

SCAG Cheetah 31hp with 61" deck would be at the top of the list for me.

rugged, best ride, suspension seat, power-up flip-up deck (easy cleaning and blade changes), power lift deck (curbs, creeks etc), front mounted deck, great power/torque ----
grasshopper...no equal imho....I've run them since 1999...

good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Because I like to overdo everything:




My theory is to buy heavier duty than you need. If it will stand up to the daily abuse of a professional it should last a lifetime for your personal use.

Ferris is definitely the way to go. There are many excellent zero turns out there. BUT Ferris has a suspension which is worth its weight in gold. ZT mowers ride very rough. I had 2 Bobcats which did a great job but I felt like I had been in a hardware store paint shaker after mowing for a few hours. Ferris IMO are the best!!

If you have hills, a Wright Stander.

Name a bad one? Some are better than others but name brand big box homeowner mowers are durable machines for under 2 acres of flat land. Got to be able to live with a hard seat and 3 gallon gas tank for a 20hp engine but a Hustler Raptor or Scag Patriot will will last the avg homeowner many years with proper storage. Leave em out in the weather and they will rust.

Since I've been a membar of this forum I've probably flipped over 15 commercial mowers. I buy good low hours clean machines for sellers that take 3 pictures without even blowing the machine off. I pressure wash and detail them and then post 15 high res pictures on Craigslist. It's easy and I've never been burned. When I'm shopping it's damn near like buying guns, I'm buying condition, then price.

My favorite brands are Hustler, Bob-Cat, Big Dog, Grasshopper, Ferris but when you are talking $8000+ msrp commercial mowers they are all good if they are right - buy condition. And a good dealer is huge. Southern Indiana Equipment is one of the big swingers. Sell a lot of mowers and take a lot of trades. They will make me more good deals than I can take.





note the joystick control on this JayZee