Zero turn thoughts on common models

[BigBlue1]

I've been casually looking at adding a zero turn mower for a couple years. I have a JD x758 with 60" deck that works well for me but since I have almost 7 acres to mow it does take me about 4.5 hours. I know a zero turn can shave some time off of that. I love mowing but I could still love it mowing 2.5 or 3 hours a week... doesn't have to be 4.5.

My first thought was to look for a Deere ZT but I rapidly realized how much they want for them (new at least). I've researched other brands in the past and come up with a short list of ones I'd consider that seem to be fairly well respected. Being spring I'm back at it and figured I'd query folks here to see if there are any notable pros or cons of the ones I'm considering.

I'm looking for a commercial quality unit because I want it to last and I don't tend to buy lower-end equipment. But I certainly don't need the absolute best/biggest/fastest stuff out there. If we ranked ZTs from cheap-o to cadillac on a 1-10 scale, I'm probably looking for a 7 or 8. I want at least a 60" deck. My yard is mostly flat with a few slight hills and almost 800' of road ditch and similar sloped driveway to mow. I've mowed it all with a Deere z930M ZT a few years ago so I know none of it is too much for a ZT, slope-wise. I'm pondering a 72" deck.

Here are a few of the brands and models I'm looking into right now. They all seem to be in that $9-10k range, either for a sub-400 hour used model or new model. I'd be happier only spending $6k but I don't think that gets me to the features/quality I'm looking for.

eXmark Lazer Z X-series - several 2020 commercial models with under 400 hours available for a bit over $9k
Toro 6000 series - new
Bad Boy Outlaw Rogue - new, upper $9's for 61", low $10's for 72"
Deere Z997r - several used ones with ~300 hours from a local city trading in for about $11k
Scag Tiger Cat - new, upper $9's

I know the Deere is an outlier in features but because these happen to be close in price I'm considering them. I already have diesel equipment so another diesel would be nice - but not required.

The Bad Boy seems like it has some extra features that are kind of nice, like a rear suspension in addition to a suspension seat and separate hydraulic system for each motor/side, as well as extremely thick deck material. And more aggressive tires that are closer to HDAP than the typical turf tires. I'm sure that helps traction but that may also scuff more?

The Deere would be sweet, because it is a much higher caliber unit and diesel.

Scags get talked up quite a bit for their cut. I think they're known for high lift, which would help with my dandelions.

Anyway, appreciate any constructive feedback on pros & cons.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[kthompson]

The dealerships in your area for certain will drive the brands you find. Scag was very popular here for few years but that dealership only offers Snapper and the sister brands now in riders and they sell a ton of them. Have always been a snapper dealership. TSC sells a few Bad Boys and not aware anyone selling the Toro or Xmark within twenty miles or so of me so we see very few of them.

The last ztr which is my second one was a Ferris. Bought it for it's FULL suspension system. Recommend it greatly, the system and the mower.

I would want the separate pump system for each wheel. would also want mower with greaseable spindles and wheels and so forth. I would want a suspension system. Amazing when running about 10 mph how rough your lawn can end up being. Larger diameter wheels are smoother rides also. I have a 72 inch rfm and have some slope in lawn due to an old branch bed through it. No issue with it scraping. However I only have a 5?" and a 6?" decks on our ZTR and would not want a 72 on a ztr for my use. My 5?" inch ztr is my trimming mower, the Ferris is not so good, why? The smaller mower while much simpler is also much easier to see the deck, very clean view. It is a very clear view to the left side of the deck which also extends a good bit past the lest tires allow it to be watched to trim very near anything and the over shifted deck gives me a few inches overhang on cutting the ditch.

If buying used do check the drive belts, they can be very costly.

 

[Blue Mule]

This upcoming season will be #4 for the eXmark 60" that we bought brand new. I think it's the E-series, so it's mid grade and not top of the line. Has a 30ish horsepower Kohler engine.

Things that have gone wrong:

-Brake issue causing maneuverability to become poor, had to have it repaired under warranty
-Throttle cable issue had to be repaired under warranty
-PTO switch failed and had to be replaced under warranty
-Dealership said deck was bent when we took it in for routine service after the second season. How the heck do you bend a deck this thick? It's not like we bash it into trees.
-Last season the deck started to make a light roaring sound when mowing, sort of like the bearings in the spindles may be getting worn. Haven't looked into that yet because warranty has expired.

Otherwise it's been good. We generally mow 5-7 acres per week with it.

 

[rgr33]

I have a 13 year old Exmark that has been a really good machine. I bought it new with the Kawasaki motor, which I highly recommend. I am still running on the original spindles, which are not greasable, which kind of surprises me, as I use the mower more than the average owner probably does.

kthompson makes a good point about the rough ride on these machines when you mow at high speed. I replaced the original seat with a suspension seat after the first year. I don’t think I would buy a new mower without it now.

 

[BigBlue1]

Yeah, my lawn is fairly bumpy. I am trying to roll it each spring to smooth things out a bit but that only helps a bit. I know bumpiness is one of the things that keeps me slowed down a bit with my x758. But that's why I'm thinking a suspended ZT would help a bunch.

Rob

 

[Bearsixty7]

Check if you have a dealer for Spartan Mowers near you. They are one of the hottest selling and growing brands over the last 5-6 years.

Yard Size | Spartan Mowers | Zero Turn Mowers

Build Your Own Spartan Mower, made in Batesville, offering an affordable top of the line zero-turn mower.

spartanmowers.com

Then regardless of which brand, go talk to them and see if you get a good feeling about the dealership and service abilities.

I have a 2016 SRT-HD 61" 26HP Kohler and it has been problem free for 125 hours. Dad has a 2016 SRT-Pro 61" 26HP Kohler in MO. that has had the control panel and a coil pack replaced under warranty, he mows about 8 acres and has over 250 hours on it.

 

[tradosaurus]

7 acres? Wow. I would go with 72" if your terrain is mostly flat.
I mow 2-1/2 acres with a 60" Toro HD 2000. Takes me about 2 1/2 hrs. I change the blades twice during the mow season and don't bother sharpening since I tend to hit small branches.

 

[MF2604h]

I just traded in a JD z915 with over 1,000 hours on it. It had the Kohler engine. The only problems was a pulley that went bad and a coil. Both replaced under warranty.
I traded it for a exmark lazer z e series. It has a 52 inch deck and a Kawasaki engine. It’s also the first lawnmower I have owned with a suspension seat. I won’t have another one without it.
I also have a snapper pro 52 inch deck with a mulch kit on it. I only use it to mulch leaves. It has been great, but you can’t cut as fast with a mulch kit.

Between the three the exmark and snapper pro dont slide as much on hills as the JD. The exmark is more responsive than the JD and snapper pro.

I only have 50 hours on the exmark so far. At this point I would buy another. You can’t go wrong with either of these three.

Good luck on your search

 

[stevem5215]

I bought a Simplicity Citation XT with a 61" deck with a Briggs 27hp Commercial engine. It has FULL SUSPENSION front and rear and rides great on my 4 acre cuts. I use about 2.5 gals of fuel to cut all of it each time and I can easily run full speed across the field with out issue due to the suspension give and take. While all of that sounds expensive I paid $6,000 for it brand new. It has been perfect and I've changed the hydro oil and filters once on it and of course the engine oil regularly. So far nothing has broken on it. This will be my third cutting season with it. I would highly recommend one of these and especially so if you have bumpy fields like I do. Suspension makes a difference.

Steve

 

[mikester]

If you have a lot of grass to mow get a diesel commercial unit with an air suspension seat.

 

[ZTMAN]

The mower brands you listed all have their following and are good brands, assuming you have good dealer support.
Whichever one you pick, just make sure it has a suspension seat or suspension platform, and enough hp.
There are a lot of under powered units out there.

I used to mow eight acres before we downsized. Used three different ZTs while I owned the property. The one I liked the best was a Scag Cheetah with a 31 hp Kawi. 61" deck.
Had a JD 830A. Was a good mower, but I failed to get the suspension seat which was a big mistake.
I only have 1.5 acres to mow now and sold the Cheetah and got a TC II with a 26hp Kawi. 61" deck. Great mower.

I highly suggest to request the dealers bring the mowers you are looking at to your property for a demo. You will know after the demo on your property what mower is best for you

 

[Maxify]

May I offer my Ferris IS2600Z into the discussion?
You've got hills? This thing has full 4 wheel suspension.
Now granted, I saved up for a number of years for this one but
they do offer many mowers in their line-up for around you price point.
It feels like mowing in your easy chair at 10 mph.
I let my neighbor use mine just once & he had one (IS2000Z 61") the
next week. I think he paid around $7K.

 

[Tinhack]

I just picked up my 2021 Bad Boy Maverick two weeks ago. It still has the break-in oil in it. Been too cold to mow more than just the immediate yard.

I got mine at Tractor Supply but if I had it to do again, I'd look for a "dealer". TS did a lousy job of assembly/setup. The ROPs was mounted backwards and rattled worse than my 1925 Model T. It didn't help that I had a bad taste in my mouth over the Mini Bike I bought there two weeks earlier. Similar assembly errors on that too. They must use high school shop class dropouts to do their wrench work.

 

[RSKY]

They all have the reputation of being great mowers. The dealer reputation would mean a lot if I were the one buying.

RSKY

 

[iptman]

Scag Tiger Cat with a Kohler 27hp and the suspension seat. If I were buying one now the only thing I'd change is going with an EFI engine. Mine has never been to a dealer but if it did have to go I'm guessing it'd be behind ALL the lawn care companies who make a living with these machines.

 

[BoylermanCT]

If you have a Hustler dealer near you, check them out. They built the first zero turn 50+ years ago. They are all made in USA (Kansas) and my experience is they provide excellent service and warranty work. My 60" X-One will mow 6 acres an hour, if you can mow at full speed. I have an air ride seat and front suspension, so I can mow fast, but still not full speed. I mow 5 acres and went from 5 hours with my lawn tractor to 90 minutes with the zero turn.

 

[BigBlue1]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

Rob

 

[two_bit_score]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

Rob

Sure someone has already mentioned Grasshopper but if not here it is: Grasshopper Mower

 

[Dwellonroof]

I have a used 2015 Scag Turf Tiger purchased used 3 years ago with Cat. 28 hp. 330 hrs. because I wanted a diesel but had to drive 3.5 hrs. each direction to purchase it because they don't come up very often.

 

[brokeasajoke]

While it does not have suspension my Gravely pro turn 252z has been bullet proof since 2008. Blown fuse that was a fluke, flat tire, and needle and seat not sealing in carb causing fuel to continue flowing. I'm going to blame that on the cheapo fuel filter I used that let trash by. That's all my trouble since I purchased it.