What to Look for in Zero Turn Mower

[Alan W.]

Personally, I'd rather buy a used eXmark than a new low end unit, prices being equal. A commercial grade unit is going to have smoother hydro drive, a deck built like a tank that will literally last forever, and better ride quality. It'll also be more stable on inclines and will require less maintenance as the years go on.

We are now in our 8th season mowing with our E-series eXmark, doing 3 to 7 acres per week. Still on original spindles, hydro drive, tires, etc. etc. Can't kill these things.

Unfortunately even the Exmarks can be killed.
My BIL runs a fleet of them in his service, all well maintained. I work on them for him and usually around the 1200 hour mark Im doing motor work. He has both Kohlers and Kawasakis. The drives seem bulletproof though.
There is a big difference between running one all day everyday and homeowner use.
I wouldnt buy a used one, simply because most have been run commercially, but if I could afford it a new one would last a homeowner a long time.

 

[riptides]

Unfortunately even the Exmarks can be killed.
My BIL runs a fleet of them in his service, all well maintained. I work on them for him and usually around the 1200 hour mark Im doing motor work. He has both Kohlers and Kawasakis. The drives seem bulletproof though.
There is a big difference between running one all day everyday and homeowner use.
I wouldnt buy a used one, simply because most have been run commercially, but if I could afford it a new one would last a homeowner a long time.

I have heard that 1000 hours seem to be the watermark for Kawasaki engine "maintenance". What's the deal?

 

[5030]

I have heard that 1000 hours seem to be the watermark for Kawasaki engine "maintenance". What's the deal?

More like 1200 meter hours. They all require valve adjustments at that point anyway and all the Kawasaki and Kohler aluminum block engines will have a life expectancy of around 2000 meter hours before it's time to rebuild and all are gas guzzlers as well and why I traded mine in and went to a diesel. Hands down, way more efficient. The other thing that most owners seem to forget and that is, you really have to keep the deck underside clean, especially when wintering. Wadded up grass on the underside promotes corrosion and at some point will 'rust out' any deck, fabricated or stamped. I lean toward Hydro Gear transaxles over the rest, simply because they are serviceable and the more commercial ones will have built in oil filters and containment tanks for each drive unit.

Far as ride quality, none of them have a good ride, suspension or not. The short wheelbase is always a choppy ride, especially when mowing fast. The M60 Tank I just traded in on a Kubota F series diesel was a kidney buster. I have to say, I much prefer the steering wheel over the 'oars'. My wife has a residential grade Cub with a steering wheel and she won't touch an 'oar' mower and I can understand why now. Of course a Kubota F series diesel new will set you back around $23,000 bucks, way more than most people are willing to fork over for a lawn mower but you can find them used for a lot less and like everything Kubota, just because they are used don't mean they are shot. They will run long past the time that the rest will be junk, not including the JD units that are very similar in price and function.

 

[5030]

Bottom line is, you can 'kill' any mower or tractor if you don't do regular maintenance on it and ZTR's are no exception.

The thing I like about the F series Kubota mowers is, they are essentially a B series Kubota compact tractor that has swapped ends, that is, front to back is now the opposite and we all know how B series Kubota tractors last. That aspect alone sold me on buying one and mine is used as well with 1500 hours on it.

 

[JJT]

What's the budget?

20 years ago I bought a commercial mower to handle my 2 acre yard. I went with a Kubota diesel ZD21 with a fabricated 60" deck. The lawn expanded over the years to about 5 acres. I have no regrets and am certain this mower will outlast me, (hopefully another 20 years....). It has almost 1000 hours now but runs like new. I've done nothing but fluid changes, blade changes and the front tire replacement.

 

[SARG]

We have a Ferris 2354GXLS that has done well on our three acres for about six years.
But I will say that folks next door have commercial acreage of about six acres that they only use for Halloween festivities.
They let it grow up all summer and then in the fall they have an outfit with two Exmarks come in and mow it all. At least five acres are hayfields that they "chop" down. Amazing to watch & the machines seem to hold up to the task.

 

[Alan W.]

On his mowers its crank seals and head gaskets mostly for both the Kaw and Kohler.
He trades before 2000 hrs.
Running an air cooled motor long and hard will result in more problems.
I have a Kohler Courage, supposedly the bad Kohler, thats pushing 1300 hrs with no problems. It also seems to have a lot more power than my new Kaw.

 

[Michiganguy]

One feature I wish I on my zero turn is a flip up deck. I have never had one with the feature but they look pretty slick for easy deck cleaning and blade access.

 

[5030]

For a flip up deck your choices are very limited, Kubota F series or a JD front mount or a Grasshopper front mount. No mid mount will have that feature.

 

[5030]

On his mowers its crank seals and head gaskets mostly for both the Kaw and Kohler.
He trades before 2000 hrs.
Running an air cooled motor long and hard will result in more problems.
I have a Kohler Courage, supposedly the bad Kohler, thats pushing 1300 hrs with no problems. It also seems to have a lot more power than my new Kaw.

I've found that the Kohler Courage that is on my wife's Cub has a weak starter. In fact I just bought a heavy duty starter to replace the wimpy one and it was almost 300 bucks. Wowzer. None of the pressure die cast aluminum blocked V twins will last as long as the older motors. I have a cast iron Kohler on my engine drive welder that is over 25 years old, runs like a top and starts right up and the sound a big Kohler makes when idling is pure music to your ears. It's a K241 btw. Only thing I had to do to it was replace the EPA non adjustable carb with one that was adjustable, a couple spark plugs and the normal oil and air filter changes. Back then Kohler built real engines. Not so today.