Looking for a zero turn.

[pipefitter]

I cut about 3.5 acres of grass. We've only lived here a year, and I've used my '92 Craftsman 42" rider, but it takes a while. I've been looking at stuff in the $2,500-$3500 range. What should I be looking for? Dual hydro's? Suspension? Engine type and size? My brother has a mobile repair shop and has worked on almost all of them. The only one he doesn't care for is the Craftsman. He said the "box store" JD's, Husky's, Toro's, Cub Cadet's, Ariens are fine if maintained. I really don't want to buy a commercial grade machine if I don't have to. I have a BX23 with a mmm that I can use but I really don't like racking up hours on it cutting grass.

 

[4570Man]

The upper end of your budget would buy a used commercial machine. I’d rather have a used commercial machine over a new lesser machine any day.

 

[gladehound]

Not sure why you don't want a commercial machine. I started out looking for a "good" homeowner level machine with a ~$3,500 budget. Then I ran into a 5 year old Exmark Laser with 400 hours of private use for $4,500 and the difference between the build was night and day. I went with the heavier used mower and am very happy I did.

 

[Turbys_1700]

A commercial grade unit will have serviceable hydro drives. My son purchased a CRZ Bob Cat zero turn last year. It is considered a lower grade commercial/homeowner unit with Hydro-Gear™ ZT-2800 hydrostatic drive transaxles. Those drives are fully serviceable. Personally I opted for a used Toro Groundsmaster 325d this spring. Not a zero turn but a commercial grade unit.

 

[morrisL]

You definately want serviceable pumps, those cheap big box store mowers have throw away pumps. I bought a Husqvarner MZ52 with Kawasaki 23hp for $4300, it has Hydrogear 3100 pumps.

 

[ZTMAN]

I assume your brother will help you out if you buy one of those beater mowers, BUT, I would use the BX. The extra hours is not going to depreciate the machine more than the cost of the mowers you are looking at.
Mowing 3.5 acres will put about 75 hours on the BX per year.

If time is an issue, then get a commercial ZT. I have a Scag, my neighbors have the BB or "professional" homeowner ZT models. I see them load them up at least once a season to take in for repairs, they don't leave as good of cut, and look uncomfortable since they have a smaller operator platform.

 

[pipefitter]

I looked at a Ferris, and liked the looks and the suspension. My brother is a retired firefighter, and they had a Ferris to use at their station. He didn't care for the cut, and thought the suspension was over rated. Thanks folks.

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't help with what to buy, but I would suggest trying to find one with as little saftey junk on it as possible. I have a Scag Wildcat that cost me $8,000 that was awesome at first, but after a few years, the safety switches started giving me issues and it would take an hour or two to track it down before I could get it to start. Then buying a new switch took time. Replacing it was easy, but after replacing every single one of them, they started going out again!!! Then it was the key, which I have now bypassed. The PTO Generator only lasted about five years and that was $300 to replace. I can't even count how many fuses that I've blown on it. I think that I've bypassed just about everything, and it's been working pretty good this year. Just be sure to find something that doesn't have a lot of needless wiring!!!

The other bid deal is changing the blades. I go through three sets of blades a year at my place. Sharpening them just wears them out faster. I run a set of blades for two months, then put in a new set. This gets me through mowing season. My blades are super easy to change. I like that a lot!!!

 

[JohnBuffaloMN]

Not sure why you don't want a commercial machine. I started out looking for a "good" homeowner level machine with a ~$3,500 budget. Then I ran into a 5 year old Exmark Laser with 400 hours of private use for $4,500 and the difference between the build was night and day. I went with the heavier used mower and am very happy I did.

Got my Exmark Lazer for around $3.8K about 1100 hours if I recall, with a brand new engine (gasoline), and a suspension seat! Heavy duty (I have a lot of rough terrain and trees) and it is holding up well. The deck on a non-commercial unit alone is non starter for me - they have to be tough!

 

[tcreeley]

I have a Craftsman ZTL7000. It is MTD made. Excellent zeroturn. Rugged. I mow the pasture, the lawn, hit rocks, do ditches. It does not like mud- gets stuck. It has a Briggs and Stratton twin motor - Platinum. Price was great when I got it - cheaper than the "name" brands.

 

[Wilco]

If you like the Ferris, check out Snapper Pro. Its the same machine minus the suspension. The ICD decks on them are one of the best cutting decks. Maybe the machine your brother used had the old style deck....?

 

[pipefitter]

It isn't that I don't "want" a commercial mower, I don't want to pay for one. I drove the Ferris a while ago, and liked it. Actually drove 3 of them. Blows my budget all to pieces! Still looking around. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[lennyzx11]

I bought my Dixie Chopper used but with a known history of good maint and care. Been an excellent mower to date.
I’m mowing 4 acres.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Have you looked at Hustler Fastrak or Big Dog Stout?

 

[Beltzington]

If you havn't used a zero-turn I would suggest you rent one and see what you think, some folks love them others don't. Your price range is going to limit your options to either residential grade new or commercial grade used. Look into finance options, I was able to purchase a new $6000 light duty commercial Cub Cadet ZT with steering wheel with no interest 48-month financing. Comes with a 48-month/500 hour factory warranty and all need to do is pay them $125/month, I could have wrote a check but why? Just don't miss a payment

 

[TractorGuy]

I cut about 3.5 acres of grass. We've only lived here a year, and I've used my '92 Craftsman 42" rider, but it takes a while. I've been looking at stuff in the $2,500-$3500 range. What should I be looking for? Dual hydro's? Suspension? Engine type and size? My brother has a mobile repair shop and has worked on almost all of them. The only one he doesn't care for is the Craftsman. He said the "box store" JD's, Husky's, Toro's, Cub Cadet's, Ariens are fine if maintained. I really don't want to buy a commercial grade machine if I don't have to. I have a BX23 with a mmm that I can use but I really don't like racking up hours on it cutting grass.

You are just looking to buy a new toy. Why did you buy a BX23 with MMM if you don't want to use it?

 

[hawkeye08]

ok, understand if you don't want to put some hours on your BX, but if you buy a mower, you'll put hours on it..

My budget was box store riding mower (last one was Scott 16hp 42" deck, ran it almost 20 years), but wanted something I could enjoy mowing with. We saved and purchased a new Ferris i700z. I love it, no issues other than slow leak on one rear tire. I like I can go out and mow for 1/2 the time it took on old mower and feel fine after, not beat up.

There are lots of options out there, some good sales right now. Shop around... if you have flat ground, zero turn will be fun, if hills, not so much.

 

[KubotainNH]

I would just use the BX, if it's too slow then add one of these on the back to mow a wider swath in one pass. It's a kubota, maintain it and it will last longer than most owners will own it for. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622249_200622249

If your heart is set on a ZT then like others you should try one first. There's some terrain they do not work well on. Used commercial would be my vote for what you need to mow.

 

[DK35vince]

I have a BX23 with a mmm that I can use but I really don't like racking up hours on it cutting grass.

That BX will hold up a whole lot better than an entry level zero turn.

 

[Shaneard]

You are just looking to buy a new toy. Why did you buy a BX23 with MMM if you don't want to use it?

Exactly, if you don’t want to use it then sell it and there’s your zero turn money.