Things to consider for Zero Turn purchase

[NTrotty]

What are the key points to consider for selecting a zero turn, outside price. We have dealers local for all major brands, Grasshopper, DIxie Chopper, Scag,John Deere, etc. Want quality and ease of maintenance. Belt design, lubrication points, deck material thickness, etc.

Your experience appreciated.

 

[Sprinkler Buddy]

What are the key points to consider for selecting a zero turn, outside price. We have dealers local for all major brands, Grasshopper, DIxie Chopper, Scag,John Deere, etc. Want quality and ease of maintenance. Belt design, lubrication points, deck material thickness, etc.

Your experience appreciated.

Warranty and service department of each dealer? (ask around locally) Look at which one is easiest for you to change the cutting height, Leg space, seat comfortable for you? Some decks are stamped, I prefer one that has been welded. All of those brands are descent mowers, including the ones you haven't mentioned. They all have had to improve their mowers from the past in order to compete in today's market. I like the mule belt design. Most have gone to sealed bearings and don't have as many lubrication points, including mine. I was a skeptic but I have been impressed with the sealed bearings for the most part. Happy Shopping!:thumbsup:

 

[MrHiggins]

After many years of experience, my first consideration would be the mower "must" have a front mounted deck & that it is easy to raise. Front decks or so much easier to maintain: cleaning, blade changes & lubrication. They also mow so close & go under trees, you will be able to eliminate a lot of trimming.
There are several quality brands, Grasshopper & Zipper come to mind. If you will be mowing more than an acre, buy a commercial quality mower & it will last many years. I would say generally you will be able to buy parts for 20 years. I have a 22 year old White that I can still get parts for easily.
When you have narrowed it down to the type of deck you want, check for quality of materials used, thickness of steel, quality of welds etc. Another factor is no chain or belt drives on the mower except for the blades. The brand of engine is not an important factor to me. They are all good in my opinion & I have had most brands.
My next mower will probably be a Grasshopper even if I can only afford a used one.

 

[Bird]

Warranty and service department of each dealer?

Yep. I've got Toro and Stihl equipment, including a Toro ZTR, partly because I like the products and they have the features I wanted, partly because of price, and partly because I like the folks and service at Lowery Motor Service while I bought mine.

 

[Gizmo2]

Yep. I've got Toro and Stihl equipment, including a Toro ZTR, partly because I like the products and they have the features I wanted, partly because of price, and partly because I like the folks and service at Lowery Motor Service while I bought mine.

Same here,Toro and Stihl can't go wrong. What ZTR you have? We have had a ZMaster 150 since 04 and I am still impressed with the mowing ability and speed.

 

[Bird]

Same here,Toro and Stihl can't go wrong. What ZTR you have? We have had a ZMaster 150 since 04 and I am still impressed with the mowing ability and speed.

For my little bit of mowing, I actually have the bottom of the line in Toro ZTRs. It's the Timecutter SS3200.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have a Grasshopper front deck and deck maintenance is simple. Flip deck up, wash it out, take blades off, replace blades..... less than a 5 minute job total. No jacks, blocks, hoists or laying on the ground is involved. A grease fitting on each spindle every 8 hors (or once a month for me), one on each deck caster (also once a month maybe twice), one on the pto slip shaft, and two underneath on the pillow blocks that the dealer said hit them on Memorial Day and Labor Day.

My dad has a new Gravely pro turn something with the sealed spindles with no grease zerks. They claim a lifetime spindle, to change the blades or wash it out involves lifting it somehow and laying on the ground. The Toro Z449 he used to have had one on each spindle, on the front casters and a few in the linkage. I loved that mower but it was a bit higher maintenance and again laying on the ground to wash out and change blades.

 

[sld]

For my little bit of mowing, I actually have the bottom of the line in Toro ZTRs. It's the Timecutter SS3200.

Bird, I have been using a Timecutter SZ5000 to cut my Mom's 5 acres (3 1/2 grass) for the last 3 years. It has held up great and is a cutting machine!

I'm sure commercial mowers are better but at 60-70 hours per year this thing will last quite a while.