Time for a Zero Turn

[RalphVa]

We did the lawn this afternoon. The wife was not supposed to be doing it (doc told her light duty for 2 weeks after doing her new tooth base), and she wasn't supposed to be pulling old barbed wire out of along the old maintenance road down below this morning either. Told her that I just could no longer do the lawn with the walkbehinds. She said, "No, I can do it." No, she cannot when it gets much above 80. I'd been able to do about 30 minutes at a time in the past, resting in between when really hot. Now, my lower legs and feet just aren't cutting it.

Told her we need a zero turn. She finally caved.

Watched a youtube video yesterday that popped up beside the church service one we were watching. Told about best 5 ZTRs below $5,000. Most economical ones were the Toro 42 inch Timecutter and a Husqvarna 200 series. Past this, they got bigger and closer to $5,000. Much as I'd love to have a battery one (Ryobi has a 42 inch for $4,200), I think they're just not me ready. Maybe only 2 hours mowing time. Would have to watch the time carefully if I used one to mow the trails.

The Toro 42 Timecutter is available by a local dealer who seems to have same prices as at Home Depot. Would get better service from the local guy. Mulching kits online for them are $159. Got lots of hp to do mulching. Really only need 18 hp. It has north of 20.

Ralph

 

[fried1765]

We did the lawn this afternoon. The wife was not supposed to be doing it (doc told her light duty for 2 weeks after doing her new tooth base), and she wasn't supposed to be pulling old barbed wire out of along the old maintenance road down below this morning either. Told her that I just could no longer do the lawn with the walkbehinds. She said, "No, I can do it." No, she cannot when it gets much above 80. I'd been able to do about 30 minutes at a time in the past, resting in between when really hot. Now, my lower legs and feet just aren't cutting it.

Told her we need a zero turn. She finally caved.

Watched a youtube video yesterday that popped up beside the church service one we were watching. Told about best 5 ZTRs below $5,000. Most economical ones were the Toro 42 inch Timecutter and a Husqvarna 200 series. Past this, they got bigger and closer to $5,000. Much as I'd love to have a battery one (Ryobi has a 42 inch for $4,200), I think they're just not me ready. Maybe only 2 hours mowing time. Would have to watch the time carefully if I used one to mow the trails.

The Toro 42 Timecutter is available by a local dealer who seems to have same prices as at Home Depot. Would get better service from the local guy. Mulching kits online for them are $159. Got lots of hp to do mulching. Really only need 18 hp. It has north of 20.

Ralph

I know nothing about the Toro 42 Timecutter, but if you are comparing with big box store ZTR's you can get much better quality for just a little more money, and still stay under $5,000.
There are several other options, but I bought a 48" SCAG Liberty Z for $4,400 OTD six months ago, and it is very close to a commercial quality machine.
The SCAG is way better built than the Toro machines I see at HD.

 

[droptop]

I'm with you on a SCAG vs a Timecutter.

 

[frogracer]

Loving the Bad Boy Mowers. ZT Elite is top end residential - low end commercial.

These prices are set by Bad Boy.

 

[Richard001]

Keep in mind that Z-turns have issues with hills. Is your yard more or less level ?

 

[3gunr]

My son has the toro titan with the my ride system , its awsome. I have a bad boy and like it also , After i put a suspension seat on it.

 

[3gunr]

Toro is made by exmark which is very high quality .

 

[shooterdon]

I did a lot of investigating and I am getting a Bag Boy ZT Elite. It has a 7 ga deck and front suspension.

The second choice was a Country Clipper. We loved driving with the joy stick....but only a 12 ga deck and looks less robust in every way.

 

[RalphVa]

I struck out with the local dealer. He did not have the 75740 but did have the mulch kit. May go the Home Depot route if I can get the wife settled down. She's been worked hard in the heat. She doesn't do well in the heat. She cannot mow the yard with the walkbehind in the heat. I'm telling her that I cannot now do it. Working this out.

This sounds almost like a tractor discussion, so much BIGGER IS BETTER proposals. Well, I cannot get bigger into some places on our property and on the upper trail along a carved out maintenance road.

Rethinking again about not going battery. Lots of gasoline to have around for the ZT and lots more maintenance to them every year, about $100 just in spark plugs, etc. Add in the gas of near 1 gph on carbs. Think would pretty much run free plugged into the carriage house with its solar panels on top. Battery units run $4200-4900, depending on whether Ryobi or EGO: about $1500-2200 more than the lesser expensive Toro 14.5 hp unit.

 

[LittleBill21]

I struck out with the local dealer. He did not have the 75740 but did have the mulch kit. May go the Home Depot route if I can get the wife settled down. She's been worked hard in the heat. She doesn't do well in the heat. She cannot mow the yard with the walkbehind in the heat. I'm telling her that I cannot now do it. Working this out.

This sounds almost like a tractor discussion, so much BIGGER IS BETTER proposals. Well, I cannot get bigger into some places on our property and on the upper trail along a carved out maintenance road.

Rethinking again about not going battery. Lots of gasoline to have around for the ZT and lots more maintenance to them every year, about $100 just in spark plugs, etc. Add in the gas of near 1 gph on carbs. Think would pretty much run free plugged into the carriage house with its solar panels on top. Battery units run $4200-4900, depending on whether Ryobi or EGO: about $1500-2200 more than the lesser expensive Toro 14.5 hp unit.

RalphVa,

100 in spark plugs a year????? what in the world are you buying? I haven't had to change a spark plug prolly in 20 years on any of machines. I don't know why they came up with this change spark plugs every year. you don't do it in your car, why does a small machine need it. Some of my machines are 25 years old on the original plugs..

can you get 2 hours on the battery units? battery units really aren't cheaper over gas equivalent, but i am not versed on the new tractors, have they moved to lipo, life4?

if it takes you 2 hours with a push mower, i wouldn't be surprised if it takes you 30 minutes now. I use to use a push mower on 1.5 acres all hills. 3+ hours. now takes 50 minutes with a 46" lawn tractor, not a zt

 

[Oaktree]

I don't know why they came up with this change spark plugs every year. you don't do it in your car, why does a small machine need it. Some of my machines are 25 years old on the original plugs..

I don't have any small engine equipment that's 25 years old (though my chain saw is getting there), but yeah, 4 strokes shouldn't need plugs very often. 2 strokes, well maybe a different story.

Keep in mind that Z-turns have issues with hills. Is your yard more or less level ?

I've heard that, but no one's ever elaborated. Is it that they have a higher center of gravity than, say a lawn tractor making them tippy or is it a traction issue?

As far as box store mower vs one from a power equipment dealer, much depends on your age and how much use it'll get. I've had decent enough luck with box store mowers in the past, not sure a pro model is worth the extra money for a homeowner.

 

[fried1765]

I struck out with the local dealer. He did not have the 75740 but did have the mulch kit. May go the Home Depot route if I can get the wife settled down. She's been worked hard in the heat. She doesn't do well in the heat. She cannot mow the yard with the walkbehind in the heat. I'm telling her that I cannot now do it. Working this out.

This sounds almost like a tractor discussion, so much BIGGER IS BETTER proposals. Well, I cannot get bigger into some places on our property and on the upper trail along a carved out maintenance road.

Rethinking again about not going battery. Lots of gasoline to have around for the ZT and lots more maintenance to them every year, about $100 just in spark plugs, etc. Add in the gas of near 1 gph on carbs. Think would pretty much run free plugged into the carriage house with its solar panels on top. Battery units run $4200-4900, depending on whether Ryobi or EGO: about $1500-2200 more than the lesser expensive Toro 14.5 hp unit.

I bought 6 Platinum tipped Bosch plugs for my MB E-350 for $60.
$100 every year for (2?) mower plugs, filters, etc?
Perhaps....if using 200+ hours each year.

 

[LittleBill21]

2 strokes, well maybe a different story.

Yea Don't change those either, may hit them with an air compressor if i flood them out

 

[stevem5215]

I have a Toro 2 stroke mower i bought in 1990. I have replaced the spark plug once in all these years. It starts FIRST PULL all the time. Even in the spring after sitting all winter. That's reliable. No expensive maint needed every year. Never have changed the oil either lol.

 

[txndncowboy]

The tires are the suspension on most Zero turn mowers and if you have a bad back that can hurt. Recently stumbled onto a coil spring suspension type but darn are they expensive...https://www.ferrismowers.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/zero-turn-mowers/isx-3300-etc-zero-turn-mowers.html

 

[Hay Dude]

Keep in mind that Z-turns have issues with hills. Is your yard more or less level ?

Say what?
I cut hills some of my clients can’t even walk on with a zero turn.

 

[Diggin It]

Keep in mind that Z-turns have issues with hills. Is your yard more or less level ?

I've heard that, but no one's ever elaborated. Is it that they have a higher center of gravity than, say a lawn tractor making them tippy or is it a traction issue?

Say what?
I cut hills some of my clients can’t even walk on with a zero turn.

I don't have a ZT, but I do have hills. Fairly steep ones by comparison to most yards. Everything I read here and other places was that ZTs have control issues on hills. Mostly when trying to maintain a straight line while mowing across a hill, but also a tendency to freewheel or slide downhill. Even the guy I bought the property from who uses a ZT on his own place told me no.

That's regarding the consumer/home owner grade models. The commercial models may handle better, but the cost is much higher.

Can't speak from experience since I went with a SCUT instead.



Before buying an electric model, check replacement cost of batteries. You'll probably need a set after a few years. Think of how often you need new batteries for cordless tools.

 

[Hay Dude]

My zero turn is excellent on hills. First, it has an extremely low center of gravity so it is not tippy. It has a protective roll over structure and seatbelts.
As far as traction goes, it is very good. If you remove the turf tires and install bar tires, it will go almost anywhere, but they are not necessary for steep ground.
I have no issues going across hills or with sliding. I believe that is more of an operator issue. When I first got mine, I did have issues, but learned how to control it properly and I am confident on the steepest hills. Some of them are difficult to walk up, but the zero turn goes across, up or down same hills.
I can go down or up the steepest hills, let go of the controls and it will just coast to a soft stop in 1-2 feet and sit there.
I don’t know the OPs hill situation, but with a little experience, a zero turn can handle very steep hills effortlessly.

 

[Jimc295]

I second the Ferris recommendation and also not the 60 or 72 inch models. a 48in will cut in 1/2 the time of a lawn tractor. No hills are recommended by the manufactures but you can cut on hills within reason. The SCAG recommendation is also a good one, my buddy has a SCAG that is 20 years old and only has had to change the oil and and filters.

 

[MoKelly]

I have a Toro 2 stroke mower i bought in 1990. I have replaced the spark plug once in all these years. It starts FIRST PULL all the time. Even in the spring after sitting all winter. That's reliable. No expensive maint needed every year. Never have changed the oil either lol.

Oh my. The environmental folks will be marching in front of your place now!

MoKelly