Buying Advice Tips and Guidelines before buying a Zero Turn Mower

[MESSMAKER]

I want to get a used commercial ZTR for my 38 acre farm (2-5 acres to mow). What make do you recommend and what make would you not recommend?

Thanks,

Horse farms everywhere around me. Scag rules. They claim they take more punishment and break down less, but I believe other brands are just about as good.

 

[ztrjim]

Scag seem complex for the everyday homeowner, but yes they are a good machine!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Scag seem complex for the everyday homeowner, but yes they are a good machine!

I don't see how Scags are any more complex than any other ZTR mower. They are expensive, but so are all professional grade ZTR mowers.

 

[Bheal]

I want to get a used commercial ZTR for my 38 acre farm (2-5 acres to mow). What make do you recommend and what make would you not recommend?

Thanks,

We have tested and had several different commercial mowers on our horse farm. We have never tried Scag, but of the other mowers we have found that none compare in durability with the John Deere 997. As far as quality of cut all the mowers do more or less the same in my opinion.

 

[ztrjim]

John Deere's 900 series are well built

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a John Deere. Hard to be much happier. It has the stamped deck and pretty much seems indestructible.

 

[Clay45]

SCAG Tiger Cat here. Love it. But one thing a residential user needs to realize is a commercial piece of equipment has to be maintained as a commercial piece of equipment. You need to be able to jack it up, remove blades, wheels, etc. to service it. A grease gun and a few other things that a guy with a Craftsman push mower seldom thinks about. Yes, it should last many years longer and you will have it much longer with proper attention. I mow about 5 rough somewhat hilly acres and wouldn't want any less but in town where I lived before it would be way overkill.

 

[ztrjim]

One of the best new residential zero turns out now is the all new 2015 Hustler with flip up deck.... 2015 Hustler Turf Raptor Flip Up Deck Zero Turn Mower

 

[RollingsFarms]

I have a John Deere 910A that has given me excellent service in the 4 years I've owned it! I wanted an Exmark or a hustler but Deere was willing to give me a better deal at the time. I also liked that I knew getting parts wouldn't be a problem because the dealer I bought it from also carries a ton of tractors and I can always get parts easily for my tractors. If I could give anyone advice it would be buy the suspension seat NOW as well as get a mulching kit (where you can open and close the chute).

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think how much $ you spend on a zero turn, depends on how much you are going top use it, and how long you expect it to last.

I wanted a mower that would last many years, doing a LOT of cutting and would be useful in the winter too. Also I have bushes to mow under, so I wanted a front deck too. The front deck models ride a LOT better, so that helps my back issues, as they ride a lot better with the deck out front.

Anyway, I chose a Grasshopper 725-D and the D stands for diesel, as in Kubota diesel.

Also I opted for the electric lift on the deck,

That makes it REALLY easy to clean under the deck and when sharpening the blades is needed!!

I also bought the sno-blower option,

It's an amazing sno-blower! It works waaaay better than I expected it to, and throws the snow about 30'! It easily eats it way through deep snow too...

Anyway, I've owned/run different zero turns, but this one easily out shines the others I've used!

SR

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

SR, I almost pulled the trigger on a gently used 725D 60" a couple of weeks ago. At the last moment, I decided to buy a gently used BX2660 with MMM instead. I still wish I could have both of them. I love those front-deck Grasshopper mowers. That PowerFold deck sure makes blade changes and deck cleaning a breeze, doesn't it?

I also looked at a 72" 930D. What a beast that one is.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

SR, I almost pulled the trigger on a gently used 725D 60" a couple of weeks ago. At the last moment, I decided to buy a gently used BX2660 with MMM instead. I still wish I could have both of them. I love those front-deck Grasshopper mowers. That PowerFold deck sure makes blade changes and deck cleaning a breeze, doesn't it?

I also looked at a 72" 930D. What a beast that one is.

I also have an older 721-D and the 725-D is a HUGE step UP! I like it MUCH better than I thought I would...

I think in your case, I would have bought the 725 and an older tractors!

SR

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . I think in your case, I would have bought the 725 and an older tractors!

I thought about it, but don't have room for both of them in the garage.

 

[ztrjim]

Grasshopper makes very good machines. What do decent used ones go for?

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Grasshopper makes very good machines. What do decent used ones go for?

The one I found was a 725D front-mount with the Kubota diesel motor with 300 hours for approx. $8,000.

 

[slow84ta]

I love Grasshopper, but I think it's overkill for my less then 2 acres. I'm thinking about one of those new Husqvarna Z246i zero turn mowers.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Did you know Grasshopper has some lesser priced models too?? I believe they are aimed at home owners...

SR

 

[RalphVa]

One very important issue is how easy it is to remove the blades on the deck. On a Scag that we got for our church a few years back and that I maintained, I could literally remove its 3 blades in about 5 minutes' time. They were all through bolted and were easily accessed by raising the deck with a built-in hoist.

Think I even replaced one of the blade shaft bearings once and that it was an easy job.

The Scag compared to a (say) Sears underbelly tractor mower (that we had for the church at the time) was kinda like comparing a MacKissic chipper/shredder to a Troy Bilt Tomahawk. Both are like light and day comparisons concerning maintenance.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

One very important issue is how easy it is to remove the blades on the deck. On a Scag that we got for our church a few years back and that I maintained, I could literally remove its 3 blades in about 5 minutes' time. They were all through bolted and were easily accessed by raising the deck with a built-in hoist.

Think I even replaced one of the blade shaft bearings once and that it was an easy job.

The Scag compared to a (say) Sears underbelly tractor mower (that we had for the church at the time) was kinda like comparing a MacKissic chipper/shredder to a Troy Bilt Tomahawk. Both are like light and day comparisons concerning maintenance.

Ralph

 

[the old grind]

Country Clipper has had a 'Stand Up Deck' for 20 yrs or so, and a pal has had their 60" x 25hp (Kohler Command) for 15 yrs or more. His 4.5 ac have really tested it that I can tell. Only issues have ever been with .. the motor. (sticking lifter & gd wire to v-reg pinched/shorted under fan cover)

I looked at used commercial mowers for my tree-peppered 2 ac job & saw too many with >2k hrs on them priced too much over $5k to suit my tastes. Got the 'Husky' MZ6128ZT with fabbed deck, H-G ZT 3400 wheel motors, dampened control levers, foot-op deck lift, for ~$5k with warranty. (Current 'MZ61' uses ZT3100s, and Kaw-power alt is very close in price).

I like the lift-out platform/plate that allows easy access for greasing spindles and checking/clearing belt area. btw, Dixon is now owned by Husqvarna, offers similar models, and it's been a big help that my dealer can also get parts for my '96 4228. I should get to 2k hrs in 20 or so years with the Husky, so I'll let you know how that's going.

What I miss is an articulating front axle, something my CC RZT50 had. (Nicer to have all 4 wheels on the ground!) To get that feature anymore we'd look at ... Country Clipper. (joystick, anyone?)
Country Clipper zero-turn mowers have zero-turn radius capability