looking for a zero turn or lawn tractor for my son

[GaryMX5]

My son has one of those 1 acre residential lots popular in the Dallas area. It's mostly flat but has a drainage ditch across the front and down one side (corner lot). It's fully sodded and irrigated) HOA requires the ditch to be maintained. He's been mowing with a walk behind (self propelled) 32" Ferris rotary mower. It can require 4 hours of non-stop mowing to get it done in nice weather (80 degrees or less) but in the summer it can easily become a 6 hour job. Even when he starts early it's already 90 degree and gets to 100+ really quick. Humidity doesn't help either. The Bermuda grass can grow so fast it can require cutting twice a week at times. The Ferris is no lightweight (+/- 300 lbs) and has to be muscled around a fair amount. I agreed to go in on a zero turn or lawn tractor to hopefully cut this job down to a hour or two and far less physically demanding. He's a wreak for the rest of the day after mowing. The ditches will still probably have to be cut by hand. They have 20 degree plus back slopes for most of their length (ditches are about 275 and 159 feet long). I was thinking of a 48" max mower due to limited garage space. There are some budget limits and we set it at 4500. to 5000.00 (inc., taxes, delivery, etc.). Naturally we'd like to stay under that if possible. He has about 3000.00 into the Ferris and another 500.00 into a new Toro AWD rotary (for trimming where the Ferris can't get). What would be the best bang for the buck in that price range? I'm aware that a fabricated deck is preferred as is a Kawasaki or Kohler motor. We've looked at Exmark, Ariens, Bad Boy, Cub Cadet Ultima, Toro Time Cutter Max & my ride. All seem to have a good mower. We're not afraid of buying from a big box store if it's for a decent quality machine. We're also open to considering lawn tractors as well only because they might take up a little less space in the garage, might be a little better on slopes, add some versatility , should be easier and cheaper to maintain and tend to be cheaper than zero turns..

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I’m just interested to learn, no experience. Many links to remote controlled ones and other when you search “best mower for 20 degree slope”

CubCadet Proz900 looks like a zero turn with a steering wheel. The heat and sun I’m sure there is a canopy option for some shade.

edit - nevermind that is a bit outside 3x the price range. But things to look at.

Maybe a small plastic storage type bin/shed for the mower only so you could get wider cut and maybe wider wheel base for stability on hills.

 

[ls1mike]

I have Cub Cadet Ultima 54 inch zero turn. I am on season 2 with it. I have an acre and a half, with a small hill. I love the thing. Cut my mowing time in half and so far it it is a really good machine. I have no complaints. For that size lot you don't need a big pricey one. It is generally about 3500 bucks, but the ZT1 42 inch can be had for just under 3000. Mine has the fabricated deck.
Here is just the backyard that I mow with it.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I know nothing about this mower but I'm kinda impressed with the price...

 

[97prizm]

My son has one of those 1 acre residential lots popular in the Dallas area. It's mostly flat but has a drainage ditch across the front and down one side (corner lot). It's fully sodded and irrigated) HOA requires the ditch to be maintained. He's been mowing with a walk behind (self propelled) 32" Ferris rotary mower. It can require 4 hours of non-stop mowing to get it done in nice weather (80 degrees or less) but in the summer it can easily become a 6 hour job. Even when he starts early it's already 90 degree and gets to 100+ really quick. Humidity doesn't help either. The Bermuda grass can grow so fast it can require cutting twice a week at times. The Ferris is no lightweight (+/- 300 lbs) and has to be muscled around a fair amount. I agreed to go in on a zero turn or lawn tractor to hopefully cut this job down to a hour or two and far less physically demanding. He's a wreak for the rest of the day after mowing. The ditches will still probably have to be cut by hand. They have 20 degree plus back slopes for most of their length (ditches are about 275 and 159 feet long). I was thinking of a 48" max mower due to limited garage space. There are some budget limits and we set it at 4500. to 5000.00 (inc., taxes, delivery, etc.). Naturally we'd like to stay under that if possible. He has about 3000.00 into the Ferris and another 500.00 into a new Toro AWD rotary (for trimming where the Ferris can't get). What would be the best bang for the buck in that price range? I'm aware that a fabricated deck is preferred as is a Kawasaki or Kohler motor. We've looked at Exmark, Ariens, Bad Boy, Cub Cadet Ultima, Toro Time Cutter Max & my ride. All seem to have a good mower. We're not afraid of buying from a big box store if it's for a decent quality machine. We're also open to considering lawn tractors as well only because they might take up a little less space in the garage, might be a little better on slopes, add some versatility , should be easier and cheaper to maintain and tend to be cheaper than zero turns..

Not sure what a used Ventrac goes for but they're specifically built for this type of steep bank mowing.

 

[racer12306]

I had a ZTR for 11 seasons. I struggled with the brand decision. My ultimate decision was to go with one where the servicing dealer was most accessible just in case. I got a good one and didn't need to utilize them for service at all.

I would suggest the lowest tier of commercial or the highest tier of consumer grade. That's where you generally get serviceable hydros.

Having sold the ZTR in favor of a robot mower, and having to use a conventional lawn tractor to mow 1.3 acres. OMG, if I ever have to buy a mower again, it will be a zero turn. The lawn tractors are so slow AND you have to restart the blades every single time you go in reverse. A ZTR can pull a yard cart, should you pull 500+lbs with it, probably not, but you also shouldn't do that with a less expensive lawn tractor.

For the price you're looking to spend, consider a robot if he really doesn't want to mow. There are several options out there, I've had mine for about a month and it's been the best home ownership month ever. Just have to trim around the property for 10-15 min. I have a Segway Navimow X450. Nice device. It will use more battery than you think it should but the whole mindset if you get to forget thinking about your mowing schedule. The spec sheet says it can handle 40* slopes. The X450 is $3000. I sold my ZTR (entry level commercial mower) for $4000, bought the robot for $3000 and bought a used Deere for when I need to haul stuff for $650. I have recently learned that an official battery is $400. With my use case, if I get 3 years out of a battery I'll be a little surprised. However, no gas, no maintenance and don't have to screw with mowing. I'm open to questions as I learn through this process.

 

[shortyb]

I know she polarizes a lot of people, but she generally has great info on how to repair your own OPE. I personally like her stuff. Here is
a piece she did on mowers at Big Box places and more. Neighbor got a ZT1 42" CubCadet a couple years ago and seems like a perfect mower for 1-2 acre lots. Her's is flat and smooth, so the stamped deck isn't a problem.

 

[nomas]

I bought a Bad Boy with a Kohler engine back in 2017 . So far all I have done is oil changes and a couple of sets of blades . Still running the original belts .

 

[64bawagon]

I just bought a Toro timecutter Max 54" zero turn with the 23 hp Kawasaki. I have been shopping for quite a while. Toro had a sale on but I am not sure if its still valid. All in got mine for $4600 with tax and delivery. I felt like that was a solid deal. The one thing I learned is to buy from a servicing dealer and not a home center. My Husky came from Lowes and was a nightmare.
Mine is not the "My ride" which can add an extra $500 to the price. I felt like it was the best value vs features.
I have a similar 1 acre to mow but mine has rolling hills that ultimately was too big a challenge for the husky. A 3% hill will kill that one.

 

[jeepman3071]

How big is the ditch area that needs to be mowed, and how severe is the slope? Zero turns are great for flat areas, but on hills and ditches they can slide and be quite the handful. I had an Exmark Lazer Z and while it was fast it beat me up with the rough ride, and wasn't great on hills for one of the yards I mow. I currently have an older John Deere garden tractor with a 54" deck which is quite comfortable and takes about the same time as the zero turn to mow my own lawn, and an Exmark Metro 48" walk-behind mower which works well for the hilly yard I mow.

Whatever you end up going with I suggest "over buying". If you get a lawn tractor, go with a John Deere X series from the dealer, they are worth the money. If you get a zero turn, go with an Exmark, Scag, Gravely or Ariens. Nothing from a big box store. Some of the big box store mowers are decent, but will come with cheaper engines/transmissions, and flimsy decks that just won't hold up over time. My small engine side business is basically built upon fixing box store mowers from surrounding neighborhoods.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

I have a half acre to mow but bought a Gravely ZT HD with a 52" deck. Entry level commercial, heavy duty residential. It's way more mower than I need but my lawn has a bunch of ruts, bumps, roots, etc. I was beating up and replacing the Lowe's/Home Depot John Deere's every 5 years.

I'd always break steering and deck parts. Decided to buy more mower than I needed. 4 years in and all I've had to do is change the oil...I expect this mower to last a long time as it is built like a tank!

Tell him to buy as much mower as he is comfortable spending. But considering he has a graded/smooth lawn he shouldn't need anything too crazy.

 

[_Will_]

We have a 50" Cub Cadet XT1 with the 24hp Kohler and k46 transaxle. Only one season but so far I'm a fan, the 24hp twin makes me chuckle compared to the worn down and half rebuilt 19hp thumber it replaced in an old Aerins that finally died after a decade of abuse. Lots of slops in our yard and it jumps up them, even tows around a lawn sweeper for when I need to clean up leaves or I let the grass get too tall and don't want my wife to have to use the backpack blower for a hour or more.

and do keep in mind there is a LOT of options but only a few manufacturers, and even then they share a lot of suppliers.