Looking for new zero-turn

[gathermewool]

I have a 28”, dual-blade Craftsman I bought from Sears of all places back in the day. It runs and works well, but bogs down easily and barely handles my 1.5 acres or so of mowable land. When I let it go for a week more I can only mow on the highest setting.

All of that is to say, it’s time to upgrade. I’ve had my mower since around when we moves in circa 2018 and, working long hours most days, especially 2nd shift now, I dread mowing with my “little” push mower.

Now, I’m not a rich man, so spending thousands on a mower must be 100% worth it to me. I’ve thought about used but I don’t trust people to maintain their OPE.

Also, my shed fits my current mower (and other OPE) fine, a larger tractor or zero-turn would have to be stored beneath my outside deck. Cover? Rained on? Other?

Thanks guys. I’m still really apprehensive about this purchase, so no decision will be made without weeks of deliberation.

Also, I know there are better-suited forums but I trust those here at BITOG. I’ve never been given bad advice…overall lol

 

[PontiacHO]

Just took delivery of a Toro TimeCutter 42 inch zero turn last week. Cuts beautifully. Sad though because there is an issue with the left side control. Going back to the dealer this week. Looks like the Toro is a more compact mower then the equivalent John Deere and Cub Cadet. I preferred the smaller Toro because of my tight yard with planting beds etc. That could be a wasted point if this one is going to give problems…. I may ask for a new replacement but I’m sure that won’t fly. Good luck. PS- This replaced a 20+ year old Craftsman 42 inch riding mower. If that exact mower (same quality) would have been available I would have purchased that….

 

[brandon9715]

I’m a John Deere fan when it comes to mowers. I mow with a 60” 757 and it does great work on my 2.5 acre yard. My second pick would be the Cub Cadet zero turns.

 

[dnewton3]

Honestly, I think one's money is better spend on a used commercial grade mower that has been cared for in private use. In my area, it's easy to get a quality unit built like a tank for $3000 or less with around 500 -700 hours on it. You'd never touch that kind of build quality in a "new" mower for $3k. Look for the big names ... Scag, Hustler, Exmark, Gravely, Dixie Chopper, etc.

There's only three main issues to look at; engine, drive system and deck. Chose what your money can buy and your eyes like.

 

[wavinwayne]

If I were buying a ZT today, it would be a John Deere from my local JD dealer. I would go in and explain to the salesperson exactly how big a yard I had, if there are any big hills, etc. I would ask the salesperson to give me three recommendations based on my needs and buy the one I liked best. It won't be cheap, but a good JD machine will last a long time. Good luck to you in your search and I hope you love whichever machine you decide on.

 

[The_Eric]

Does it need to be a ZT? Does it need to be new? What kind of ground do you have?lots of things to navigate? Open field? Potentially a good quality bew or used garden tractor would suffice.

 

[IveBeenRued]

All my local commercial guys use Ferris and Exmark. I personally went with Ferris and haven’t looked back. The four wheel independent suspension and suspension seat make mowing my extremely bumpy yard at 10MPH very comfortable, even with my bad back. I can mow my 2 acres in about 30-45 minutes.

 

[johnD2]

Kubota and John Deere have their own financing, 0% interest. Put a little money down and have it paid off in 4 years. The monthly payment will be equal or less than what you would pay somebody to mow your grass. A prosumer model will last a homeowner dang near a lifetime, or at least 20+ years.

 

[jhellwig]

I would look at Hustler if there are any dealers around you. Even the home owner grade ones look well built. Far better than the cheap Deere or Cub Cadet ones.

My parents got a FastTrack 60" this year. That thing is a tank and softer riding than the equivalent commercial Deere machine.

 

[spasm3]

I have a 28”, dual-blade Craftsman I bought from Sears of all places back in the day. It runs and works well, but bogs down easily and barely handles my 1.5 acres or so of mowable land. When I let it go for a week more I can only mow on the highest setting.

All of that is to say, it’s time to upgrade. I’ve had my mower since around when we moves in circa 2018 and, working long hours most days, especially 2nd shift now, I dread mowing with my “little” push mower.

Now, I’m not a rich man, so spending thousands on a mower must be 100% worth it to me. I’ve thought about used but I don’t trust people to maintain their OPE.

Also, my shed fits my current mower (and other OPE) fine, a larger tractor or zero-turn would have to be stored beneath my outside deck. Cover? Rained on? Other?

Thanks guys. I’m still really apprehensive about this purchase, so no decision will be made without weeks of deliberation.

Also, I know there are better-suited forums but I trust those here at BITOG. I’ve never been given bad advice…overall lol

What price range and what deck width do you want for your storage?

I agree with dnewton3 about commercial grade. I have been using a Timecutter residential mower for 13 years, it beats you up, i've rebuilt the deck it has been a good mower, i'm in the market for another, i'm cutting 2+ acres. From what i hear, the newer timecutters are not holding up like the one i have.

I will buy only a commercial unit, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HYDRO is in it. The death of the mower will probably be the transmission before the engine.

1.5 acres is probably the limit on a timecutter. I'd look at Badboy Mavrick, Toro Titan, or Titan Max. At the minimum.

Toro z-master 2000 or bad boy maveric HD offer a lot.

I'm trying to decide now between a Toro Z-master 4000 or the Bad Boy rebel and rebel x.

Used commercial if taken care of is, a good option.

 

[john_pifer]

I’ve been really happy with my Gravely ZT/XL 42” deck with Kawasaki FR651V (21 HP) and HydroGear ZT-2800 serviceable transaxles.

Good unit for the $$$. It’s sort of a “pro-Sumer” model. It’s a residential mower but the components are a step above a big box store model, and it has a 4-year warranty.

Mine has been completely trouble free in the 100+ hrs and almost 3 years I’ve had it.

I have the mulching kit, which I love. I hate side discharge mowers that leave a lot of clippings on top of the cut grass. With mine, there are zero clippings. They’re all turned pretty much into imperceptible dust by the mulching blades.

The 2023+ is even better. They gave it a better deck and many other improved features compared to mine.

I like my 42” because its so maneuverable. I can get into my ditch, and through my back gate.

But you might want a larger deck with 1.5 acres. My entire property is only 1.1 acres including the footprint of the house.

If you can swing it, you might even look at the ZT/HD. Suggest going to the website and comparing models.

 

[spasm3]

I’ve been really happy with my Gravely ZT/XL 42” deck with Kawasaki FR651V (21 HP) and HydroGear ZT-2800 serviceable transaxles.

Good unit for the $$$. It’s sort of a “pro-Sumer” model. It’s a residential mower but the components are a step above a big box store model, and it has a 4-year warranty.

Mine has been completely trouble free in the 100+ hrs and almost 3 years I’ve had it.

I have the mulching kit, which I love. I hate side discharge mowers that leave a lot of clippings on top of the cut grass. With mine, there are zero clippings. They’re all turned pretty much into imperceptible dust by the mulching blades.

The 2023+ is even better. They gave it a better deck and many other improved features compared to mine.

I like my 42” because its so maneuverable. I can get into my ditch, and through my back gate.

But you might want a larger deck with 1.5 acres. My entire property is only 1.1 acres including the footprint of the house.

If you can swing it, you might even look at the ZT/HD. Suggest going to the website and comparing models.
View attachment 292094View attachment 292095

Nice! Great looking mower. I like the foot pedal for the deck.
Solid engine. Same engine on my Toro. It's super reliable.

 

[john_pifer]

Nice! Great looking mower. I like the foot pedal for the deck.
Solid engine. Same engine on my Toro. It's super reliable.

Yeah, that pedal is handy to float the deck over roots, curbs, hills & rises, to keep from scalping.

 

[Arch Stanton]

If you are going to be storing it outside I wouldn't spend the money on a new one. Find a good used commercial grade ZTR or higher quality garden tractor like John Deere X series that meets your needs.

 

[raaizin]

Just took delivery of a Toro TimeCutter 42 inch zero turn last week. Cuts beautifully. Sad though because there is an issue with the left side control. Going back to the dealer this week. Looks like the Toro is a more compact mower then the equivalent John Deere and Cub Cadet. I preferred the smaller Toro because of my tight yard with planting beds etc. That could be a wasted point if this one is going to give problems…. I may ask for a new replacement but I’m sure that won’t fly. Good luck. PS- This replaced a 20+ year old Craftsman 42 inch riding mower. If that exact mower (same quality) would have been available I would have purchased that….

I have a Toro timecutter 42 inch purchased in 2009 still going strong

 

[Skippy722]

I’ve been really happy with my Gravely ZT/XL 42” deck with Kawasaki FR651V (21 HP) and HydroGear ZT-2800 serviceable transaxles.

Good unit for the $$$. It’s sort of a “pro-Sumer” model. It’s a residential mower but the components are a step above a big box store model, and it has a 4-year warranty.

Mine has been completely trouble free in the 100+ hrs and almost 3 years I’ve had it.

I have the mulching kit, which I love. I hate side discharge mowers that leave a lot of clippings on top of the cut grass. With mine, there are zero clippings. They’re all turned pretty much into imperceptible dust by the mulching blades.

The 2023+ is even better. They gave it a better deck and many other improved features compared to mine.

I like my 42” because its so maneuverable. I can get into my ditch, and through my back gate.

But you might want a larger deck with 1.5 acres. My entire property is only 1.1 acres including the footprint of the house.

If you can swing it, you might even look at the ZT/HD. Suggest going to the website and comparing models.
View attachment 292094View attachment 292095

I have the Cub Cadet version, Ultima ZT2. Same engine and hydros and it’s been fantastic, even on our steep hills, hillbilly shenanigans of towing furniture through the yard to the fire pit with a ratchet strap… just hit 100 problem free hours, I don’t even drain the carb for winter!

 

[PontiacHO]

Just took delivery of a Toro TimeCutter 42 inch zero turn last week. Cuts beautifully. Sad though because there is an issue with the left side control. Going back to the dealer this week. Looks like the Toro is a more compact mower then the equivalent John Deere and Cub Cadet. I preferred the smaller Toro because of my tight yard with planting beds etc. That could be a wasted point if this one is going to give problems…. I may ask for a new replacement but I’m sure that won’t fly. Good luck. PS- This replaced a 20+ year old Craftsman 42 inch riding mower. If that exact mower (same quality) would have been available I would have purchased that….

Coming back to my original post to correct this: the issue was my lack of knowledge regarding the setting that I was operating this mower with. I set it on the lowest speed setting (there are three) and mowing with that. As I’ve now learned, that setting is not for mowing. Just moving the equipment around in a tight setting (parking in a garage etc.) So, it was me not the new mower. What can I say… I’m old and think I know everything. More proof here…that’s not the case. Sorry.