New Zero Turn 60 to 72 " cut

I have a cub cadet, reasonable purchase price and its been flawless. Mine is basically a few blades and an engine strapped together but it's tough, I've had guys bounce it off of roots and stumps on the lawn, keeps coming back for more. Doesn't do well on slopes though perhaps that's just the tires. Almost 10 years old now, about 600 hours, and only issue I've had is leaky valve covers, I believe it's a kohler 24 hp.

https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/zero-turn-mowers/zt2-60/17AIEAC5A10.html
 
walterjay said:
I wonder how they handle oil starvation on heavy slopes. I saw one in operation on a hill that scared me.
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My cousin has had one for many years..he is 78 and mows steep farm hills in PA.
Never has any issues with it. I guess they figured that out many years ago
 
This Exmark will amaze you on hills. 708 cc front steer and only a 50" deck. You will look like a loser driving it but hey it works 😃

I have banks that go down to the main highway and they are really too steep to walk.
I can take this and drive it down and up.
I've actually had men stop thinking I lost control and ran down the hill and when they see me run straight up they are amazed.
No way would I ever try that with a ZT and mine has radials...no way.

1000002974.jpg
 
Zee09 said:
This Exmark will amaze you on hills. 708 cc front steer and only a 50" deck. You will look like a loser driving it but hey it works 😃

I have banks that go down to the main highway and they are really too steep to walk.
I can take this and drive it down and up.
I've actually had men stop thinking I lost control and ran down the hill and when they see me run straight up they are amazed.
No way would I ever try that with a ZT and mine has radials...no way.
Click to expand...

So what is it about a ZT that makes them terrible on slopes? Always thought it was just my tires. I've noticed though that they can be tricking in swampy areas as the second you lose traction on the slippery side, the other wheel keeps powering on and pushes you right into it even further whereas a traditional mower the steering at the front keeps you straight and you can turn out of it easier.
 
hemioiler said:
So what is it about a ZT that makes them terrible on slopes? Always thought it was just my tires. I've noticed though that they can be tricking in swampy areas as the second you lose traction on the slippery side, the other wheel keeps powering on and pushes you right into it even further whereas a traditional mower the steering at the front keeps you straight and you can turn out of it easier.
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No front steering basically. I mow many hills with mine and the radials do help a great deal.
I mow hills horizontally but try to maintain an upward approach.
If I start losing my traction and start going downwards I immediately go downwards and do not try to recover as once you lost your grip you're not going to beat it and then I go back at it horizontally.

I don't like that up and down mowing. That Exmark avoids all of that as it doesn't have casters and thus you steer out of any issue with ease.

I agree with the mud..
Get a wheel in it and all you are going to do is dig deeper. And if your by yourself a zt can be a nightmare to pull out in some remote field..
I did it a few times and try not to ever do that again 🥴
 
Radials aren't so kind to the grass though. They like to dig and tear..
 
IveBeenRued said:
Oh my bad. I forgot to list the dealer I got that good end of season deal from. It was Bruno’s Farm and Lawn out of Cabot, Arkansas. They offer free shipping and they even helped me get 0% APR for 48 months. https://www.brunosfarmandlawn.com/inventory/ferris-mowers/
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I’ll second Bruno’s. I bought my 52” Ferris walk behind with the 28HP EFI Briggs from them 6 or 7 years ago for $2,000 less than I could get it locally. I’d love to support my local dealer but not at the cost of saving $2,000.

This motor is awesome and likely overkill for a 52” deck but I don’t think you could bog it no matter how tall the grass is.
 
While im not qualified to offer insight on this post i have been eyeing up the used grasshoppers 721 / 722d as they seem to be very sleek, and well built. Next year I may try to hunt one down.
 
Ferris. They have shocks and suspension seats.
Our Ferris is a 2014, no issues with it. At the time I bought it, Ferris was the only one with suspension but no I believe there are quite a few that have suspensions.
 
IveBeenRued said:
As a fellow bad back sufferer, I went with a Ferris ISX 800. Four wheel independent suspension and a suspension seat, it’s like riding a cloud that can mow 12” grass at 10MPH.

I bought it in January 2021 but it was a left over 2020 model. Original MSRP was around $11K but I paid $6700. They shipped it for free to property in Virginia.
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Concur. I have a 700 so I had to add the suspension seat but they ride nice for sure.
 
IveBeenRued said:
As a fellow bad back sufferer, I went with a Ferris ISX 800. Four wheel independent suspension and a suspension seat, it’s like riding a cloud that can mow 12” grass at 10MPH.

I bought it in January 2021 but it was a left over 2020 model. Original MSRP was around $11K but I paid $6700. They shipped it for free to property in Virginia.
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That’s why I bought mine. I have the 700 and rough ground.
 
 
I would prefer any commercial mower that doesn’t have the smart key pad. Scag, Dixie Chopper, and Spartan are some that come with the smart key pad.
 
Zee09 said:
This Exmark will amaze you on hills. 708 cc front steer and only a 50" deck. You will look like a loser driving it but hey it works 😃

I have banks that go down to the main highway and they are really too steep to walk.
I can take this and drive it down and up.
I've actually had men stop thinking I lost control and ran down the hill and when they see me run straight up they are amazed.
No way would I ever try that with a ZT and mine has radials...no way.

View attachment 217692
Click to expand...
Would that be considered a steero turn? We just picked up a used Toro like that for my 81 year old mom to use. I figured that it would be easier for her to learn than a lever operated unit. So far, so good.
 
Wife has a Kawi powered Gravely 160 and she loves it. Serviceable hydros are important to me. At my old work we had Grasshoppers and Deeres. Grasshoppers were absolute garbage, constant problems with everything except the underpowered Kubota engines. The Deeres were rock solid and did a nice job. I have worked on other Grasshoppers since and they have been crap also. Take a serious look at the Gravely, avoid the el cheapo Cub Cadet box store special. Whatever brand you chose, get it from your local dealer.
 
Opelman said:
Would that be considered a steero turn? We just picked up a used Toro like that for my 81 year old mom to use. I figured that it would be easier for her to learn than a lever operated unit. So far, so good.
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Front steer is what Exmark calls it.
 
MParr said:
I would prefer any commercial mower that doesn’t have the smart key pad. Scag, Dixie Chopper, and Spartan are some that come with the smart key pad.
Click to expand...
I have had no issues with mine and it's been 7 years and that part is inexpensive and easy to replace on a Spartan
 
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