Pick your poison. (with a Kawasaki Engine)
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Which 60" or so Zero Turn mower to buy or avoid?
- Thread starter rekit
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After the engine - get the best wheel hydros you can. The will be ZT-EZT to ZT 3400 at this price range. Try to stay away from the ZT-EZT Hydro-Gears if you can......I don't think they even come with a filter, so $600+ -whatever each if you have to replace....the filtered units see 1000+ hours trouble free (with oil changes at 50hrs and 200hrs etc. after that).
the rest is more or less the same I would imagine. Welded decks etc.
the rest is more or less the same I would imagine. Welded decks etc.
I have a 2010 model Cub Cadet 50" with the 23 hp Kawasaki. The mower itself isn't commercial grade, but the engine is top notch. Go with the Kawasaki if you can find it on the mower you like!
I have a Ferris stand on powered by Kawasaki for my property. Never an issue with it but it's only 2 years old.
Stand on mowers are better for your back and are becoming more popular because they are more efficient regarding time.
A stand on may not be the right mower for the OP being that he wants a 60"? But is a suggestion for anyone reading this thread.
Stand on mowers are better for your back and are becoming more popular because they are more efficient regarding time.
A stand on may not be the right mower for the OP being that he wants a 60"? But is a suggestion for anyone reading this thread.
I have a Scag Liberty Z 48" with a Kawasaki (carb) that I got new for around $4K. The control arms need little effort so I don't even notice any return pressure. I think a 48" or 52" deck will handle 2 acres with no problem. A 60" deck is overkill and will require a more expensive mower.
I highly recommend a Scag with a Kawasaki engine. The Liberty Z is their consumer grade mower but it is built better than the box store mowers in the same price range. It is available with a 52" and 61" deck. The 61" deck only comes with a 26 h.p. Kohler engine. Their commercial grade mowers are built for constant use cutting 8 or 10 hours a day. The mower I have should last me a lifetime only cutting one acre once a week. I've had it 3 trouble free years now. Just ordinary maintenance.
https://scag.com/zeroturns.html
I highly recommend a Scag with a Kawasaki engine. The Liberty Z is their consumer grade mower but it is built better than the box store mowers in the same price range. It is available with a 52" and 61" deck. The 61" deck only comes with a 26 h.p. Kohler engine. Their commercial grade mowers are built for constant use cutting 8 or 10 hours a day. The mower I have should last me a lifetime only cutting one acre once a week. I've had it 3 trouble free years now. Just ordinary maintenance.
https://scag.com/zeroturns.html
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Re: Stand up mower, we rode some Segways once (those electric 2 wheeled gyro equipped things) and it killed our (older) knees when the street got a little rough. Feral hogs a few years ago left me with a minefield in parts of the yard. F#%%^& hogs.....
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted by rekit
To those of you responding, please state whether the control arms need constant effort or not. And how bad was it to change the belts and bearings? Are there grease fittings, etc. Thanks.
Any ZTR with lap bars is going to need constant pressure on the bars for speed and direction. Swat at a giant horse fly biting your forehead and you do a [censored] of a zero turn donut. Been there. LOL
My arms go numb after a while when using a lap bar controlled ZTR.
They've got all kind of fancy steering wheel equipped ZTRs these day to counter act that.
To those of you responding, please state whether the control arms need constant effort or not. And how bad was it to change the belts and bearings? Are there grease fittings, etc. Thanks.
Any ZTR with lap bars is going to need constant pressure on the bars for speed and direction. Swat at a giant horse fly biting your forehead and you do a [censored] of a zero turn donut. Been there. LOL
My arms go numb after a while when using a lap bar controlled ZTR.
They've got all kind of fancy steering wheel equipped ZTRs these day to counter act that.
Originally Posted by jhs914
I have a Scag Liberty Z 48" with a Kawasaki (carb) that I got new for around $4K. The control arms need little effort so I don't even notice any return pressure. I think a 48" or 52" deck will handle 2 acres with no problem. A 60" deck is overkill and will require a more expensive mower.
I highly recommend a Scag with a Kawasaki engine. The Liberty Z is their consumer grade mower but it is built better than the box store mowers in the same price range. It is available with a 52" and 61" deck. The 61" deck only comes with a 26 h.p. Kohler engine. Their commercial grade mowers are built for constant use cutting 8 or 10 hours a day. The mower I have should last me a lifetime only cutting one acre once a week. I've had it 3 trouble free years now. Just ordinary maintenance.
https://scag.com/zeroturns.html
Yes my son In-laws 48 does 2.5 acres with ease.
I have a Scag Liberty Z 48" with a Kawasaki (carb) that I got new for around $4K. The control arms need little effort so I don't even notice any return pressure. I think a 48" or 52" deck will handle 2 acres with no problem. A 60" deck is overkill and will require a more expensive mower.
I highly recommend a Scag with a Kawasaki engine. The Liberty Z is their consumer grade mower but it is built better than the box store mowers in the same price range. It is available with a 52" and 61" deck. The 61" deck only comes with a 26 h.p. Kohler engine. Their commercial grade mowers are built for constant use cutting 8 or 10 hours a day. The mower I have should last me a lifetime only cutting one acre once a week. I've had it 3 trouble free years now. Just ordinary maintenance.
https://scag.com/zeroturns.html
Yes my son In-laws 48 does 2.5 acres with ease.
For 5k, I would definitely be searching for a well-maintained, true commercial-grade mower. With two acres you'd never wear it out, and you'll get it done faster and in more comfort every time.
There is just NO comparison. Look around CL. 500 hours on a top commercial mower is comparable to 50,000 miles on a Toyota in my opinion.
As far as brands, you wouldn't go wrong with Deere, Scag, eXmark, grasshopper, and maybe Ferris' top models.
I'm partial to Kawi's in the commercial mowers we run.
There is just NO comparison. Look around CL. 500 hours on a top commercial mower is comparable to 50,000 miles on a Toyota in my opinion.
As far as brands, you wouldn't go wrong with Deere, Scag, eXmark, grasshopper, and maybe Ferris' top models.
I'm partial to Kawi's in the commercial mowers we run.
No Kohler love I see...
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
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Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
During break in yes it has on occasion for past 2 seasons no never a puff running Amsoil Small Engine Oil fuel non ethanol 91 using Yamaha ring free additive. Pulled OEM plugs now using B&S platinum gold believe rc12yc built for OPE
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
During break in yes it has on occasion for past 2 seasons no never a puff running Amsoil Small Engine Oil fuel non ethanol 91 using Yamaha ring free additive. Pulled OEM plugs now using B&S platinum gold believe rc12yc built for OPE
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
During break in yes it has on occasion for past 2 seasons no never a puff running Amsoil Small Engine Oil fuel non ethanol 91 using Yamaha ring free additive. Pulled OEM plugs now using B&S platinum gold believe rc12yc built for OPE
@Dave123 How many hours did it take you to break it in? What was the oil used during this period?
Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by dave123
Originally Posted by tony1679
No Kohler love I see...
I love my Kohler Series 7000 not a problem great power runs just as well as my Kawasaki's have. I'd recommend one to anyone.
@Dave123 Occasionally does ur Kohler outputs smoke on startup ? I had it at the dealer and he said the compression test passed. Leak down passed too. There was no head gasket issue. It only has 63hrs. On shut down, I smell oil fumes.
During break in yes it has on occasion for past 2 seasons no never a puff running Amsoil Small Engine Oil fuel non ethanol 91 using Yamaha ring free additive. Pulled OEM plugs now using B&S platinum gold believe rc12yc built for OPE
@Dave123 How many hours did it take you to break it in? What was the oil used during this period?
Originally Posted by rekit
I've wondered what those are like to drive. I sometimes enjoy a beverage while mowing....and with the 2 handles I make a lot of donuts when I take a i sip. But do you have to hold a foot pedal down or what? Would you buy it again?
Yes you have to hold the pedal down. They are super easy to drive and hold a hill very well. I had a 46" I bought to flip and have a fab deck 54 at the house I reworded for a guy.
Wouldn't mind having one.
I've wondered what those are like to drive. I sometimes enjoy a beverage while mowing....and with the 2 handles I make a lot of donuts when I take a i sip. But do you have to hold a foot pedal down or what? Would you buy it again?
Yes you have to hold the pedal down. They are super easy to drive and hold a hill very well. I had a 46" I bought to flip and have a fab deck 54 at the house I reworded for a guy.
Wouldn't mind having one.
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