Zero turn consumer grade riding lawnmowers

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: JTK

In regards to MTD, Toro, etc. IMO it doesn't matter in the $3000 and under crowd for a new ZTR. They're all the same. Pretty flimsy, MTD or not.


+1. I wouldn't buy a Zero Turn unless it was a more heavy duty model meant for commercial use. I've seen a few of them with key components installed incorrectly. I've had a lot of wiring problems with them. Just little stupid things because of bad quality.

The hydro pumps are also a known weak point on the cheaper zero turns, and they are not fun or cheap to replace. Also good luck with warranties on those cheaper machines. A friend had a Cub Cadet (MTD) zero turn from Tractor Supply. After a year one of the hydro pumps [censored] out. He only used it to mow his 3 acre lawn. The company would not warranty it and considered it "commercial use" since his lawn was larger than 1 acre.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^This is true.

Also, on my few acres a ZTR is unable to be operated at flank speed due to terrain variations. The choppy cut looks like carp.

Note that anyone with a newer TT Hydro is hereby warned to get the FF out before 50 hours. Changing mine to Mobil 1 15w50 has made it super quiet and very happy!

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071

The hydro pumps are also a known weak point on the cheaper zero turns, and they are not fun or cheap to replace. Also good luck with warranties on those cheaper machines. A friend had a Cub Cadet (MTD) zero turn from Tractor Supply. After a year one of the hydro pumps [censored] out. He only used it to mow his 3 acre lawn. The company would not warranty it and considered it "commercial use" since his lawn was larger than 1 acre.


Right on.

Every one of them in the $3000 crowd that I know of uses Hydrogear EZT drives (they may call them ZT2100's or the likes now?).

The earlier ones were pretty horrific in terms of longevity. It was typically the left one that would fail first and they're like $600/ea. Why left I dunno. Some earlier ones had problems with moisture wicking down the input shaft and getting into the oil, thus burning up the drive. The other issue is (more of a theory), the cases on the hydrostats can flex a little, causing bearing and thrust washer wear, thus trashing the drive.

Dirty oil and a drive that can't cool itself can be issues with all of them.

 

[meep]

I bought an ariens 34" earlier this year and Love. It. HomeDepot carries it but I went to a dealer and they were able to knock of $50 and use a slightly lower "vehicle" tax rate of some sort.

In my size, IIRC, the toro was a 1-blade and I did NOT want that.

The ariens and the gravely mowers were identical except for four items---

1. ariens got a briggs or a kohler. gravely got a yamaha
2. ariens seat requires wrench to adjust. gravely had a lever
3. ariens is orange. gravely is red
4. $200 more for the gravely

My 34" runs a one-lung briggs that actually spins with less vibration that the 2-lung yamaha that I test drove. It is NOT underpowered, and it is capable of covering groundspeed beyond what the blades can cut.... ie., at full tilt, all the grass will be cut but dandelions still stand an inch higher.

It is a pleasure to use, very easy, and fun. What was a 90 minute push mow is done now in 45 minutes, though it can be done in 30 at full tilt with reduced cut quality. It's easy enough that I adopted the house next door, owned by an elderly woman.

Each mow-- 45 minutes... and I'd guess 2/3-3/4 acre total, uses up 1.5Gallons of gas. It took more, like 1 3/4 -2, until I switched out of the oem oil and dumped syn in there. It was a marked difference.

will get the bag kit late summer....

Oh-- I paid like $2100 out the door with tax and delivery and all...

 

[meep]

oh.... ground speed is highly limited by ground dampness. tight quick turns can drag a wheel through the grass, leaving a skid mark. you have to drive it smoothly, at the speeds the lawn can give traction at. So while it has the power to easily cut wet, traction limits that.

There is one section of my yard that is always a little damp behind a tree, with very mild grade, off camber. If I hit this at speed, the mower will actually oversteer as it points uphill and the back tires dig in, and go sideways... they are plenty quick for yard work.

 

[JTK]

Brother, I think you mean Gravely got a Kawasaki.

Yamaha powered OPE is rare as Hen's teeth.

 

[dareo]

I wouldn't touch a consumer grade zero turn. Most everyone says the cut quality and durability are night and day between consumer and pro models.

Take a look at the Toro Timemaster 30" walk behind. Very fast self propel and 30" cut will make very short work of half an acre. I can do a half acre in 25 minutes if i line trim it first and go as fast as the mower can go.

Best part? Its fairly light so you can really turn and back it up fast. I used to own a riding mower from before the Timemaster came out. When it came out, i put it up for sale and as soon as it sold i went to get the Toro 30. Very very happy with it.


*edit* Also, you are only out 1,000 bucks, and it is so easy to store and work on.

 

[oily boyd]

As usual, I'm chiming in a few days late.

A bit about the Hydro-Gear EZT sealed transmissions. Hydro-Gear website shows that you can change the oil in them and it is very important to keep the fans clean!

Hydro-Gear website also states that each transmission is rated for 340 lbs of weight. Something to consider before lending the machine to your 400 lb neighbor.

My local Hustler dealer says he has had only one EZT go bad and that was right out of the box, so covered under 3 year warranty; $600/ea + labor otherwise.

My Hustler dealer also offers pick up, oil change, clean entire machine and return it for $60. Not too bad, IMO.

Dealer also has a big yard in back so you can test cut/drive. There are 3 dealers within 20 miles of you, so go check them out.

Sounds like I'm promoting them (guess I am) but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. If I ever do buy a ZTR, it won't be from Home Depot or the like.

Good Luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[ProStreetCamaro]

Spend a little more and thank yourself later. You would be better off buying a used commercial machine with 1000 hours or less that is in good condition.


This is what I do for a living. Just picked this kohler 29hp efi gravely 460 last week.

 

[SHOZ]

I've have a front mow John Deere F510 for over 15 years. It's great for maneuverability but will not cut as well when turning and will drag the inside tire on tight turns as they drive wheels are not interdependently driven.

That is my only real complaint as it is a very durable mower. If it had two handed hydraulic steering it would be great.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: ProStreetCamaro

This is what I do for a living. Just picked this kohler 29hp efi gravely 460 last week.


Show-off.

LOL! Man that's awesome. I'm curious how the EFI helps the fuel guzzling on that beast. Post back if you can.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: ProStreetCamaro
Spend a little more and thank yourself later. You would be better off buying a used commercial machine with 1000 hours or less that is in good condition.


This is what I do for a living. Just picked this kohler 29hp efi gravely 460 last week.









Very nice machine! That will give you a long service life for sure!