In the market for a new or good used zero turn mower and the information is overwhelming. I have 1.5 acres with a lot of trees. I have a 54" MTD riding tractor that has done well for years. but living in south Texas, the mowing has gotten to be a 3 times a week job.
Best zero turn mowers
- Thread starter dconley
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KrashnKraka
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Hi, carnt push a brand/model at you as it is "each to their own" kinda thing.
But some look 'n see tips, before you buy?
Ask yourself.
#1
IS THE MACHINE OPEN TO EASY MAINTAINANCE
for both yourself and a shop repair
#2
ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO START SET AND ENGAGE MOWING MORE THAN
FOUR LINES IN THE MANUAL
ergo - could you show another "how to" real easy like
#3
WHAT IS THE COST PER HOUR (mowing) THE DEALER REQUIRES UNDER ALL WARRANTIES
as a new car costs you to service under warranty, so do ZTR rides
Go with the best of the above - there is no Nivarna so "best" is all you can hope for.
Then ask your lady "what colour"... the whole deal may swing on just that :-D
Happy Showroom Times.
KK
Thanks for the info. I find the best way in this area is to ask the proffesionals who do it for a living when they are gassing up the truck and mowers. Problem is that it's usually the low paid hired hands using them and they could care less because they are usually under the influence.
Other thing I look for is what the used ones are selling for. That is usually only area specific depending on what dealers are in the area.
I have it narrowed down to Scag, John Deere , and Kubota. All have dealers in town, so that is always a plus. Price, Hp, deck size,!and even the motor type seems to be all headed to the Kawasaki engine except the John Deere.
I found a low hour Scag today that I am going to buy to see just how big of a deck size mower Will best fit my needs.
What I gave seen in searching the last two months, I can buy it, do a good home test on it and then get my money back before spending the money on the new larger deck mower.
Ric
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There are a lot of good mowers on the market, Hustler, Toro, Scag, Exmark are the big four and all make good Commercial units. You don't have to talk to the Pro's but it's a good Idea, just looking at what the running should tell you what you want to buy. Right at the moment Kawasaki has the market on engines with Kohler following so either are good motors. I think JD and Kubota are more into the Agriculture end than the lawn mowing part, both there mowers are extremely heavy for lawn use in many areas.
KrashnKraka
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No problem, Sir.
Hope when you get there the value holds good.
Mowers inherently being one thing a fella throws out at the first hint of performance
troubles - even wives/partners get more stretch - I have learnt from experience to
walk past the tarted up "hook".
Then again IF your mowing budget for the next ten years allows for the extra expense
of "curb crawling", hoping for a refund on the budget, go your hardest :}
KK
Shughes717
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There are more than 4 major commercial zero turn mower brands. The four that were listed are just the favorite of that particular member. There are also more than two high end commercial engines. The kawasaki fx series, briggs & Stratton vanguard, and kohler command pro engines are all top of the line. The fs series Kawasaki and the briggs & Stratton commercial turf are lower end commercial engines. Every major mower brand offers a quality machine. You don't need a $6k mower for 1.5 acres though.
If you are looking for a good ztr mower the kubota kommander, the hustler raptor, the raptor sd the scag liberty, or the scag freedom would all handle your property with ease.
I appreciate the info. Ended up finding a 1 owner 200 hour 48" scag for $3400.00 to get me into a zero turn mower without spending a small fortune. The previous owner took better care of this machine than anyone I have seen. Kept inside, washed after every use, serviced well beyond manufacturing requirements, etc. This will give me some Scag experience and if I like it, then I can look at getting into a larger one if needed. The resale on these is great. What I have seen for sale over the last two months was commercial equipment with 2-3000 hours on them and they were wanting near new prices for them. I think I got a good deal and shouldn't have any problem selling this machine if and when I upgrade.
Shughes717
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Scag mowers are great machines. Which model did you purchase?
I ended up getting the freedom Z. It's the high end of the residential,but I figured if I could make a Husky 54" last 18 years mowing what I have now, this 48" machine should have no trouble handling it. Borrowed the neighbors 48" john Deere 717 tat he mows 3 acres with, and it cut my mowing time to 30 minutes where it usually takes 2 hours. Was spending more time double mowing, turning around, and backing up than was needed.
The Scag I got has an aftermarket bagging attachment on it made out of perforated steel mesh. Looks pretty simply, easy on and off, and light weight. I have no use for it. Any thoughts on what it might be worth to someone who needed one? Seems the guy had an area of his yard that had sand burrs and he bagged the cuttings and burned them in an attempt to keep from spreading them.
The Scag I got has an aftermarket bagging attachment on it made out of perforated steel mesh. Looks pretty simply, easy on and off, and light weight. I have no use for it. Any thoughts on what it might be worth to someone who needed one? Seems the guy had an area of his yard that had sand burrs and he bagged the cuttings and burned them in an attempt to keep from spreading them.