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Hey guys... What is the best cutting zero turn out there? I have a 61" Bad Boy XP and a Snapper Pro 48". Love the XP hate the Snapper. Been looking at the V-Twin Dixie Chopper 74" but undecided. Help me out.

Kubota is going to be up at the top. Scag is probably going to be up there as well. Scag actually might be better cut. Kubota more durable.

I have two ferris machines, they're not bad but I like the bobcats

I agree with the above, Bobcat are a really good reliable brand

Walkers in my opinion but there rather pricey. The John Deere 235's do pretty well considering the price and as long as you know and accept their limitations.

I Think the Toro Z master with there Turbo Force Deck has the edge. JMO

Ric said:

I Think the Toro Z master with there Turbo Force Deck has the edge. JMO

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IMHO, regardless of brand if you spend $7K-$10K on a commercial/industrial ZTR you won't be able to discern the cut quality between any of them. Now if you spend $20k plus on a commercial triplex reel mower like used on football fields, golf courses, etc. you may be able to tell a difference in the cut quality....but that's not what the OP asked about....it was "what is the best cutting ZTR".

Magic Cuts said:

Hey guys... What is the best cutting zero turn out there? I have a 61" Bad Boy XP and a Snapper Pro 48". Love the XP hate the Snapper. Been looking at the V-Twin Dixie Chopper 74" but undecided. Help me out.

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We use kubota because no electric ptos and outright power being one of the only manufacturers still using horizontal shaft engines. Cut quality is great and stripes very nicely downside they do not hold hills as well as exmark and other lighter ztrs kubota does have a four wheel drive front deck model that we have been looking at they are 23k out the door.

Ya know it's really kinda funny when you ask a question Re: In your opinion... What is the best cutting zero turn or the best of any type of equipment, people always say the best is what they have or are running. Mid TN lawn swears by Kubota, Djdicten loves his Gravely and so on and in reality they are the best mower to them and for them and for what they use them for just like my Grandstand is the perfect mower for me and for what I do. The best cutting mower one can buy is the one that suits your particular needs. I guess it's like the old saying goes Our Wants Always Override Our Needs.:smile:

Wow! That was deep man... I feel a couple of tears coming down my cheek...

BHLC said:

Wow! That was deep man... I feel a couple of tears coming down my cheek...

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Not really, Just common sense.

What's that? I don't have any of this common sense stuff. Where can I buy it in your opinion?

jekjr said:

Kubota is going to be up at the top. Scag is probably going to be up there as well. Scag actually might be better cut. Kubota more durable.

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From what I've read on here Kubota's cut quality is terrible...but I haven't had any seat time on one...but as far as cut quality reviews... Kubota is near the bottom

Ric said:

Ya know it's really kinda funny when you ask a question Re: In your opinion... What is the best cutting zero turn or the best of any type of equipment, people always say the best is what they have or are running. Mid TN lawn swears by Kubota, Djdicten loves his Gravely and so on and in reality they are the best mower to them and for them and for what they use them for just like my Grandstand is the perfect mower for me and for what I do. The best cutting mower one can buy is the one that suits your particular needs. I guess it's like the old saying goes Our Wants Always Override Our Needs.:smile:

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Very well said Ric ..such as myself I wanted a mower to mow my own lawn and fit my budget and durable/dependable for me to pick up few residential/commercial accounts as well..I don't think I could have made a better decision to fit my needs...and yes my mower is better than everyone else's even yours lol ...only joking

Mine sucks! Can't wait till next year when we take delivery of our two new bobcats!

I'm not to proud we use dixie choppers and the cut is nice but we put some seat time on a scag turf tiger and it was hands down a nicer cutting machine. There are a lot nice machines out there though and it's funny how the popularity of a brand differs from one geographic area to another.

TaskForceLawnCare said:

I'm not to proud we use dixie choppers and the cut is nice but we put some seat time on a scag turf tiger and it was hands down a nicer cutting machine. There are a lot nice machines out there though and it's funny how the popularity of a brand differs from one geographic area to another.

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I does differ from region to region. Here in Southeast TN Exmark is the mower of choice. Scag is also a very close second.

my 13yr old 60" Dixie chopper 60" cuts great, I cut right next to a property maintained by a guy with the kubota zd28 and maybe he's not cleaning his deck and sharpening his blades, but my machine leaves a noticeably better cut and much better striping..

LoCo86 said:

I does differ from region to region. Here in Southeast TN Exmark is the mower of choice. Scag is also a very close second.

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Exmark here, too. I can't even think of a second choice.....so many have Exmarks. Maybe Toro?

lawn mower fanatic said:

Exmark here, too. I can't even think of a second choice.....so many have Exmarks. Maybe Toro?

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Most of the big contractors that do whole sub-divisions, major roadways and parks with-in the sub-divisions use here use Exmarks. Most of the residential operators that are cutting lawns here use Toro. I think you'll find what is being used in any area is going to depend on who's selling what type mowers in that given area.

Ric said:

Ya know it's really kinda funny when you ask a question Re: In your opinion... What is the best cutting zero turn or the best of any type of equipment, people always say the best is what they have or are running. Mid TN lawn swears by Kubota, Djdicten loves his Gravely and so on and in reality they are the best mower to them and for them and for what they use them for just like my Grandstand is the perfect mower for me and for what I do. The best cutting mower one can buy is the one that suits your particular needs. I guess it's like the old saying goes Our Wants Always Override Our Needs.:smile:

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I need to correct you i did not say i swear bye kubota nor did I say they are the best cut I like many other mower brands Toro, Xmark, ferris, hustler and most of these brands offer a kubota engine in them I wanted to point out advantage of lower fuel consumption and lower maintenence with diesel powered mowers. Also fact is a horizontal shaft engine doubles your power of verticle shaft engines. We own kubota and exmarks possible going to buy hustler super 100 soon. Another note lots of great brands are not even available in our area that always has impact on purchases our dealer just dropped xmark line and now carries hustler and kubota I wished we had a scag dealer close but nearest dealer to me is just too far. Have run scag in past very well built. I guess point is lots of great brands but you have to have a good dealer close to you.

Ric said:

Most of the big contractors that do whole sub-divisions, major roadways and parks with-in the sub-divisions use here use Exmarks. Most of the residential operators that are cutting lawns here use Toro. I think you'll find what is being used in any area is going to depend on who's selling what type mowers in that given area.

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I would agree... This is Hustler country round here.. mostly yellow on LCO' trailers round here with SCAG's a close second.. even some with both...you would think you'd see more Bad Boy's since they're made about an hour from here

Grasshopper front mounts powered by Kubota are some sweet cutting machines!

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

Grasshopper front mounts powered by Kubota are some sweet cutting machines!

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I couldn't agree more! I have used front deck grasshoppers for 32 years. (makes me sound old)

Grasshopper is beginning their 45th year building zero turn mowers, 45 years ago two amazing things happened in 1969 NASA put a man on the moon and Grasshopper built their first zero turn mower.

BHLC said:

Mine sucks! Can't wait till next year when we take delivery of our two new bobcats!

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Just what don't you like about the Ferris?

BWH said:

I couldn't agree more! I have used front deck grasshoppers for 32 years. (makes me sound old)

Grasshopper is beginning their 45th year building zero turn mowers, 45 years ago two amazing things happened in 1969 NASA put a man on the moon and Grasshopper built their first zero turn mower.

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WOW thats a great story!!! Love to here that!

In our part of the woods I have seen a lot of people trade in other brands for Kubota. On the yo her hand I have not see any trade Kubota for anything but Kubota. Our Kubota Dealer sells Scag and Exmark both as well. Kubota is a tough machine.

My Toro Grandstand with its Turbo force deck makes a nice looking yard just keep the blades sharp

My opinion is that there is not a great diff. In cut quality of commercial zero turns. Most have very high blade tip speeds and oregon gator blades can be installed on any. Were i see diff. Is price now with very similar mowers varying by 3-5k john deere and exmark are pricing themselves out of market. While toro parent of exmark is 30percent cheaper around here. Next big diff. Is some zero turns hold hills better and are lighter.
I do not plan on buying anymore zero turns and will buy toro grandstands instead at 6100. Each they are great buy great cut easy to teach operators to use and safer than zeros.

fatboy said:

My Toro Grandstand with its Turbo force deck makes a nice looking yard just keep the blades sharp

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"Just keep the blades sharp" Now that's good advise!

The early American Frontiers Men had a saying "Keep Your Powder Dry"

I believe any person operating a lawn mower should adopt the saying "Keep Your Blades Sharp"

Hard to say I have run Simplicity, and Bunton they both do pretty good. I know there are alot of good ztr mowers out there though.

Magic Cuts said:

Hey guys... What is the best cutting zero turn out there? I have a 61" Bad Boy XP and a Snapper Pro 48". Love the XP hate the Snapper. Been looking at the V-Twin Dixie Chopper 74" but undecided. Help me out.

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Don't discount Gravely. I have a Pro Turn 152 XDZ and it cuts very good. It also has a good ride.

BHLC said:

What's that? I don't have any of this common sense stuff. Where can I buy it in your opinion?

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You can buy that common sense stuff At the Toro dealer.

If your just mowing I'd say Exmark or Dixie Chopper.

The best cutting mower on the market would have to go to Walker Mowers. Then the Toro with there Turbo force decks, they are just hard to beat. The Problem with the Walker Mower is their price tag.

reynoldston said:

Just what don't you like about the Ferris?

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I can't answer for him as to what he doesn't like his Ferris but from what I've been hearing and reading on some other forums the rubber grommets on their shocks go bad, they dry and crack and Ferris only sells replacement shocks for like $120-$125 each, not just the grommets. I would think a company that big would come up with a fix.

Ric said:

I can't answer for him as to what he doesn't like his Ferris but from what I've been hearing and reading on some other forums the rubber grommets on their shocks go bad, they dry and crack and Ferris only sells replacement shocks for like $120-$125 each, not just the grommets. I would think a company that big would come up with a fix.

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Didnt one of the creators of Exmark split off, and started making Ferris? I dont really care for that suspension stuff if your not careful they dip in the turns, and gouge the turf to death.

wjjones said:

Didnt one of the creators of Exmark split off, and started making Ferris? I dont really care for that suspension stuff if your not careful they dip in the turns, and gouge the turf to death.

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I believe Ferris belongs to Briggs&Stratton and didn't have anything to do with Exmark. I'm with you I don't like the suspension stuff, I don't even care for the suspension seats.

Ric said:

I believe Ferris belongs to Briggs&Stratton and didn't have anything to do with Exmark. I'm with you I don't like the suspension stuff, I don't even care for the suspension seats.

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I think you don't care for seats at all (your Toro Grandstand). :laughing:

Yes I think you're right, Ric.....if you look at the very bottom of the Ferris website is says Copyright Briggs and Stratton, and also has links to the Simplicity and Snapper websites, so I guess they were started by them, too.

Walk Behind, Push & Zero Turn Mower | Commercial Mowers | Ferris Mowers

lawn mower fanatic said:

I think you don't care for seats at all (your Toro Grandstand). :laughing:

Yes I think you're right, Ric.....if you look at the very bottom of the Ferris website is says Copyright Briggs and Stratton, and also has links to the Simplicity and Snapper websites, so I guess they were started by them, too.

Walk Behind, Push & Zero Turn Mower | Commercial Mowers | Ferris Mowers

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Briggs is the big reason I never looked into Ferris. Briggs & Statton makes a typical poor quality low end engine that typical don't hold up long and is considered a "disposable" engine fit only for department store mowers and I just figure most anything they're involved with is the same.

Briggs and MTD/AYP owns everyone anymore! Just because your the biggest doesn't mean your the best IMHO. Bigger company's tend to lose attention to detail and my customers tend to pay attention to detail! Just my opinion tho!

lawn mower fanatic said:

I think you don't care for seats at all (your Toro Grandstand). :laughing:

Yes I think you're right, Ric.....if you look at the very bottom of the Ferris website is says Copyright Briggs and Stratton, and also has links to the Simplicity and Snapper websites, so I guess they were started by them, too.

Walk Behind, Push & Zero Turn Mower | Commercial Mowers | Ferris Mowers

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Yep I have ordered Simplicity parts, and they showed up in Briggs & Stratton boxes.

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

Briggs and MTD/AYP owns everyone anymore! Just because your the biggest doesn't mean your the best IMHO. Bigger company's tend to lose attention to detail and my customers tend to pay attention to detail! Just my opinion tho!

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Yeah I agree to a certain point, most residential stuff is owned by MTD/AYP or Briggs but they tend to stay away from commercial stuff like Walker mowers, Hustler, Scag, Toro and a few others.

Ric said:

Ya know it's really kinda funny when you ask a question Re: In your opinion... What is the best cutting zero turn or the best of any type of equipment, people always say the best is what they have or are running. Mid TN lawn swears by Kubota, Djdicten loves his Gravely and so on and in reality they are the best mower to them and for them and for what they use them for just like my Grandstand is the perfect mower for me and for what I do. The best cutting mower one can buy is the one that suits your particular needs. I guess it's like the old saying goes Our Wants Always Override Our Needs.:smile:

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I've realised that also a long time ago. That is why we must be carefull on forums and the information on the Internet. You will get many different answers for a sometimes very simple question. I just mix it all or check the ones that always come back. The word good is extremely subjective.

In your opinion who has the best looking wife.

Seriously this question is loaded and people will just say whatever they own or prefer to own. BTW, everyone knows its Hustler. :laughing: and my wife of course. (in case she is reading lawn mower forums)