Zero Turn Mowers

Gary from Muleshoe · Mar 13, 2016

I am looking to buy a Zero Turn Mower. I want one with 42 inch deck so I can get in and out of gates easily. I have used a JD Z225 for a few years at work, this one seem ok to me. My question is which one do you guys prefer. I want to keep the price in the $2,500.00 range. This mower will not be for commercial use, just mowin three family yards weekly.

Tx Jim · Mar 13, 2016

I'm also interested in this question. I'm wanting to replace a 42'' cut JD Z225 with 150 hrs on clock but I'm looking for a 60'' cut. I bought the JD with 49 hrs on the clock but I'm looking for something with a more durable deck. I'm considering a Hustler Raptor or Bad Boy. I'l be waiting for your opinions.
Thanks,Jim

rustyfarmall · Mar 13, 2016

Country Clipper makes a nice one in the size you want, but you won't find it for under about $4,500.

Ronnie55 · Mar 13, 2016

(quoted from post at 14:20:46 03/13/16) I am looking to buy a Zero Turn Mower. I want one with 42 inch deck so I can get in and out of gates easily. I have used a JD Z225 for a few years at work, this one seem ok to me. My question is which one do you guys prefer. I want to keep the price in the $2,500.00 range. This mower will not be for commercial use, just mowin three family yards weekly.

I think Lowes has the Hustler RAPTOR for around 2800.00 42" cut

Dave H (MI) · Mar 13, 2016

I bought an Exmark Lazer, but not in that price range. If I had not bought it, the nicest machine in town was a John Deere. Smooth to operate, good engine.

JBDyer · Mar 13, 2016

If you are looking for a new mower for $2500 then you will be buying a cheaply made piece of junk. My father in law bought what you are describing and only mows his yard and we have repairing that mower since the first season he bought it, deck broke, spindles broke, tires wont stay aired up, starter went out, etc., etc. all this in the first three years, I have welded the deck three times also, I think his is a T???. Spend around $5000 and you wont be disappointed, but the cheap mowers aren't worth the headache. My two cents.

lenray · Mar 13, 2016

I have two of the cub commercial mowers called the TANK. On with the Kaw. and one with the Honda. They are VERY heavy duty.............

Goose · Mar 13, 2016

We have a Toro zero turn with a 23hp Kawasaki engine and 50" deck from Home Depot. We bought it three years ago as a new leftover last year's model. Original price was $2995. They had it discounted to $1995. My military discount brought it down to $1795.50. I couldn't pass it up.

My wife does all of our mowing except for the rough back part I use a shredder on. Upshot is, she's mowed several acres, several times a week during the season and nary a complaint from, or about, the mower. We've had absolutely ZERO problems with it. I've just changed oil once a year and sharpened the blades a couple of times during the season.

I just wish it had an hour meter on it so I could tell how many hours she's run up on it.

pat sublett · Mar 13, 2016

I would stay away from $2500 zero turns. Nothing "You Get What You Pay For" is truer than with lawn mowers. Any thing MTD makes is junk.they make cub cadets which are junk as an example.They make more lawn mowers than anybody else so becareful. They buy out companies that make quality equipment then cheapen it up Cub Cadet is a prime example. Husqvarna makes a junk line but also some good commercial mowers. John Deere makes a junk line but also som good ones. The most reliable method of telling a good one used to be by looking at the deck. If it had a nice smooth stamped deck, walk on. If the deck was welded up out of steel plate, the rest of it was usually quality. As far as I know pricewise, Tractor Supply has been selling a pretty decent one called "Bad Boy", You can't buy it for $2500 though.Of course that is subject to change at any time.(Quality I'm talking about)

frank whitehead · Mar 13, 2016

I have a Hustler Raptor 60 inch i am really satisfied with.I went to lowes to buy a JD zero when i saw
the Hustler i was very impressed.It has a welded deck ,very comfortable,the price is higher than the
JD.but pretty close, they have other models with smaller decks.My son in law has the Lowes JD is
really impressed with mine.Google Hustler,ask about special pricing.Frank

Tx.Ricefields · Mar 13, 2016

Hustler Raptor w42" deck, Kaw. engine, with a extra set of
blades selling for 2799.00
TxJim...check out the Hustler line and see for yourself. Big
dealer in Waco, has ads on CL

IAtractorKid · Mar 13, 2016

Dixon ZTR mowers are very nice, good quality and reliable. I've had 3 over the last 16 years. First was an old model that I inherited and it was about shot but worked good. Then bought a new Ram 44 and used that until last year, when I sold it to my parents and bought a DX161 (commercial).

Most important things on a ZTR is to make sure it has good transmissions. Otherwise just like any other mower, get a motor your comfortable with and a welded deck. My 3 have had a Briggs, then a Kohler and now a Kawasaki... No issues with any of them.

LarrySTN · Mar 13, 2016

Yes, some Lowe's sell the Hustler Raptor, the 42" is 2800, but search for a near by independent Hustler dealer as they also sell that mower for
2800. The diffence is Lowe's has a "no start" policy, as in they never start the machine and do an initial run-in which is required by Hustler
dealers. If there is no near by dealer certainly look at Lowe's. Hustler does not cheapen the model sold at Lowe's like some manufacturers do.
Hustler started manufacturing zero turn mowers in 1964.

Gary from Muleshoe · Mar 13, 2016

Thanks all your replies, I am sort of
leaning towards the new JD that replaced
the Z225 or a good used Z225. The Z225 I
use at work is a darn good mower
considering it was highly abused prior
to me going to work there. It currently
has 885 hours on it and runs good. I had
to replace the carburator last year.
When I started working there it was so
low on oil it didn't show on the
dipstick, air filter was completely
clogged, blades were so dull you could
have cut more gress with a pair of
sissors, and bolts missing all over. I
fixed all this and it now runs and mows
great.

Cooter143 · Mar 13, 2016

I bought a Toro from HD as well, I think I paid $2800 after military discount. I am about to start my 6th summer with it, and the only problems I've had have been small. I mow about 2 acres plus some fence lines around the pasture so it has seen plenty of use. I've considered that a pretty good buy.

sotxbill · Mar 13, 2016

I mow 5 acres with a cub cadet ZTR50... First lawnmower that I have worn out 2 sets of blades and I am on my third. Tore off the grass deflector after about 10 years, and my wife complained about the blowing grass, so I replaced it. I have change out the outside spindle twice in 15 years. I like it so well, that I bought a second one this year with a kawasaki engine.. first one is a b/s. The first is getting a bit tired and the engine is finally starting to smoke just a bit.. But I run hd 15w-40 0il it so maybe thats why its still running. This year I never stopped mowing due the mild winter I believe the first one now has 2500 hours on it iirc.... My bil keeps wearing out commercial machines and I keep using my original cub cadet.... Had one of the first toro timecutter zt but the hp was too low and it would not cut the heavy grass we have.

Gary H. · Mar 13, 2016

Grasshopper makes a 100 series with smaller decks. ive had a 322D with the 61" deck for over 10 years now. Haven't owned a gas mower for over 15 years. Grasshopper has a 4 year warranty on most of the line. Can't remember what it is on the 100 series.

RayP(MI) · Mar 13, 2016

Have a Woods that my wife inherited from her dad's estate. Has a 62" deck, powered by a Kubota diesel. One tough machine, but a bit above your price range. Have removed the deck and used it for light field work. But it is a stand alone power unit with it's own 4 wheels, and deck, snowblower, etc just attach to the front. Might look at the Woods and similar just for kicks.

MikeinKy · Mar 13, 2016

I have a Country Clipper and a Skag and both are good. Wife likes the joy stick on the Clipper.

Ron-MO · Mar 13, 2016

I have had two zero turns, first was a Toro with a Kohler, second a Gravely with Kawasaki engine. The Toro I paid $2300 with nice discount, and was originally $2800, and it was absolute junk. Mostly due to the kohler engine which was falling apart and the china block was cracked, and leaking oil. No issues so far with the Gravely, but it cost around $4500. I recommend going with the Kawasaki engine, heavy deck, and make sure the hydros are serviceable (not the case on the Toro I had). I highly recommend spending a little more now, vs. doing what I did and going cheap and throwing my money away, then spending it later. I know not all Kohler engines are bad, but once I got burnt, I would never own another. Stay away from Kohler Courage engines - not sure they even make them now.

DWF · Mar 13, 2016

I have a 42" Simplicity ZeroTurn. Have had it since 2008. I have had good luck with it. I know a lot of people don't like B&S engines, but I've had zero problems with it. It was over 2 grand in 08, don't know what it is now.
DWF

JayinNY · Mar 13, 2016

I'm going on my 11th year with an Exmark lazer z, 4100 hours on and still works great, it's on it's 3 kohler engine, but the rest of it has held up great, had I knowen I'd have shelled out the extra money for a Diesel engine, in 2005 the mower was $8900 with 60 inch deck. You may be better off looking for a low houred commercial mower, or getting a new commercial one.

showcrop · Mar 13, 2016

Around five years ago I bought a ten year old Ferris with 1100 hours and the 23 HP Kawi for $1500. It has been good. A true heavily built commercial unit without the big price tag. I talked to commercial mowers about expected life before I got it so I have a good idea of how long it should last.

MarkB_MI · Mar 13, 2016

You will not get a new mower with a fabricated deck for $2500. I think Cub Cadet offers something with a fabbed deck for around $3K. Maybe the three yards you're mowing have no rocks, stumps or sticks; in that case a stamped deck will hold out for a few years. If one of those yards looks anything like mine, you'd be better off in the long run to get a better mower. I've been real happy with my Ferris IS 700Z, but it set me back $6K.

Steve@Advance · Mar 13, 2016

I'll agree with the Dixon! I used one mowing my Mom's property for 20 years. It was a home-duty model with a 8HP Briggs. About 2 1/2 acres, some nice lawn, most rough with lots of dropped limbs, most got mulched instead of picked up! Never had any problem other than a couple belts and a few sets of blades. I put one rear tire on, replaced the fronts with flat free just to stop the aggravation.

It still ran like a new one, sold it 2 years ago with the property only because I didn't need it.

stonerock · Mar 13, 2016

cub-cadet is your cheapest, but its a pos, becareful john deere's junk line is not much better

shaun wallace · Mar 13, 2016

The only problem I don't like about them is the hole the wheel that is turned on leaves. May be sparse West Texas grass.

WGM · Mar 13, 2016

I have been mowing for the last 10 years using Dixie Choppers with ZERO problems or issues. Best ZTR in my book.

unclemerle · Mar 13, 2016

Have two (60"&48") Country Clipper with joystick here. Love them

Merle

PDRuff · Mar 13, 2016

neighbor used a "big dog" brand, has about 2 acres, not flat. purchsed when he moved in 15 years ago still works, and fast. resonable priced units from what I have seen

showcrop · Mar 13, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:45:02 03/13/16) The only problem I don't like about them is the hole the wheel that is turned on leaves. May be sparse West Texas grass.

They will do that on any grass if you pivot on one tire. I start my turn by nearly stopping one tire then I back it up as the first goes ahead. Evens out the wear on the grass.

David G · Mar 13, 2016

I have a 60" Skag, but it is more than your budget.

Hobo,NC · Mar 13, 2016

Buy a commercial mower a real one it may be the last mower you every have to buy... $2500 want get you there...

rfridy76 · Mar 14, 2016

I just bought a new Ferris Z5200 61". Haven't done much with it except chopped up a few catalpu beans but it sure rides good,and will fly.I've got a 2004 Skag Turf Tiger it's got 660 hours it's still about like new.They would only give me $1800.for it on trade in so I kept it.A mower is not worth much if you got it,but if its theirs it's very valuable.That Skag is one tough machine. But rides a little rough,it has the suspension seat that helps a lot.There is no comparison to ride of the Ferris,I tried the Skag Cheetah it doesn't ride nearly as good as the Ferris?

Blackhole49 · Mar 14, 2016

I could be wrong, but I think a 42" deck is forcing you well into the "junk" category.

Waltmo · Mar 14, 2016

I have three cub cadets. One tank 2 0 force 50.
What I like about the cub cadets is they have a pivot in the front axle which works better on unlevel ground. Had a different zero turn with fixed axle that would spin when one back tire got on a high spot. Just my experience.
So it depends on the type of ground you have. WaltMo

Fullers Farmalls · Mar 14, 2016

I am with the Country Clipper crowd. The flip up deck is the slickest thing since sliced bread. We have the 52" and its powered by the 27 horse Kohler Command Pro. This mower is made to cut and last. The deck is heavy and easy to work on. Also they have a great dealer support network in my area. They are made in the USA which is also a plus. How ever you won't likely find one for your price range. We lucked out because the guy had way to much money and was the insurance rep for a dealer and was buying a new one.

cumminspuller · Mar 14, 2016

I agree completely Gary.

Hobo,NC · Mar 14, 2016

I locked my front axle pivot out the cut is much better tho it did affect the ride...

VicS · Mar 14, 2016

I have had tractor mowers always before. The last one is a 235 jd 54" deck. It has been trouble free. 12yrs. 500 hrs. But dealer brought a X-mark Quest. Also a 54" deck, for us to use. Pretty neat, not tiring to drive.There is a learning curve! Will try to post a picture.

stonerock · Mar 15, 2016

sotxbill, 2500 hrs on a briggs????......I call b.s.

Zero Turn Mowers

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Similar threads