Zero Turn Mowers- Good, Bad, Expensive....

[Blugreenformula]

Bought a Bad Boy ZT Elite 60" last year. Had about 300 hours on it and out the door price was 3k. Absolutely love it, and will not ever own a shit mower again.

 

[kmkommes]

You couldn't pay me to own the garbage they park out front of lowes or home depot.

You can buy a higher end Ariens at Lowes which are nearly identical to the dealership's Gravely machines. Think Cheverolet vs GMC when comparing these 2 brands. Red is more expensive.

I'm a fan of the Ariens Apex or Gravely HD for more than a few acres. 52" is nicer than a 60" if you have any sort of hills or ditches to prevent from digging in. I have a 60 and I don’t know if really saves me much time. I feel like as I circle around all the stuff in my yard I'm mowing over the same area multiple times.

Most seem to agree the Kawasaki is a better engine than the Kohler.

 

[Poriggity]

You can buy a higher end Ariens at Lowes which are nearly identical to the dealership's Gravely machines. Think Cheverolet vs GMC when comparing these 2 brands. Red is more expensive.

I'm a fan of the Ariens Apex or Gravely HD for more than a few acres. 52" is nicer than a 60" if you have any sort of hills or ditches to prevent from digging in. I have a 60 and I don’t know if really saves me much time. I feel like as I circle around all the stuff in my yard I'm mowing over the same area multiple times.

Most seem to agree the Kawasaki is a better engine than the Kohler.

I only have experience with my 60" Husqvarna commercial with a fabricated deck and kawasaki motor. Thus is my 2nd mowing season with it and it's been great. I only have 62 hours on the machine though.

 

[bgaidan]

You can buy a higher end Ariens at Lowes which are nearly identical to the dealership's Gravely machines. Think Cheverolet vs GMC when comparing these 2 brands. Red is more expensive.

I'm a fan of the Ariens Apex or Gravely HD for more than a few acres. 52" is nicer than a 60" if you have any sort of hills or ditches to prevent from digging in. I have a 60 and I don’t know if really saves me much time. I feel like as I circle around all the stuff in my yard I'm mowing over the same area multiple times.

Most seem to agree the Kawasaki is a better engine than the Kohler.

My neighbor has the Apex. I had the next model down (Ikon) that I bought about a year and a half ago for my old house. Night and day difference. Just sold mine because the new house came with a pair of Cub Cadets......and actually thinking about selling both of those toward a nicer commercial model.

 

[Drummer79]

fuck grass. gravel the whole thing and spray it

 

[BillyBronco]

Just pay attention to the grade of what you are buying. most brands make homeowner to commercial grade and everything in between. Some brands only make mid to high end commercial units. Also different grades of quality of engines. Cheap Kawasakis and expensive commercial grade Kawasakis. Same with other brands and hydro motors. We had a diesel riding mower for the ranch and it worked fine. I found a good deal on a zero turn and gave it a try. The zero turn is nicer but it does beat you up more but probably because the ground isn’t smooth and I go fast. I bought an Aeriens in the prosumer version. Kawasaki FR engine, ZT2800 hydraulics. It had 320 hours and I paid $1,200. We only put 15 hours or so since the property isn’t used full time but it works for us. I wanted a Ferris due to the suspension but they were more than we wanted to pay for something only used once a month for 6 months of the year.

 

[Lurker]

My opinion, big box mowers suck after owning a decent ztr. Cheapest ztr worth buying new is the bad boy 5k mower. Thats what I have, its far from the best mower out there, but its the best for 5k new. I would only replace it with a nice used professional mower like ferris, scag, walker $$, commercial gravely, deere, etc.

My yard is .5 AC, it takes 17 min 😂😂 I also mow my grandmothers 1.5 acre. She has a homowner ztr but I trailer the badboy to her house every time. The 42" deck and super shitty controls (no return to center) make it slower than a rider.

I helped a buddy start a mowing business, thats the reason I own the bad boy in the first place. I ended up with $5k of used lawn equipment and didnt lose my ass money wise. Now I love mowing in 17 min.

 

[Thefishguy77]

I have seen school districts selling used commercial mowers occasionally. They are cheaper than the used landscaping commercial mowers and probably less beat. I am running a 1000+ hr super cheap Deere 110. It liked to snap the front ball joint bolts so I drilled them out and used grade 8 hardware to connect it. Still trucking as of yesterday. Did a basic tuneup about 3 weeks ago and still need to put the new mulching blades on it. I wish I had a zero trun as I have to s of shit to go around. But it beats chasing a walk behind any day of the week. Edit I mow about .5 acres and its not a chore so I am not spending miney on a “nice” mower. I am looking for some ATV tires for the rear for more traction though.

 

[sicumminsde]

I run a lawn care business and currently have 5 Ferris mowers. Have 3 zero turns (72", 72" and a 61") and have 2 52" walkbehinds. They have all been good mowers and they all have over 2000 hours on them except for my newer 72" (I think it has about 500 hours). Oldest mower is a 72" with just a bit over 4000 hours on it and it still goes out and makes me money, however, the deck is really thin and I have even had to weld a couple holes up on the deck due to wear.

Motors are 23hp and 25hp Kawasakis on the walkbehinds, 26hp kawasaki liquid cooled on the 61", 31hp 3 cylinder Daihatsu gas liquid cooled on the 4000 hour 72", and a 37hp Vanguard on the newer 72". All run great but I am most impressed with the Daihatsu as it still has excellent power for an older engine. I change oil and filters in them every 100 hours and I just use Napa 10w-40 oil in them. I sharpen blades and grease them about every 10 hours. Change air filters as needed.

If I was a homeowner I'd look for a used 1000-1500 hour machine. You should be able to get a true commercial mower for a decent price and it should last a homeowner a long time yet. If you're mowing anything over an acre I would look for a 60"+ deck size.

 

[Austin]

If I was a homeowner I'd look for a used 1000-1500 hour machine. You should be able to get a true commercial mower for a decent price and it should last a homeowner a long time yet. If you're mowing anything over an acre I would look for a 60"+ deck size.

Thats a good point.

I forgot to mention, if you shop new, anybody selling a Ferris, Grasshoppers, Hustler ... any of the mid-to upper end mowers the dealers were more than willing to bring some mowers to my place for a demo. The Ferris, John Deere, Grasshopper and Hustler all brought out models that they thought meet my requirements. I'm glad they did, because in my mind bigger deck = less cutting. I wanted a 72" right off the bat, but after using one in my yard .... it was to big for somethings. The 60" was perfect and I wouldn't have made that call if they didn't bring demos to my yard.

 

[OutlawRider]

Thats a good point.

I forgot to mention, if you shop new, anybody selling a Ferris, Grasshoppers, Hustler ... any of the mid-to upper end mowers the dealers were more than willing to bring some mowers to my place for a demo. The Ferris, John Deere, Grasshopper and Hustler all brought out models that they thought meet my requirements. I'm glad they did, because in my mind bigger deck = less cutting. I wanted a 72" right off the bat, but after using one in my yard .... it was to big for somethings. The 60" was perfect and I wouldn't have made that call if they didn't bring demos to my yard.

We also got demos before we bought a Ferris. Funny thing we didn’t think about until we got a demo was fitting it on a trailer. That is an extra cost sometimes we don’t think about.

 

[DozerDan82]

Bought this today, entry level commercial. Picking it up in the morning. 0% for 48m, free money right...

Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX 4 54"​

 

[Youngblood]

If I was a homeowner I'd look for a used 1000-1500 hour machine. You should be able to get a true commercial mower for a decent price and it should last a homeowner a long time yet. If you're mowing anything over an acre I would look for a 60"+ deck size.

I bought a 500hr 60" Scag turf tiger with the liquid cooled Kawasaki last fall. Paid 4k and expect it to cut my roughly 2 acres of grass for the next 40 years. So far it's been awesome.

 

[sicumminsde]

I bought a 500hr 60" Scag turf tiger with the liquid cooled Kawasaki last fall. Paid 4k and expect it to cut my roughly 2 acres of grass for the next 40 years. So far it's been awesome.

Should be able to cut 2 acres in about 1 hour or less...In my area the growing season is about 30 weeks so that would mean you'll only put about 30+/- hours on that mower per season. 40 years sounds reasonable!

However, I will advise you that depending on what LC Kawasaki engine you have, The water pump may be located in the oil pan and is driven off the cam shaft. I had oil getting into my coolant and the fix was a new camshaft and seals...not a bad job but the engine has to come off the mower to fix. This was on a vertical shaft engine.

I should probably replace some of my older mowers but I just keep fixing them. They are very simple to fix and I have acquired a mass of spare parts over the years.

 

[DozerDan82]

Bought this today, entry level commercial. Picking it up in the morning. 0% for 48m, free money right...

Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX 4 54"​

Picture added....

 

[Poriggity]

Picture added....

Nice score. I know lots of people with Cub Cadets and they love them. Using other people's money is the way to do it!

 

[DozerDan82]

Nice score. I know lots of people with Cub Cadets and they love them. Using other people's money is the way to do it!

Buddy has one, he recommended the place and machine. I am happy with it. Prob should have gone 60" but 54" is good. Went from ~4hrs to 1.6hrs (based on hour meter)

Few spots it bogged a bit, but it was heavy grass, never slowed just could hear it. 4 yr/500hr warranty so hopefully all good there.

First cut I am calling it a success.

 

[Russell]

I've got an 08 Gravely 50" ZT 2550 with a Kohler Courage SV750e 25hp engine that came with my 2.2 acre property when I bought it. It's been a pile of garbage. I'm constantly fixing something or other on it. Stuff rattles loose, cracked welds and stuff coming out of adjustment. I won't ever own another Gravely product based on how unreliable this one has been.

My last place I had a 56" Cub Cadet with a Kohler Command 27hp engine and it was awesome. Faster and very reliable. All I ever did was lube, filters, fuel and an annual blade sharpening. Buyers put it into the contract for purchase, so I did the same with the Gravely unit here.

 

[KungFooMASTA]

I've got an 08 Gravely 50" ZT 2550 with a Kohler Courage SV750e 25hp engine that came with my 2.2 acre property when I bought it. It's been a pile of garbage. I'm constantly fixing something or other on it. Stuff rattles loose, cracked welds and stuff coming out of adjustment. I won't ever own another Gravely product based on how unreliable this one has been.

My last place I had a 56" Cub Cadet with a Kohler Command 27hp engine and it was awesome. Faster and very reliable. All I ever did was lube, filters, fuel and an annual blade sharpening. Buyers put it into the contract for purchase, so I did the same with the Gravely unit here.

Thats just weird.

Im buying your house and your mower better come with it.

Whats different than, Im buying your house but your Chevette Diesel parked back behind the outhouse better come with it and all those old used tires back in the trees. And dont even think about not leaving that pallet of bad car batteries next to them.

 

[DozerDan82]

Some more pictures. Found a total of 11 golf balls today, not a bad haul. And a small mishap. Slid down into the bushes, had to turn and go straight up the hill to get out. Nothing crazy just a whoops moment.

 

[DozerDan82]

Thats just weird.

Im buying your house and your mower better come with it.

Whats different than, Im buying your house but your Chevette Diesel parked back behind the outhouse better come with it and all those old used tires back in the trees. And dont even think about not leaving that pallet of bad car batteries next to them.

Not weird, just part of the agreement. This house they wanted to take the one shed, and some planters that would be considered part of the landscaping, I agreed to the planters but told them I wanted the shed. Real-estate gets odd.

 

[Russell]

Thats just weird.

Im buying your house and your mower better come with it.

Whats different than, Im buying your house but your Chevette Diesel parked back behind the outhouse better come with it and all those old used tires back in the trees. And dont even think about not leaving that pallet of bad car batteries next to them.

Pretty standard fare for Canadian real-estate. In addition of the Gravely mower, I also negotiated for and received a a John Deere 4600 compact tractor with a bunch of implements and a loader, a piece of crap Craftsman lawn tractor with a couple pull behind implements and a whole shop full of other powered landscaping tools like backpack blowers, hedgers, weed whackers etc. I sold all of it except for the Gravely to pay down the loan on the house because I brought most of that stuff with me from my last place.

They get a little bit more sticky about household chattels, but it isn't unheard of. I bought a place about 10 years ago and literally told them to take their clothes out of the closet and wardrobe, take their pictures off the wall and leave everything else, right down to the milk in the fridge. It was my first place and I had no furniture or kitchen stuff at all. They were moving to the East Coast and were happy not to ship it. The milk was sour by the time I got possession, but there was plenty of good food in the fridge and freezer, cleaning supplies, some kind of girly smelly shampoo in the shower and all the yard maintenance stuff in addition to all the furniture. The bank wasn't thrilled about financing the chattels, so I paid for that "part" out of my down-payment and took the loan for the rest.

 

[east_beast]

Thats just weird.

Im buying your house and your mower better come with it.

Whats different than, Im buying your house but your Chevette Diesel parked back behind the outhouse better come with it and all those old used tires back in the trees. And dont even think about not leaving that pallet of bad car batteries next to them.

Literally everything is negotiable in a real estate deal. I tossed in a snow blower in the sell of my CO house in lieu of other concessions they wanted. I didn't need the snow blower anyway and they did. Win/win.

 

[projectdad]

I finally broke down last year and got a Zero Turn. I'm a hardcore lover of the older big frame Simplicity tractors and I wasn't willing to sacrifice the component quality as compared to how heavy duty the nearly 40 year old Simplicity Sovereign I was looking to retire was.

What I found researching is that most of the ZTR's are essentially built with off the self parts where ever possible, think engines, pumps, etc.
So I looked at which mowers had the best options such heaviest duty deck construction, deck size options, ease of maintenance etc, and which brand suited my needs in my price range of $5000.

I ended up with a Country Clipper Boulevard 54" twin stick this series is what I'd consider heavy duty consumer/light duty commercial grade. Couple deciding factors on this were the flip up deck for maintenance, low center of gravity so they side-hill better which is a plus in my yard, heavier duty hyd drives, lots of good reviews, AND the kicker the local small engine shop is a dealer and has been for years so I don't have to go chasing parts if I ever need any.

So far it's been absolutely flawless mowing my acre, which is bumpy as hell, with plenty of obstacles and a long steep side hill section, and got it delivered with a full tank of fuel ready to mow for just over $4800

Boulevard - Country Clipper Zero Turn Mower

 

[kmkommes]

08 Gravely 50" ZT 2550. I won't ever own another Gravely product based on how unreliable this one has been.

13 year old entry level mower with no history of how previous owner treated it. Understandable it may have some issues.

I wouldn't compare that mower at all to the Gravely HD or Ariens APEX. They are nice machines, but pricier. The only thing I wish my HD came with new was a suspension seat. I put one on it and it makes a difference. None of the Ariens/Gravely machines have any suspension except what is on the seat. I beleive the reason is wheeled suspension could cause uneven cutting especially on hilly areas.

I think my ideal mower is a remote controlled version of the all electric Gravely Pro-Turn EV. I'd like to be able to sit on my roof top and mow, or have my kids do it. I should have one some day this summer, I just gotta prioritize and build one.

 

[Gooniegugu]

Call me stupid, but this thing is a beast, 22 Maverick HD.

 

[Captain Call]

Call me stupid, but this thing is a beast, 22 Maverick HD.

Our orange one kicks ass too.

 

[bgaidan]

I picked this thing up a month or two ago. Not sure what year it is, but 2000 hours on the 3 cyl Kubota diesel. Needed a couple minor parts and routine maintenance but it runs and cuts great. Night and day difference between it an the Cub Cadet it replaced. And way easier to mow around trees with the front deck.

 

[ThePanzerFuhrer]

Not one mention of a walker mower sad. They make the best bagger mower. I stole a smaller walker gas bagger from my dad and used it all last year to cut the lawn.

I liked it so much I started looking for a diesel version of one. I found a used 64” diesel one to mow my yard and the pit roads. Thing can haul ass cutting tall grass.

Awesome machine, best feature is the flip up deck so you can clean it out and sharpen the blades with 0 struggles.

I second the buying a used commercial unit. They are built so much better than the big box store stuff.

 

[FleshEater]

I just bought a Hustler Raptor XD this year. Really like it for a more HD residential mower. Maybe some day I’ll step up to a commercial model.

Will never purchase an MTD pile of shit ever again.