Recommend me a zero turn mower

[D.Rose]

Looking for a new zero turn. Like to have a high end residential mower and been looking at Hustler, Scag, and John Deere. Looking for something that will last and has a good track record for longevity. I have never used a zero turn so I am kind of in the dark here. I mow about 2.5 acres and just want to get the most for my money. Any suggestions?

 

[KoolBreeze]

I bought a Scag Tiger Cat 52” w/27 Kohler on it new in 2010. I mow 2 properties with it (about 6 acres). All I’ve done to it is replace 1 idler pulley and service it yearly. Have not even had to replace a belt. Great, durable machine. There are a couple things I don’t like about it though. One is I’d prefer a bit more leg room but I’m 6’1”. The other is it doesn’t do a very good job of disbursing clippings if the grass is wet or has a high moisture content. But I’m cutting country yards that have a lot of weed and volunteer grass, not a manicured lawn. It’s also clay soil so it really holds the moisture. It has the velocity deck.

My dad has 2 Exmark Lazers. He loves them. One is over 20 years old and still going strong. He’s cutting about 15 acres with them since they were new. I think his cuts better but his grass is also much much dryer.

 

[Crowmangler]

All the guys that mow for a living around here use a Toro. I've had one of the commercial models for around 6 years & it's the bomb. I mow about 9 acres total with it. I don't know much about the new models though

 

[Team4LongGun]

I have a toro 42” for 3 acres. It’s been used hard for 11 years and never had an issue. Would recommend it for sure

 

[Claroue]

I bought a scag patriot 61” 2 years ago. Before that I had a toro 54” forgot the model. The toro was comfortable but slow. The scag goes faster and does a better job cutting if that matters to you.

 

[LostArra]

Scag Turf Tiger purchased new 1999
Water cooled Kawasaki
61" deck. No complaints
Clean it completely with a compressor wand after every use.
Engine, deck and air filter

If I was looking today I would consider a rear discharge deck or one with that option. You can eat a lot of grass on a windy day with side discharge and the deck in front of your butt.

 

[*zap*]

Toro stander...I believe they still call it the Grandstand.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I've been running nothing but Kubota zeros for 25 years. I just bought a new Z781KWTi-60 for my farm. Kubota tends to engineer everything on the heavier side. The unit I just bought is powered by a 30 hp Kawasaki engine and is fuel injected. Twist the key and it starts immediately with zero throttle or choke needed. This is a stout commercial quality unit which is perfectly suited for large residential lawns. Kubota has 0% for up to 60 months with zero down.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I have a Scag Patriot 52"..I have 3 acres...45 min to cut it...had it 4 years still runs like a top. Really easy to service. IMO that's what makes separates a good mower from a great mower...I can do the yearly service in less than an hour, hydro change filters and getting all the air out of system about the same.

 

[Red Letters]

Most importantly buy whatever brand you chose from a specialty lawn distributor dealership/service center, DO NOT buy one from a big box store. The thicker the steel on the deck the better. I bought a Gravely residential model and its been a good mower, zero issues this will only be our 5th season with it so far.

 

[pk_]

That Kubota looks legit.

My family had a landscaping company for a few decades. Mostly residential but small commercial properties as well. The exmarks/toro were preferred. For companies doing larger acreage, the scags and Dixie choppers seem to be the weapons of choice.

We had one John Deere it was a nightmare I can’t remember specifically but we were constantly working on it. But that was also 20 years ago and I believe we bought that machine used, not new. But they are almost non-existent in the workforce down here from what I see and I see a lot of zero turns everyday, Scags and Dixies by a landslide…

Good luck they can be fun as with most machines.

 

[TxTaurus74]

I have had a SCAG for 8 years now with the Kawasaki engine and 61" deck. It's been perfect. Just change oil, keep deck and air filter cleaned off after each use. Change blades about once a year and they are super simple to change. Only other thing I have replaced is the battery. It's also nice having dual fuel tanks.

 

[johnsd16]

You see a lot of commercial operations use toro for a reason. Lots of good options have popped up in the last 25 years though. I recently bought a Toro Zmaster 3000 with the 25.5hp Kawasaki and it’s been a beast. Does all the stuff the toros I ran for a commercial operation from 1999-2008. Didn’t need all the bells and whistles the 5000 and 6000 have. Agree with buying from a reputable dealer and having local service available though. I’d let that weigh heavily into a decision on brand.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I have a Kubota I bought new 2/3 years ago. It does cut grass, but I think I've had it
in the shop 4 times. Once for starting problems, one of the steering arms came disconnected,
and 2 broken deck belts. My 4 acre property is all it cuts.
Not exactly stellar performance, and every time I take it to the dealer it's at least a 2 week wait.
Seems they're doing a lot of repair work. I doubt I would buy another Kubota anything.

 

[Ten Bears]

I’ve owned a few Exmarks and both were outstanding. Had a Dixon for about 5 years, metal rotted out on the deck. Currently bought the residential grade Cub Cadet for 3K and have zero complaints. Great mower for the price.

 

[gelton]

I have a John Deere z540M with 56" deck and a 25 HP Kawasaki Motor, the motor is the only thing I really like about it. I have 7 acres and the salesperson told me to go commercial and I didn't. Not very happy with the decision.

I just picked up a 46 hp deere tractor though and I like everything about it.

i.e. Go bigger (overbuilt) than what you originally considered and you should be okay.

 

[stevevan]

I have a John Deere z540M with 56" deck and a 25 HP Kawasaki Motor, the motor is the only thing I really like about it. I have 7 acres and the salesperson told me to go commercial and I didn't. Not very happy with the decision.

I just picked up a 46 hp deere tractor though and I like everything about it.

i.e. Go bigger (overbuilt) than what you originally considered and you should be okay.

GRAVELLY!!!!! John Deere sucks. The one I had spent more time in the repair shop than mowing grass.

 

[007hunter]

I’ve had a Ferris with a Kawasaki engine for 3 years now. No complaints here. I think the only thing I did was replace one of the front caster wheels as it wouldn’t hold air. I don’t cut much but I’m done in 20 minutes and I know that mower will last for many years. I don’t think you can wrong with any of the major commercial brands for just home use.

 

[weekender7]

2 Hustler 60", 1-7 years, 1-5 years, zero problems.

 

[KoolBreeze]

If you want something that will last mowing 2.5 acres, get a commercial mower, especially if the ground is rough. I destroyed a new homeowner lawn tractor on my property in 1 season.