new Zero turn mower choices

[INCase]

looking at a zero turn mowers.

too many choices.

it appears that many in the residential/low end commercial line have the same 21.5 hp kawasaki engine and some level of Hydro-gear ZT or EZT hydrostatic unit (most "serviceable").

since those are the key hardware components it comes down to the rest of the machine. Seat, deck quality, mowing quality and comfort.

looking at or have narrowed it down to Kubota Z232, Scag (SLS), Hustler Rebel X. All are similar priced and as noted above the same powertrain more or less.

anyone have a newer zero-turn of one of these brands/models?

Thanks.

 

[flying belgian]

looking at a zero turn mowers.

too many choices.

it appears that many in the residential/low end commercial line have the same 21.5 hp kawasaki engine and some level of Hydro-gear ZT or EZT hydrostatic unit (most "serviceable").

since those are the key hardware components it comes down to the rest of the machine. Seat, deck quality, mowing quality and comfort.

looking at or have narrowed it down to Kubota Z232, Scag (SLS), Hustler Rebel X. All are similar priced and as noted above the same powertrain more or less.

anyone have a newer zero-turn of one of these brands/models?

Thanks.

Got 2 friends with Scag. They love them. Myself if I was going zeroturn. It would be Grasshopper with the hydraulic flip up deck

 

[buickanddeere]

Deere Z530R . Commercial grade hydrostatic drives, Heavier gauge deck, suspension seat and lights .

 

[Richard Nixon]

looking at a zero turn mowers.

too many choices.

it appears that many in the residential/low end commercial line have the same 21.5 hp kawasaki engine and some level of Hydro-gear ZT or EZT hydrostatic unit (most "serviceable").

since those are the key hardware components it comes down to the rest of the machine. Seat, deck quality, mowing quality and comfort.

looking at or have narrowed it down to Kubota Z232, Scag (SLS), Hustler Rebel X. All are similar priced and as noted above the same powertrain more or less.

anyone have a newer zero-turn of one of these brands/models?

Thanks.

I had a Kubota Z231KW zero turn that was OK but I soon discovered that it wasn't big enough for my mowing needs/wants. So I gave it to my son and bought a new John Deere Z950M 60" width that I'm very happy with. They have a great sale going on now.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Any entry-level residential zero-turn mower is going to be cheeped down somewhere they will never be a commercial mower. The only advice I can offer on a cheap mower is get a good suspension seat. If all else fails at least you will not complain about the ride.

 

[lodoc]

If that's your price point the deck would be what I would consider most important. The heavier the gauge metal the better. Avoid anything with a lighter weight stamped deck. All the forums are full of nightmare stories of cracked, broken or rusted decks on residential mowers

 

[Tgrasher]

Welded steel deck, spring suspension body and seat, the fold up deck for blade changes and sharpening, and a forward deck for going under bushes and pine trees. Your mower will last 15 years and your not getting any younger.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Bought a Husqvarna Z254 8 years ago for just under 3K. In 450 hours all I've done is replace the battery and change oil and filter. And a set of blades each year,

 

[JD Dave]

Every manufacturer is chasing two markets: homeowners and landscaper/mow & throw. I bought my second Toro three years ago and went for the "industrial strength" model because on our farm, we mow about two acres every 10 days. The Toro works for me.

 

[BlaineM]

Which ever one you buy make sure you have dealer support.

 

[DWF]

I bought a "500S" Ferris last year, a great ZT mower, No troubles at all. Highly recommend. It is up from an entry level mower, bigger tires, heavier deck, commercial engine, and heavier hydros to say the least.
DWF

 

[Russ from MN]

Which ever one you buy make sure you have dealer support.

If you need a dealer, you're buying the wrong brand, I don't need a dealer, we have Amazon! Our 25 year old Husqvarna has only needed a couple of belts and 2 sets of blades in it's life.

 

[docmirror]

Ariens pro line if you cut a lot. I maintain a 17 total acre runway and verges. Its a bit thirsty on gas but very solid. For home use they have lower cost mowers with stamped decks. Made in US.

 

[showcrop]

I suggest that you take a quick look at Walker. It appears to me that the guys that stay in landscaping long term gravitate towards them. They have a few pretty significant advantages compared to most others.

 

[Welding man]

All depends on how much you want to spend. $4000.00 to 40,000.00. I bought a Bad Boy ZT Elite 7 years ago for $4995.00. We mow 4.5 acres every week. It now has close to 1000 hours on it. Kohler engine. I put the first drive belt on it a few days ago. It has been 100% dependable. It has an electric deck lift, no one else has. If I was going to buy another one today, it would be the same.

 

[INCase]

All depends on how much you want to spend. $4000.00 to 40,000.00. I bought a Bad Boy ZT Elite 7 years ago for $4995.00. We mow 4.5 acres every week. It now has close to 1000 hours on it. Kohler engine. I put the first drive belt on it a few days ago. It has been 100% dependable. It has an electric deck lift, no one else has. If I was going to buy another one today, it would be the same.

probably in the $4000+ range

the 3 I"m looking at (all have the same hydro units - semi-serviceable)

1, Hustler Raptor X is at about $4200 (Kawasaki 18hp) steel fabricated deck
2, Kubota Z232 is about $4900 (Kawasaki 21.5hp) steel fab deck also has ROPS and armrests the others don't
3, Scag SLS is about $4400 (can get at $4000 due to old machine is weathered some from sitting out) (Briggs 20hp) steel fab deck

so far I have only been able to drive the Scag and a Bad Boy. The Bad Boy controls seemed better but sitting on the Scag the comfort was way better. Scag was definitely heavier duty as floor board on the badboy was spongy.

Hopefully i can drive the Kubota and the Hustler this Saturday.

thanks for the feedback.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Good, I don't see any MTD junk on your list. I brought my son a Ariens Icon its the biggest pile of junk I have ever seen. @ 150hr every bearing on the machine was worn out. Its a P.I.T.A to put belts on and it likes belts.

Incase you don't know a ZTR will beat you to death no matter who makes it. For my use a suspension seat is a must are its a no go.

 

[B. White]

I'm another who would say give Bad Boy a close look, although mine is currently down waiting on the hydro gear pump, but as you mentioned lots of brands use their components. If you were in the commercial budget I would definitely recommend it, but at a minimum I would check with a dealer who has something in your range with the best upgraded seat available. I'm cutting areas that were probably worked with a mule and a scoop years ago and I can run as fast as I want and it feels more like floating when I hit a bump or dip rather than jarring like a lot I have been on. I've stayed on it four hours at a time and not felt tired or beat to death.

After my first retirement I worked briefly at a dealer and folks coming in for parts for their older ones didn't have anything to say but good stuff. Actually the majority were more excited to talk about their mower than I thought was normal. I started looking at how they were built and eventually bought mine. It is commercial, since I have a banks on the ditch of a state highway that are ridiculous and I wanted something as heavy as possible with ROPs, plus I got what I felt was a good deal. My model is now about $5K higher than I paid. After I left there I did some part time work for a county recreation department who used a couple of different brands. None rode good without jarring you if the ground was less than perfect and was harder than it had to be to keep the decks adjusted.

 

[johnlobb]

Make sure you get a joy stick steering! Twin tillers are completely obsolete. My Country Clipper has been a joy, made in Corydon, IA by a family owned company. I have the XLT, top of the line residential with commercial Hydro Gear under pinnings and a Kawasaki motor.

 

[dbNga]

looking at a zero turn mowers.

too many choices.

it appears that many in the residential/low end commercial line have the same 21.5 hp kawasaki engine and some level of Hydro-gear ZT or EZT hydrostatic unit (most "serviceable").

since those are the key hardware components it comes down to the rest of the machine. Seat, deck quality, mowing quality and comfort.

looking at or have narrowed it down to Kubota Z232, Scag (SLS), Hustler Rebel X. All are similar priced and as noted above the same powertrain more or less.

anyone have a newer zero-turn of one of these brands/models?

Thanks.

U tube the other night says: Fabbed deck, serviceable hydros, Kawasaki, Kohler (commercial), Briggs (commercial) unless you want to be repairing in 3-5 years. Opt for the best seat you can afford. Buddy of mine bought Kabota ztr diesel about 5 yrs ago and they wouldn't put the $1000+ seat of the next higher model on his 60 inch cut $12k machine. He would have to move up to the machine for the seat.
When buddy was in market for ztr I did a lot of research for him and I asked dealer which was best between Briggs-Kohler-Kawasaki: his answer was" take all 3 and put them in same environment and in 3 yrs bring them back in and Briggs and Kohler will sound like they are coming apart while the Kawasaki will sound the same as the day it left". Kawasaki does not like dirty fins, so let that be part of your pm.