OT Zero turn mower recommendations?

[Popster MD]

I use the 8N with finish mower for bulk of mowing. My 43" MTD riding lawn mower is dying. I bought it originally in a hurry to replace a dead mower and have been unhappy with the quality and performance from the start. Have welded the deck 3 times already and replaced the front axles 3 times

I was considering buying a used Zero turn mower to replace it. I needed a chair when the Green Guy (Deere) wanted 5k for a 48" with 45 hours or 5.8k for a 54" commercial with 155 hours on it.

The used riding mowers were going for over 3k.

Any recommendations for other brands of heavy duty zero turn or just regular riding mowers.

Thanks for any info.

Dal

 

[Lumpy]

Country Clipper. I had one, awesome machine. Owned it 6 yrs and only changed oil in it. Mowed 2+ acres a week. Google it and see what you think.

 

[Gaspump]

In HD mowers I would look for a Skag or Dixie Chopper too.

 

[ZANE]

One of my grandsons has been cutting grass for hire since he was about 12 years old and now he works as a machinest at the Anniston Army Depot and cuts crass every hour he is not at work and the sun is up. About four years ago I went on the note with him to by a new Zero Turn mower. We bought an MTD (Cub Cadet) with 22 HP Kohler engine and he has been cutting grass every since with only oil changes, air filters. belts and blades. Second set of tires. He just cut my over an acre today and it is still going good as new. Bought it at Tractor Supply for 3K.

Money well spent.

Zane

 

[fatdaddy]

Got a 52in BobCat,been mowing 3 acres for 4 years with no problems.Great mower.

 

[Brian Jasper co. Ia]

The commercial Toro machines made by Exmark are built like tanks and there is no comparison in quality of cut between them and JD.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I brought a Gravely some 8 are so years ago,,, its performed well. I did demo a toro and 2 this day have been kick'n my ares for not going with the Toro,,, from the start the toro was a much better machine,,, it did not have the bells and whistles the Gravely had but would out cut it hands down

Why i did not go with the Toro,,, could not find a toro dealer that would Deal,,, when we are talk'n 7K I expect to deal are you can watch my 7k walk out to door :lol:

The Gravely came Stock with a suspension seat,,, a nice luxury,, also a hydraulic deck,,, not needed but nice to have,,, a 25 HP engine,,, more HP is better rite :wink:

2 Cub cadet's has mowed this yard for 35 years,,, tha last 2 were junk,,, I don't even look at a CC anymore

 

[G6 at Snook, TX]

Last year I looked at SCAG and a Hustler before I finally went with the finishing mower behind my 8n. It was cheaper to go this route (Frontier from JD) and I wanted to use my N. But as I investigated I looked long and hard at the SCAG and Hustler. The Hustler dealer also sold Ferris and he wanted me to look that direction, more expensive, but he mentioned several times that the Hustler never seemed to come in for repairs. I have heard others say good things about Hustler too, and I would have bought a Hustler had I gone that route rather than the finishing mower.

 

[Rick from NC]

I can second the country clipper reccomendation. I bought one three years ago and haven't regreted it. I cut my mowing time in half and I went from a 72" 3PH mower to a 60" ZTR mower.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I bought a Scag 2 summers ago. I bought the Freedom Z. It's a homeowner type commercial mower. It's been the best mower I've owned. I can mow our yard in 1/2 the time it took me to bushhhog it.

Brad

 

[OKDAD]

I went looking for a 50" ZTR in 2007 to mow the 2 acres around the house and shop. My BIL had just got a 50" CC and it had been in the shop 4 times already that year. Found a great deal on a 50" Toro w/Kohler power for $2,600 at the local Home Depot. My neighbor has a local mower shop and sells Dixon. Talked to him about one and his "deal" was a 50" demo for just over $6K ($500 discount)! :shock:

I bought the Toro. Not in the same league as the Dixon but OK for me. Had to have one wheel motor replaced last year under warranty and one bolt broke on the mower deck. Other than that it mows just fine.

Ike

 

[Popster MD]

Thanks to all for the advice. Am checking out a CC dealer (35 miles away) and a Skag dealer. They certainly aren't cheap!

 

[Anonymous-0]

You get what you pay for. Not earth shaking news, but ever so true.
Simplicity, John Deere and Toro are the only ones I would consider. Go for a commercial grade product if you can afford it. I found a dealer with a year old model still in the crate and got a great deal on it. I grew up with Simplicity mowers and believe no product gives a better cut than a Simplicity, and they are built to last. They seem expensive up front, but over time are really the better value, plus they are a real joy to use. I have 1.7 acres and I was looking at zero turn mowers. I found a great deal on a 20 hp 50" Simplicity Broadmoor tractor and found that it actually cut my mowing time in half even though I didn't go to a zero turn product. Avoid any MTD product [including Cub Cadet].

 

[safetyfast]

Another vote for Simplicity for homeowner grade mower that will last and cut good. I grew up around them and own two and a tiller. The older one is 25 years old and has never needed anything but routine maintenance. I've also got a 2050 zero turn that I got a good deal on. It was a low hour trade in at my dealer. Paid a lot less for it than the junk they sell at lowes and TSC.

 

[Ed S.]

A friend who does commercial mowing prefers Skag or Great Dane (both designed by the same guy, and built like tanks), or Exmark mowers... We've borrowed his Great Dane (which are no longer sold) and it seems to do a really nice job.

I'm in the market to replace my MTD Yardman which we've been holding together with duct tape and spit since about a year after we bought it. Have had to replace the engine, the plastic hood broke the first season (so no hood since then), belt tensioner spring breaks at least once a season, front axle assemblies (one twice), welded the deck twice, on the third battery, seat cushion beading long gone so the padding flops around... you get the picture. Has cost us nearly what we paid for it new just to keep it running five years.

es

 

[gahorN]

MTD = Mowers That Disintegrate. Pure crap.