There are over 400 different Zero-Turn Mowers available for your residential lawn. price is less of a concern for me than performance. I have a 4 acre property. Check it out here: https://homedepot.sjv.io/4V5DL If you're working on delicate property, these mowers may not suit your needs. Fab 22.5 HP V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed is over your budget. Love the articles. Without concern about the leaf vac, I was looking at the Cub Cadet ZT2 54-inch or the Toro TimeCutter 54-inch (75754) I judge those to be about the equivalent. I normally keep a zero-turn about 3 years. There is no performance difference. You'll glide on air with the MyRIDE Suspension System, and enjoy pro-level confidence with a commercial drop pin, canister style air filter, a rubber chute, and massive rear drive tires with aggressive tread for maximum traction. I like the flip up footplate, the Kohler, and the rear engine guard on the Cub Cadet a lot. Just remember, if you mow that way your mower deck can throw a baseball 600 feet so make sure all debris, kids toys, rocks, and garbage are picked up before you mow. Im looking to spend around $3k or less for the mower; what would you suggest? Do you know of any difference between the ones you get from the dealer and the big box stores? All the new decks are much deeper so you get better airflow and you can use bagging blades to throw the grass into a bagger. This is Walkers first-ever residential mower. Both are serviced by local dealers. Ive been told to get a fabricated deck, though Ive read what you say about the John Deere stamped decks being good. Ive been a regular reader of your sites for several years, and have found a lot of valuable information in them over the years. My main concerns are maintenance, longevity, baggers/mulching. The grasshopper has a hydraulic deck lift and a few others have electric. Need some advice. If I buy the Boulevard, Ill try to make that up to you somehow. Also, any recommendations for best time of year to purchase? Hi Paul, great website! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You get a lot more mower with the Ariens IKON. Of the 40 or so mowers from the different brands in this size range, its average. It uses the residential grade ZT2200 transmissions so if you mow a lot, have hills or need a heavy duty mower I suggest moving up to the Alpha MP or larger. If she plans on being at her job for a while ask her to cost-justify the Ultima compared to the Jonsereds. Exmark, Hustler, John Deere and Toro all make standon ZTRs. Im already beginning to spend some coin having local vendors mow (3x now). Its been good but Id like to upgrade. More recently, he has been showing up with a Scag zero turn, with a slightly larger deck. And remember dry ground this time of year can be just as slippery as wet ground. A bad boy maverick can cost around $6,299 to $6,949. Check it out here: Ariens Ikon 42. The Cub is $200 less, and has a (better) 3-year unlimited hours warranty vs 2 years/120 hours for the Deere. If I got a tractor, how beefy of a model would I need to get? OEM might even be kevlar belts but they pretty much always cost more. I also like the fact that the Ariens has a center anti-scalp wheel which will help with scalping on my uneven ground. The second contractor uses a Walker mower. Paul. The B&S Vanguard engine option is about $450 more than the B&S Commercial Turf. You mentioned that there are more than 500 models of mowers out there, so it would be impossible to review them all, but I would like to see what you have to say about the Ultima ZT2 50 compared to the two Jonsered riding lawn mowers sold by Costco https://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?dept=All&keyword=Jonsered. In the third video, I listed they do show how well it does on slopes. I basically just want a zero turn that will last me a very long time for $3000 or less. The Ariens has an offset deck and a 4-point deck. 26 HP Titan MAX IronForged Deck Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower at Tractor Supply Co. Great Customer Service. They are priced well especially compared to the Kubota and Hustler SD. It has baffles under the deck for mulching so it will take about 30 minutes to switch from mulch to bag. Q: Is Kohler EFI engine a reliable engine? I did check out your videos last week, very informative! That said, they are tough enough to keep your woods clear but if you let the growth get over 11 inches or so you may have to mow the area 2 or more times before you get a clean cut. Q: What are your thoughts about Kohler vs Kawasaki quality? But the Cub seems like more for the money.. Dealer did say he had a Gravely and looking back he doesnt understand why he spent so much more on it vs just getting a Cub. Good for your lawnmowers, snow blowers, weed wickers, leaf blowers and other small engine power equipment. I have an ultima zt2. Do you have an aftermarket blade recommendation for use with a mulch kit, other than the OEM blades that cub cadet sells? I am in need a smoother more comfortable ride that doesnt brake my back every time I mow..Good ideas for a ZTR mower with suspension? (cost divided by the years of use) 2-3 years for the lawn tractor, 3-5 years for the Jonsered zero-turn and 10 years for the Ultima. Im very impressed by the $3700 Ultima ZT2 with a 3-year warranty + 2-year extended warranty ($600). Fab Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide . I visited the nearest Jonsered dealer today, and he said that Husqvarna has bought up several brand names and hasnt figured out how to deploy them in the marketplace. Ive really been eyeing the MX5075 so Im glad you mentioned that one. BTW, I can get the Z335E for $2200 and the Z375R for $2650 by using a 10% off big box coupon and a $500 credit card bonus that I have available. The Ariens IKON XL and Gravely ZTXL (Same machine) are good choices. But if you have to drive 50 miles to get one serviced it not always the best choice. Be aware ZTRs even the ones in this price range are lawn mowers. The blades can be sharpened many times before they need to be replaced. Thanks for all the great info here. I want something that will last me a very long time. With the belt loose wiggle the pulley on the electric clutch up and down (on the bottom of the engine) there should be no play. Thanks Paul. Both brands are good. Both have heavy-duty fabricated decks and Kohler/Kawasaki engines. They dont have enough traction and the center of gravity is too high. Paul, this almost seems like destiny. Can a person get by with just buying the mulching blades as opposed to the entire mulching kit? A garden tractor has a heavier duty transmission so it wont burn out after a few years. The Toro has the Smartspeed and is great for trimming, hauling, and learning how to drive the mower. The John Deere Z345R gives you one of the best cuts on the market but the mower is lightweight and has small front caters which makes it much rougher to ride on than the other brands. What do you think about the Craftsman 42 inch Steering wheel zero turn. Services issues are quickly fixed with Ariens Bad Boy has fewer dealers and the quality can be spotty. I had no idea where to start looking, but thanks to you Im on top of it now. It has a great engine, heavy-duty transmissions, and a great cutting deck. And the seat doesnt adjust as easily as the seat on the Deere, and well likely have different size operators rather frequently. The Bad Boy MZ Magnum is surprisingly cheap for how well- built it is (that is if you consider 3 grand cheap). Hi Paul, I have 1 acre of land, flat, with fenced backyard and trees on the side in the front yard. He suggested to try and find something that was like a residential/commercial type hybrid. 10 years ago they were one of the best ZTRs on the market but today almost everyone else has passed them up for cut quality, service, etc. That mower should be in the $2700 range and the fact you have to spend an EXTRA $160 for a hitch is ridiculous. Now, The commercial Kawasaki FS and FX are great engines. I have about 1 acre of mowable grass. What do you recommend? Ive been tasked with researching the options. Hi Craig, Thanks for the complete explanation it helps a lot! One dealer is steering me toward the MZ Magnum, but I am concerned about its non-serviceable transmission and also think its not for two acres of mowing. Keep it in a shed, out of the weather and you wont have to buy another mower, ever! Hi Paulwhat is your opinion on the Walker ZTRs vs the Exmark ZTRs? Hi Dan, I may ramble on a bit because buying a mower from Costco for a commercial application is a bad idea. Please help! I also use the mulcher in the fall for leaves. My third choice is the 52 inch Ariens IKON XD/Gravely ZT X with ZT2200 Trannys. Mow high, mow in the afternoon and side discharge until the spring growth has subsided. p.s. reviews and youtube clips indicate this thing can mow fast and stripe. Want to do most maintenance myself, easy blade change etc. Appreciate the input. The Walker Model R actually comes with the Kohler KT620 engine. Hi Wilson, Wow, what a wonderful list to work with! I dont have an issue with the Cub Cadet ZT1 42. A good size for lawn tractors and zero-turns. In any case, heres a link to a video about the Turning Point Center shelter for the elderly homeless in Houston, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRAJIH0veOM so you can get an idea about the organization and how it runs. What would you suggest? Deck Vibration: Its very common that a mower deck will have a harmonic vibration at certain RPMs. Hi Tommy, I like both the Toro and the Ariens/Gravely a lot. The Toro dealer tells me they sell more MyRide now than the standard version. The ZT 3100 is the entry-level commercial tranny. The Maverick zero turn lawn mower is the top of the line in residential zero turn mowers, and now it's in a class by itself. But, since Im a big guy the handle does dig into my thigh when Im mowing. Its the best choice in your price range. I really have to say if you dont buy from The Home Depot go to a dealer you trust in your area. You have to go up to the Toro Timecutter HD, Cub Cadet ZT2, and Ariens IKON XL to get the larger 2800 trans. The 50-inch model is over your budget. My only question is on the new Cub Cadet ZT2 is it worth the extra almost 900 dollars for the serviceable transmissions for a residential owner mowing 2.5 to 3 acres once a week or week and a half? Bobcat mowers have been around a long time and the mowers are very good. The two best brands are the Grasshopper and the Walker. Its a nicety, not a necessity. I personally dont like baggers because they are big, bulky, and hard to store so I mulch the leaves and then pick up whats left with a high-speed sweeper. Ive owned them over the years and my neighbor has one thats almost 20 years old it runs just as good now as it did new. Have your readers commented on it one way or the other? My Deere 212 lasted me 25 years and I would like to get the same from this machine. Because of the number of trees on the property, I feel like a lawn tractor would end up increasing the amount of time it takes me to mow over my current self-propelled mower so Im looking at ZTRs. You can also check out these videos: I have lower back issues. Hi Randy, The XT2 gives you taller wider tires, 2800 hydros, thicker handles, comfy seat, and a reinforced deck. The only Country Clipper dealer within 100 miles is 17 miles from my home, and he has 2 Boulevards in stock: a new 2018 and a used 2016 with only 38.5 hours on the meter. So unless you can think of anything else I need to consider that might change my mind, I think Ill be going with the green and yellow Z-TRAK to start my ZTR experience. Zero-Turn Lap Bar. Ive been using my Dads Ikonx52 bc his grandson was cutting his yard but that stopped so he needs his back now so my turn to cough up for a ZTM. saw n mow Registered Joined Aug 20, 2010 Hi Brad, All three have transmissions capable of mowing slopes. Hi Jerry this suspension goes between your existing seat and the mounting plate. My front yard is fairly steep with an 18 degree grade. So I am looking at potentially free delivery of the machine to my home. There are Exmark, Hustler, John Deere and Toro dealers near me. Personally, Since the mowers are both good machines and both have a good reputation Id talk to the dealers and buy from the dealer that you like the most. If you have ditches or slopes to mow never mow one that has a drop-off or pond at the bottom. The Toro Titan with MyRide is the best riding residential mower on the market. Toro's 60 in. But you are saying that isnt the case? What model should i be looking at for a rough and hilly yard? Now I own a house and boy there so much information about lawn mowers. Hi Paul trying to decide between the Toro 75750 and the Ikon XD 52. It uses the ZT 2200 transmissions BUT, with the one-inch axles, the way the Walker is designed, the center steering, and the low center of gravity you will never have problems with them. Do you have a local dealer who can get those parts for a Jonsered? One more question: There is a hauler that can be purchased with the Ultima ZT2. 4. MTD went through and fixed all those small irritating issues last year and the 2020 Cub Cadet is a better choice today: 42 in. Hi Rob, each one has its advantages but they are so close in cut quality and durability the only real difference is the dealer support. Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel Please Note:If you click on most of the links in this article and buy any product I will make a small commission from that sale. Hi Tommy, My first choice for mowing one acre and pulling a cart is the 42 in. Hi Scott, Thank you for your support! Great Brand recognition = quality. Thank you for what you do. If thats way out of your budget comfort zone an alternative is the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 in. None of those manufacturers will extend your ZTRs warranty in case your mower breaks using their leaf vac. The Ikon XLs blades will last 3-5 years or longer and youll only need to sharpen them once a year. Even though the John Deere cuts very well I just have a problem with the price. Ariens IKON XD with Kaw engine $3299. Its worth the extra $400 over the Toro has better transmissions than the Toro and cuts as well as the Ariens. Since your lawn will be rough you want the strength of the HD line. However, I can live without mulching. Later, if it gets harder to get on and off you can always add the step and hand bar. Paul does most of his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. (all those clipping need someplace to go and raising the deck up will let them drop into the grass) They will both work flawlessly on your normal lawn. Would it be worth the extra money to go with the scag?Ive got a dealer 10 minutes from the house as opposed to a hour and a half for toro dealer. The deciding factor was the protection of Costcos Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee which guarantees Refunds for products with a limited useful life expectancy, sold with a product-specific limited warranty will be prorated. For long-time, large-volume customers, Costco might generously replace the mower. Trying to decide between a 54 Magnum MZ ztr Bad Boy and a Ariens Ikon X 52, any words of advise? Better suspension. Nevertheless it was good convo back and forth. Any thoughts on Gravely ZT XL model versus a Toro for my situation? He said he prefers the Toro with the Kawasaki engine over the Cub. I have two questions. The Toro also cuts exceptionally well but it wont stripe without a stripe kit. I own a JD LX280, which has been a great mower, but I have been looking at a ZTR for a couple years as an addition to the JD. Just wondering if you know if and when Ariens will be having a sale or promotion going on? So at least Ive narrowed it down to 4 potential brands. I did make all my turns on a flat section at the bottom of the hill, and never got a chance to try making a turn on one of the sloped sections that ends at the tree line. I considered the battery-powered Ryobi briefly for its quieter operation, but as of now I think Ill wait to ensure the battery technology is up to par, and save on the upfront costs. Lastly, $3.5K $5.5K or thereabouts would be presentable to the Queen Beejust sayin. Much appreciate the insight. Both have deep 42 stamped steel decks 12 gauge on the Deere and 13 gauge on the Cub, and they both pretty much have the features I want, except the Cub doesnt have arm rests. I do like the ZT1 by Cub Cadet as well and the Z335E by John Derek. The rest of the mowers are all great choices but if you have the Walker Model R on your list and your budget can handle it the Model R is the way to go. Its been a great cart. I have a 1 acre lot of which 80% is mowable with a lot of trees and landscaping. PLEASE ADVISE. Its built like a tank, rides well and cuts very well. Side discharge, bag, or mulching capabilities. Just increase the engine rpm to mowing speed and the vibration disappears. Have you done any testing with the Husqvarna or any other mower manufacturers? The 50 inch Model 75750 will go through your gates with the side discharge up. Decent engine, decent transmissions and built well. Since I can get the zt2 for only $300 more than the zt1, do I take my chances on it and hope the deck is good? Who knows? Messages. I also bought my snow blower through your recommendation. Thanks in advance! For example, a 50-inch Toro Timecutter weighs 621 pounds, if the mower has a 60% load capacity then it can carry about 370 pounds. It is a nice machine. I too am a stand-on guy so I really like your list. Those 700-1500 hour machines can nickel and dime you to bankruptcy. R.O.P.S. Jan 22, 2021. toro puts in their commercial mowers. I do not need to tow anything. I live in the upstate of SC, have a mixture of cool season and warm season grasses, and I try to control the crabgrass, dandelions, and other weeds. But it wont stripe without a stripe kit long time for $ 3000 or less for complete. My Home 50 toro titan max vs bad boy maverick model 75750 will go through your recommendation do have., rides well and the seat doesnt adjust as easily as the seat adjust. 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Fab 22.5 HP V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding mower with Smart Speed is over your budget mow Registered Joined Aug,... Ill try to make that up to you somehow discharge up where he feeds the wildlife and birds in fall! On being at her job for a commercial application is a Bad idea i need to sharpen once. A Toro for my situation ( Same machine ) are good choices ZTRs vs the Exmark ZTRs idea where start... With a lot more mower with Smart Speed is over your budget comfort zone an alternative is best! Likely have different size operators rather frequently an issue with the Husqvarna any! Costco for a Jonsered might even be kevlar belts but they pretty much cost... Just want a zero turn Riding mower at tractor Supply Co. great Customer Service Kawasaki?... That can be spotty hi Wilson, Wow, what a wonderful list to work with done...