Zero Turn Mowers

1Kona_Venom

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I feel like I opened yet a can of worms and a never ending rabbit hole by entertaining the thought of getting a zero turn. (almost like Whipple vs VMP shopping)

- Will not buy from big box. Looking for dealer and support service AFTER the sale
- 0% Interest for 48 months
- Smaller the deck, better the cut? Ie, 42" vs 56"
-Basic residential mowing; 45 min cut time PER YARD


I think by doing lawn service on the weekends Fri-Sun, the mower will pay for itself and I hope to grow bigger, eventually getting another, larger mower.

I've watched a lot of you tube videos this weekend and my brain is spinning. Each mower has its good and bad. So, the mowers under consideration;

Bad Boy 48" Kawasaki MZ Magnum or ZT Elite...avg price point $4000-5200

Toro Time Cutter

Ariens


No Cub Cadets, John Deere, change my mind?


I take good care of all my investments. Just looking for some pos and cons, longevity issues?


If there was a thread and missed it, post the link
 
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velocicaur

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We have had three Toro ztr over the years: 42" timecutter, 50" timecutter with the new suspension ride, and a 52" Z Master.

We've had the 42" for about 10 years (still have it) and have had absolutely no issues with it. The hydros are getting a little lazy but you can get a 42" for ~2800 bucks OTD. It is a hell of machine for that price. You just have to laugh at everyone using a push mower these days when machines like these are available for next to nothing on a year to year basis.

We just sold our Z master for a time cutter with the 50" deck and the suspension ride system. The Z master only had about 500 hours on it but it was 17-18 years old. We bought it used with about 200 hours for $3000 and we sold it for $2800 in the spring - basically zero depreciation. I ran it for a couple of years doing something similar to you - mowing ~10-12 yards a year. It was a great machine but it was slightly under powered with the mulching kit on it. It just didn't leave the cut I wanted and left some clumps when it was a little wet. They put in smaller engines back then compared to the options today.

Our new toro 50" Toro is light years above the other two. It was less than $4000 OTD. It has 24.5hp and with side discharge. The ride is fantastic. The cut is fantastic. Honestly, I couldn't be more happy.

Speed wise, the z master was faster. The 42" is quite a bit slower than the 50" is right in the middle.

Deck size is up to you and what kind of properties you are doing. Do you need to fit through gates, etc. I had two accounts that had 48" gates so the 52" didn't fit which was a pain in the ass. I had to bust out the push mower. Smaller machines are much more agile which is nice. Larger ones obviously cover more ground (and are generally faster).

Brand wise is up to you and your dealer support. 95% of the companies run Toro/exmark around here but it varies by region. I wouldn't hesitate buying any of the major brands: Toro, John Deere, Scag, Hustler, etc. You can run it for a couple of years as you grow your business and then switch to real equipment of the same brand.

It'll only cost you a couple hundred bucks a year, a couple oil changes, and gas.

Absolute must have and it's a no brainer. You will not regret it at all.
 

lOOKnGO

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We have 2 scag, 1 xmark, 2 kubota diesel's.

Scag, xmark, great support and parts available. Kubota parts cost to much and often not in stock.

Focus on getting the best seat, if your mowing all day.

Scag best handling

Xmark seems to have cheapest operating cost

Kabota most comfortable
 

13COBRA

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I have a 61" Grasshopper with a front deck. I love that over the mid mounts.

Scan would be my next choice.

Sent from my Potato
 

72MachOne99GT

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There’s a massive thread somewhere from the past about this very subject.

It’s a long read.

Buy one that doesn’t suck.

I kind of want to drive my 1900 hour John Deere into my pond just to justify a nice new mower, but my wife wouldn’t be happy.
 

JetmechF16

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I've had a Spartan RZ-HD 54" w/Kawasaki FR730V for the past couple years, it's been absolutely perfect for my 2.5 acres. Only complaint was no damn cup holder so I stole the one off my wife's bike and attached it. I have not had to do anything to it outside oil changes and I'm on my second set of blades (need to be sharpened soon). Motor is rock solid and deck is still perfectly level. Uses a keypad w/code so no keys to keep track of.

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DriftwoodSVT

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move been debating dumping off my JD 2520 in favor of this exact set up. Currently I mow 3 acres but next year we move to a new property and 10 acres.

It would be a lot faster, but you'd give up some utility. We have 5.5 acres and it makes short work it.
 

03cobra#694

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Thanks Dom. I did a ton of research and narrowed it down to an Xmark and Cub Cadet ZT2. I ended up with the ZT2 50”. Better cut quality, has the 23HP Kawasaki, fab deck, bigger transmissions. This isn’t a box store unit. It came from a local dealer. Been a fantastic machine in the 2 years I’ve had it. 3 year warranty too. If I had one complaint, the lack of aftermarket mulching blades.
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C2tuck

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Scag tiger cat 2 52” for me. I take immaculate care of my vehicles and toys, but I beat the absolute piss out of this thing and she just keeps on taking it. Lol.


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My94GT

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It would be a lot faster, but you'd give up some utility. We have 5.5 acres and it makes short work it.
That’s what has kept the 2520 here for the past 4 years. I rarely use it for utility type work but when I do it’s priceless. I’ve been debating keeping it and just buying a Z730m for grass duty. We will have a long driveway so throwing a cab on the 2520 with a plow blade would be nice.
 

1Kona_Venom

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**** all you guys with flat yards. My 60” treats my yard like a wagon full of white settlers. I can’t imagine what a 72” would do.


So I actually was able to order my mower from Toro and will be delivered to the dealer within 2 weeks. Need to look at the "My Ride Setups" they have. Limited now, but should come back around
 

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