what kind of zero turn mower is best?

[brianmanahan]

i am looking into zero turn mowers for a family member and wondered if the H&G pros had any positive or negative experiences.

considering country clipper for the single joystick control and front-liftable deck.

 

[boomerang]

I've had an Exmark Quest with a 50" cut for over three years. No complaints. It was the higher end of the homeowner's version when I bought it. It was also available with a fabricated steel deck versus the stamped deck I have. I didn't see much point in spending more for the higher end cutting deck to mow the lawn once a week or so.

It has a Kawasaki twin on it.

 

[Subyman]

You open a can of worms asking this question lol. ZTR mower crowd is more loyal than truck guys!

What's the budget. Gotta know that first. These things run from $2999 to $20k.

 

[edro]

How many acres are you cutting?
What type of terrain?
Budget?

I shopped all the major brands 6 or 7 years ago, and have never even heard of Country Clipper.

 

[herm0016]

my dad has the exmark zhp with a 52 in deck and 23 hp air cooled kawasaki. it has a few hundred hrs on it and has been great. he bought it used from a commercial guy and has just had to replace the deck bearings once, otherwise great. He mows 3 acres of grass at about 9 mph and it looks great when he is done.

 

[joutlaw]

I have a 54" Hustler Raptor SD. I'm pretty tough on it and it's been solid for the past 2 years.

 

[Mandres]

Think really hard about whether you need a zero turn. The cost of a high-end ZTR could also put you into a nice garden or sub-compact tractor - which can mow grass just fine as well as upgrade to a front end loader, backhoe, post-hole digger, woodsplitter etc.

A quality ZTR is a huge price to pay for a single-purpose machine, and unless you do it professionally where speed is money I think it's a huge waste.

 

[Subyman]

A decent SCUT is $15k. With attachments they are $20k+. A decent ZTR mower for 3-5 acres costs $5k. They are pretty far a part price wise.

 

[joutlaw]

Zero turns and compact tractors are completely different beasts that serve different purposes. Even a compact tractor with a finishing mower will take longer to cut a big yard than a zero turn. Zero turns are about cutting grass fast and easily maneuver around obstacles.

My Hustler was around $4K and is suitable for my 2 acres. My father in law has a Ferris which is much nicer with its full suspension, but he mows 5+ acres with it and has a bad back. I believe he is in $10-12K on that Ferris.

 

[Mandres]

Yea, I'm just saying ... 10-12k buys a whole lot of tractor. I see nice Deere 1025s and Kubota BX series in that range all the time, and a front end loader is a wonderful thing to have when you need it.

Spending 5 figures on the ferrari of lawn mowers hurts the first time you have a fallen tree to clean up or a pile of mulch to move.

 

[SparkyJJO]

That's what the pickup truck is for.

 

[Subyman]

That's what the pickup truck is for.

A man with a tractor finds ways to use it :thumbsup:

 

[brianmanahan]

What's the budget. Gotta know that first. These things run from $2999 to $20k.

shoot, i forgot about this thread!

i am definitely looking for under 5$k

 

[Subyman]

I can't really give a recommendation under $5k. They are all pretty much the same at that price point. Just using brand I'd probably recommend a Toro at that price point.

A new brand called Spartan sells a ridiculously beefy ZTR for $4999. Its 54". It is 10x the mower that you'd get at a box store. It may be too much mower though. They designer from Bad Boy mowers broke off and started his own mower company after a disagreement with the owner. I own one and it is a beast. I've got the 61" model.

https://spartanmowers.com/mower/rt-series/

 

[brianmanahan]

A new brand called Spartan sells a ridiculously beefy ZTR for $4999. Its 54".

ooh nice, i'll check it out, thanks

 

[joutlaw]

Those Spartans look like nice machines. The seats look very comfortable and like the deck edge guards.

 

[Subyman]

My local dealer said Spartan is pretty much selling them at cost right now to get their name out there. I can believe him. Looking at them in person puts the other brands to shame for the price. They are made in Arkansas.