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Zero Turn Mower Suggestions

slepr1

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Not car related but need suggestions.
I have a Simplicity 44" zero turn mower purchased in 2006. The 20hp Kohler engine has been problematic at times and has around 250 hrs on it. In 2007, under warranty the valves were hanging and needed repair. Lately the engine is vibrating excessively and the head gasket is leaking oil and one of the hydraulic pumps has a slow leak. The muffler broke off 2 separate times from the vibrations and was repair welded until I bought a new one. The new muffler lasted about 15 minutes and broke off. Maybe time for a new mower.

Upon researching zero turn mowers (48-50") they mostly look cheaply built and they all seem to have some bad issues in the reviews. I'm hoping to buy a unit that will last more than the 13 years this one did. Does anyone have suggestions on a good quality zero turn? I have around 2.5 acres of mostly flat terrain.
 
Toro TimeCutter SS5000 (50") 24.5HP Zero Turn Lawn Mower. A little pricey, about 2800.
 
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Budget? I have a 44” IS500 Ferris that I have used for about 11-12 years. Over the last couple of years I have had problems with keeping a battery charged. I just got a 61” scag cheetah. Air ride seat, 37 horse fuel injected vanguard. Literally the best riding and cutting mower I have ever been on. I got it because I cut my parents’ grass as well as mine. That gives me about 7 acres or so to cut. I’ve only had it two weeks but I love it.
 
View attachment 823143 Budget? I have a 44” IS500 Ferris that I have used for about 11-12 years. Over the last couple of years I have had problems with keeping a battery charged. I just got a 61” scag cheetah. Air ride seat, 37 horse fuel injected vanguard. Literally the best riding and cutting mower I have ever been on. I got it because I cut my parents’ grass as well as mine. That gives me about 7 acres or so to cut. I’ve only had it two weeks but I love it.

Yep I think Scag is the best and the Orange makes it kind of look like a Mopar :thumbsup:
 
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I bought a Gravely ZT in '14
I upgraded to a HD deck and a 24HP Kawasaki when I bought it.
Good Mower, built sturdy and these Kawi's are some good small engines.
My one complaint is the small drive tires can be hard on the turf if its wet. I will probably trade it in for a newer model with larger tweels. Like below
Screenshot_20190824-160145_Google.jpg

 
I have a Dixie Chopper, 60" deck on 2.5 acres with a lot of trees and soft ground. Always been happy with it.
 
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This is my second Hustler Mini Z. I had another, it was a 2004 44 inch cut and had 1200 hours on it when I bought it. It worked and performed perfectly and I put about 100 hours a year on it during the last 3 years. Over the last winter someone wanted it worse than me and I sold it for a few hundred profit plus the use I got from it. It was such a good machine that I found another. This is a 52 inch cut and a 2006. It had 1000 hours on it and as summer is coming to an end (hopefully), I have put about 90 hours on it. Both mowers have been trouble free. These are commercial quality products, but if you spend a little time and look around you can find great used ones in the $1800-$2800 price range. I bought the 2004 for $1800 used it for 3 years, and sold it for $2100. I bought this bigger 2006 for $1900. All I have had to do so far is new blades and a normal service. I did cost me a couple of hundred in fuel and a very long day to bring it to its new home.
 
I have the Aries 20/48 industrial also bought in 2006 it has always stayed outside my shop in the weather.
Just built a new deck for it so I plan on having it a while longer.
If and when I get a new one I’ll be looking at them first looks like they are a little over 3k
 
Works every day and sometimes at night:rolleyes:
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I think you've answered your own question as you were typing it. There are some good choices out there....... I have a Kubota tractor, no more zero turn. I would certainly buy one of their zero-turns any day tho. So the point is, you'll be much, much happier if you spend a few bucks extra and get a commercial duty unit. My only regret was not doing it sooner!
 
This is the Cub Cadet, my son and his wife bought me. Only used it once, so far. 42" cut, just a basic, though has good reviews. Two dif models, for the cut height, and blade engage. One on mine, cut height is adjusted using a dial, blade engage is a simple push/pull button.
Only bad thing...I'm looking forward to cutting the grass! Yikes!

cub-cadet-zero-turn-mowers-ultima-zt1-50-64_1000.jpg
 
A friend of mine has a Scag and even though he's only had it a couple of years, he says it's a good one. I have an 84 Gravely that I bought used in about 89 but it's not a 0 turn. Finally had to put new wheels on the deck. So far I've had to rebuild the jack shafts and install a PTO clutch. Did that well over 10 years ago. The PTO clutch replacement entailed taking EVERYTHING out of the gear box which is a high/low range 4 speed in both forward and reverse so there were a lot of freaking gears in it. The reverse clutch hub took a hike but that's an easy fix....if I can find the part without paying an arm for it. The B&S engine and the hydraulics have been superb but imo, it's been a very good machine. Used to have a 4' box blade plus it's moved the trailers around out of the way many times. Used to mow an acre and some of it was rough and that's my only complaint. It needs a better seat!
 
View attachment 823166 I bought a Gravely ZT in '14
I upgraded to a HD deck and a 24HP Kawasaki when I bought it.
Good Mower, built sturdy and these Kawi's are some good small engines.
My one complaint is the small drive tires can be hard on the turf if its wet. I will probably trade it in for a newer model with larger tweels. Like below
View attachment 823185
Do the tweels ride smoother? I used to adjust air pressure in mine to help smooth the ride.....
 
Toro TimeCutter SS5000 (50") 24.5HP Zero Turn Lawn Mower. A little pricey, about 2800.

Pricey? They are over $4k for one up here. Nice units though.

Budget? I have a 44” IS500 Ferris that I have used for about 11-12 years.

A Ferris is very comparable to a Simplicity, which I had. Almost identical. Both made by Briggs & Stratton. A Ferris 48" residential zero turn is $6200 here. Nice unit.

Ferris with springs and shocks on all 4 corners!

My Simplicity had the same. I'd love a Ferris but at $7000 w/tax is a hard pull to swallow.

you'll be much, much happier if you spend a few bucks extra and get a commercial duty unit.

Yes I would if it was a couple hundred more...try a few thousand more. Starting at $10K up here.
 
Do the tweels ride smoother? I used to adjust air pressure in mine to help smooth the ride.....
Screenshot_20190825-102551_Chrome.jpg

Theyre not exclusive to Green mowers.
From my research, theyre "Super Bees Knees".
 
Update...

A new comparable unit to mine costs around $7000. A mid range unit, like the 48" Toro's, John Deere, Cub Cadet, costs around $5000.

I found a new Deere 48" advertised for $3000 (regular $5k). I'm going today to buy it if its true. Its not as good as my Simplicity 44" was.

I may get my old one fixed up too and have 2 of them. When friends come over they always want to cut the grass with it (because its a blast) so with 2 working units it will be even better.
 
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