Do I need a push mower with a zero turn mower?

[vavet]

One acre lot in a subdivision, about 3/4 acre of mowable grass. My current set up:
Cub cadet riding mower with a 50 inch deck, 25 hp Kohler two cylinder engine, about 10 years old
honda self propelled mower with mulching and bagging capabilities, about 20 years old
ridgid blower and string trimmer (same battery platform for the rest of my power tools)

yesterday was the first mow of the season and a couple things have me considering changing things around.
i tweaked my lower back, i think when i was pull starting the Honda mower. I have a history of back problems, but this is the first time I’ve hurt it in this way
the cub cadet Kohler engine started making some additional noise. It seemed worse with the blade engaged, but it was there regardless. Seems to be coming from one of the valve covers. my son was using it to cut the front yard, so I didn’t notice it until I took it to finish the backyard. I took it to my neighbors house later in the day to compare the noise to his similar mower, but it was not longer making the noise. Maybe it’s only going to do it when it’s hot?

if I opted to go to a zero turn, does that make the walk behind mower obsolete? Can I get close enough to obstacles and tight turns and then finish with the string trimmer?

if the Honda pull starting is the problem, then maybe I just buy a battery powered walk behind. I was thinking that, but the engine noise on the Cub cadet has me concerned that maybe I just need to change everything around.

 

[OzarkMan]

I kept my push mower to use in the culverts where it's too narrow to get the zero turn in. That said, if you have flat space, there's probably no need for the push mower as you can use a weed eater to get the areas missed by the zero turn. I love my ZT and can never go back to any other mower including my tractor with 3pt even though it's air conditioned. I have two 3 acre properties. One with my house and another on the corner that's just grassland. I keep a weed eater strapped to the mower for the distant stuff I don't want to walk back to.

 

[Arketh]

It's all about the obstacles and the driver. If it's laid out right, a riding mower can do a lot without a push mower, but there's some things like darting in/around a trees in a line that a zero turn is going to be able to do without much effort that would be a lot more difficult with a rider, and inside corners will always be something of an issue.
I don't think I pulled my push mower out since I moved onto my rural property and got a zero turn. That said, I'm pretty daring with it, and spent far, far too many hours on front mount mowers over the years.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd go for the zero turn regardless and see if you can get by without needing your walk behind. If you do, grab a lightweight cordless.

Most of my yard can get done with a zero turn, but there are some spots, like the pool yard and drainage ditch that need a walk behind

 

[mikegt4]

This is my 25th season with my Walker model MC zero turn mower, i haven't needed a push mower since I got the Walker. They are different than the typical zero turn with the deck out front, very compact and maneuverable. The only obstacle is the width of the deck and in the rare occasion that it can't get in somewhere I just use a trimmer.

 

[larry_g]

I have a saying, IF I can't mow it, spray it. I have a boarder that is sprayed that I don't have to mow and all the drives and walkways are on plane with the yards so no curbs. Fence lines are sprayed so the animals in pasture don't try to push the fence to get at the grass on the other side and it eliminates the need to mow close to the fence.

In other words mow then spray what the mower can't get. No need for a trimmer or a push mower.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jar944]

Can get 99% with my ztr, the rest requires a string trimmer.

 

[OzarkMan]

I have a saying, IF I can't mow it, spray it. I have a boarder that is sprayed that I don't have to mow and all the drives and walkways are on plane with the yards so no curbs. Fence lines are sprayed so the animals in pasture don't try to push the fence to get at the grass on the other side and it eliminates the need to mow close to the fence.

In other words mow then spray what the mower can't get. No need for a trimmer or a push mower.

lg
no neat sig line

I started doing that in the culvert areas by the street. I'm sure my neighbors won't like the dead areas but it saves me from needing to get a tow two - three times a year!

 

[finn]

Get an electric, whatever you decide.

No starting issues, and quieter.

The Kohler probably needs a valve adjustment, and maybe deck spindles given its age. You should get several more years out of it given some maintenance.

The 20 year old Honda might benefit from a tuneup. It’s worth a try, but it’s twenty years old in any event.

I’d buy a new electric / battery powered ZTR, have the Honda serviced, and see where that takes me.

Probably replace the Honda in a year with a battery walk behind if the ZTR doesn’t cut close enough.

I see no reason to continue running gas equipment long term. It’s obsolete.

 

[Snapped-off]

I push mow the fence perimeter, around the septic riser, around 3 small trees, and under the swing set.

ZT gets everything else.

 

[got2boostit2]

There are areas of my yard where I still need to have a push(read self powered mower). When I dethatch, I use the push mower and bag to pick up the debris. I use the zero turn to cutup the dried leaves then the bagged push mower to pick up the trimmings. Saves on leaf bags.

 

[65ranchero]

What I can't get with the rider, I use a string trimmer or 19" electric push mower which both
fit in the back of the Polaris Ranger 900xp

 

[vavet]

Get an electric, whatever you decide.

No starting issues, and quieter.

The Kohler probably needs a valve adjustment, and maybe deck spindles given its age. You should get several more years out of it given some maintenance.

The 20 year old Honda might benefit from a tuneup. It’s worth a try, but it’s twenty years old in any event.

I’d buy a new electric / battery powered ZTR, have the Honda serviced, and see where that takes me.

Probably replace the Honda in a year with a battery walk behind if the ZTR doesn’t cut close enough.

I see no reason to continue running gas equipment long term. It’s obsolete.

I‘m leaning towards electric, especially for a replacement walk behind if I decide to keep the Cub cadet going. The Honda has been very reliable, although, it’s not seen a lot of use in the last 10 years as it’s only used for trimming around the edges where the Cub cadet cannot reach. Ive done pretty well with maintaining it.
the Cub cadet got new spindles a couple years ago. It also got a new (off brand) deck belt, but it only lasted one mowing before it broke, so the original one went back on.
I'll do at least one more mowing before making any decisions.

 

[Bert_]

Zero turn or round-up are my choices. I'm not going to bother with a push mower or a weed Wacker. Quite a few places it doesn't hurt anything to just let the brome grow.

 

[jives]

If the ZT can't mow it, it does not get cut. Haven't used the Lawn Boy in 15 years, don't own a string trimmer. Filled in/regraded the roadside ditch to reduce the angle so the mower can cut across the fall line.

 

[jumbojak]

In your situation I would seriously consider a stander. Much more compact than a traditional zero turn, and you don't get swamp **** sitting on the thing. It's really much more comfortable and if you have trees you can get under lower branches than on a rider by squatting.

Hustler makes a smaller series called the Surfer Pro and it would be perfect for a smaller yard. Might be a bit more than a box store zero turn but you can get into tight, tight spaces. If you edge beds you can cut your trimming time to almost nothing.

Just don't point your wheels down a steep hill and if you do, power up the slope or ride the lightning to the bottom...

 

[woody 73]

Funny story I kid you not, I need a small push mower because my z-turn cannot do some of my steep inclines. Now this part gets interesting, when i bought my current home, the old owner sold me his Husqvarna Z54 mower, and i must say it's my very first riding mower and it scares the ever-loving mother of G-D out of me. When it's not grenading metal spindle parts or under the deck metal shrapnel, it wants to flip over if you bat your eyelash. I swear I pray every time I ride it and pray my life insurance is paid up. Then I found out I am not alone it has a horrible write up on lawnmower forums.

I guess if you don't want a push mower a good string trimmer will work ok.

 

[MushCreek]

Hmmm- I have the MZ48 and it's great. It doesn't feel unstable at all. I have one short, steep hill, and it will slide sideways if you hit it wrong, but it doesn't feel like it would tip. The ZT is a huge time-saver on our lumpy, crowded lawn. With a regular rider, I was just cutting air most of the time. I don't have any areas that call for a push mower. The weed eater does the trimming.

 

[Cheesy1]

If my Exmark won’t get it, RoundUp will.

 

[zimman]

I kept my push mower to use in the culverts where it's too narrow to get the zero turn in. That said, if you have flat space, there's probably no need for the push mower as you can use a weed eater to get the areas missed by the zero turn. I love my ZT and can never go back to any other mower including my tractor with 3pt even though it's air conditioned. I have two 3 acre properties. One with my house and another on the corner that's just grassland. I keep a weed eater strapped to the mower for the distant stuff I don't want to walk back to.

I got the Junior model. LMAO. I know all you Doctors South of Springfield got those "Biggins" LMAO
I've got family over in Clever.
Zim

 

[OzarkMan]

I got the Junior model. LMAO. I know all you Doctors South of Springfield got those "Biggins" LMAO
I've got family over in Clever.
Zim

Doctor? I would say I am a doctor of bullshitology. I excel at that S&H farm supply had an ExMark with a 23hp to sell me for $18k. Found the BB Rebel for 12k. Put 2k down and financed the rest. Down to just under 8k in a year left. Good machines. Whatcha eating there?

 

[zimman]

Doctor? I would say I am a doctor of bullshitology. I excel at that S&H farm supply had an ExMark with a 23hp to sell me for $18k. Found the BB Rebel for 12k. Put 2k down and financed the rest. Down to just under 8k in a year left. Good machines. Whatcha eating there?

I like Orange Sherbert with my Bad Boy. Love these mowers. When I worked for the Forest Service we had a 727 "Biggin" like yours and it was a monster. I actually launched it over the wall down at the boat ramp on the Eleven Point. Thank God no one was watching. I got big air. LMAO
We're very lucky to live here in my opinion. The beauty is magnificent.
Zim

 

[JuncleJohn]

We mow 3 + acres here. I have a 48” Scag ZT and the wife uses a 42” JD rider. Our Toro self propelled hasn’t been used for a couple years.
Any trimming (very seldom) is done by my wife. She has both an EGO electric and an Echo gas.

I like the look of my freshly cut lawn. But, see no need to use a trimmer. I’m not out to try an impress anyone.

John

 

[vavet]

Looks like I’ll need to mow again tomorrow. my son has a scout event, so I’ll be doing it on my own and I can listen for and maybe narrow down the noise.

I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of looking at robotic mowers. I’m trying to find the downside. for a unit size to mow about 0.75 acre, they’re about $3k. That’s less than any decent zero turn would be, at least one with serviceable transmissions,
it’s more than a basic box store riding mower.
but there’s no gas. There’s no oil change, there’s no mowing for 2 hours 20 weekends a year.
what am I missing? I know there will still be some upkeep, but it seems like a great deal. The current generations don’t require a buried wire to keep it contained. it seems most of them use a system called RTK which works with gps, but makes it more accurate in a smaller area.
some use WiFi, some use 4g. The 4g units concern me because that technology will be phased out eventually.
it’s very tempting, even if I don’t NEED a replacement for the cub cadet.

 

[mike93lx]

Looks like I’ll need to mow again tomorrow. my son has a scout event, so I’ll be doing it on my own and I can listen for and maybe narrow down the noise.

I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of looking at robotic mowers. I’m trying to find the downside. for a unit size to mow about 0.75 acre, they’re about $3k. That’s less than any decent zero turn would be, at least one with serviceable transmissions,
it’s more than a basic box store riding mower.
but there’s no gas. There’s no oil change, there’s no mowing for 2 hours 20 weekends a year.
what am I missing? I know there will still be some upkeep, but it seems like a great deal. The current generations don’t require a buried wire to keep it contained. it seems most of them use a system called RTK which works with gps, but makes it more accurate in a smaller area.
some use WiFi, some use 4g. The 4g units concern me because that technology will be phased out eventually.
it’s very tempting, even if I don’t NEED a replacement for the cub cadet.

They won't do your leaves and i:d expect them to get stuck or slip areas because of sticks.

How smooth is your yard? It doesn't need to look like Augusta, but if it's not decently smooth, the small wheels could have trouble.

I thought about one as well and ended up sticking with hiring it all out. My guy spends as much time on the other maintenence stuff (leaves, edging, sticks, blowing) as he does mowing so it was only replacing some of the work