Zero Turn Mowers

[TexasShooter]

So I am planning on finally selling my riding John Deere and going with a 50"+ zero turn mower. I have about an acre and a half to mow, and I need to increase my speed and cut. I want the Kawasaki motor and a fabricated deck. The 2 I am tossing around are Ariens 52" IKON X @$3,099 and the Cub Cadet 50" Ultima ZT1. Fairly bumpy terrain in spots, but overall fairly smooth. Would love any feedback on these mowers, or one in that price range you would recommend.

After sitting in both I thought I was sold on the Ultima ZT1 with its size, seat and tires. But I noticed it has no arm rest. In your opinion, how important are the arm rest to you? Would love ANY feedback what so ever! Thanks guys and gals!

 

[crrcoal]

www.mytractorforum.com
Everything you could ever want to know is there. [emoji106]


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[eaglefan1]

Guy that cuts my yard has a 50in+ Gravely. That mower is extremely fast.

 

[TexasShooter]

I am reading through threads on the other forum. I know for sure I am going ZTR in the next few weeks. I am pretty much sold on one of the 2 above. I love the feel of the Cadet, but no arm rest worry me as I do not know how important they are. Also the Cadet has suspension, the Ariens does not it appears.

 

[Bretny]

If its the same cub cadet is has been for years there homeowner grade. Basicly the same as a craftsman, husqvarna and others.

A fabricated deck actualy dosnt cut as good as a stamped deck and may be weaker if not built out of thicker steel.

Have you sat on residential/comercial units like bobcat, hustler? I believe the lower grade comercial companies not sold in box stores are only a few hundred more than the cub cadet.

Im prety rough on my lawnmowers so have had a few in the last 8 yrs or so. Recently i went from a 22hp 46in husqvarna to a bobcat crz 48in. Il never buy a home owner grade mower again. Night and day different.

 

[jw3]

You want the arm rest on a zero turn. Trust me.


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[eschoendorff]

SCAG. Serious mowers for when you’re not screwing around anymore.

 

[redmondjp]

How bumpy is the surface? I mow pasture land for two neighbors (just mowed 1.2 acres last night, in the rain, on a 38" Poulan box store rider) and what limits my speed are the bumps - a zero-turn can theoretically go much faster than most riding tractors, but that's only on a smooth surface.

If it's bumpy, you want a garden tractor with the biggest tires that you can get on it. I have a GT235 with 24" tires (IIRC) in the back, that needs the deck rebuilt - I tried it once (before bad sounds from the deck made me stop) and it rode like a dream compared to the smaller consumer-grade riders that I'm using now.

 

[CJM8515]

Pro grade, even used. Dont even bother with homeowner stuff, you will only be disappointed.

 

[Packard V8]

Pro grade, even used. Dont even bother with homeowner stuff, you will only be disappointed.

Yes, No, Maybe. I have an acre with trees, hillsides, fences. I tried a couple of the professional mowers. Not only were they way expensive, they just weren't as maneuverable as the homeowner mowers.

I chose a Toro 42" Timecutter. Every time I think it's a bit light, I remind myself the big dogs were just not suited to the tighter confines of my yard.

One thing which needs mentioning when encouraging someone to spend big bucks on a pro ZT mower is how many years is the payback. A friend bought a $12,500 Kubota. I calculated he could pay someone to cut his lawn for almost ten years and not have to build the shed to store that honker and have money left for beer and a lawn chair to watch the other guy sweat.

jack vines

 

[WaterBoyz]

I was looking a the ZT-1 but was gonna get the ZT-2 because of the better hydros and already had the armrests. They could be added to the ZT-1.

I ended up getting a John Deere Z525E 54". My old John Deere 318 50" was having problems.

 

[RV8guy]

Pro grade, even used. Dont even bother with homeowner stuff, you will only be disappointed.

How long does it take for the disappointment to set in? My home owner grade Toro ZTR is 8 years old and still going strong.

 

[Farmall450]

If its the same cub cadet is has been for years there homeowner grade. Basicly the same as a craftsman, husqvarna and others.

A fabricated deck actualy dosnt cut as good as a stamped deck and may be weaker if not built out of thicker steel.

Have you sat on residential/comercial units like bobcat, hustler? I believe the lower grade comercial companies not sold in box stores are only a few hundred more than the cub cadet.

Im prety rough on my lawnmowers so have had a few in the last 8 yrs or so. Recently i went from a 22hp 46in husqvarna to a bobcat crz 48in. Il never buy a home owner grade mower again. Night and day different.

It is a completely new unit.

All fabricated decks are thicker steel than their stamped counterparts.



OP, the new Cubs are excellent units for the money. Kawasaki engines this year, too, in the ultima PLUS LED lights. People who bought the CC for similar money the past few years really missed out.

 

[Farmall450]

You want the arm rest on a zero turn. Trust me.


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$50 upgrade on the CC.

 

[CJM8515]

How long does it take for the disappointment to set in? My home owner grade Toro ZTR is 8 years old and still going strong.

If you aint ever used the pro models you dont know what your missing. Toro is ok, hop on an older exmark lazer z or gravely compared to it and you will see

 

[CJM8515]

Yes, No, Maybe. I have an acre with trees, hillsides, fences. I tried a couple of the professional mowers. Not only were they way expensive, they just weren't as maneuverable as the homeowner mowers.

I chose a Toro 42" Timecutter. Every time I think it's a bit light, I remind myself the big dogs were just not suited to the tighter confines of my yard.

One thing which needs mentioning when encouraging someone to spend big bucks on a pro ZT mower is how many years is the payback. A friend bought a $12,500 Kubota. I calculated he could pay someone to cut his lawn for almost ten years and not have to build the shed to store that honker and have money left for beer and a lawn chair to watch the other guy sweat.

jack vines

An acre? I wouldnt even get a zero turn in your case. A nice walk behind zero turn is a better idea.

 

[Bretny]

Yes, No, Maybe. I have an acre with trees, hillsides, fences. I tried a couple of the professional mowers. Not only were they way expensive, they just weren't as maneuverable as the homeowner mowers.

I chose a Toro 42" Timecutter. Every time I think it's a bit light, I remind myself the big dogs were just not suited to the tighter confines of my yard.

One thing which needs mentioning when encouraging someone to spend big bucks on a pro ZT mower is how many years is the payback. A friend bought a $12,500 Kubota. I calculated he could pay someone to cut his lawn for almost ten years and not have to build the shed to store that honker and have money left for beer and a lawn chair to watch the other guy sweat.

jack vines

12k for a mower that your just doing an acre or two is nuts. I have roughly 1.5ac to mow and spent 2,300 for a homeowner owned bobcat. Only has 120hrs

 

[TexasShooter]

The nearest Bobcat dealer is about an hour away from me I may take a drive and see theirs. Our family have has 2 Bobcat loaders with a trencher, stump grinder, and bucket/fork that we all use daily. I actually did not know Bobcat made ZTR's. I am going to check again on the Cub as I think that model does not have an armrest available for it.

My budget is around 3k, so Exmark and such are out of my reach. But like Bretny said, I also have 1.5ac roughly so I am not looking to push 10K for a mower. Thanks for all the advice, keep it coming!!

 

[Bretny]

Bobcat mowers are not bobcat equipment. Different company and different dealers.

 

[TexasShooter]

Did not know that either! But I am guessing that Bobcat is still a good one? I still may have to check them out.

 

[guy48065]

Include the Bad Boy ZT mowers in your search. Near commercial grade for homeowner $$. Seems to get a lot of good reviews on the pro forums.

I have a Country Clipper for my 2.5Ac lawn but I don't think they get out your way.
The one-hand joystick is awesome and leaves my left hand free for moving branches out of the way...or a beer

 

[Quick240]

I mow about 3 acres with a 60" Hustler. It's a night/day difference compared to my dad's Gravely.

 

[upper_tanker]

If I were you, since you only have an acre, I'd look for a commercial walk behind mower. Make SURE that you get the hydraulic drive versions. They're way more durable, and you can cut wet grass and cut in a light drizzle without the belts slipping on the belt drive machines (because there are none on a hydro unit). If you get a hydro walk behind, you can buy a $150-$300 sulky that you attach to it and stand on instead of walking.

If you want to get a grass catcher/vacuum, they make side catchers for walk behinds so you can do that also. If it were me, I'd rather get a commercial walk behind unit rather than a homeowner grade rider.

As far as engines goes, we've had the best luck out of Kawasaki and B&S' Vanguard line. Kohlers are decent, we just haven't had the best of luck with them. Just remember, the life of your mower and it's components is 99% dependent on your maintenance and how you treat it.

Another main thing to consider is how close a service/parts shop is to you that will service and provide your purchased mower with parts.

 

[Jtels85]

Don’t know much about mowers, but my Dad had a 2005 Swisher zero turn for many years that constantly ate belts. We could never figure out why and just kept replacing them. He finally bought a brand new Cub Cadet last year and he’s been more than pleased with it.

 

[TexasShooter]

Just an FYI. The Ultima ZT1 50” does have a armrest that can be bought for it. Any more thoughts would be appreciated.


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[logical]

I have a 48" Cub Cadet Enforcer, not full on pro level but heavy fabricated deck, Kaw engine, etc. I think it was on sale for $4500 at the end of the cutting season 11 or so years ago. I've cut about 1.5 acres for all those years and only had to change the oil, replace one $20 idle pulley and fewer than a half dozen belts. At about 3300 hours use I did have to replace the battery last year. I wouldn't mess with a cheaper unit. If this thing lasts another few years, and at this point it feels like it will last forever, it will cost me less than $1/hour. If I believe the used sale listings I could get $2500 or so for it so probably under 75 cents/ hr used.



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[gayler]

I bought my Cub Cadet RZT50 back in 07. It has been a very good machine for me. I mow my own yard at 10000 sq ft and also mow as a side job so it gets used three or four times a week.

 

[TexasShooter]

Update:
So I went with the ZT1. What usually took me 3-4hrs to mow, depending on how high it was, not takes me about 2hrs. Will never go back to a regular riding mower. My only complaint I have is the factory blades are not very good in my opinion. I will be getting some better blades, or taking these off and sharpening them after this season. Very happy with my purchase so far.

 

[OGJordan]

You already bought, but for anyone who searches later..... when I was in that boat I bought a Kubota for about 3 acres. NO WAY I would ever go with a homeowner grade mower after using it for a few years. Yes they're a lot more expensive. But with proper maintenance you'll NEVER need to replace it.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Update:
So I went with the ZT1. What usually took me 3-4hrs to mow, depending on how high it was, not takes me about 2hrs. Will never go back to a regular riding mower. My only complaint I have is the factory blades are not very good in my opinion. I will be getting some better blades, or taking these off and sharpening them after this season. Very happy with my purchase so far.

Glad it worked out for you! I hope to upgrade in the future as well. Been using a riding mower for 8+ years to mow 3 acres. Takes about 3 hours each time, maybe a little less when it's really dry. I'd love to be able to shave an hour off that.

 

[WaterBoyz]

Glad it worked out for you! I hope to upgrade in the future as well. Been using a riding mower for 8+ years to mow 3 acres. Takes about 3 hours each time, maybe a little less when it's really dry. I'd love to be able to shave an hour off that.

I cut mine in about half and along with that, I use half the fuel. WIN WIN.

 

[justtools]

I wish I had seen this earlier. I bought a used exmark lazerz liquid cooled kawazaki motor and couldnt be happier. 60 inch cut. The machine had only a few hundred hours on it.