Zero Turn Recommendations

[ToolmanGary]

Toro is not owned by Briggs and Stratton. Briggs does own Ferris, as well as simplicity and snapper

I just bought some parts for my Ferris from the local dealer and the parts have Briggs & Stratton on the tag, I questioned the parts guy and he told me Briggs bought them and also owned what I thought he said Toro.
So I just looked it up, Briggs sold Ferris the a private equity group in 2020.

Briggs & Stratton Announces Completion of Sale to KPS Capital Partners

Briggs & Stratton, a recognized global leader in providing power to get work done, announces that KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”), through a newly formed affiliate, has acquired substantially all of

www.briggsandstratton.com

 

[Firebrick43]

I just bought some parts for my Ferris from the local dealer and the parts have Briggs & Stratton on the tag, I questioned the parts guy and he told me Briggs bought them and also owned what I thought he said Toro.
So I just looked it up, Briggs sold Ferris the a private equity group in 2020.

Briggs & Stratton Announces Completion of Sale to KPS Capital Partners

Briggs & Stratton, a recognized global leader in providing power to get work done, announces that KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”), through a newly formed affiliate, has acquired substantially all of

www.briggsandstratton.com

I missed that they sold, looks like simplicity was the one that really got the shaft, MTD bought it.

 

[JuncleJohn]

I was all set to get my Scag in the shop this week and check out a Liberty Z, only to find out the business was closed for their yearly one week shut down (aka vacation).

The grass was way too tall to let it go any longer, so after some quick but in depth research I went out and bought a new Exmark this morning.

Exmark Radius S-Series with a Kawasaki FR691 and a 48” deck. I mowed this afternoon and was impressed with my purchase. Only time will tell, but it seems like a solid, well built unit.

There’s no hurry now, but I still plan to get the Scag fixed.

John

 

[junkyardwarrior]

I've sold Exmark, Deere, Kubota, Bad Boy, Hustler, Scotts, Sabre, Grasshopper, and 2 other brands that no longer exist.

If I were buying today, I'd buy Kubota-but I wouldn't buy it at river valley tractor.

 

[JuncleJohn]

I've sold Exmark, Deere, Kubota, Bad Boy, Hustler, Scotts, Sabre, Grasshopper, and 2 other brands that no longer exist.

If I were buying today, I'd buy Kubota-but I wouldn't buy it at river valley tractor.

I have a Kubota tractor that I bought new in ’04. It’s been good to me. The dealer is about 9 miles away. It’s a pretty big outfit.

I have 2 excellent mower shops that are less than a mile from my house. I decided to keep the money in the neighborhood. Both are family owned and operated.

John

 

[Snapped-off]

Those things are pricey for residential grade mowers.

 

[mngundog]

I've sold Exmark, Deere, Kubota, Bad Boy, Hustler, Scotts, Sabre, Grasshopper, and 2 other brands that no longer exist.

If I were buying today, I'd buy Kubota-but I wouldn't buy it at river valley tractor.

Which model, for 3 acres of relatively a flat lawn,. When I stopped in to get filters for my tractor, they were priced from like $5k to close to $30k.

 

[JuncleJohn]

Those things are pricey for residential grade mowers.

Not heavy commercial, but definitely not a residential grade model. I own and maintain a little more than 5 acres. Having been my own grounds keeper since 1990, I have gone through plenty of residential riders of various makes, so I know the difference in build quality.

Yes, I could have gone to TSC or one of the big box stores and saved some money, but this came with free delivery, a full tank of gas and it was professionally assembled and set up by real technicians, not some young kid in the back room.

That said, once I get the Scag back online, between it, my new Exmark along with the wife’s JD rider, I shouldn’t need to buy another mower in my lifetime. Especially once I get her to start using the new one.

John

 

[JeepYJ]

Those things are pricey for residential grade mowers.

This is GJ, price for lawnmowers is irrelevant regardless of the intended use.

 

[Mainiac Mat]

Your Scag should have rebuildable hydro-drives. That, belts, and a little TLC to the Kow and you'll be all set for another decade. Even if you take it into the dealer, it will cost a lot less than buying new.

 

[rooster59]

I would fix the commercial grade skag. And/Or find someone to do most of your mowing for you. Price of a new mower vs number of mows per year in Omaha, new may not make financial good sense. In So Indiana there were a large excess of guys with a mower, trailer, and pickup looking for work.

Or look for one of these- comes with a free hat and an insulated tumbler for your
squishies. $95,000 or thereabouts.

https://arlingtonpower.com/products/exqw-lzs86tdym12rw0?variant=47656129691904

 

[JuncleJohn]

Or look for one of these- comes with a free hat and an insulated tumbler for your
squishies. $95,000 or thereabouts.

https://arlingtonpower.com/products/exqw-lzs86tdym12rw0?variant=47656129691904

Just won’t fit between the bushes.

John

 

[PhantomEB]

I want a Kubota as they Canadian made.

 

[manwithtools]

I want a Kubota as they Canadian made.

Huh? As far as I know the only Kubota manufacturing in Canada is Kubota Materials Canada Corporation, a foundry in Orillia, Ontario that makes heat-resistant cast steel and alloys. Kubota zero-turn mowers are primarily manufactured in the United States at the Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) facilities located in Gainesville and Jefferson, Georgia

 

[PhantomEB]

Well learn something new every day.

either way it would be Kubota or Husquvarna. Won’t be no John Deere for me!

 

[38Chevy454]

I have the Ariens Apex 60 with Kawasaki engine. Like a prosumer level. Been a good machine for my 2.5 acres. I did replace the PTO clutch because it was making noise from the bearings, not because it stopped working. Typically around 75 hours per season. Now on it's 9th year. Change engine oil and filter at end of the season each year, and the hydrogear transaxles and filter once so far at first 100 hours and then 500 hours interval which is upcoming.

I do agree that almost any medium to heavy duty zero turn brand should work fine for many years on a couple acres and have good PM. Seems most landscape places that mow a lot prefer the Kawasaki engine.

 

[junkyardwarrior]

Which model, for 3 acres of relatively a flat lawn,. When I stopped in to get filters for my tractor, they were priced from like $5k to close to $30k.

depends on what you want. I like the diesels but not everyone wants them and rightfully so. 5 acres of grass is quite a bit, and the diesels will last a lot longer (with maintenance) than the gas burners will. It's not just the engine, it's the whole thing. The diesel powered Kubota's are completely different than the gas burners-frame, transmission, everything is beefier. If i were buying today for that yard, I'd probably look at a ZD1000.

Gas? I'd look at the Z400 series, which are a little less $$$ but they are also not built quite as heavy. Still great mowers! These carry a little lower center of gravity and, it's like comparing a lifted F250 to a mustang, with the Z4xx series being the Mustang type. They just turn better and feel more "planted" as you are running across the yard at 10mph or however fast they go.

 

[Notgrownup]

My son in law has a Gravely with a Kaw going on about 12 years now and still runs pretty well. Replaced a spindle or 2 but that’s it.
At work we have a Cub CADET Pro Z 700 60” it’s a beast. We’ve had it for 6 years now and now 5 acres or so. It’s smooth and that big Kawasaki motor eats through just about anything..
I think you will be satisfied with the Exmark, it’s a nice machine.