Zero Turning Radius Mowers

[roger55]

I did a search on this forum and didn't see any references to ZTR mowers.

I am going to buy a ZTR mower for my property in San Angelo, TX.

I'm not sure whether to go with a high-end consumer model or a low-end commercial.

I have a 4 acre property of which I will probably only regularly mow about 1.5 acres of and the rest only occasionally. The property is entirely flat. The 1.5 acres is St. Augustine grass and the rest is natural.

I would appreciate any of you sharing info to help me decide what to do. What are the brands to get/avoid?

I haven't talked to any of the local dealers here yet but I think I will buy it from one that sells and services rather than get one at Lowes or HD.

 

[kartracer55]

Well I dont do much work on riders, other than for my one friend but heres a thread that covers 4 wheel steering mowers you mgiht want to read


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3881&highlight=zero+mower

Its kinda long but its got decent info


On a side note, even commercial machines will have problems. I have a friend whos got a HUGE commercial walk behind made by Exmark and its had its share of problems. The most recent being a gearbox failure. He thought that you can just use gear oil in the thing but its imperative to follow thier maintenace instructions to a T, because he didnt and hes gunna be out at least 100$ for this fix.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

When we owned a lawn service (a few years ago), we used Dixon ZTR commercial mowers (this is back when Dixon was one of the very few making any sort of ztr mower.... most other LCOs were using walk-behinds). Ours had Hydro-Gear BDU-10L hydrostatic motors and Kohler Magnum engines. They were great units then, and I have heard good things about their current line up.

The only down-side is that I don't know how well they are represented in your area...


check 'em out:

http://www.dixon-ztr.com/

 

[BowtieNut]

I just went thru this last summer, so I'll share my experience, which isn't alot but maybe it can help. I moved to a new house with a bigger lot where I keep about 1.5 acres mowed. It was taking me about 3 - 3.5 hours to mow with my little 12 HP Cub Cadet with 38" deck. That wasn't my idea of fun, so I started looking into getting a larger mower. After doing ALOT of reading online, and talking to other owners locally, I decided to get a zero-turn Huster Fastrak. I guess you could call it a higher end consumer mower, Huster calls it a consumer mower made to commercial standards, but I heard alot of good things about them. I ended up getting mine with a 20 HP Honda, and 52" deck, and I absolutely love it. It cut my mowing time down to 1 hour flat! I'm sure it's partially due to the larger 52" deck, and partially due to the fact that this thing goes much faster than my Cub. I think Hustler rates it at 7 MPH, which doesn't sound like alot, but it feels like it's flying while I'm mowing. It's actually a little fun to mow now, kinda like riding a go-kart or something. Sorry, I don't have any experience with any other zero-turn's, but I can say that after almost a year with my Fastrak, I have absolutely no regrets. Plus I have an extra 2 1/2 hours every week to work on finishing my garage. HTH.

 

[RAYJAY]

IF YOU HAVE A ATV OR A MULE WE USE A TOW BEHIND MOWER

we have the mower about 4 years now and it cuts grass great and it has a 14 hp motor on it that only runs the mower not mower and drivetrain.

as for speed my wife does most of the cutting she cuts about 4 acres in about 1 1/2 hr

Jeff

 

[Dave Carney]

Another vote for Hustler. They beat the snot out of them here at the airport where I work, they just keep going and going. I'm saving for one now.

 

[roger55]

The Hustler Fastrak was actually one I was looking at. And, there is a dealer for them in San Angelo. Thanks a lot for your reply!

I was wondering what made you choose the 20HP Honda engine for yours? Not sure if I need the 20HP vs the 18HP version. I do want to get the 52" deck however. So, that means I would get the Honda 18 or 20 or the Kohler 20.

I just went thru this last summer, so I'll share my experience, which isn't alot but maybe it can help. I moved to a new house with a bigger lot where I keep about 1.5 acres mowed. It was taking me about 3 - 3.5 hours to mow with my little 12 HP Cub Cadet with 38" deck. That wasn't my idea of fun, so I started looking into getting a larger mower. After doing ALOT of reading online, and talking to other owners locally, I decided to get a zero-turn Huster Fastrak. I guess you could call it a higher end consumer mower, Huster calls it a consumer mower made to commercial standards, but I heard alot of good things about them. I ended up getting mine with a 20 HP Honda, and 52" deck, and I absolutely love it. It cut my mowing time down to 1 hour flat! I'm sure it's partially due to the larger 52" deck, and partially due to the fact that this thing goes much faster than my Cub. I think Hustler rates it at 7 MPH, which doesn't sound like alot, but it feels like it's flying while I'm mowing. It's actually a little fun to mow now, kinda like riding a go-kart or something. Sorry, I don't have any experience with any other zero-turn's, but I can say that after almost a year with my Fastrak, I have absolutely no regrets. Plus I have an extra 2 1/2 hours every week to work on finishing my garage. HTH.

 

[jfelbab]

Gravely is the strongest, most durable, best value ZT made, IMHO.

www.gravely.com

 

[Fultrtl]

I have a 21 hp Kubota Diesel that I have had a year or two. I cut 2.5 aces very week and about an acre for my neighbor. 1.5 to 2 hr and I done.
I would stay away from all homeowner version and spend my money on a commercial model. Also get as much hp for the biggest cut you can, nothing beats hp.

 

[BowtieNut]

Well, if 18HP is good, then 20HP must be better, right? But seriously, I had heard from several people that the 18HP was a little underpowered for the 52" deck in some circumstances. And the 20HP wasn't that much more money. But if your land is totally flat, and you don't let the grass get too long, I'm sure the 18HP would be fine. For me, I have a few mild hills, and when the grass gets a day or two overdue, I'm thankful for the little extra HP.

As far as the Honda/Kohler, I guess that one's mostly because of peer pressure. The dealer let me ride both, and said the Honda was smoother and quieter, but honestly I couldn't tell much difference in the short little trip I took in his grass. Mostly I guess I got the Honda cuz everyone was telling me that the Honda's are better engines and last longer, but I didn't really do much research on that aspect myself.

Your local dealer should let you demo one of the Fastraks if you want. If he won't, there's a moderator over at lawnsite.com that will arrange it for you. Let me know if you have any more questions.

The Hustler Fastrak was actually one I was looking at. And, there is a dealer for them in San Angelo. Thanks a lot for your reply!

I was wondering what made you choose the 20HP Honda engine for yours? Not sure if I need the 20HP vs the 18HP version. I do want to get the 52" deck however. So, that means I would get the Honda 18 or 20 or the Kohler 20.

 

[JeepOnRock]

Dixie Chopper.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The Hustler Fastrak was actually one I was looking at. And, there is a dealer for them in San Angelo. Thanks a lot for your reply!

I was wondering what made you choose the 20HP Honda engine for yours? Not sure if I need the 20HP vs the 18HP version. I do want to get the 52" deck however. So, that means I would get the Honda 18 or 20 or the Kohler 20.

I have used a Hustler Excell with a Kobota Diesel, if this is the quality of that thing, it is good.

I have a 52" Great Dane Chariot (designed by Dane Scag, previously of Scag mower fame before he sold the company) and it is built like a M60 tank. It has the 25 hp Kohler. I've heard lots of bad things about the newer Kohler engines, but I haven't had a minutes problem with it. I do however, take care of it, use AmsOil 10W-30 synthetic oil to handle the heat, and also syntetic oil in the hydro system.

52" is way too much for 18 or even 20 hp. I have a friend with a John Deer Sabre riding mower with a 48" deck and a 20 hp v twin Briggs and it isn't enough. If you have Bermuda grass especially, you need the most power you can get. You will not regret extra horse power.

Something most people don't understand with small air cooled engines, they need to be run full throttle for cooling. Loaf it along at 2/3 or 3/4 throttle and it will overheat and you will shorten the life of the engine. I start mine, warm it up, about 1/2 throttle to engage the blades, and then full throttle from then on out.

Charles

 

[hotrod66paul]

Both my son and son-in-law own landscape and lawn service companies. They always disagree on which equipment is best. As a distant 3rd party from what I see its a lot about dealer service and personal preference. The son uses x-mark with satisfactory results.(has both ztr and walk behind). His old employer used dixie chopper (locally made) and was not happy. Son-in-law swears by hustler and is on his second walk-behind and second ztr.The second ztr has been plagued with problems but the dealer has been spot on with repair and service. Kind of like selecting a pick-up truck,whatever floats your boat. PS. You won't go wrong with a commercial model compared to a home style unit.

 

[cc_rider]

Back in the day I worked for a guy who had a Dixon. It worked like a champ. But ALL of the ZTR mowers have a complex transaxle arrangement; lots of parts and difficult to service. If you have a lot of obstacles to mow around, any ZTR is gonna save a ton of weedwacking time, but if it's mostly open you're probably better off with a conventional. I've got a 42" cut, 16Hp (?) Cub that works well and has a fairly tight turning radius. And the little tow-behind cart is uber-handy; sometimes I leave it on while mowing, to carry debris and, uh, refreshments. If I could do it again (bought the Cub with the property) I'd get a bigger machine but probably not a ZTR. YMMV.

c.

 

[nukeddad1]

I tend to agree with CC Rider, although I own 2 Exmark units, a 60 inch ZTR, and a 52 inch hydro walk behind. A ZTR on 1.50 acres with little or no obstacles will prove to be overkill, but if you can afford it, or don't like to spend much time mowing, go for it. Be sure to follow all operating instructions to the letter. I burn't up a (blade)clutch in short order by not idleing down before disengageing the blades ( the(electric) clutch also doubles as a blade brake). Also, go with the most HP you can afford, you won't regret it.

 

[nukeddad1]

I forgot to add, visit lawnsite.com for in depth discussions and info on these mowers.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Back in the day I worked for a guy who had a Dixon. It worked like a champ. But ALL of the ZTR mowers have a complex transaxle arrangement; lots of parts and difficult to service..

Huh? Every ZTR mower I've seen (Great Dane, Scag, Toro, Excell, etc) have independent wheel hydraulic motors each driven by its own hydraulic pump. Never seen a true ZTR with a transaxle, though I suppose someone may have built such a thing. Its certainly not the norm today, probably an oddity if one is still built.

Charles

 

[eschoendorff]

Huh? Every ZTR mower I've seen (Great Dane, Scag, Toro, Excell, etc) have independent wheel hydraulic motors each driven by its own hydraulic pump. Never seen a true ZTR with a transaxle, though I suppose someone may have built such a thing. Its certainly not the norm today, probably an oddity if one is still built.

Charles

No... Dixon had one. It was a "cone drive" system that was only used on their residential models dating back to the mid-late eighties. Their commercial stuff has always used dual hyrods. Dual hydrostatic motors are DEFINITELY the way to go. That old cone drive system would burn up in about a month with commercial use. Ask me how I know sometime....

 

[cc_rider]

No... Dixon had one. It was a "cone drive" system that was only used on their residential models dating back to the mid-late eighties. Their commercial stuff has always used dual hyrods. Dual hydrostatic motors are DEFINITELY the way to go. That old cone drive system would burn up in about a month with commercial use. Ask me how I know sometime....

Well shut my mouth. Dual motors makes WAY more sense. Thanks for setting me straight. No wonder it was always in the shop...

c.