Which ztr mower should i buy

Are you a professional or homeowner? General facts about Husqvarna zero-turn mowers Recommended products. Buying Advice. General facts about Husqvarna zero-turn mowers Our zero-turn mowers are durable, with a heavy-duty frame and offer powerful, reliable engine options. All components are designed to withstand demanding use over long periods. The control placement and operator position and interface on our zero-turn riding lawn mowers provide an intuitive and ergonomic mowing experience.

Our vibration-dampening design provides increased comfort and reduces operator fatigue. Large, wide rear wheels put less pressure on the lawn surface, which means they flatten the grass less, allowing the blades to reach the grass more efficiently. A low center of gravity provides better traction and stability: an advantage if the ground is uneven. You can flip a lever and the Toro is capable of pulling stuff without worrying about burning out the transmissions. I also like the ride and the cut.

Hello Paul — kudos on a great resource you have provided and continue to support! With your help, I have narrowed my focus for purchase of new ZTR, but am struggling with that final decision and hoping you could offer some feedback.

I am cutting 1. My teenage son may start mowing some neighborhood lawns next summer, very similar profile. I live in Maryland, I want a good, quick cut. I typically spend more than minimum required, as I prefer to invest in quality equipment, that will last longer and require less frequent service. I have no tight areas and plenty of storage space.

Would be nice to periodicaly pull cart, broadcast spreader and plu aerator, so that I can completely retire the Deere. I havent been able to find any at local dealer where I can physically see and touch these not currently in their inventories. Would I be giving up anything else of substance if I stay with model?

Any why is more expensive? Any concerns with the Toro engine? I was told by a Cub dealer, that they dropped Toro because they are no longer dealer friendly. Any truth to that statement from what you have heard? Much appreciate your feedback, thanks! Hi Jim, If your son is going to mow other lawns you will want the inch cut. It mows more evenly than a inch deck. The only difference between the and the is the suspension platform on the The has a Kawasaki engine.

Kawasaki thinks their engines are worth more than anyone else. The other 40 or so brands are all fighting for the rest. But, like most of the other brands, they offer better dealer incentives if you buy in bulk, buy early and sell Toro as your primary brand.

Paul, you helped me decide to buy my Ariens snowblower last year and it has been awesome — thanks! Now time for a lawnmower. I have a full acre of grass to cut and an considering a Simplicity Regent tractor, maybe a Broadmoore, Snapper Z zero turn.

I am looking for speed, and ability to tow a cart and lawn sweeper. How confident are you in ZT towing capabilities? Any thoughts on Snapper zero turns? Thanks again! You mow at mph. But they can pull stuff well. It uses a ground-hugging deck so it stripes well, but it is again slow — mph. It is a lawn tractor that will last you many years. If you promise to keep the loads in your cart to under LBs I can recommend it for your one-acre yard.

That I hate It will mow at mph and last you a long, long time. You can pull anything you want with it. Hello Paul, I just purchased a house that sits on about three acres of land in Wisconsin. Both are reputable dealerships but the one 8 miles away will charge to pick up and deliver the mower whereas the close dealership would pick it up for free and provide a loaner if needed. Is this type of service worth the normal sticker price in your experience?

Thank you for your time and expertise! Hi Kurt, A good local dealer is worth paying a competitive price. A good local Exmark is worth their weight in gold. In addition, Exmark is the best for parts. Their profit margin is not a great as most people think it is because they have a lot of overhead. That overhead includes well trained and well-paid mechanics, parts people and in-stock parts. Thank you for the response. I test drove the exmarks but they seemed very touchy and less smooth than the scags.

Do you think it makes sense in my case? Totaling about acres a month. I did all of those myself with one 60 inch Stand-on and a string trimmer. My crews did the residential and commercial accounts. I always ran inch decks. The extra width meant it would not tip over — ever — if the slope was too steep it would just slide off the hill.

Safety-wise, if I ever did get in trouble all I had to do was step off the mower and it stopped. Trimming under tress is also easier. Just bend your knees and crouch down. You can trim under branches only 48 inches off the ground.

The Scag, Gravely and Exmark stand-ons will all mow as fast as the sit-down versions and they all have the better decks. I appreciate the feedback on the standers! Do you think this mower makes sense for a residential first time buyer or would you recommend getting something cheaper?

I figured that investing in a mower I plan to have for many years might make more sense but buying cheaper or used has crossed my mind. These things are expensive! Hi Matthew, The current Kohler series engines are as good or better than the Kawasaki residential engines. The EXT transmissions with a inch deck will last you and never give you any issues.

The Hustler Raptor 42 is also a good choice. I am not a big fan of ZTR with decks smaller than 42 inches. All of them suffer from traction issues and they will tear up your turf. They are also very unstable and you can easily tip one over mowing around an old tree.

Hopefully that was the right call. I live in the valley in Oregon and early spring mowing is tough with lots of moisture. I have been using the commercial Honda walk behind that does a great job. Baggers look a bit expensive and questionable for doing the job with wet grass. I have looked at the Bad Boy mowers and Grasshopper. Can you weigh in on those and my situation? That powered blower takes the grass from the deck and blows it into the bagger.

If you are looking at that expensive of a mower I suggest you also look at the Walker. Walker mowers are dedicated bagging mowers and designed to handle wet grass. Looking to buy new but want the one that will last the longest and do a great job.

A bit more than one acre. The less money spent the better. Hi Gary, The John Deere gives you the best cut. It will last years and any John Deere dealer will service it. The Skag is the toughest of the three. It will also last years.

Do you mean a Raptor HD? You get what you pay for meaning — the Raptor HD is a decent mower but the Deere and Skag will give you a better cut and last longer. Hi am interested in buying the zero turn mower I have two in mind gravely ZTHD or the grasshopper I really wanted the Gravley until I drove the grasshopper but this is my first zero turn purchase.

I am mowing 4 acres and was wanting a 60 inch deck and would like your input thanks in advance. The Gravely is also built well and should give you the best cut. It rides better and will cut faster than the Grasshopper. I like the Gravely a lot. I had in mind buying the Bradley stand on but was a little anxious about how I would like the stand on style mower and the lack of local dealer support. So, I did some shopping around for one of the other top recommended mowers locally.

Looking for a 54 or 52 inch. So I would like your advice on 2 things. First, do you know anything about these WorldLawn mowers?

Has the trans and same Kawi motor as the Gravely and Hustler. Seems to be heavy duty and well built. Hi Jeremy, First choice. The cut is the same, the quality is the same and they will both last you a long time. So, I suggest buying from the dealer you like and trust the most. I can work on my own equipment so I have no problems buying the Bradley. If I ever have an issue or need parts I know they will quickly help me get the problem resolved.

Plus, if I need maintenance parts they ship quickly or I can always stop by their showroom when I go visit my granddaughter. That said, if you are uncomfortable doing your own repairs or the type who wants someone else to do your warranty work then the Bradley is not for you. Last place. They changed the Encore name to Worldlawn at that time. The mowers are still manufactured in Beatrice, Nebraska but they are a wholly owned Chinese company.

Hi Paul, I have just over 2 acres and previously cut with John deere L slow and rough ride and alot of trimming! I am looking to buy a new one this spring one acre is rough terrain not many trees and the other acre is fairly smooth with medium inclines and a berm also.

Looking for something reliable and faster and not much trimming around trees. Any other suggestions are welcome. I have read articles where you mention Toro has best suspension for rough terrain. What are your thoughts on the 3 brands l mentioned for my property.

Thks Laurie. Check out this article on the zero-turns: The Best Residential Zero Turn Mowers The inch mowers listed are a good choice for your property. If your property is rough the No. The new Cub Cadet No. It will bounce and mow unevenly and you will bounce and fell like you riding a paint shaker. Paul i am returnng after a few years absence. The current seat causes back pain — any suggestions for brand?

Hi Guido, If your tractor is red or black any seat made for Husqvarna lawn tractors will fit. If your tractor is black and yellow then any seats for Cub Cadet will work. You can lift up the seat and measure between the mounting bolts the ones it tips on and then go to your local Tractor Supply or other farm store and check out their replacement seats. I have a little under 2 acres with some rough bumpy areas mainly due to tire ruts etc but some areas are a little sketchy as severity. Plan to smooth out over time.

Not really sure what my best options would be. What do you suggest? They all have nice, large wheels to smooth out the bumps somewhat. They all cut well and will last. The Cub Cadet Ultima has the best cutting deck. The Toro MyRide has a full suspension platform that separates you from the bumps. It also cuts well. The Ariens Ikon XL is built like a tank. It mows well and will last many years. Hi Paul. It has 58hrs on it. I have about 3 mostly flat acres to mow residential.

Seem like a good deal. Do you know much about that machine? It has the best ride and you can easily mow 10 acres a week for years. But, just so you know. This company was originally called Encore. They made good mowers but their dealer network and parts distribution was horrible. About 10 years ago a Chinese company bought them out. Their dealer network is growing but is still spotty in many areas of the country. Why am I telling you this? Retired, we now mow 2 farm acreages; one 1.

Both are rolling acreages with some rough terrain. Both have several outbuildings and trees. We want a bigger mower at the larger acreage which could also mow both when needed. The farmhouse on the larger acreage rents as a BnB so we want a nice cut. At 71 we need reasonable comfort. We've a week to snag end-of-season markdowns. We're overwhelmed by the options. Hi Jeanne, Does the Gravely have a suspension seat?

A suspension seat helps but the only way to really mow a rough lawn is to slow down to mph. If you want the best ride that is the best choice.

Thanks, Paul! The dealer said he could order a suspension kit for it. It seems to rattle a lot…is that normal too? Hi Jeanne, Yes, the closer you get to a commercial version the more robust they are — and the more rattles they have. Not so much how it looks or how quiet it is. Paul, Very much appreciate what you are doing with your site. Its been a great mower for our current 1. We are going to be building a home a moving next spring and the next home will have a 1.

Do you suggest making the jump to a zero turn, or keeping the Craftsman about hrs on the craftsman. Not much use for the tractor beside just mowing the lawn. Thanks in advance for your advice. I only mulch mow and have huge trees so lots of leaves to mow. How do you think these mowers compare?

It has a big advantage with the smart speed. These small ZTRs all have traction issues when turning. Then the Ariens Zoom 34 in. I like the build quality a lot. The Gravely and Ariens are the same machine. Yard Machines 34 in. Finally, if you can go 38 inches the Ryobi 38 in. It does not have the traction issues of the tiny ZTRs.

Thanks for the reply Paul. Only traction problems on turns was if the lawn was wet or the ground wet and mushy. I am very used to steering with zero turn lap bars and fine you only experience traction problems in wet conditions while trying to speed demon around the lawn lol Thanks again! Well Paul, I took your advice and bought a Ryobi ex last year, it arrived in December, so I waited patiently, and put a good charge on the battery.

Now at the end of the first season, of cutting my yard and six others weekly it has stood up to the test, and past with flying colors!! There are no diagrams showing those points. I just spray it on and around the joint and it works into the pivot point and the squeak goes away for months. Hello Paul!

I am very glad to have found your informative article, comments and feedback! We are Wisconsinites now, former Chicagoans with zero lawn, all perennials. Our 5 acres of mowing is a new world. We are trying to convert some over to prairie and have many berms.

There are many trees and shrubs, as well as stumps that we still need to remove. Our yard also likes to periodically purge itself of lovely glaciated boulders which are always a shock to find. We have many invasives like buckthorn, garlic mustard etc. We have a John Deere F front deck commercial that has had a myriad of problems, my most irritating that it overheats and stops.

I, as a middle-aged woman, can also run circles around it as I mow. It is S. However, I do love it for helping clear and hope to keep it operational for a while longer. So, yard is rough, w divots from decaying roots below the lawn surface, stumps, attacking rocks, berms, slopes, marshy areas getting marshier!

Actually, no slope on the pond. But the moguls are at degrees. They are short though. Our neighbor has a John Deere commercial series zero turn that is just fabulous to zip around on and get the yard mowed in less that 8 hours! We looked at John Deere and Scag, commercial and they were more than we wanted to spend. It is still a bit pricey but no where near JD or Scag. Are we going overboard potentially? I am rough on our F I am sure I would horrify you if I admitted some of the things I have done with it.

I mean it. Horrify you. But you know, I am learning! And if it is overkill, what else would you recommend? Keep in mind, when I say horrify you, I really do mean it!

Thanks so much for any thoughts you have for us. Your property sounds a lot like mine. I had over Jack Pines planted 6 foot apart 50 years ago. Many of them never got over 4 inches in diameter but like yours were 50 feet tall. The engine has always been the weak link in that mower though. The Wright ZTO is one of the toughest mowers around for the price.

They may not look great compared to the new John Deere but they are tough and will last you just as long as the old F It has big tires, heavy-duty transmissions, and commercial grade engines. I live in Delaware with 2. I am looking to replace the cc with a zero turn.

I have looked at exmark radius e series, hustler raptor sd, and J-D z in the 4 to 5 k price range. What are your thoughts about the characteristics of each.

The dealers each said their units would outperform the others. Hi Mark, no one tests these mowers side by side but if you look around your neighborhood ExMark is the mower of choice for the lawn service companies. They have the best cutting decks and the best service in most cases. Hi Brian, Fellow Wisconsinite here. I have 1. However, it is pretty bumpy.

I also have a mound system and one side of a ditch that I could leave if I really wanted to. I have about 10 trees and normal flower beds around the house. Take me 1. My kids also mow with my 12 year old weighing just enough to keep it running when on the seat. I have friends that have the Gravely HD and really like it. I also see that you recommend the Toro. Looks like the Time Cutter with MyRide might be the way to go? Am I missing another brand? Do you prefer a certain engine? I see Briggs, Kawasaki and others?

Lastly, is there a disadvantage with buying from a Home Depot or Lowes? You are lucky! But then again Menards Home Offices does have over employees and pretty much keeps our airport in operation….. Both are good dependable mowers that will last a long time. The build quality makes it a good mower but the operator suspension makes it the best riding ZTR on the market.

Mowing 1. There is no real difference buying from The Home Depot over a local dealer. Service, parts, warranty is all handled by that local dealer. Check out your local Toro or ExMark dealer and see if they will give you the same deal as Home Depot. The dealer price is the same but Home Depot includes free delivery and setup.

Living in Wisconsin it can get confusing about who makes John Deere. The John Deere Horicon Works makes the X, X and X tractors and is still called the lawn tractor plant by a lot of people because at one time in the distant past the original lawn tractors were made there.

But, the D series and the new E series have always been made by the Greeneville, Tennessee plant. In fact, Greenville makes more units than any other Deere plant in the world. Finally, the tractors you buy at Home Depot or Lowes are the same as the series at a dealer.

I have a sis-in-law that used to live in Mondovi so I know your area well. Looking at the Toro, what is the smart speed control and is it worth it? Hi Tom, Smart Speed is exclusive to Toro and is a great feature if you think you may want to let your 12 yr old drive it.

When you push on the handles of a normal ZTR you go from 0 MPH to the top speed of the mower in about 8 inches of lever travel. That small band of handle travel can be very hard to control for inexperienced operators. With the Smart Speed, you can shift it down a gear so it only goes slow in towing mode, a little faster in trimming mode and full speed in regular.

Towing mode keeps the rear transmissions from overheating when pulling heavy loads. No one tests these mowers side by side but all three will cut your lawn evenly. All three brands are good with John Deere being the most expensive. At this price point, I suggest focusing on the dealer more than the equipment.

Pick the dealer you trust. Thanks for this article, it is extremely helpful. Do you have any thoughts on the Scag or Bob Cat homeowner models?

Also, mowing 3 acres a week, will I get better value over the long term from stepping up to a commercial model, or should I stick with a heavy duty homeowner model? As soon as you step up to the next level or go to the heavy duty residential model these brands both have great machines. You want a model with ZT or ZT transmissions. The Ariens XL will cut faster but the Husqvarna will give you a more even cut over uneven parts of your lawn.

The Husqvarna will trim around obstacles better. The Husqvarna with a inch deck will also allow you to make a degree turn without leaving anything in the center of the circle.

Your yard sounds similar to mine, I have 1. I purchased the RT last August. As for the hydros, my rear hydro is in the serial number group that could exhibit drifting after the pedal is let up. I have pulled a yard cart with at least lb of dirt in it, more than a few times, and also a yard roller weighing at least that much.

There is a massive thread on the my tractor forum site that pretty much lays bare anything you would want to know about this unit. I have not experienced any of the reported issues in this thread.

The flip up deck and AWD are excellent features on this unit. My deck is cleaned to the metal each time I mow and I expect it to last longer than a tractor style mower that I would not normally clean each time due to the difficulty of removal. One of the bigger plagues on the RT, in my opinion, is dealer la k of knowledge on the unit. Hi Mark, Yes, the European market is very different than the U. Europeans cut their lawns shorter and expect their mowers to give an even cut over gently rolling terrain.

Here everyone wants speed, speed, speed. I know. When I show it to people it kinda sets them back. A huge departure from the American look style mowers.

It has just enough parts to mow the lawn, precisely. The looks are deceiving. I bought it anyway and have never regretted it. Do you know much about the Encore Edge 48?

I have the option to buy one on CR basically new for Would like to be able to mow as fast as possible. Looking at the Toro MX as well as the Kubota ze. Any hesitations about these models? Have also looked at the Ariens IkonX, but thinking that may be too light for my needs.

Any advice would be appreciated! Hi Brian, Of the three I would recommend the Toro. It has the strongest deck and the best ride. It also has a feature where you can shift from mowing to tow and pull a lawn cart, etc. Paul, thank you for this article. My John Deer D just blew on me yesterday. So I am looking to switch to a ZTR. I have little over an acre with some slope and few trees.

There is a dealer for Big Dog mowers around corner from me. I do not want to go to big box stores I used to work at Home Depot and I know most of that stuff is not great. Any direction would be appreciated.

I do like the Kohler on the Big Dog. I also like the automatic parking brake. Great article I am glad I ran into this on my search. I have a question and would like your advice. I have about 4 acres of previously farmed land that I leveled myself with my JD and have been mowing with that tractor for the last 3 years. I am ready to move to a zero turn to help speed up the process. I have steep slope near the house where I created a walkout and the rest is flat. I have a 1 acre pond to mow around and a tree line and about 12 trees.

I want to get something that will handle the semi rough lawn well and not get beat up. It can get rough on the tractor mowing some of the spots. I have tried leveling but I think some areas I may need to till over and flatten again. Look forward to hearing what you have to say. Also I was looking at John Deere or a Boscat as I have support for both of these near by but I am open to other suggestions. Hi Neil, Two safety items with zero-turns.

You may have to mow your walkout with a push mower. If there is nothing at the bottom you may be able to mow down the slope. NEVER mow across or up the slope 2. Ponds are deadly. Erosion, critter dens and the pond seeping into the bank can cause you to fall into the pond — and drown. If the slope is not very steep stay at least 2 mower widths away from the edge of the water. You can slide down the slope, fall into a muskrat den or tip over from a rut.

You can fit more walk behinds on a trailer and in a storage shed. This may be especially important if quantity of lawn machines is more important than the benefits of one type over the other. And if you're budget conscious, the walk behind is less expensive while capable of providing similar cutting widths. And if you need one more reason to convince you a walk behind is the best mower for you, consider the health benefits.

While it requires less labor than the good old push mower of yesteryear, a self-propelled model still keeps your body in motion. Depending on how much time you put behind the handles, cutting the grass is an excellent aerobic activity. As stated before, job size is one of the most important factors in choosing the right lawn equipment. If you find yourself on the lawn for 45 minutes or more, you will surely see the benefits of owning a zero turn mower.

One of the obvious reasons for this is the faster ground speed capability. Riding mowers can travel up to twice as fast as their walk behind cousins, covering more ground quicker. This fact becomes even more significant for commercial landscapers or any lawn care professional who earns a living manicuring lawns. Speaking of professionals and contractors, a commercial mid-mount mower is especially convenient for managing larger, combined areas — such as a housing development or office park, where you must transport your mower from property to property.

Need to tow a trailer? The configuration and power of a zero turn riding mower makes it an enthusiastic workhorse, too. Just add a trailer hitch plus a trailer to effortlessly move grass, dirt, plants, small trees and many other heavy loads a lawn contractor needs to haul.

Lastly, where a walk behind gives the operator the benefits of exercise, that stress on the body can just as easily become fatigue on longer runs. This is especially true in hot weather. Now that you better understand the advantages of both commercial mower platforms, you're better equipped to determine what type of lawn mower you should buy. And if you're still on the fence, your Ferris authorized dealer can answer any questions you have.

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