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Looking for a zero turn lawnmower

K

Kow Farmer

Well-known Member
Hello everyone,
I am looking for a zero turn lawnmower to replace the one I currently own. I have a Snapper KZ1805 with a 48" deck. Not sure if I put the correct model number here. Anyway, I am looking for advice/comments on new or good used zero turn lawnmowers. The one I have now has a single joystick controller that I don't like. It has a 18 hp Kohler twin cylinder engine. I would like the 2 controls that fold in to your legs on the new mower. What is a good brand for longevity in the $4000.00 range? That is my top $ budget. I mow about 1.5-2 acres of hilly land with lots of trees. I want a good machine so my wife could possibly use also. I also mow some steep roadside ditch banks too. Thank you everyone. I look forward to reading your responses.
Kow Farmer Kurt
 
Kow Farmer -- I just purchased a used Cub Cadet RZT S50 (8 hours on it) last June. 50 inch cut with 20 hp Kohler motor. It is a zero turn that uses a steering wheel to control both the front wheels and the speed and direction of the rear wheels. I had tried zero turn mowers in the past that had the lap bars for guiding the mower. They did not excite me. I happened to try a RZT with the steering wheel at a dealer and immediately knew that was what I wanted. It does great on steep banks, maybe not as sharp a turn as the lap bar zero turn mowers but at least you have a free hand to hold a cold one! After one year of use I still love it.
 
I bought a Hustler "Z" seven years ago and absolutely love it. 20 hp Kawasaki,60" cut,Paxton hydro pumps,( 1 of the best). The deck is awesome. No regrets at all. My opinion, best in the industry
 
Hi Lars52,
I have my eyes on a Cub Cadet Z-Force S 48 at a dealer. It has the steering wheel too. It has a Kawasaki engine also. Is this close to what you have? I think I would like the steering wheel myself. This way I believe my wife could use it too. I mow my neighbors lawn with an Ex Mark mower and really love the power of the Kawasaki engine. I'm sold on that for sure. Thank you for the input.
Kow Farmer Kurt
 
One of the best in my opinion is a Deines. They only make a couple of models. Very heavy built and trouble free.
 
where you located come test drive the unit of choice. dixon line up,havin really good luck and dependability with them.
 
Kurt, I have no experience with the Cub Cadet unit with steering wheel, I just looked at one a home depot a day or two ago, not buying was just curious, from the description below they work well on hills, as a past long time Dixon dealer I will say they will cut very steep hills but you have to know how to operate them or they can scare the poo out of some people as they tend to push a bit on the hills and if you do not pull back on both levers they will push down hill faster, I myself really like a ZTR mower, but I am very disappointed with the new model Dixon compared to the ones I sold, even the ones they call commercial now are half the higher end ones I sold as to how they are built, best thing to do is DEMO DEMO DEMO!!! try it at your yard if possible that is how I always did demos so you knew how they would work in your yard good luck
cnt
 
For that price range, the Badboys is good, swisher is Ok, some of the Toro's are good as well. Cub will also get it done.
 
Love my Dixie Chopper. Starting it's 9th year of mowing with ZERO problems. Dixie is the best on the market.
 
The only thing "Cub Cadet" about a Cub Cadet branded mower today is the venerable name. I have zero faith in MTD as a manufacturer of OPE.

I have looked at the Z-Force mowers when they first hit the Home Depot showroom floor and I am not impressed. To me it is more of a gimmick then anything else. It is very complicated mechanically because of all the linkage and levers used to tie the front wheel steering into controlling the two hydro wheel motors.

If I were you, I'd heed the advice of others here and go with either the Bad Boy or the Dixie Chopper.
 
Go to your Snapper dealer and take a look at the Snapper Pro line up. All the Snapper Pro models are commercial quality. All have levers "no zero turn steering wheel models". Stay far far away from Cub Cadet. I work for a dealer that sells both. As Tom stated,neither do i have any faith in MTD "Cub Cadet".
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I have a 48 inch simplicity which is the same as a Ferris, just different model numbers, and both are made by Briggs and Stratten. It has independent suspension (commercial models only) which is the reason I bought it to make it easier on my back. If you keep your yard looking like a golf course, never let it get higher than an inch needing to be taken off, only mow when it is good and dry, etc. it is a great mower. If you do not/cannot keep it like that, and it sometimes gets tall or is so thick in some areas it does not dry good for several days it is useless unless you make some modifications, which I did.
 
I have had a a Bunton 50" 20hp Kohler for 9yrs. No problems but idler on deck and belt once. What dealer you have for parts and repair that is close is probably best.
 
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