ZTR mowers

I know this have been covered a lot so here goes again. My Craftsman riding mower is wearing out and I am in the market for a mower. Several friends have recommended that I get a ZTR mower. Having looked at several lower end I am not sure what is the best buy.

I have about an acre to mow and this year it has been a mess. The big problem here in the Ozarks is rocks and that everything is on a slope plus I have several trees to mow around.

Awl,

Last year I went up from a 10 year old Cub Cadet with a failing engine to a Gravely 52" ZTR. I'll never go back.... cuts cleaner and faster, comfortable to operate and easy to maintain. There are a few caveats... you have to be careful in the turns...especially sharp turns and 180° turns. While one wheel turns freely, the inside wheel will hold it's position and dig in. When trimming around trees that same inside wheel will do the same way and eventually you won't have to weed eat around the trees !! A little more caution is needed on steep slopes... go slower.

I bought the gravely because of reputation and watching my neighbor use one for years with no problems. They are commercial grade mowers with full strong frame, full floating fabricated (not stamped) deck. Kawasaki engines... all bearings are sealed and no lube needed. It works well with my Cyclone Rake leaf vacuum and with Gator Blades the leaves get a good mulching before the vac mulches again... Kawasaki engine is plenty strong to handle the mulching and pulling vacuum unit
I added a trailer hitch to mine and use it to pull a 14' trailer for limb removal and clean up... I have 1.5 acre lot with 75 pak and hickory trees...lots of leaves and limbs. I don't bag grass clippings... the mulch blades do that for me

They aren't priced like big box store MTD made mowers but are far superior to any I've tried or seen... check them out

john

You get what you pay for. Reading recommendations from earlier posts, I bought a Ferris IS 700Z a month ago and have no regrets. A lot of folks were astonished at what I paid for it, but it has reduced my cutting time by 60 percent or more.

The first thing to look for is a fabricated rather than stamped mower deck. Mowers with fabricated decks start about $3K, so that's the absolute minimum you should expect to pay. Cub Cadet has some in that price range.

Note that zero-turns aren't particularly rollover resistant; you should seriously consider getting a mower with ROPS if you're working on rough terrain.

I agree with Mark. There is a huge difference between the high end mowers and the others. It isn't all about brand name. I bought a Xmark Lazer X series and I lucked into the top of the line in the gas engine models. I paid more for it than the last car I bought myself before I started leasing. It makes my life so much easier that I never give it a second thought. We laugh about it here from time to time but, honestly, it is more comfortable than any chair I have in the house and makes my lawn look incredible. Very easy to use and pretty safe on the hills. You just want to stay away from slippery in a ZTR. Need good traction on both wheels or it gets interesting...so no wet grass on hills. Let the dew dry out good.

I think that Airens now owns Gravely.
Still good machines.

I too purchased a Ferris about 5-6 years ago , Its a great machine, Have some long runs that allow full forward on controls a real time saver.

Make sure to get one with a pivoting front axle that the wheels are mounted on. The ones that the front wheels are mounted to the frame are useless on rough ground. One front wheel will get on a high
spot and you lose traction. I have a backup with the wheels mounted on the frame, it is ok on level ground.

My Dixie Chopper is in the middle of it's 9th mowing season with zero problems. Would but nothing but another Dixie.

test drive the husqvarna, dixon line up. i have several the ultra series and 100 series out. really nice units. but compare seats and service where you buy because they all have the same working components under the sheet metal. l let you test drive if close . let me now if i can be of further help or have questions.

I picked up a Hustler Fastrac about 4 years ago and would never go back to a tractor style. Almost eliminated the need to trim. The only complaint is that it hates wet grass, the deck plugs up if the lawn even has dew on it. Other then that, it's built like a tank, has a Honda engine and two 5 gallon fuel tanks and a very comfortable seat. I still don't like to mow but I would rather mow for 3 hours then waste a whole day.

Having been a used truck, tractor, implement and mower dealer and used several different of the leading brands, I love my Husquvarna (spelling??) and wouldn't trade it for any others on the market. It would be a boring world however if we all had the same likes and dislikes lol SO TO EACH THEIR OWN FAVORITES.

John T

Ozarks means you are close to Kansas. Look at Deines mowers (YouTube has videos). They are made in Hays and I would put mine up against any ZTR. The drive wheels are in the middle of the machine (single tail wheel) and the welded deck is completely independent out front. I think they get better traction because of the setup and will mow just as fast as they will go. One of mine is an '83 and has just needed belts and blades. Still original hydros. I was just about to go out and climb on it for a while this afternoon - it gets about 3 hours a week still. I also like calling the factory to get blades and a person answers the phone.

I apparently have the same mower as john niolon has, which I purchased this year to replace a Toro ZTR with china made Kohler engine. So far I love the Gravely mower, but at this point I can only comment to NOT buy a mower with a Kohler engine. I was happy with my Toro for the first few years, but like all the rest of the "big box store" mowers it began to fail miserably around year 5. My previous mowers were simply failing due to cheaply made decks, bearings, spindles, etc, but this Kohler engine was litterally coming apart, and in fact had cracked the block. Google Kohler Courage engines, and check out some youtube videos. I was really disappointed in that Kohler used to have a good reputation, but I now would never buy another mower with a Kohler engine after my experience with this mower. Fortunately it stayed together long enough for me to trade it as many fail turning them into scrap metal. BTW, several manufacturers placed those engines on their products, so I cannot fully blame this on Toro.

Yes Ariens now owns Gravley, they market them as their commercial duty mowers. When I was with the county our Highway Department bought Grevley zero turns to replace some John Deere front deck mowers, they were happy with them, the County Supervisors liked that they were made in Wisconsin.

We got the Cub ZTR 50 8 years ago. Kawasaki 22 HP. I had a dealer tell me that the residential type mowers are built for around 500 hours, then the stuff starts wearing out. I'm at about half that.

I like mine although I have had to replace the electric clutch and had some flats on the front tires. On my hilly ground there is some slipping and sliding with the turf tires.

I even welded a hitch onto mine so I can use the wagon, grass catcher, etc. I like it.

What MarkB said about fabricated instead of
stamped decks EXCEPT John Deere has the heavy
tooling to stamp decks of thick steel. This does
NOT mean to get one of the JDs made for the box
stores, reports are they give the same cheap
performance.

Bite the bullet and get a commercial grade ZTR,
with luck it will be a one time purchase. My test
for a quality mower is whether or not the
floorboard is hinged and lifts for easy blade
replacement. Cheap mowers have the floorboard
bolted in place to reinforce the weaker frame.

ZTRs don't like going across slopes, up and down
slope is ok. It would be nice if you could test
drive one.

My ZTR is a Dixie Chopper with a Kohler Command
engine. No problems so far.

KEH

Kohler courage is price point engine. I have a Kohler command pro 26 fuel injection that I wouldn't trade for anything. Burns half the fuel, no choke, no cold starts. It's on a Great Dane Chariot LX. Awesome mower, too bad they sold out to Deere. I mow 9 acres a week. It has 1800 hours on it.

I wouldn't want a ZTR on a slope.

As for mowing around trees, I put flowers around trees, to avoid weedwacking. Makes a bigger circle too.

I use a 48 inch rider and do all my tirm work. Mow circles around trees and many flower beds first. Takes me 30 minutes. Then it takes me 40 minutes to cut the rest of a 2 acre yard with an IH C with a 72 inch belly mower.

I also have a Jubilee with a 72 inch RM660 that I use at another property. Do the same think, trim with 48 inch rider and the Jubilee in second gear is running at 4 MPH. Makes short work.

I looked at the job my neighbor's big BAD BOY ZTR, and I would be very disappointed if I paid that much and you can see where the wheels mashed the grass down. The final job looks ugly.

You can't see my tire tracks with either the IH C or Jubilee.

Get yourself and old farm tractor. I love mine.

I frankly don't see what the big deal is about mowing around trees and other things. I do it all the time with a John Deere GT270 and a 48 inch Husky varnie. I never back up, just go in circles.
George

I have been looking for a C with belly mower in good condition. So far the only one I have seen got away from me.

You haven't actually tried a zero-turn, have you, George?

I got one a 6 ft one off an IH H. Then modified it.

I will buy one just as soon as they make one that is as smooth as my IH C and it gives a cut that is better than what I have. So far I'm not impressed with either. Everyone I know tells me their ZTR's are a very rough ride.

Not to mention this guy has rocks.

Yes, I've used my neighbors, friends ZTR and Sister's John Deere ZTR. NO THANK YOU! I'm very happy with my IH C which will turn on a dime, narrow front end.

As for using ZTR's on an incline, a man was killed because he was cutting the edge of lake, lost it, drowned. I want to be able to turn the front wheels, not drive with back wheels. If front wheels hook something, you are turning.

I've yet to see someone on a ZTR that isn't bouncing.

Mine has an adjustable cushion ride. I have owned two Lincoln Continentals in my life and neither had a ride that compares to the X-mark X series. The cut is about as perfect as you can get, even going over hills. I agree with Mark again, you are blowing hot air and confusing the issue. You have never been on a quality ZTR.

I agree that most Kohlers were good engines, but Kohler probably lost more than it saved by building something that destroys itself and their reputation. First priority on my new mower was that it had an engine with good reputation, and Kawasaki came highly recommended, so I went with it. Check with me in 10 years, and I will comment more on the Kawasaki. Briggs are in same boat with Kohler, and has built some good engines, but rarely see them on a quality mower today.

My ZTR isn't the smoothest rider but that's because my darn yard is rough grrrrrrrrrr

I say to each their own, if a conventional or ZTR is your choice WHICHEVER IT MAY BE, THATS THE WAY TO GO.

Some prefer conventional, some (me included) prefer ZTR and its their money and their choice I figure, and all are entitled to their own likes and dislikes and NEITHER is a bad person for exercising their own free choice.

Wouldn't it be a boring world if we alllllllll had the same choices and same preferences lol

Best wishes, Happy 4th of July, and God Bless ya George and I respect your free choice and whatever you like or dislike even if for my use and my yard my choice (a ZTR) is different. Live and let live

John T

I too will recommend the Deines. Mine was a 83 or 84 model. I did change a hydro, but that wasn't the problem. Turned out that the cables were coming apart. I mow about 3 acres, twice a week, and it ROUGH, with lots of slopes and trees. I totally wore out all the drive chains, and someone before me, had welded the drive sprocket onto one of the hydros. It rode great, and you could mow places where my Deere won't even dream of getting to.

Now I have a Deere Z655. It mowes pretty good, rides rough, but I don't have to work on it for hours to mow the yard.

You guys that are using the C and belly mowers must not have under ground sprinklers!!

JohnT
Happy 4th to you too.

I plan to go to a cookout and eat too much, how about you?

I'm just giving the other side of ZTR's the way I SEES IT!

Would you use a ZTR on a steep incline next to a lake? My CPA got away from a ZTR. He has 2 lakes on his property. He thought it was too dangerous using them near lake. He also didn't like the idea that after mowing with ZTR he had to take a shower, he was a dirty mess.

Another man has a very steep incline in his front your. Has a Dixie chopper. He pays someone to mow his incline.

I was at a party. Man was talking how his dixie was the greatest thing. He had just used it that day. Then he turns to his wife, says my back is killing me. Asks her for pain and sinus meds.

My old IH C is 64 years old and Jubilee is 61. They will last me the rest of my life. Both tractors were overhauled before I got them. Both is good shape. Both do a great job mowing. Both can mow and pull my 4640# lawn roller at the same time. Both together cost less than one Dixie chopper.

I've noticed most people with ZTR's mow one way, back and forth. I grew up on a farm where plowing and disking you learned how to make wide turns and strike out lands. I never back up when mowing, keep tractor moving forward, think more like I'm working in the field.

I try to be respectful to others. Hope I haven't offended anyone. Just wish others can respect a different opinions without taking offense.

I also wish I could put a Farmall seat on my Ford, then I could mow with the Ford in 3rd gear. As it is, second gear all my butt can handle on the ford seat. Do you have a Farmall seat with the big spring and shock?
George

"I've yet to see someone on a ZTR that isn't bouncing. "

Check-out Ferris with independent Full Suspension.

I have had a Ferris for four years. Neither I nor the mower knew that it was no good on the side hill that I mow with it.

"I plan to go to a cookout and eat too much, how about you?"

I think we are just staying home doing a few light piddly jobs around the farm n home. Years ago when kids were home it was always a big camping and lake and boating weekend but now that were alone we dont like the crowds on major holidays. We do a lot of long term RV Travel but not short term weekend camping anymore like young families.

I agree on steep hills ZTR's aren't real great but I have a ton of mowing with lots of turns and stuff to mow around and my ZTR saves time.

NOTE I do mow back n forth, throw it one way in then the other out and it keeps the yard fairly good lookin. If in a small spot I may throw it all in and in and back in recycling and mulching it up except for a lot of stuff left in the middle grrrrrrrrrr. If I have a huge long rectangle then I may mow it like I farmed by laying out lands.

WE AGREE to each their own preferences

John T

I have a Scag commercial with 27HP Kohler, good solid machine.

I mowed a friends 2 acres using his Craftsman ZTR, it nearly beat me to death. If you get one make sure it has suspension or at the very least good seat suspension.

George, I don't expect to convince you to buy a zero turn any more than I've been able to convince you of anything else. Just the same, I'll respond to your comments.

When you're mowing at 8 mph on rough ground, the ride will be a bit bumpy. I don't imagine your C does too well mowing in road gear, either. The main difference is a ZTR has smaller tires that tend to fall into holes that tractor tires will roll over. My Ferris has a suspension system that takes up most of the bumps; other manufacturers put suspension seats on their commercial-grade mowers. Even though I'm recovering from shoulder surgery I haven't found the ride to be a problem. I just slow down over the rough areas.

I have plenty of rocks. I find it much easier to work around the rocks with the zero turn than with my Ford 4000.

I've been able to operate on the same inclines as I did with my row crop 4000 and our garden tractor. I have one tricky spot which is equally terrifying on either the 4000 or the Ferris, the difference being the Ferris has ROPS and the Ford does not. On the grade I used to mow with the garden tractor, I'd have to hang my butt off the uphill side of the tractor to keep the wheels on the ground; I get to stay comfortably in my seat with the zero turn.

I have a pond, and I quickly figured out I can't get as close to it with the zero turn because the smaller tires will fall into muskrat dens the tractor would go over. However, it's fairly easy to pull the ZTR out of a hole with the tractor, while it becomes a major emergency if I get the Ford stuck. Anyone who gets close enough to a lake with a ZTR to fall in would probably do the same with a tractor.

As for your neighbor's tire marks, he must be doing something wrong. Either his blades are very dull or he's mowing way too fast. After all, the traction tires are behind the mower deck on a zero turn, just like they are on your belly mower-equipped Farmall. Now some mower decks are intended to "stripe"; the deck on my Ferris is set up that way. By deliberately laying down strips of grass, you get a crosshatch pattern after the grass has been mowed in different directions.

The bottom line for me is I now have several more hours each week to do stuff I'd rather do than mow. Like argue with you!

MarkB_M,
When you get to my age and need spinal fusion, 4 mph on a tractor is all you'll be able to handle.

The time savings wouldn't be that much for me. One place I have is 1 hour 10 minutes total with IH C and 4 ft trim mower.

In the past owner would spend more than a half day using a 42 inch rider.
George

I used a John Deere 4300 compact with a 5ft Woods RM550 for 10 years. Needed a larger tractor for other use so traded it. Then I bought a cub cadet ztr and it was a piece of junk. Last year I bought a 50" Bad Boy ZTR with a 27hp Kohler . Cut my mowing time in half. Bad boy was a little rough untill I let some air out of the tires now rides just fine. Mow my road ditch each time with no problems. Dont have to worry about ruting the yard anymore either.