just another old geezer
Member
Looking for a zero turn mower. Swisher and Huskvarnia in the lead so far. Suggestions/advice?
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- Thread starter just another old geezer
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Robert in TN
Member
Gravely and Scag make really good units also. As in tractors check for dealer support of these machines.
I've researched this issue until I don't have anymore hair left to fall out. A lot depends, of course on what you want to pay. For me, again, after TOO much research, the choice came down to either a SCAG or an ex-Mark with the SCAG being a little bit ahead. And-good dealers for both of these brands around here. Will decide as the summer progresses or sooner if the present machine forces me too.
blinwmiaol.com
Member
after spending almost ten years in the landscaping business, my vote is Exmark or John Deere. It is true that exmark is owned by Toro but the exmark mower has a different deck design that is better in thick wet grass. The commercial Deere mowers are an awesome machine, they have the heaviest deck in the industry, dial in height adjustment, and the only one with mulch on demand deck, to go from wide open discharge to closed down mulching deck with the movement of one lever.
I have used a Husky mower and it is a joke how it cuts grass, very poor deck design. The only other mower I might consider is a Kubota, I have not been able to use one but after spending the last couple years looking at them, i like the design.
I have used a Husky mower and it is a joke how it cuts grass, very poor deck design. The only other mower I might consider is a Kubota, I have not been able to use one but after spending the last couple years looking at them, i like the design.
Bought a Swisher 2660 (26 hp Briggs/60inch cut) 2 years ago; could not be more pleased. Cut my mowing time in half (was using a 14.5 hp/42 inch cut traditional lawn mower). Deck is made of welded steel, rather than the stamped sheet metal ones that're sold at the big box stores. Ordered on-line from Amazon and trailer truck delivered it to my driveway for less than $4,000.
Mel in SW Iowa
Member
A friend of mine talked me into trying a used
commercial mower several years ago, a Ransome.
Ransome, Cushman, Toro, Jacobson, all seemed to use many of the same parts: Kubota diesel, Eaton hydrostat, shaft driven deck, heavy welded deck, hydraulic lift, power steering, etc. These were not considered zero turn, but front deck mowers that are almost zero turn. They are not as agile as a zero turn, but so well made they are low maintenance. However, you are your own warranty
station.
Any of the older commercial mowers that have had
good maintenance can be a real bargain, IMHO if it meets your intended purposes.
commercial mower several years ago, a Ransome.
Ransome, Cushman, Toro, Jacobson, all seemed to use many of the same parts: Kubota diesel, Eaton hydrostat, shaft driven deck, heavy welded deck, hydraulic lift, power steering, etc. These were not considered zero turn, but front deck mowers that are almost zero turn. They are not as agile as a zero turn, but so well made they are low maintenance. However, you are your own warranty
station.
Any of the older commercial mowers that have had
good maintenance can be a real bargain, IMHO if it meets your intended purposes.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
No comparison go look at the KUBOTA..Shaft drive
to the deck gets rid of those belts. Hydraulic lift on the deck. Kubota engine just plain out last anything out there.
to the deck gets rid of those belts. Hydraulic lift on the deck. Kubota engine just plain out last anything out there.
Have a Dixie Chopper and love it. But get one that has nearby dealer support. Get one that has a good quality engine. Do some research among local mechanics. One with a Kubota diesel would be great if you can afford it, but if you are not going to cut commercially it might not pencil out.
KEH
I have an older Woods that works great. Just make sure you don't have neighbors like mine that like to wave to you when your mowing with your zero turn. I think he waves to me on purpose because he knows how much I try to drive in a straight line.
I tried something different with mine. I started in the very center of my front lawn and just mowed in a circle throwing the cuttings inward. It saved alot of time mowing the front yard. I never had to stop and turn around. My family said I'm nuts. After I was finished it looked like a space ship had landed in our front yard.
I tried something different with mine. I started in the very center of my front lawn and just mowed in a circle throwing the cuttings inward. It saved alot of time mowing the front yard. I never had to stop and turn around. My family said I'm nuts. After I was finished it looked like a space ship had landed in our front yard.
Steve in Oh
New User
Check out Bad Boy mower... I bought one, they are well built, and inexpensive.. Built in Arkansas.m I got the 26hp 60" and could not be happier! check out www.badboymowers.com
Guess I'll be the odd one here.
I bought a Ferris. 32hp, 72" deck. One features I was looking for was a full suspension. I can't began to tell you how much difference it makes. I mow 14 acres of tree rows, but don't abuse it. No problems so far.
I switched the zero turn from a 7 foot flail mower and 12 foot batwing w/3930 Ford. The time savings is huge. I can turn around and be 150 foot down the tree row before I could begin to turn around the 3930.
If you are mowing a "smooth" lawn, maybe suspension wouldnt be big on your list. Around here, most folks are running Exmarks and are quite happy with them.
Rick
I bought a Ferris. 32hp, 72" deck. One features I was looking for was a full suspension. I can't began to tell you how much difference it makes. I mow 14 acres of tree rows, but don't abuse it. No problems so far.
I switched the zero turn from a 7 foot flail mower and 12 foot batwing w/3930 Ford. The time savings is huge. I can turn around and be 150 foot down the tree row before I could begin to turn around the 3930.
If you are mowing a "smooth" lawn, maybe suspension wouldnt be big on your list. Around here, most folks are running Exmarks and are quite happy with them.
Rick
A friend has a Swisher, about two years old, been busted most of the time. It was trouble from the git-go. Bought it at Rural King, and they are helpless at fixing anything. Sits in his shop now, un-used. He bought an Ex-Mark cause the grass was still growing. He likes the Ex-Mark.
I've had a Grasshopper for about five years, and it's been trouble free.
My son has had a Kabota for about three years and it's been trouble free.
If you have a good local dealer, they will bring a mower out to your place and demonstrate it for you. If the dealer won't do that, I wouldn't mess with him.
If your yard is hilly, you need to realize the difference in mower configurations. On a steep downhill slope, my Grasshopper will nose right up to a ditch and back away. My son's Kabota will slide forward in the same situation. He can go straight up a hill however, that my Grasshopper will spin out on. We can both mow pretty well the same areas, but we have to choose our battles to fit each particular mower.
A zero turn mower that slips forward on a downhill slope needs MORE wheel speed for steering control, sometimes at a time when you'd really like to be slowing down.
If your yard is not hilly, this shouldn't matter to you.
I hope you get good service from your new mower.
Paul
I've had a Grasshopper for about five years, and it's been trouble free.
My son has had a Kabota for about three years and it's been trouble free.
If you have a good local dealer, they will bring a mower out to your place and demonstrate it for you. If the dealer won't do that, I wouldn't mess with him.
If your yard is hilly, you need to realize the difference in mower configurations. On a steep downhill slope, my Grasshopper will nose right up to a ditch and back away. My son's Kabota will slide forward in the same situation. He can go straight up a hill however, that my Grasshopper will spin out on. We can both mow pretty well the same areas, but we have to choose our battles to fit each particular mower.
A zero turn mower that slips forward on a downhill slope needs MORE wheel speed for steering control, sometimes at a time when you'd really like to be slowing down.
If your yard is not hilly, this shouldn't matter to you.
I hope you get good service from your new mower.
Paul
I myself, like the Country Clipper. It is made in SW Iowa. Extremely reliable, durable, and low maintaince costs. Heck I had mine for 5 years and only replaced oil, filters, battery, and 1 set of blades. I tried them all and was sold on the C.C. because of the single "joy stick" controll. Google their web site. Just my .02
Someone recommended the Country Clipper and said they really like the joy stick. I had a Dixon for 10 years then got a Country Clipper. The Country Clipper is a very good trouble free mower but I don't like that joy stick. Guess just got used to the 2 sticks. I suggest before you get any joy stick mower to try one out and see what you think. Otherwise the Country Clipper is very good.
Brokenwrench
Member
We have a Scag and really like it. One thing to watch is the motor size. We tried one out with a 23 hp vanguard, what a dog. Told the dealer no way, loved how heavily built the deck was and the simple design, but it was doggy in thick grass or on any slope. He had us try one with a 27 hp Kohler, night and day difference, that one stayed. Hydrostat is smooth and quick and has plenty of power. We only have about 100 hrs on it so time will tell how easy it will be to maintain.
Not sure how much you are willing to spend but here is my 2 cents.
I am a park manager, I run all Kubota's. I have 3 zero turns, a 4x4 front mounted deck and a Kubota tractor. The oldest unit zero turn 2001 with 2000 hours The newest is a 2007 with 200 hours. (the tractor is a 1994 with just over 3,000 hrs) The biggest problems I have with them is the high school/college kids on them. Just make sure the decks stay greased and follow the maintenance intervals in the book or under the hood and it will last you a long time. The diesels are great engines that are good on fuel. I really like the hyd. lift decks. Comparing the 2001 and the 2007 they have come a LONG way and made a good product great and very user friendly.
Course, I don't get to use them often sitting behind a desk... but my Dad owns one and I mow his lawn for him.
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