Zero Turn Mowers

[spud]

I know this Thread is a little off topic but because so many of us Traders are farmers I feel your the best ones to ask. I am buying a Zero Turn mower in the next 2-3 months and I need to know who makes the best? I will be mowing my apple orchard this summer and it is about 5 acres. My Toro riding mower is to hard on the back so I need a smooth rider that will get the job done fast. I have an image to uphold (haha) so please don't suggest Sears. Thank you.

Spud

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Ferris is fast and smooth.

[TonyL]

Generally speaking, ZTR's ride rough. There are exceptions, Scag introduced a model with an isolated operator capsule that supposedly is pretty smooth, haven't been on one yet myself. Ferris has independent suspension, and they ride good, but the deck follows the suspension travel so cut quality is a complaint I hear from time to time. Hustler had a flex-fork option that helped a lot.

The biggest thing, is to get a good seat....a VERY good seat ($$$). The suspension seats offered on the commercial models make all the difference. I do service and repair on outdoor power equipment, and I have seen most models. The best built units I am familiar with come from Kubota...nice stuff. My personal mower is a Scag, and I like it a lot. Hustler, Ferris, Exmark and Toro all build nice units also. The trick, irregardless of the brand, is to buy up into the full commercial models. Most companies will build a price point model for the consumer market....you get what you pay for. If you decide on a commercial, I would expect to pay a minimum of $6-$7000 ...and that's for a smaller, entry level commercial unit. The sky's the limit.

[Drew Pond Maple]

I have an older Walker mower. I bought it years ago from a landscaper who retired it from his fleet. It has a 48" bagger deck and a 60" side discharge deck. Also has a thatcher attachment. With a 3 cylinder liquid cooled Kubota engine, she gets the job done in a hurry. Maybe too pricey for a new one for home owner use

[unc23win]

Howdy Spud,

I know you were asking about zero turns, but when we were looking for a new morrow we decided to get a Kubota B series with 72" deck instead of a zero turn. We mow quite a bit of lawn around my barn and arena probably 2-3 acres, but decided it would nice to have something that could do other things so we got a loader and a rototiller for it both go on and off in minutes it rides pretty good and the seat easily adjusts for different weight. It was a little more money, but we use it all year. Another plus is that Kubota almost always has 0% for 60 months which is hard to beat as well. My brother has a commercial grade Cub Cadet Zero turn he likes a lot, but all he is a towny.

[Drew Pond Maple]

Howdy Spud,

I know you were asking about zero turns, but when we were looking for a new morrow we decided to get a Kubota B series with 72" deck instead of a zero turn. We mow quite a bit of lawn around my barn and arena probably 2-3 acres, but decided it would nice to have something that could do other things so we got a loader and a rototiller for it both go on and off in minutes it rides pretty good and the seat easily adjusts for different weight. It was a little more money, but we use it all year. Another plus is that Kubota almost always has 0% for 60 months which is hard to beat as well. My brother has a commercial grade Cub Cadet Zero turn he likes a lot, but all he is a towny.Well said Jared. I own a Kubota. L series but couldn't justify getting a belly mower for one acre. Never thought of that and could use it for other things. I use mine mine for more things than it was designed for

[Paul VT]

Generally speaking, ZTR's ride rough. There are exceptions, Scag introduced a model with an isolated operator capsule that supposedly is pretty smooth, haven't been on one yet myself. Ferris has independent suspension, and they ride good, but the deck follows the suspension travel so cut quality is a complaint I hear from time to time. Hustler had a flex-fork option that helped a lot.

The biggest thing, is to get a good seat....a VERY good seat ($$$). The suspension seats offered on the commercial models make all the difference. I do service and repair on outdoor power equipment, and I have seen most models. The best built units I am familiar with come from Kubota...nice stuff. My personal mower is a Scag, and I like it a lot. Hustler, Ferris, Exmark and Toro all build nice units also. The trick, irregardless of the brand, is to buy up into the full commercial models. Most companies will build a price point model for the consumer market....you get what you pay for. If you decide on a commercial, I would expect to pay a minimum of $6-$7000 ...and that's for a smaller, entry level commercial unit. The sky's the limit.
Tony said it well. I'm probably going to repeat basically what he said.
I have worked on zero turn and commercial mowers for over 20 years. Seen and repaired many. The following is my opinion from experience. Many of the manufactures make price point and high end models. My favorites are scag, ferris, kubota, exmark, hustler, there is another yellow brand that Im not a fan of for many reasons. They do build some higher end models that are not to bad. I prefer the scag. I have owned one for 18 years and I cut a lot of grass. The only thing besides oil and filters that I have changed is the blades. I have known people that use them in Christmas tree farms and really like them. Again like tony said. you will spend upwards of $7000 to get a good well built unit that will hold up for many years.

[unc23win]

Well said Jared. I own a Kubota. L series but couldn't justify getting a belly mower for one acre. Never thought of that and could use it for other things. I use mine mine for more things than it was designed for

I also forgot to say the deck comes off in minutes and it gives it pretty good ground clearance and it has 4x4 plus a locking differential.

[spud]

Wow thank you everyone for your input. I have talked to the local Kubota dealer and I can get a 54 inch gas commercial mower for $8000.00 and the seat was just what I needed for my back. It was zero down and $179.00 per month for 48 or 60 months. Jared the tractor with belly mower sounds like a great option. I will price that out also. I have never heard of Ferris mowers but I will look them up. It sounds like they are very good because several of you mentioned it. Thank you again everyone.

Spud

[maple flats]

While I run a 3 wheeler, not a ZTR, I like my Ferris. If you go with Ferris, be sure to get a commercial model (red) not a homeowner model (green). The difference is huge in quality (gauge of metal and serviceability of components). I've tried ZTR but found then not ideal for my use. I mow in my 4.5 acres of blueberries and the bushes catch the control levers and turn the rig towards the bush, would that be an issue in your orchard? My Ferris is one of their commercial models and it is from the mid eighties and still runs and performs well. Original engine, however I did replace 2 spindles and the electric clutch about 18 yrs ago. My brother has one that is 2-3 yrs older and it still has everything except blades and spindles original.
Ferris mowers are made about 8 miles south of my home, and they must be doing something right, they have expanded several times in the last 15 years.

[wishlist]

I researched the heck out of them 5 years ago. One thing I noticed was commercial guys were using scag or exmark. I went with the exmark and couldn't be happier. 28 hp kawasaki with a 60" deck mows 3 acres with lots of obstacles, trees and such, in no time. The quality of cut is awesome on the zero turns. I also use a roller behind mine and use it to move a 5x10 trailer around.

Something I found interesting was JD used 1 hydraulic pump for both drive wheels. I didn't care for that at all. The other big name units all had independent pumps for each wheel.

[jgrenier]

I have been in the commercial mowing business for 17 year and have used almost every thing on the market for zero turn mowers in my opinion the Ferris mower is the one I would stay with it has independent front and rear suspension, top of the line cut and cheaper annual maintenance. Not to mention the parts cost of the Kabota. The Exmarks are good but not suspension

[spud]

Well I thought I would give an update on which zero turn mower I have decided on. I looked at the Kubota and at first thought this was the mower for me. Then I saw the John Deere and thought maybe this would be better but still not sure. I then went down to the Ferris dealer and was blown away with the quality of this mower. I bought a Ferris model 700Z and I bought the better seat that comes on the 2100 models. Thanks again to everyone that has shared their opinions. I can't wait to start mowing.:)

Spud

[Paul VT]

Spud I think you will be very happy. Once you have mowed with a zero turn you won't want to use anything else ever again.
Paul

[Michael Greer]

I'm sure to ruffle some feathers here, but I think there's a difference between "mowing grass" and "lawn care". I see a lot of lawns around here being mowed with zero-turn machines of all stripes, and I can't stand the way they carve a donut circle around every tree and obstacle. The little skid marks at every start, stop, and turn annoy my eye. The same fellows that scar up the landscape tend to finish the job by ignoring the clippings on the sidewalk, or blowing the grass clippings into the street. It's fast, but it ain't lawn care...

[spud]

I agree with you Michael. I am kind of a neat freek when it comes to the lawn also. The zero turn mower that I just bought in large part will be used on my 6 acre apple orchard. There is a lot of people that think I am crazy for even mowing around my apple trees but I just like the look.

Spud

[TonyL]

I'm sure to ruffle some feathers here, but I think there's a difference between "mowing grass" and "lawn care". I see a lot of lawns around here being mowed with zero-turn machines of all stripes, and I can't stand the way they carve a donut circle around every tree and obstacle. The little skid marks at every start, stop, and turn annoy my eye. The same fellows that scar up the landscape tend to finish the job by ignoring the clippings on the sidewalk, or blowing the grass clippings into the street. It's fast, but it ain't lawn care...

Just like making maple syrup, the operator plays a pivotal role in the endeavor. A competent one will take that ZTR and mow your yard quickly, and correctly. Mowing grass vs. lawn care would appear to me to be a case of the desired finish. Some are finished when they pack syrup into 55 gallon drums, while others don't call it done until they've dipped the neck of the filled, 12 oz bottles into hot wax, and tied the hang tag on with jute. They've both made syrup, however.