Zero Turn Mowers

wimpykid · Apr 5, 2017

What's the good, the bad, and the ugly on zero turns?

I've got a 16 year old wanting to get a few more yards to mow this summer and we are tired of it taking so long on the normal 42" lawn tractor. Told him I would purchase a zero turn and make it easier and quicker to do a job. My dilemma is I've had a few guys I work with say that style mower can get away from you going down hill and I should think about a walk behind. I'm ready to purchase and thought I would get some thoughts here before I do.

I test drove a Ferris walk behind and was impressed with the power and ease of use. What are the pros and cons of a walk behind compared to a regular sit down zero turn?

Any input would be appreciated.

pplblazerdude · Apr 5, 2017

My brother runs a mowing business and runs nothing but scags. Turf tigers and walk behinds. My yard is somewhat steep and it is scary on a turf tiger. A walk behind you can lie about anything you can walk on within reason. Around here "east tn" if you have to choose one a walk behind is the better to have. Not as fast but you can mow anything.

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wimpykid · Apr 5, 2017

I'm East Tenn as well.

Thanks for the info. I have plans on taking my son Friday so he can test drive the Ferris and a scag walk behind. Those are the ones I have priced.

Nolan6415 · Apr 5, 2017

I have Hustler Fastrac Super Duty with a 54" deck with a 25 hp Kawasaki on it. It's sits low to the ground and I've mowed sideways on hills that would pull the front wheels if I tried to mow up them. It sticks to the ground very good and I've mowed several banks and ditches with it and it never has felt like it was going to slide or turn over.

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The-Boss · Apr 5, 2017

http://www.hardlinecrawlers.com/forums/index.php?topic=51281.0
Recent discussion on it might help.

wimpykid · Apr 5, 2017

The-Boss said:
http://www.hardlinecrawlers.com/forums/index.php?topic=51281.0
Recent discussion on it might help.

Thanks for copying that link. I've tried doing searches for things on here with no luck.

After reading through all this, I've got some more research to do.

fordcontraption01 · Apr 5, 2017

You need to bring him out and let him ride mine. Plus I really don't want to mow so it will be a win win for me maybe. And yes a zero turn will get out from under you.

bbtank45 · Apr 5, 2017

Slap a decent set of v tread ag tires on em, they'll climb cable hill :****:

wimpykid · Apr 5, 2017

fordcontraption01 said:
You need to bring him out and let him ride mine. Plus I really don't want to mow so it will be a win win for me maybe. And yes a zero turn will get out from under you.

May take you up on that.

fordcontraption01 · Apr 5, 2017

bbtank45 said:
Slap a decent set of v tread ag tires on em, they'll climb cable hill :****:

I took the grooved to my turf tires. It will pull the front tires at will now :****:

kdoss54 · Apr 5, 2017

all of the lawn care services in my area use zero turns along with a bunch of residential i would recommend a zero turn over walk behind anyway.

CHASMAN9 · Apr 6, 2017

If money is an issue and he can't afford the Big Dog stuff, go to Lowes and pickup a John Deere Z245 for about $3200. I mow 8 acres around my house with one and it does the job just fine. Buy the extended warranty with it and rock out. :dblthumb:

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Toddy · Apr 6, 2017

Exmark walk behind with a sulky. Will mow anything. Kinda high but you get what you pay for. If it doesn't work out still bring good money used.

The Luke · Apr 6, 2017

If he's wanting to get into a walk behind, I've got a jd walk behind I'm wanting to get rid of. It could use a little work. I bought it off a local kid that couldn't get it to run. It'll run now, but needs the carb tuned(running rich)and some wiring fixed where that kid thought he knew what he was doing. I just don't need it. Comes with a sulky. I'll take what I've got in it. $600.

outlaw yota · Apr 6, 2017

Yes riders are very dangerous on steep hills ,don't try and run it on a side hill.I have a cheap old scag walk behind,and try and make a living with it.

TacomaJD · Apr 6, 2017

Re: Re: Zero Turn Mowers

CHASMAN9 said:
If money is an issue and he can't afford the Big Dog stuff, go to Lowes and pickup a John Deere Z245 for about $3200. I mow 8 acres around my house with one and it does the job just fine. Buy the extended warranty with it and rock out.

ADMINISTRATOR

I can get behind this idea ^^^ I read a bunch on them last year when I was looking at em and never read any bad about em.

Side note, a friend of mine bought this Spartan ztm today. I never heard of that brand til today, but looks like it is built to the hilt and has a comfy ass looking seat! Probably overkill for what you need though.

CHASMAN9 · Apr 7, 2017

Re: Re: Zero Turn Mowers

TacomaJD said:
I can get behind this idea ^^^ I read a bunch on them last year when I was looking at em and never read any bad about em.

Side note, a friend of mine bought this Spartan ztm today. I never heard of that brand til today, but looks like it is built to the hilt and has a comfy ass looking seat! Probably overkill for what you need though.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with some unknown name brands when they are using known name brand parts such as Briggs & Stratton engines and such. At least on the home quality line of equipment I guess. :dunno: