Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire ZERO TURN MOWERS

My bride is lobbying for a zero turn mower. Any recommendations on what to get and just as importantly what not to get? We don't need a $10K + model. She cuts our 1 1/2 acre yard and shop yard. She has been complaining about her 28" cut Snapper and I like for her to be happy. Got to have electric start so I don't have to come home and start it.

A wife that cuts grass is good to have around. Now if I could just get her to clean fish and pick ducks.

I got a Spartan mower last summer and have been very happy with it.

I bought a used Exmark from a coworker liquidating his side mowing business, 2003 model year, in 2010. I've used it way too rough on our rock patch, uneven, tree rooted up yard that is a glorified rock patch. Any issues I have had were self induced, but it keeps on going.

I think all the big names are good though, they're mostly all using commodity type components and bolting them to their frame.

Buy it by the pound is an old saying that is true.

Spartan was started by founder of Bad Boy after he sold his shares of Bad Boy. Then Toro just bought out Spartan a few months back. Toro also owns Exmark as of 1997 and LawnBoy. Didn't realize the extent they were in the mowing manufacturers.

Snapper 360z. It’s not really a Snapper. It’s a Ferris without the commercial suspension. A 48 or 52 inch version with the Kawasaki motor is perfect for your needs.

I have a 6 year old bad boy 60” cut, I mow four acres. No real issues, I would buy bad boy again. Before that we had a 50” cub cadet for 10-12 my brother still has it.

My neighbor has a 60” cut Gravely that’s many years old and a newer Huskquarna. All the above have been good mowers. Probably not much help.

Buy from a good dealer. Got my Bad Boy in Tioga, I service it myself but they have always had a part if I needed it.

She needs to take lessons on the proper posture for operation before acquiring a zero-turn. It is absolutely vital to sit bolt upright and to look straight ahead with a look of seriousness akin to disarming a bomb. To deviate from looking straight ahead or to smile violates the code of the zero-turn mower operator.

Husqvarna Z248F

Kawasaki motor
Fabricated Deck

$3200

I don't think you can get a better one for less

On the low end, any of the ones you can get from a big box with a V-Twin Kawasaki for under $3500 should serve you well.

For slightly more money:

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...d-48-zero-turn-lawn-mowers-outdoor-power

Stepping up a notch to this one would probably be money well spent at $4500

https://ranchlandtractor.com/Lawn-M...-MS-e1cc7805-01c9-4561-a027-ae9701019758

Most of the big names are good, look for the Kawasaki V twin engine with 20+HP. Another thing to look at is the hydrostatic transmission, they are not all the same. Some are sealed and cannot be serviced. The uprated ones have oil filters and can be serviced. Saying all that last year I bought a Ferris. Very happy so far 26HRS. Pushing it on 8 acres cleared that has to be mowed. Even though Ferris is now owned by Briggs and Straton I got one with the Kawasaki engine. It was about $3200, but I got a deal as I bought a tractor as well.

If she’s going to use it, take her and let her pick it out. Just grit your teeth and pay for it. I’d buy one of a brand that a local place stocks parts for.

The secret to running a zero turn is to grab the handles and pretend you are pushing a grocery cart. They are pretty fun to use.

Have had the Snapper 360z for several years and its been very reliable. Got it from O'Connor's and their service before and after the sale was great. As someone mentioned they are built by Ferris and I've beat hell outa mine without any serious issues. Replaced belts/blades and such a few times but nothing that I didn't cause. Chopping sagebrush up will occasionally wear out a belt and blades. Mine was less that current prices, but they still look pretty competitive.

Snapper 360z

Bad Boy!!

It used to be just ZTR, "Zero Turn Radius".
I've got about 2 acres of yard, interspersed by a garden, grape vineyards, blackberry trellis, fruit and nut trees and the obligatory shrubs, bushes and barns.
A ZTR would be nice, but I can't see spending $4 to $5K for a lawnmower.
I have a Troybilt, 42" cut, rider. A lot cheaper and does the job just fine.

....and yes, I'd have a ZTR in a heartbeat....if I could talk myself into turning loose with that much cash! LOL!

I’ve had a 60 inch Bad Boy CZT for several years. I mow my yard and my Mom’s yard. About 4 acres. It’s been a good mower, but some of the wires are tight and have pulled loose a few times. It’s annoying, but a cheap and easy fix.

If my horses can't get to it a lawn service has to or I just let it grow.

Spend too much time outdoors recreating to waste even a moment cutting grass.

Imagine the quality fly fishing gear a guy could buy with the money spent on a mower, oil and gas...

It's a no brainer.....

I was a Hustler fan until they went cheapo big box store crap. If I were in the market I'd look hard at Scag.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^
Just invest in the Scag & be done with it!

College buddy is an engineer at Hustler. They’ll sell you non cheap big box store stuff as well. Said they have one that will mow a football field in 8 minutes.

Cub pro Z with steering wheel. They are fantastic especially on hills.