Its not the FX (commercial version) that everyone feels is the best engine on the market. Mow high, mow in the afternoon and side discharge until the spring growth has subsided. Q: What are your thoughts about Kohler vs Kawasaki quality? Long story short, I have recently moved into a new home that is 2.6 acres. Im starting off this article with a list of my choice for the best zero-turn mowers for 2022. What would you suggest to best meet my needs? Also, the price for their 1 time leaf collection last year easily justifies a better solution there. 4. With the Radius X you can easily cut over 5 acres an hour with it and have a perfectly level cut. Nz is slowly importing a few US mowers. Im looking for a new mower to handle about an acre of gently sloped (about 10 degrees in spots) yard and am seriously considering going for a ZTR mower. Id go visit each dealer and buy from the one you trust the most. Many smaller commercial owners are using the Patriot and it holds up to 10 acres a day every day use. There is one mower that is designed for this type of work. Bradley Stander 36 (top choice because stander) Q: Is Kohler EFI engine a reliable engine? Yes, the engine is made for Toro by Loncin. If they drop a name it most likely will be Poulan Pro. (Its been flawless) It also has a fabricated 42-inch deck. Both are heavier duty than the ZT2, have better decks that will cut better and faster, however the Apex is only a few hundred more so is the best choice in my opinion. A friend of mine sold his X-Mark to buy a Bay Boy. I can spend up to $8,000. It built better than the commercial mowers we used 20 years ago. Thank you Paul. Travel as fast as 8.5 mph (13.7 kph) Buy / Tractor Supply. Do you think I should go down to a 42, or stay with the larger engines and beefier decks that come with the larger mowers? Do you have any thoughts on how easy (or not) the Toros vs. the Deeres are to work on? What can you tell me about these two, is it worth paying the extra $? I have looked at the Ariens Ikon 52, Bad Boy Elite, Skag Liberty Z 52, and Toro Timemaster with Soft Ride Suspension. Ive noticed that they offer two different engines though. Cut Quality: This mower cuts very well and depending on your grass you may be able to mow at 6-7 mph. This turned into long story long so again i really appreciate your time! It seems to me that you appreciate the Ariens mowers as the better built and maybe longer lasting. If you were only mowing 3 acres Id say go for it. The 375 gives me the R package, a 54 deck, and the 25 HP ELS engine. The second contractor uses a Walker mower. Should I be considering someone/something else? Walker will gladly come out and demo one on your property. Another possibility is to go back to a lawn/garden tractor. When my wife mows, she complains about how bumpy I want a mulching deck since I mow around my market garden and I cant sell lettuce mix that is covered in grass clippings. The Walker will also give you the best cut out of all the mowers and stripes as well as the best commercial decks. I also expect that following the bed lines in the front part of the lawn will be more difficult with a garden tractor. I was able to cut some grass at an ariens dealer with the Ikon x 52. You will find it on entry level commercial mowers where the price is the most important feature. I have a rather small yard no more than 1.5 acres but I have a serious spinal cord injury that causes a very painful condition and constant mind numbing back pain so I probably shouldnt cut grass at all but I enjoy it and it allows me to feel productive which is something I miss ever since someones carelessness left me disabled about 4 years back. Its pretty common to go through a belt a year with the with MTD 42 and 46-inch decks made before 2015. If I recall correctly, Bradley actually had a stand-on before Bob Cat. Funny you should ask. Paul, our 1 acre lot in PA has some trees, and is a bit bumpy in spots. I like both of them a lot. 1. Are you kidding me? 4. (and may be included). Hi Daron, If you do a lot of towing the Toro TimeCutter is the best choice in that price range. Since you will buy this from a dealer ask a mechanic to show you how to level the deck. The IKON XL and the Toro MyRide are much better choices. I can get on and off without the rail, but it involves using the deck as a step, which the dealer says is fine. Hey Paul, While the ZT2 would last much longer, my boss decided to go with the Jonsered tractor and its Costco guarantee even though Costco does not guarantee any product past the manufacturers warranty. Of course, durability is important. The Gravely ZT XL and the Ariens Ikon XD are essentially the same mower the Gravely just has the heavier duty transmission and a few other small features. I would I just need a residential as opposed to commerical. Loncin is one of the worlds largest engine manufactures and their quality is legendary. The only way Id recommend it is if you really, really liked the dealer. Hi Frank, there is only one the Ryobi 38 inch rider. But, you would notice that because one blade would cut higher than the other. After the first cut, he had words for it. They seem comparable but I like the Hydrogear 3100 transmission on the Kubota and the John Deere Kawasaki engine. 2. If you have a problem holding a gas can the SureCan is a great can. Hi Paul, really enjoyed reading the article and comments I feel so much more informed now. Hi Rob, My first choice is the Ariens IKON XL at Home Depot. Hi Paul trying to decide between the Toro 75750 and the Ikon XD 52. The 48-inch deck will give you a better cut than the 54 inch and still get done quickly. I enjoy mowing regularly (so Im looking forward to the fun of a ZTR). Thanks for the quick reply. The Toro also cuts exceptionally well but it wont stripe without a stripe kit. My personal first choice is always a stand-on but I dont recommend stand-on mowers smaller than 40 inches. So now I am wanting to look for a machine that is between 42-60 inches, floating deck, deck lifts up for easy blade replacement/clean and performs well for lawn cutting/orchard. I have a 1 acre lot of which 80% is mowable with a lot of trees and landscaping. In in the market for a zero turn and im not sure which one to go with. In the bulleted info points about the Toro above it reads: It is one of the best engines for fuel economy and is instantly responsive to heavy loads. He doesnt expect Jonsered riding mowers to be around for very long. Hi Art, Good comment! As time goes by and my father in law and neighbor get older Ill be cutting probably in the 10 acre range. Its a heavy-duty mower but the Deere will have more options available like baggers and mulch kits. Picture something you would use a brush hog for.. he was just able to do it a lot faster with a bobcat and an attachment. Im cutting about 3 acres now thatll likely go up to around 10 acres as I help my father in law. I normally keep a zero-turn about 3 years. Hi Paul, I think my earlier attempt at a reply went astray. Im not clear about whether theyre planning to stock any of the new Apex models, but if its the same as the ZT HD then I dont really see why they would. I like some of the stuff on the zt1, like the larger tires, the lights, my kids really like the looks of it, (they say it reminds them of bumblebee from the transformers movies), but Ive been reading about owners having problems with deck vibrations, so Im leery about getting it. I have videos up of the Ariens Edge and will have videos up of the IKON XD soon. Thanks again for your help! But the biggest problem is to find one that works. The Deere cuts well. But much of the remaining hillside (15 degree slope) ends at a tree line, so mowing straight up and down requires that I make turns on the hill. Thanks Paul. Youll like the Toro and at $1000 less it a great buy. When you are looking at the price of the Deere just remember the hitch is $150 additional! The driveshaft is more durable than the Grasshoppers. The Gravely ZT XL is also the same mower with the next larger transmissions and a 4-year warranty instead of 3 years. BTW If you look at the photos of both standers, the Bobcat frame / deck does look nearly identical (look at the caster arms, deck, deck suspensions). The fuel tank is located under the seat and the wide-tread rear tires, ensuring a low center-of-gravity for outstanding stability . I wanted to get your thoughts on a few different mowers. Youll never wear out the ZT 3400s on your lawn. No suspension. There are a lot of parts to install and youll need a helper to get all the bolts installed and tightened. Your second issue is many ZTRs are light in the front and the mower could tip over backwards going up that steep of a slope. Looking at either the Toro 42 in Time cutter with the Toro branded engine (75744) or the 50 in with the Kawasaki engine (75750) Then on the flip side on the Cub Cadet Im looking at the 46 in (ZT1 46) with the Cub Cadet branded engine or the 50 in (ZT1 50) with the Kawasaki engine. They dont have many dealers but if you order from them they will always take care of you if you ever have a problem with their products. Solid, Paul. Both have dealer support and both have the same sticker price. I dont recommend lawn tractors for slopes over 15 degrees. Home Depot sometimes runs a 10% off special if the HD Credit card is used. Q: What are your thoughts about transmissions with and without charge pumps? They are called the ZT XL and ZT HD. The cut of my cub cadet is pretty good so I assume the ultima would be as well. Paul a number of years ago I purchased a Craftsman 42 inch mower (T2200) that you recommended. The MX series is in between the TimeCutter and the Timecutter HD. Im also showing that Lowes is not going to carry most models in stock. The for the advice Paul. Howdy Paul. Main Street Mower 6.22K subscribers Comments 300 That Toro model is a higher class than the ZT Elite it is a $5,999 model vs the ZT - Elite at $4,999. The Toro MX5075 will give you the best ride and a great cut. Here is the Country Clipper website to locate a dealer in New Zealand: Country Clipper. I have two questions. They are fast but they can also mow 24-inch grass cleanly if needed. It is mostly level ground and what is not is easy to use a push mower. If you cant get the Kaw I highly recommend the Toro. To compare apples to apples (by price) my first choice is the Gravely ZT HD/Ariens APEX. The Toro engine is not as well-known as the Kawasaki FR but has better reliability. I will check out the Z355R. 1. In addition, there is an optional jack for it so you can quickly raise the front of the mower to work on the deck. Below that list, I discuss the more popular brands and why buying a certain brand may be the best choice for you. And yes the Ultima XT2 can pull it loaded around your property once in a while. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kawasaki FS Series Engine with Front Wheel SuspensionAvailable at, Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX4 54 in. If you get the Toro make sure you get a set of the standard mulching blades. (Home Depot Link) this mower mows well and will handle the ditch. Since I can get the zt2 for only $300 more than the zt1, do I take my chances on it and hope the deck is good? I havent been able to see much on the cut quality of the apex and if its worth the extra $1000. For example, a 50-inch Toro Timecutter weighs 621 pounds, if the mower has a 60% load capacity then it can carry about 370 pounds. Ariens Ikon 42. The Fastrac is a great mower and the Raptor series has a good reputation especially if you have a good dealer to set the mower up initially. Their quality is what you expect. If he balks at that try for a tune-up kit, blades or air cleaner etc. Id have them around my place but my wife says we have enough pets. It will last 10 years with normal maintenance for you. (Its like having a locking diff on a Garden Tractor) I suggest the Z-Force S 48 for long life and the extra weight for traction. Triple layer spindle support. The Toros and the ZT X use the ZT2200 transmissions. Is this not the best value out there in commercial mowers? Only thing I have to go around is the back patio. A friend says I should get a Kubota that will last the rest of my life. Toro TimeCutter HD with MyRIDE with the Kawasaki 48. Later, if it gets harder to get on and off you can always add the step and hand bar. It side discharges and mulches very well. Toro TimeCutter MX Series MX5050 Zero Turn Rider 74774 (50): $3200 The Cub is designed with a more open engine compartment so maybe the sound will be dispersed outwards better. Hello Paul. Yes, they look cool but if you put one next to a comparable commercial mower (Toro, Exmark, Scag, etc) you will find cheaper parts in the Spartan. 3400 pumps, 23 tires, 7 gauge deck, 10mph, B&S Vanguard for $4200? 7. Am I right Im thinking that the Toro MX5000 has the Hydro Gear 2800 and the Ariens Ikon X has the smaller Hydro Gear 2200? What model should i be looking at for a rough and hilly yard? Stay away from the $3000 TRs with 54-inch decks the ZT2500 transmissions will also fail. Also, any recommendations for best time of year to purchase? I have 2 1/2 acres and my Husky is 9 years old. These models also ride well but they dont mulch quite as well as the Toro or John Deere. The gray AUTOMOWER 435X AWD Model 967 85 33-66 is the homeowner version. Has a very nice seat. Finally, given I dont have a trailer and that my truck is a stepside bed, most of these mowers, I dont think will fit in my truck. I am narrowing down my decision and researched Exmark but I am not that familiar with Walker ZTRs. Hi Paul. Ill be mowing my 1 acre, flat-to-mildly sloping residential lawn with minimal trees. Can a person get by with just buying the mulching blades as opposed to the entire mulching kit? Toro Timecutter: (they have a fabricated deck or a stamped deck not sure which to get) Havent seen no negative comments on these. Spent the last couple months searching for a ZTR. Are these two hydros basically the same or are the 3100s be the better choice of the two? Hi Chris, The Ferris IS600z is a commercial mower and is really overkill for 2 acres. 48-52 Heavy-Duty Fabricated Deck 5-7 Acres, 48-52 Heavy-Duty Stand-On Fabricated Deck, You can find a lot more information on the 48-52 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Sixteen Best 48-52 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 54-62 inch Fabricated Deck Up To 3-7 Acres, 54-62 inch Heavy-Duty Fabricated Deck Up To 10 acres or more, Ariens ZENITH 60 Kawasaki Model 991158 Kawasaki FX730V engine 24 hp/726cc Find Your Local Dealer: Ariens Dealer Locator, You can find a lot more information on the 54-72 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Sixteen Best 54-72 Inch Residential Zero Turn Mowers. If you have ever pulled a boat or camper the specs always include total gross weight and the tongue weight. Kawasaki slowly increased the price but because of the brand acceptance the owners kept buying them. Possible candidates would be a Toro TimeCutter HD or Titan, a Cub Cadet ZT2, or possibly a John Deere or some sort. Stepping up from there is the Ariens / Gravely APEX / ZT-HD 52. Nevertheless it was good convo back and forth. I have 15 acres of grass with voles holes/tunnels, berms, bumpy grass and fences. My understanding is he was originally a part owner in Bad Boy mowers he didnt like the direction Bad Boy was heading so he started his own brand of ZTRs. Lastly, $3.5K $5.5K or thereabouts would be presentable to the Queen Beejust sayin. Fabricated Deck 24 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar ControlAvailable at, Toro 60 in. (I did cut the lawn once with a 21 walk behind mower took me 2 hours and 45 minutes, and walking the hillside sideways with that mower was really hard on my knees and hips. Even on the Cub Cadet website they advertise it with a Kawasaki engine. I like the fully welded frame on the Cub Cadet but on the other hand, you never hear of frame cracking on the Deere either. Do you think ZTRs would handle this? Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers, and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Toro and Cub Cadet both offer really good parts availability and local service. We have one here and my wife has been trying to break it for over two years. Warren, RI, Hi Mike, I knew you would like it! Paul, As I look at prices for what I can get for a 50 with Toro and Ariens it looks like I can get either at around $3100 which is $400 more than what 42 V-Twin costs. Im not sure which is more important for stability when turning on the hill. Thats very helpful. John I wanted to have beefier Transaxles. Hey Paul, Very informative article! They both cut well and will last you a long time. And remember dry ground this time of year can be just as slippery as wet ground. ZTRs 42 The Gravely ZT XL model seems to be a good sweet spot with the 2800 transaxles and well-built machine. PLEASE ADVISE. They do look VERY similar. If you want a one and done mower the Vanguard is definitely the engine to buy. Bad Boy MZ Magnum, 54 in. And Im perfectly happy to buy the ZT HD instead; I just hadnt really had Gravely on my radar before I talked with them. The ZT 3100 with charge pumps has a history of blowing the o-rings around 500 hours. Hi Jake, I like the Ariens better. I can tell you Ive had my Cut Cadet Ultima ZT2 54 for 2 1/2 months now, and it rocks! Believe it or not, I didnt have to replace the blade belt but about two years ago. I prefer the Walker. The idler bracket has a habit of wearing out the pivot hole. It comes in a 42-inch deck model and a 50-inch deck model. I've always owned John Deere ZT mowers, so I can't tell you of the Bad Boy mowers. And engines with Briggs CX125 are in this range of deck sizes 48, 54 & 60 inches. He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can. Hi paul, Great review!!! They revised it and its now called the EDGE. 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