Might as well make yourself comfortable. Before you buy, literally get on it. How does it feel? Is the seat comfortable? Is your back supported? Can you easily see and reach the control panel? Beyond just cutting the grass, some zero-turn manufacturers sell attachments to fit your needs — whether you want to bag grass clippings, mulch, snow plow, thatch or more.
If you have the need, zero-turn mowers are definitely worth it. Why the big cost difference? Higher-end models typically come with all the bells, whistles, and added durability and comfort.
To find the one you want to bring home, check out all our great riding lawn mowers at Toro. Post By Related Related Post. The levers and controls should allow you to change the settings on the machine without getting out of your setting to reach levers or switches. Some models come with digital displays that show you the current operating rpm and height setting of the cutting deck.
These displays are useful to keep an eye on your machine, changing the operating parameters without the need to dismount and inspect the settings manually. All zero turn mowers come with air-filled tires as you find on a go-kart.
Check the safety options on your machine before you purchase. Some models come with automatic chokes, kill switches, and various other safety features to prevent accidents on the job. In case you still have some unanswered questions about selecting your ideal zero-turn mower, we suggest you look through these frequently asked questions. The zero-turn models work on a lever system for moving backward and forward.
To make turns while steering your machine, all you need to do is push the lever slightly more forward on the opposite side you want to turn. Push the left lever forward to turn right, and the right lever to turn left.
Pulling the controls backward will launch your mower into reverse gear. Most zero-turn mowers can handle a gradient of up to degrees. These machines both perform the same function of mowing your grass, but they operate entirely differently. The tractor mower tows the cutting deck behind it, while the zero-turn pushes the cutting deck in front of the machine. Zero-turn mowers also cut grass far faster than tractor mowers, minimizing the time you spend on the job.
Service your machine with a dealer every 6 to months, depending on your use of the mower. After every job, clean the cutting deck and inspect the other components for damage. The first time you hop onto your zero-turn mower, you might find the controls a little confusing. It takes a minute or two to get used to steering with the levers instead of a wheel. As a safety tip, keep the engine at a low throttle while you master the controls.
The low throttle speed ensures that moving the levers provides you with a gentle turning action that helps you master the control of the machine.
By now, you should have a good idea of the right zero-turn mower for your landscaping or estate management duties. We spent hours evaluating the best machines available, and our top picks are the best in the industry. The Husqvarna MZ61 is our choice for the best premium model money can buy. This machine has a huge inch cutting deck that makes short work of the largest mowing jobs.
This machine has the power and cutting deck to keep your estate looking tidy throughout the summer season. Robin owns his own Landscape Gardening company based in the UK and has over 10 years professional experience working outdoors, creating beautiful landscapes for his clients in the UK.
He is also a keen garden-grower and maintains his own fruit and vegetable gardens. He also has a level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture from The Royal Horticultural Society and is currently working on his first book about gardening. Contact him at Robin gardenbeast.
I love the hydraulic deck to adjust on the fly with the terrain. Yes, a Country Clipper has a step in the front for easy on and off. No more stepping on to a slippery deck. Have any questions feel free to email me. Mostly auto deck issues. Now that the warranty went out this May the deck motor went out! If anyone is looking to spend a lot of money to get a zero turn mower. Foot pedal adjustable! Good luck! I have a 55 acre farm and use a zero turn on about 14 acres once a week and for many years only bought and used Hustler mowers.
Two years ago I was on the look for a new mower. I have to say that there are no regrets and the mower is excellent. After two years of 14 acres a week I have not had even the slightest problem out of the mower. It goes up and down hills, it will ride extremely steep ditch lines like a champ, and even without the stripe roller does an excellent job of striping on your first pass.
I would highly recommend that people consider the Radius X Series when shopping for a new zero turn. Just right for my property. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By Robin Watson September 29, Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging.
The product ships with all relevant accessories, and may arrive in a generic box. Pros: Premium brand Powerful hp Kawasaki motor inch cutting deck Ergonomic handles and user controls Padded ergonomic seat Suitable for landscaping work and estate maintenance Fuel Capacity 3. Cons: Pricey. Cons: Expensive Might be too big for some smaller estates. Pros: Excellent value for money Powerful hp Kawasaki engine inch cutting deck Ergonomic controls and padded seat Suitable for large estates and smaller golf courses.
Cons: Cutting deck could be a few inches wider. Snapper z The Snapper z is one of our favorite models in this review, and worthy of consideration. Cons: Not suitable for everyday use Expensive. Cons: Noisy. Ariens Apex 60 Professional landscapers looking for another top-quality product that lasts for decades should consider the Ariens Apex 60 model.
Pros: Hydrostatic transmission Ideal for tough terrain Cones with padded ergonomic seat and armrests easy to reach control levers rugged design inch cutting deck Suitable for professional use Bagging Capabilities. Bestseller No. Husqvarna Z 54 in. The optimal efficiency provides the ultimate mowing experience.
Maximum cutting height is 3. Robin Watson Robin owns his own Landscape Gardening company based in the UK and has over 10 years professional experience working outdoors, creating beautiful landscapes for his clients in the UK.
Walter 1 year ago Reply. David Baker 8 months ago Reply. Spartan Mowers are the best in the business. Hans Chaddick 4 months ago Reply. Keeler 1 year ago Reply. What is your view of the Walker brand of mowers? No more stepping on to a slippery deck 1 year ago Reply. Sherry Armstrong 1 year ago Reply. Leslie LaRoche 12 months ago Reply. John 1 year ago Reply. Why is a Ferris mover never reviewed? I think the transmission just died, pulling a cart of dirt.
Serviceman is looking at it to give me a repair quote, but he suggested I not spend money on a repair and recommended a Gravely ZT HD. The whole yard is sloped. We built on the property in , and prior it was pasture. Yard is fairly smooth though a bit bumpy. What do you think of the Gravely recommendation? Competitors to consider? Deck size? Hi Dan, The Gravely ZT HD is a very good mower and the transmissions are strong enough to last — even if you need to pull loads of dirt a few times a year.
I highly recommend it. Hi and thanks for a very informative article. The whole place is flat. Is there one machine that will mow the lawn every week or two, plus knock down the field once or twice a year? Hi Scott, Head over to this article: The Best Residential Zero Turn Mowers at the top of the article look at the first four mowers in the inch list. These mowers will cut your lawn well and are rugged enough to handle the pasture. When you mow the pasture raise the deck up as high as it will go.
Mow back and forth then mow it again at a degree angle to your first mow. If you can safely mow — raise the discharge chute up and let the grass spread where it wants. I am on a bit over 8 acres in the hill country in TX. All the land is undeveloped aka natural growth. I also get heavy spring growth taller grasses and some thistles which i can cut down with a brush hog, but normally just need something to maintain the grass and weeds and not take the whole weekend to mow.
I was thinking a heavier duty zero turn because of the faster speeds, and ideally something that could go up to 5 inches most only go to 4 or 4. That said, the Gravely is a very good price! Hello, thank you for this great article! Is it enough? Since you have hills these transmissions will only hold up in the inch version of the ZT1. These mowers will give you the heavy-duty frames, decks, transmissions, and engines to last many years on hills.
Hi Paul, This is a great site thank you for sharing your input. I manage a large retreat in South TX and am in the market for a new mower. Our grounds keeper is wanting us to purchase a Ferris 72 inch. We are mowing about 15 Acres, that is about half smooth flat yard and half semi rough flat yard. I need a tough machine. What do you think? Hi w Jones, Why not stick with Scag? A couple of things,. A inch deck cuts more evenly and you can actually trim around more landscaping with the smaller deck.
In addition, the inch decks in mowers like the Scag cut mph faster than your old ZTR. Yes, the Ferris is very competitively priced. The suspension system does make a smooth ride but there are a lot more parts that will wear out over time compared to a Scag with a good suspension seat. I see a lot of contractors buying Ferris because of the price and advertising features — but they go back to their old brand after a few years. I am looking to upgrade one of the business mowers. It was fine in the beginning because we were only cutting a small amount of lawns.
I want a well made, beefy mower that is sturdy and sticks to the ground and has a deck that continues to cut while going over bump or uneven ground. Currently it feels like our brains are shaking when riding the Husqvarna, you literally walk away with a headache! We cut all kinds of terrain, hills, flat, lots of houses with trees with roots and bumps, some open areas etc, you name it we mow it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Dionne. Hi Dionne, My first choice is always Exmark then Scag. They have over half of the commercial market Gravely is also a top choice. If you have good local dealers for any of these three please take a hard look at them before you pick the Ferris or Country Clipper.
The Lazer Z E series is a solid step up from your old machine. The Lazer Z S series is one of the best riding, best cutting mowers in the industry. I love the Country Clipper residential line and I know their commercial models are built well and will last. They Challenger is listed as a high-end residential, entry level commercial so it will be a solid step up from the Husqvarna.
The Ferris will give you a smooth ride but there are a lot of extra moving parts that will wear over time. Hi Paul, I mow 5 acres of grass and it takes me about 7 hours on and old hand me down Murray 42 inch tractor.
My father in law can get it done in about 2 and a half hours on his zero turn. I want to say 50 inches is what he told me? My yard is mostly flat, but it is pretty rough in areas. It was a farm field before we bought the place. I wouldnt complain at all if I could get the job down to 2 hours. Im not hard on my equipment but I do want to not have to worry about whether the bump I just hit is going to cause any damage.
And I want a mower that will last me the better part of 20 years and be durable enough to not have to constantly be replacing parts due to excessive wear because the parts are simply smaller than they should be in order to cut manufacturing costs.
I am NOT concerned very much with cut quality, ride quality, Or fancy features. Based off of the information I have given you, can you suggest a make and model that would work well for me? Also what is your opinion on buying used? I havent checked prices at any other dealers. Thank you! Hi Peter, A Toro Titan is pretty much overkill for 5 acres. The best prices are through the links to Home Depot in the paragraph above. They discount the price a little and include free setup and delivery.
They actually use a local dealer for setup and delivery and that dealer will handle any warranty work you may need. No, buying a mower from a dealer is a completely different experience than buying a car.
The manufactures set the prices so any discount you may get from a dealer comes right out of their profit. Most will charge setup and delivery and a very few may negotiate that cost. Hi, I am looking to replace my jd lt with a zero turn.
I have 3 acres with a few trees and the land is flat. Looking at ferris is husqvarna and big boy diablo. Hi Daniel, Any one of those mowers will cut your mowing time is half or more and last a lot longer than the LT.
You may want to look at the Big Dog Stout — it will hold up well for 3 acres — the Diablo is a true commercial mower that is a little overkill.
That said,. I live on 1. I was looking at a Toro Would this be a good unit or should I look more at Gravely,Hustler, or Deere? If so what are the models I should look at. If not whats a good price Iowa for the Toro? Hi Alex, The Toro is one of the best mid-priced zero-turns on the market for cut, durability, and efficiency.
It will last you a lot longer than the ZForce. The exclusive MyRide suspension makes it the best riding mower right now. Some dealers will give you a small discount or offer free delivery, etc.
The exception is Home Depot. Fab I get the idea changing the mulching kit is not a simple process. Are there models more favorable than others for an easy switch?
Do you think the smaller side bagger 2 bushels is sufficient enough for moderate leaf collection maybe weeks in the fall? Thank you, Rob. Personally, instead of a bagger I mulch the leaves with the mower and then pick them up with a lawn sweeper.
This one has held up perfectly for me over the years: Agri-Fab 44 in. Tow-Behind Lawn Sweeper. It has a tiny, cheap, splash lube motor. Thank you Paul! One thing I really like about the Toro is the Smart-Speed. You can flip a lever and the Toro is capable of pulling stuff without worrying about burning out the transmissions. I also like the ride and the cut. Hello Paul — kudos on a great resource you have provided and continue to support!
With your help, I have narrowed my focus for purchase of new ZTR, but am struggling with that final decision and hoping you could offer some feedback. I am cutting 1. My teenage son may start mowing some neighborhood lawns next summer, very similar profile.
I live in Maryland, I want a good, quick cut. I typically spend more than minimum required, as I prefer to invest in quality equipment, that will last longer and require less frequent service. I have no tight areas and plenty of storage space. Would be nice to periodicaly pull cart, broadcast spreader and plu aerator, so that I can completely retire the Deere. I havent been able to find any at local dealer where I can physically see and touch these not currently in their inventories.
Would I be giving up anything else of substance if I stay with model? Any why is more expensive? Any concerns with the Toro engine? I was told by a Cub dealer, that they dropped Toro because they are no longer dealer friendly. Any truth to that statement from what you have heard? Much appreciate your feedback, thanks!
Hi Jim, If your son is going to mow other lawns you will want the inch cut. It mows more evenly than a inch deck. The only difference between the and the is the suspension platform on the The has a Kawasaki engine. Kawasaki thinks their engines are worth more than anyone else. The other 40 or so brands are all fighting for the rest.
But, like most of the other brands, they offer better dealer incentives if you buy in bulk, buy early and sell Toro as your primary brand. Paul, you helped me decide to buy my Ariens snowblower last year and it has been awesome — thanks! Now time for a lawnmower. I have a full acre of grass to cut and an considering a Simplicity Regent tractor, maybe a Broadmoore, Snapper Z zero turn. I am looking for speed, and ability to tow a cart and lawn sweeper.
How confident are you in ZT towing capabilities? Any thoughts on Snapper zero turns? Thanks again! You mow at mph. But they can pull stuff well. It uses a ground-hugging deck so it stripes well, but it is again slow — mph. It is a lawn tractor that will last you many years. If you promise to keep the loads in your cart to under LBs I can recommend it for your one-acre yard. That I hate It will mow at mph and last you a long, long time.
You can pull anything you want with it. Hello Paul, I just purchased a house that sits on about three acres of land in Wisconsin. Both are reputable dealerships but the one 8 miles away will charge to pick up and deliver the mower whereas the close dealership would pick it up for free and provide a loaner if needed. Is this type of service worth the normal sticker price in your experience? Thank you for your time and expertise!
Hi Kurt, A good local dealer is worth paying a competitive price. A good local Exmark is worth their weight in gold. In addition, Exmark is the best for parts. Their profit margin is not a great as most people think it is because they have a lot of overhead. That overhead includes well trained and well-paid mechanics, parts people and in-stock parts. Thank you for the response. I test drove the exmarks but they seemed very touchy and less smooth than the scags. Do you think it makes sense in my case?
Totaling about acres a month. I did all of those myself with one 60 inch Stand-on and a string trimmer. My crews did the residential and commercial accounts. I always ran inch decks. The extra width meant it would not tip over — ever — if the slope was too steep it would just slide off the hill. Safety-wise, if I ever did get in trouble all I had to do was step off the mower and it stopped. Trimming under tress is also easier. Just bend your knees and crouch down. You can trim under branches only 48 inches off the ground.
The Scag, Gravely and Exmark stand-ons will all mow as fast as the sit-down versions and they all have the better decks.
I appreciate the feedback on the standers! Do you think this mower makes sense for a residential first time buyer or would you recommend getting something cheaper? I figured that investing in a mower I plan to have for many years might make more sense but buying cheaper or used has crossed my mind.
These things are expensive! Hi Matthew, The current Kohler series engines are as good or better than the Kawasaki residential engines. The EXT transmissions with a inch deck will last you and never give you any issues. The Hustler Raptor 42 is also a good choice. I am not a big fan of ZTR with decks smaller than 42 inches. All of them suffer from traction issues and they will tear up your turf.
They are also very unstable and you can easily tip one over mowing around an old tree. Hopefully that was the right call. I live in the valley in Oregon and early spring mowing is tough with lots of moisture. I have been using the commercial Honda walk behind that does a great job. Baggers look a bit expensive and questionable for doing the job with wet grass.
I have looked at the Bad Boy mowers and Grasshopper. Can you weigh in on those and my situation? That powered blower takes the grass from the deck and blows it into the bagger. If you are looking at that expensive of a mower I suggest you also look at the Walker. Walker mowers are dedicated bagging mowers and designed to handle wet grass.
Looking to buy new but want the one that will last the longest and do a great job. A bit more than one acre. The less money spent the better. Hi Gary, The John Deere gives you the best cut. It will last years and any John Deere dealer will service it.
The Skag is the toughest of the three. It will also last years. Do you mean a Raptor HD? You get what you pay for meaning — the Raptor HD is a decent mower but the Deere and Skag will give you a better cut and last longer. Hi am interested in buying the zero turn mower I have two in mind gravely ZTHD or the grasshopper I really wanted the Gravley until I drove the grasshopper but this is my first zero turn purchase. I am mowing 4 acres and was wanting a 60 inch deck and would like your input thanks in advance.
The Gravely is also built well and should give you the best cut. It rides better and will cut faster than the Grasshopper. I like the Gravely a lot. I had in mind buying the Bradley stand on but was a little anxious about how I would like the stand on style mower and the lack of local dealer support.
So, I did some shopping around for one of the other top recommended mowers locally. Looking for a 54 or 52 inch. So I would like your advice on 2 things. First, do you know anything about these WorldLawn mowers? Has the trans and same Kawi motor as the Gravely and Hustler. Seems to be heavy duty and well built. Hi Jeremy, First choice. The cut is the same, the quality is the same and they will both last you a long time.
So, I suggest buying from the dealer you like and trust the most. I can work on my own equipment so I have no problems buying the Bradley. If I ever have an issue or need parts I know they will quickly help me get the problem resolved.
Plus, if I need maintenance parts they ship quickly or I can always stop by their showroom when I go visit my granddaughter. That said, if you are uncomfortable doing your own repairs or the type who wants someone else to do your warranty work then the Bradley is not for you. Last place. They changed the Encore name to Worldlawn at that time. The mowers are still manufactured in Beatrice, Nebraska but they are a wholly owned Chinese company.
Hi Paul, I have just over 2 acres and previously cut with John deere L slow and rough ride and alot of trimming! I am looking to buy a new one this spring one acre is rough terrain not many trees and the other acre is fairly smooth with medium inclines and a berm also.
Looking for something reliable and faster and not much trimming around trees. Any other suggestions are welcome. I have read articles where you mention Toro has best suspension for rough terrain. What are your thoughts on the 3 brands l mentioned for my property. Thks Laurie. Check out this article on the zero-turns: The Best Residential Zero Turn Mowers The inch mowers listed are a good choice for your property. If your property is rough the No. The new Cub Cadet No. It will bounce and mow unevenly and you will bounce and fell like you riding a paint shaker.
Paul i am returnng after a few years absence. The current seat causes back pain — any suggestions for brand?
Hi Guido, If your tractor is red or black any seat made for Husqvarna lawn tractors will fit. If your tractor is black and yellow then any seats for Cub Cadet will work.
You can lift up the seat and measure between the mounting bolts the ones it tips on and then go to your local Tractor Supply or other farm store and check out their replacement seats. I have a little under 2 acres with some rough bumpy areas mainly due to tire ruts etc but some areas are a little sketchy as severity.
Plan to smooth out over time. Not really sure what my best options would be. What do you suggest? They all have nice, large wheels to smooth out the bumps somewhat. They all cut well and will last. The Cub Cadet Ultima has the best cutting deck. The Toro MyRide has a full suspension platform that separates you from the bumps. It also cuts well. The Ariens Ikon XL is built like a tank. It mows well and will last many years.
Hi Paul. It has 58hrs on it. I have about 3 mostly flat acres to mow residential. Seem like a good deal. Do you know much about that machine? It has the best ride and you can easily mow 10 acres a week for years. But, just so you know. This company was originally called Encore.
They made good mowers but their dealer network and parts distribution was horrible. About 10 years ago a Chinese company bought them out. Their dealer network is growing but is still spotty in many areas of the country. Why am I telling you this?
Retired, we now mow 2 farm acreages; one 1. Both are rolling acreages with some rough terrain. Both have several outbuildings and trees. We want a bigger mower at the larger acreage which could also mow both when needed. The farmhouse on the larger acreage rents as a BnB so we want a nice cut. At 71 we need reasonable comfort. We've a week to snag end-of-season markdowns. We're overwhelmed by the options.
Hi Jeanne, Does the Gravely have a suspension seat? A suspension seat helps but the only way to really mow a rough lawn is to slow down to mph. If you want the best ride that is the best choice. Thanks, Paul! The dealer said he could order a suspension kit for it. It seems to rattle a lot…is that normal too? Hi Jeanne, Yes, the closer you get to a commercial version the more robust they are — and the more rattles they have. Not so much how it looks or how quiet it is.
Paul, Very much appreciate what you are doing with your site. Its been a great mower for our current 1. We are going to be building a home a moving next spring and the next home will have a 1. Do you suggest making the jump to a zero turn, or keeping the Craftsman about hrs on the craftsman.
Not much use for the tractor beside just mowing the lawn. Thanks in advance for your advice. I only mulch mow and have huge trees so lots of leaves to mow.
How do you think these mowers compare? It has a big advantage with the smart speed. These small ZTRs all have traction issues when turning. Then the Ariens Zoom 34 in. I like the build quality a lot. The Gravely and Ariens are the same machine. Yard Machines 34 in. Finally, if you can go 38 inches the Ryobi 38 in.
It does not have the traction issues of the tiny ZTRs. Thanks for the reply Paul. Only traction problems on turns was if the lawn was wet or the ground wet and mushy. I am very used to steering with zero turn lap bars and fine you only experience traction problems in wet conditions while trying to speed demon around the lawn lol Thanks again! Well Paul, I took your advice and bought a Ryobi ex last year, it arrived in December, so I waited patiently, and put a good charge on the battery.
Now at the end of the first season, of cutting my yard and six others weekly it has stood up to the test, and past with flying colors!! There are no diagrams showing those points. I just spray it on and around the joint and it works into the pivot point and the squeak goes away for months. Hello Paul! I am very glad to have found your informative article, comments and feedback!
We are Wisconsinites now, former Chicagoans with zero lawn, all perennials. Our 5 acres of mowing is a new world. We are trying to convert some over to prairie and have many berms. There are many trees and shrubs, as well as stumps that we still need to remove. Our yard also likes to periodically purge itself of lovely glaciated boulders which are always a shock to find. We have many invasives like buckthorn, garlic mustard etc. We have a John Deere F front deck commercial that has had a myriad of problems, my most irritating that it overheats and stops.
I, as a middle-aged woman, can also run circles around it as I mow. It is S. However, I do love it for helping clear and hope to keep it operational for a while longer. So, yard is rough, w divots from decaying roots below the lawn surface, stumps, attacking rocks, berms, slopes, marshy areas getting marshier!
Actually, no slope on the pond. But the moguls are at degrees. They are short though. Our neighbor has a John Deere commercial series zero turn that is just fabulous to zip around on and get the yard mowed in less that 8 hours! We looked at John Deere and Scag, commercial and they were more than we wanted to spend.
It is still a bit pricey but no where near JD or Scag. Are we going overboard potentially? I am rough on our F I am sure I would horrify you if I admitted some of the things I have done with it.
I mean it. Horrify you. But you know, I am learning! And if it is overkill, what else would you recommend? Keep in mind, when I say horrify you, I really do mean it!
Thanks so much for any thoughts you have for us. Your property sounds a lot like mine. I had over Jack Pines planted 6 foot apart 50 years ago. Many of them never got over 4 inches in diameter but like yours were 50 feet tall. The engine has always been the weak link in that mower though.
The Wright ZTO is one of the toughest mowers around for the price. They may not look great compared to the new John Deere but they are tough and will last you just as long as the old F It has big tires, heavy-duty transmissions, and commercial grade engines. I live in Delaware with 2. I am looking to replace the cc with a zero turn.
I have looked at exmark radius e series, hustler raptor sd, and J-D z in the 4 to 5 k price range. What are your thoughts about the characteristics of each. The dealers each said their units would outperform the others.
Hi Mark, no one tests these mowers side by side but if you look around your neighborhood ExMark is the mower of choice for the lawn service companies. They have the best cutting decks and the best service in most cases. Hi Brian, Fellow Wisconsinite here.
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