It one of the best riding ZTRs on the market. I am very new into this arena and have always cut with a walk behind. And trying to spend around $4-5k tops. The IKON XL and the Toro MyRide are much better choices. If I recall correctly, Bradley actually had a stand-on before Bob Cat. It cuts well and is built like a tank. toro puts in their commercial mowers. Without concern about the leaf vac, I was looking at the Cub Cadet ZT2 54-inch or the Toro TimeCutter 54-inch (75754) I judge those to be about the equivalent. Ive owned them myself and my neighbor has had one for almost 20 years. Check them out here: Toro TimeCutter MX5075 with MyRIDE Suspension System 50 in. I have a small lawn that is only about 1/3 of an acre mowable and it has a gentle slope in the entire backyard of about 6-8., However, I have 22, 60+ year old (mostly) oak tree in my yard that makes fall cleanup by hand impossible for someone with a full-time job and two young kids at home. Howdy Paul. In addition, ANY ZTR under 48 inches will have traction issues like sliding even on dry ground. The Toro and Cub Cadet use different engines and transmissions, so these mowers hardly perform identically. 22 HP Kohler V-Twin Zero Turn Mower Model# ULTIMA ZT1-42. This peculiarity is very beneficial to the cutting deck of the machine. Either one will mow grass 8-12 inches tall in side discharge mode and give you a clean cut. CR members with digital access can read on for ratings and reviews of the 12 best lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers, and rear-engine riders on the market right now. I use a bungee cord to lift the discharge cover. I think I have a truly fun exercise for you with a varied list of contenders. Unless your grass is wet from rain they will work well for you. A good size for snow blowers and push mowers. 3. What about bushes, trees, lawn furniture, and other outdoor fixtures? HD is about 200 cheaper right now. Its made for lawns like yours. But that just wont be possible for under $3000. Lourdani, The Z Master 2000 is the entry-level commercial Toro. I usually go out and mow them as they fall (every 4 or 5 days) and then use the sweeper to clean up the fine leaf clippings once or twice. I mow about 3 acres. (About $400 to replace) Im very nervous about recommending the Hustler Dash. I like the Ariens IKON X 42, the Troy Bilt Mustang Z42 670 cc V-TWIN as it seems like it has been built to last and supposedly has a smooth ride. You also have the Ariens XL 60 and the Hustler SD 60 at around the ZT2 price. If you have any questions or problems your local dealer will be glad to help you. The smaller deck may let you trim more areas of your woods also. Motor repair on commercial mowers can range anywhere from $1000-$4000 for 60-inch commercial zero-turn. I bought the 42 inch because of a few tight landscaping spots but after having it for a few years I wish Id bought the 50 inch. Possible candidates would be a Toro TimeCutter HD or Titan, a Cub Cadet ZT2, or possibly a John Deere or some sort. I often allow the grass to reach 10. The usage will be 2-5 acres Texas Gulf Coast, mostly flat, no big slopes but some shallow ditches, some trees/obstacles, mostly turf grasses but with some rougher stuff. Your site has given me a good quick education. Types of Lawn Mowers & Tractors. Ive driven the mower and I like it a lot. Mow high, mow in the afternoon and side discharge until the spring growth has subsided. Ive also read about the Ariens mowers you recommend. Hi, Paul, There is one mower that is designed for this type of work. We are looking for something with good construction and good cut with reasonable price point. Are they here to stay? Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. 54 (137 cm) TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero Turn Mower (75754), Toros 42 (107 cm) TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower, Toro 21 (53cm) 60V MAX Electric Battery SMARTSTOW Self-Propel High Wheel Mower, Cub Cadet 60 Volt Max 21 Signature Cut Push Walk-Behind Mower. Instead, move up to the $4000-4500 heavy-duty ZTRs with ZT2800 or ZT32OO transmissions. The other local Toro dealer is Ace Hardware. My dad runs an old Wheel Horse, never had to rebuild anything on the motor or gear box and its going on 33 years. I had to yell to be heard over it. Hydro Gear ZT-2100 and ZT-2200 Transaxles on the SS and SW and Hydro Gear ZT-2800 Transaxles on the MX and SWX and Hydro Gear ZT-3100 Transaxles on the Timecutter HD. Best Zero-Turn Mowers For Flat And Hilly Terrain - Gadgets Reviews John Deere Z345M 42 in. 42-46 inch Fabricated Deck 1/2 to 1 1/2 Acres, 42-46 inch Heavy-Duty 10 ga Fabricated Decks, You can find a lot more information on the 42-46 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 48-52 inch Stamped Deck Up to 2.5 Acres, 48-52 inch Fabricated Deck Up To 3 Acres. Matt loves everything DIY. Price-wise the Gravely is more but you get proportionately more. Spent the last couple months searching for a ZTR. Again, I suggest mowing at 4 inches and then mow in the late afternoon. I see that a local dealer and Home Depot have the same mower for this. I like 60-inch decks but the 52-inch deck is plenty big for your lawn. Hi Frank, I wrote an article comparing it to the Ryobi and Cub Cadet here: 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Mowers Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Both have the same Kawasaki engine and appear pretty similar on the surface. First of all, great article. I also have a chance to purchase a used exmark Z series for 4K with about 900 hours , but the concern over buying used as someone who isnt familiar with engines is a bit scary? The manufactures dont specify but Id guess 140-180 F. Hope youre doing well, great article by the way. Hi Mark, look under the seat. Hi Joe, Im not a big fan of the 300 series Deere ZTRs. I would like a bigger deck, at least a 54inch so I can be donestyle points on grass not important. I really did love the Hustler Raptor Limited, but its around $4200. I need a ZTR that can perform well on slopes. (I live in central Ohio). I would cut across the slope to ease strain on the hydros and would only have to drive up the slope in a few areas of the yard. 4. Its the latest design. Ill try and stop by to ask them if they are having the frames farmed out. I prefer the joystick steering but they do have the lap-bar option if you want. Thanks for your help! Any advice would be well appreciated. Walker Model R. Either the 42 or 48-inch deck but the 48 will give you the best trimming capabilities. That said, the larger displacement of the Kohler (725cc) will give you more torque going up the hills with thick grass. Both are listed at the same price. The Cub Cadet has slightly larger tires so it will ride a little better and have a little more traction than the Deere. It even has a heavy deck and a very good motor. It was a great lawn tractor when it was a Craftsman but it is not the right tractor for you from Costco. Ive also always been partial to the 60-inch deck. I was looking at this one from Home Depot: You can manage your mowing speed while maintaining the standard blade rotational speed on your lawn. Its a much lighter weight mower than the Toro or Cub Cadet. I recommend the comfort seat and trailer hitch options. Toro 75754 Timecutter 54 in. Also, the price for their 1 time leaf collection last year easily justifies a better solution there. powerful 35hp v-twin kawasaki engine !!! 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. My neighbor let me try his Ferris IS600 to test the ride without actually mowing. I have been using a Husqvarna 48 lawn tractor and have been very satisfied with it. I may even mow a few of my neighbors lawns for extra $. The large 30-inch deck will get your lawn mowed in half the time of a 22-inch machine. They dont have enough traction and the center of gravity is too high. Would it be worth the extra money to go with the scag?Ive got a dealer 10 minutes from the house as opposed to a hour and a half for toro dealer. agpro of new albany is the premier power equipment in the midwest ----- financing available, we take trades, delivery available -----only 221 hours----- ag pro is your premier equipment . I was looking at a 52 Ariens Ikon XD and the dealer is trying to convince me I would be happier with a Gravely ZT XL due to the upgraded transmission better warranty and superior construction. Hi Rob, each one has its advantages but they are so close in cut quality and durability the only real difference is the dealer support. Paul, our 1 acre lot in PA has some trees, and is a bit bumpy in spots. DEWALT. If your lot is very rough and you want to mow parts of it only a few times a year its the best choice. This is Walkers first-ever residential mower. The Cub Cadet ZT1 42 inch or 50 inch also cut well and the fabricated deck on the 50 inch is very rugged. I used to cut it with a Bobcat 48 W/B but would like a rider now. The Toro mower includes many pro elements like a canister-style air filter, a commercial drop pin, and a rubber chute. Thanks in advance! I also have a tow behind cart I use for hauling dirt, rock and mulch. My front yard is fairly steep with an 18 degree grade. 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 Toro is the same engine that Its 25% more fuel-efficient and responds to heavy grass a lot faster than the carbd engines. They arevented inside the spout so the fuel pours quickly yet seals tightly when not in use. The Toros height adjuster is easy to use. Would this be enough to see a difference? I was able to test drive the 2016. (Because of the way the Walker steers it does not need the heavy-duty transmissions) You helped me purchase my last mower which was a 46 Craftsman Pro and it worked out great for our needs at our last home (hills/very few trees). The engines generate about 22 to 24 horsepower also depending on the grade of the model. That basically means about a dozen+ trips around the horn in the summer months. What would you recommend? Mow the lawn with the deck raised up a notch or two higher and you should get more life. If Im creeping up toward 6K, is there any other brands that I should be looking at or are the specs all going to be about the same? They have less lift than regular blades so they dont cut as evenly. Check it out here: Ariens Ikon 42. Enjoyed reading your article. I have an ExMark 42 inch. Scrape the underside of the deck clean with a plastic scraper or stiff milker brush when you sharpen the blades. Both are rated for a lawn up to .9 acres and max cutting height of 2.8 inches. Hi Mike, Your biggest problem is traction. Thanks for all your informative responses. I appreciate any suggestions that you can offer. The Grasshopper is unique no one else still produces that style of mower. I have an Exmark Quest with the same fab deck as the 42 inch Toro. People like their Scag commercial mowers and owners really like how well this one bags but to me its just another middle-of-the-road mower. Its a stand-on mower. (There are a lot of small assembly shops that do make components for most brands). I havent been able to see much on the cut quality of the apex and if its worth the extra $1000. No, it doesnt ride quite as smooth as the Toro MX5075 but rides well and is built stronger than that Toro. And to make your mowing experience even better, consider the tips in this, link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. I have 1 acre lot in which my home is 2200 sq ft. My yard is mostly flat in which it has been graded like a bowl. It cuts very well and will last you a long, long time. Step up to the ultimate all-around mowing experience with the Ultima Series from Cub Cadet. Do you have any thoughts on how easy (or not) the Toros vs. the Deeres are to work on? This simply means you wouldnt need to bend over and grease now and then, and you also wouldnt experience any spindle problems with the Cub Cadet ZT1. John Deere, Toro, or Cub Cadet. The Toro MX5075 will give you the best ride and a great cut. The list: I assume that the ZT-2200s would be fine for my use than. They made a few improvements and painted them white. Have used it less than 6 times since. Paul, we have a rough 1.2 acre yard with some trees, beds, stumps, etc. Our turn-tight craftsman mower has been OK, but I really think that a zero turn would improve our efficiency cutting this yard. My current tractor mower is a Husqvarna 46. Will the 42 suffice or should I get 46 or 48. Thanks, Hi Pam, They are both very high-quality machines. It looked fairly safe and stable to mow this way. Perennial Rye and Tall Fescue have a lot more moisture in the stalk than Bluegrass, especially in the spring. Asides from that issue, I totally commend having headlights on your zero-turn and purchasing a Cub Cadet for that good reason. Ive got about two acres of mostly flat lawn at my house. The Ariens has slightly larger rear tires for better traction and an offset deck so you can trim right around smaller obstacles like telephone poles. 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. Scag is still using horizontal shaft engines pointed backwards so they do equip that model with a driveshaft from the rear of the mower to the deck. Machines are only as good as the person standing behind them. The wider deck will allow you to trim around obstacles easier than the 42 inch model below. Im fine with spending up to $4,000. Evaluating the following ZTRs: Im going to suggest the Ariens IKON XL 42 in. Best For Rough Lawns Toro 50 in. Change the oil, air filter, and the belts as needed. . Wouldnt it be much easier to intuitively pull a lever? The ZT 3400 with charge pumps has no o-ring issues. I easily say that this mower is thru and thru a Walker and will probably be the last mower you ever buy. Those 700-1500 hour machines can nickel and dime you to bankruptcy. At The Home Depot Toro TimeCutter MX5000 50 in. Several years ago you helped me purchase my Craftsman Pro Series 42 riding mower. The Walker will always give you the best cut because of the ground-hugging deck. Appreciate all the help and insight. 1. Property: 4.5 mowable acres relatively flat, improved grassy land with new home build on pacific coastal high bluff in northern Cal. 1. The Z335 48 is the only ZTR I know of with 13 front / 20 rear tires under $3000, so it has me smitten. My problem is that most dealers are out of stock right now, so I need to make a choice without actually testing one myself. Im always partial to the Exmark though many contractors also like the Scag. Ill be mowing my 1 acre, flat-to-mildly sloping residential lawn with minimal trees. My main concerns are maintenance, longevity, baggers/mulching. I think theres always 100.00 off to new card members for their first purchase. I am enjoying your site. Hi Tommy, The 2200 is not as weak as everyone wants you to believe. The mower will be used for residential 5 plus acres. While zero-turn mowers do in fact turn, they get their name from their ability to turn in a full circle without ever exceeding the boundaries of their own footprints. With that being said, treat whichever machine you get with respect and be meticulous about maintenance. 50 inches. The name is an old, well-respected name in the industry. He is a riding mower lover and has been active in the industry for years. Its really interesting how the Internet can get facts turned upside down. They have two that I recommend. When you buy the Ariens at a big box store you dont always get the same service after the sale as you do when you buy from a dealer. Hence, Cub Cadet 60 Volt Max 21 Signature Cut Push Walk-Behind Mower emerges as the clear winner in this segment. Better transmissions and better controls. Nationwide we are very early in the season ( I still have 2 feet of snow on the ground) so Im fairly sure that there is plenty of stock. When I first bought the property, the previous owner left me an old (and basic) Craftsman riding mower, which he had used for mowing. https://www.russopower.com/bob-cat-quickcat-48-stand-on-mower-20-5hp-kawasaki, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bradley-Mowers-48SC-BS24V-48-Hydro-Drive-Stand-On-Compact-Zero-Turn-Mower-Briggs-Vanguard-24HP-Electric-Start/857626337?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227101833639&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=217425214023&wl4=pla-351178471162&wl5=9007349&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=857626337&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjw8LTmBRBCEiwAbhh-6DkrXIHh6wBIoiq3Nq8irCQhs-bWBoJAYhEHyGtOPxcEuDgjojV9gxoCVFQQAvD_BwE. If you get the Toro make sure you get a set of the standard mulching blades. I will have to think hard about the collection aspect I am seeking. Home Depot doesnt seem to carry the Apex models anymore, nor does Lowes, and none of my local dealers have any Apex models in stock. Been insightful for sure. cub cadet vs toro zero turn 2020. All the other lap bar ZTRS will struggle if they can mow it at all. The cut doesnt look quite as good, and he cant follow the bed lines as well as before. Im thinking a 50 to 54-inch cut would be good, with a quality engine and transmission. Two small wheels are at the very front of the mower, and these always move in conjunction with the main wheels. If she plans on being at her job for a while ask her to cost-justify the Ultima compared to the Jonsereds. Lets see if we can sort them all out. John deere Z540M with the Kawasaki engine 48 My dad owns a Cub GT 2042 and I borrowed it recently and was really un-impressed with the mulching. Electric Riding Mower Lithium-Ion and Lead Acid Battery- 10 Best Tips. Heres what I like about the Bradley (link below): ZT3400 drives / 23 rear tires. I am not reading about anyone having the EZT hydros die early on. Both companies are renowned for producing reliable machines that withstand the test of time. I wish they didnt have so many mowers to choose from because it makes deciding that much harder. Many features define a potential zero-turn, but the most important and commonly considered traits are power, durability, convenience, effectiveness, and a way to look dapper as possible whilst hanging out on the grass under the scorching sun. Great Brand recognition = quality. 2. Just wondering if you know if and when Ariens will be having a sale or promotion going on? Its not on my Top 5 list but it probably should be. Ive been looking at a couple different options and would like your advice on which one to go with. . I was leaning toward the Gravely/Ariens just trying to suss this as thoroughly as I can. The 50-inch size will get the lawn mowed quickly. I researched Zero Turn mowers. My craftsman mower that recently died on me did a far superior job with the mulching. A bagger is big, semi-permanent and expensive. One dealer is steering me toward the MZ Magnum, but I am concerned about its non-serviceable transmission and also think its not for two acres of mowing. My choice though is the IKON XL 52. I wanted to get your thoughts on a few different mowers. It appears Cud Cadet has tried to up their game with the big boys. Hi Sean, If you are going to mulch all the time Im going to suggest the Toro V-Twin 42 at this time. Cub Cadet ZTS (steering wheel ZTR) 50 inch and larger can handle 20-degree slopes because the front steering wheels help to hold the mower on the slope. There are more parts to wear out on the Ferris and that bouncing can give you an uneven cut after a few years. and 2. Thank you for being frank. Sorry for the long back story, but I thought it was important to provide as much detail as possible. Fabricated Decks Good value residential mowers Best for most people that want a mower that cuts well and will last. The MX5075 is a good choice because of the suspension seat butIn this case, they add the suspension but to keep the cost down they use a normal ZT2200 residential transmission. The John Deere mulches, bags and side discharges the best of all the 42-inch ZTRs on the market. Should I be looking at ExMark as well? Which one do you think would be more durable? I can get 10% off at HD or Lowes so I plan to buy from one of them unless I find other deals I cant pass up. They own the Huskee brand name. This was my original choice before researching because well it was the only brand I knew. With the warmer weather and the rain weve had in North Texas, especially the last and projected next week, I have rye thats about a foot tall right now! The clipping gets everywhere into your lungs and mower engine for a good measure. Best in class seating( bad back) and have 4 to 5 acres to mower. By the way, The Gravely ZT X/Ariens IKON XD are the same price as these and I really like them also! That said. The Toro engine is not as well-known as the Kawasaki FR but has better reliability. But Ariens, Husqvarna (254) are coming into view. From what Im reading here the Ariens is better built but is it worth the few hundred dollars? So I spent about $450 at local dealership to replace drive belt, tune up, etc. If you decide on the Gravely, wait until March 20-28. which tires are good for not tearing up the yard? This product is a high-performance gas-operated zero-turn mower that will suit the needs of both homeowners and professionals. If you let your lawn get over 10 inches you may have to go back over areas to get a clean cut. And it really helps to have an expert such as yourself to bounce thoughts off of. The best riding lawn mowers in 2023. Personally, Id go with the 48 inch but the 54 and 60 inch models will get you done faster. Both mowers have a padded high-back seat, and these can be adjusted to ensure maximum comfort. 22.5 hp Toro Commercial V-Twin 708cc w/Self-Cleaning Air Filter Housing, 3-Year, Unlimited Hour Residential Limited Warranty, Brushless DC 60V Battery L324 (6.0ah, 324 wh), 54 IronForged Fabricated 10 ga. High Strength with Bull Nose, 13 x 6.5 6 Front, 22 x 11 10 Rear, 3-year Unlimited Hours (Includes Powertrain). Thanks. I understand your frustration with power sports engines. Cub Cadet has put a lot of time into designing a deck that cuts just as well and from what Ive seen so far (on YouTube) it cuts very, very well. The 54 deck would be welcome as I do have some wide open mowing spaces. Its worth the $5100 but the question is do you need that much mower? Durable, advanced polymer seat suspension A rubber floor mat to dampen vibrations Industry-exclusive overmolded hand grips Removable floor pan for easy deck access 17 quarter-inch deck height adjustments, including transport mode Offset front axle for precise trimming Maintenance-free sealed ball bearing spindles Premium Turf Master tire set For example, my Dodge Caravan can pull 5000 lbs but I should not have more than 150 lbs on the hitch (tongue weight) Any more weight than that and the weight would push the rear of the van down too much making the van hard to steer or even understeer on a corner causing an accident. The for the advice Paul. Thanks! Hi James, My goal here is not to tell you which mower to buy but to help you find the best mower for you. When checking online pricing for the Z930M I found many of them with over 2000 hours still being sold. Keep the ZTR off slopes more than 15 degree and change the air filter every 50 hours or less and it will give you a long life. Ive never been a Cub Cadet fan, however, their new Ultimata series seems pretty legit after research. It is fairly rough ground and has two moderately steep areas. I have looked at both in person and there is no comparison the ultra heavy duty Apex (same as the Gravely ZT HD that sells for about $5200) makes the ZT2 look very basic and average. BTW Did you have a chance to look at the Bradley frame compared to the Bobcat? For that steep spot, Ive been planting ground cover, and only have a small section remaining that can be mowed without needing to make turns on the hill (it bottoms out into a flat section). Which would you recommend? One more question: There is a hauler that can be purchased with the Ultima ZT2. A Walker mower has a lot less stress on the transmission than the mid-mount ZTRs. Both brands are good. In all honestly, there are so many different brands, it can be a challenge to keep track of them all. Yes, the operators manual says you can go on a slope up to 15 degrees but as you found out even 15 degrees can be dangerous with the tall/narrow ZTRs. I would also want to avoid overly sensitive control bars. All of these machines seem to be comparable to each other but of course theyre a lot of money and I definitely want to make the right choice. 22.5 HP Time Cutter V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed Model# 75742 Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer. I miss snow but if the investment makes my winters safer I am okay. never go flat front tires !!! Hi Morty, They dont list the tip speed but since they are advertising 7 MPH it will be at the max for residential mowers. The only time I lift them up is if Im off using it to pull a cart around in the timber where there may be stumps or rocks to hit. 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. I think they would have to be ordered. (Im assuming your lawn is rough). At 1350 pounds it weighs 50% more than a similar size residential mower. Do you recommend replacing blades annually? You are correct about the Scag, Ferris, Walker they are either too high priced for the amount of mowing you do or in the case of the Ferris they have too many moving parts that will give you problems 10 years down the road. I suggest talking to the dealers and picking the mower you like the best from the dealer you like the best.