Zero turn mower recommendations

Gather App

Best Zero Turn Mower

  • Dixie chopper

    Votes: 1 4.8%

  • Bobcat

    Votes: 1 4.8%

  • John Deere

    Votes: 3 14.3%

  • Grasshopper

    Votes: 1 4.8%

  • Ex mark

    Votes: 3 14.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 12 57.1%
  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .
J

JMJ Farms

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2015
Messages
4,812
City & State/Province
Middle Georgia
I'm in the market for a new mower. Or a used one if someone says there's a particular make/model is better. I've had good luck with Kawasaki engines and would like to stick with those if possible but am open to any advice. Any advice from personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
 
A few years back I looked at mowers until I was sick of it. Wanted something better than a basic zero turn as a few I had drove handled poorly.
I got a good deal on a Husqvarna MZT 52 which is a mid grade mower, so far I like it. If I had more to mow I would look hard at Ferris with the suspension, that is just me.
I liked the Exmark but it was more money. I looked and drove Kubota, overall ok but did not like how it looked to work on.
As far as engines I think that is more preference. So far I have had good luck with Briggs.
 
skyhightree1":q81hsbly said:
I am shocked you didn't list Kubota they are tough with very lil maint needed well the diesel ones that is
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Some of the Grasshoppers are equipped with Kubota diesels.
 
skyhightree1":3ks5y838 said:
I am shocked you didn't list Kubota they are tough with very lil maint needed well the diesel ones that is
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I'll second the Kubota. Cousin is a rep at a Deere dealership, and they also carry Kubotas. He told us the Kubota zero turns would hold up a lot better, and so far he has been correct. We've had ours for almost 6 years now.
 
Hustler is pretty tough to beat here. And having a good dealer close by like Wayne's is all the more reason to own one. I'd sure take a look at the Kubota though.
 
I have a couple Cub Cadet zero turns, both with steering wheels. One is a 50" stamped deck with Kohler engine. The other is a 54" fabricated deck with Kawasaki engine. Like them both. The fabricated deck is heavier and has given no trouble. I have had to do some fixing on the lighter stamped deck :oops:

I do a lot of road ditch mowing on steep inclines. I like having the steering wheel to hang on to. Have never mowed with a machine with sticks, but don't think I would like it as well :2cents:
 
Your list is incomplete, starting with not listing Scag or Ferris, and also note that ExMark and Toro are the same thing. That might help you sort this poll out easier and get a lot less "other" answers. My suggestion is ExMark/ Toro. We've owned 5 of them, still currently with 4. Sold the oldest one we had (just weren't using it much anymore). It was 10 years old, with 2000 hours, 60" cut, 28 HP Kohler EFI. Bought new for $8000, sold used for $2700.
The only time you can justify having a diesel is if you are mowing for hours straight, say 3+ hours per day on the same property/piece of land. Best for Municipalities and Large acerage account service companys. Can't go wrong with Kaw or Kohler. All of our units are EFI, I feel it's worth the extra couple bucks.
 
skyhightree1":3f2hjhc9 said:
I think diesel is worth the extra bucks no matter how long you are going to be mowing or how often.
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A commercial Kawasaki gas engine is hard to beat. Maybe the Kubota diesel is better but that's about the only one. IMO
 
Might want to look into Toro commercial mowers too.. often they have Kubota diesels in them as well

The great thing about a diesel is it can sit for decades and still fire right up.. Gas engines are a lot more finnicky with bad gas, etc.

I have a Yazoo from about 1970 with a 10hp briggs... it actually does pretty good, and built really well (45 years later it still runs).. I paid $50, it's a 36" deck
 
I guess they're numerous brands I'm not very familiar with. I thought I picked the most popular. Shows how much I know doesn't it.

I have had very very good results with Kawasaki engines. That's probably the biggest option I want. And I want a good deck. That's why my "preliminary" choice was the Dixie Chopper. But I see that's not the common consensus. I'm definitely gonna check out a kubota. It will probably come down to which brand offers the closest/best dealer support. Thanks for all the replies and any more are welcomed.
 

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