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? The Titan 48 inch with MyRide is easily the best riding and best cutting residential mower. Its not the FX (commercial version) that everyone feels is the best engine on the market. Check it out here: Thank you for your prompt response. My second choice is the Ariens IKON XL. I suggest stopping in to a local dealer and see what they have in the $6000-$9000 range. There doesnt appear to be much difference between the two The Pro has slightly bigger transmission, 1 bigger rear tires and Kohler Confidant EFI Closed Loop EZT-740 engine with 12cc Hydro-Gear ZT 3400 transmission with charge pumps. And I apologize for the somewhat mis-information. The governor on the Kohler is a little more responsive when mowing tall, heavy grass. If you want the best possible cut and a unit that will last you years I also suggest the Ariens IKON XL 52 in. Paul, As a result, the durability of Toro zero turns get increases. Good for your lawnmowers, snow blowers, weed wickers, leaf blowers and other small engine power equipment. But in comparison to other 54" zero turn mowers on the market, this is a steal of a deal. They arevented inside the spout so the fuel pours quickly yet seals tightly when not in use. Because of that brand recognition today the dealer can charge more (and make more profit.) Considering that I dont seem to need the step-handrail, do you still consider the Boulevard my best option? It cuts very well and will last you a long, long time. It has a very small, cheap engine. Im trying to find the balance between good quality and yet not go too overboard. Im going to suggest the Ariens IKON XL 42 in. Side discharge, bag, or mulching capabilities. Paul, I am looking for a zero turn mower for a yard that is about 2.75 acres. Any thoughts on those? Bobcat mowers have been around a long time and the mowers are very good. The long wheelbase also makes it a pain to move around on trailers because you can fit three-four ZTRs in the same space as two Grasshoppers. In your case the Walker H with a rear discharge deck would be the ultimate choice. Its made for lawns like yours. They are both great engines. I also like the toro my ride and ariens ikon x john deere and cub cadet ultima. I am in search of zero turn to run the fence line, pond and camp area on 22 acres. I hate that it doesnt have armrests, but the red/black color is sweet. $10.78. Those 700-1500 hour machines can nickel and dime you to bankruptcy. Fab 22.5 HP V-Twin Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed, Agri-Fab 44 in. John Deere Commercial Z645 Zero Turn Mower 27HP 48 Inch Deck 398 H Serviced . If your decision is down to the Exmark and Walker go to walker.com and request a demo. Lay on the ground on the non-discharge side of the mower. The other local Toro dealer is Ace Hardware. Its a good mower for your 3 acres and will last a long time. Its a very tough mower and with the suspension seat you can mow up to 10 acres a lot faster than the three you mentioned. DO NOT buy the Dash. With the deck removed grab the ends of a blade and wiggle the blade side to side (up and down in relation to the deck) If it wiggles more than 1/16 of an inch tighten the spindle bolts. Hi Anthony, Serviceable transmissions are something the internet wants but in reality, these transmissions hold up well. $7,099.00. All the new decks are much deeper so you get better airflow and you can use bagging blades to throw the grass into a bagger. But, Since you have a very rough lawn I recommend that you buy the Titan series with MyRide. P.S. About all Ive been able to do is get caught up in the paralysis of analysis. I didnt leave the Cub Cadet/Toro dealer feeling very confident as they didnt seem overly confident in their product and also having difficulty getting parts/units in because of the pandemic. 2. Hi Trent, Id buy a Bradley in a heartbeat if I needed another mower. . Let me tell you why! The Ariens Apex and Zenith both have good, soft seats and large wheels so they will ride smooth. Paul, I bought a Cub Cadet Ultima 54 inch deck ZTR. Two, If you are pulling a cart always put the smart speed in tow. Toro TimeCutter MX5075 with MyRIDE Suspension System 50 in. I never recommend paying extra for the Kawasaki name. The Walker Model R actually comes with the Kohler KT620 engine. We also have a gorilla yard cart and would like some thing with a hitch pin to pull around firewood or brush etc. Ive been using my Dads Ikonx52 bc his grandson was cutting his yard but that stopped so he needs his back now so my turn to cough up for a ZTM. Its not a bad idea for the first year. It built even stronger and roomier for us larger people. So that leaves Toro. Do you need it for mowing 2.5-3 acres of lawn every week? The 75746 also comes with the U.S.A.-made Kohler engine. 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. Lowes in particular has a habit of just taking the mower out of the crate and NOT doing any of the adjustments for example moving the seat on the Ariens mowers. Would a front deck do big berms? I love the battery idea, just wondering about battery life. I prefer the 50 inch model because the deck sticks out the side farther which makes it easier to trim around stuff. I have both brands and I use them all the time. Im pretty sure Ive narrowed down the candidates to the Toro SS 4225, the Deere Z335M, or Deere Z345M/R (unless you recommend something else), but Im not super pumped about the Briggs engines in each of them. I put my leaf clippings in a mulch pile but if you did your property this way I would guess you would have less than 10 bags. For fall cleanup, Ill either bag or mulch and sweep. Thanks for all your informative responses. I own a summer camp with 3 large sport fields. Hi Pete, The Toro is very easy to work on. I meant the Z355E 48, not 335. You will be happy you did. Only the Timecutter has it. (my 13 yr old shares the mowing with me, hes getting better but still does some bumping with the deck). Which One Is This? I cut about 2.5 acres per week of mostly flat terrain, including some tough pasture grass. I would I just need a residential as opposed to commerical. I recommend only looking at the Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 430XH or the just introduced Worx Landroid L. These are the only robitic mowers that will mow the grass high enough (3-3.5 inches) so that you dont get soil erosion on that slope. Our turn-tight craftsman mower has been OK, but I really think that a zero turn would improve our efficiency cutting this yard. 50. I would also want to avoid overly sensitive control bars. Been using a 42 in cone drive dixon for 20 years with blower bagger. Hi Frederic, The 75742 is an excellent choice and a great value. Bad Boy MZ Magnum is the perfect entry-level ZTR mower with great performance and comfort. I know the Ariens/Gravely has zt-3100 hydros. If you're working on delicate property, these mowers may not suit your needs. I am considering the Ariens Apex or a Bad boy MZ MAGNUM both based on price point and features. Jan 22, 2021. The did replace a pulley but the problem is persisting. Thank you. I really like the cut of the fabricated deck on the Toro MyRide. Want the best bang for the buck, if I am going to spend 12 to 17 grand for a mower. Hi James, The John Deere uses both the Intek and the ELS Briggs engines in various mowers. Youll like the Toro and at $1000 less it a great buy. Ive been researching alot lately and deciding on a zero turn to replace my old Cub Cadet Yard Tractor. Now I just have to find one!! Thanks for the information. Hi Jon, I have no preference. Its not on my Top 5 list but it probably should be. So I spent about $450 at local dealership to replace drive belt, tune up, etc. Hi Ted, If you buy from the Box stores I recommend reading the operators manual before you go mow with it. Are they dependable? 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. It cuts very well and its biggest feature for you is you can get an optional powered bagger. Paul, I mow our residential, flat, 1 acre yard with ~10 trees and fence in Pittsburgh, PA. Its very easy to switch from mulch to bag to side discharge. If you want a heavy-duty mower and its the last one you ever want to buy then the ZT HD is a good choice. Great info. My first choice for slopes is the Ariens IKON XD 52. Its not the ZTR you are using the wrong equipment for the mowing you have to do. So, yes, if you are willing to spend the money its a very good mower for what you want to do. Was looking at Toro with myRide setup.. Hi Dave, the only choice is the MyRide. Now, we are in a new home and are beginning to look for a mower to better meet our needs. BTW, north coast California mowing May Oct. Then the rains come and mowing slows down substantially. I like the ZT XL 52. The mower has a stamped deck (like your Husqvarna) and the Toro engine. Greg, That is a tough call to make. Other than that I dont have a preference. It will give you a cut you can be proud of. Even though the Ultima is twice the cost of the tractor it will win when you look at the real cost of ownership especially for using it commercially. Im always partial to the Exmark though many contractors also like the Scag. For the few extra dollars buy the Toro or Ariens. Also, the price for their 1 time leaf collection last year easily justifies a better solution there. Thanks Paul! Read more here: How to Support TodaysMower.com, I will list below three different types of residential zero-turn mowers. 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. Also, notice the specs for these heavier grade machines say things like 18,400 fpm blade tip speed, 1 aluminum spindles with sealed ball bearings, caster bearings, and axle bearings but Cub Cadet does not mention these? Services issues are quickly fixed with Ariens Bad Boy has fewer dealers and the quality can be spotty. Yard is level. The Toro commercial engine also has a great reputation. I am considering a 60 inch deck Ariens Ikon XD 23 HP. I wanted to have beefier Transaxles. I followed the company since the 90s and their equipment has always been built very strong for the price. Sure would appreciate any input (Brain muscle tired).. Hi Mark, Its very easy to get analysis paralysis when there are about 40 mowers that really could do the job well for you. If you have ever pulled a boat or camper the specs always include total gross weight and the tongue weight. Personally, Since the mowers are both good machines and both have a good reputation Id talk to the dealers and buy from the dealer that you like the most. Thanks Paul. Well, Ive found two brands that work great! 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. And with 2 larger diameter tires, it may have a higher center of gravity that I may not care for. They dont have enough traction and the center of gravity is too high. Better suspension. 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. At the time I spent about $2k more because I was told it was a premium mower. The Radius E is the entry-level commercial Exmark. Toro zero turn model Average Weight; TimeCutter 75734: 675 lbs: TimeCutter 75740: 645 lbs: TimeCutter 75750: 738 lbs: TimeCutter 75756: 836 lbs: TimeCutter SS5000: 588 lbs: Titan 75316: 819 lbs: Titan . Mike C. Im spending days with my edger to get under the fences and around trees. The original seat is a good comfortable seat but I want one more conducive to one with back problems. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. Great website and I love how you respond to everyones questions cause I actually browsed all your comments to help with my search and narrowed down my choices. I prefer the Walker. A good size for lawn tractors and zero-turns. Ive been hearing good things about the g5 gator blades but havent found a fit for the new ultima models. Hi Paulwhat is your opinion on the Walker ZTRs vs the Exmark ZTRs? TodaysMower.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we get a commission on purchases made through our links to Amazon. This is no small amount, so you have to be sure that you invest your money wisely, both into the machine and into proper maintenance. No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can (CARB Compliant), Universal Suspension SEAT KIT for Lawn Mowers, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-42-in-22-5-HP-TimeCutter-Commercial-V-Twin-Gas-Dual-Hydrostatic-Zero-Turn-Riding-Mower-with-Smart-Speed-75742/310836498, 2020 50 (127 cm) TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower (75750), https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/zero-turn-mowers/z560/967929901/, 2020 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 42 in. The deck wont lift up for transport or going over curbs. 1. DO NOT use the Atomic blades on this deck for mulching (atomic blades have teeth/notches on the back of the blade). Thanks Paul. The Vanguard is B&S true commercial engine. Its just about commercial grade and only about $800 more. With that said, which of these mowers or maybe one I didnt mention that is on your mind, that you would recommend? I will have to think hard about the collection aspect I am seeking. The Smart speed is a lever that lets you reduce the maximum forward speed so you are not tempted to push the transmissions too hard when towing and it allows you to go slow when trimming so you dont bang into stuff as much. 5. What do you think of this mower, and who makes it? Belts, blades, steering dampeners, bearings, idler pulleys, front wheel bearings, new tires, clutch repair etc., are all 2-3 times more expensive than your current residential machine. We have one here and my wife has been trying to break it for over two years. The Cub Cadet is the hottest probably because he gets a little more profit so he pushes the sale a little harder Nz is slowly importing a few US mowers. The ZT 3100 is the entry-level commercial tranny. It cuts so well I use it as my reference mower when comparing all the rest. 2. I have been a follower of your site for a few years now. I want to go the mulching route so that I can avoid so many grass clippings. I have 2 acres to mow and Ive most recently tried out a Ferris IS600z. I was hoping for Ariens (good bang for buck), but they only offer the 2200 transaxles through their X and XDunits and can only get the 3100 axles on the Apex units which are pretty close to the same price as gravely ZT HD. The Bad Boy MZ Magnum zero-turn mower runs on a 725cc Kohler Pro 7000 HD series engine for a powerful mowing operation. The IKON XL and the Toro MyRide are much better choices. 6. Trying to decide between the Toro 42in Vtwin or Ariens Ikon XD 42. I have 15 acres of grass with voles holes/tunnels, berms, bumpy grass and fences. To get a ZTR heavy enough to hang on that slope you need to be in the $6000 plus range. Trust me all the compacts will slide into the ditch and most likely turn over. The Walker will also give you the best cut out of all the mowers and stripes as well as the best commercial decks. They are fast but they can also mow 24-inch grass cleanly if needed. I use a bungee cord to lift the discharge cover. I mow a little over 1/2 acre that is flat but not smooth or soft ground. Paul, I need to buy my first ZTR. If you ever have any issues with it and you bought it from your local dealer you will get a lot faster service. None of those manufacturers will extend your ZTRs warranty in case your mower breaks using their leaf vac. 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. Although, I really didnt want to spend that much. Click on each item to see them at The Home Depot. The Toro, Kohler 7000 and Briggs ELS are just as good. Thanks again. Hi Brian, Thats a tough choice. Robotic Mowers. The dealer will do the tuneup and make sure everything is working perfectly. I have videos up of the Ariens Edge and will have videos up of the IKON XD soon. The solid steel, 7-gauge formed and welded deck with reinforced 3/8 sides features an improved . You are getting twice the mower, as Paul mentioned. They are nice because once they are installed you dont need to mess with them for weeks at a time. Hi Paul, Thank you for this info, it has been a tremendous help to me. Its really interesting how the Internet can get facts turned upside down. Toro TimeCutter SS Mulch Kit. Im looking to purchase a zero turn ride on and to be completely honest and am over the place with what I want to do. Ive noticed that they offer two different engines though. I know i dont need anything crazy because ill be mowing up to an acre a week but i like nice things and always but more then i need. Ive been using a walk behind for the past 5 years. The Toro, since its 2019 model, is almost 1k less than an Xmark Radius e series I was also looking at.