Im looking to upgrade from my 1980's Simplicity tractor and Ive decided to go with a zero turn. Looking at the John deere 355 (22hp, 48"), Cub Cadet RZT (24hp 54") or the Husqvarna Z254 (26hp 54"). The John Deere is the only one with a Briggs motor. All of them are the same price, but John Deere has cheapest (stamped) deck. I like more HP from the Cub and Husky, but Im looking for reviews and personal experiences. Any help is appreciated. I should also add that Im keeping this under $3,000. But I sure wish I could have a $6,000 mower like some of you!

I stopped mowing about 30 min ago to come "window shop" on the internet after ANOTHER belt broke on my mower, its now sitting under the shade tree in the yard

I have a Toro MX 5000 except for the cheap 2 ply tires it's a great mower plenty of power and that Toro motor starts with ease,

Rhino, I mow about 2.5 acres every 5 days all summer long. I bought a Bad Boy Buggy, 60 inch with Kawasaki motor, and flat love the thing. I can go around trees and other obstacles pretty easily and it is a grass eating machine. I got it for 5 grand. I've seen the same one with the Kohler for about 4600, but wouldn't go that route is you cut much. The Kawasaki motor is projected as a 900 hour motor while the Kohler is only 500 hours.

Cubs are probably easier to change a mower belt on. I curse everytime I have to change a belt on my JD Z655. Takes 3 different sockets and a cheater bar to change the belts. I'd check on the z355 to see if it's made by MTD, whcihs owns Cub cadet now I believe.

i found a dixie chopper 50" used for 500$. silver eagle. FAST! built heavy. mows great.

ps. craigslist is your friend.

I don't know about all Kohler small engines, but I have a 15 he and a 23 hp the 23 has right at 1000 hrs and runs great. They were bought used on John deere lawn tractors.

I bought this one a month or so ago, and I really like it. They were having a sale at the time and I got it for around 2,700 after taxes.

https://www.proturflawnandgarden.com/new-models/2018-toro-42-timecutter-mx4200-74766-26313882b

We have the 42" Cub and mow about 3 acres every week for most of the summer. It's 7 years old and showing some wear and tear but still working fine. Got it for $2250 on sale at Tractor Supply in 2011. Kohler engine.

SCAB

Now if you get the Husky don't get the quick release blades they are junk.

I have the cub rzt L 54 with a 23 hp Kawasaki going on its fourth summer now. I like the mower the Kawasaki engine pops off and starts immediately. Haven't done anything to it other than change oil ( which is a bit of a pia)

The deck wash I don't use because it seemed pretty worthless. Haven't had to change a belt yet so can't comment on that.

I mow about a acre and a half and it makes a pretty nice cut I do have some uneven spots in the yard that it scalps a little but not bad.
Good luck with whatever you get

You probably mean SKAGG .....good machines but high dollar unless you're mowing LOTS !

P

I would love to have a zero turn. I just can't force myself to spend that kind of money. LOL They are so nice to use.

Scags, buy one now and you won't be buying another one 3 years from now and another 3 years after that.
You will pay for it but they are built tough. It will be around when your old and your grandson can mow with it. Look what the lawn guys use in your area. They make thier money mowing not watching it at a repair shop.
Any questions text me.

With this warm weather here, I hope to be acclimated to your weather when I get out there to see your dog work in August.

Russ

Thanks, yes, Scags. Mine has last for ten years, cuts twice as fast as my other mowers, zero issues.

When I had my landscaping business. I ran an Exmark 54 inch and a Hustler 52 inch. Both with 27hp Kohler. Both are top notch mowers.The engines never gave one ounce of trouble. Keep the mowers lube,engine oil and filter changed, air filter and blades sharp. I changed blades every morning when I had my business. Mower will work less with sharp blades. Customers lawn will look professional.
Best time to buy is during the winter,cash talks. New price range for either or is around 9-$10,000. Used you can find for around 4-6. Sarge

I bought a ariens zero turn , has a welded deck and a Kawasaki engine all for less than $3000 in a 52". Love it rides nice and lots of power. Also had a lot of 4&5 star reviews !

Own Bob-Cat 52'' industrial , bought new in 2009 Generac engine, mowing machine only problem I've encountered ( turf tires) replaced

What local dealers do you have to choose from. That is my factor. Gravely is closest dealer so that's what I have. Kawasaki engine is the only way to go regardless of mower breed

Marty where you at?

FERRIS 3200 great mower

I too think a local dealer is important. I bought a Snapper 61" two weeks ago because the local dealer is also a friend. I'm very happy with it so far.

Buy a good used exmark lazer Z with less than 500 hours if mowin a average yard will last many years if you have a good dealer near ya that takes trades. The commercial grade mowers are just flat built better and a good used one will cost about the same and give you less trouble a few years down the road

I'll just say one thing and that's try to buy a mower with a engine that has a oil filter, it will save you grief down the road.

I've got the Cub Cadet RZT 54, 350 hours on it and it hasn't missed a beat. I changed the deck belt a month ago and it was a 5 minute job. I mowed a field last fall that was a foot high and it never bogged whatsoever. I would probably buy one again, good mower. The Kawasaki motor is a brute.

Buy a husqvarna with the fabricated deck, and a kawasaki if possible. From a dealer - not a box store.


The briggs intek are junk - they heat up and the valve guides move, the sump gaskets go at around 400 hours. The kohlers are ok as long as it's not a courage. Cub cadets are ticking time bombs that will drain your wallet. John deere is junk - unless you buy a expensive one from the dealer.

Scag

My dad uses a Toro zero turn in that price range. He has had it for 3 years with no problems. I have a mowing business, I run a Ferris with a 52in deck. Probably the best ride of any mower with coil over shocks on all 4 corners. Rides better than my pickup. Change blades daily, sometimes change again in the middle of day. Makes for a better looking lawn and. .and works motor much less. I have over 900 hours on it with all the original belts. A local dealer is important also.

Scag + Kawasaki = Darn fine combo

Grasshoppers are the best zero turn to answer your question. Scag, Ferris, Bob Cat are all fine mowers too but you don't see alot of used ones. Go find a used Grasshopper with about 600 hours and offer them $3000 and see what they say. Craigslist as mentioned above and I see alot of them on that FB marketplace app.

Well they are all pretty good mowers. But to answer your question and not throw yet another mower out there because its the best I'd go with the Cub Cadet out of your choices. If you ask what is the best pickup, dodge, chevy or ford you will get the same responses and a lot of people will tell you to go with Toyota even though you didn't even ask about Toyota. Anyway the Deere would be my second choice. I did a lot of lawns helping my son out through college recently and he did have a Deere commercial end that was pretty good.

I would not buy anything with a stamped deck, just not worth it after a couple years. I think Simplicity is on of the best made. Have had one for 11 years. The deck belt only lasted 9 years. Just not had any problems with the mower. Neighbor has started selling Big Dog mowers. I am impressed with them. Only ones around are no older than 4 years but no one has had any trouble yet. mike

BTW, I have researched commercial mowers to death, my younger brother has been in it for 25 years, he just bought a Skag stander, I have never heard of Grasshopper so either they aren't around my area or don't market very well?

This is what I run and can't kill it .....I mow @ 6 acres every 5 days it seems ...Turf Tiger ..

This is what I run and can't kill it .....I mow @ 6 acres every 5 days it seems ...Turf Tiger .. [/quote

X3

X2 I also got the Toro MX5000
3 year unlimited hours on the warranty. 25 hp 50 inch fabricated deck. $3099.00

My Scag has a Kawasaki 23hp engine. Very nice combo.

At the dealer where I bought my Tiger Cat, the service department manager said that they know nothing about repairing Scag mowers because they don’t break down.

Scag makes a nice homeowner model that might be in your price range at $4000.

Have you looked for a used commercial mower? Maybe you could find a nice one if somebody’s was moving up in size.

I worked for a school system and the 14 schools had about 12 acres each to mow. They use grass hoppers and exmark. Kohler engines are the only way to go. If you have a lot of shrubs to mow around the grass hoppers are better. The deck sits out more forward than the exmark. Also the exmarks break down more often. The frames are to flimsy and the vibration constantly was shearing bolts off. THE GRASS HOPPER 10 - 1 better.

Cub makes a zero turn that uses a steering wheel. Not tiller drive like most.....

They all break belts for sure.

Most mowers are for the most part all the same parts with different paint in the same price ranges. Most 3000 dollar mowers use the same parts. Same with the 6000 dollar mowers. Engine's, bearings, belts, blades, and hydraulic pumps. You just about can't go wrong in any price range. They all can have a bad day.

I bought a new Snapper-Pro 200, 61" deck, with Kawasaki engine about a year ago. It is a heavy built commercial mower and some of the yard businesses around here won't use anything else except Snapper-Pro or Ferris. It is absolutely the best mower that I have ever owned. Some businesses around here use and like Exmark and some use and like John Deere. A couple of the businesses use Badboy mowers. Dixie chopper is another good one and so is Bobcat and so is Hustler and so is Gravely and so is Skag. All of those commercial mowers that I mentioned are expensive but worth it as it will last you until you turn it over to the grandkids. Big Dog is Hustler that is red instead of yellow. My brother has,,,, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hustler-Raptor-...tely/1000370425 and likes it. It is about $3000. It is not commercial but does seem to be fairly well built. Stick with a major brand that has a dealer within reasonable distance. Good luck to ye on finding a good buy for a good mower.

Rickey

Wow, you guys really like your mowers! I appreciate all of the input, unfortunately my wallet isnt as big as some of yours! I agree with everyone to avoid the stamped decks. Having said that-I think Im between a Cub Cadet and a Hustler Raptor 52". They only dealer I have within 100 miles of me is John Deere and I dont want one, so now I drive to the big city (Also, craigslist is hard to use when you live where I do)! Im thinking the Hustler with the 23hp Kawasaki will be my choice and Ive noticed it mentioned a few times in this thread so that was good to see.

The only one I didn't see mentioned was KUBOTA, I may have one overlooked it though. There is probably a good explanation though, they are pricey, the city runs them here, cost is not an issue probably.

Gravely's are junk. My uncle has one. We run a Hustler with a Honda V-twin.

Z52 Husky here, with 25hp Kohler , and a fabricated deck. Smallest commercial mower in a Husky. I love it. $4300 last summer.

You get the Toro get the mulcher kit it's a rock throwing fool without the mulcher kit I took out 2 windows before I put the kit on!

Standers dominate over sit on zero turns. Much more comfortable to operate and more maneuverable.

Wow, no kidding. I've got a Toro and haven't experienced that problem. Then again we don't have rocks here. If you see a rock here, someone brought it from somewhere else.

Have a mulch kit of my JD z655. Its nice on normal years but when the grass is 7" tall, the mower doesnt like it. Contemplating just weed killing the whole yard.

I guess I'll be the 1st to recommend Landpride. They make a great mower and sell them at our local implement dealer. Not sure on price as I bought mine used and have mowed my 6 acres for the last 4 years without a single problem. Whenever I need to upgrade I will get another or else a Hustler

Get the best, get a Walker.

When I first got it I took out the Jeep door window and a spare D50 back slider it was getting spendy there for a bit! LOL

Ferris all the way....... I mow about 4 acres and can do it pretty quick. About 2 hr 30 minutes

So have you bought a mower yet? By now, there may be some end of season sale promotions. Or you might find a nice clean trade-in from someone who is upgrading in size.

Here is a tip to make any zero-turn mower ride better: get some screened topsoil and fill in the divots, dips, holes, low spots, or whatever. Pack it down a bit. Rake it smooth. Throw on handful of grass seed. Before you know it your mower will ride better!

Best wishes.