Thats funny, cause I would never own a zero turn...just too one dimensional for my needs. I use my JD rider for multiple uses year round. Just cant justify a piece of equipment for one use. If I ran a lawn mowing business, it would certainly be different. Different strokes for different folks I guess.....

We have a 42" hustler and 72 inch big dog with have just a little under 500 hrs on them. They have been great. They can make tall grass short fast.

I have been to 2 shops looking at comercial mowere for the boys and seeing what's avaliable and prices

One place said once you get to comercial mowers they all have the same kawasaki motors, pumps, and bearings biut from the same places so pick on service you get. That place only had comercial grade mowers.

The other place had 3 grades of mowers and basically the guy said this one will last x hours, that one this many and this one this many before having failingsand tolsd me what starts going out first.. The difference is different quality of parts used in each grade though they look the same other than the stamped deck on the cheapest ones.

The big question Is is it worth spending 2x the price ot better buiybg cheaper and replacing it when you wear it out. If running a business it may be better to buy top end and sell or trade them off every so often to avoid down time and they will hold value a little better. Also may be better tax advantages.

If I was running a commercial grass cutting service I'd want a good one, one that doesn't necessarily break down when grass needs cutting, down time is money, and aggravated customers.
For personal use what does it matter if your grass keeps growing while your cutter is down, and will it when you only use it once a week for a few hours?

500 hours of mowing would take me years....could probably get by fine with a less costly model...

Once you learn to drive a zero turn I doubt a guy would be in a hurry to go back to a lawn tractor type for larger lawns. IMO

I run a 72 exmark. Love it

My brother just bought a 60 bad boy. 5k cheaper than a Toro. The ride on his is amazing.