Advise Needed: Zero Turn Mowers. 48”-52”. What Do You Recommend?

[Dogtown Darren]

I need some ODT wisdom.

Title kinda says it all. So many mowers, so many choices, so confusing. Things I know I want:

- Heavy residential to light commercial grade
- 48” to 52” deck
- Kawasaki engine

Other than those things, I’m pretty wide open.

While money is a consideration, I’m willing to buy once/cry once for a quality machine.

Recommendations? Mowers to avoid?

Give a dumb boy some schoolin’

 

[Wile E. Coyote 5.0]

I wish I'd spent the extra grand at the time and got a commercial zero turn instead of saving money and getting the residential version at Tractor Supply. I'd be happy with any brand as long as it's commercial grade

 

[BEREZKA]

Skip the hamsterwheel and plant it full of flowers

 

[outlaw1961]

Cut 10 acres with a exmark for about 10 years. Been running a Scags for about three years over same area. Both of these brands are great. Both were 52 in zero turns

 

[BkBigKid]

Buy a welded deck not a stamped deck.. My welded deck I have Broke belts numerous times. Hit numerous roots. And the deck isn't hurt at all..

Oh and because I have a few hills and wet areas I changed my tires to atv style tires. No slipping and little turf damage

 

[CAMSDADDY]

We are starting our fifth season with our scag. I have done oil changes and replaced the battery otherwise just gas.

 

[Cal B]

Buy from an actual dealer that services the products they sell.

Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply do not do warranty work, they send it off.

Several mower manufacturers offer financing with 0% interest.
Get a higher grade mower and spread out the cost.

A true commercial mower can very well be the last mower a regular home owner could buy if maintenance is done properly.

I suggest you see what dealers are around you and shrink the field.


Also suggest buying extra belts and blades at time of purchase.

 

[Medic1957]

Bought a Gravely ZT/HD with a 60" deck 4 years ago. I cut about 5 acres once a week. It has never let me down.

 

[Grdbreaker]

Spend the extra $ and make sure you get an hr meter and servicable transmissions with filters or don't expect more than about 600 hrs before replacing.

 

[jpm2953]

Exmark or scag. Find a dealer near you that can service them and carry parts.
Don’t buy a residential model.
Welded deck only.
Kawasaki or Honda engine only.