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

[toobaroque]

Scag or nothing. I've been running a Scag for OVER 25 years... YES, the same one. 1999 Turf Tiger with 61" deck.. Sure, I've put some money into it, but it still serves me well. Cleaned after EVERY use and I've even waxed it a few times in it's life. She deserves it.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

I've had a Hustler Raptor ZTR mower for 6 years, maybe 7.
It's only got a 42" cutting deck, but I know they make them larger.
Engine's held up fine.
The seat pressure safety switch went bad. I bypassed it for one season then finally replaced it.
One time I broke the shock-absorber type thing that slows and smooths-out the movement of the steering arms, but that was probably my fault manhandling it.
A couple steel support bars in the frame bent after years of my 300-lb. butt bouncing over my rutted and hilly yard. It's a common problem for residential-grade mowers, I hear. Hustler sells a kit with beefier set of supports, so I bought that and installed them. So far, so good.

 

[Dogtown Darren]

EXCELLENT advise! Thank you for the information!

One common theme I noticed is to avoid the big box Home Depot/Lowes stores, that a dedicated power equipment dealer is the only way to go.

Looks like I’ve got some research to do

 

[alexs2006]

EXCELLENT advise! Thank you for the information!

One common theme I noticed is to avoid the big box Home Depot/Lowes stores, that a dedicated power equipment dealer is the only way to go.

Looks like I’ve got some research to do

Go to Ace hardware in Douglasville. They've got the goods and the service dept. to match!

 

[Asbestos]

Exmark or Scag. Welded

Pay attention to the equipment loaded on the commercial landscape trucks in your area. I bet you see a common theme on the backs of them…

 

[Allsmiles]

EXCELLENT advise! Thank you for the information!

One common theme I noticed is to avoid the big box Home Depot/Lowes stores, that a dedicated power equipment dealer is the only way to go.

Looks like I’ve got some research to do

Go tap/step on the mowing decks at the big box stores. If it sounds like you could dent it with a rock, you will. Regardless of what you buy, get extra blades, PTO belt, and tools to change blades. You will appreciate it when something happens, and everything is already there, and you don't have to go searching for parts. I chewed up the PTO belt the other day because I hit a piece of barb wire that wrapped around 2 blades.

 

[Lightning8]

I moved to rural GA with 22 acres and cut about 10 acres. Bought an Ariens Icon 60 inch with Kawasaki engine from local Lowes. No issues - just change blades. Key at purchase time was the 60 inch cut so that eliminated a lot of mowers

 

[wildbill1973z28]

My 60” & 72” Ferris ZT’s are sad just sitting since I hired a yard crew last year. Gonna sell them

Let me know if & when you decide!

 

[joel2000]

Look into Wright… 52 inch deck for me. Have owned Scag and loved them.

 

[GeauxLSU]

"Bad,Boy, Bad Boy, is what you need to do."
Actually I have no idea but an older brother just did too much research and that's where he landed.