The biggest problem with the TB30 is its lack of traction on any type of slope so most zero-turns will be better but I suggest a heavy-duty model. Toros mower comes with the SmartStow, enabling you to fold and store it virtually anywhere. Plastic breaks and metal bends, so the inclusion of plastic isnt the end of the world. The yard is not what Id call perfectly evenprobably typical for the countrybut the man who mows says its not bad. The clipping gets everywhere into your lungs and mower engine for a good measure. Disappointed that the Toro no longer is available with the Kawasaki engine. Pull the lap bars together in front of you, as this will disengage the parking brakes. In any case, heres a link to a video about the Turning Point Center shelter for the elderly homeless in Houston, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRAJIH0veOM so you can get an idea about the organization and how it runs. You may not be able to see it with the seat attached to the mounting plate. Hi Bill, Dixie Chopper is under new ownership again. The other half is generally flat (this is the back, and the lower portion of the front). You will also find that both machines use a dual hydrostatic drive system for ultimate maneuverability and ease of ride. With that said, which of these mowers or maybe one I didnt mention that is on your mind, that you would recommend? For example, my Dodge Caravan can pull 5000 lbs but I should not have more than 150 lbs on the hitch (tongue weight) Any more weight than that and the weight would push the rear of the van down too much making the van hard to steer or even understeer on a corner causing an accident. I do not need to tow anything. Ive been using a walk behind for the past 5 years. Ive been looking at a couple different options and would like your advice on which one to go with. Skag, Ferris, ExMark and Walker are on the heavy price point side for similar specs in these others (at least thats my interpretation of what Im reading). Fabricated Decks Good value residential mowers Best for most people that want a mower that cuts well and will last. Im looking for a new mower to handle about an acre of gently sloped (about 10 degrees in spots) yard and am seriously considering going for a ZTR mower. I dont have any issues with Hustler mowers. Click on each item to see them at The Home Depot. If you have inexperienced operators a fabricated deck will hold up better to them banging it against foundations and trees. The Cub Cadet tractor mower sports a heavy-duty AeroForce deck and rear diff lock to ensure optimal performance in hostile conditions. That said, the larger displacement of the Kohler (725cc) will give you more torque going up the hills with thick grass. It looked fairly safe and stable to mow this way. He did, on two occasions, lose traction at the steepest part of the hill and took short sleigh ride into the flat portion at the bottom of the hill. The Ultima is getting all the advertising this year but the Troy-Bilt is basically the same mower for a little less money. Its a heavy-duty mower but the Deere will have more options available like baggers and mulch kits. This article centers on helping you notice both brands distinct features to enable you to discern which machine is best for you. I primarily side discharge the clippings during the summer months but do mulch all of my leaves in the fall. Agri-Fab Sweeper. Thank You in advance! So I scrapped it, and hired someone to do the mowing. If you are inexperienced with standons check out this article: Spartan. You are getting twice the mower, as Paul mentioned. Arm Rest Kit for Cub Cadet XT1 and XT2. 2. The Cub Cadet has slightly larger tires so it will ride a little better and have a little more traction than the Deere. 7. (all those clipping need someplace to go and raising the deck up will let them drop into the grass) They will both work flawlessly on your normal lawn. If the basic version of either mower model isnt enough for you, take comfort in knowing that a range of enhancing accessories can be purchased. They are priced well especially compared to the Kubota and Hustler SD. The JD dealers seems good and I looked at the Z700 series. Appreciate it. If it still wiggles the bearings are bad and you need to replace the spindle. But the Toro TimeCutter HD with MyRIDE 48 in. Since Cub Cadet is the newest and they tried to hit all the consumer pain points which includes noise, Ill have to guess the Cub Cadet is quieter. Best budget riding lawn mower: Troy-Bilt . Is Your Yard Suitable For a Zero-Turn Mower? Any advice would be appreciated. I do have a fence, trees and a few other yard obstacles. Feel free to keep asking questions until you are comfortable buying the right mower for you. We need a new mower and at our Husky dealership they had a Rhomba like battery mower that can do up to a 35% grade. 48-52 inch zero-turns will typically travel faster than 42-inch models and some models will cut grass as fast as 9 MPH! The IKON XL and the Toro MyRide are much better choices. My Cub Cadet Commercial Enforcer ticks every mandatory box and also has the deck wash . May 28, 2020 / Cub Cadet ZT2 or Toro Timecutter #4 They are both priced roughly the same, have similar specs and both carry 3 year unlimited hour warranties. Join the discussionPaul, what is the blade speed on the Cub Cadet Ultima? Baggers for the MX and HD are very expensive. Bobcat mowers have been around a long time and the mowers are very good. if I go with the ikon xl, which engine should I choose, Kawasaki or the Kohler? I suggest talking to the dealers and picking the mower you like the best from the dealer you like the best. While its a good mower a rough lawn will shake it apart sooner than all the others Ive mentioned. I have been using a Husqvarna 48 lawn tractor and have been very satisfied with it. I am in search of zero turn to run the fence line, pond and camp area on 22 acres. Unfortunately, we dont have a residential model available. Budget is around 3K or less. Your thoughts please. Use the side discharge until June or so. While the battery of both machines is nearly similar, what makes the Cub Cadet mower stand out is the extra-high rear wheels. The blade speed on zero-turn mowers is faster than on a lawn tractor so you can travel over the lawn faster and still get a great cut. Yes, the operators manual says you can go on a slope up to 15 degrees but as you found out even 15 degrees can be dangerous with the tall/narrow ZTRs. It should be durable while providing maximum comfort during mowing. I only mulch, and as often the case in the NW , the grass here is damp. Appears to be a heavy duty estate class machine, has 2800 hydros, Kohler 7000 engine, and even larger tires. Thank you so much! For instance, the low-grade smaller deck mowers in question will have relative engines that generate 22 horsepower, and the high-grade with wider decks, 24 horsepower delivering a velocity of 7 8mph. In reality, they both weigh the same. Thank you for the post great information! Its a smaller engine than the FR691 the other brands are using. Q: Is Kohler EFI engine a reliable engine? So unless you can think of anything else I need to consider that might change my mind, I think Ill be going with the green and yellow Z-TRAK to start my ZTR experience. Of course, durability is important. For the reason the cutting blades maintaining high rotational speed is applauded, there is a corresponding feature consisting of large wing-like spray blocking fenders to keep the grass from dowsing its landscaper with clippings. Thanks Paul. I want the look of a nicely manicured lawn. On 2.5 acres you may only need to replace the blades every 3-4 years. When checking online pricing for the Z930M I found many of them with over 2000 hours still being sold. I am not reading about anyone having the EZT hydros die early on. Its a stand-on mower. BEAST zero turn mower Compare-Products 30 subscribers Subscribe 65 37K views 3 years ago A detailed comparison between the three leading zero turn lawn mowers Almost. 600 hours later the Honda v-twin 20hp had a $700 hickup and then 6 months later one of the Hydrogears self destructed and apparently Hydrogear no longer makes a replacement so off to the scrap yard. Husky has a big presence here but havent heard good things about reliability. My personal first choice is always a stand-on but I dont recommend stand-on mowers smaller than 40 inches. I would be interested in buying one of these used, but dont want to buy a basket full of problems if thats the case with these two. I couldnt be happier and you gave me some good advice last year, so thanks for that. The design of both these machines is almost similar. I have a 1.5 acre country lot with some 10 degree slopes and trees to maneuver around. Do you know of any difference between the ones you get from the dealer and the big box stores? Two small wheels are at the very front of the mower, and these always move in conjunction with the main wheels. Ryobi 75AH Less maintenance for upkeeping but couldnt find anything along with reliability, cut/bag/mulch, and they only sale at home depot (heard you should stay clear from big box stores for equipment). 5. Its only $300 more than the MX5075 but you get a whole lot more mower. Ive got about two acres of mostly flat lawn at my house. Would I be perfectly happy with the Toro for my very average small lawn? Heavy-Duty Fabricated Decks Built with many commercial components so the mower will take a beating Good for acreages, estates, farm lawns, farm ditches, and mowing pastures monthly. And Im perfectly happy to buy the ZT HD instead; I just hadnt really had Gravely on my radar before I talked with them. You can also check out these videos: Both brands are good. For the few extra dollars buy the Toro or Ariens. Fab Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide. There are 15-20 trees/plants and 3 buildings (home, garage, shed) to mow around. The second brand is Country Clipper. Use this dealer locator page to find a dealer in your area (Country Clipper dealers). I am now in the need for something more robust as the big dog has had a tough time on my farm. I had no idea where to start looking, but thanks to you Im on top of it now. The cutting deck is the part of the mower which houses the blades. If theres less than an acre to mow, a Toro will do just fine at delivering precision, efficiency, and comfort. Would the upgrades be worth the extra expense in your opinion? The list: The HD models have a significantly heavier frame and transmissions. I will check out the Z355R. Hi, Paul, Opinion please. I dont have an issue with the Cub Cadet ZT1 42. Appreciate all the help! With the mulch kit installed on the 48-inch deck its really only 6 inches wider than the 42-inch and will go through a 54-inch gate. The smaller ones are top-heavy, wobble around on rough ground, can be very tippy and dont have good traction on rough ground or slopes. Thank you very much! Looking at either the Toro 42 in Time cutter with the Toro branded engine (75744) or the 50 in with the Kawasaki engine (75750) Then on the flip side on the Cub Cadet Im looking at the 46 in (ZT1 46) with the Cub Cadet branded engine or the 50 in (ZT1 50) with the Kawasaki engine. They are also very heavy for their small tire size and can groove a lawn quickly if you are not pattern mowing. I have a small lawn that is only about 1/3 of an acre mowable and it has a gentle slope in the entire backyard of about 6-8., However, I have 22, 60+ year old (mostly) oak tree in my yard that makes fall cleanup by hand impossible for someone with a full-time job and two young kids at home. If you let your lawn get over 10 inches you may have to go back over areas to get a clean cut. Im wondering if you think its best to 1. They are mulching blades made for mulching they work wonderfully with mulching kits. The Liberty Z Scag is a residential mower and is the cheapest in the Scag line. Thank you for your diligence. I also like the Gravely/Ariens in that price range. At The Home Depot Toro TimeCutter MX5000 50 in. Thanks for your super helpful work. The Cub utilizes a similar tire setup, with the only difference being the 20 x 8-inch rear tires. The SS4225 is a good ZTR with Toros good single cylinder engine. I know the Ariens/Gravely has zt-3100 hydros. Thanks, The manufactures are building all kinds of equipment but the dealers are not qualifying the buyers so they get the right equipment for the jobs they have. The wider deck will allow you to trim around obstacles easier than the 42 inch model below. Im already beginning to spend some coin having local vendors mow (3x now). In terms of riding stability and safety (making turns) on a 15 degree slope, would a 46 zero turn with a steering wheel be more stable than a lawn tractor with a 46 deck? I have been trying to decide on a new mower. Walker will gladly come out and demo one on your property. The grasshopper has a hydraulic deck lift and a few others have electric. Toro timecutter HD or Ive also read about the Ariens mowers you recommend. One dealer is steering me toward the MZ Magnum, but I am concerned about its non-serviceable transmission and also think its not for two acres of mowing. 1. Now, we are in a new home and are beginning to look for a mower to better meet our needs. The dealers near me have cub cadet and toro. There is a Kohler 7000 (22hp, 725cc) or the Kawasaki (18hp, 603cc). Well cover popular mowers, such as Zero-turn mowers, tractor mowers, and walk-behind mowers, and highlight what makes one different or better than the other. Hi Jeffery, I have no preference between the Kawasaki and Kohler. Hi Paul. I am more confident with the purchase now. 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. Ive heard nothing good or bad on the Cub Cadet engine. I did note that it was probably under-powered because the cutting deck would stop cutting while I was driving up the hill (and the motor seemed to struggle). So inclined to think the Cub might be better overall for towing. Hi Paul. In other words, with these three ZTRs cost is directly proportional to the life of the mower. Are there any inclines present? (Most commercial decks depth are 5-6 inches) I have narrowed the choices down to two, the Toro 74630 TimeCutter SS5000 (50 My budget is $6,000 or less. Walker brand ZTRs can typically handle steeper slopes because of their low center of gravity. Good to know that their ZTRs dont have the issue. This peculiarity is very beneficial to the cutting deck of the machine. They are one of the hidden gems of the mowing industry. For the other two brands, you really should limit your towing to 200-250 lbs. After I posted that I looked a little closer. You may find the following posts helpful: John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer at Lawnmowerfixed.com. 60 inches. Im not familiar with Husky but the Husqvarna decks are not as good. How do these compare to the new Ariens? I also like the fact that the Ariens has a center anti-scalp wheel which will help with scalping on my uneven ground. a lot better over the years. The Cub is designed with a more open engine compartment so maybe the sound will be dispersed outwards better. Finally, I am a little concerned that your local dealer cant get a CA compliant mower. John deere, gravely, bob cat, toro, exmark. Why? Lastly, Toro is a 100 year old company that has been making zero turns for decades, including those which have been engineered and built for Exmark, the industry leader in commercial mowers; they know what they are doing. It mows really well and is a very dependable mower. The Toro also makes use of precision steering. The start sequence is enabled by a pressure switch from weight in the seat. 1st time for ZTM. Toro is consolidating their residential mower line and the new MyRide is selling faster than they can make them. For a rugged mower for two acres, I like the Ariens IKON XL and Ariens APEX at the Home Depot. Metal, however, can be straightened out after bending, whereas broken plastic is useless. I took your advice in May and bought a TORO Timecutter 60 cut and the three speed are perfect. The ONLY difference between the ZT2100 and ZT2200 is the 2100 has 3/4 inch axles (900 lb capacity) and the 2200 has 1-inch axles (1000) capacity. 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Mowers Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Now I just have to find one!! I live in Wisconsin and surely like to support the local manufacturers. Hi iamdgw, The Titan does not have the Smart Speed. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. If you are fine with buying from the box store and then finding a dealer if you have issues to save $200 then go that way. Based on your article, I am considering the Toro MX5075 MyRide and the Arins IKON XL 52. If hill is wet I can walk behind to have more control The cut doesnt look quite as good, and he cant follow the bed lines as well as before. Fab 24.5 HP V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower or We have about an acre of lawn with a lot of pine trees, 42 inches. Thanks for your advice to buy the Ultima ZT2 50. Zero turns are excellent at maneuvering and at cutting laws efficiently. Lastly, $3.5K $5.5K or thereabouts would be presentable to the Queen Beejust sayin. Cub Cadet ZT1 42E zero-turn mower will mow up to two and a half acres on one charge and the lithium-ion battery can be quickly charged to any amount if you have "just a little more" lawn than that. The Cub Cadet ZT2 is a decent mower I just like the Gravely better. Unfortunately, the 50 inch is in high demand this year so you may have to go to a dealer to get it. These mowers will give you a much longer life. I have it professionally serviced last July and informed them of the issue. Do you have a suggestion for the engine choice, Toro twin 24.5 hp or Kohler 22hp? I am looking at the Deere Z335E and Z375R. I would like a bigger deck, at least a 54inch so I can be donestyle points on grass not important. Hi Paul, Ive been looking at Walker and some higher end Hustler and have up to $15000 New Zealand dollars budget ($9500 USD). That is a much larger market than Lawnmowers and there are hundreds of little hole-in-the-wall making engines for that market sector. 1. The Bad boy MZ MAGNUM is much lighter-duty mower than the Ariens/Gravely. Two big Maples and six oaks keep me busy in the fall and a dozen pin oaks that dont drop their leaves till spring. I dont necessarily want to mow the whole thing, but at least half of it. The 3100 trannys are nice but the mower is Kubotas entry model. A cheaper belt is a cheaper belt. Hi Paul trying to decide between the Toro 75750 and the Ikon XD 52. By the way, Home Depot is not going to carry Ariens mowers. I read several of the links about trying to decide which one to get and after your expertise I recently purchased a TORO Time Cutter 75760 60. Spec-wise they are almost identical. I mow 2 1/2 acres with some inclines and trees. Looking for a workhorse that will last, not difficult to maintain, power through high grass, good cut and smooth ride. Hi Jon, I have no preference. Hi Trent, It will finish mow at 8 mph and if you dont need a perfect cut it will mow at 10 mph. Its not a manicured lawn but its not bad either. It gives you a much better experience if you ever have an issue with your mowers engine. Because of the number of trees on the property, I feel like a lawn tractor would end up increasing the amount of time it takes me to mow over my current self-propelled mower so Im looking at ZTRs. 1. 3. It could be sent here to pick up, but this location isnt open on Saturdays at all which means Id have to take time off from a new job to pick it up. Is the 3-blades on the Ariens an advantage for mulching? Costco wont carry those items. I also believe all Exmarks now have foam filled front tires so punctures are not an issue anymore. Now I am contemplating having them rebuild transmission which I believe will cost me about $1500 or maybe just get a good used or new zero turn. Its pretty common to go through a belt a year with the with MTD 42 and 46-inch decks made before 2015. 6. I have seen some concern about the non-serviceable transmission on this model. He started making mowers in the early 90s and always had the idea of keeping the mowers priced so anyone could afford them even if it meant selling fewer than anyone else. Thats very helpful. These two machines are different and have a different range of skill sets. However, the 4WD model is a bit out of my price range, and it now seems that few dealers still carry these mowers in the US. 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. It helps keep the fuel fresh and some stabilizers also clean your carb and fuel system without messing it up. The full suspension platform on the Radius would be really nice for mowing your rougher area. I think I have a truly fun exercise for you with a varied list of contenders. I think theres always 100.00 off to new card members for their first purchase. John Deere. Yes, the engine is made for Toro by Loncin. I have compiled the best of both worlds, pointing out their highs and lows to assist you in weighing your options.