I did mean to say the Ariens XD, whats your take on the Ariens Apex in comparison? Toro researched and went with Loncin primarily because five years ago the quality control and warranty repairs for some of the other engine brands you recognize was becoming problematic. The 4-point is also strong enough that you can step on it to get on and off the tractor. I was hoping for Ariens (good bang for buck), but they only offer the 2200 transaxles through their X and XDunits and can only get the 3100 axles on the Apex units which are pretty close to the same price as gravely ZT HD. Any advice would be appreciated. . $4399 $3499 = $900. The best part is the price, the Toro is quite a bit cheaper than the Cub. It was a great lawn tractor when it was a Craftsman but it is not the right tractor for you from Costco. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Does anyone have experience with these two? The zero-turn mower market has grown quite competitive. Have you heard of the transmission concerns? Finally needed work done on the trannys. I have about 1 acre of mowable grass. Hi Shane, I like the Ariens IKON X a lot for a one-acre yard. Its going to be a great mower for the average suburban lawn but not for tall grass of really bumpy lawns. I want something that will last me a very long time. Hi Daron, What Toro means is hitch/tongue weight or the downward force on the hitch, not what it can pull. 2. 2. I will be cutting about 3.5 acres with a few rolling hills. My neighbor let me try his Ferris IS600 to test the ride without actually mowing. Theres no winner in terms of durability and maneuverability. You get the heavier trannys and a reinforced deck. Why? To know more about the accessories that are commonly purchased for mowers, read this. Great info. Im put off by the EZT hydros on the Ikon series. The Toro, since its 2019 model, is almost 1k less than an Xmark Radius e series I was also looking at. Hello Paul. Whereas some mowers utilize reinforced plastic cutting decks, the Toro and Cadet alike employ all-metal cutting decks. The biggest feature is Smart Speed. Its a three-speed lever that so you can slow the mower down when pulling heavy loads. Any thoughts on those? Hi T. Dan, Feel free to stop by anytime and tell us how the Jonsered is working out. Id go visit each dealer and buy from the one you trust the most. For $300 more you can get the 75746. 42-46 inch Fabricated Deck 1/2 to 1 1/2 Acres, 42-46 inch Heavy-Duty 10 ga Fabricated Decks, You can find a lot more information on the 42-46 inch ZTRs here: 2022 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 48-52 inch Stamped Deck Up to 2.5 Acres, 48-52 inch Fabricated Deck Up To 3 Acres. A good size for snow blowers and push mowers. While both mowers will cut grass a Zero turn is associated as you know with larger law areas. This in comparison with the ZT1s EZT-2200. The unit features mowing speeds of up to 7 mph and is easy to operate. Best in class seating( bad back) and have 4 to 5 acres to mower. Hi Rob, Lets start with the Toro. Do you have an opinion on these two units or recommend a mother brand in the same price point? HI Greg, I use the specs page at toro.com. Ive just been getting more confused the past few weeks when trying to buy my first ZTR, and I hope you can help me. (I dont fertilize it, or treat it with lawn chemicals). On the Toro, however, height is controlled using a lever thats beside the speed control. I was looking at the exmark radius 48 but they dont offer the kawasaki engine with them, do you know anything about those engines that exmark is using in their radius mowers. Owners never complain about grass build up under the deck. Zero-turn mowers are ideal because they ensure no patches of lawn go uncut, and theyre also pretty easy to get the hang of. I rate products differently than most sites. Loncin is one of the worlds largest engine manufactures and their quality is legendary. The second choice is the Toro Titan with MyRide. In my opinion, this is the lowest price point you should go for what you want to mow. So I am looking at potentially free delivery of the machine to my home. Its smoother than the 7000 series and has a larger air cleaner. Hi, Paul, The Ariens Apex and Zenith both have good, soft seats and large wheels so they will ride smooth. The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 is more powerful and durable than the Toro TimeCutter ZS 4200S, but this additional strength makes the Cub more expensive than the Toro. If you still want to pick up the mulched leaves then get this sweeper> Agri-Fab 44 in. Fuel Stabilizer: When I go to the gas station and buy fuel I always put fuel stabilizer in the storage tank. The Gravely ZT XL is also the same mower with the next larger transmissions and a 4-year warranty instead of 3 years. A 900-hour machine is ripe for $300-$1500 of minor repairs. Im trying to decide between a Toro 48 TimeCutter HD with MyRIDE (75211/75210) and a Gravely ZT HD 48. The John Deere mulches, bags and side discharges the best of all the 42-inch ZTRs on the market. The Kawasaki in these mowers is the FR (residential) version. and the picture! So if you are nervous about the Briggs Intek in the John Deere lets focus on two Toro mowers. Ive spent a bunch of time reading your site over the last week as Im looking to purchase a new mower. Im wondering if you think its best to 1. Both mowers are ideal for residential homeowners. Thanks for all the great info here. This deck is the best cutting 42-inch deck in the industry and its very rugged a lot more rugged than a stamped deck. The Gravely has the best deck for cutting longer grass and it will handle the hills. The 50-inch size will get the lawn mowed quickly. I own a JD LX280, which has been a great mower, but I have been looking at a ZTR for a couple years as an addition to the JD. Its very easy to switch from mulch to bag to side discharge. If you have a very thick lawn you may wish you went with a V-Twin engine. If you have any questions or problems your local dealer will be glad to help you. Dump Carts There are cheap, good carts and expensive, bad carts. 2. I suggest stopping in to a local dealer and see what they have in the $6000-$9000 range. Now I just have to find one!! Father in law says he believes i could take a 60 inch back there with no problem and just lift the deck to avoid any small stumps etc that was left over from the guy clearing. Your review the other day was spot on. Any thoughts or comments? Paul It uses the ZT 2200 transmissions BUT, with the one-inch axles, the way the Walker is designed, the center steering, and the low center of gravity you will never have problems with them. Hydraulic belt tensioners so your drive belt lasts 10 times longer than the other brands. Both mowers have a padded high-back seat, and these can be adjusted to ensure maximum comfort. I want the look of a nicely manicured lawn. powerful 35hp v-twin kawasaki engine !!! Pull the lap bars together in front of you, as this will disengage the parking brakes. 3400 pumps, 23 tires, 7 gauge deck, 10mph, B&S Vanguard for $4200? Mostly flat land. I prefer the 50 inch model because the deck sticks out the side farther which makes it easier to trim around stuff. Ask him about any specials he has coming up because a lot of dealers will have a spring special (i.e. Hydro Gear ZT-2100 and ZT-2200 Transaxles on the SS and SW and Hydro Gear ZT-2800 Transaxles on the MX and SWX and Hydro Gear ZT-3100 Transaxles on the Timecutter HD. I have both brands and I use them all the time. The bolt-in mulch kit is easy to take in and out for fall cleanup. Heres what I like about the Bradley (link below): ZT3400 drives / 23 rear tires. The manufactures dont specify but Id guess 140-180 F. Hope youre doing well, great article by the way. (You can raise the deck vertically once its on the trailer so it doesnt take up as much room.). I would prefer to get the ikon xI but since it is $1000 more than the x, its out of my budget range. Hi Paul, Should I be considering someone/something else? Yes, there are after-market manufacturers that make pull behind leaf vacs but that doesnt mean you should be putting one behind your zero-turn. (It will be set up and delivered by a local dealer) I checked the Redding, CA website and they can get either one to you in about 2 weeks. Bradley is a small Midwest company thats been around for years. This feature aces in saving time and increases the general effectiveness of mowing. The Bad boy MZ MAGNUM is much lighter-duty mower than the Ariens/Gravely. I got 1/3 acre to mow with not much obstacles in the way (4 trees). EL Mehdi (Medi), the founder and voice behind Desired Lawn Mower. 50 inches. The Ariens/Gravely, Bad Boy Elite, and Toro Titan are all priced around $5000. 3. The 75746 also comes with the U.S.A.-made Kohler engine. Decent engine, decent transmissions and built well. 1. I really ran across this URL of yours [I think]as a matter of the odds of just browsing, at times, painfully. Hi Adam, I recommend the Toro Titan with MyRide. They own the Huskee brand name. I also like the toro my ride and ariens ikon x john deere and cub cadet ultima. The deck couldnt handle the bumpy ground. Additionally, I dont have to do the mowing which is hard to quantify. Stamped Decks Inexpensive Mow well, bag well, and are great for smooth lawns. Other than this one hill the yard is primarily flat. The only real difference is the Toro has a slightly thicker deck, the automatic parking brake, and the smart speed control. How does the next step up Cub Cadet (ZTX4) stack up same tranny & engine I believe. The name is an old, well-respected name in the industry. I do think Ill like the wider rear tires on the Deere though. Thank you. I prefer to deal with local dealers versus the big box stores. I would prefer one with mulching capacity that doesnt bog down, create mohawks, or leave grass clumps on my lawn or, worse, my sidewalk and driveway. Hi Tommy, The 2200 is not as weak as everyone wants you to believe. What Im looking for: reliability, ease of maintenance, easy to handle, budget around $3k and comfort (I can see him spending A LOT of time on it). Costco wont carry those items. Paul does most of his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. The Tractor itself is good but they put a cheap Briggs Intek motor in it. If Im creeping up toward 6K, is there any other brands that I should be looking at or are the specs all going to be about the same? It flips up the easiest and fastest in fact, its easy enough to use that you can park it in your garage with the deck flipped up to save room. Im always partial to the Exmark though many contractors also like the Scag. Also do i need 2 worry about popping one of those front tires with the small stumps i have around? The Joystick is one lever just point the lever in the direction you want to go Its really nice because you only use one hand and you can rest your arm on the armrest when you are driving. Hi Larry, There is nothing wrong with the Toro or ExMark except the sales didnt meet Toros expectations. Baggers for the MX and HD are very expensive. Trimming with the Model R is unbeatable. Appreciate your passion and what you do for the common folks on here. Its now owned by a Chinese company though the mowers are still made in Beatrice, KS. Check out my article here on the Toro Titan. They both have the best cut. Please tell me what front deck zero turn commercial or semi commercial mower you recommend. Hi Mark, if you would like to go to a 54-inch deck tractor and have slopes you will need to move up to a garden tractor. 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. The deck independently rides over bumps, dips, and follows the contour of your lawn exactly. None of those manufacturers will extend your ZTRs warranty in case your mower breaks using their leaf vac. CR members with digital access can read on for ratings and reviews of the 12 best lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers, and rear-engine riders on the market right now. Last year I used 50 of those large, compostable yard bags and only about 85% of my leaves dropped before our first snowfall. Any advice you can give on each for a residential lawn? Thanks for your help! Hustler fixed all the issues with the Raptor series with the new XD. I was using my TORO 51592 blower when it started to catch on fire and possibly electrocute me. It is a nice machine. Hi Sean, If you are going to mulch all the time Im going to suggest the Toro V-Twin 42 at this time. In other words, with these three ZTRs cost is directly proportional to the life of the mower. Hi JD, I have no problems with any of the engines. Ive been looking at Walker and some higher end Hustler and have up to $15000 New Zealand dollars budget ($9500 USD). I got an email from them today that they will be selling at 20% off. Thats a hard question to answer. But its biggest advantage is the mower will hang on slopes because the front wheels steer and both transmissions drive all the time. People like their Scag commercial mowers and owners really like how well this one bags but to me its just another middle-of-the-road mower. Greetings Paul Based on my reading here (and other online platforms), Im pretty much in line with everyone elsereliability, durability, maintainability, reasonable cut (dont need golf course perfection! When my wife mows, she complains about how bumpy I want a mulching deck since I mow around my market garden and I cant sell lettuce mix that is covered in grass clippings. If it were me I would go for the Toro as well. Even the new MyRide MX5075 uses the 2200. My third choice is the 52 inch Ariens IKON XD/Gravely ZT X with ZT2200 Trannys. I know I want a fabricated deck. Hi Art, Good comment! John deere Z540M with the Kawasaki engine 48 The Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet ZT1 are the same mower except the Troy-Bilt has MTDs own good V-Twin, has a lever height adjust and doesnt have that racing bar over the engine. The Kohler 7000 is an extended life engine. Q: What are your thoughts about Kohler vs Kawasaki quality? The Toro TimeCutter and Cub Cadet zt1 have models with different motors and capacities depending on the grade. Hi I was wondering what you thought about the new Riding ego zero turn 360 mower battery one Im looking at getting that maybe at the end of the year or next year Right now its a low too expensive for my taste. I would I just need a residential as opposed to commerical. Its pretty common to go through a belt a year with the with MTD 42 and 46-inch decks made before 2015. Whats odd, the closest dealer that stocks the mower I want is 50 miles away. The Cub Cadet is the hottest probably because he gets a little more profit so he pushes the sale a little harder It has the same trannys as the Cub Cadet XT2 but like the ZT-HD/APEX it has the optional powered bagger. I have heard the EZT can be very reliable if the machine weight is not excessive and theyre not cutting 5 acres a week. In fact, I have that deck on my Exmark and I use that deck as my reference cut for most of my videos when Im demoing other mowers. Can the ZT2 transmission handle that? The Cub is heavier like all the other Zero Turns. I do have a fence, trees and a few other yard obstacles. The Toro commercial engine also has a great reputation. What would you suggest to best meet my needs? Thanks again in advance! The Deere you are looking at uses the Intek. Going to demo the Walker very soon and if I can manage to escape the seduction, Ill head down the road and pick up the Clipper saving a few bucks. Today the Kawasaki FR is the oldest engine on the market. If the cutting performance isnt the highlight of a good zero-turn mower, I cannot figure out what is. The Jonsered tractor is actually a 2014ish Craftsman Yard Tractor. My choice though is the IKON XL 52. 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. The mower will be used for residential 5 plus acres. My boss stumbled across the Jonsered 54 ZT Commercial Riding Mower at Costco, and she recently ordered the Jonsered 46 Tractor Mower. It will give you a cut you can be proud of. Hi Trent, Id buy a Bradley in a heartbeat if I needed another mower. RYOBI. The deciding factor was the protection of Costcos Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee which guarantees Refunds for products with a limited useful life expectancy, sold with a product-specific limited warranty will be prorated. For long-time, large-volume customers, Costco might generously replace the mower. Is the Toro 75742 the one youd recommend or something else? The Compacts (all brands) are only for small residential flat areas that have gates you have to deal with. I strongly suggest going to a dealer and talk them into demoing the mower on your lawn before you buy. Out of the apex and mz61 which one would have the overall better quality and longevity and have the best cut quality. Can Riding Mower Get Wet? If you are going ANYWHERE near a ditch you need a 60 inch or larger ZTR and the angle should be less than 15 degrees. Looking for a workhorse that will last, not difficult to maintain, power through high grass, good cut and smooth ride. I considered the battery-powered Ryobi briefly for its quieter operation, but as of now I think Ill wait to ensure the battery technology is up to par, and save on the upfront costs. I can spend up to $8,000. It mows really well and is a very dependable mower. Its a few dollars more than the Ariens, but I like having a local dealer in case anything goes wrong. Paul, great article. Matt loves to work with wood and stone, and landscaping is by far his most favorite pastime. Two small tires are also utilized at the front of this mower for balance. That Craftsman Pro is made by MTD. If you are inexperienced with standons check out this article: Spartan. Scag has also been around for a long time and the larger mowers are very popular with landscape contractors. In retrospect, Toro TimeCutter has the luxury of being able to change cutting speed, although both of the machines have a good cut quality. (About $2999) If you husband is over 200 lbs I recommend the IKON. A zero-turn is the same way, Too much weight on the rear hitch will cause the front end to be light and even lift off the ground going up a hill. 8. Thanks Paul. Discussed this with the dealer. While its a good mower a rough lawn will shake it apart sooner than all the others Ive mentioned. Also when it comes to brands, I see a lot of high praise here for Ariens Ikon. While the TimeCutter possesses wider traction tires in comparison to the Cub Cadet and is much noted for their rocking seat features to help you ease vibration whilst mowing, the ZT1 is built for slopes, bumps, and uneven terrains. Personally, Id go with the 48 inch but the 54 and 60 inch models will get you done faster. Thank you so much Paul. I have it professionally serviced last July and informed them of the issue. I think I have a truly fun exercise for you with a varied list of contenders. Ill try and stop by to ask them if they are having the frames farmed out. A friend says I should get a Kubota that will last the rest of my life. We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, 2022 The Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers Why Is, This article covers the EGO POWER+ 42 Z6, Ryobi Ryobi, Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors and Garden Tractors Good lawn tractors, Latest Deals at Cub Cadet Take 15% Off All PRO. That stuff is not covered by Costcos guarantee. The dealers near me have cub cadet and toro. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. The second brand is Country Clipper. Im looking at the Ariens IKON XD 52 vs John Deer z375r. Hi Paul, have you looked at the new Scag residential zero turn yet? Scag has good cutting decks so I expect it to be a good mower for the money. It seemed to be better but still after running for a while, it would falter and not be able to get up steeper slopes as it did when new. All around homeowner use, what would you buy? My budge is around the $6000 mark, Both have dealer support and both have the same sticker price. I appreciate your suggestion, and I am going to check out the Gravely ZTRs this week, at my local dealer. More recently, he has been showing up with a Scag zero turn, with a slightly larger deck. Make sure you idler pulley moves freely and that it spins freely. My local Country Clipper only has a new 2018 Boulevard and a used 2016 Boulevard with 38.5 hours on the meter. If you are used to a mid-mount ZTR and then use the Walker for an hour youll never go back to the mid-mount. Toro is offering a $300 discount on the 2000 series so check to see if you can stack that with the $1000 discount. I will check out the Z355R. You have to move up to an Edge to get that option. 2020 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, I dont have a problem buying through the Home Depot. If so, pros and cons and recommendations on the one you would go with. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The 2016 is $900 cheaper, and I would ordinarily be tempted, but it looks a little rough, including some tears in the seat. Of the 40 or so mowers from the different brands in this size range, its average. It uses the residential grade ZT2200 transmissions so if you mow a lot, have hills or need a heavy duty mower I suggest moving up to the Alpha MP or larger. The decks just dont have the depth the commercial decks have to hold the grass and recut it well. Hi Jeffery, I have no preference between the Kawasaki and Kohler. If you want a one and done mower the Vanguard is definitely the engine to buy. It is easy to understand and I can see youve done your homework. Theyve always made the best commercial mowers. Their quality is what you expect. The Frames are different so the Deere looks lighter because it uses smaller tubing. Q: What are your thoughts about Kohler vs Kawasaki quality? Fab Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide. (about $2699) This is a great, inexpensive mower and I know it will last years: Check it out here. Its a stand-on mower. I want to go the mulching route so that I can avoid so many grass clippings. And yes the Ultima XT2 can pull it loaded around your property once in a while. Hi Ryan, My first concern is service and parts availability. I like the optional front flex forks for rough lawns. I went and looked at it last Saturday and got to drive it around the parking lot. By the way, Home Depot is not going to carry Ariens mowers. Ariens IKON XD 52 inch 23 HP (Kawasaki) Mower. So thanks for providing that information. You provide really good information and I feel like you put alot of thought and energy into responding to those who seek your advice. He is a riding mower lover and has been active in the industry for years. You can get it with the two lap bars but they also offer their Joystick Steering System. ft. Tow-Behind Lawn Sweeper. Toro with its smart speed control allows you to pull much heavier loads than all the other ZTRs. They are fast but they can also mow 24-inch grass cleanly if needed. Bush Hog has always catered to the farm and ranch crowd so you will only find them at a farm implement dealer. Kawasaki slowly increased the price but because of the brand acceptance the owners kept buying them. 3. Im looking for a residential and will be cutting about 3.5 acres. If theres less than an acre to mow, a Toro will do just fine at delivering precision, efficiency, and comfort. You also have the Ariens XL 60 and the Hustler SD 60 at around the ZT2 price. Of course, durability is important. The Toro V-twin is proving to be a very good engine so it really doesnt matter if you get one with the Kohler or Toro. (I grew up with International Harvester tractors so the Reb/Black paint scheme appeals to me too!). They are very intense about quality and never compromised by making residential models for the masses. But if you have to drive 50 miles to get one serviced it not always the best choice. Worldlawn 52 diamondback When Sears and Husqvarna parted ways it looks like Husqvarna kept all the molds and just slapped the Jonsered name on it. I previously have used services but now with my new property 2-3 acres of mowable lawn (ex. Expect 500-800 hour engine life. Mow high, mow in the afternoon and side discharge until the spring growth has subsided. Owners need to know this! The type of grass will also make a huge difference. Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX Zero-Turn Mowers Better, Bigger, Badder! He suggested to try and find something that was like a residential/commercial type hybrid. Personally, Id go with a little heavier machine. As an old fart who has been using ZTRs since they were introduced in the early 90s Im going to tell you a secret no one else will tell you today. serial number: 22012362. hours: 176. horsepower: 35 hp. (It also has to do with the weight of the ZTR, the weight of the average operator, and how much downward weight the transmissions axles can handle). Plastic breaks and metal bends, so the inclusion of plastic isnt the end of the world. A garden tractor has a heavier duty transmission so it wont burn out after a few years. Ive been reading your articles and I want to get your help. For either of the above options, is a ROPS available? I would check the belt you are using as a replacement. Kawasaki has a lot of name brand recognition with the small owner/operators. The slow speed is especially great while learning how to use the machine and I have a cart that I can tow in the second speed. Hi Tommy, My first choice for mowing one acre and pulling a cart is the 42 in. Thanks for the feedback! The Vanguard is B&S true commercial engine. Motor repair on commercial mowers can range anywhere from $1000-$4000 for 60-inch commercial zero-turn. My suggestion is to see what dealers are in your area. 2022 The Best Residential Zero Turn Mowers, 2022 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 2022 The Sixteen Best 48-52 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 2021 The Sixteen Best 54-72 Inch Residential Zero Turn Mowers. Remember DO NOT buy E15 fuel. We also have a gorilla yard cart and would like some thing with a hitch pin to pull around firewood or brush etc. My current seat does not have (that I can find) any electrical connections and a seated person is required to start the mower. The cut was great and the ride was pretty comfortable for a not so even yard. Its well worth the extra money. Ive thought about asking for the mulch kit to be thrown in for free, but thats only a $110.00 value at retail price. Are you kidding me? 1. ZTRs 42 (Home Depot Link) this mower mows well and will handle the ditch. ,