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Post by JS84 on Aug 27, 2024 7:36:38 GMT -5
I'm in the market for a zero turn as the riding mower I have needs constant maintenance. Looking for yalls anecdotal experiences with different manufactures.
Maybe not so much as which to buy as which to stay away from. Any information yall can share will help I'm sure.
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Post by richm on Aug 27, 2024 7:54:45 GMT -5
I have no experience with them. Lady i work with went from rider to zero turn and loves it. Says faster and better. She mows 5 acres.
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Post by slough on Aug 27, 2024 7:59:14 GMT -5
Grasshopper, very little problems.
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Post by gardawg on Aug 27, 2024 8:01:33 GMT -5
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Post by JS84 on Aug 27, 2024 8:08:23 GMT -5
I have about 2-3 acres to cut including trails. I should have included that initially.
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Post by 4ward on Aug 27, 2024 8:11:51 GMT -5
Fabricated deck and I have always had a preference for Kawasaki. Buddy has a gravely that is a beast, another had a BadBoy that had fuel delivery problems (some over engineered carb component).
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Post by jcbcpa on Aug 27, 2024 8:28:12 GMT -5
I had a Scag that I bought used in 2002 and used it and abused it and finally sold it in 2021 after we sold our place on the lake and moved to a place with a much smaller yard. It was/still is an awesome mower. I had it serviced annually but I can't remember ever spending any money on it other than the normal maintenance, belts, blades filters etc.
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tater
Junior Member
Posts: 44
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Post by tater on Aug 27, 2024 8:34:58 GMT -5
I have quite a bit of experience with zero turn mowers. Everything from owning them to overseeing LARGE landscape crews. In my opinion you can't beat a scag with a Kawasaki engine. Exmark also makes a very good mower. You can't go wrong with either one
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Post by bullfrog on Aug 27, 2024 9:09:15 GMT -5
I have an old John Deere Ztrak with a 72” deck. It is a hand-me-down that wasn’t well maintained. It gets the job done, but it overheats easily. I took the back hood off of it for better air flow and turns out many modern zero turns have an open engine in the back for this reason. It currently needs a new belt, but the way the PTO is designed it will be a chore. Recent John Deeres are not built like mine.
I wouldn’t hesitate to get a new one. So much more maneuverable. I’d get one with the biggest deck and strongest HP you could afford. Can’t say I’d get another JD.
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Post by JS84 on Aug 27, 2024 9:19:13 GMT -5
The riding mower I fight with every time I use it was a free to me Scotts 1642S (Manufactured by JD) with the Kohler 16HP motor. I've put probably $200 into it to get it running but the damn thing keeps destroying the carbs and it's just a pain every few weeks. I'm not opposed to another JD but with little to no experience in the zero turn area, that's why I'm polling all yall.
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Post by billybob on Aug 27, 2024 9:29:47 GMT -5
Bullfrog. Sometimes rats can build nest under motor housing’s. Blocking airflow for engine cooling on some engines with aluminum push rods will break and or bend them
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Post by billybob on Aug 27, 2024 9:36:59 GMT -5
Fabricated deck. Large hydros. Hydraulic motors on wheel drives.
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Post by Crkr 23 on Aug 27, 2024 9:56:07 GMT -5
I've got a Hustler with a Kawasaki motor and zero problems with it. It's probably 15 yrs old and I do need to repair or replace the deck but that's from mowing weeds and sand. I gave up on St Augustine a long time ago.
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Post by wildman on Aug 27, 2024 10:26:04 GMT -5
Used to mow with my tractor and finish mower but would take all day so wrangled with which semi-affordable zero-turn to get. I looked at them all but wound up getting a Bad-boy Maverick HD with the Kawasaki motor based on price and features. While it is lower end commercial it has quite a few commercial features I was looking for (upgraded dual hydro drive system, fabricated deck, seat & front suspension, upgraded air filter system, etc.). Only regret I have is that I didn't switch to a zero-turn sooner.
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Post by illinoisfisherman on Aug 27, 2024 11:20:00 GMT -5
Skag and Exmark are both reliable machines.
You have to be careful with the other brands. Some of them use plastic gears.
Good luck!
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