Wife and I under contract to buy a house on an acre in Brock, TX. We currently have a 6600 sq ft lot on a golf course on lake Proctor so I'm need of a larger mower. I prefer ZT mowers, have owned one and used several more. Had a mowing business in 2005 & 2006 before I went to A&M. That ol 48" bush hog zero turn was a beast back then but has since died and was traded off.

What's the best zero turn mower purchase this spring? I don't mind spending money for a good product. I want a boxed deck and not some round beer can thick deck. So far Kubota's series of zero turns have caught my eye - minus the color of course.

TIA

Bob cat is a good machine at a good price. I am not a fan of Kubota or Deere. I also like Scag and Exmark but they are pricey. I prefer Kawasaki engines over Kohler.

hopeandrealchange said:

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Scag Turf tiger.

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This

Similar situation for me. In for feedback.

Can't go wrong with anything from wright, scag, or hustler

Not happy with my Bad Boy.

I have a 2003 Exmark Lazer Z (pre Toro) I bought used in 2004 with about 100 hours. Finally changed the belts and rebuilt the deck two years ago.

It was expensive upfront, but not as expensive as buying three or four residential-style mowers over the same time period. Mine has been pretty much flawless.

Surprised to read positive feedback on Hustler. We have a Hustler Raptor Limited in 52" at the family land. It's had numerous issues in the 2 seasons we've used it.

Keep the recommendations coming...

Come spend a few hours on my Scag anytime you like.

No issues with my hustler raptor. Had it for 4 years now and done nothing but oil changes.

GentrysMillTX10 said:

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Surprised to read positive feedback on Hustler. We have a Hustler Raptor Limited in 52" at the family land. It's had numerous issues in the 2 seasons we've used it.

Keep the recommendations coming...

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My raptor sd has been great.

One year old 42 inch Hustler Kawasaki engine, only thing I have done to it is pull the belt shields to make it easier to clean and put an hour meter on it. Burn no ethanol fuel in it. Zero turns rule!

Happy with my Kubota ZD mower. DO NOT BUY A BAD BOY, been there and done that, learn from my mistake.

Our 62" Ferris has been great, the suspension ride is also an added bonus to a solid machine.

Our Cub Cadet RZT 54", 7 yrs old, has had no issues. Kohler engine on ours, Kawasaki on some models.

The OB seems to hate most zero-turns under $4k, but many likely just repeat what "they heard".
Ours is used to mow 2-1/2 to 3 acres. OP said he had an acre to mow...

A couple of neighbors also have CC ZT's, neither has had any issues other than routine maintenance.

Been using a Gravely ZT HD with the 48" deck. Its one step below their commercial grades and has been running like a champ for 3 years.

Gravely ZT XL 52" with the Kawasaki engine. Have around 250 hrs over a few years with no issues - solid built, great mower for home use. Several of the brands will have a Kawasaki engine available and to me it's worth the upgrade. Find the brand or style you like and match it with a reputable engine

I'll give a vote for my SCAG. It's a commercial line Tiger Cub 48" with a Briggs and Stratton. I've been using it for 13 years and no problems at all.

You can't beat a scag turf tiger with the Kawasaki engine

I'm more than happy with my Kubota, price was comparable to similar models, 0% financing for 54 (I think that is what it is) months, dealer is 15 minutes from the house.

Starts, runs, cuts like a champ every single time.

I'm sure Kubota makes a great machine. I have two Kubota tractors and a skid steer. Very good machines. It would be a tough decision on what to replace my mower with if it ever gives out. I'd probably go the SCAG route given the longevity of my current machine.

I've got the gravely hd zt 52 with 25hp kawasaki and it is great.

Another vote for Ferris (with suspension and Kawasaki engine)!

I love my bad boy (diesel). Runs like a champ.

JD commercial grade owner here. Lots of pasture mowing out at our place and highway ROW mowing. Very pleased going on 5 years.

After using residential riding mowers all my life before this one, I'll say the steel frame is what you're paying for. Thin metal just doesn't last. Not sure it matters as much on brand as it does on getting a good metal frame.

I bought a Hustler Raptor last Summer based in part on this board's recommendations, and have been very happy with it.

I want one for some rural property maintenance, but my concern is that in some areas the ground is not level and the blades will end up hitting the ground which will make it fail prematurely. I go through push lawnmowers pretty quick out there and after a year they look like *****

As I google most of these recommendations I was thinking the exact same thing.