I'm getting ready to move from a tiny subdivision lot to a little less than an acre, and getting a zero turn to mow seems like the right move. I've budgeted 3-4K, and aside from the consistent message to make sure I get a Kawasaki engine, I can't find any reliably consistent messaging on what brand to go for. Scag? Bad Boy? Husqvarna? Cub Cadet? John Deere? Any I should absolutely or absolutely not get?

Get a Hustler.

What dealers are close to your new place?

I like Kubota.

I know you're not looking for commercial but we use toro & scag exclusively and have been happy for the past 17+ yrs

SCAG Liberty Z for that small of a lot.

87IE said:

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What dealers are close to your new place?

I like Kubota.

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There's a Landsdowne Moody close by for Kubota and Scag, a small engine shop with Bad Boy, another small engine shop with Hustler, and plenty of big box stores for others like Husqvarna, Deere, Cub Cadet. I don't know what kind of stock they all have, but it seems like I have access to all the big names within 20 minutes. Moving to Needville, Southwest of Sugarland, from Rosenberg.

I've got a Scag tiger cub 48" cut with a Briggs and Stratton 26 hp that I've used for the past 15 years. Easy to maintain. It's a more expensive mower than you're budgeted for even 15 years ago.

Love my Kubota

Only advice: don't buy from a big box. The brand dealership (John Deere, Kubota, etc) carry the same machines, but they're typically set up better, stored better and not out in the open for every kid in the store to jump on. You can at least somewhat negotiate with dealerships, and in the event a big box has a better price/promotion, most will match it. It also doesn't hurt to get to know the people at said places in case you need service.

In your price range, most machines will be high quality enough to not even bat an eye at the size lot you're cutting. Kawasaki is king, beyond that a lot depends on convenience to local shops and general user comfort.

Source: I sold lawn/turf/small ag equipment for a while

My cousin has a Scag that he is going to sell. Runs great they are down sizing and he doesn't need it anymore. I will get some info on it and post it up here later today.

Appreciate it!

I have a Scag Turf Tiger which is commercial rated. I have nearly 4 acres and it takes me about 3.5- 4 hours to mow the whole thing. However, part of the issue is due to the rough terrain.

The scag has held up extremely well for over 10 years with only basic maintenance needed. However, if I was being a new one today I would look at something that handles rough terrain better.

I really like my Gravely ZTHD60. In that ~$6,000 spot, I personally think it's the heaviest built mower followed by the Bad Boy ZT Elite.

Edit that I just noticed your budget. The Bad Boy Magnum fits into that range.

88agswin said:

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My cousin has a Scag that he is going to sell. Runs great they are down sizing and he doesn't need it anymore. I will get some info on it and post it up here later today.

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Ok he has a 2016 SKAG Tiger Cat 2 61" deck and a 29 HP Kohler Command Pro engine. He is asking $6,000 for it. Yes it is used but he is OCD with cleaning and maintenance and it is in excellent condition. I will try to get pictures from him and get them uploaded His number is 979-551-5500

Thanks for finding that out for me. It's out of my price range and more than I need for my lot, but I'm sure someone will jump on it. Thanks!

Are there any agreed upon differences between bad boy, scag, and kubota?

BQRyno said:

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Are there any agreed upon differences between bad boy, scag, and kubota?

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I'm sure any of them would be fine. Don't have a Kubota zero turn but I do have two tractors, a skid steer and a utility vehicle that are all Kubota and are very well built. I don't think the gas engines in their zero turns are made by Kubota though.

I got a Husqvarna 254z for my acre; it's decent for the price tag. Has a 23hp Kawasaki motor and 54" base. I can do my yard in about 1 hour + some change.

It's alright; but I'd probably get something a little higher end next time.

Had a Gravely ZTXL 48" for the past couple of years handling right at two acres. Absolutely love it and still going strong. We also looked at the HD model and for the extra cost/weight, it just wasn't necessary for our situation.

Pretty much any brand noted in this thread is going to be good. When we were in your situation a couple of years ago, the best advice we received was to confirm which servicers are in your immediate area (i.e. easy to get to). Go look at their offerings, talk to their reps, and go with whoever you feel like is going to work with you best and will be best from a service standpoint.

With only 1/2 acre (same as I mow) you really don't need to spend that kinda money when 1/2 that price would get you a wide cut 17-24hp tractor mower anyone sells. Even if it lasted 1/2 as long b/c you bought it cheap/on sale ....
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/troy-bilt-pony-42k-rider-17-hp-ca-carb-comp-13ao77bs266

I don't need my Jeep when a Saturn could get me from point A to point B either, but I like nice things lol. You're right, I just have some money in the bank and want to give myself a more enjoyable mowing experience. It's my me time.

OP I went through this process 6 months ago for a 2 acre lot. All the brands mentioned here will give you a fine ZT. Go with 1) what dealer/service is convenient for you and 2) what deal you can get.

Don't stress too much about brand. FWIW I ended up going with a Hustler Raptor XD 48" with no complaints so far, 28 hrs in.

Thanks for that perspective. Helps with some of the analysis paralysis. Follow-up question - is there any method to getting a good deal from a dealer? I can't imagine it's like buying a car.

Toro 52" from Home Depot (free delivery) has worked fine for me for 3 years keeping about 3 acres under control. Only service required has been a couple of new belts and changing oil. Easy DIY. I like the myride suspension when going over hog ruts and other unseen obstacles.

definitely not like buying a car. My Scag rep told me that if I'm considering buying something I better buy it this month (Dec). One of the mowers I'm considering is a little over $8k and by next March it will be closer to $9k. They are also not going to have their usual spring sale

I just purchased a zero-turn mower for our local baseball league. I was going to go with the Toro 50" for around $3200, but the guy at the mower shop convinced me to buy the Scag Liberty. He said the Toro was a good mower for personal use, but he recommended something heavier-duty for the league to purchase. He also said that due to supply-chain issues, he never knows what he will receive with a shipment, and what he does get is sold right away. He was honest in saying that he can't afford right now to give out any price discounts on mowers.

If your price range is $3-4k, that is enough to get you pretty much any residential-grade mower, which should be fine for what you are using it for. After that, there is a pretty significant price jump to $5-6k minimum for commercial mowers.

I bought from Action Sales & Service in Stafford, which is kind of on the same side of town as you.

I only had one before two homes ago (John Deere) for a little more than half an acre, and loved it.

My .02

So….I think I'm going to go with total overkill and get a bad boy zt elite. I have a small dealer close by - small engine shop that only sells bad boys because they like them. I figure I can buy it, take care of it, and use it forever. Plus closing costs are going to be less than I budgeted, so why not?

I think it's a good call. Treat yo self!

Scag is the best followed by:
Exmark
Kubota
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Bad boy

Why is that?

I have been in landscape business for 32 years. That's my professional opinion. We have tried a lot of them over the years
Scag Patriot would serve you well

I'm sure it would, and it's way outside what I can spend lol. The only scag I could afford is a liberty.