Please help me decide which 42" Zero Turn to buy

11 years ago

Hello all,

I am new to this site. I've read some of the posts on here & it seems there are some very knowledgeable folks out there. I'm hoping you can help.

My property is a 1/2 acre of Bermuda grass and I'm on it, like clock work, every Saturday morning with my 21" push mower ... I'm done with that. I move fast & it takes me a good 1 1/2 hours, just to mow. So...I've been looking at zero turn mowers for a couple months now. I can't decide which way to go. That's where I truly hope your advise will help. The ZTRs that I'm looking at all have a 42" deck. There are 2 reasons for this 1. the gate going into my back yard is only 48.5" (yes i know hind sight 20/20) and 2. my back yard has quite a bit of turns and is slightly hilly. So ... I'm think i have narrowed it down to:

1. John Deere z225 $2,699.00 (local John Deere shop & cheapest option)

2. Toro TimeCutter MX4260 23 HP Kawasaki $3200.00 and else where retails for about $3600.00 (from a local shop my landscaper buddy has a relationship with)

3. Bad Boy MZ FR651 Kawasaki $3399.00(from a local mower/tractor shop)

The JD z225 seems like a viable option. There are a ton of happy JD owners out there but it still has a stamped deck. The other 2 have fabricated decks and the Kawi motors. The Bad Boy seems a bit sturdier, but for me will also come with a slightly higher price tag. Toro and JD move at top speed 7 mph and BB is 6 mph.

I think it goes without saying I'd like to keep the cost to a minimum, but I don't want to be penny wise & pound foolish.

Has anyone had good or bad experiences with these ZTRs? Which do you think will cut the best? How long do you think they will last me? Please help me decide. Additional mower suggestions may confuse me further but I would really like to know what you think.

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Comments (6)

KubotaMaster
11 years ago
I.M.H.O any 1 of the 3 mowers you have chosen are a good choice. But if i had to absolutely choose my vote goes to the Toro Timecutter. My last choice would be the bad boy i have personally owned and used one in the past with my lawncare service and it was by far the roughest riding mower I've ever owned plus it constantly broke down. John Deere is a good choice too but not my personal preference. I own 14 Kubota ZD328 mowers with my lawncare service only because they are very tough.

Good luck on your choice..
ibanez540r
11 years ago
If it were me, out of the 3, I'd go with the Toro. The fabricated deck vs stamped is a big deal in my opinion, plus you are getting a much better motor with the larger Kaw.

It also seems like you are getting a great deal through your buddy, which may also lead to a better relationship with the seller if you have any future problems.

It's only an extra $500. Big picture/long run I think it'll be worth it.
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dchall_san_antonio
11 years ago
What is the magical attraction to zero turn? Is there a performance enhancement in the zero effect? Are they that much cheaper than regular mowers?
ibanez540r
11 years ago
DChall - they are actually more expensive than your standard rider. In my opinion they are so much nicer. I've only used commercial grade, (Scag, kubota, gravely) so not sure if it applies to home owner versions, but the blade speeds are so much higher allowing you to cut at a much faster pace without clumping or bogging the engine. They are also faster. You can make much tighter maneuvers around different landscaping shapes. In some areas I've used the ability to slide the side of the deck in unaccessible areas or under things. The biggest plus for me is the ability to run straight lines back and forth without having to use a brake and stop, change gears, back up, brake, change gears, forward, possible reverse again to line up, and then go back. With a zero turn, when you are at the end of your pass you spin around and keep going. ...I can probably cut a lawn in 1/4 the time than a typical lawn tractor, and get every last blade.

That was my experience when I use to do real estate management. After using zero turns, I said I would NEVER use a regular mower again. ...here I am with a craftsman 42" lawn tractor. :-/ ..old owners left it in the deal when I bought the house. If & when I have the money though I'll get one.
dchall_san_antonio
11 years ago
Thank you Ibanez. Good info. Sounds like I need one. Can they mow as high as 9 or 12 inches?
ibanez540r
11 years ago
Not sure, but just looked up a random Scag and I doubt you'll get anything that high, but it shows 1" - 6" in 1/4" increments.