The only time I lift them up is if Im off using it to pull a cart around in the timber where there may be stumps or rocks to hit. It has the heavier duty trannys and really rides nice! Youll need to sharpen the blades twice a year and replace them every 2-3 years. The Compacts (all brands) are only for small residential flat areas that have gates you have to deal with. Also, any recommendations for best time of year to purchase? I need something more maneuverable than my tractor. Two of the best in-class lawn mowers, from the two biggest powerhouses, go head-to-head in this review and comparison video by Main Street Mower. Ive been using a walk behind for the past 5 years. Ive heard nothing good or bad on the Cub Cadet engine. The new governor system on it is a lot quicker to pick up under a heavy load and the engine does not bog down. We can get the veterans discount at Lowes and Home Depot. My second choice is the Gravely ZT XL 52 inch. I am enjoying your site. Gravely also offers this mower with the heavier ZT2800 transmissions The Gravely ZT XL. He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can. Our Exmark X-Series 60-inch is powered by the Kawasaki FX730V, which is a 726cc V-twin engine. Its made for lawns like yours. But: Hi Frank, I wrote an article comparing it to the Ryobi and Cub Cadet here: 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Mowers Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? What would you suggest? Long story short, I have recently moved into a new home that is 2.6 acres. But the Toro TimeCutter HD with MyRIDE 48 in. However, Im not sure how comfortable I am going to feel on that hillside. The easiest way to explain the cost difference is: If the Cub Cadet Ultima lasts 5 years without any major issues mowing 10 acres the Toro will go 7 years and the Ariens 10 years. My main priorities are ride comfort, ease of service, and durability. If they drop a name it most likely will be Poulan Pro. Not sure if there is a limit on the amount or not. I need a ZTR that can perform well on slopes. I currently either mulch or side-discharge my clippings and will likely continue to do so. Trimming with the Model R is unbeatable. With todays ethanol-blended fuel you need a gas can that seals tight. Sure would appreciate any input (Brain muscle tired).. Hi Mark, Its very easy to get analysis paralysis when there are about 40 mowers that really could do the job well for you. In fact you can buy the new 2020 50 (127 cm) TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower (75750) for less money. If you have any questions or problems your local dealer will be glad to help you. (Its like having a locking diff on a Garden Tractor) I suggest the Z-Force S 48 for long life and the extra weight for traction. Of what Home Depot offers, what would you say is the best option under $4500? If you want the mower and need armrests here are the right ones: Cub Cadet Arm Rests. I've always owned John Deere ZT mowers, so I can't tell you of the Bad Boy mowers. Thank you for your input! I really ran across this URL of yours [I think]as a matter of the odds of just browsing, at times, painfully. Calculator tells me (for my peace of mind) that I ought to be looking in the 50-60 range if I dont want to spend much more than a few hours doing my lawn every other weekend. Great info. Yes, the biggest difference is the fabricated deck. If you let your orchard get more than 8 inches tall before you mow I strongly suggest a side discharge deck. Again, I suggest mowing at 4 inches and then mow in the late afternoon. Im already beginning to spend some coin having local vendors mow (3x now). I currently cut with a CC 54 lawn tractor. The usage will be 2-5 acres Texas Gulf Coast, mostly flat, no big slopes but some shallow ditches, some trees/obstacles, mostly turf grasses but with some rougher stuff. I like my Husqvarna tractor, and the Z254F is on lots of recommended lists, but the user reviews concern me. The deck wont lift up for transport or going over curbs. Comes down to maybe the paint color. The Briggs is the base Intek and the Kohler will have a longer life. Costco wont carry those items. The biggest feature is Smart Speed. Its a three-speed lever that so you can slow the mower down when pulling heavy loads. Who knows? 3400 pumps, 23 tires, 7 gauge deck, 10mph, B&S Vanguard for $4200? 6. Seems like you get a overall better mower on the Cub than the Toro with the better transmission and extra features like the foot height adjustment, hour meter, headlights, etc. Hi Tommy, I like both the Toro and the Ariens/Gravely a lot. For it being called a commercial mower, it is NOT one!!!!! The only maintenance is sharpening or changing the blade once a year. They just run the snot out of them and once the lease is up buy another new one. Red or Yellow. Im obviously wanting good cut quality and longevity out of the machine. So if you are nervous about the Briggs Intek in the John Deere lets focus on two Toro mowers. 1. On 2.5 acres you may only need to replace the blades every 3-4 years. 2-year commercial warranty. The manufactures dont specify but Id guess 140-180 F. Hope youre doing well, great article by the way. Now I own a house and boy there so much information about lawn mowers. The Ikon XLs blades will last 3-5 years or longer and youll only need to sharpen them once a year. TodaysMower.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we get a commission on purchases made through our links to Amazon. What are your suggestions for my yard .35 acres, flat land, no trees in the back but I do have 3 in the front and on the side. 3. Dont be surprised if your neighbors take videos just to show their friends how fast you are mowing . Have I helped you? No-Spill 1450 5-Gallon Poly Gas Can (CARB Compliant), Universal Suspension SEAT KIT for Lawn Mowers, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-42-in-22-5-HP-TimeCutter-Commercial-V-Twin-Gas-Dual-Hydrostatic-Zero-Turn-Riding-Mower-with-Smart-Speed-75742/310836498, 2020 50 (127 cm) TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower (75750), https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/zero-turn-mowers/z560/967929901/, 2020 The Thirteen Best 42-46 Inch Zero Turn Mowers, 42 in. Zero-Turn Stand On. The ONLY difference between the ZT2100 and ZT2200 is the 2100 has 3/4 inch axles (900 lb capacity) and the 2200 has 1-inch axles (1000) capacity. Since then I have went to a local dealer that sells Toro and Cub Cadet. Residential ZTRs are rated for no more than 15-degree slopes. Best For Rough Lawns Toro 50 in. Thats well worth the extra money. Heavy-Duty Fabricated Decks Built with many commercial components so the mower will take a beating Good for acreages, estates, farm lawns, farm ditches, and mowing pastures monthly. Paul, Transmission System The Bad Boy Maverick has an integrated dual hydro transaxle system. If hill is wet I can walk behind to have more control However, in a different post you stated you werent a fan of the John Deere 300 series so wasnt sure about this lawn mower. Have they had problems? Centipede grass needs to be cut at 1 1/2 inches, requires more power to cut and can quickly wear out cheap residential mower blades. Possible candidates would be a Toro TimeCutter HD or Titan, a Cub Cadet ZT2, or possibly a John Deere or some sort. It cuts great. I will have to think hard about the collection aspect I am seeking. Thanks for the response. Ive compared the MZ Magnum and the ZT Elite to the Raptor SD and SDX and read many positive and negative reviews. The Z930M is the most popular John Deere mower for commercial operators. A lot of people complain about how the 42-inch deck on the Ariens doesnt stick out very far making it hard to trim around trees, etc. Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers, and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul, great article. It cuts great and is built to last way more than 20 years. The other half is generally flat (this is the back, and the lower portion of the front). Hi Daron, The differences are so minor between the 50 inch Cub Cadet and the 50 Toro that it almost boils down to Which color you do like? 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 Ariens company also makes the Gravely ZT XL. Cast Iron Cleaner 8"x6" Square Cast Iron Scrubber, Premium Stainless Steel Scrubber with Hanging Ring, Ultra-hygienic Anti-Rust Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron Pans. The wider deck will allow you to trim around obstacles easier than the 42 inch model below. Thats very helpful. With 10 acres and horse pasture, go with the Apex. There is no performance difference. Trying to decide between the Toro 42in Vtwin or Ariens Ikon XD 42. Hi JD, I have no problems with any of the engines. He can get parts for the Jonsered and many of the parts he has on the shelf for the Husqvarna tractors and ZTRs will fit. The Toro has the smart speed and a 3-point deck. 600 hours later the Honda v-twin 20hp had a $700 hickup and then 6 months later one of the Hydrogears self destructed and apparently Hydrogear no longer makes a replacement so off to the scrap yard. Its a nicety, not a necessity. IronForged Deck 24.5 HP Commercial V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer. If your lot is very rough and you want to mow parts of it only a few times a year its the best choice. Toro is offering a $300 discount on the 2000 series so check to see if you can stack that with the $1000 discount. Please rank or help me eliminate machines that would be overkill/over buy. John Deere, Toro, or Cub Cadet. If the last what could the cause be? Im also not a big fan of mowers where the whole mower uses the suspension (like your car) because the deck can bounce up and down. I was able to test drive the 2016. I would cut across the slope to ease strain on the hydros and would only have to drive up the slope in a few areas of the yard. Please help! Given what I pay to have the lawn mowed, I think I could justify spending $3-4,000 on a mower and do it myself. I love the battery idea, just wondering about battery life. So here is where Im at: my father in law suggested to go ahead and get something that will last instead of going with a steering wheel option i was originally thinking about. With the 48 inch deck, you can trim around a fence post and never slow down. It will last the life of the mower. Hi Craig, Thanks for the complete explanation it helps a lot! The Deere cuts well. (Since I review mowers I like to keep a fairly new unit here) $3500, 200 hours, very well maintained. The XT2 should give you 10 years of service if you do the normal maintenance on it and dont let teenagers try and wreck it. Hi..I am looking for the best battery (about 1.5 acres) riding mower with a steering wheel, that will bag, about 38 in, power steering, dont have to change the blade when I am mulching or cutting (bagging).Thank you. You can check out my videos of the Toro Timecutter and Ariens IKON XD here: https://www.youtube.com/paulsikkema. Now, The commercial Kawasaki FS and FX are great engines. Its a very tough mower and with the suspension seat you can mow up to 10 acres a lot faster than the three you mentioned. You are right that the dealer can often make the difference, and the one I got mine from is awesome! It is a yard in the country, not a city lawn. Hi Shane, Yes, Deere has made a lot of improvements in their decks in the last 10 years. A 42-inch deck requires 48 inches with discharge chute down so areas narrower than that will have to be mowed with a push mower or string trimmer. A cheaper belt is a cheaper belt. Or Bagger for 42 inch Stamped Deck. The lap bars are very adjustable to fit your driving style. The Model R is very easy to work on. It will do just fine and last you a long time. If you are inexperienced with standons check out this article: Spartan. Look forward to your suggestions. A lot of deck designs have a harmonic vibration at certain speeds. But at the end of the day its irrelevant the Bradley looks more than durable enough on its own,. Hi Chris, Quick change over to mulch or bag. I really like the cut of the fabricated deck on the Toro MyRide. Q: What are your thoughts about Kohler vs Kawasaki quality? I suggest getting the Cyclone with the dual-wheel casters and the electric start engine. Other than engine choices there is no difference between the 2018 model or the 2020 versions (including the 2020 Apex) I have no problems recommending the Gravely especially if you can save a few bucks buying last years model. Much appreciate the insight. But, since Im a big guy the handle does dig into my thigh when Im mowing. I have heard the EZT can be very reliable if the machine weight is not excessive and theyre not cutting 5 acres a week. Its a stand-on mower. Seems the Toro deck is 10 Ga and the Cub is 11. I know they are all about the same price but you are paying $1000 for the batteries in the Ryobi and $500 for the MyRide. 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