New Zero Turn Purchase - Toro Vs. Gravely

[Tiger Small Engine]

That is a very nice Zero Turn, but very pricey. I guess you get what you are willing to pay for. I will check it out on Thursday and let you know what I think along with the Bobcat ZT2000. Thank you.

At the low end of zero turns starting around $3500 are big box store zero turns. No matter the brand, the quality and features are all pretty close. Then you jump up to mid tier starting around $5000-$6000 and up. Here there are some minor differences in quality, etc. then you jump up to $10,000, and then to $17,000 plus. If you buy in the $6000 range of zero turn mowers, then you can shop for quality, features, etc. However at the starting point, it is more personal preference.

A 1/4 acre lot for a lawn service would be about $60/cut (approximately). Therefore in about two years time you could buy a cheapo big box store mower for what you will pay for a lawn service.

In order to not tear up nice fescue grass (or any other for that matter), you must consistently use a 3-point or Y turn each time when turning around for your next pass. If you don’t understand this, watch some videos or do some reading on it. Any lawn service that doesn’t turn correctly and tears up the turf simply doesn’t care, or is incompetent. It doesn’t get any more basic or important that consistent 3-point turns on a zero turn.

 

[MParr]

That is a very nice Zero Turn, but very pricey. I guess you get what you are willing to pay for. I will check it out on Thursday and let you know what I think along with the Bobcat ZT2000. Thank you.

The Bobcat appears to be a decent unit on paper. Just a reminder, if you have gates, a 42" deck may not fit through. You wil need to consider that a 42" deck is around 43" wide on the outside.

 

[slomo]

I also have read about the Hydros not being serviceable in most brands. Is this true for all brands? Why wouldn't you want to service it?

Our good friend Bertsmobileone on here had a ton of insight on the inner workings of these hydro systems. Things like super close tolerance parts inside them. Adding fresh fluid can sometimes let grit inside the system. People using dirty funnels or even what they thought was a clean funnel passing grit. All that was a bad deal. Basically all are non rebuildable due to all the precision parts. Means if they fail it's a second mortgage time. Two motors and two pumps, lines and fluid to pay for. Not to mention labor and a possible couple months of down time in peak mowing season sitting at the shop. The older belt drive machines, in my book, are much preferred. I wouldn't own a hydro if they were free honestly.

 

[mbc230]

At the low end of zero turns starting around $3500 are big box store zero turns. No matter the brand, the quality and features are all pretty close. Then you jump up to mid tier starting around $5000-$6000 and up. Here there are some minor differences in quality, etc. then you jump up to $10,000, and then to $17,000 plus. If you buy in the $6000 range of zero turn mowers, then you can shop for quality, features, etc. However at the starting point, it is more personal preference.

A 1/4 acre lot for a lawn service would be about $60/cut (approximately). Therefore in about two years time you could buy a cheapo big box store mower for what you will pay for a lawn service.

In order to not tear up nice fescue grass (or any other for that matter), you must consistently use a 3-point or Y turn each time when turning around for your next pass. If you don’t understand this, watch some videos or do some reading on it. Any lawn service that doesn’t turn correctly and tears up the turf simply doesn’t care, or is incompetent. It doesn’t get any more basic or important that consistent 3-point turns on a zero turn.

Thank you! This is wonderful information and looking at the Scag Liberty Z SZL-42H-21FR or SZL-36H-18FR with the with the Kawasaki is the mower I am leaning towards, but my trip to my local dealers will tell me what I need to know as I am a big guy so it needs to fit me well. I have looked at the Gravely and the Toro, but the Toro seemed to fit me better, but the Gravely had the Kawasaki engine.

At what point is the class of zero turn consider higher end / commercial grade? Is it really price? I have seen prices all over the spectrum. Since I know I can go can to big box and buy the Toro or an Ariens (slap the gravely name here) for the cheaper bargain. I have been reading that the Scag brand has gone down hill. Is this true? I am open to spending up to 6k for it, but I want to have more reliablity then comfort as it is a lawn mower and not a sports car. I am doing a lot of research and looking around before I decide to pull the trigger on this one.

Thank you for your wonderful advise.

 

[mbc230]

Our good friend Bertsmobileone on here had a ton of insight on the inner workings of these hydro systems. Things like super close tolerance parts inside them. Adding fresh fluid can sometimes let grit inside the system. People using dirty funnels or even what they thought was a clean funnel passing grit. All that was a bad deal. Basically all are non rebuildable due to all the precision parts. Means if they fail it's a second mortgage time. Two motors and two pumps, lines and fluid to pay for. Not to mention labor and a possible couple months of down time in peak mowing season sitting at the shop. The older belt drive machines, in my book, are much preferred. I wouldn't own a hydro if they were free honestly.

This makes complete sense. What would you buy nowadays that does not have hydros?

 

[slomo]

This makes complete sense. What would you buy nowadays that does not have hydros?

They are all hydro far as I know, which is NOT very far. You will have to look around for a belt drive 0. Come to think of it, I've never seen a belt drive 0-turn. They are too big and heavy most likely.

Older walk-behinds used to be belt drive. Had two heavy belts per side that were easily replaceable.

 

[slomo]

A 1/4 acre lot for a lawn service would be about $60/cut (approximately). Therefore in about two years time you could buy a cheapo big box store mower for what you will pay for a lawn service.

Worst case lets say he cuts year round. $60 x 12 is $720.00. Not many mowers except the real dogs are going for $1440.00 at two years. He will spend 1/4 of that in fuel for two years.

 

[MParr]

Thank you! This is wonderful information and looking at the Scag Liberty Z SZL-42H-21FR or SZL-36H-18FR with the with the Kawasaki is the mower I am leaning towards, but my trip to my local dealers will tell me what I need to know as I am a big guy so it needs to fit me well. I have looked at the Gravely and the Toro, but the Toro seemed to fit me better, but the Gravely had the Kawasaki engine.

At what point is the class of zero turn consider higher end / commercial grade? Is it really price? I have seen prices all over the spectrum. Since I know I can go can to big box and buy the Toro or an Ariens (slap the gravely name here) for the cheaper bargain. I have been reading that the Scag brand has gone down hill. Is this true? I am open to spending up to 6k for it, but I want to have more reliablity then comfort as it is a lawn mower and not a sports car. I am doing a lot of research and looking around before I decide to pull the trigger on this one.

Thank you for your wonderful advise.

Scag has not gone downhill.
Buying a mower from a big box store is setting yourself up for problems. First of all, it may not be assembled and set up correctly. You also may be getting old stock. If you have to have warranty work, you will have to take it to the nearest servicing dealer. They will put you at the back of the line. They will warranty their sales before those bought elsewhere.
Spending $6,000 gets you a residential mower. The Scag Liberty Z is a residential mower.

 

[mbc230]

They are all hydro far as I know, which is NOT very far. You will have to look around for a belt drive 0. Come to think of it, I've never seen a belt drive 0-turn. They are too big and heavy most likely.

Older walk-behinds used to be belt drive. Had two heavy belts per side that were easily replaceable.

That is why I asked as I have never seen the belt drive zero turns. I would think the closest belt drive lawn mower or variant would be a lawn tractor or do those now have hydros too.

 

[mbc230]

Worst case lets say he cuts year round. $60 x 12 is $720.00. Not many mowers except the real dogs are going for $1440.00 at two years. He will spend 1/4 of that in fuel for two years.

Price does not bother me, but more convenience and reliability. My opinion is if price bothers me then I should stick with a big box lawn tractor or low priced zero turn at that point, but that is why I am looking around and researching until my eyes pop out. Thank you for all your advice and knowledge.