I was leaning toward the Gravely/Ariens just trying to suss this as thoroughly as I can. What would you suggest to best meet my needs? I also have balance challenges and some minor fine motor control issues (mild multiple sclerosis). What would you suggest? Hi Thomas, The Big Dog Alpha is a Hustler Raptor painted red. 2. You will also find that both machines use a dual hydrostatic drive system for ultimate maneuverability and ease of ride. Thanks again for your help! I own a summer camp with 3 large sport fields. (I did cut the lawn once with a 21 walk behind mower took me 2 hours and 45 minutes, and walking the hillside sideways with that mower was really hard on my knees and hips. No one else has this type of control because Country Clipper has the patent but its by far the best zero-turn steering on the market. I only want to look at shaft drive, to reduce belts. I am looking at a 60 Toro Z Master 2000 with 708cc 24.5 HP V Twin Toro Commercial Engine. All the other lap bar ZTRS will struggle if they can mow it at all. Hi Larry, In this price range neither Ariens IKON XD is the best. I also noticed that once you like their facebook page their advertising will start to show up in your regular news feed and a lot of those ads talk about sales. Shopping question: I had narrowed my choice to the new Ariens Apex 48 or 52 (991161 & 991159). Use the side discharge until June or so. That is a much larger market than Lawnmowers and there are hundreds of little hole-in-the-wall making engines for that market sector. You can get it with the two lap bars but they also offer their Joystick Steering System. , Heres how the bodies of both mowers differ: The Toro TimeCutter ZS 4200S features a sturdy 10-gauge unibody steel frame, and the enginewhich is protected by a rear engine guardis situated directly behind the drivers seat. Thanks for all you do to help your readers. A cheaper belt is a cheaper belt. I noticed you ranked Walker as the best mower. They are rated for over 500 hours which for most people equals 2 hours a week for over 10 years. Instead, they shred the grass into little cotton balls That leave a mess on your lawn. The Zero may seem a little alien with large levers for left and right turn controls. Always turn uphill. Yes, the commercial operators insist on having them but they quickly realize their only advantage is getting into small residential properties. Also when it comes to brands, I see a lot of high praise here for Ariens Ikon. When my wife mows, she complains about how bumpy I want a mulching deck since I mow around my market garden and I cant sell lettuce mix that is covered in grass clippings. I think you made my decision much easier! I would not expect any other issues in the next 1500 hours. 22 HP Gas Dual Hydrostatic. Paul does most of his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. A garden tractor has a heavier duty transmission so it wont burn out after a few years. 2023 Desired Lawn Mower, all rights reserved. Hi Charlie, Is the dealer getting some in or will your local Ariens Dealer order the mower? Hi Joe, Im not a big fan of the 300 series Deere ZTRs. Both brands have a cutting height difference of 1 4.5 inches, only that the Cub Cadet functions on a pin system to adjust cutting heights, and the Toro TimeCutter relies on a lever which I honestly prefer over picking and dropping a pin especially when you have to constantly take your eyes off the track. Hi Daron, There is no difference in the mower just the service after the sale. Hows the hustler dash, toro timecutter, or the ryobi rider? But, since Im a big guy the handle does dig into my thigh when Im mowing. Join the discussionPaul, what is the blade speed on the Cub Cadet Ultima? Whats your take for a small zero turn for my under 1/2 acre yard? I would I just need a residential as opposed to commerical. Have a small hill in front of the house and the sis who back is all a slope. I assume the zero turn would have a lower center of gravity, but less weight on the front wheels. Hey Paul have you ever looked into Dixie Chopper or Bush Hog ZT products? It costs more than the Raptor because it has a few extra features like arm rests. Greg, That is a tough call to make. 24 hp jaw. The for the advice Paul. The yard is not what Id call perfectly evenprobably typical for the countrybut the man who mows says its not bad. You simply mow and tow, and mow again forgetting the existence of a spindle. The offset deck sticks out more on the left of the mower making it very easy to trim around stuff. Toro TimeCutter MX Series MX5050 Zero Turn Rider 74774 (50): $3200 Its Ariens Decision not Home Depots. Hi iamdgw, The Titan does not have the Smart Speed. Appreciate the input. 24.5 HP TimeCutter IronForged Deck Zero Turn Riding Mower with MyRIDE Available at The Home Depot Also available at Tractor Supply, ACME Tools and your local Toro Dealer. Remember What I think is the best may not be the best for you so please take the time and read the entire article before you buy your mower. Their XLT, Challenger and Charger mowers a built very well, have very strong decks and deck support. Hi Anthony, Serviceable transmissions are something the internet wants but in reality, these transmissions hold up well. The smaller deck may let you trim more areas of your woods also. But the biggest problem is to find one that works. It will do the job for you. Lawn/Garden Tractor. I am looking at zero turns and I feel like I can spend $3,000 or less and get a great mower. Hi iamdgw, My first choice is the Gravely/Ariens ZT-HD/APEX. The dealer will do the tuneup and make sure everything is working perfectly. Fab 24.5 HP V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower, One final item. Yes, I like the Ariens but if you put the Ariens and Country Clipper side-by-side youll go with the Clipper. Any insight on the Toro V-twin vs the Kohler V-twin 7000 series? Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX Zero-Turn Mowers Better, Bigger, Badder! The next most important factor is a comfortable ride as my yard, although flat, can be a bit bumpy. Which one is better and is it worth the money to get the ikon xl? Hi James, I made a comparison list of the two here: Product comparison. You are getting twice the mower, as Paul mentioned. Plastic breaks and metal bends, so the inclusion of plastic isnt the end of the world. The layout of the yard leaves me with multiple pie-wedge corners when I mow around the outside of each section. 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. 100 Ah Zero-Turn Electric Mower. Toro TimeCutter MX Mulch Kit. Never had a ZTR, but I was initially leaning ZTR (looking at Spartan and Hustler SDX) UNTIL I stumbled on the Bradley Stand on in the same price range! The second brand is Country Clipper. (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. The Toro has the Smartspeed and is great for trimming, hauling, and learning how to drive the mower. I can get 10% off at HD or Lowes so I plan to buy from one of them unless I find other deals I cant pass up. 5. If the non pro Gavely units were part of the 20% off deal, I might go that route as the dealer is 5 or 6 miles from the house. The Ariens IKON XL 42 comes to mind. Thanks for your opinion on my choices. Was curious your thoughts on a Bad Boy MZ Magnum 54 vs brands in your top models? In particular, I noticed the engine on the Deere was much louder than my lawn tractor. For that steep spot, Ive been planting ground cover, and only have a small section remaining that can be mowed without needing to make turns on the hill (it bottoms out into a flat section). Thats very helpful. The only other thing I can think of is the deck shell is warped. In the past week, I have talked to a few local dealers; Cub Cadet, Toro, and Gravley/Ariens. These start around $2500 and the good Cub Cadet and Husqvarna models are around $3200. But: It just would not move. In other words, you will only get about 2-4 years out of it. But Ariens, Husqvarna (254) are coming into view. They are expensive and Im not sure if the listed price includes installation. I will have to think hard about the collection aspect I am seeking. A little more practice needed but all of the point you made Paul are what made me decide. Stepping up from there is the Ariens / Gravely APEX / ZT-HD 52. Run your fingers inside the grooves of the pulleys and make sure there is no debris or rocks stuck in them. While the ZT2 would last much longer, my boss decided to go with the Jonsered tractor and its Costco guarantee even though Costco does not guarantee any product past the manufacturers warranty. I bought an MTD from HD 14 years ago and I mow about 1 1/2 acre. My first choice for slopes is the Ariens IKON XD 52. (The equivalent Toro without the MyRide is $3699 50 TimeCutter MX5050 Model 74774.). Their lawn care contractor mows with zero turns, but they mostly back down the hill, and drive back up.). The Tractor itself is good but they put a cheap Briggs Intek motor in it. (see it here at the Home Depot) It will have the weight to give you great traction along the drainage ditch. That said. The two biggest problems for the Briggs Intek is slopes and dirt. (33) Synchro-Steer technology offers 4-wheel control and provides unrivaled stability for straight-line mowing on hillsides and slopes up to 20-degrees. I have a rather small yard no more than 1.5 acres but I have a serious spinal cord injury that causes a very painful condition and constant mind numbing back pain so I probably shouldnt cut grass at all but I enjoy it and it allows me to feel productive which is something I miss ever since someones carelessness left me disabled about 4 years back. The decks are 10-gauge fabricated iron made with an exemption of two models 75740 & 75742 both 42-inches in size using stamped decks instead. My initial thought on an attached bagger is that it wont hold the volume that the DR will (which has a 27 or 43 cu ft capacity) and you will be constantly emptying it. Hi Paul you have a great site, easily the best reviews around! Please excuse my novice level lol. There is a Kohler 7000 (22hp, 725cc) or the Kawasaki (18hp, 603cc). He started making mowers in the early 90s and always had the idea of keeping the mowers priced so anyone could afford them even if it meant selling fewer than anyone else. Nevertheless it was good convo back and forth. The mower is, however, equipped with two LED headlights, which are absent on the Toro. The price is $5k which is within my budget and about what I would probably spend on a new 60 mower. Read more here: How to Support TodaysMower.com. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. So Im all jammed up! If it were me I would go for the Toro as well. I am considering a 60 inch deck Ariens Ikon XD 23 HP. The only way Id recommend it is if you really, really liked the dealer. Now thats different from what a ZTR can pull. Ive got about two acres of mostly flat lawn at my house. Are you kidding me? Appreciate all the help! (cost divided by the years of use) 2-3 years for the lawn tractor, 3-5 years for the Jonsered zero-turn and 10 years for the Ultima. trans) I have lower back issues. Then decide the best mower for you based on the features you like and how well you like the dealer. Very comfortable to mow with The cut is even no lines. The Cub Cadet is manufactured by MTD, who produces equipment for many brands, just paints them a different color. Power. It helps the fuel last longer and the escaping vapors wont wreck the environment. Gravely ZT XL 52 with Kawasaki engine $4399 1st time for ZTM. The steel bars featured at the rear of the Cub Cadet zt1 might be for overall fancy-fancy, but they are built for protecting the engine from any exerted force that could be damaging should you bump into obstacles whilst mowing in reverse. Im looking at the cub cadet ultima zt2, ariens apex and Toro timecutter all in 60 inch. Two small wheels are at the very front of the mower, and these always move in conjunction with the main wheels. Two small tires are also utilized at the front of this mower for balance. 60 inches. Going to demo the Walker very soon and if I can manage to escape the seduction, Ill head down the road and pick up the Clipper saving a few bucks. Hey Paul, Very informative article! When you increase the rpms to mowing speed the vibration goes away. But its biggest advantage is the mower will hang on slopes because the front wheels steer and both transmissions drive all the time. We have one here and my wife has been trying to break it for over two years. I really tried to like the Cub. Mulching capability is also a consideration, since I would like to mulch the grass clippings and definitely want to avoid raking leaves. i just need help deciding which mower to go for, i run my own gardening business of three years and its now time to upgrade to a ZT, I do a few commercial jobs which are about 1 acre in size and alot of smaller residencial properties with small gate access around 1/2 acre. The Toro is the same engine that My only concerns with the Boulevard are that the deck adjustment is clunky (I might not change deck height much, anyway), and the armrest blocks my view of the controls (which are easy enough to navigate by feel, once familiar with them). https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/riding-mowers/timecutter-mx5000-74775. Theres a local Gravely dealer that seems reliable and good to work with. The Smart speed is a lever that lets you reduce the maximum forward speed so you are not tempted to push the transmissions too hard when towing and it allows you to go slow when trimming so you dont bang into stuff as much. Hi Paul, Im looking at zero turns for hilly and bumpy terrain. Owners never complain about grass build up under the deck. The 42 inch Model 75746 is also a good choice since you have less than 1.5 acres. KutKwick ZTRs can handle 45-degree slopes (start at $30,000). If its not cutting well the most likely cause is the deck is not level. I normally keep a zero-turn about 3 years. Do not which one cannot be rebuilt or can for that matter. Hi Daron, What Toro means is hitch/tongue weight or the downward force on the hitch, not what it can pull. Aceitar Recusar. I wanted to begin my research. Its worth the $5100 but the question is do you need that much mower? In my opinion, the Iron-Forged deck cuts a lot better than the stamped deck on the model you mentioned. More recently, he has been showing up with a Scag zero turn, with a slightly larger deck. Baggers for the MX and HD are very expensive. The Toros controls are further back than the Country Clipper. Toro Timecutter: (they have a fabricated deck or a stamped deck not sure which to get) Havent seen no negative comments on these. The quality control for many of those power sports engines is all over the map or non-existent. Walker Model R. Either the 42 or 48-inch deck but the 48 will give you the best trimming capabilities. Have I helped you? Hey, I'm John, and I'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience. What do you think? I expect the batteries to last 5-7 years. Fab 24.5 HP V-Twin Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower or I cant decide between the Ariens Ikon XD 42 or the Toro Time Cutter 42 with My Ride though my comfort is not the issue, I just want to best cut. It also has the heavy-duty ZT2800 transmissions. So now I am wanting to look for a machine that is between 42-60 inches, floating deck, deck lifts up for easy blade replacement/clean and performs well for lawn cutting/orchard. A lot of great reviews online / Pro landscapers rave about build/cut/speed Thank you so much. The name is an old, well-respected name in the industry. Also I wonder if they all have 2200 axles, I thought I read that the toro had 2800s. My third choice is the 52 inch Ariens IKON XD/Gravely ZT X with ZT2200 Trannys. It is a step up from the Titan in ruggedness. My terrain is hilly and bumpy with just a little bit of flat land. I do recommend that you have the dealer install it and make sure its programmed for your yard. Its the latest design. Hustler Raptor XD (cheapest with serv. Now it just keeps throwing the belt off. Step up to the ultimate all-around mowing experience with the Ultima Series from Cub Cadet. It will last 10 years with normal maintenance for you. The did replace a pulley but the problem is persisting. Finally needed work done on the trannys. Ive really been eyeing the MX5075 so Im glad you mentioned that one. I have a .5 acre yard planted with centipede grass with a drainage ditch along the road frontage. What about bushes, trees, lawn furniture, and other outdoor fixtures? DO NOT use the Atomic blades on this deck for mulching (atomic blades have teeth/notches on the back of the blade). I dont have an issue with the Cub Cadet ZT1 42. I just think the Deere is a more refined machine, and it looks it. 2. In my opinion, it will be faster than a DR leaf vac plus you dont have to mess with that extra engine Walker brand ZTRs can typically handle steeper slopes because of their low center of gravity. You will find it on entry level commercial mowers where the price is the most important feature. Yes, Toro is discontinuing their steering wheel models. 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. In fact you can buy the new 2020 50 (127 cm) TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower (75750) for less money. Fabricated Deck 23 HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Gas Engine Zero Turn Mower with Lap Bar ControlAvailable at, Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2 60 in. The Magnum is an OK mower but I read a lot of reviews and you either get a good one or one that has continuous issues. Your Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. I cut about 2.5 acres per week of mostly flat terrain, including some tough pasture grass. And to make your mowing experience even better, consider the tips in this post. It cuts great and is built to last way more than 20 years. Ariens Edge 42. I really like how the deck sticks out the left side for trimming. May 28, 2020 / Cub Cadet ZT2 or Toro Timecutter #4 They are both priced roughly the same, have similar specs and both carry 3 year unlimited hour warranties. Great website and article! If you want to learn more please go over to this post: Number 1, 2, 3, and 5 are good choices for your yard and what you want to do. I suggest mowing at 4 inches and then mow in the late afternoon. Unlike the Toro, the Cub lacks an engine guard, as well as fenders which keep the mower clean. What Im looking for: reliability, ease of maintenance, easy to handle, budget around $3k and comfort (I can see him spending A LOT of time on it). Its worth a $1000 more because the frame, deck, and transmissions are all more heavy-duty than the Ultima Series and the Toro Timecutter. Available at CubCadet.com, The Home Depot, Local Dealer Best All-Around: Toro 42 in. They are priced well especially compared to the Kubota and Hustler SD. This Toro Timecutter 75755 zero-turn mower combines comfort with versatility, thanks to its seat suspension system, straightforward controls, and hassle-free maintenance. Get fast shipping and low prices from Power Mower Sales! Hi Paul, great website! Many thanks to you and for your website! Hi Tawanda, A good 42-inch zero-turn is a good size for your yard. The Costco units. cub cadet vs toro zero turn 2020. piedmont nurse hotline; dillard's return policy no receipt; how many strongholds are in a minecraft world java; discord roles for permissions fivem; cub cadet vs toro zero turn 2020. net 60 wholesale clothing February 17, 2022 a lot better over the years. Also some of the areas gets fairly dusty if we go a couple of weeks without rain. I have looked at the Ariens Ikon 52, Bad Boy Elite, Skag Liberty Z 52, and Toro Timemaster with Soft Ride Suspension. One dealer is steering me toward the MZ Magnum, but I am concerned about its non-serviceable transmission and also think its not for two acres of mowing. Hi Walter, The Ariens. Ive been reading your articles and I want to get your help. Starting with the most important facts and how the brands compare. All three mowers ride well, cut well and will last. I would like to upgrade from my 2000 dixon with a 50 deck and a 15.5 hp vanguard. Have you heard of the transmission concerns? Yes they are expensive, but then I dont have the maintenance and cost to run. If you dont want to go through the Home Depot your local Gravely dealer sells the same mower under the Gravely brand. Bradley Stander 48. Hi Ryan, I actually recommend the John Deere Z355R. The Kawasaki option does not seem to be available unless I want to order through a big box store. 1. It seemed to be better but still after running for a while, it would falter and not be able to get up steeper slopes as it did when new. Hi G Sandler, That model, M-ZT61 Kawasaki (967 17 70-08) is a good mower with a good reputation. The only maintenance is sharpening or changing the blade once a year. That said, the larger displacement of the Kohler (725cc) will give you more torque going up the hills with thick grass. 2. I have two questions. I am considering an after-market DonBar to help me get on and off. Love the articles. I do not need to tow anything. I prefer the Walker. Probably could pull the cart full of rocks easily for a long time. Its the same mower as the IKON XD with the stronger ZT 2800 transmissions. Thinking I have the wife talked into a ZRT but it would be from Lowes. Although the engines are mostly of the same company, the air filter system of the Toro TimeCutter is a little down the chart in quality as compared to the Cub Cadet. Its a nicety, not a necessity. I like my Husqvarna tractor, and the Z254F is on lots of recommended lists, but the user reviews concern me. Hi Charles, No, They did not have any problems with the steering and transmissions. I wish the Ariens had a suspension seat, but I cant find one. Hi Frederic, The 75742 is an excellent choice and a great value.