Zero Turn Mowers

My new place has 2-3 times more grass than the old so I'm researching ZTR mowers. So far, I like the Toro SS4200.

Anybody got any passionate feelings about ZTRs or more specifically brands and recommendations? My total lot is 1 acre. My mowable grass area is probably 2/3-3/4 of an acre.

My desire is to mulch exclusively.

I'm a John Deere man. so anything green is the best! All the farmers around me have Grasshoppers, so i would only assume they must be pretty good (man are they expensive), but i've never used one myself.

I have always run John Deere, Dad worked there, so kind of bleed green and gold. Ran my first mower for almost 25 years. My current tractor just threw its electric clutch after 12 years, first major failure I have ever had with deere. Zero Turn are nice if you have BIG open space, which it sounds like you do, however they have limited utility. My GT235 is probably a little slower to mow (because of the smaller turn radius) but I have a rear tiller and snowblower. You can't use those on a zero turn, not that you will probably need a snowblower. Also the tractor works well for pulling small trailers, etc.

Best thing is to go to the dealer and compare side by side. Mow a little bit on the tractor and then mow the same little bit with the Zero Turn.

skutsch wrote: Best thing is to go to the dealer and compare side by side. Mow a little bit on the tractor and then mow the same little bit with the Zero Turn.

yeah, our local implement dealer will deliver ones to try for free!


We have a JD Hydro 185 tractor (1986 used for $400, 36" deck, still running strong) and we do exactly what skutsch said, we use it to move trailers around, small utility wagons, aerators, spreaders, snow plow blade, etc...we have a little over an acre with lots of trees. sure the turn radius isn't as good, but the weed wacker takes care of those areas.

M3Fan wrote: My old man just went through this decision and went with a Gravely ZTR. Seemed reasonably priced vs. the competition and very capable FWIW. My lawn is too small for one at .5 acres but my parents have 2 acres to mow.

Joel, what do you mow your 1/2 acre with?

Swatkinz wrote: M3Fan wrote: My old man just went through this decision and went with a Gravely ZTR. Seemed reasonably priced vs. the competition and very capable FWIW. My lawn is too small for one at .5 acres but my parents have 2 acres to mow. Joel, what do you mow your 1/2 acre with?

Not the M5, but I do have a BMW Roundel on the front of my Deere GX85 mower. This is a mower from back when you had to go to a real equipment dealer to get a Deere, not a big box store. 1900.00 in 1998, real money for a real machine.

In reality it's a pretty sad/wimpy looking little thing but it's perfect for my lawn.

My family has two of the CUB ZT series Bad Boy mowers. The frame and manufactured parts are extremely well built., It has the 26 hp Briggs pressurized oil twin engine that runs great. They both have around 300 hours with no issues other than normal services.

Ended up buying the Toro Ss4225. Added the mulch kit and hour meter. Thabks for the input

Walker