Zero turn advice needed

Both are good, reputable brands. Local dealer support and parts source are certainly important, but maintenance and non-emergency parts can be found much cheaper through online suppliers.

One of my hunting buddies has a Scag and loves it. He mows around two acres with it, cleans it with an electric pressure washer, lets it dry in the sun, then parks it in the barn under a tarp. It's probably ten years old and looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. I'm sure he changes the filters and oil much sooner than recommended and will have that mower for many more years.

Hustler is another good company. I have a walk-behind that I have not spent a dime on, other than filters, in the five years I've had it. My uncle has a rider that he mows 3-4 acres with and he does NOT take care of it whatsoever. It looks like hell, but keeps on going. I've never heard any complaints from him.

For what it's worth, my landscape contractor mows 300+ lawns and you could not give him a mower that doesn't have a Kawasaki motor. My Hustler has one and starts on no more than three pulls, depending on how long it's been sitting.

I have a gravely. Solidly built. Going on 5 years with 0 issue. Just typical maintenance. Movwer deck is built like a bushhod deck.

Both are good I think the ex mark has suspension right?
I would take which one has best financing if not paying cash.
If it’s two different places I’d try to negotiate a better seat into the deal. The seat is the most important part when buying comparable equipment

Good deal makes it easier to negotiate a deal between one or the other

My JD345 has an 18 hp Kaw liquid cooled motor. Other than the plastic gear timing set going out around 1,000 hours I haven't had a lick of problems with the motor. Some other issues, but nothing that cost any $$ to fix.

I agree with getting a fast blade speed. I'd also ask for the procedure for changing and the cost for new blades. Keep the blades sharp and the lawns will look better too. I have IIRC 3 sets of blades and change them 2-3 times a year. I sharpen the ones I take off, so I can get back to mowing asap.

I have an old gravely promaster 100 that I bought a few years ago. It has the Kohler Magnum 18 in it. From what I can find they stopped making it in about 96 so it's at least that old.

I would agree blade speed is something I would really look at. I used to use a Toro time cutter z5000 and if the blades were slightly dull it would only cut on the upswing of each blade so each pass you would have 3 cut paths and 3 paths that the grass just stood up. I had to sharpen the blades all the time.

Something else I didn't think much about is access to everything. Which one let's you get the top of the deck sprayed out easier and access to engine. My neighbor bought a bad boy and said he has access panels to the entire motor and the foot deck folds open so you can clean and fix anything on top of the deck. I can never get all the crud out of the pulleys and blades on mine.

I’ve mowed over a acre with a Country Clipper Jazee Pro for close to 20 years can’t complain
I would get the joy stick now tho

I have a Kubota zero turn in 48" cut 21 hp Kohler engine. I would look for one with a stamped deck heavy duty. You will want the heavy duty spindles also they won't wear out as soon.

There are several good brands, Exmark is a good one. I am on my 8th year with a Cub Cadet 54" ZTR and it has been great, very trouble free. 26 hp Kawasaki.


I highly recommend the Kawasaki engine, even if it costs a bit more. Kohler's aren't worth a darn anymore. Too bad, time was when Kohler meant bulletproof.

Of course there is Briggs. Briggs is Briggs, always there, always average.

A buddy just bought a Dixie Chopper. I ran it some, and to tell the truth I was a little disappointed. I mean it was ok, but i the thought the handling and adjustments and controls were kind of clumsy. For the money I expected better.

Good luck!