Buying a Zero Turn Mower or Stand On- Which?

BlackGun

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I’ve got a .32 lot with half of it house. I will soon be mowing my mother’s one acre grass and most likely a friend’s who has terminal cancer.

Pretty sure I want a John Deere due to parts and service providers locally. I also want a commercial unit with a Kawasaki engine. Leaning toward JD 900 series zero turn or a JD 648R commercial stand on. Anyone here have a stand on and how do they like it? Will it hold lines on slopes?
 
go and sit on all the mowers you are looking at I ended up with a Toro because when I brought the bars in on a lot of the zero turns the bars hit my legs Toro and scag bot had more room between the arms than the other brands I went with a Toro 6000 with the 34 hp kohler efi engine it would be major overkill for what you are doing I cut about 5 acres in less than 90 min.
 
I almost bought a JD mower but ended up with a Scag Turf Tiger. The JD was nice (and my second choice) but IMO the Scag was a heavier built, more commercial mower. I wouldn’t kick that JD out of the barn though....

There was a member here that had a nice Scag for sale a few weeks back.
 
First, and my opinion only.

I wouldn’t have a damn stand on mower if someone gave it to me. Lol.

Second there’s a ton of good mowers out these days. John Deere parts are going to be expensive as hell. When I bought my first zero turn years ago I demoed a bunch of them. I ended up with a Bobcat for several reasons, mostly that the deck and a few other things were built better then IMO. I used that one for 12 years and out almost 3,000 hours on it and the only thing I ever had to do besides change the fluids and normal maintenance stuff was change a head gasket. It was a great mower. I traded it in 2012 for another 61” Bobcat, this time with a Kawasaki instead of a Kohler. Only thing I’ve noticed about the Kawasaki is that when I mow a lot of slopes it burns a little oil. I knew check on it and add an ounce or two here and there and it’s a non issue.
When you’re looking at mowers, notice how the pulleys are made(are they one piece or two) and notice the amount of grease fittings on a mower. Some have way more than others. The Kubota mowers I used at work years ago had 32 fittings on them.
 
A 42” zero turn your looking at 45-1 hr with all 3 yards. Just buy a reputable ZT and you will be fine. Look at see what most of the commercial landscape use. Not knocking JD but you don’t see many. Toro,Scag, bobcat and there’s a couple more names I can’t remember. You should able to get a great ZT that will outlast most of us for 2.5-4K
 
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I sold Toros for a while after I retired from the Army. I had a commercial Kubota ZT that I liked. I’ve got to run them all and I mean all of them. Toros are what 90% of the landscapers use around here in Hickory. I’ve taken almost new JDs in on consignment. They are uncomfortable and won’t cut what a Toro will as pretty! I’ve got a 3000 series with a 24 hp Kawasaki. It’s 6 years old and I haven’t spent a dime other than a couple tires that was my fault. I wouldn’t go over a 3000 for what you’re doing. Go down to Killians there on Springs Road and they will answer your questions and let you run them. Them them Chuck sent you.
 
Go with a stander.
They are faster, lighter, easier on turf. Better center of gravity, so they do better on hills.
Takes up less room in your garage and trailer.
Easy to bail off, and easy to get off and pick up a limb.
Spring loaded platform and your legs work like shocks, instead of your back soaking up the bumps on a zero turn. Most commercial crews in my area are switching to standers. They feel better at the end of the work day.


The Jd 648r is made by Wright, but painted green with different decals. Its called the stander Intensity. Wright standers are the best on the market, imo.
 
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I have owned both. I will not go to a sit down mower again. Sit downs are hard on your back and are not as agile as a stander. I would be going with a Wright Stander B. Hearing good things about them and they are priced reasonably.
 
I have. JD Z920 with 54” cut. It is one fast cutting machine. I cut about 3 acres. My three neighbors have a Scag, Bobcat and a Toro. All of us say our machines are better than the others. LOL I looked at Scag, X Mark, Kubota and Toro when I got mine 4 years ago.
 
The guy who does my yard has a stand-on Scag and swears by it. He recently added a second so he’s clearly all in on the brand and format.
 
My Ferris IS-700Z has a kawasaki and is built like a tank, the deck is unbelievably well built 1/4 & 3/16 steel throughout.

Plus it's got beam front suspension and adjustable coil overs at all 4 wheels for a smoother ride.

No issues other than routine maintenance.
 
My Ferris IS-700Z has a kawasaki and is built like a tank, the deck is unbelievably well built 1/4 & 3/16 steel throughout.

Plus it's got beam front suspension and adjustable coil overs at all 4 wheels for a smoother ride.

No issues other than routine maintenance.

I’ve mowed with one of these. The independent suspension is really nice
 
I’ve mowed with one of these. The independent suspension is really nice
I’ve heard the same. People love that suspension. My best friend has terminal cancer and that prompted my decision to buy a mower. My yard, mother’s, and his all are completely flat but you never know when I may have to mow a hill. Plan is to sell this house at some point and downsize but upsize in land a little more.

I spoke with a neighbors landscaper yesterday and he had a John Deere 700 series with 2800 hours and the same engine. Also had a stand on called a Great Dane I think. It had 1400 hours. I couldn’t find the actual engine manufacturer on either.
 
Well I drove 11 hours (to and back) down to Dawsonville, Georgia yesterday and last night in 140 miles of I85 day and night continuous construction. Came back with a John Deere 648R stand on mower. Bought it from a guy who buys used lease models from John Deere at 30 at a time. He also buys golf course bigger machines and markets them.

Looks nice and runs nice. Gas cutoff is gone, needs 5 bolts that have vibrated off, and an air filter cap. Other than that it runs good. Gas is old in it and I need to get it out. Never cut with one and fell off the back because I was not leaning forward on the pad when I started up a slight slope. Little scary.

Here’s my first time take on it:

1. Nice controls at your finger tips.
2. Steering is responsive. And I mean very responsive. A little too quick for me.
3. Mower cuts really nice. Cut my self-propelled mowing from an hour to 15 minutes.
4. No place for a damn beer. What’s up with that? I thought drinking and driving was a landscaper tradition.
5. Wheels are nice. Broad front casters. Big turf tires.
6. Deck is 7 gauge stamped then also reenforced on outside.
7. This unit had 660 hours.
8. I do like standing between the wheels on the platform better than some of the others which are behind the wheels.
9. Mower has wheelie wheels on the back for riding like a motocross racer.
10. Front caster tires are flat free.
11. Easy big thumbscrews on the bolts for ease to take guards off.
12. This mower had a mulching kit added. This was a plus as you do not have to rake or sling grass into the landscape beds.
13. Nice tie down points for hauling.

Cons for me:

1. Steering is too responsive. Much more than a zero turn sit down.
2. Your butt will fall off the back if you hit a hole or big bump. Be aware of the ground you mow.
3. Tires will rip up thin grass if you turn on a dime. You have to be aware. I’m sure there is a proper technique.
4. I really do think it needs a place to put a drink.
5. Needs key hood to keep ignition switch from getting wet.

Note: I would never buy this mower or any other standon with a cut less than 48”. Too dangerous to flip or hit in a hole and eject you. I’m glad I did not buy the 36” model. Too narrow.
 
Congrats on the new ride. I meant to post yesterday after taking a couple pictures but forgot to after weedeating all day. Been using a jd ztrak for a couple years and it makes it a lot easier to mow than with a traditional mower. I’m mowing 4/5 acres with some big hills that I try to mow horizontal but have to go bottom to top in some places because it wants to slide down sideways when it’s wet or too steep.
1F5383A4-45A5-416F-A8CD-7A6365D68698.jpeg 4BCEE653-022D-4B91-84E0-09F7597DDD3A.jpeg

My dad has a stand up mower he got for his wife and she likes it better than the one I’m using.


Good luck and enjoy.
 
Congrats on the new ride. I meant to post yesterday after taking a couple pictures but forgot to after weedeating all day. Been using a jd ztrak for a couple years and it makes it a lot easier to mow than with a traditional mower. I’m mowing 4/5 acres with some big hills that I try to mow horizontal but have to go bottom to top in some places because it wants to slide down sideways when it’s wet or too steep.
View attachment 149923 View attachment 149924

My dad has a stand up mower he got for his wife and she likes it better than the one I’m using.


Good luck and enjoy.
I like the suspension seat on your mower. I sat on a couple and drove a demo. It’s nice.
 
Nice score!
Looks perfect but I had a little issue. The solenoid on the carburetor which shuts down the flow of fuel was working and then not working. The wire connector was very, very loose but had 12vdc when the switch turned. I ohmed out the solenoid coil and got continuity but no fuel to the engine. Removed the coil, turned key- did not retract. Snipped that puppy off ( plunger stem) so I could move it around until I ordered another coil.

I changed plugs and air filter. The mower has the mulching kit added which is full time mulching. I may not like that in wet high grass. Could get messy. Most likely I will remove the plate on the chute after leaf season and add an Advanced Chute System brand hand operated model.

Way more mower than I need but I dislike buying something I can’t grow with. Oh- and two houses up a guy rents a nice home and never mows his grass. Everybody is upset about it but it’s not next to me. So I snuck over while he was at work and cut his front yard 12” grass for fun. Cut it ok. Needed extra passes with a mulching kit. Didn’t even leave a bill.
 
Look up the brand grass flap. Those are cable operated chute blockers with a pedal that you can mount on the operator platform, so you can open and close the chute deflector without stopping, slowing down, or removing your hands from the controls.
 
Look up the brand grass flap. Those are cable operated chute blockers with a pedal that you can mount on the operator platform, so you can open and close the chute deflector without stopping, slowing down, or removing your hands from the controls.
The Grass Flap is an option as well.

Anyone mulch there leaves instead of raking or blowing? Curious if mulching leaves will kill off my already difficult to get thickness lawn.
 
As someone who as spent the last 5 years landscaping standers are better for all around use. But for what you're going to be doing why stand when you can sit. But always go commercial. Everything is so much nicer.
 
Dixie Chopper.
Mic drop...
A close friend has a Dixie. I drove it. Very, very fast. Billed as the fastest mower. Stainless parts and high quality build. No dealer anywhere close now. Not even sure there is one west of Raleigh. Dealer locator shows dealers that no longer exist as reps.

As someone who as spent the last 5 years landscaping standers are better for all around use. But for what you're going to be doing why stand when you can sit. But always go commercial. Everything is so much nicer.
Why? Because it’s half the size now that I own one and the turning radius is crazy good. But you are right about sitting. I can verify this- you better not just go plowing thru an unknown yard or field on a stander mower. You might find yourself flat on your face. The platforms are roomy but a hole will leave you in the dirt quick.
 
Why? Because it’s half the size now that I own one and the turning radius is crazy good. But you are right about sitting. I can verify this- you better not just go plowing thru an unknown yard or field on a stander mower. You might find yourself flat on your face. The platforms are roomy but a hole will leave you in the dirt quick.

Yea, and we used Toro's at work and the boss man was pretty good about giving us the latest and greatest anything. So fuel injected standers and zmasters are stupid fast. The one thing he wouldn't buy us is the new zmasters with the suspension seats, i quote " I would never get you off of it". He was right I loved just listening to podcast's mowing fields all day
 
I had no clue; all I know is I’ve been extremely happy with mine and can do all services at home.

Love mine as well, had no idea they went under. Easy to work on and built like a tank. I guess with every Tom, Dick, and Harry building zero turns now it's gotta be a tough market to stay in when it's your only product.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dixie chopper went out of business in 2018. A group called Alamo just bought the assets in Aug, 2019. Online, it says they will start up production in 2020.
Did not know that. Website active, a independent equipment seller shows stock.
 
Boy am I learning new things about a zero turn. Had zero reason to mow with the drought but decided to mow some leaves I put in a pile at the road. When I turned 180 degrees on pavement the tire came off the rim and I chewed it to mush getting back into the garage. John Deere wanted $210 before tax. Looking for an alternative tire as suggested by the John Deere rep. Lesson learned.

Now I know why they came out with the flawless turf tires called Tweels. But two of those rear 20x10-8 are $1100 with tax.
 
Boy am I learning new things about a zero turn. Had zero reason to mow with the drought but decided to mow some leaves I put in a pile at the road. When I turned 180 degrees on pavement the tire came off the rim and I chewed it to mush getting back into the garage. John Deere wanted $210 before tax. Looking for an alternative tire as suggested by the John Deere rep. Lesson learned.

Now I know why they came out with the flawless turf tires called Tweels. But two of those rear 20x10-8 are $1100 with tax.

Holy crap,that's worse than Harley tires & that's a racket if I ever saw one.
 
Boy am I learning new things about a zero turn. Had zero reason to mow with the drought but decided to mow some leaves I put in a pile at the road. When I turned 180 degrees on pavement the tire came off the rim and I chewed it to mush getting back into the garage. John Deere wanted $210 before tax. Looking for an alternative tire as suggested by the John Deere rep. Lesson learned.

Now I know why they came out with the flawless turf tires called Tweels. But two of those rear 20x10-8 are $1100 with tax.


is it good enough to add a tube ?
 
I some how cut the side wall on the rear tire on my bad boy mower the second time I mowed with it. I put a plug in and it has held fine. That tire isn’t nearly as expensive as yours but I wouldn’t replace it if it will still hold air or a tube.
 
Surprising that it came off - maybe the air pressure was low? Lot's of tire choices on e-bay, and Agri-Supply has some in stock too.

I just upgraded my Scag Turf Tiger to uber-traction rear tires (similar to farm tractor tires). Man, that thing won't hardly get stuck now but damned if one of my guys managed to slice the sidewall today on one of the new rear tires (the first time that we used it.) :(

Tomorrow a tube goes in to solve the problem.



OFfroad tires_C.jpg
 
is it good enough to add a tube ?
I doubt it. I did look into non John Deere tires. I’m going that route for certain.

Surprising that it came off - maybe the air pressure was low? Lot's of tire choices on e-bay, and Agri-Supply has some in stock too.

I just upgraded my Scag Turf Tiger to uber-traction rear tires (similar to farm tractor tires). Man, that thing won't hardly get stuck now but damned if one of my guys managed to slice the sidewall today on one of the new rear tires (the first time that we used it.) :(

Tomorrow a tube goes in to solve the problem.



View attachment 156540
Good grief. A quick turn with those tires would make a pond. Why those tires @Scsmith42?
 
Several damp places here on the farm. I got tired of having to tow the mower out of the mud. Darn turf tires got stuck all the time.

Surprisingly these tires aren't that bad with respect to rutting the grass when turning. The key is to keep both sides moving.
 
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