Which Zero Turn Mower Should You Buy?

I tend to be a very avid researcher when it comes to making big purchases. I have been known to spend hour upon hour looking for the perfect piece of equipment at the perfect price. When I set out to buy a zero turn mower I looked for as many reviews I could find. Very few of the zero turn mower reviews that I found covered more than one brand. After trying several of the different mowers out and speaking with several different dealers and sales reps I have assembled a list of the best ztr mowers for your money.

Dixie Chopper. Dixie Chopper tends to be the most popular brand of zero turn mower. Reviews often point out the strength and durability of this mower and they are exactly right. If you want a mower that is going to last a long time the Dixie Chopper is a good choice. Prices range from $4000-$15000 depending on the model you are looking at. Their newer residential line called the magnum has all the looks of the bigger meaner mowers. After test driving a Magnum and an Classic Model I was very impressed with the Dixie Chopper. This was far and away the fastest mower I have ever driven and the Classic Model had what can only be described as raw power. The ride was a bit rough, and the dealer told me that was just going to happen with a bigger faster mower. Warranties on the Dixie Choppers ranged from a couple of years to a lifetime. Dixie CHoppers are well made and most customers brag about their durability. You can’t go wrong with a Dixie Chopper.

Gravely. Gravely has been in the mowing business a long time and they have a pretty good reputation. With sizes that range from 42-60 inch decks in their residential models you will certainly find one that fits your application. My initial response to the Gravely after riding the Dixie Chopper was that it felt somewhat weak. I test drove a 50 inch Gravely with a 20 Hp Kohler motor. The Gravely tended have enough speed and horse power and this machine definitely chewed up the grass. Prices started in the low $2000’s depending on the motor and size and went all the way up to $7000. If you are looking for a decent mower at a decent price the Gravely line is an OK choice.

Hustler. Hustler was a brand that I knew little about when I started to look at a zero turn mower. Reviews of this mower were routinely good so I decided to check them out at a local dealer. The salesman told me all about the different models and I concentrated my thoughts towards the Sport and Fast Trac models. I was definitely impressed with both but the Fast Trac model really stood out. It had a lifetime warranty on the frame, front side of the deck, and forks. Engines vary depending on how much you want to spend from the lower end Briggs and Stratton to the higher end Honda and Kohlers. The ride of this mower was fair to average, but nothing to write home about. The best part of this mower is that is perhaps its ease of maintenance. Prices range on the Hustler from the low $3000s to the high $7000s.

Ferris. Ferris lawn mowers can be purchased at your local Snapper dealers and they tend to be the high end of the Snapper line of mowers. One of the most appreciated things about the Ferris line of mowers is the 4 wheel independent suspension. I must say that after test driving one of these beasts that it would be hard to go back to the more utilitarian mower with a harsh ride. The Ferris had tons of speed and power and its controls were very easy to use. Prices were what you would expect to pay ranging from $4000 to $10,000 for the higher commercial mowers. If you are tired of the bone jarring ride of your lawn tractor or older ZTR mower you need to check out the Ferris. The ride is well worth the money.

Scag. Scag mowers are generally well received by the commercial and residential user. Most people who write zero turn mower reviews rank this mower near the top of the heap due to their strength, durability, ease of maintenance, speed, and quality of cut. My test drive on the Scag Turf Tiger was definitely fun. Plenty of speed and power coupled with the second best ride of all the mowers reviewed here made this mower the cream that rose to the top. Be warned, these mowers are not cheap as the cheapest model made starts at around $5500. The top end of the Scag price guide tops out around $15,000 which is enough to leave anyone with a bad case of sticker shock.

So which one did I buy? In the end it was hard for me to argue against the value of the Hustler line of mowers. They offered the second best warranty, just barely being edged out by the Dixie Chopper. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the Hustler mowers, the ride was adequate, and power was adequate. What put the Hustler over the top for me though was the price. I was able to pick up a Hustler Fast Trac with a 42 inch deck for just under $3500.

Before you spend a ton of money on a ZTR mower make sure you read plenty of zero turn mower reviews. This is a huge investment and one that could make you very happy or very sad for the next 10 years. Good luck.