Thank you for a great review on this mower. I bought this exact model last year when it was on sale and have put about 40 hours on it so far and am very happy with it. The suspension and serviceable hydros were the main selling points for me compared to other similarly priced mowers. The only problem I've had with it is the blade belt tensioner spring broke after only 11 hours of use, but the dealer replaced it for free and I haven't had any issues since. My property is very bumpy and the suspension definitely helps, but don't expect any miracles. If your place is bumpy, you'll still have to take it slow for the sake of your back. You mention a tank of gas lasting two hours, but that seems like a worst-case scenario with grass that's very tall and very thick. It takes me 2 1/2 hours to mow over 2 acres and I've never run out of gas, so you ought to be able to get somewhere between 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a tank under most conditions. On that note, the gas gauge is completely worthless, but who cares? You don't really need it anyway. The USB ports seem a bit goofy to me too, although I'm sure somebody somewhere uses them. I certainly don't. But this mower is fast and powerful and the cut quality is fantastic. Even with a yard with a lot of sharp bumps, the cut is smooth with no scalping. I've mowed grass over a foot high with this and it has never bogged down or clogged up. For a residential-grade mower, this thing's quite the beast! Let's hope it continues to hold up over the long-run.
Nice review. Keep up the good work. If I was in the market for a zero turn I would consider it. However, I have a Exmark and I'm perfectly happy with it. I have a Stihl trimmer, blower and edger and those things are great and last so long. I'm just a homeowner so I don't use them as much as a commercial guy, but I do abuse them and they just keep working. I trust the Stihl name for quality products.
I think that you made the right choice by “stepping up” to an upper level residential model. The lower models usually have thin gauge stamped decks and non serviceable transaxles for around $3500-$4500. For another $1000-$1500 you got way better build quality and reliability. I have always bought mid grade equipment and I’m only on my second mower in 30 years. Maintenance is key but generally you get what you pay for. In today’s market you really need to start at the mid grade level and go up from there.
I set my ramps you sideways and backed it up the ramps. Back tires went off the ramp and I backed up the next. Next time I will unbolt and slide the ramp that moves rather than do what i did.
It is the best on hilly terrain because the suspension keeps equal pressure on the tires. IMHO, this rocks it out on hills. But, it will not do well turning on very steep angles. No zero turn will. Hope that helps.
It is made by Briggs and Stratton who also makes the Ferris commercial and Simplicity home it looks like a rebranded Simplicity. I have the Courier 36 inch this is the bigger Courier 52 inch. Well bilt mowers mine is 4 years old and no problems.
SImplicity mowers no longer made. Maybe Stihl bought the rights.....That said, I too trust my Stihl products and am fortunate to have a Gold dealer nearby, although these units are not in stock.....:(
I know it is totally subjective, maybe it's the color of the shocks or the implementation but this mower looks really like a toy. When i think of stihl, i don't have this look in mind.
I feel that way about all the small zero turns. While this has larger tires, most are tiny and the long and low look is not appealing. With that said, it surprised me and I thought I would try to help anyone looking at these.
a usb on a lawnmower is ridiculous, that plastic piece that covers it is going to either snap off or basically never be used. this mower is overkill for a homeowner unless you have more than an acre to mow. for me to recoup the or break even on that price point, i'll be dead by the time i get my money back.
IMHO, I like the overkill build quality. That should mean it will last and you will not need to work on it. I get asked weekly in the summer how to repair $1,500 dollar mowers that have never been maintained and are abused. But, I get that many do not want to spend 5k on a mower. I agree on the USB, but for some, it may work. For example, I could plug my Ear Buds (protective) case into there and it would charge the case, then the earbuds after I am done. But, I think most would agree with you.
@@WorkshopAddict i appreciate the time you put into the review. the more i watched it i realized it was way too much mower for home use. i don't have to mow a huge lot like say in the midwest. if this is a starter mower for some people, i cannot imagine what commercial mowers cost, and especially maintain.
Eh the USB port is a nice touch. I put one on my mower tbh. It just is nice when you go to mow the yard and your phone is dead, you don't have to leave the music inside on the charger. And there's plenty of other plastic bits that could also break off, but don't.
You're right it's not for a homeowner. That being said, the usbs are great for me as a business owner. I got this last week to have something smaller than my old scag super z. My first brand new piece of equipment. It's definitely got the build quality of a commercial mower.
Good review, you are wrong the deck is fabricated, stamped means sheet metal formed in a press. This deck is not stamped simply because it has folded down sections to form the deck. That is fabricated steel plate, not stamped thin gauge sheet metal. For example, you could not form a stamped deck with metal this thick in a press, it simply wouldn't work due to the thickness of the metal.
