Residential Zero Turn Mowers Buyers Guide! John Deere / Bad Boy / Scag / Toro / Gravely / Bobcat + 

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Bad Boy! 54 ZT Elite. 747 KOHLER. Bought in 20, No problems. Regular PM. Always starts, cuts and performs fantastic. 1 acre lot. NO Problems. Way cheaper than a Scag just as good if not better. Easy to maintain.

I bought a Gravely 6 years ago, the highest residential model. Only difference from Pro was air cleaner. Saved a thousand dollars. Same deck and engine and trans.

Love my gravely. Owned it 25 years and no problems ever!

Remember, Ariens owns Gravely, Toro owns Exmark, Briggs&Str owns Ferris and snapper, Stanley Black and Decker now owns Hustler and with the acquisition of MTD, now Cub Cadet, Troy Built, Craftsman, Rover, Yard Machines, Bolens, and Robomow mowers. John Deere, Bad Boy, Husqvarna, Scag, Bobcat, Kubota, Walker to my knowledge on sell under their own single brand.

Kawasaki motor & serviceable transmission is a must for me when purchasing a riding mower

Great content; enjoyed the level of detail in these comparisons. Appreciate the efforts to put a video like this together. Looking forward to the Kub n Husq ZT video!

Have a badboy 54 zt elite. servicable drive. 27 kawasaki. replaced bearings on spindles after about 6 yrs. love it. its simplicty reminded me of a snapper.

Very nice video. I had my mind made up on a new John Deer and will end up purchasing the Bad Boy and/or Scag. Huge help, thank you.

I have a Toro Timcutter zero turn 50 " deck with a Korler engine I have had since 2011 and only mechanical issue was I had to put on a cyclinoid. Still going strong.

I have a Bad Boy its 11 years old ive never had a breakdown with her they are built like a tank ! n im still running the original spindles on mine also just a solid buy..

I’m in the market for a residential zero turn, I pretty much decided on the bad boy zt elite, 48 inch, however, this afternoon I went to the local John Deere/Husqvarna dealer to take a look at what he had. I was completely unimpressed with the John Deere equipment that he had in stock. This wasn’t a big box store. this was where you would go to buy a tractor or a plow, and what I would consider to be a real John Deere piece of equipment. Nearly all of the John Deere mowers had stamped decks, the prices were fairly high, and the gentleman that came out to talk to me has very little knowledge of the equipment he was trying to sell me. I was really there to see the Husqvarna zero turns, but he didn’t have any in stock, and said his dealership was phasing them out due to a severe problem of obtaining replacement parts. I pretty much have my mind set on a bad boy anyway but like I said, wasn’t impressed with the big green box.

Good video. I mow part time now and own a Exmark Radius S mower with my ride. 2019 model. I have owned Hustler(love), Scag, Bad Boy (blew Kawasaki 300 hrs), cub cadet, Bad Boy, and toro. Lots of nice mowers these days but 10 grand vs 6 grand there is a lot of difference.

Your photo of 2 blades being out of alignment on a stamped deck was eye opening.

I’ve got a Toro Timecutter myride 54 inch deck. Had oil coming out of the dip stick last fall and made a spot above the hydro. Thought it was a hydro going bad. I did have the dip stick on tight. The replaced it so it will not leak. My hydro are not serviceable but Toro did make a hole in the frame that goes to the top of the hydro where you’d add fluid. After my warranty is over I’ll vacuum out the hydro fluid and fill it with the same amount I take out. I’ll use the Toro synthetic hydro fluid or Amsoil hydro fluid. I’ve got the Toro engine and I believe it’s built very well. My unit is 2 years old going on my last year of warranty. 15 hrs that’s all I got on it. We’ve had serious droughts the last 2 years. My yard is only a half acre. Got a very good deal on my Toro when I bought it because it was sitting in the dealer show room for a year. So it was a previous year’s model they said. The Myride is so worth the money. Very smooth just incredible.

I've been around all 3 but you can't get me away from country clipper and the joystick! By far the most comfortable to run and easy to service!

I bought a John Deere Z355E three years ago, I've never had a problem with it. I took the front caps off of the front wheels at the top and looked at the bushings I have the steel type bearing bushings not the plastic type. I have never had any problems with my drive belt yet. I've never had any problems with my adjustments on my deck. Every time I get done mowing I clean it from top to bottom. I checked my air filter three times a year and changed the oil twice a year I maintain my blades two to three times a year. I live in a panhandle Florida where we do have sand and dirt. I've also only have 12.5 hours on (Z355E ) John Deere zero turn mower. I've got one other mower that I use off and on that is a Craftsman 2000 series It is well maintained the deck is completely fully rebuilt all deck bearings have been greased hand packed in all spindles. this is why my John Deere Z355E zero turn hours are lower on the John Deere . I maintain all my mowers top shape ‼️

I have a green Bobcat fast cat mower that has nearly 600 hours on it and other than blade sharpening, filter changes and oil changes it has been great to me. Doosan bought out Bobcat turf afew years ago and changed the colors from green to white but it looks similar to the one I have. The handle on mine looks just like the one in the video and still works just fine and hasn’t broken yet.

I own a grasshopper, and it's been the best mower I've ever owned.

What you were calling an "odd" looking battery, was mostly likely a Lithium battery. They are better batteries in a few ways. They are much lighter, will hold a charge for 6 months to 1 year or even longer without a charge and need no maintenance. They will stay charged usually over winter without a maintainer. I switched over on my Kawasaki motorcycle and am well pleased. Now back to the mowers. Thanks for the great comparison video!

Thank you for doing all the research for me, I will have to get one once we close on our house.

I have a 60HD Gravely that is about 11 years old with thousands of hours. I have replaced several spindles as there are no grease fittings and the flow channels underneath the deck are breaking loose. i do a lot of rough mowing on several yards and have gotten good service.

Exactly what I was lookin for

A commercial mower uses Scag equipment to mow a couple yards in my neighborhood really impressed with their decks.

The shop that I use to deal with had residential gravely z.t.r mower that was painted Black and red

I've had a Gravely for six years. Very happy with it. Mow our large lot and a 5 acre horse pasture. Blade steel must be some special alloy. I 've hit fallen tree branches and occasionally rocks, but when I go to sharpen the blades, they are still sharp and undamaged. Replaced the battery recently after six years. Very difficult to change the transaxle fluid but uses standard 15-50 oil and not some special concoction like Kubota. Oil changes are very easy. I would buy it again.

My dad owned a landscaping n a repair shop for over 30 years just retired a few years ago when I was looking for a zero turn for our house 🏡 over n acre of grass he told me make sure it has a Kawasaki engine serviceable Hydro gears n a nice thick deck fabricated no stamp deck stay away from them don’t worry about the big names u just gonna pay more make sure u look 👀 for what I told u gotta listen 👂 to the OG 🤙🏽 ended up buying a cub cadet Ultima ZT2 54 🤣 went to buy n Xmart but was looking for what my dad said the ZT2 had everything he said to look for n the price the next mower to have everything he said was $1000 more no difference just name n different colors n design glad I bought it 4 seasons haven’t had any issues at all been working great hope it stays that way nice review on a lot of options out there 🤙🏽🏡

Had a 1991 60” Dixie Chopper for a couple years, it cut well and fast but it had a terrible rough ride on my bumpy land, and severely under powered with the 22 hp Kohler. I decided get a used 2014 Scag Turf Tiger 26hp / 61”. I learned, don’t ever buy a used commercial ZTR, big mistake! After dumping a lot of $ into it, I cut my losses and traded it in on a brand new 2019 Turf TigerII 37hp EFI / 61”. Best mower I’ve used, nothing stops it. and you can cut at a relatively high speed with excellent results. The 26 hp EFI Kohler was underpowered on the first Turf Tiger, however the additional hp from the big block 37 hp Vanguard is a pleasure to use, but it’s a thirsty cat. The 12 gallon gas tank is a plus. Real nice machine if you can justify the cost.

Great video and great information

man you killed it. Great video.

I own a Gravely commercial zero turn and I haven't had much trouble with it. I did have to change out a spindle and the long belt. It has the Kawasaki motor and of course the serviceable wheel motors. I serviced the hydos myself and had to replace the short hoses from the tanks. Very easy to do. I went to the dealer yesterday and got a new belt and we talked about the new mowers with the self adjusting system for the belts and he said my setup makes the belt last longer because i have to adjust it myself. I have the twin tanks for longer run time.

Great video keep them coming!

I would put a 6" high 1/4" flat plate section to raise the height of the back bumper to protect the carburetor.

Yes kawasaki motor and good transmission and heavy duty deck and solid frame . A friend of mine has a John that got about 130 hrs that got a broken frame because the frame is so thin it's about like one of them light weight camping cots and it broke in 2.places up by front right wheel and left side at the back of floors pan

Good stuff. Thank you. 👍

You might want to rework the part about the Bad Boy recommendation near the end of the video, there is a dual voice over...... gggrrrrr! BUT, you have shown me which one to buy and Why !! Thank you !

My dad used to have a Yazoo ZT. With a steering wheel that turned the rear wheel like a forklift. It was all steel & cast iron. I bought a Cub cadet from Home Depot with a Kohler 22hp twin with LED headlights 4 years ago and it's been great. I keep it clean and run the blades until dry. No issues. $1,850+ tax then. Have about 3 acres to mow. I have ditches a banks and the Zero turns fight you on inclines even with a tight seatbelt. I can't see paying $4,000 or more for a lawn mower unless you are using it to make money.

Always to my research before a big purchase, getting ready to upgrade from a Cub Cadet 1045 to a Zero Turn. Thanks for the video.

I've had my scag freedom Z 48" for 13 years. 1900 hrs. Replaced belts once and a starter. If it ever comes to it. I'll replace the briggs when it blows. Still running strongl

All the seats are made my seatking on most brands.. if you ever have a tear in the cover you can contact seatking and get the matching cover using you model number and it’s like a fraction of the cost of a new seat.

Good, Thx

Ive got the Bad Boy MZ Magnum 54". Its an awesome little beast. 26 hp kholer 7000 series, havent had any problems at all. Pretty heavy duty and easy to work on if needed (you wont have to work on this mower hardly ever).

great vid

I’ve had an Exmark 44” phaser since 2008

Great video. The only issue I saw was that on the Bad Boy comparison to the Scag, they aren't equivalent models. Really the Scag lines up with the Bad Boy Avenger. The Avenger has serviceable transaxles.

Great looking mowers farshure

I have a John Deere 525E. Just put the second set of Transaxles in it. First set at 3 years second set just before the 7 year warranty was up. Both covered by JD warranty and extended warranty so zero cost to me other than gas hauling it in. At 1997 hours not a cent spent on it. Still has the original belt. Warranty Talks.

So witch one would you bye and put a bagger on thanks for all the information

I bought a John Deer S240 4 years ago and i have only 87 or so hours on it. I love it. The one thing is that the front tire tread wears pretty quick, I got a bald front tire. No issues mechanically. I do want to say I bought it at a dealer. I had a friend told me to go to the big box store and i did not like because they get the cheaper models. I wanted to have good knowledge staff and they been great.

for the average homeowner the transmission is not a deal breaker because all the tranny's are built great for your average 1/2 to 1 acre mow job. For me its about the bearings lasting then cut quality and then having enough engine power for a great cut quality if the lawn gets to long. A lot of mowers are over built for the average lawn. Oh Ya, some sort of suspension or dampeners, like my Bad Boy Maverick has.

I had a few years working as a mower mechanic. Id say by far in our area the Toro was the best for reliability. We rarely got them in and were a dealer. The bad boys were okay but not quite the quality of Toro/Exmark(good customer service though on the dealer end). John deere tractors held up fairly well but saw our fair share probably because a lot of folks buy them at home depot. Walker isnt on your list but are high priced maintenance hogs and imo junk compared to the Toro version of the full time box bagger. Anything cub cadet is junk along with craftsman, troy bilt etc. All owned by MTD and just the cheapest of the cheap. Dixie chopper sucked and hard to get parts for. Dixon is out of business and junk. Gravely was down the road from us and talking with those guys they saw quite a few issues(one big one was spindle bearings on a specific year covered under warranty). Snapper was good. By the end of it I bought toro for my business(i also used them on a golf course for 6 years). They just seemed to be trouble free and heavy duty in construction.

Thin deck on the 42" John Deere but at least the 48" & 54" are 10ga stamped on the Z300 series. Should I add spindle reinforcement rings to my 48" John Deere Z330R's deck while it is still brand new or are those only for when it starts to wear out the mounting holes?

New subscriber and I’m looking forward to it, im located in florida and own a small engine repair shop. We work with a lot of lawn companies and take care of all trailer equipment. I’m constantly working with huge companies that mostly use Exmark, John Deere standers , Wright Standers. I never really see any badboy or scags. But I do think they have quality stuff

No problem with the John Deere decks with the pockets at the blade spindles. Keep clean and dont leave your machine outdoors. Dry is the key. Round underside for smooth air flow is best compared to the flat right angled fabricated decks with all the welds. Oil change serviceable axle drives is most important⚠️ nice review

For the price you pay for entry level mowers, just get a used commercial for the same price may have to put a little work into it but it will be more reliable in the long run. I bought a used Exmark Lazer Z for $2700 needed some work an additional $1300 at the dealer it’s good to go. I wanted a pump and motor design so if something goes wrong with the transmission it can be rebuilt or pieces replaced cheaper than everything in one which can cost you $2000 and up.

I have the 2022 Ariens Ikon XD 52 Limited Edition. It was only available last yr. and each dealership only got around 5 of them. The big chain stores didn't get any. I chose it over the Gravely only because my dealershop didn't have a Gravely with the Kawi motor. The Ilon had the motor and had some nice upgrades that the Gravely did not. They were the same price and as Ariens makes Gravely. Both are made at the same plant in WI. and other then the colors and badges are the same mower. So if you're looking at a Gravely, look at the Ariens as well you will get the dame mower just a little bit cheaper price. On anotjer mote. The 2023 Gravely and Ariens the gas fill cap is to gar forward on the side and prone to getting smacked by branches and otjer things. This will famage the gas tank and it will have to be replaced. $400+ for the tank. I feel this is a flaw and Ariens needs to address this problem. Nrw desing is nice over all on the 2023 models but tjat gas fill cap spot is just a bad design. I love my Ikon and it is very well made. I have no regrets. I would buy it again.

A couple brands I’d like to see talked about are Simplicity and Ferris. Really enjoying the channel. Thanks for the vids. Subbed 👍🏻

buen trabajo grs

Have you done a full review on the Bobcat ZT2000 & ZT3000 yet? Interested to hear your thoughts.

Gravely X is serviceable its tye smaller 2200 series 1.2 qts . The XL has servicable 2800 series 5qts

I've got the smaller Ariens with the Kawasaki engine and fabricated deck. My only issue with it is it will not hold a line on even a slight incline when traveling sideways across the slope. The rear end tends to slide downhill, making it difficult to control across the slope. Maybe the turf tires are too small, who knows. I'm on year 2 with this mower and will most likely be replacing it after this season. Also one of the independent hydraulic drives is faster than the other, making full speed control harder than it needs to be.

I have a 2003 52 in bobcat has almost 300 hours it’s a beast has dual tanks also.

Don't quote me on this but I believe these transmissions are serviceable. But you have to suck the fluid out of the top. Some units give you access to that fill plug though and some don't.

Toro with the Kohler engine is the way to go. It’s fast & torquey. Scag, John, gravely, etc drive really slow compared to toro. I love the 36” & 30”. Very popular

I worked for a municipal council here in the UK for 10 years and we only used three of the units on your list. I have only used Toro, Scag and Ariens. Toro is made to a price point. It is cheap to make, cheap to run and cheap to service. Minimal expensive parts to go wrong... But the quality is in that price point! It is also simple to service out on the job... Slipped belts were a bitch but you could fix them easy enough yourself without any problems. But they were fiddly to use... They did the job but you had to kinda fight them to do the job. Scag is more expensive but WAAAAAY more robust. They are built to last. We had Scags that were 15 years old and were HAMMERED but they kept on chugging! They were not cheap to replace parts but they didn't need them so often. The problem was that the equipment we used (32"/48" pedestrians) were badly designed. If you know what "Scag rash" is then you know why they are poorly designed! Ariens is "meh". Average along the lines. Average cost, average quality, average repair costs... But all the ones we used needed tweaking in-house. Nothing ever came "right"... Not a single piece of equipment we used was "Good" or "Nice to use". Not sure if you will ever cover them... But we also used Ferris. Expensive for what they are. Not cheap to run or service. Cheap on fuel though... VERY economical! Fun to use, very easy and not as tiring as ones you have to fight (I'm looking at you, Toro) A bitch to repair on site. SOOOOO overly complicated and over-engineered. I wonder if there is a difference between the US and UK stuff???

All hydrostatic transmissions are SERVICEABLE. What they mean when they say it is filter change or sub zt2800. If you're doing a info video like this, you need to specify exactly which trans a model comes with, as in the badboy I think is a zt2200, which is a relatively higher end residential, whereas a zt2800 would be the entry level commercial/highest end residential. The real thing you're buying with any of them are those two trans.

Hey great job with this, thanks for the video. I have an older JD z525e and a few things here and there have let me know it's not exactly built to last forever lol, definitely going to keep an eye on Bad Boy for when it comes time. I used to haul for JD, they have all the room in the world but don't let truck drivers overnight in their lots. Out back around the equipment would be understandable, but they don't even let us stay in the lot outside of the main gates. Not helpful when there isn't much else around 🤨

Good things ain't cheap and cheap things ain't good. Get a kawi with the 2 element air filter and keep oil & filter changed. Happy mowing for many years.

Does any one have any reviews on the Scag SR engine? I am looking at the 48” deck but am having a hard time finding any sort of review on this engine. Any reviews would be appreciated!

Would love to see you review the time cutter. Looking at a 34 inch zero turn since I have a 42 inch gate. Very limited options for zero turns under 42 inches.

Great video! Very well detail. Had a hard time with last 4 minutes with you talking over yourself. Sounded like you had good info but to distracting to listen to.

I know you couldnt have done all brands but World lawn diamond back is hands down best for you money. 4500 for 10 mile an hr forward 5 reverse 9.5 gallons all kawasaki engines

I would like to have seen the Husqvarna z242F included in this review, but it was a good video

One thing that would be extremely attractive on a gas rider, if it had a quiet exhaust and quiet intake. When I replaced my shop air compressor, I bought one that is very quiet, soooooo much nicer.

You've got to compare the gravely zt HD to what you were looking at for the others.

I bought it new in 2007. I personally think that the pro air cleaner setup, grease fittings everywhere (I don’t want anything with just bushings and plastic in the pivot points or bearings), fabricated 3/16 - 1/4” deck, and the serviceable hydros are what to look for when buying a mower. My hydros don’t have cooling fans on them like some comparisons that I’ve seen from other mowers (which bothered me), and the reservoir gets VERY HOT!, but called hydro gear co. and they said that they weren’t needed on those particular motors. I guess so. It’s been almost 20 years and still goes like it did when it was new.

I just bought me a hustler fas trek 54 inch zero turn. The thing is a warhorse.

I don’t know about any years before 23 but the 2023 gravely does have serviceable transmissions

do limited editions mowers like the bad boy zt elite 20th anniversary limited edition or gravely stealth hold their value better than a non lmt edition?

i have a john deere d140 from 2014, 2015 i cant remember, and i hate that mower, it just does not feel right. i would love a zero turn but have too many hills and uneven ground. the only one i did find for its replacement is the new cub cadet ultima ztxs4 steering zero turn mower. i do like the toro mowers but they are zero turn only, are Husqvarna mowers good? or even a Kubota riding mower?

I have a 2006 Great Dane Chariot ZTR, 52” fabricated deck (original greasable spindles), 23 hp twin cylinder Kohler Command w/Pro air cleaner, grease fitting’s everywhere, and Hydro Gear serviceable drive motors. 8 gallon gas tank under seat (low center of gravity). 1142 # and built like a tank. NOT ONE MAJOR PROBLEM AT ALL!! The only problem with mine is that I have to replace the little rubber dust ejector on the air filter housing because it melts!! About 450 hrs on it. I only run ethanol-free gas and full synthetic oil changed each spring.

cash price where was this dealer when i bought mine bet the irs loves this guy lol

I have been curious why most all reviews never include the Hustler and country clipper. Being that Hustler has been around since 1964. Country Clipper has been around for at least 15+ yeas.

I liked my single cylinder 21 hp briggs I finally traded it in 13 years old no issues just wanted a new one lol I have a half acre all slope.i got the 22hp v twin now on my new jd and I don't like it it sucks gas compared to my other one and the engine is not a smooth running engine I like my stuff to sound good lol I had sent it back to jd and they said thats how it sounds.only thing I like it does have more power and wide back tires don't get stuck when the yard is damp

Bobcat is made in Louisville KY in the former Burton factory

Tommorow I go to my dealer to se z530m in Poland. Thx, your video. I knew nie more. Tell me, these prices are with tax?

Correct me if im wrong but the 2023 Gravely ZTX hydros are now serviceable, huge upgrade to the previous models. From Gravely's website "HYDRO-GEAR SERVICEABLE EZT TRANSAXLES Serviceable transaxles have optimized cooling to ensure smooth running for years to come. New service ports allow oil changes to"

Would like to know about the Kubota zero turns.

The lawn mowers may be different but Kioti makes the new Bobcat tractors and I’m curious if they make the new bobcat lawnmowers. Kioti makes great tractors, a lot of tractor brands have either the daedong diesel engine or frames for their tractors made by Kioti!!!! South Korean.

I’ve been told by a couple of guy’s who work on scag say, the scag engine is a predator engine made in china. Now I don’t know if that means anything bad or not. I prefer to buy American made products so I would probably choose the Kohler.

There is a sub model of the EZT transmission that is serviceable with at least a drain plug (no filter though). So far I've only found it in the Gravely X

I purchased the john deer 315e from lowes, the 2023 version for just under $3500 out the door. Haven't mowed with it, just have .2 hours on it from starting and moving it back n forth in my garage I wish I had watch your videos before I made a decision. Now I'm thinking maybe I should return it and get a bad boy, but the dealer is not close to me. John deer is just 10 minutes away. What are your thoughts?

I never had a John deere that cut level

Any thoughts on a good riding mower

One owner put it out their with his Ariens , a patented mowing blade seemed to be a good thing to hear from a dealer , a more critical examination was the blade had very little thickness for sharpening purposes , it was used for 2 days in a commercial setting and had found the blades for this new model was a failure point in which this part should be serviceable , in this case it was not only had limited sharpening material to work with but the blades end was failing with separation at the ends to further unbalancing its weight . If you have these type of antics going on , you can see theirs more concern for investors getting a return than the buyer of the product .

I noticed a distinct lack of front pivot axle. I have hilly and uneven terrain.

I often wonder how much JD believes they can sell mowers based on name alone. This comparison video clearly show - at least to me - that JD is not the leader they believe they are in this category of equipment. This video is good, informative across every type of lawn equipment. I'm looking forward to a lawn tractor (traditional style) riding mower comparison too. I have a relatively small yard & looking for cut width 42 or less. Thanks for your effort!

Hydrogear zt 2200 has an option for being serviced

❤ my bad boy !

Thank you for a most excellent detailed review of features, construction and common parts, and what to look for, especially reinforced decks. Very much appreciated ! Would like to see a similar review on commercial models too ! Liked and subscribed !