Comfortable Zero Turn Mower?

Waorani

Waorani

Crusty Caballero
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 14, 2017
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4,393
Greenbow, AL
#1
The recent mowing talk has got me thinking about replacing my 20yr old Scag. I've got about 5 acres to cut and the Scag just beats you to death. Only suspension it has are the tires and cushion seat. Used to not bother me but it is now and there's got to be better options. Ferris seems to get good reviews and has actual frame suspension as well as the seat. Any experience or other brands to look at?
 
#2
Waorani said:
The recent mowing talk has got me thinking about replacing my 20yr old Scag. I've got about 5 acres to cut and the Scag just beats you to death. Only suspension it has are the tires and cushion seat. Used to not bother me but it is now and there's got to be better options. Ferris seems to get good reviews and has actual frame suspension as well as the seat. Any experience or other brands to look at?
Click to expand...
@Tucker301 may have your answer.
My Deere is the same.

R
 
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#3
Waorani said:
The recent mowing talk has got me thinking about replacing my 20yr old Scag. I've got about 5 acres to cut and the Scag just beats you to death. Only suspension it has are the tires and cushion seat. Used to not bother me but it is now and there's got to be better options. Ferris seems to get good reviews and has actual frame suspension as well as the seat. Any experience or other brands to look at?
Click to expand...
Get some goats.
 
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#7
My wife burned up my John Deere zero turn.... literally burned it. I ended up replacing it was a gravely commercial zero turn and I’ve been very happy with it.
 
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#10
No goats! I'm sure the others mentioned have better seats than my old Scag but they all look like rigid frame. If I'm going to drop $12-14k on a new machine, I want it to be comfortable at speed so I can cut a little more often and not dread it so much. There's a Kubota dealer close so I'll checkout the Z700.
 
#11
For that kind of money you can look into the ZD (diesel) or ZG (gas) line of commercial Kubota mowers. Stay away from the ZD1511, it has a DPF and they aren't very reliable. Any diesel engine over over 25HP requires tier 4 emissions and to my knowledge can't be deleted.
 
#14
I think Ferris is the only one with actual suspension. My neighbor had one to cut his 3 acres (I used a Kubota tractor for my 6), and he really liked it. It did have a good cut....
 
#15
TacticalDillhole said:
In lieu of goats I’d look at one of the tractors that has the mowing deck that can be removed as well as accommodate a backhoe and front loader accessories.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I started with - small Kubota/loader/backhoe and tried belly mower, bush hog, finishing mower. All way too slow and why I went to the Scag. Hate cutting grass and just want it done asap. 61" Scag gives good cut and can go pretty fast but it just beats the crap out of me. Figure there has to be something fast but w/ softer ride and that's how I came across the Ferris. Finding a few comments about poor cut quality the more I look though.
 
#17
Sled said:
I think Ferris is the only one with actual suspension. My neighbor had one to cut his 3 acres (I used a Kubota tractor for my 6), and he really liked it. It did have a good cut....
Click to expand...

Wondered why I was only seeing rigid frames on the other higher end models. What attracted me to the Ferris was speed and comfort. Plenty of reviews also saying good cut but a fair number not happy too. If I can't get speed/comfort/decent cut I'll just keep the Scag.

In a town w/ 30,000 college students you'd think I could find someone that wanted to make a few bucks using my mower. But despite multiple attempts, and assurances that they were responsible, needed the money, blah, blah, they never last more than a cut or two before the no-shows and excuses start.
 
#23
Spartan mowers have suspension seats. My brother sells them. I used one for the first time the other day. Awesome mowers. Fast and they don't beat you to death.
 
#26
Most of the new commercial mowers have a suspension seat as an option. Look for a dial in the center of the seat, it uses your weight. Ferris has one with suspension like an ATV. We have a Lazer Z at work, amazing machine.

Scag turf tiger 2, Exmark Lazer Z X series, Hustler Super Z and Hyper Drive.
 
#27
Scag Cheetah has a seat on an adjustable suspension deck. Toro has some similar commercial zero turns. Some models offer an air seat option. You can also retrofit a air seat from Puffer https://ztrpuffer.com. I haven't tried it but forum reviews are generally positive. A tractor will be slower than a zero steer and still beat you up over rough ground.
 
#28
Thanks all. I'm also looking at seat upgrade options. Scag actually has several but none go back as far as my old turf tiger. Surely one could be modded to fit though. And then there are aftermarket options too. I think I just got big eyes when I googled "comfortable zero turn mower" and found the Ferris. There is a local dealer and I'll stop by next week to take a look. The higher end Kubota's and several of the others folks have mentioned are also appealing. Another local dealer has an Exmark Lazer Z with the 96" deck that looks sweet - but it should at $40k.
 
#29
Probably cost you more in the long and your back will still hurt trying to satisfy it but man what fun would cuttin grass be
0EEC0569-388B-4266-B1BF-71F51E33EFEE.png
 
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