Advice and experience with zero turn mowers

[Moose7060]

Planning on purchasing a new zero turn mower before spring. Have been looking
at Husqvarna Z254F Special Edition. Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with Husqvarna mowers or better suggestion? Will be cutting about 1/2 acre where the 72 inch rotary cutter can't do. Thanks in advance.

 

[Code]

I have a kubota z421 with a 54” deck. My dad has that exact husq. I like mine better for ride and just fits me better. Im 6 3” and 205lbs for reference. I have 350 hrs on it and mow about 4-5 slightly hilly acres with it. It just runs well. Also pull a leaf vac with it in fall over about 2 acres.

th husqy feels harsher on me when i use it on my dads 4 acres. Granted his land is a bit rougher but not much

 

[Code]

As an additional depending on the layout 1/2 ac on a zt is about a 10 min mow

 

[Moose7060]

I have a kubota z421 with a 54” deck. My dad has that exact husq. I like mine better for ride and just fits me better. Im 6 3” and 205lbs for reference. I have 350 hrs on it and mow about 4-5 slightly hilly acres with it. It just runs well. Also pull a leaf vac with it in fall over about 2 acres.

th husqy feels harsher on me when i use it on my dads 4 acres. Granted his land is a bit rougher but not much

Thank you Code for the advice on fit and ride. I will check the Kubota's for fit for sure.

 

[Code]

As an additional depending on the layout 1/2 ac on a zt is about a 10

Thank you Code for the advice on fit and ride. I will check the Kubota's for fit for sure.

Definitely go sit in them and drive them. If they dont let you take a model for a spin i wouldnt buy it esp if you havent had a zt before.

im probably upgrading to a 7 series or maybe a diesal kubota in a couple years.cause im cutting alot more pasture as on the hilly slopes its faster than my l33

Id rather put the hours on the zt than the tractor. I cut with tractor first cut in spring. Zt for the rest of the year

 

[Moose7060]

As an additional depending on the layout 1/2 ac on a zt is about a 10



Definitely go sit in them and drive them. If they dont let you take a model for a spin i wouldnt buy it esp if you havent had a zt before.

im probably upgrading to a 7 series or maybe a diesal kubota in a couple years.cause im cutting alot more pasture as on the hilly slopes its faster than my l33

Id rather put the hours on the zt than the tractor. I cut with tractor first cut in spring. Zt for the rest of the year

The test drive will be an issue up here with snow on the ground until mid April. Only reason for wanting to purchase early is to avoid any of those dreaded "supply chain" issues. Will need to rely on good folks like you to advise on ride and reliability. Thank you again. Cheers.

 

[bbxlr8]

I went to a ZT 50" from a 60" mmm for everyday cutting. It gets the job done fast - I ended up in the CCadet with the smaller size just to get the Kawasaki engine vs Kohler (never gain for me). Husq look well built and rated (use their Ch Saws)

The slope and hills require adjustments to your habits as it can get a bit exciting (think tilt a whirl)
Overall - great purchase for me

 

[P0234]

We've had a Hustler in the family for 15 years now, other than needing a spindle, its been flawless. I wouldn't sweat the supply chain issues, next year there will be plenty of equipment sitting on dealer lots, at least if things continue as they are.

Personally there is no way I'd buy a new one. Unlike a BX, they tank in value and there are some serious deals to be had on lightly used ones. Yes, if you shop like a dummy and try to buy the cheapest ZT you can find on marketplace, you will likely end up with issues, but if you shop smart, you will get a great deal. The box store stuff isn't great, but the prosumer stuff like the Hustler we have is downright bubba proof.

 

[Amarillo]

i bought a Bad Boy Maverik this past summer and really like it. It seems like it was engineered for easy maintenance

 

[jyoutz]

Planning on purchasing a new zero turn mower before spring. Have been looking
at Husqvarna Z254F Special Edition. Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with Husqvarna mowers or better suggestion? Will be cutting about 1/2 acre where the 72 inch rotary cutter can't do. Thanks in advance.

I bought one of the new Stihl branded ZT mowers this past spring. It’s actually a rebadged Ferris mower, but parts and service are available at Stihl dealers. The distinctive features of this mower is that they have 4 wheel suspension. This is a huge upgrade for people mowing areas that aren’t golf course smooth. Your back will thank you if you buy one of these.

 

[edritchey]

I don’t have any experience with the Husqvarna mowers when I bought the last one I have I got the Ferris so far I like it better than my old Kubota Z326 because of its suspension and seat it rides like a dream.

 

[jyoutz]

I don’t have any experience with the Husqvarna mowers when I bought the last one I have I got the Ferris so far I like it better than my old Kubota Z326 because of its suspension and seat it rides like a dream.

They are nice. My Stihl is just a repainted/rebadged Ferris. The nice thing about the Stihl is they have a larger dealer network than Ferris.

 

[Poohbear]

I've had the el cheapo Lowes Husqvarna 46in ZT now for now nearly 5 yrs. Got the 46 cause it fits in the truckbed and at the time didn't want/need a small trailer. Carried back & forth from the farm to our then residence. It's done a lot of mowing. Mowed 5 AC at the farm & 3/4 AC at our house in town. Only mow about 1ac now ,the rest with the 3301.
Only trouble was one of the blade spindle housings broke but that's cause I ran over something. It's never failed to start or mow . It's no $8K Kubota but it does just as good a cut.

 

[Code]

I've had the el cheapo Lowes Husqvarna 46in ZT now for now nearly 5 yrs. Got the 46 cause it fits in the truckbed and at the time didn't want/need a small trailer. Carried back & forth from the farm to our then residence. It's done a lot of mowing. Mowed 5 AC at the farm & 3/4 AC at our house in town. Only mow about 1ac now ,the rest with the 3301.
Only trouble was one of the blade spindle housings broke but that's cause I ran over something. It's never failed to start or mow . It's no $8K Kubota but it does just as good a cut.

My dad loves his husqy. He hates my kubota for the same reasons i hate the husqy. Fit. Thats why i expressed that on first reply. Husqys are good machines so are the kubotas. Focus on the good engines and fir and all will be good

 

[GSD-Keegan]

Really like my Ferris ZT. Great suspension, reduce my cutting time substantially, (20 mins compared to 50 mins) ,zero grass build up in deck, overall great craftsmanship. But I have noticed a few drawbacks compared to my old cub rider...which is just the nature of the beast. Rear drive tires lose traction a lot quicker than old rider…if your cutting on any slopes or hills. Inside tire when making turns will rip up my grass…bear in mind I have sandy soil…

 

[mikester]

husqvarna z254f problems - Google Search

 

[Moose7060]

Appreciate all the suggestions and advice. Thanks everyone. Cheers.

 

[edritchey]

They are nice. My Stihl is just a repainted/rebadged Ferris. The nice thing about the Stihl is they have a larger dealer network than Ferris.

I buy my equipment at Messick’s and they carry Kubota, Ferris, and Stihl

 

[fried1765]

I buy my equipment at Messick’s and they carry Kubota, Ferris, and Stihl

I believe that Messick's sells New Holland equipment as well.
I buy Ford/New Holland parts from Messick"s

 

[DustyRusty]

Planning on purchasing a new zero turn mower before spring. Have been looking
at Husqvarna Z254F Special Edition. Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with Husqvarna mowers or better suggestion? Will be cutting about 1/2 acre where the 72 inch rotary cutter can't do. Thanks in advance.

The last local shop that sold serviced Husqvarna is closing. I asked the owner why and he said it was for lack of replacement parts availability. New inventory was slow to arrive, the costs were up and the margins were down. Same story with all the other brands that he serviced. Briggs and Stratton's parts are slow to arrive, and many are discontinued to the point where he can't fix older engines. He has been in business for over 50 years and showed me machines that have been waiting for parts since last winter and spring. We have officially become the throwaway society since if you can't get new parts for an older machine, what else are you to do other than buy another new machine?