This week a major milestone was achieved.
I would like to thank all of you who have visited this blog this year. I have really enjoyed working with and helping you find the best Lawn Tractor or Zero-Turn Mower for you.
I am closing the comments for 2 months. I need this time to get ready for snow blowers and do a few projects around the house.
About Paul Sikkema Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers, and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul does most of his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can. Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel Please Note: If you click on most of the links in this article and buy any product I will make a small commission from that sale. This is how I make money to keep this website up and running. Read more here: How to Support TodaysMower.com
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Daniel K
Paul, Love the site and your reviews. I am purchasing a new property that’s about 3 acres of mowing. I have looked at several of the ZTR’s and know that they would provide the fastest mowing time. However, it would be nice to have something with more versatility so I’m thinking of buying a UTV and pulling a tow behind mower. Do you have any tow behind recommendations or reviews?
Paul Sikkema
Hi Daniel, I have not done any specific reviews of pull-behinds but I do know a lot about them.
First. Do you want a finish mower or a rough cut? Do you plan on mowing the 3 acres only a few times a year or keeping it manicured and mow it every week?
Second, there are only 4 good brands. Swisher, Acrease, Bercomac and DR Power. Any other brand out there is either Chinese manufactured or junk and hard to get parts for.
Acrease is always my first choice. They make both a finish cut and a rough cut. Their quality is the best. A 60 inch finish cut will mow at 8 mph! They have many options for hooking the mowers to your UTV and you can even hook them in tandem. Here is pict of one of my rigs 15 foot cut!. Your local dealer may carry them or you can order them through MowersDirect. Here is their website: Kunz Engineering. Tell MowersDirect or Matt at Kunz that I sent you.
Bercomac: Berco has one finish and one rough cut. If you don’t know the brand they make the heavy duty snow blowers for Simplicity and John Deere. Bercomac Lawn Mowers
DR Power: Great rough cut mowers but I feel they are very expensive compared to the other 3 brands. DR Tow behind.
Swisher: Swisher makes both rough cut and finish mowers. The mowers are the least expensive but also suffer from being under-powered and have a reputation of wearing out quickly. They are slow and hard to maneuver. The are the most popular because of cost but my last choice for quality of cut and durability. The best place to buy Swisher’s is through Amazon: Swisher Mowers
Donald Olschafskie
Paul,
Im looking to replace my Troy built 33 wide cut over 10 years old. I have about 1/2 acre, a little hill in the back. I would like to move on with my mowing experience to a nice rider, but I don’t know what is the best for me that will last me till my mowing days are over… or at least another 10 years. I also don’t know weather to buy from a dealer or big box.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Donald, Take a look at the
. This will give you the quality you are looking for.
Pro Series 22 HP V-Twin Kohler Elite 42″ Turn Tight Extreme Riding Mower
A great cut, dependable engine and easy to use.
MK Hawley
Paul, I appreciate your website and advice. It looks like I just missed your cutoff and of course am in crisis mode re lawnmower. I will probably need to replace my Swisher, 42″, B & S 18.5, zero turn with something less expensive. Zero turn not a requirement, but it does need to handle moderate work….mowing 4 acres every 6-10 days in central Illinois. Mostly flat, some ditches and trees/landscaping to mow around in the “house yard”. Am in a rural area and have limited access to all brands. Looking in the $1500-1800 price range. I didn’t notice many Husqavana reviews but they are available at Rural King north of me. The Swisher may have blown piston rings (suddenly puffing smoke) and I’m trying to figure out repair or replace. First time making this kind of decision on my own. Any help appreciated.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Mary, You are looking at $1000 or so to replace the engine in your Swisher and if your mower is more than 4 years old I suggest going with a different mower. The Swisher’s are noted for bad transmissions so that will be next on the list.
I looked at the Rural King website and they have a 46 inch and a 54 inch Husqvarna listed. For your lawn either one will do the job and the 46 inch will take you about the same amount of time as your swisher. If you would like to cut down on your mowing time the 54 inch will save you about 30%. Both machines have plenty of power.
If the 54 inch appeals to you make sure you can get around your trees/landscaping and have room to park it. The deck with the grass deflector down takes about 62 inches.
MK Hawley
Paul, thanks so much for your help…over an above the call of duty! So the Husqvarna would be preferable to a Craftsman? I don’t want to set myself for major problems. I have been watching for the models you recommended from your post. Any other guidance is appreciated. Bless you!
Paul Sikkema
Hi Mary, No, these Husqvarna’s are not preferable. I was addressing your question, sorry. The Craftsman 20391 and 20393 are comparable machines to the Husqvarna’s but have a better engine, a stronger transmission and the Turn-tight steering. They are also a little more money.
Sears is offering free delivery on either model right now. The 54 inch 20393 has a better sale right now and is $200 less than the 48 inch. Compared to the Husqvarna you get the new Kohler 7000 engine, a heavier transmission and free deleivery for only $100 more.
Here is the 48 inch 20391: 22 HP V-Twin 48″ Turn Tight Fast Riding Mower – Non CA
Here is the 54 inch 20393: 22HP 54” Kohler Powered Turn Tight Riding Mower – Non CA
MK Hawley
Thanks so much Paul. I truly appreciate your help! I’ve been visualizing the grass growing inches while I sleep! Hope you have had a great holiday weekend!
Greg T.
Greg from Milwaukee county.
Thought my first post had vaporized so I posted a shorter version a few minutes ago. See both are now on the site. Sorry for the “wasted” bandwidth.
Paul Sikkema
@Greg, No Problem, I’m just a little slow once in a while 🙂
Greg
Paul,
First off. Great job with all the information you provide. Learned more here than all the other sources combined.
Have a 20,000 sq. ft. property. There is about 15,500 sq. ft. to mow. About 60% of it is flat. The rest two slopes lead to a very shallow and narrow swale. Immediately next to that is an earthen berm that varies in height from about 0.5 to 2 feet and runs the length of the back property line.
That berm’s top is covered with “scrub” trees, bushes and ground cover along most of its length making for difficult trimming even with a push mover. The tree line once marked the boundary of a farm field
.
The inclines. Of the 40% of the yard that is sloped about 1/2 is at 15 degrees. The other half is less step (up to 10 degrees) and almost flat within 10 feet of the berm. I used a board for a straight edge and a slope measuring app, so I’m confident that the numbers are correct.
Landscape beds extend around most of the house so plenty of planting bed/lawn boundaries. There are also two other planting beds and a few trees. The soil must have been poorly prepared. Ground surface is like the dimpled surface of a golf ball. There not huge but bid enough to make the push mower bounce around as it moved over them. (Bought the house in winter so I didn’t find out until summer.)
Because of the slopes I was pretty much sold on the CVT tractors. But even with size 11 shoes I think there is too much pedal travel. (Probably need that travel to make speed changes smother?) Craftsman (and others) have fender mount control CVTs. But that means not being able to have two hands on the wheel and vary your speed at the same time. Doable but not the best idea when trimming around objects let alone going up and down hills.
The trimming advantages of a 46” deck over a 42” have me favoring the 46” models. Price point is no more than $2000
.
Question: Given my yard do you feel a K46 transaxle would hold up with a 46” deck and 20” rear tires? I know you’ve stated larger decks and tires really reduce the life span of the K46.
Engines. I’ve read your statements on the Intek’s wearing quickly when used on hills. Does that apply to the post 2013 Intek? B&S claims that they made changes in 2014 to address the issues. Too soon to tell if they did?
Through process of elimination I’ve narrowed my choice to three units. A 2015 Cub Cadet XT2 LX46” KH (stamped deck, 24 HP professional-grade Kohler 7000 Series OHV) priced at $1899.99. The Cub Cadet XT1 LT46” (stamped deck, 22 HP Kohler V-Twin OHV engine) at $1699.99. $300 more for the XT2. The electric PTO is a negative for me. The “pro” 7000 and the ball bearing front wheels worth $300?
I have several dealers near me including Farm & Fleet. They are listed on Cub’s site as a full service repair location and are only about 5 miles away. Was told they do the work onsite. So no shipping off to someone else like THD.
OK. Now for the second choice. The Husqvarna R120S. Available for order from local dealers and Northern Tool + Equipment for $1999.99. I know you really like the R120 S. How do you think it would work on the slopes in my yard compared to the Cub? Is 19.5 HP enough? What transaxle is in the R120 S? Are the axle’s cast iron or stamped steel?
Advantages over the Cub. Front deck would provide a better cut, better access under overhanging branches, shrubs, etc. Would the deck have less chance of scalping vs the Cub with its four 4 anti-scalp wheels? Have snow removal covered so the only obvious drawbacks are no option to bag or mulch and the stronger warranty coverage of the Cub.
Tried to provide enough detail so you can answer this post with one reply but I probably left something out. Looking forward to your views.
BTW. Worked eight seasons on a grounds crew in the 1980s. So have some time on a three wheel front deck mower. Never let us down.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Greg, I’m sorry for not getting back to you. I’ve had major server issues for the last 3 days. I have three major jobs with this site and they all take up about the same amount of time. Writing articles, answering comments and maintaining/updating the websites. This week the website server required the most attention.
I suggest the XT1 46 inch at Farm & Fleet. You can read the rest of my response to see why.
I don’t suggest the R120S on your property. It’s a good mower but any slope over 10 degrees it can get tippy.
Yes, Farm & Fleet has good in-house service. They are really good with items they have sold.
I have no issues with the K46, 20 inch tires and a 46 inch deck. That is the configuration it was designed for and it will last.
Both the XT1 and XT2 have the same “professional” grade engine. The XT1 has a 22 hp, the XT2 a 24hp. On a 46 inch deck 18 is plenty.
So is the XT2 worth and extra $300 for ball bearing front axles, 2 hp and local dealer service. No, especially since you have the Farm & Fleet so close by.
Since you worked on a grounds crew you will appreciate the quality of cut on the 2015 Cub Cadet’s.
Intek’s. There is an Intek and an Intek Plus. The Intek Plus is the engine of choice and is also called a Craftsman Platinum, Husqvarna Endurance, John Deere 100 series. It has the full pressure oil system that pumps oil to the critical components. There is no splash in that engine. It has an average 25% longer life than the current Intek series. I also trust it on lawns with that are all slopes.
The only thing you didn’t tell me is what state and city you live in.
Mike C
Thanks Paul for replying! I have a few follow up questions if you don’t mind. Would someone like me have a hard time getting used to a tractor style mower like the Craftsman 25081?Would I be giving up much in the Craftsman 25081 vs one of the more expensive ZTR’s you listed? I see a lot of guys are kind of down on Briggs & Stratton engines in favor of Kohler… what’s your take on this especially since the Craftman 25081 has the former? Apparently only more expensive mowers come with Kohler engines.
Paul Sikkema
Mike, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki – it’s a Ford/Chevy thing. If you ever had a problem with a Kohler – then you would favor a different brand. The truth is this Briggs Platinum is a better quality engine than most of the other brands install in this price range. High capacity oil filter, fully pressurized meaning there is an oil pump that pumps the oil right up to the bearing and other critical components. Other brands in this price range use an oil filter but the oil pump only pumps oil through the filter. The engine itself is still a splash lube.
You will read in the review of the 25081 that the steering is what makes this a tractor comparable to a zero-turn. The Turn-Tight steering allows you to turn almost as tight as a zero-turn but it doesn’t tear up your lawn like your old 3303 had a habit of doing. (I have one I retired two years ago still laying in my scrap pile)
I don’t remember exactly what the 3303 sold for new but I do remember the commercial version was $3400. So when looking at zero-turns remember that the price of these mowers has actually dropped $1000 or so in the last 25 years.
Mike C
Paul I appreciate all your help! I think the Craftsman 25081 is more in my price range and I should be happy with it. I’ve never bought a mower from Sears before but hopefully living 50 miles from Wichita, KS they would still provide onsite service. Maybe I can run up and check out that model. Thanks again! Mike
Mike C
Hi I love your website and was hoping you help recommend a new riding mower for me. I’ve used a Dixon ZTR for the last 35 years with my last one a 3303 model (30″ cut) just giving out after 18 years. I have about 1/4 acre of pretty flat ground and have to mow around normal things like a fenced in back yard, deck etc. Could you recommend some options for 30-42″ (or so) mowers between $1500-$2000? I like ZTR’s but if the price points don’t justify them I’m open to tractor style. Harper, Kansas Thanks! Mike
Paul Sikkema
Hi Mike, The direct replacement to your Dixon is this one: Husqvarna RZ3016 30-Inch 16.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Gas Powered Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
.
This is the upgraded version with EZT hydro’s instead of the cone drive. Remember, Husqvarna bought Dixon in 2005. I think it has better traction and it mows as well or better than your 3303. It handles those small slopes a lot better than the “sludge-o-matic”
The 3303 was a very lightweight and agile and there are a few 42 inch ZTR’s that also work.
– The Craftsman 42″ 22hp V-Twin Briggs and Stratton Zero Turn Riding Mower – Non CA
-Husqvarna RZ4219. You can use the link for the 30 inch above and then search Amazon for Husqvarna RZ4219. Both the 30 inch and 42 inch Husqvarna are being discontinued (new, higher priced machines are on the way)
-There are a few other ZTR but they generally are heavier and more expensive.
Tractors. If you want the agility of your old Dixon I suggest the Craftsman 25081. You can read y review here: Craftsman 25081 Review