Swisher has been around forever. Over 60 years to be exact. If you are over 50, your dad most likely had a Swisher Big Mow that you used to mow your suburban yard when you were a kid.
by: Paul Sikkema
Today they are well-known for their pull-behind mowers. You see them at every farm and garden store that sells mowers. But did you know they still make zero-turns? They make some of the toughest zero-turns on the market for the price. Their zero-turns are designed for home-owners who have large lawns that are not always smooth and easy to mow . They are heavy-duty machine designed for years of mowing your 5 acres or more.
Swisher’s latest mower, The Swisher Response is a high quality mower with a unique steering system. Instead of lap-bars the come over the top of your legs, the Response uses short posts on either side of you with comfortable grips like you would find on a ski-pole.
I want to show you one model. The Swisher 60″ 24 HP Briggs & Stratton Zero Turn Riding Mower Model ZTR2460BS. I have not demo’d one yet, but I’ll find one latter this year and finish this review. This is a heavy-duty mower at a reasonable price.
You can read more and purchase it here:
Swisher ZTR2460BS Self-Propelled 60″ 24HP Zero Turn Mower ZTR2460BS
If you are like me using most zero-turns leaves me with aching shoulders after a few hours. When holding the lap bars I have no support for my arms and the bouncing around, turning and keeping my hands up off my lap all takes it’s toll. The control handles on the Response are placed down along the side of your thighs so you can rest your arms on the arm rests.
The Response is a very low-center-of-gravity mower. It is also fairly heavy so I know it will mow slopes better than the residential zero-turns. It should be able to mow most road ditches. Being low to the ground it won’t throw you around when you make quick turns.
This is a well-made machine and provides a manicured, professional-looking lawn in less time at an affordable price.
Swisher added many little features that you don’t find on a residential zero-turn. The roller on the left side of the deck keeps you from scratching the deck and the side of the building you are mowing against. It keeps you from snagging that chain-link fence. Front and rear hitches can be used to tie the mower down for transport and the front hitch is really handy for those of you who can’t master backing up a yard cart. Gator blades finish out the extra features. Gator blades chop your clippings into a fine mulch.
This mower includes all the features you need:
- 24 HP Briggs & Stratton engine
- 60″ 11-gauge fabricated cutting deck
- Gator mulching blades
- Commercial grade, heavy duty, welded steel frame,
- Hydro Gear 2800 transmissions and
- Ogura electric clutch.
- Foot assisted deck lift
- Full engine wrap, composite fenders with integrated storage, battery compartment and cup holder
- Hour meter,
- 12V adaptor
- Front & rear hitch.
- ROPS standard.
- 8 gallon fuel capacity.
- 8 MPH forward and reverse.
- Not for sale in California.
- Made in the USA.
You can read more and purchase it here:
Swisher ZTR2460BS Self-Propelled 60″ 24HP Zero Turn Mower ZTR2460BS
bret
I have 3 acres mostly flatwith a few small bumps here and there. I’m looking at either a 60 in. Hustler Raptor sd or a 60 in. Swisher response. I cant find very many reviews on the swisher. I do think i like the joy stick controls over the lap bars. What is your take on both machines.
Bret. Greenwood, In.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Brett, Everyone sells the Response but I’ve never met anyone who actually owns one. Myself I’ve never seen one. I like joystick steering but the problem with the Response is you always have to have both hands on the sticks. You can’t scratch your nose, hold a branch out of the way or even adjust the throttle without stopping the mower. At least with most lap-bars you can straddle the two levers with one hand and keep mowing.
If you want joystick steering seriously look at the Country Clipper. The Edge or Challenger models compare to the Raptor SD. Country Clipper has been around for just about as long as any other zero-turn and they don’t make junk. Countryclipper.com. People who buy them tell me they last forever. My neighbor beats his around his 5 acres and in 10 years it has never given him a problem (one starter relay, one set of belts and blades). I owned two back in the early 90’s and they were built like a tank – today they are built even better. I can say a lot more about the cool features the Country Clipper has.
Joe
How in the hell can you review a mower you have never even seen???? Anyone can cut and paste.
Paul
Hi Joe, I agree. Way back then I was reviewing products like everyone else. I am doing my reviews differently today and that is why I do fewer reviews today. You bring up a good point. I’m down in Chicago visiting my new grand daughter. I’m going to see if I can find a Swisher to look at somewhere between here and home.
LW
I use a 2013 Swisher T60 trailmower to mow 8 acres, it cuts great but its heavy and pulling it offset behind a Toro LX500 21hp Vtwin hydrostatic mower wore the transaxle out in the Toro. Swisher shows the T60 being pulled behind the zero turn Response it its ads. I wonder if the zero turn transmissions can hold up to dragging the T60 behind it? Would hate to burn up an expensive mowers transmission, been using an ATV or tractor to pull the Swisher but would like to be able to mow offset and double the width to save time. LW in Conway SC.
Paul Sikkema
@LW, The ZR 2800 drives in the Response are strong enough for the mower itself but I don’t know if they will be strong enough for extended use with that wing mower. The ZTR’s I used to pull the Acrease mowers all had separate pump/motor systems.
Here is the contact page for Swisher: Swisher Contact. I would be interested in what they had to say.