Looking to replace my lawn tractor with a ZT machine. Any thoughts or experience with the Scag Liberty Z, Freedom Z, or the Cub Cadet ZT2-50? Lots of info out there, so much that it makes your head spin. So I am looking for real user experience.
I went with a Toro Titan HD,. from my research main things to look for are 3100 or higher transaxle Fabbed deck Greasable spindles Large blade spindles etc The Toro was the biggest bang for the buck,.imo..the only "issue " which it may not be one at all is Toro is making their own engines so they aren't equipped with the Kohler or Kawasaki but it's got plenty of power as is,..the 2500 series does however come with the more popular engines The liberty z has the 2800 axles those aren't serviceable so I'd stay away from it The new Toros have a crazy suspension system for the seat that looks like it would work very well
I have had a John Deere Z425 for the last 4-5 years....i have 1.5 acres and i just love the mower. 22 HP Briggs and Straton V-twin....three blades 48 inch deck.Able to cut close trim and eliminating having to string trim. Peace WildBill
When I went to buy a toro push mower at my local dealer..who knows me..he insisted I buy the toro engine. He claimed it was better than the Briggs or the Honda. Fewer issues. Of course thats a smaller engine and others may have different experiences. I have always been a Kawasaki and Kohler guy but his endorsement surprised and impressed me.
My dealer also sang praises about it,..they said in the 3yrs or so they've had them they have had only a few issues and all were very minor,...mi es only got 75hrs so it's still fresh
Wow you guys have lawn mower dealers. I never heard of that before. Out here you can just go to Home Depot and hire someone for 15 bucks an hr to do that.
We have a Scag Sabre Tooth Tiger. 72" deck, 31hp Dihatsu (Toyota) gas engine, monster of a mower. Has 1160 hours so far and will only get more and more. Change the oil, grease it and keep the blades sharp and it will go forever. It is a beast and while not cheap, will far outlast anything else out there as everything has zerks to grease it, fabricated decks, etc. It is what every other zero turn is measured against.
parents have a Scag zero turn, don't remember which model or engine it has. Grandpa bought an Exmark zero turn before he passed. My parent also have that one as well. I have used both and the Exmark is more comfortable to drive for me. They both run great with zero issues and my parents have about 4 different yards to mow and they are not small.
I know it's a commercial mower and it's hard to justify for the person who uses it one day a week, I bought a John Deere 777 Z-Trak with a 72" deck. Kawasaki motor, greaseable zerks everywhere, fast, powerful, comfortable, easy to operate too. I was cutting about 200 acres a week with it and I can't imagine anything cutting any better. FAST!! But what got me is the quality of the cut; made even rough fields look like manicured lawns! I'm also convinced you can cut grass in the pouring rain! The blade speed is so fast, and the deck design is such that you never leave a clump or piles of grass anywhere, wet or dry. It's about 10 years old with almost 2K hours. I'm not sure what the direct replacement is today, with all the emissions changes, etc. But if I had to buy a new mower tomorrow, I'd buy one exactly like the one I have.
The last powersports dealer I was service manager at was also a Hustler mower dealer. I didn't have much seat time myself, but they were in the shop A LOT. I'd definitely avoid them.
I have been looking for this type of mower as well. I need a small 36" cut and would love to have a bagger. I was looking at the Liberty Z36 and the Snapper Pro S50xt 36" but was not aware of the need for the 3100 transaxle. Thank you for that tip Ethan. Troy
