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dammitKelly

Posted 4/27/2017 16:30 (#5985884)
Subject: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Looking to buy either a 52" Gravely, Scag, or Ferris zero turn mower to cover a few acres.. Gravely comes with either a 22 hp Kohler or Kawasaki engine. The Ferris & Scag models have 3 engine options, 23 hp Kawasaki, 27hp Briggs & Stratton, or the 26hp B&S Vanguard.. Anyone have experience with these mowers? Which do you think is the best engine? For the ~6,500 - $8,000 a guy has to spend to own one of these, I want it to last me forever.. Thanks in advance,

jdbob8100

Posted 4/27/2017 16:33 (#5985889 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Don't have a zero turn but in JD L & G tractors the Kawasaki is a lot better than the newer Kohlers & twice better the Kawasaki than the Briggs. Bullet proof Kawasaki's in my opinion.

Tazzerblue

Posted 4/27/2017 17:27 (#5985987 - in reply to #5985889)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

SW MN

I have a 30 hp B&S on my Simplicity Cobault. about 6 years old now. Wish it was EFI. Also there was a PIP they didn't bother to notify owners about. seems the sump gasket can let go.. Mine did but I caught it before I smoked the engine. 27.00 for new gasket and new bolts. I guess they vibrate loose or something, then blow out gasket. It has plenty of power for the 61 in deck. Cuts Great! this mower is made by Ferris... and has full suspension, which I like..

Drilldo

Posted 4/27/2017 17:39 (#5986007 - in reply to #5985987)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Texas

I am a fan of the Kawasaki given those choices but my next mower will be diesel

Edited by Drilldo 4/27/2017 17:41

TractorAddict

Posted 4/27/2017 17:46 (#5986026 - in reply to #5986007)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

West of Broken Bow

Drilldo - 4/27/2017 05:39

I am a fan of the Kawasaki given those choices but my next mower will be diesel

Sure am disappointed Ferris discontinued the diesel option in the F800X.

TP from Central PA

Posted 4/27/2017 18:13 (#5986084 - in reply to #5986026)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

I got a Toro Z master with a Kubota diesel, last I checked you could still get a new one, but they are salty...........BUT I would highly recommend one. Best engine in a built machine.........Kubotas own machine got the engine, but the rest of the machines aren't built as well and have proprietary parts which I hate. This is coming from a certified Scag Tech. Used to be able to get a Turf Tiger with one, but do not believe it's an option now, but nobody around me buys diesels.

guypatrick

Posted 4/27/2017 17:38 (#5986005 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

North central, IA

If you truly want it to last forever buy a mower with a diesel engine. Preferably a Kubota, second choice yanmar.

If I were forced to buy a gasoline powered mower I'd probably choose the kawasaki.

olf20

Posted 4/27/2017 18:20 (#5986102 - in reply to #5986005)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

NW ILLINOIS

I'm a big fan of the BS Vanguard. We have a 27hp and it's a great
engine. We have a 27hp Kohler and it has a few issues. I have a 97
20hp vanguard in a mower and it still does not use any oil.
We sell and service all makes, no more problems with one or the other.
In our opinion the Kawasaki and Honda have cheapened their engines
over the last 5 years.
olf20 / Bob

TractorAddict

Posted 4/27/2017 18:58 (#5986180 - in reply to #5986005)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

West of Broken Bow

guypatrick - 4/27/2017 05:38

If you truly want it to last forever buy a mower with a diesel engine. Preferably a Kubota, second choice yanmar.

Got a late 1980's John Deere garden tractor with the Yanmar diesel. That engine has been great. Sips fuel.

GreenhouseGuy

Posted 4/27/2017 18:17 (#5986092 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Piedmont, NC

I own 3 Kawasaki motors. And a scag with a commercial Kholer. I hate Kawasaki engines. Decent at best. But if the kholers not a commercial grade i wouldnt want one of those either

DRester

Posted 4/27/2017 20:08 (#5986355 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Franklinton, LA

I do not have the experience to answer your question about the best brand of engine. However, I think you will need at least 25 HP for a 52" mower. Also, I prefer an engine with a big cartridge type air cleaner plus a centrifugal separator type pre-cleaner.

Small town farmer

Posted 4/27/2017 20:14 (#5986363 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

West Central mn

I have two mowers one has a Kawasaki and the other is a kohler the Kawasaki starts and runs smoother, gas consumption is half and more power for being the same size. I won't buy another kohler until they update something. Just my experience

tech5201

Posted 4/27/2017 20:18 (#5986372 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

EC NE

Of those three choices:

1) Scag- The Velocity Plus deck is the best in the business; right ahead of Deere's 7-Iron.
2) Ferris- Best ride. ICD deck is OK.
3) Gravely- ?

I judge by deck first; then dealer support; then engine; then ride; then cup-holder.
Hydros I don't much care.

1) Vanguard
2) Kaw
3) Kohler

There's carbed & EFI/DFI models.

Edited by tech5201 4/27/2017 20:31

JD9400

Posted 4/30/2017 08:59 (#5991259 - in reply to #5986372)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

WCIN

7 iron deck??? Just wondering what you like about the 7 iron deck? Most big commercial mowers that run them, hate them for the same reason I do, they plug up in the slightest bit of moisture or tall grass. Nearly all the competition have better decks it seems. Most run them cause of the advantages of a Deere mower or a MUD deal and have a Grasshopper or X-mark etc. to run when it is wet. Old post I know, but really need something to like about the 7 iron or my next mower will be an X-mark or grasshopper.

DixieDeere

Posted 4/27/2017 20:40 (#5986430 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Jackson County, AL

Kawasaki or Honda as only choices ever anymore. If they've cheapened theirs any its because the others are so bad they could get by with it. Kawasaki is basically bulletproof but rebuildable if you need to years down the road. Everybody complains about foreign companies taking over markets here but when they build quality and others don't, they get the market share.

Rodney!

Posted 4/27/2017 20:48 (#5986458 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

South central Iowa

"I want it to last me forever" good god as hard as you are on equipment I bet it doesn't last a year!

Hackel

Posted 4/27/2017 21:01 (#5986496 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

SENE

We have a Kawasaki motor on our Scag with Direct fuel Injection DFI and like it

German Shepherd

Posted 4/27/2017 21:13 (#5986525 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

We have a 6 or 7 year old Cub Cadet zero turn with a 22 horse Kawasaki and done nothing to it except change the oil every year.

johanw

Posted 4/27/2017 22:35 (#5986734 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

davpal

Posted 4/28/2017 02:57 (#5986859 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Mid Michigan

I have a 16 year old Toro Z Master with a 52 inch deck and a 23 hp Kohler vertical twin that has been used extremely hard for 16 years straight on about 4 acres of lawn every week in the summer and the only thing it's used is gas. Still has the original plugs in it. I don't even think this mower is 1/4 used up. In other words it will last me until I'm over 100 years old. Probably safe to say it will outlast me. Doesn't use ANY oil ever. I don't know how much tougher you can get than that. Some of these guys own a mower for 2 summers and have the opinion they have the "best" engine on theirs. I hope some of these guys can report back here in 2033 and still say the same after 16 years. I would definitely reccommend an American made Kohler twin if you want to run it for the rest of your life.

Edited by davpal 4/28/2017 03:06

(ToroZMaster2 (600 x 450).jpg)

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ToroZMaster2 (600 x 450).jpg (80KB - 161 downloads)

dvswia

Posted 4/28/2017 06:37 (#5986990 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

sw corner ia.

I have a bad boy that uses a 35hp cat diesel. it is all mechanical and seems to run very well. I believe it comes from the perkins engine buy out. got about 200 hours on it now.

this mower has a drawback, the deck won't flip up, but I have a forklift for that, otherwise after trying all these other mowers this thing really tripped my trigger.

sjs

Posted 4/28/2017 07:40 (#5987122 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

Have you thought about a Woods? They are built tough. I have one for sale that is almost new. It has a 22HP Kawasaki.

Hammer7

Posted 4/28/2017 11:04 (#5987459 - in reply to #5985884)
Subject: RE: Zero Turn Mower Engine Which is best?

South Central, Illinois

I would recommend looking at the new Exmark Radius series if your not mowing on a commercial basis. I recently purchased one and couldn't be happier with the value. They have a lot of the commercial options on the Radius series but fall into that price range you mention. The entire mower seems very well built.

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