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Four hardly used tyres for sale, originally fitted on Ferris zero turn ride on mower. …
Today we are looking at the Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower, a heavy-duty walk behind mower. Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at our range of zero-turn ride-on mowers. Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market today, they can literally turn in their own width.
Over the years, I have owned several Ferris mowers from walk-behind machines to ride-on machines. The two most significant factors that made me buy a Ferris mower was the excellent build quality and the zero-turn capabilities. I purchased my first Ferris walk behind mower back in 1992. I carried on using Ferris mowers up until recently when I stopped taking on grass cutting contracts.
The Zero Turn Advantage
As I mentioned earlier, zero-turn mowers really are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market today. They make grass cutting pleasurable and straightforward, obstacles can quickly be manoeuvred with ease. All zero turn mowers have two rear driving wheels that each have an individual hydrostatic motor attached. A hydrostatic motor gives you instant forward and reverse at variable speed through either a lever or foot pedal. There are a few machines like the Cub Cadet that have a steering wheel rather than levers or a foot pedal.
At the front of the machine, there are two heavy-duty caster wheels that turn 360°. On the Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower there are easy to operate the levers that give you instant forward and reverse and variable speed. There are no gears to change or a clutch to depress, the drive is fully hydrostatic.
Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market.
Effortless to walk behind.
Powerful twin cylinder Briggs & Stratton engine.
Built to last.
Easy-to-use controls.
Rear discharge or mulching capabilities.
Three-year domestic warranty or a two-year commercial warranty.
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The Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower has been upgraded from the original Ferris Zero Turn Hydro Walk. Ferris has added more features and made it even more user-friendly.
Many people do not like the idea of a walk behind mower; however, Ferris zero turn pedestrian mowers really do make mowing straightforward and effortless. The zero turn capabilities enables you not to have to use any physical effort whatsoever to manoeuvre the mower, simply walk and mow!
Engine
The Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower is powered by an 810 Briggs & Stratton Vanguard petrol engine. The V twin two cylinder petrol engine develops 26 hp and is electric start. I have had the same engine fitted on machines that I have used and owned, and I have no complaints about this particular engine.
The great thing is with Briggs & Stratton engines is that parts are readily available and there is an excellent dealer network. Over the many years that I have used Briggs & Stratton engines the issues that I have had have been absolutely minimal.
There are two cutting decks available, one being a 48 inch in the second a 52-inch deck. Personally, I would go for the larger size deck as it is slightly easier to cut around flower borders and obstacles with the large deck, due to the increased overhang.
The cutting deck offers rear discharge or mulching capabilities. I would definitely try and use the mulching feature as this really helps to keep your grass looking greener and healthier, especially in dry weather.
The cutting deck is made from heavy duty steel and has scuff guards and overlapped welded corners. All the cutting decks on the Ferris machines are extremely solid, you will struggle to find a stronger cutting deck on a rotary mower.
The cutting heights vary from 3.8 cm to 12 cm, height adjustment is adjustable from the rear of the machine. There are no levers to engage the blades just simply engage the clutch electronically.
There are three blades underneath the cutting deck that are offset to give plenty of overlap. The double-sided belts that drive the cutting deck have a spring pulley that keeps the belt tensioned at all times. Due to the tension feature there’s no need to adjust any of the belts, which helps keep maintenance to a minimum.
Cruise Control
Easy-To-Use Controls
The easy controls make the Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower a pleasure to use. There are levers on the handlebars that control the instant variable speed forward and reverse. There are 2 foot pedals that will put the machine into neutral.
The PTO switch allows the operator to stop the mower blades by simply putting the machine into neutral, while the engine continues to run.
Transmission Guards
Transmission Belt
There is one transmission belt that drives the oil pump, in turn, drives the hydrostatic motors underneath the Ferris FW35 Zero Turn Mower. I used to make a habit of changing the transmission belt annually. If the transmission belt breaks when you are using the machine, the machine becomes very difficult to move. There are dump valves that enable you to push the machine. However, at 383 kg, you will find this machine challenging to load onto a trailer with no transmission belt!
I would like to see a twin pulley with twin transmission belts as a backup, just in case of belt failure.
To Conclude
I have always liked the range of Ferris mowers, due to their strength and their zero-turn capabilities. Grass cutting becomes effortless walking behind a zero-turn machine. I view the Ferris range of mowers for almost 30 years, and they have no complaints, I can only recommend them.
Ferris offers a peace of mind, two-year commercial warranty and three-year domestic warranty.
Today we are going upmarket and looking at and most expensive zero turn mower, the Cub Cadet Z7-183 Pro Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. This professional zero turn mower is currently selling for £18,359.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at some of our wide range of zero-turn mowers. A zero-turn mower offers more manoeuvrability than any other mower on the market today.
Recently we looked at the smaller and cheaper Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. Today we are looking at a machine for the professional or for the very keen gardener.
The Zero Turn Advantage
Over the years I have owned several zero turn mowers, from walk-behind to ride-on machines. Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market, due to their unique drive system.
A zero-turn machine consists of two rear driving wheels that have an individual hydrostatic motor on each rear wheel. A hydrostatic motor offers instant variable speed in forward and reverse. On the majority of zero-turn machines, each rear wheel is controlled by a lever each side of the operator seat. However, Cub Cadet offers something quite unique, rather than controlling the machine with two hydraulic levers, the machine has a steering wheel.
I have never used a zero turn machine with a steering wheel, but I do like the principal. I’m guessing that this eradicates any turf damage due to the steering mechanism keeping the rear driving wheels in perfect time. With the traditional zero turn mower, care needs to be taken when turning to protect the turf. It’s very easy to swing around quickly and damage the turf if proper care is not taken. However, after an hour or so on a zero turn mower, you will quickly adjust to the zero turn principle and advantage.
In some cases, I have seen a zero turn mower speed up the cutting process by 300%, against a traditional lawn tractor. This obviously depends on what type of lawn you are cutting and the number of obstacles that each garden has.
Let me give you an example, I had a contract where I was cutting 2 ½ acres of grass approximately and it took me 50 minutes with a zero turn machine. To do the same garden with a traditional ride-on tractor and collector took me three hours. Admittedly the ride on tractor was collecting the grass and the zero turn was mulching, which is a huge time saver. However, the big-time saver is the zero turn principle and the ability to weave in and out of trees, around low hanging branches and around obstacles.
The Cub Cadet Z7-183 Pro Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower has been given the thumbs up from over 100 professional landscapers. Trials took place over 16 weeks, the Cub Cadet wwas tested thoroughly by professional gardeners and landscapers, they were impressed!
Heavy-Duty Cutting Deck
One of the first things I look at on a mower is the strength of the cutting deck. The Cub Cadet has a triple 7 gauge steel cutting deck. In other words, the cutting deck is constructed of three layers of steel, giving the deck ultimate strength.
There are three blades underneath the cutting deck which are offset and overlap each other, making for a perfect cut.
The cutting deck has electronic blade engagement of a pushbutton control, no levers or clutch to depress. Take care when engaging an electric clutch, make sure the engine is running on tick over. There is no need to let the clutch snap-in as this will shorten the life of the clutch.
There are 17 different cutting positions ranging from 26 to 127 mm, a height to suit every situation. It’s always useful to have a cutting deck that offers a high cut as long grass and overgrown areas can be brought back into control, with ease.
The cutting deck offers mulching and side discharge, I would definitely take advantage of the mulching feature. Mulching keeps your grass looking green and healthy all year round, especially in dry weather. There are no grass clippings to collect which speeds up the cutting process considerably.
The width of the cutting deck is 183 cm, which is a massive 72 inch or 6-foot cut. With a cutting deck of this size, the cub cadet is capable of cutting in excess of 80,000 m².
Engine
The Cub Cadet Z7-183 Pro Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is powered by a 999cc Kawasaki engine which develops 31 hp. The FX1000V V-Twin overhead valve engine is a well-proven engine. I’ve personally owned machines that are powered by Kawasaki, I have actually had no problems at all with Kawasaki engines. They are quiet, economical, easy to start and efficient.
There are two fuel tanks on the Cub Cadet Z7-183 Pro Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower, which each have a capacity of 23 L.
To Conclude
If you are a professional or someone with a large garden, then the Cub Cadet Z7-183 Pro Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower could be for you. The majority of machines that I have owned have been professional as I believe it is cheaper in the long run to have a decent machine that will give many years of service.
The cub cadet comes with a three-year domestic warranty and one-year commercial warranty.
Specification
Engine Make
Kawasaki
Engine Model
FX1000V V-Twin OHV
Engine Type
Petrol 4-stroke
Engine Capacity
999cc
Engine Power
31hp
Engine Cylinders
Twin
Engine Starting System
Electric Key Start
Engine Fuel Tank Capacity
46 Litres (2 x 23 Litres)
Transmission
Dual Hydrostatic Drive – Foot-Pedal Operated
Drive
Rear Wheel
Speed
12mph (Max.) – 7500m2/h
Cutting Width
183cm
Cutting Heights
26-127mm (17 Positions)
Height Adjustment
Lever
Blade Engagement (PTO)
Electronic – Push Button
Turning Circle
Zero Turn
Blades
Triple
Grass Collector
N/A
Mulching
Yes
Side-Discharge
Yes
Headlights
No
Cup Holder
Yes
Seat
High-Back / Adjustable with Arm-Rests & Suspension
The Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is slightly different from the previous zero terms we have looked at. The Cub Cadet uses a steering wheel rather than two individual levers, something that I haven’t used, but it sounds like a great idea.
At the time of writing the Cub Cadet is available for £5499. For your information, Cub Cadet has been making mowers since 1961, so they have plenty of experience.
The Zero Turn Advantage
Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market, walk-behind mowers and ride-on mowers are available. I have used and owned both types for many years.
Zero-turn mowers are powered by two individual hydrostatic motors which give individual control over the two rear wheels. The hydrostatic motors give variable speed and instant forward and reverse on each rear wheel without the need for a clutch or gearbox. The majority of zero-turn mowers have levers control the rear wheels. However, the Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower has a steering wheel which is quite unique and a great idea.
Two large cast wheels at the front of the machine turn 360°, this allows the machine to literally be turned in its own radius. Zero-turn mowers offer the best manoeuvrability on the market, hence their popularity.
Zero-turn mowers can really speed up your grass cutting especially if you are comparing them with a traditional ride-on tractor. They are a pleasure to use around obstacles such as trees and shrubs and low hanging branches. The machine can literally weave in and out of obstacles. The traditional ride-on tractor would take many more manoeuvres to carry out the same job.
Depending what your terrain is like and the number of obstacles you have in your garden, I have seen an increase of 300% in some cases. I have literally carried out this test myself. Obviously, it depends on the type of garden your mowing and the number of objects and obstacles in the garden.
Synchro steer technology, steering wheel controls rather than traditional levers.
Zero turn manoeuvrability.
Zero terms on the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market today.
Twin hydrostatic motors for optimum control and manoeuvrability.
Powerful efficient Kawasaki V Twin overhead valve engine with cast iron cylinders.
EFI technology for optimum fuel efficiency.
I have personally used the Kawasaki engines.
Full pressure lubrication which increases the life of the engine.
Electric start.
Anti-scalp wheels for optimum performance on uneven surfaces.
Floating deck for consistent cut.
Electric clutch for blade engagement.
Wide range of cutting heights.
Smart jet wash system for a clean cutting deck.
Low centre of gravity for cutting on gentle slopes.
Adjustable comfortable seat.
Three-year peace of mind warranty.
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The Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is fairly unique due to the fact that rather than being steered by levers, the mower as a steering wheel. Although I’ve never used a zero turn mower with a steering wheel, really like the idea as I believe this can help to minimise turf damage when turning. Traditionally, zero turn mower takes a few hours to get used to the principle of turning and making sure that you do not damage the turf. With a steering wheel or synchro steer as Cub Cadet call this feature, this almost eradicates any damage to turf when turning.
Traditionally, zero-turn mowers are steered and controlled by two levers. However, the Cub Cadet uses a steering wheel and a foot pedal that enables you to vary the speed in forward and reverse.
Cutting Deck
As with all zero-turn mowers, the cutting deck is positioned at the front of the mower, which helps to give optimum performance. This makes the machine perfect for trimming around obstacles and mowing close to edges.
The 127 cm (4’6”) cutting deck is capable of cutting up to 20,000 m² of lawn, this is mainly due to the zero-turn capabilities that speed up the grass cutting process. The cutting deck has an electronic clutch that engages the blades, simply flick a switch and you are ready to go. Take care to engage the cutter deck at low revs as this way clutch will not snatch in and it will preserve the electronic clutches life.
There are three cutting blades underneath the cutting deck which each overlap, producing a very good cut. Two blades are towards the rear of the deck and one blade is positioned at the front of the cutting deck.
There are eight different cutting heights ranging from 38 to 100 mm. The deck cutting height can be adjusted from the operator’s seat, this is spring assisted for ease of use. The anti-scalp wheels mean that scalping is kept to a minimum on uneven ground.
The side discharge cutting deck enables you to either discharge the grass clippings or as an optional collector and mulcher.
The Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is capable of cutting around 11 ½ thousand square metres per hour, depending on conditions and obstacles.
Engine
I’m pleased that Cub Cadet has fitted a decent engine to their zero-turn mower. The machine is powered by a Kawasaki FR series 4 stroke overhead valve engine. The Kawasaki engine develops 16.1 hp from the 726cc engine.
I have had several machines that are powered by Kawasaki engines, they really are excellent engines that offer great economy and performance.
To Conclude
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a great fan of the zero turn mower, these machines offer absolutely amazing manoeuvrability and performance. I would always try and mulch grass as much as possible, so it’s good to take advantage of the optional mulching accessory.
The Cub Cadet XZ2-127 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty.
Specification
Engine Make
Kawasaki
Engine Model
FR-Series V-Twin OHV
Engine Type
Petrol 4-stroke
Engine Capacity
726cc
Engine Power
16.1hp / 12.0kW @ 2400rpm
Engine Cylinders
Twin
Engine Starting System
Electric Key Start
Engine Fuel Tank Capacity
10.5 Litres
Transmission
Twin Hydrostatic – Foot-Pedal Operated with Cruise Control
The Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is currently selling for £3859 which at the time of writing offers a £200 saving. This is a slightly more heavy-duty machine than the previous Toro we looking at.
The Zero Turn Advantage
I have owned several zero turn mowers from walk behind the machines to ride-on machines. A zero-turn mower is the most manoeuvrable machines on the market, you will not find anything more manoeuvrable. Hence why I have owned several of these machines.
A zero-turn mower consists of two rear driving wheels that are powered by an independent hydrostatic motor. The majority of zero-turn mowers are controlled by two levers each side of the operator’s seat. There are a few machines that have a steering wheel, however, I have not used a zero-turn mower with a steering wheel.
A zero-turn mower has two heavy-duty caster wheels at the front of the machine which turn 360°. This allows the machine to be turned in its own length, due to the independent control of the rear wheels.
The hydrostatic motor enables the two rear wheels to be controlled independently in forward and reverse and variable speed. Combined with the heavy-duty caster wheels this really does give excellent manoeuvrability, machines can actually turn around in its own length.
In my experience, a zero turn mower can produce amazing results compared with the traditional lawn tractor. There are two main reasons for this, the zero turn mower is far more manoeuvrable than a traditional lawn tractor. Secondly, most zero terms have the ability to mulch so there is no grass to collect.
I have seen rates increase by 300% using a zero-turn machine. Now, obviously this depends on what type of lawn you have, if you have many obstacles a zero turn mower will speed up your lawn cutting hugely. As it is capable of weaving around obstacles and overhanging branches. Whereas a traditional lawn tractor would be making many manoeuvres in a similar situation.
Zero turns are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market.
Perfect for areas with obstacles and low hanging branches.
Optional mulching feature.
Powered by a Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engine.
Electronic blade engagement.
Anti-scalp feature on cutting deck.
Comfortable adjustable seat.
Optional tow hitch available.
Three-year peace of mind warranty.
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As I mentioned earlier in this post, Swedish designed Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower offers unrivalled manoeuvrability to cut around obstacles! Stiga are famous for their out-front mowers which are becoming more and more popular, due to their manoeuvrability and mulching capabilities. Having said this a zero turn mower is the ultimate manoeuvrable mower.
Engine
Stiga have powered their machine with a popular Briggs & Stratton Intek 7200 4 stroke 656cc 2 cylinder engine. The engine develops 13.5 hp with its V twin-cylinder arrangement and overhead valves. Over the years I have had many machines that have been powered by Briggs and Stratton engines. These engines are well proven and over time, I have had minimal trouble with Briggs & Stratton engines. Another large plus point is the fact that Briggs & Stratton parts are readily available and sensibly priced.
Cutting Deck
The cutting deck size is 107 cm, which is approximately 3’6”, which makes the machine very compact indeed. There are no levers to engage the cutting deck, simply engage the electronic clutch and you are ready to mow. Just take care to engage the electronic clutch at low revs. In this way, the blades won’t snatch in and this will prolong your electronic clutch life.
There are three blades underneath the cutter deck and a side discharge chute. I would firmly recommend the optional mulching attachment as mulching is a great option. Mulching helps to keep your lawn green in dry periods and also acts as a green fertiliser.
The cutting heights vary from 38 to 114 mm, it’s always useful to have plenty of adjustment on the cutting deck. Especially if your lawn has become long due to poor weather or being away etc.
Optional Accessories
Stiga offers a tow bar which helps to really make your zero turn into a workhorse. The optional towbar can be used for trailers, sweepers, aerators and sprayers and more. As I mentioned earlier I firmly recommend the mulching attachment.
To Conclude
I would recommend the Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. Stiga have a lot of experience in building mowers, plus I am biased towards zero turn mowers, but in a good way!
Different manufacturers make different claims about the performance of zero-turn mowers. I know from experience that a zero turn mower can really speed up your mowing time. In some cases, I have seen a 300% increase in performance compared with a traditional ride-on tractor. However, this does depend on the number of obstacles you have to negotiate. A mulching kit to me is a must, I’m surprised the manufacturers don’t make this a standard feature, to be fair.
Stiga obviously has confidence in their product as they offer a three-year warranty, which to me brings great peace of mind.
Today we are looking at our cheapest and smallest ride-on zero turn mower, the Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower. This domestic zero turn mower has just recently been added to our website. The current price of this zero turn mower is £2999, which offers a saving of £376.
Recently we looked at the slightly larger Toro TimeCutter ZS4200T Zero Turn Mower. Again, a value for money domestic compact zero turn mower, that offers excellent manoeuvrability.
The Zero Turn Advantage
Zero-turn mowers are my favourite type of mower, they offer fantastic manoeuvrability that no other ride-on mower or walk behind mower offers. Zero-turn mowers are powered by two hydrostatic motors that give instant forward and reverse on the two rear driving wheels. In general, zero-turn mowers have two levers each side of the operator’s seat that give you total control over the machine.
The heavy-duty caster wheels at the front of the machine turn 360° and enable machines to be turned within the machines own radius. You will not find a more manoeuvrable mower on the market other than a zero-turn.
Mowing around obstacles, such as trees, shrubs and flower borders becomes very simple with a zero-turn mower. You can literally weave in and out of low branches and get to places where a traditional lawn tractor cannot go.
Let me give you this example, I could cut a 2 ½ acre site with many obstacles with a 61 inch zero turn mower in 50 minutes. When I used a traditional lawn tractor with a collector and a 4’6” cutting deck, the same job took me three hours. Admittedly, I had a mulching deck on my zero turn machine, which saves a huge amount of time as there are no grass clippings to empty. However, the biggest time saver was manoeuvrability of the zero turn machine.
Hydrostatic transmission combined with smart speed.
Optional mulching capability.
10 gauge steel deck.
Washout port.
Three-year domestic warranty.
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First of all, in case you are wondering, every Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is delivered to your home and is ready to mow!
The Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is an extremely compact machine that has a cutting width of 81 cm. Despite this being a small zero turn mower, the cutting ability is still excellent due to the fact of the zero-turn manoeuvrability factor.
Engine
Toro uses a 452cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine in this mower. Although the engine is referred to as a Toro engine it’s actually an Italian engine known as a Loncin engine which seems to become more popular as time goes on. However, I would prefer if the engine was powered by something like a Kohler, Honda, Briggs & Stratton or Kawasaki as I know that all these engines are well proven and will last.
The fuel tank has 11.2 L capacity with a sight gauge that tells you exactly how much fuel you have left in the tank.
Cutting Deck
The 81 cm cutting deck is constructed with heavy-duty 13 gauge steel and strong steel guards that protect the mower against unwanted debris. One of the things that I first look at on a lawnmower is the strength of the deck as mower decks can take quite a bit of abuse.
The cutter deck has a good range of cutting heights from 38 mm to 114 mm. To my mind, every rotary mower needs a high cutting setting. It’s always useful if you are cutting long grass or if you’re grass has grown slightly out of control due to bad weather or being away.
The cutting deck has one single blade underneath. The deck is fitted with washout ports; simply attach your hose to the deck and engage the blade and your cutting deck will quickly become clean.
Toro uses an electronic clutch to engage the blade on the machine, there is no hand clutch or levers to move, simply flick a switch. Always engage the cutter deck on tick over as there is no need for the cutter deck to snatch in. Failure to do this will shorten the life of the cutter deck clutch.
Above the deck, an antivibration rubber mat that helps to reduce noise and vibration.
Smart Speed
As I mentioned earlier on this post, zero-turn mowers have hydrostatic drive which gives you instant forward and reverse and variable speed. Toro has added an exclusive feature known as the smart speed control system. There are three different speeds that help to give ultimate control when using the mower for various tasks.
Although the mower has three different speeds, remember that you have a hydrostatic drive that gives you instant variable speed in forward and reverse.
Optional Features
It’s always good to be able to utilise your mower, Toro offers a few options to get the most out of your machine. An hour meter is almost a must for me, it’s important to know how many hours between services. I would also add the recycling kit, which converts your mower into a mulching machine. Which in turn, chops the grass and helps to act as a green fertiliser. This will keep your grass greener for longer in dry periods.
Another feature is the twin bagging feature. Personally, for this machine, I would stick with the mulching feature and forget about the bagging feature.
To Conclude
The Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is a compact and very manoeuvrable machine at an excellent price. If you want to make your grass cutting simple, quick and cost-effective, then zero turn mower the answer.
I recommend the mulching feature as this is a great time-saving feature. It’s far quicker to mulch than it is to collect your grass clippings. Just be aware that mulching does take extra power out of your machine, however, most engines can cope with this extra requirement.
Toro offers a three-year warranty on their domestic zero turn mower, which for me gives great peace of mind and confidence when purchasing.
Specification
Engine: 452 cc Toro Engine
Fuel Tank: 11.3 litres
Transmission: Dual Hydrostatic
Cutting Width: 81 cm
Deck Details: 13 gauge steel
Cutting System: 1-blade
Height of Cut: 38mm to 114mm
Steering Controls: Dual Wrap Around Levers
Cup Holder
High back seat
Optional Hour Meter, Recycling Kit® and Twin bagging system
Machine size: L: 1824mm, H: 947mm, W: 99.4 cm
Tyres: Ribbed, (F) 28 cm x 10 cm, (R) 46 cm x 15 cm – 20 cm
Today we are looking at the Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. This is possibly the cheapest zero turn ride on available, it is certainly the cheapest ride on zero turn mower on our website.
Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable type of mower on the market. Their zero-turn capabilities make them able to turn around in their own radius. If a customer has a large area of grass to cut I always recommend a zero turn machine, ideally, with a mulching deck.
Another highly manoeuvrable type of mower is the Stiga range of out front mulching mowers. These machines also have great manoeuvrability, although not quite so good as a zero-turn mower.
A zero-turn mower has two hydraulic motors that are individually attached to the rear wheels. In general, these hydrostatic motors are controlled independently, by two levers that offer instant forward and reverse at variable speed.
On the front of the machine, there are two heavy-duty caster wheels that can turn 360°. This enables the machine to be exceptionally manoeuvrable due to the independent control of the rear wheels. Just one thing, take care when turning as if you try and turn too quickly you can damage the turf. You will quickly adjust to the benefits of a zero-turn mower and how to get the most out of your machine.
Zero-turn mowers the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market today.
Obstacles are no longer obstacles with a zero-turn mower.
A great V twin engine from Briggs & Stratton.
Electric start.
Heavy-duty steel frame.
Pivoting front axle for even finish on uneven ground.
Adjustable seat for operator comfort.
Anti-scalp deck.
Foot-controlled cutting deck height adjustment.
Mulching accessory available.
Bagging system available.
Three-year warranty.
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In case you don’t know anything about the brand Snapper, they are an American brand have been making ride-on mowers since 1951. Interestingly enough, Snapper used to make some quite unusual -looking machines. However, the performance of these machines and the simplicity was excellent. About 35 years ago I was using one of these unusual -looking Snappers, the amazing thing is they still make a very similar machine. This proves that their principles work!
The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower has a prograde construction quality, designed with agility and versatility. The first time I used a Snapper lawnmower, help but notice the heavy-duty construction and build quality that had gone into this machine.
Engine
The Snapper is powered by a Briggs & Stratton Intek 7200 series engine, which develops 656cc. The four-stroke V twin engine has overhead valve technology and great torque and good fuel consumption.
The zero-turn mower is fitted with electric start for ease of use.
I have had many machines that have been powered by Briggs & Stratton engines, over the years, these engines have given minimal trouble. I actually have experience of this particular engine, Briggs & Stratton engines have come a long way over the past few years. Another great thing about these engines is the fact that parts are readily available and sensibly priced.
Cutting Deck
The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower comes with a 107 cm which equates to 42 inches. This really makes the Snapper a really compact ride-on zero turn mower.
The cutting deck has 12 different cutting heights ranging from 42 to 96 mm. It’s always good to have the option of a high cut for those occasions when your lawn becomes slightly out of hand. I would also recommend the optional mulching kit as mulching acts as a green fertiliser. Mulching grass does take more power, but in my view, it is definitely a good practice.
The Zero Turn Advantage
Zero-turn mowers are perfect for large areas, although this machine is only a 3-foot 6-inch cutting width, it can cut up to 10,000 m² practically. I have found in my experience that I can cut three times quicker with a zero-turn machine over a tractor mower. I appreciate this does depend on the type of terrain that you are cutting and how many obstacles are in the way. This is also based on a mulching mower against a lawn tractor with a collector. It takes a lot of time to empty a collector!
Once you have used a zero turn machine you will not want to go back to the traditional lawn tractor. The manoeuvrability of these machines is absolutely amazing. When I was contracting, people were amazed at how quickly I could cut their grass with a zero-turn mower. Zero-turn mowers make cutting around obstacles easy. They are also great for getting between trees with low branches, you can literally weave in and out and between branches.
To Conclude
As I’ve mentioned, zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market, they really make grass cutting easy and straightforward. This is the reason I have owned several zero turn machines over the years.
If you’ve never used a zero turn mower it’s worth thinking about. I created this video several years ago with me using a zero-turn mower. You can see how quick and manoeuvrable these machines really are.
We are here to help, please feel free to comment below if you have any questions.
The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower offers good value for money and comes with a three-year warranty. A good warranty always gives peace of mind, with no unexpected expenses for three years.
Toro TimeCutter 5075T MyRide Zero Turn Garden Tractor 74694
Today we are looking at the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower. Recently we have been looking at the Stiga range of out-front mowers which are exceptionally manoeuvrable. However, if you want a machine that is even more manoeuvrable then a zero-turn mower is your answer.
The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower offers excellent value for money at just £4399. At the time of writing, there is a saving of £300. One of the downsides of zero-turn mowers can be the cost, however, it appears that Toro has managed to keep the costs low on this domestic zero turn mower. The mower comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty.
Over the years I have owned several different zero-turn mowers, from commercial walk-behind machines to commercial sit on machines. Zero-turn mowers are my favourite type of mower due to their amazing manoeuvrability.
A zero-turn mower has two independently controlled hydrostatic motors on the rear wheels of the machine. At the front of the machine, there are two large caster wheels that swing 360°. The two hydrostatic motors are independently controlled by two levers which enable you to turn the mower on a sixpence. The mower can literally be turned around in the tightest of areas. Zero-turn mowers really are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market.
I know from experience how much time a zero-turn machine can save you against the traditional ride-on tractor. The work rate from a zero-turn is excellent and, in many cases, can really cut down mowing time.
Let me give you an example of a 2.5-acre site I was cutting with many obstacles. With a 4’6” tractor mower with a collector, it was taking three hours. With a 61-inch zero-turn machine, I could cut the site in 50 minutes, a considerable difference. The machine was fitted with a mulching deck so there was no grass to collect. However, the majority of the time saved was due to the zero-turn mower’s manoeuvrability.
So, let’s take a closer look at the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower.
Features
Powerful commercial 708 cc V twin engine.
127 cm steel fabricated deck complete with anti-scalp wheels.
Lever hydrostatic transmission.
Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market.
The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower has been designed for the domestic market, however, it comes with many features that are used in Toro’s Pro range. Toro claims that you can cut the grass 40% faster with a zero-turn. I would say that in many cases it is possible to cut two or three times quicker than a traditional lawn tractor. It does depend on the terrain and the number of obstacles, as in flower borders, trees et cetera that you have in your garden.
With instant forward and reverse and variable speed on the two rear driving wheels, you have a highly manoeuvrable mower that can outperform any traditional lawnmower.
Engine
Toro use their own commercial 708 cc V twin engine which develops 24.5 hp. It appears that Loncin , a Chinese company actually make the engine for Toro. I’ve noticed that Loncin engines are getting more popular on domestic machines.
Personally, I would prefer if the machine was powered by a Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Honda or something very similar. I guess that Toro are trying to keep the price down on their machine, which I fully understand. We have to remember that this machine is for the domestic market, not the commercial market.
A Mower With Suspension
The majority of zero-turn mowers travel quite quickly, however, if you do not have suspension you often cannot use your mower to its full capacity. All my ride on zero terms have always been fitted with suspension, this is almost a must-have for me. I appreciate the fact that a decent seat can help smooth the ride, however, suspension definitely helps!
Toro has fitted a smooth ride suspension to their machine. I believe Ferris was the first company to fit suspension to that zero-turn mowers. You can see this Ferris mower video with suspension fitted which enables the operator to mow quickly. Toro has fitted an adjustable rear suspension system to enable the operator to have maximum comfort and efficiency.
Mulching Deck
I’m a big fan of mulching as I believe it’s a great way to keep your lawn looking green and healthy (especially in dry weather) and it’s great not to have any grass to collect. Once again, mulching grass really does save loads of time as one of the most time-consuming jobs is emptying the collector on traditional machines.
The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower deck has a mulching feature and the option of side discharge if required.
The cutting widths are 127 cm which is approximately 4 foot. The cutting heights range from 38 mm to 114 mm, I always like the idea of having a high cutting setting on a mower. It really is useful if you’re grass has become long; the grass can then be taken down one step at a time. The foot-operated deck lift adjusts the cutting heights.
The cutter deck is engaged by an electronic clutch that engages the clutch at the flick of a switch. Always try and engage the cutter deck at tick over to avoid unnecessary wear on the clutch. If you think about it, you don’t rev your car up and then let the clutch out, it’s the same thing!
To Conclude
The zero-turn principle is a fantastic concept and really makes mowing easy and pleasurable. The ability to move around obstacles and mow between and under low branches is amazing. There is no other type of mower as manoeuvrable as a zero-turn machine.
This is a domestic zero turn at a very good price for this type of machine. Toro does give a three-year peace of mind warranty, which is great news. I would have preferred to have seen a better grade of an engine on this machine, however, there are plenty of machines fitted with Loncin engines.
The fact that the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower has suspension is a great feature. As this is something else that helps to speed the cutting process up and reduce operator fatigue.
Would I Purchase?
Yes, I would, however, I would think about looking at a new machine after the three-year warranty is up. In this way, it basically guarantees no unexpected expenses. If you look after a machine like this it would still be worth a reasonable amount at the end of three years.
Today we are looking at the Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. This is a machine that has multiple functions, in other words, it can, mulch, collect, rear discharge and side discharge. The price of the Oleo-Mac is £449.95 which at the time of writing offers a £100 saving.
Recently we looked at the exceptional versatile range of Stiga out front ride on mowers. The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower obviously doesn’t offer the ride on capabilities of the Stiga. However, it does offer mulching and collection and a great price.
Let’s take a closer look at the Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Features
A unique machine that offers four in one versatility.
Mulch, collect, rear discharge or side discharge, the choice is yours!
All the accessories are included.
Powerful four-stroke petrol engine.
Robust steel chassis.
Six cutting heights.
Self-propelled.
Oversize drive wheels for all types of conditions.
Comfortable control levers.
Large grass collector.
Five-year peace of mind warranty.
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Sometimes with all the various types of mowers on the market, it’s difficult to know what to purchase. If you’re looking for versatility and the ability to manage a range of grass types then the Oleo-Mac GV53 Lawn Mower is a great option.
Engine
The Oleo-Mac mower is fitted with the very popular Emak K800 four-stroke petrol engine. I seem to be seeing more and more Emak engines fitted on garden machinery. The Emak engine develops 196cc and comes with overhead valve technology to ensure excellent fuel consumption and smooth running.
Construction
Oleo-Mac uses top quality parts on their Oleo-Mac GV53 Lawn Mower. There is a heavy-duty steel deck which ensures that your mower has a long life. Mower cutting decks actually take quite a beating as you can imagine. You have a blade spinning round at high speed which can also pick up unwanted debris. When I am purchasing a mower one of the first things I look at is the strength of the cutting deck.
Cutting Deck
The 20-inch cutting deck offers six preset cutting heights ranging from 28 to 75 mm. It’s important not to cut the grass too short and it’s also very useful to have the option to have a high cutting setting. This is useful on the occasions when the weather is poor or you have been away a few weeks and you need to knock your grass down quickly.
Self-Propelled
The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is completely self-propelled making it very easy to walk behind. The mower is designed to cope with lawns up to 2000 m².
The extra-large 280 mm drive wheels facilitate good traction and ease over rougher areas. The mower has lever controls that are positioned well on the handlebars.
Large Grass Collector
As with all mowers it is important to have a decent sized grass collector to keep emptying times to a minimal. The Oleo-Mac mower is fitted with a generous 70 L grass collector which helps to minimise emptying times.
To Conclude
There are so many various types of mower on the market today, which makes it more difficult for the consumer to decide what to buy. The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is a good all-round mower that offers mulching, collecting and side and rear discharge. The only thing the Oleo-Mac doesn’t offer is a striped finish. If you require a striped finish then you need to be looking at our roller driven rotary mowers.
If you’re looking to buy a versatile rotary lawnmower, the Oleo-Mac definitely has some very good benefits. The option of a five-year warranty is also a great plus point.
Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck Ride On Lawn mower
Today we are taking a look at our top of the range Stiga out front mower, the Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck Mower. This is a mower that can cut up to 4 to 5 acres with ease and aimed at the professional. The current price of this machine is £9050 which offers a £1329 saving. Just remember that this machine does not come with a cutting deck, there is a choice of mulching decks ranging from 95 cm to 125 cm. The mulching deck prices range from £879-£1449, you can have a basic cutting deck or a pro electric cutter deck.
Over the past week, we have been looking at some of the vast range of Stiga out front mulching mowers. The cheapest Stiga mower is the Stiga Villa 14 HST Out Front Rider, this mower is available for £1960, just remember that you need to also purchase a cutting deck for this machine.
As I have mentioned before in my previous posts I really like the manoeuvrability of the Stiga articulated out front deck mowers. In my view, the articulated steer out front deck mowers is almost most the most manoeuvrable. However, if you want even more manoeuvrability, you can look at our zero-turn range of mowers. The only disadvantage is with the zero turn type of mowers is they are more expensive to purchase than an articulated steer machine.
Quick flip technology to give easy access to the cutting deck.
Hydraulic deck and accessory lift.
Three-year peace of mind warranty.
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As you know I’m someone who likes to keep things simple and efficient. The Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck does exactly this. With the out front mulching deck and the articulated steer, it really makes grass cutting easy and has the added bonus of no grass to collect due to the mulching deck.
Articulated Steering
I have always liked the idea of a lawnmower with an out-front deck, it’s far better to cut your grass before any wheels have run down the grass. Combined with the articulated steering feature the Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck is a highly manoeuvrable professional machine. The articulated steering enables you to literally cut around trees without having to manoeuvre at all.
Traditional lawn tractors can be slightly cumbersome in the garden especially in tight spaces; however, they have improved over the years. The articulated steering and out-front deck solves the manoeuvrability issue and makes your lawn cutting much more pleasurable and easier.
To make life easier Stiga have made the steering wheel and seat adjustable. The steering is power-assisted which makes light work of manoeuvring your lawnmower.
Hydrostatic Transmission
Traditionally ride-on lawnmowers were controlled by a traditional clutch and gearbox. Today the majority of ride-on mowers are powered by a hydrostatic transmission. Some of the cheaper mowers still have the old-fashioned clutch and gearbox. However, I would never recommend anyone to purchase a machine without hydrostatic transmission. They are slightly more expensive to purchase but the benefits are tremendous in terms of manoeuvrability and ease-of-use.
A machine fitted with hydrostatic transmission is a bit like driving a car with an automatic gearbox. On most hydrostatic machines you normally have a foot pedal or hand lever that gives you instant forward and reverse and instant variable speed in both directions.
It really is a great invention which makes mowing the lawn so much more pleasurable. For example, if you come to a thick area of grass you can slow the machine down quickly, no clutch to depress or gears to change. Once you’re through the lush area of grass you can instantly speed up the machine by applying more pressure to the foot pedal, it really is very simple indeed.
Four-Wheel-Drive
The four-wheel-drive always keeps the machine moving. There is no restriction in the turning circle as the articulated steer is different from a traditional four-wheel-drive lawn tractor. If your garden is on a slope or has a tendency to be wet, I would always suggest a four-wheel-drive machine.
Engine
The Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck Mower is powered by a powerful Briggs & Stratton 14 kW (18.7 hp) 724 cc four-stroke twin engine. I have used these Briggs & Stratton two-cylinder engines on several machines over the years. They performed well and gave no trouble at all. The great thing about Briggs & Stratton engines is that parts are readily available and sensibly priced.
Mulching Cutting Deck
Traditionally mower cutting decks were designed to throw the grass out the back of the deck or in some cases, the side of the deck. As keeping the grass inside the deck takes power and the idea is to preserve power and get the grass outside the deck. Mulching mowers are the opposite, the idea is to try and keep the grass in the deck for as long as possible to mulch the grass. Mulching deck mowers are also fitted with special blades which assist with the mulching process. It does take a bit more power to mulch but it also saves a lot of time not having to collect grass.
The main advantages of a mulching deck is the fact that there is no grass to collect. This actually speeds up the cutting process considerably as there is no grass collector to empty. Combined with manoeuvrability and no grass collector to empty, in my experience an out-front deck articulated mower is twice as quick than the traditional lawn tractor.
Green Fertiliser
Another added benefit with mulching is the fact that the mulch acts as a green fertiliser keeping your grass greener throughout the year. I have used these mulching mowers in the autumn when the leaves are falling, and they actually make an excellent job of mulching leaves!
The most important thing to remember with a mulching mower is to cut your grass regularly. You cannot leave your grass for three or four weeks in the growing season and expect to have a brilliant mulch. However, if you can cut your grass at least once a week in the growing season your machine will make an excellent job.
Stiga mulching cutting decks have an electric clutch which enables you to engage the cutting deck with a flick of a switch. Always take care when you’re engaging the cutting deck, make sure that the engine is running at tick-over speed. In this way, it puts much less strain on the electric clutch and preserves the life of the clutch. I see far too many people engaging electric clutches while the machine is running flat-out, this is not a good practice!
The majority of Stiga mowers are fitted with flip cutting decks. This enables the deck to be cleaned very easily and the blades to be inspected or even changed or sharpened with ease.
Accessories
Stiga makes a range of accessories for their articulated mowers. Accessories include a fertiliser spreader, flail mower, rotary brush, sweeper and more.
To Conclude
I’m often asked what type of ride on mower do I buy and my normal suggestion for most people is an articulated out-front mulching mower. I really like the manoeuvrability and the simplicity that these machines offer. The fact that there is no grass to empty is a real time saver and at the same time, your lawn is receiving a natural fertiliser.
There’s also the option of a sweeper should you require, however, in most cases, this will not be necessary as these machines mulch exceptionally well.
The machine comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty which is always an added bonus.
Specification
Starting Method: Key
Engine Brand: Briggs and Stratton
Engine Capacity: 724cc
Cylinders: 2
Net Power Output: 14 kW
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 Litre
Drive: 4WD
Transmission: Hydrostatic
Max Speed 0 ﾖ 14km/ph
Axle Diameter: Front 1 inch Rear 1 inch
Wheels: Front 17 inch Rear 17 inch
Articulated Steering: Yes
Power Assisted Steering: Hydro Piston Servo
Steering Link: Chain/Chain
Steering Ball: Yes
Deck Lift: Hydraulic
Deck Size: 95cm, 100cm, 105cm, 110cm, 125cm.
Height of Cut: 25mm 90mm through 10 positions
Electric Cutting Height Adjustment: Yes Requires Electric Deck
Adjustable Seat: Yes
Cruise Control: No
hour Metre, Lights, Adjustable Steering Wheel: Yes
dB: 100
Dimensions: Length 255cm Width 135cm
Weight: 271kg
Lawn Size: 4 to 5 acre
Warranty: 3 Years
Chassis Warranty: 10 Years
