Commercial zero-turns from Exmark, Toro, John Deere, Bobcat and Kubota are built for thousands of hours, which is exactly why a used one can be a great buy or an expensive mistake. Ten minutes with this list saves both.
Hours and what they mean
Commercial engines (Kohler, Kawasaki, Vanguard) are generally good for 2,000 to 3,000 hours with servicing. Under 1,000 hours is low. Over 2,000 hours is fine if the machine has had oil, filters and belts on schedule; ask for the service record or look at how clean the engine bay is.
Deck
Look under it. Rust-through at the edges or around the spindles means the deck is near the end. Spin each blade by hand and feel for play in the spindle bearings. Check the anti-scalp wheels and the belt for cracks.
Hydro drive
Drive it. Both levers should pull straight and even; a machine that pulls to one side or hesitates on a hill may need a pump or wheel motor, which is a four-figure repair. Check for weeping hydraulic lines.
The rest
- Tyres: tread and dry cracking on the sidewalls.
- Seat and ROPS: a torn seat is cheap; a bent roll bar is not.
- Starts cold without smoke after the first few seconds.
- Extras included: bagger, mulch kit, striping kit, spare blades.
Deck width for the job
48 inch for suburban properties and tight gates, 52 to 60 inch for estates and schools, 72 inch for sports fields and parks. Bigger is not always faster if you spend half the day trimming around things.
Every mower in our mowers and tractors range lists engine, deck width and hours where we have them, and known faults are written in the listing. Ask for a start-up and drive video of the exact unit.
Written at the yard. Questions about a specific unit? Send the ref on WhatsApp +27 (0)63 224 1065 or see the stock list.