The Most Affordable Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers You Can Find At Tractor Supply

Between tight turns, faster passes, and precise cutting, zero-turn lawn mowers have a lot going for them. The problem, however, is that they can be pretty expensive, with some models costing $7,000 or more. This puts them well outside the budget of many homeowners. Luckily, though, there are a few affordable options. Take, for instance, the Cub Cadet ZT1 42 in. Gas Zero-Turn Mower and Troy-Bilt 547cc Mustang 42 in. Gas Zero-Turn Mower. Both of these zero-turn lawn mowers are available at Tractor Supply, and currently you can purchase either one of them for about $3,000.

Price is not the only thing both of these zero-turn lawn mowers share, though. They both also have 547-cubic-centimeter engines, 42-inch cutting decks, and dual hydrostatic transmissions. As for other features, the Cub Cadet ZT1 42 in. can reach 7 mph forward, offers 15 cutting-height settings from 1 to 4½ inches, and uses a foot-operated deck lift. It also has a 20-inch high-back seat and a tubular-steel frame. The Troy-Bilt 547cc Mustang 42 in., on the other hand, has eight cutting-height positions, two anti-scalp deck wheels, and an 18-inch high-back seat.

If, however, both of these zero-turn lawn mowers do not fit your needs, there is another affordable option, too: the Toro TimeCutter 42 in. with Smart Speed. It has a 15.5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine, and it costs about $3,300. Just keep in mind that no matter what model you buy, zero-turn lawn mowers are not suitable if you have a small lawn. So, make sure you understand what type of lawnmower is worth buying for your yard before you make the purchase.

Your lawn and comfort needs are important things you should know before buying a zero-turn lawn mower, but real buyer feedback is just as vital. That helps make the Toro TimeCutter zero-turn mower look especially attractive despite its higher price, with a 4.6-star average rating across 189 reviews. Owners often mention that it cuts the grass evenly and cuts their mowing time roughly in half. Its three-speed control was often appreciated, too. There are, however, a few concerns; one buyer noted that it has a squeaking front end, while another mentioned that its piston rod failed after a while.

Meanwhile, the Cub Cadet ZT1 has a 4.1-star average rating from 44 reviews. Buyers frequently mention that it has a comfortable high-back seat, and it also saves a lot of time when compared to a lawn tractor. Some buyers, however, mentioned dealing with mechanical issues. One reviewer noted that the tensioner pulley of the mower failed after less than 10 hours of use, while another claimed that the deck pulley came loose and tore the belt.

Lastly, there's the Troy-Bilt Mustang. It has the fewest reviews of the three, with only eight customers leaving feedback, and carries an average rating of 4.4 stars. Most reviewers said the mower cut well and held up fine, though one buyer did report that the mower started leaking oil in their garage after assembly. That's particularly noteworthy since zero-turn lawn mowers are expensive to repair if something goes wrong, making for one of the many hidden downsides to zero-turn lawn mowers that you must keep in mind before you purchase one yourself.