Ariens zero turn

[scrub-buster]

Does anyone have an Ariens zero turn mower? I'm looking at getting the Ikon XD 52". I was hoping someone on here could give their opinion on it.

I'm limited to the mowers that are available at Lowe's, which are Ariens, John Deere, Craftsman, and Husqvarna. I like the Ariens the best just from comparing them online.

[Ahawkeye]

Disclaimer: I have no experience with the mower you are asking about.

How much land are you mowing? All yard or is some of it "wooded"?

[beermaker]

I'd research the motors more than anything. Get one with a Kawasaki if available.

[scrub-buster]

Jul 8, 2022 17:07:29 GMT -5 Ahawkeye said:

Disclaimer: I have no experience with the mower you are asking about.

How much land are you mowing? All yard or is some of it "wooded"?

All grass yard. Not sure of the size. It takes me over an hour to mow it with my worn out old rider.

[scrub-buster]

Jul 8, 2022 17:16:35 GMT -5 beermaker said:

I'd research the motors more than anything. Get one with a Kawasaki if available.

It has the kawasaki motor

[greghopper]

See what the blade speed is … that’s really what advantage some have over others with the zero turn mowers.

[Ahawkeye]

My caution was buying from Lowes or Home Depot if you were mowing in though terrain. If you are mowing a flat yard I think you'd be ok. Nothing wrong with the HD or Lowes mowers (I have one) I just wouldn't buy one if I had more than 1.5 acres or an area where a lot of limbs fall. Mine has lasted 5 years with no problems so far changed the belt and blades last year I have an acre of ground flat lawn.

[HighCotton]

scrub,
I have the Ariens Ikon XD-52.
I purchased my Ariens from Mower Outlet in Mooresville, IN as they came highly recommended by my buddy here, whitetail1.
Powered by the "Commercial grade" 23 HP Kawasaki with the hefty 4" fabricated deck.
I would rate this machine a 9.5 out of 10, and that's only because nothing in this world is perfect!
Seriously though, she's a "10" for me! I love this mower!

I use it to cut my ~1/2 acre lawn.
However, I started using it to make and maintain a trail on my 25+ acre property in southern Indiana.
This property is all timber and I'm slowly working out a trail, utilizing old logging roads and then picking my way between the hardwoods. I really put her to work, knocking down some thick weeds, 2 to 4+ feet high!

Below are a few pics from last weekend as I had one of my grandsons helping me.
First, we had to cut some trees with my Rancher 55 to clear a path for the mower:



Here you can see a little bit of how the mower worked the trail out;



And then another shot of my gated entrance after cutting down the weeds:

[duff]

I always suggest buying the best you can. And stay away from box store machines if you can.

[Ahawkeye]

High Cotton and Duff make good points, HC got his mower from a dealer I think HD and Lowes have not so good engines and thinner walled mowing decks. Again, mine has done well for me but I'm not cutting trails.

[HighCotton]

Since I noted you (scrub) mentioned that you could only go with a Lowe’s product, I figured you have a good reason.
I just mentioned the dealer I went through has a note.
I did just have a friend who purchased one from a big box store and got home to realize that the battery was dead.
He returned it, and they took care of it just fine.
That said, I think I would just be careful and check the machine out thoroughly. Probably, making sure that it did not look like a unit that sat outside for the duration getting all rusted and such.

[scrub-buster]

Jul 8, 2022 19:19:31 GMT -5 HighCotton said:

Since I noted you (scrub) mentioned that you could only go with a Lowe’s product, I figured you have a good reason.
I just mentioned the dealer I went through has a note.
I did just have a friend who purchased one from a big box store and got home to realize that the battery was dead.
He returned it, and they took care of it just fine.
That said, I think I would just be careful and check the machine out thoroughly. Probably, making sure that it did not look like a unit that sat outside for the duration getting all rusted and such.

Thank you for the information. I'm glad to hear you like that mower. The one I'm looking at has the 23 hp kawasaki motor and the 4" fabricated deck. That’s one of the reasons I liked the Ariens. It just looks more solidly built.

I have to go with Lowe's because of the credit card financing offer they have. I could finance one somewhere else but I don't want any more debt on my credit. My lowes card already counts against it. The new mower was my wife's idea. She told me to pick one out and she will make the payments on it. I didn't argue with that offer.

[scrub-buster]

The Ariens got mostly good reviews on Lowe's. Most of the bad reviews were due to them being assembled poorly. Cross threaded bolts, parts put in the wrong location, loose oil drain plug, etc. I'm going to decline the free assembly option and do it myself. If I had them assemble it I'd have to go through every bolt to make sure it was right. If I have to do that I might as well do it all myself. Plus Lowe's offers free delivery.

[scrub-buster]

Jul 8, 2022 19:19:31 GMT -5 HighCotton said:

Since I noted you (scrub) mentioned that you could only go with a Lowe’s product, I figured you have a good reason.
I just mentioned the dealer I went through has a note.
I did just have a friend who purchased one from a big box store and got home to realize that the battery was dead.
He returned it, and they took care of it just fine.
That said, I think I would just be careful and check the machine out thoroughly. Probably, making sure that it did not look like a unit that sat outside for the duration getting all rusted and such.

How long have you owned it?

[HighCotton]

Jul 8, 2022 20:24:41 GMT -5 scrub-buster said:

Jul 8, 2022 19:19:31 GMT -5 HighCotton said:

Since I noted you (scrub) mentioned that you could only go with a Lowe’s product, I figured you have a good reason.
I just mentioned the dealer I went through has a note.
I did just have a friend who purchased one from a big box store and got home to realize that the battery was dead.
He returned it, and they took care of it just fine.
That said, I think I would just be careful and check the machine out thoroughly. Probably, making sure that it did not look like a unit that sat outside for the duration getting all rusted and such.

How long have you owned it?

I bought it 2 years ago.
I don’t recall but I think it still has less than 40 hours.

[esshup]

HC, looks like the chain needs tightening on the saw.

Good job on the mowing!! Bring it up here and try it on 3 1/2 acres.

[deadeer]

Jul 8, 2022 20:23:30 GMT -5 scrub-buster said:

The Ariens got mostly good reviews on Lowe's. Most of the bad reviews were due to them being assembled poorly. Cross threaded bolts, parts put in the wrong location, loose oil drain plug, etc. I'm going to decline the free assembly option and do it myself. If I had them assemble it I'd have to go through every bolt to make sure it was right. If I have to do that I might as well do it all myself. Plus Lowe's offers free delivery.

Reviews like those are so idiotic when problems are self made. Its laughable.

I have an Ariens snowblower from Lowes and couldnt be happier. You treat it right, it will treat you right. Good luck.

[HighCotton]

Jul 8, 2022 23:23:44 GMT -5 esshup said:

HC, looks like the chain needs tightening on the saw.

Good job on the mowing!! Bring it up here and try it on 3 1/2 acres.

Yeah!
It did!
I replaced the chain when I got home!

Oh, regarding your 3-1/2 acres? You see how tall the weeds got on my property, right?
You best not count on me!!!🤪

[bill9068]

I’ve got the Gravely ZTXL 52” mower made by Airens. Basically the same mower just different name. Kawasaki motor 23hp. Best mower I’ve had in years. Where are you located? I know a guy who gets all the trade in mowers from all the dealerships in the Evansville area. I bought my Gravely from him with 40 hours for less than 3k. I also bought a commercial Country Clipper 60” cut with 120” hrs fir $2800. It was 7k new.

[bill9068]