IS IT POSSIBLE TO TOW WITH YOUR ZERO TURN MOWER?

This video shows a shaft-drive ZTR mower pulling a small trailer as well as a lawn roller. The suggested weight to pull is 500lbs and less. If you have experience towing with your ZTR or have any questions, please leave a comment down below.
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Thanks for watching!

[@d3w4yn3]

You cannot hold back a man with a gopro and a shovel!!! GLORIOUS!!!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, I forgot about that and had to watch it again, lol!

[@franksanna217]

I have a Ferris 3200z and I’ve towed our 14’ steel trailer loaded with a 4wheeler on the back like it was nothing, even through the grass. The 5400 series hydro pumps are pretty impressive.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That's awesome! I'm impressed with Ferris mowers. I believe they have a fan on the mower pumps to keep them cool.

[@HexaFox]

@@MarkThomasBuilder The fan is standard issue from Hydro Gear. Almost their entire lineup of wheel pumps come standard with fans. By the way Ferris, Snapper and Simplicity are 100% owned and operated by Briggs and Stratton. So if you want a Vanguard engine now and do not want to pay a literal fortune, they are your best bet. I have a IS 2100Z and I have a few gripes but overall the machine has been amazing. I am scared to pull anything with it though because the engine cage tubes are hallow. So if you pull over the recommended weight (200 lbs) you can crush/bend those tubes.

[@eagleviewhd]

My zero turn came with a trailer hitch plate and manual has specifications for what can be towed. I have a small dump trailer and a multi-tine lawn rake.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Many zero turns say 250 lbs or less.

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

I ordered one of these for my zero turn today. I’m going to be pulling a small lawnmower trailer with it.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Cool, I recently picked up the Gorilla dump cart which is a great item for yard work.

[@ericabercrombie6780]

I've towed a 4000 lb C10 pickup truck with a Toro Zero Turn. It was a 1 time thing, and a short distance, but I had no issues.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Oh wow, that's nice towing power!

[@jeffw7320]

What engine and hp? I have the Timecutter 7000 Kohler 22hp engine.

[@ericabercrombie6780]

@@jeffw7320 it's the Kawasaki 23 hp

[@williamnewsome5169]

Bravo! However, my demure Toro MX5050 (belt drive -hydro gear ZT-2800) that can be had for less than $4,000 has been pulling weighted aerators, 25 gal sprayers, lawn cart with 10 bags of mulch for the last 7 years (500 hours) without any problems. Plus this workhorse provides consistent manicured cuts especially when I bag.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Oh nice, glad to hear those kind of results!

[@myownspiritlevel]

I tow a 4’x8’ utility trailer with my belt driven Troybilt lawn tractor all the time. Just this week the trailer was loaded with 150 eight foot privacy fence pickets. Had no problems on level ground.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That's cool! I'm glad to see mowers holding up to towing stuff like that.

[@slick41]

I have a small 30" Dixon ZTR. I put a trailer hitch on the front and it makes it easier to maneuver the trailer when you're pushing it. Granted I am only pushing a small 4x6 utility trailer but it works great.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Awesome, I wouldn't mind a hitch on the front too.

[@daviddavis5689]

Light load if you want drives to last. Especialy EZT. But then maintain others same as you would truck you tow with.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I haven't filled the roller all the way with water. I don't want to push the limits too much.

[@Fundaykidzz]

Great video … so belt drive is hydros per wheel

[@nmaikowski8013]

I us to pull an 48" aerator, 42" roller, 15 gallon sprayer, "42 inch sweeper, and a 42" dethatcher with a troy bilt mustang with a 42" deck. Compression was a concern so I bought a lawn tractor and removed the deck

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Sounds like a nice setup. I'll bet you have a nice lawn.

[@nmaikowski8013]

@@MarkThomasBuilder have all Bermuda hybrid and common mix but fighting golds edge

[@nmaikowski8013]

@@MarkThomasBuilder I get a materials spreader in a couple weeks and start lawn leveling

[@dongernert6135]

I was concerned about towing a stripped Cub Cadet tractor ( No engine, no deck) with my Simplicity 44" ZT out of a decline in my tractor boneyard. Aint no problem heah boy, shee-att! Pc a cake! No problema!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Nice job! I don't have experience with Simplicity, but they look like a well built mower.

[@michaellerch]

nice GVSU sign in the background

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, I've been collecting quite a few tools lately and the sign is starting to get crowded, lol.

[@SmittyFan]

Absolutely! Several things though. 1. size of the load compared to machine pulling it. 2. Your terrain. Is it flat, hilly, soft, thick grass or thin Bahia? 3. Last but probably should be first, always use full throttle. Do not “lug” these engines even if only going 10’. Conclusion: as long as you’re not getting crazy and trying to drag an 100’ redwood, keep your loads light as possible and keep your oil fresh.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Great advice, thanks for shaing!

[@kentucky4696]

Ive pulled a dual axle car trailer..about 1700lbs..it cant handle much tongue weight but as far as pulling goes ive have no issues with my bad boy rogue. It Has parker 18ci wheel motors and fan cooled 16cc hydrogear pumps…some compact tractors use the same pump and wheel motor set up. Not sure what scag uses but it mainly just depends on how big ur hydros are an if they are stayin cool while towing. you do want to keep the rpms up to keep the oil flowing through the hydros as much as possible.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good insight and advice. I know I don't have fans on my hydros with this unit, but I've demo'd a Ferris that did.

[@daviddavis5689]

Depends on what drive it has to how heavy. They basically are not tow vehicles but can tow light loads. If you need a tractor but a real tractor.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'd love to own a Kuboda tractor with a loader. It's on my wish list.

[@Spookshow1000]

I know this is an old video but the real reason they don't want you to tow over 200 pounds is liability. Zeros are not very stable with a heavy load even on a small incline. I have a 250 pound drag that I use for seeding but primarily to go over a gravel road. Three years later my ferris 2100z is still working fine.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That's good to know. I've been thinking about getting a drag for my driveway but don't have a quad.

[@milleniumraz]

I just bought a 2020 SCAG Patriot Zero Turn mower. I had the dealer add the hitch but the SCAG manual says to tow no more than 250lbs! The dealer explained that they’re talking about downward “load weight” bc the weight of the empty trailer itself is alleviated mostly by the rolling wheels.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the info, which makes sense. The roller has very little tongue weight to it. If you're hauling a trailer with mulch, than you want to pay attention to the hitch weight. I try to balance the load in the trailer and not put extra weight up front of the trailer.

[@4wdcombinedriver934]

Me and my cousin chained a calf sled to a zero turn. It made for some fun times!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Haha🙌

[@chadyost444]

I have a RZTL cub. The hitch sits at around 13 1/2" above ground, and i have trouble getting attachments to fit properly. Yard trailer is okay but dethatcher and sweeper aren't exactly towing at the right angles. I may try to find someone to weld some kind of drop like what you have.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

It should be a rather easy piece to get welded up.

[@markthomas5781]

HI MARK THOMAS......MARK THOMAS HERE SAYING KODOS TO YOU!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by!

[@markthomas5447]

I am also Mark Thomas. We should start an exclusive club.

[@carlosbenavidez6734]

Great video very helpful

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Awesome, thanks!

[@charlierasch8225]

I hurt my leg and no longer want to carry around a large yard sprayer with round up. Do you know which trailer sprayer would work best -- flexability, etc. with a 28HP ExMark zero turn?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'm sorry, I haven't tested out any yard sprayers. The ones at Northern Equipment look pretty cool though.

[@paulchudzik129]

Tractor Supply (TSC) has many towable sprayers battery powered pumps work great.

[@williamnewsome5169]

Toro makes an excellent 25 gal tow behind tank sprayer that is carried by Home Depot. Have had mine for seven years without problems. Use mine to spray azoystrobin, propiconazole, selective herbicides and solutions containing fertilizers/nitrogen-iron.

[@decline1129]

Doesn't the shaft just power the deck and not the drive motors? Or am I tripping?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'm heard a local Scag dealer say you can pull more with a shaft drive. I understood he was talking about the shaft supplying power to the wheels, as compared to a belt drive.

[@Justin-oe9fs]

What about a scag turbo diesel 72 inch I've never really pulled stuff with it but would like to

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That sounds like a powerful mower!

[@Justin-oe9fs]

@@MarkThomasBuilder it is I love it

[@jeremygonzales663]

You know, I dont have a lot of weight to haul but what do you think about fabricating a little truck bed for the zero turn? Bolt it in where to bolts go and raise it up a bit so when change elevations. Would that look silly? Or is it even feasible? Thought?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

It's an interesting idea and might work. If you ever used a bagger on the back of a zero turn, you'll likely hit stuff when turning, since it sticks out so far. If you can get used to it sticking out while making turns and not block the airflow to the engine, then it may just work. I have a small trailer that I tow and it handles firewood and mulch quite nice.

[@medjoolmaker]

Do you have a tow behind aerator ? That’s my next project in fall, have to get a hitch on my new John Deere. And a tow behind aerator. Down here in soflo nobody aerates, but I need to step up my game. Grass is compacted and not letting water, sun, fertilizer etc to the roots.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I actually welded the steel bar across the back of the roller so I could haul a lightweight spike aerator. It actually works well if I don't make wide turns. I've also rented a tow-behind aerator by Bluebird. It works very well and I recommend it for your yard.

[@RonnelVP]

Would an Ariens 1434 be able to tow? If so what would you estimate is capacity? Thanks

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

If it comes with a factory hitch for towing, then yes. A similar model said it can tow up to 300lbs. I suggest consulting with your owners manual to be safe.

[@dallastemple4675]

I use my cub cadet 27 hp to pull a 25 gallon sprayer. What's your thoughts on a pull behind tiller?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I've never tried one of those before, so I'm not sure how hard it works the mower. If you have really heavy clay, then it might beat up the mower a bit. I have a friend with a Kubota diesel tractor with a tiller and it does a great job.

[@user-cg9oi5ug4d]

So I have a Kubota Z122e and am thinking of towing a small trailer like yours with bark mulch I believe its 24hp, is it safe to do so?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I would think your okay to pull a trailer up to 500lbs. Before doing so, I would check the owners manual, just to be safe.

[@jvonengeln]

Even a shaft driven Turf Tiger is still pulley driven from the engine crank shaft to the shaft is it not?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I thought this was just a shaft drive, but need to look and see if there's a belt to the back. 2 other mowers I have are belt drive, like a Exmark 48" Laser Z.

[@yekaterinak1575]

It is belt driven from the engine crank to the shaft that turns the deck. But what does that matter in towing? It's the hydro pumps that bear the towing load and not the shaft. Am I missing something here? I have the same turf tiger.

[@bmlandmanagementco4981]

Yekaterina K that’s what I was thinking.

[@customcutter100]

The shaft drive is for the mower deck. I'd like for someone to explain what it has to do with the hydraulic wheel drives?🤣

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'm not a mechanic, but I have another mower which has a belt drive. I always thought there's only a shaft drive and a belt drive.

[@customcutter100]

@@MarkThomasBuilder I guess the MFG/dealers say 250# based on liability issues. Both the shaft drive or belt drive are for the mower deck blades. All of the zero turn mowers that I have seen have hydraulic pumps that drive hyd motors on the wheels. There is no danger of burning up a belt or shaft when towing. You could pull a truck with it if necessary. Sorry for the assumption that you were a mechanic.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I was just sharing what my local Scag dealer said. He asked me if me if I have a shaft drive or belt drive mower. Now that you mention it, I recall the hydraulic pumps you're talking about. Thanks.

[@michaelwenman2348]

Think you would be able to use a towable tiller?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That I'm not sure. I heard no more than 500lbs max on a shaft drive mower.

[@rickasisco]

All sharp turns were done off screen or edited out. lol

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Yeah, don't plan on sharp turns. Think wide turns👍😅

[@AnEliteMan]

Hey markthomasbuilder, does this hurt the wheel transmissions to carry a load on a ZTR? I have 'heard' it does from random people?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

My mower has held up to occasionally towing. I don't fill the roller all the way with water and try not to start/stop too much. My local Scag dealer said to have the throttle all the way up and I'll be fine.

[@williamnewsome5169]

Every year use my ZTR w/hydro gear ZT-2800 transmission to distribute nearly 400 bags of mulch over 1.5 acres towing 10 at a time in my Harbor Freight $100 lawn cart without any failures or degradation in function. I do change my fluid (Mobile 20-50), every 100 hours to be safe.

[@chadyost444]

2:00 how big is that DeWalt circular saw and how did you get that lol

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

The saw on the top shelf is actually a standard 7-1/4 sidewinder style.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Do you tow with your mower? If so, is it a belt drive or shaft drive? Any issues from towing?

[@dwightstewart7181]

Strange video. What does the drive system (belt or shaft) have to do with it? Millions of homeowners routinely tow small trailers with belt-driven mowers. You can see those trailers at every single store selling lawn mowers. Both of my zero turns have a hitch (either already installed or purchased as an accessory from the manufacturer), with a selection of trailers to tow. Perhaps you don't see me because I don't usually tow a trailer while mowing.

[@qwyntonbulmer2668]

Hey was it difficult to turn on tight turns?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

The mower turns very easy when pulling a small trailer. When I'm pulling a 48" roller, I take slightly wider turns.

[@demeterpremier2804]

Why would they have hitched for zero turns if they can’t? Seems ludacris... Second of all mow people hate towing them we zeros because do a zero turn with my commercial aerator towable..... you’d destroy the yard not to mention...... most commercial guys don’t want to rack up their hours on their commercial zero turns!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I rarely tow with my 2 zero turns. I only do for a few rare occasions.

[@tomschulte2138]

My days of gas-powered tools are coming an end. Moving into lithium-ion power. I don't understand why these machine r not designed to tow ANYTHING. What is the reason - fear? Thx.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I tested out a Ferris a couple years ago and it seemed heavy duty, able to haul some heavy stuff. I grew up with riding mowers having gears, so maybe that has something to do with it?

[@mattbrigner4815]

It's easy because no one wants to spend $2,500 a piece to get their hydros fixed...

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Wow, that much?