Yakta Zero Turn Mower - Real World Mowing Test and Review

Yessir. It's time for a lawn mower review!
Yakta is a newcomer to the North American market, making some very heavy duty commercial zero turn mowers. I had the opportunity to test their YXR 610 zero turn mower for a weekend, and it was a WET one! We hadn't had a chance to mow our field or yards for about 2 weeks, so this zero turn really got put to the test! Here's something pretty wild: They offer a 5 year, 2000 hour warranty. That's nuts!
Who is Yakta Mowers? You can get more information about Yakta Mowers (or locate a dealer) on their website:
www.yakta.com/
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[@yaktaoutdoor]

Thank you for the detailed review, and for putting the YXR 610 through a solid test! We're thrilled you enjoyed using our mower. Our units are crafted for homeowners like you who tackle varied terrains, which is showcased in our build quality. The mower you tested was an early demo model, not a final production unit. It was used for production testing, and the issues you mentioned have been resolved in our production models. Your feedback is invaluable, and we’re committed to continuous improvement. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing with your audience!

[@northfloridacowboy8728]

I'm impressed yatka!

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

You guys definitely are making some very forward-thinking machines. I'm excited to see what y'all come-up with in the future!

[@mosfet500]

This is why I go to a company like Toro or Deere, they don't make those deck mistakes after doing decks for 50 plus years. I've done that same kind of mowing with a high capacity Deere deck without any of those problems. So other decks are only 9 ga., I've never worn one out or had it crack, split or bend. It's how it is reinforced that counts, like a monocoque car frame, thin but strong. Also I think after you get to a strength point the extra strength is wasted. The weight that extra metal adds also makes things like ride harder to control, other seat systems seem to be more comfortable on rough terrain. It's nice to have the access but other machines have equally as good access, I'm not sure that the knobs to take off the rear panel to change the oil are really necessary, in fact, again, include a tool like Deere does that addresses all the major nuts and adjustments. My view is this is obviously very strong, stronger than it needs to be, but falls short in other areas.

[@travisdean8794]

I actually have a customer who really wants to test one of these. He’s a commercial mower. He currently has two Scags and wants to try something different. I don’t know if y’all allowed people to test them or not, but he would definitely put one through its paces.

[@DavidNeal-2891]

I saw a video just a few minutes ago with one of your mowers with a touch screen yet has a turnkey. What is the deal with that? If it's going to be a touch screen by God I want a code to enter and a push to start as part of my touch screen lol but so far it has been a nice looking mower. Not this mower in this video because the deck bouncing around when he stepped on it made me grit my teeth, my bad boy deck does not budge at all even when I jump on it, and the way it was clumping up under the deck was just not attractive at all. But I'm in the market for new mower and keeping my eyes out. Y'all are now in my sights lol Y'all are now in my sights lol

[@CopperCreekCuts]

Thanks for the video! I have been interested in Yakta since I saw them last fall, but can't get any substantial info on them or their units. While bolts offer some benefits (repair) I think this video highlighted one of the big issues with them. If your mower is bolted together, it will rattle itself apart sooner or later. Sooner if your assembly team isn't following directions (I know some really large companies like ECHO have torque guns that are LOCKED on specific torque settings for each step of assembly so someone repeating their job over and over just pulls the trigger and never has to think about it), later if the machine is used often in commercial settings. As far as the grass, I can't tell on this (or any of Yakta's videos as they aren't big on long form deep dives or practical application videos) but it looks like the open deck area extends beyond that cap with the two brass threads that is on the right hand side at 17:17. If that is the case, I have never seen a mower deck that capped that area that DIDN'T have issues clogging. It will forever and always catch wet grass, which will let more wet grass stick to it, which will let more wet grass stick to it, until you have those giant clumps. My TORO 2000 doesn't have that and never clogs. If I am wrong and the deck doesn't extend there, then it may just be they didn't design the deck deep or opening wide enough.

[@maxb4289]

I live in Virginia and have been looking all over for a mower. I settled on Kubuto, but luckily I found this product I can't wait to purchase one and try it out.

[@James-dtexTexas]

I’ve heard of these mowers and they seem really good solid machines but I currently own a ZT Elite Bad Boy . The original Elite with the 3000 series independent serviceable drives and it’s going strong. So for now , I’m good.. Note : The only complaint I have with Bad Boy is if mowing tall dry stem grasses, the darn pop up snail trail between the far right ( discharge side ) and center blades . Constantly having to go over it again. Even when using new blades.

[@jeromebecigneul2911]

Micah, I don't think any zero turn is made to mow 6" and higher wet grass. Especially really thick wet grass. That's brush hog or flail time. In fact, would have like to see you on a tractor again with a flail mower to see how well it did. Surprised that you had bolts come out. Would have thought that the factory would have made sure bolts were tightened to spec. Unless its assembled in the USA at a dealership. A price would be nice so we know how to judge it on that end.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Defintely a hard test, but we've successfully mowed with a Bad Boy and a Grasshopper in similar situations. A couple Cub Cadets have struggled. This particular mower runs a around 12k, to my understanding.

[@stevensumpter3425]

My spartan has no issues mowing that high of grass

[@derekbrennan7212]

What do you think is the brand of choice for the same situation the yakta was in? Only wondering bc I'm looking at one and it you have a better choice to look into?

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

@derekbrennan7212 I've had success with some of the heavier duty Cub Cadet machines. Our Bad Boy Elite has done OK, while the Maverick HD has blasted through everything. The Grasshopper mowers have done the best, though. I've seen some new video from Yakta with them blasting through some really thick material after they redesigned a baffle in the deck. Hope they give me a chance to try one again next year!

[@bobbyplatt7654]

I believe those conditions are to tuff for any lawn mower..

[@stevesedgwick5789]

Very good and fair review.

[@ajfarmer007]

It’s mower not a brush hog ! And just because it goes 10 mph doesn’t mean it should in those conditions. You need to Mow higher in that stuff and again to get it into manageable shape and not in wet conditions! Cub cadet tank owner!

[@timjohnson2188]

I think the deck detaches from the mower in the middle. That might be why it swings like that.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Not on their current models. They do have a prototype that separates, but it hasn't hit the market yet

[@tallboy49]

Think the frame is made from channel not ibeam

[@thaneoflions975]

I’m the premiere!

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

I have NO CLUE what a premier is, but it was a premier!

[@roadglide1142]

The frame bolts coming loose is very concerning! They should be welded tight ! My new John Deere Z530R has been flawless on my four acres .

[@s.wesleycurtis6632]

I've been mowing 25 years and I have never seen a mower stall out in 10 inch tall grass

[@phillyarrow0898]

Whatever

[@davidthrash6096]

I have a clean driving record and this is a bunch of bull and a possibly a scam

[@corypiette9421]

Temu mower

[@mosfet500]

It's too heavy for a zero at 1.3k lbs., wet grass or ground and it has to sink in and spin the tires. Well made but poorly engineered.

[@stevecrossland3681]

Impressive yet disappointing

[@3gasman]

Currently own a 2011 Scag Turf Tiger, I think I’ll pass on Yakta for now. From southern Minnesota, my nearest Yakta dealer is 180 miles away in Iowa, North Dakota over 300 miles or Manitoba, Canada over 450 miles. Good luck in further development and sales, competition is good

[@kenshaum3994]

On my Raptor SD, I made the discharge opening 1.75 inches wider

[@northfloridacowboy8728]

Those I think may be some fairly small complaints. In regards to the build quality, commercial mowers often show up to dealers in cratesonly partially assembled. The guys who assembled the mowers on site, may be to blame.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

In this case, the machine was assembled fully at the factory, but it looks like a couple bolts came loose. Some thread locker seemed to do the trick!

[@yaktaoutdoor]

A lot of manufacturers do that, yes. We assembled them at our facility, to make the dealer's life easier. These were issues we had with our pre-production units, and we've already taken care of them for production!

[@northfloridacowboy8728]

@@yaktaoutdoor as someone who is in the market for a mower, I've been doing tons of homework. And I see so many issues of picking from the lesser of evils. I really like what yall are doing!

[@CopperCreekCuts]

As a commercial user, I found his complaints very valid and potentially deal breakers (this is from someone who uses an entry level commercial mower, which the 610 would fall under).

[@northfloridacowboy8728]

@CopperCreekCuts but, as you can see above, they said they were pre-production units. So, naturally, their is going to be some kinks or a few adjustments to be made. I believe I. This product! I really can't wait to get my hands on one.

[@davidthrash6096]

I thought I was responding to the add

[@charlesmartinmartin6087]

truth be told should not mow heavy wet grass.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

We don't have that option out here. If you wait until it's dry, you won't mow for 3 months! The grass would be WAY too tall at that point

[@DavidNeal-2891]

It looks like it would pull in half if you wanted it to because I saw the bolts when you had the camera down low on the right side it looks like it was bolted together in two different pieces. Those bolts that came out might be part of what's holding it together as well but this is a shame it's kind of like when you get Spartan mowers bolts start falling out of them left and right too. I've seen so many videos of people getting Spartan mower and they have to go through and tighten all the bolts and zip tie the wires up out of the way and that's straight from the factory wtf