Riding Mower or ZTR Recommendations

[W650Mike]

That Z425 shown above is a sweet machine. If I didn't need the towing ability of a tractor, I'd go ZTR.

To the gentleman’s comment about a Woods 72” scalping: Take a look at the Howse 72”. It has 4 large pneumatic casters on 1” spindles, floating links at the 3 point, and a very substantial deck. I drilled additional holes for increased cut height adjustability.

I tried the Woods and found the same scalping problem; the Howse behind an 870 JD w/ turf tires whips 6.5ac into shape.

 

[5lima30]

+1 for Exmark, Gravely, Dixie Chopper they are all very good albeit a little pricey. You might be able to find a good deal on a used one. Another one to consider that is a bargain for what you get is the Bad Boy they are reasonably priced and built MUCH better than the JD or Cub Cadet residential models IMHO. One other factor I consider with lawn equipment or tractors is weight. Check weights and go with the heavier model all other things being equal. More weight is your friend in this arena! YMMV.

 

[czeto]

I had a Toro ZTR and liked it alot but was limited as to attachments so I went to a Toro Groundsmaster (the smallest one they had at the time) http://www.toro.com/grounds/mower/trim/gm3280/3280.html with a 62" mower, a bagger (for leaf cleanup not grass cutting) and a snow blower (worth its wait in gold this year). Its more expensive than a Garden Tractor but cheaper than a Back Hoe. It's also "Commercial" which means everything is thicker metal and better engines than "Homeowner" stuff.

 

[LSVLance]

When we bought our place back in 2000, I stopped by the local John Deere place (who was also an Exmark dealer). He recommended the Exmark over the JD due to the better pump design at the time and he sent my 60" mid mount with a 23 hp Kohler out to my house for a test mow.

I mowed with it once...and called him up and told him to write me up...I was keeping it. $7500 was more than I wanted to spend on a mower at the time...but 10 seasons later, with over 600 hours on it with nothing but normal maintenance costs...and the approximately 1800 hours of mowing time it has saved me...proves that it was a worthwhile investment that I'd make again in a heartbeat. In this day and age, time is money...and the 4 hours a week this thing saves us is just that much more time I can spend at the lake in the summer instead of mowing.

Another added plus of having a commercial mower...is it'll mow in all kinds of conditions. I've mowed in the rain, I've mowed when the grass is twice as tall as it's supposed to be, I never bag the grass as the tip speed of the blades is so fast that it does a great job of mulching up the clippings... I use it to mulch leaves in the fall... It is a great all around yard maintenance machine.

Plus...did I mention...the wife LOVES to run it. What more reason would one need?

I have heard horror stories from others that have bought residential type ZTRs, and I would steer away from those myself. Just look at the type of ZTRs you see on all of the commercial lawn mowing companies trailers...Dixie Choppers and Exmark dominate around here.

 

[ZeroSignal]

Here is a web site with all the answers. http://www.lawnsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1

+1 on this website....

 

[srmofo]

If you are on a machine that you enjoy using, it will be less of a chore

 

[djd99]

2 years ago I bought a 48" cub cadet zforce and really liked that mower. I used to cut my lawn with a 48" ingersoll 3018 garden tractor for years and normally It took 3+ hours to cut my 3 acres. I have no complaints with the cub cadet It mows very fast and did an excellent job.

However I had to start mowing my Ill uncles property so I needed a larger machine so originally paid $4500 for the cub I sold it last year for $2900. Not bad after mowing for 2+ years.
So now with cash in hand I started looking for a machine with a 60" cut and was drawn to the bad boy series mowers. I then took a 60 mile drive to the nearest badboy dealer and they sold me a ZT6000 with a 27h Kohler.

Now after using the badboy all of last year to mow mine and my uncles I really do like the mower. I think the nicest feature is the electric deck lift by the push of a switch I can raise or lower the deck in seconds. Plenty of power When I first mowed my uncles field um lawn it was 12" plus and had no lack of power. They offer the 50" version for $3999 and even sell it at tsc.

 

[bigNJ]

I definstly say look at Exmark ZTR. I have 3/4acres and purchased a new lazier Z CT 5 years ago and can't say enough about the cut. You can even look a used model. They hold there value very well.
Good luck
BigNJ

 

[6768rogues]

We have two personally owned Ferris zero turn mowers. One is like the competitors with a rigid chassis. The other is newer and has 4 wheel independent suspension. I would take the one with suspension over any other mower I have ever used; I buy mowers for a school district and I have bought many brands. The suspension makes it ride much better, gives a better cut at a higher speed, and keeps all 4 wheels on the ground for better control. Expect to spend about $9000 if you want one.

 

[southview]

i have the best of both worlds with a cub cadet ztt1050i.check it out on cub cadet.tractor and zero turn!

 

[Aberdale]

We have two personally owned Ferris zero turn mowers. The suspension makes it ride much better, gives a better cut at a higher speed, and keeps all 4 wheels on the ground for better control. Expect to spend about $9000 if you want one.

6768rogues, I know what your saying. This sounds like the Cadillac (or is it Mercedes?) of ZTs. If I were spending 8 hours a day 5 days a week on a ZT, then yes, I would want one of these. Especially if it was making me money.

This isn't directed at you personally, but is more a question of what we place importance on in our society. Seriously, for the homeowner with a 1 acre lot, it's just grass. $9,000 (or more) for a lawnmower?

The first lawnmower I ever bought new was $199 Sears Craftsman self propelled push mower. It lasted 20 years. The first new rider I bought was a John Deere 262GT that I paid $3499, and included a trailer and a sprayer. I bought it in 1997, and I'm still using it.

Times change I guess. But before I would pay $9000 on a lawnmower, I would burn my lawn first. Or maybe I would hire someone else to do it for 15 years, it would likely cost less. But that's just me.

 

[larry_g]

Times change I guess. But before I would pay $9000 on a lawnmower, I would burn my lawn first. Or maybe I would hire someone else to do it for 15 years, it would likely cost less. But that's just me.

You might not spend 9k on a mower but I bet if you admit it you have something in your life that is equally extravagent. For me one thing was a high dollar pocket knife pearl handled. It was 5x the cost of a regular pocet knife bt itwas what I wanted. So what is your weakness?

On edit; Never mind, I've looked back at your posts and think I have answered my own question.



lg
no neat sig line

 

[W_KY]

I still haven't make it down to the local dealer yet but I did find out a little more information.

1. I'm definitely going to go with a ZTR
2. The Gravely 2010 ZT 2550 has 25 HP Kohler engine with 50" deck (He says 10 gauge stamped but everthing I'm seeing says 12 gauge). Price is currently $2900 with two left
3. The Gravely 2011 ZT 50 has a 24 HP Kawasaki engine and 50" deck. Price is $3500.

Can anyone say if those prices seem reasonable to what they have seen in their area? He said he actually prefers the Kohler cause he can get parts faster/easier.

Just from talking to this guy, he seems like a good guy. I think meeting him in person will tell a lot.

 

[Aberdale]

You might not spend 9k on a mower but I bet if you admit it you have something in your life that is equally extravagant. For me one thing was a high dollar pocket knife pearl handled. It was 5x the cost of a regular pocket knife but it was what I wanted. So what is your weakness

LMAO! Your right larry_g. You got me there. I guess the grass/lawn is a bit low on my priority list, but there are plenty of other things that I spend money on. BTW, I like nice pocket knives too.

 

[srmofo]

ay if those prices seem reasonable to what they have seen in their area? He said he actually prefers the Kohler cause he can get parts faster/easier.
.

If parts are readily available and usually stocked that makes me wonder which engine has more problems.....Just like an autoparts store, they stock parts for the most common pattern failures.

I cant tell you on price because I havent shopped in a while, but that seems awfully low for a hydro drive mower. All other things being equal, Im not sure I would shell out the extra $500 for the 2011. That money can buy a bunch of parts if you do have any minor problems with the koehler. Im kinda biased against them because I saw what my uncle went through with his 4 or 5 years ago.

Either way you wont regret a gravely

 

[sledzz]

I have an old Dixon ZTR that mows 2 acres with lots of trees, a row of 30 pines and dozens of other trees and obstacles..Some of my neighbors have lawn tractors and spend all day backing up, going forward etc etc. I can zip around in no time and get my yard done fast.
I have also done my share of getting to close to my trees and if I had one of those monster clad steel decks made out of 1/4" steel my trees would look like a beaver got into them.. so I keep the Dixon...

 

[6768rogues]

6768rogues, I know what your saying. This sounds like the Cadillac (or is it Mercedes?) of ZTs. If I were spending 8 hours a day 5 days a week on a ZT, then yes, I would want one of these. Especially if it was making me money.

This isn't directed at you personally, but is more a question of what we place importance on in our society. Seriously, for the homeowner with a 1 acre lot, it's just grass. $9,000 (or more) for a lawnmower?

The first lawnmower I ever bought new was $199 Sears Craftsman self propelled push mower. It lasted 20 years. The first new rider I bought was a John Deere 262GT that I paid $3499, and included a trailer and a sprayer. I bought it in 1997, and I'm still using it.

Times change I guess. But before I would pay $9000 on a lawnmower, I would burn my lawn first. Or maybe I would hire someone else to do it for 15 years, it would likely cost less. But that's just me.

You have some good points. I mow about 3 acres at my farm with one zero turn and about 3 acres at home with the other between my son's place and mine. I bought the suspension Ferris from a private party who moved and did not need it, it was one year old with less than 100 hours on it for $6700. I have worn out many lower cost mowers over the years, and a good commercial mower will last virtually forever in limited residential use. The 3 acres at the farm took over 3 hours with a 27 horsepower Cub Cadet with a 54 inch deck. The Ferris does a better job in less than an hour, with about a fourth of the gas. Also, the Ferris has a very deep deck and large opening, so mowing wet grass looks as good as dry grass. The Cub on grass that was only a little damp in the evening would clog up necessitating stopping and cleaning it out. I don't buy new cars, but I like good equipment. Personal choices. I am retiring in April, and I enjoy mowing with the Ferris enough that I would consider mowing a couple of neighbor's lawns for a few bucks.
Will I ever save enough time and money to make the Ferris worth it? Probably not, but I can't wait for the snow to melt so I can get back in the seat. Mowing at 10 MPH is almost as much fun as drag racing.