cphilip
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2005
- Messages
- 460
- Location
- Clemson SC
- Tractor
- Kioti 2610HST, Toro Titan ZX 5400 w Kawaski, Bush Hog rotory, Farm KIng tiller, Land Pride Box blade, Tiger attachments forks, Land Pride Grooming mower, EA Wicked 55" Grapple, Superior 20' 7700# Equip Trailer
Be gentle... its my first time.... ZTR\'s again.
Hey folks. Been doing a lot of reading here. Got a good baseline of information from here. So thanks for that.
My story?
Well.... my dear beloved Snapper LT is about on its last legs. Over 23 years of faithfull service. Still rock solid body and deck but things are just starting to nickle and dime me to death now.
So my search was for a replacement. Here is the line up I went through..
Of course it was Snapper at first. But really that new Scrambler is a joke. A disgrace. The next one up in the homeowner line is quite nice. And acceptable I think. At 4 grand its a bit more than it might should be for what it is though. Stamped deck and all. But not bad. But the Cub Cadet is as decent thickness and all. Both lines actualy. The ZTR and the other homeowner (forget model) both are as good built in most ways it appears to me at least metal thicknesses and all. So its a toss up there.
Then of course I was almost tempted to the dark side yesterday with a VERY good price on a Bob-Cat ZT 218 with a 44" deck and 18HP Kohler. They offered it too me for $5100 and I almost bit it and all. Should have maybe. But for one thing its too darn big. Let me explain....
I have about 1/2 Acre to mow. A few slopes and all. An old terrace thats been flattened out is what it is. Some rough spots but mostly open and some shrubs and trees to do. 80% flat and nothing terrible bad. takes me about an hour with the Snapper LT16 with a 41" deck. So really something in the 36 to 44 inch range is best for me. Because of this one slope and all and the small size. But I am like most of you and want bang for buck and beefy metal.
So what am I ending up with.... well.... looks like a Hustler Mini FasTrak. I am totaly impressed with these little beasts. And the prices are very in the budget. I got a quote of $2999 for the 36" deck with Kohler 15 and $3415 witht the 42" and Kohler 17. I am undecided on which would work best. Bigger is always better but in some cases not. I got one little area in this slope that I dig in some with the current mower at 41 and with the yard being not that big I figure I might just be as well if not better off with the 36" and the $400 in my pocket.
I drove one today. At a local dealer. Smoooooth. Spring seat too. But I am now negotiating with him on the price. He wanted to quote me MSRP but the "real guy" that can dicker on that was not there today. So tomorrow we talk again. The dealer that gave me the best price is 80 miles away. But he came off big time just right off the bat. So I might be driving... Would rather do business in town but not going to do it at the cost of 500 bucks difference. Hopefully the "real guy" can get closer. Otherwise I hook up the trailer and drive.
But anyway just wanted to thank all of you for your candid posts and in leaning me in the right direction. If you have not looked at these Hustler Mini fast Tracks... and you are looking for a small but built as beefy as a commercial (other than they have GZT drives and no hour meter) you cannot find a closer match than these. Side by side they are indeed impressive little beasts. And priced right in there with any lesser home model. They are definately more machine than the Snappers and Cub cadets by a good margin. Go look.
Hey folks. Been doing a lot of reading here. Got a good baseline of information from here. So thanks for that.
My story?
Well.... my dear beloved Snapper LT is about on its last legs. Over 23 years of faithfull service. Still rock solid body and deck but things are just starting to nickle and dime me to death now.
So my search was for a replacement. Here is the line up I went through..
Of course it was Snapper at first. But really that new Scrambler is a joke. A disgrace. The next one up in the homeowner line is quite nice. And acceptable I think. At 4 grand its a bit more than it might should be for what it is though. Stamped deck and all. But not bad. But the Cub Cadet is as decent thickness and all. Both lines actualy. The ZTR and the other homeowner (forget model) both are as good built in most ways it appears to me at least metal thicknesses and all. So its a toss up there.
Then of course I was almost tempted to the dark side yesterday with a VERY good price on a Bob-Cat ZT 218 with a 44" deck and 18HP Kohler. They offered it too me for $5100 and I almost bit it and all. Should have maybe. But for one thing its too darn big. Let me explain....
I have about 1/2 Acre to mow. A few slopes and all. An old terrace thats been flattened out is what it is. Some rough spots but mostly open and some shrubs and trees to do. 80% flat and nothing terrible bad. takes me about an hour with the Snapper LT16 with a 41" deck. So really something in the 36 to 44 inch range is best for me. Because of this one slope and all and the small size. But I am like most of you and want bang for buck and beefy metal.
So what am I ending up with.... well.... looks like a Hustler Mini FasTrak. I am totaly impressed with these little beasts. And the prices are very in the budget. I got a quote of $2999 for the 36" deck with Kohler 15 and $3415 witht the 42" and Kohler 17. I am undecided on which would work best. Bigger is always better but in some cases not. I got one little area in this slope that I dig in some with the current mower at 41 and with the yard being not that big I figure I might just be as well if not better off with the 36" and the $400 in my pocket.
I drove one today. At a local dealer. Smoooooth. Spring seat too. But I am now negotiating with him on the price. He wanted to quote me MSRP but the "real guy" that can dicker on that was not there today. So tomorrow we talk again. The dealer that gave me the best price is 80 miles away. But he came off big time just right off the bat. So I might be driving... Would rather do business in town but not going to do it at the cost of 500 bucks difference. Hopefully the "real guy" can get closer. Otherwise I hook up the trailer and drive.
But anyway just wanted to thank all of you for your candid posts and in leaning me in the right direction. If you have not looked at these Hustler Mini fast Tracks... and you are looking for a small but built as beefy as a commercial (other than they have GZT drives and no hour meter) you cannot find a closer match than these. Side by side they are indeed impressive little beasts. And priced right in there with any lesser home model. They are definately more machine than the Snappers and Cub cadets by a good margin. Go look.
