Time for a new ZTR--Brand recommendations?

[ustmd]

Well, the old Club Cadet ZTR is coming to the end of its time. It will soon need to take the trip across Rainbow Bridge:laughing:.

I am starting to look at new ones and are looking for brand recommendations.

We have 3-4 acres that we mow with the ZTR. This includes standard lawn areas, the grass horse arena and some areas that are are mixed scrub/prairie/native grass area--can be rough going).

To be blunt, we have a tendency to "ride our mowers hard and put them up wet".

I am okay with a 48-60" deck and I am willing to invest for a reliable piece of equipment (high end residential/lower end commercial).

I have not been unhappy with the Club Cadet, I just want to get others feedback on different brands.

 

[RandyT]

The three brands I see the most in my area are the Scag, Exmark, and Toro. Personally I like the Grasshopper because of the front deck and the fact that you can get close to stuff and even mow under the bushes.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Look at the Bad Boy mowers. Built in Batesville, Arkansas

I have a MZ Magnum and love it. I just can't seem to figure out a way to convince my wife that I need the big one with the CAT diesel!

 

[Lamdscraper83]

Figure out what dealers are in your area and demo them.

Any of the name brands will be a quality machine, it’s just going to come down to personal preference.

I’d also consider going the slightly used route. A good commercial mower should go a few thousand hours. A used commercial might the cost the same as a new HO model, but will last longer and be a better machine for you overall.

 

[Coyote machine]

CC Pro Z-160 with 4 wheel steering. Commercial grade and will go anywhere safely, unlike most all other ZTs. Search for my threads and others on TBN about them.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have a couple of Gravely's and have been well satisfied with them.

 

[kenmac]

I have the Kubota ZD1021 It's the small diesel. I really like it. It only has one belt, and it's for the cutting blades, hydraulic deck lift. It also has the suspension seat which I highly recommend which ever Z turn you buy

 

[RSKY]

Seems like all you see in my area are Bad Boys. That is because the dealer that sells them has a good reputation for service and warranty work and they come in a little below price for the same engine/deck/options in other brands.

I mow from one to eight acres a week depending on circumstances and who is on vacation, etc..

What ever brand you get I highly recommend a Kawasaki engine. The daughter of the dealer (graduated with my youngest, been to our house overnight a few times) talked to me after I had originally ordered mine and gave me some very good advice. She said to get the Kawasaki and a narrower deck because the wider deck tended to scalp the yards. Said any ZTR that the deck stuck out too far past the front wheels would do so.

The 24-hp Kawasaki uses less gas than my old mower with a 17-hp Kohler. I can mow my 1.1 acre lot four times on one tank.

My advice would be not to shop brands but to shop, in order, dealer-engine-deck size.

Oh yeah, our Bad Boy has an electric lift for the deck. Makes it easy for my short wife to adjust.

RSJT

 

[Tompet]

Well, the old Club Cadet ZTR is coming to the end of its time. It will soon need to take the trip across Rainbow Bridge:laughing:.

I am starting to look at new ones and are looking for brand recommendations.

We have 3-4 acres that we mow with the ZTR. This includes standard lawn areas, the grass horse arena and some areas that are are mixed scrub/prairie/native grass area--can be rough going).

To be blunt, we have a tendency to "ride our mowers hard and put them up wet".

I am okay with a 48-60" deck and I am willing to invest for a reliable piece of equipment (high end residential/lower end commercial).

I have not been unhappy with the Club Cadet, I just want to get others feedback on different brands.

Since you have a Cub, did you see the new Pro Series Cub ZTR's? I stumbled across them on the web. Look pretty nice and familiar to some other commercial ztr's... certainly MSRP puts them in high end category

 

[kcflhrc]

I have a Toro SS 5060, 50" deck with a 23hp Kawasaki. Great mower and the Kawasaki motors are bullet proof.