ZEROTURN MOWERS Gravely VS. Badboy.

randy741985 · Aug 5, 2009

ZEROTURN Mower Gravely VS. Badboy

I have been Pricing and Comparing the Gravely 160iM XDZ with 25 HP Kawasaki. To the BadBoy Pup 60inch with 30hp Kohler. Both are priced close to each other. Does anyone have either and what is your opinion?

sandman2234 · Aug 5, 2009

Neighbor behind had a Gravely 0turn, that went up in the barnfire. He replaced it with another one, so he must have liked it. I got the burnt parts, and hope to use the deck in a Swisher pull behind copykat.
David from jax

Big Bri · Aug 5, 2009

I have an old xmark, put in the shop to be repaired and they gave me a badboy for a loaner. . . lots of power but not half the machine. i thought it was unrefined. didn't have as nice of a ride, i also didn't think it was put together as well. Never tried the gravely but i have a friend who loves his. good luck

medicshawn · Aug 5, 2009

I had a Gravely zero turn before I bought my tractor. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. It was a great machine and didn't give me any trouble

milkman · Aug 5, 2009

My church has a Gravely that has 1400 hrs. on it and has averaged costing $800 to maintain every year the four years we've had it. Worth $1300 trade on another new Gravely. Hasn't impressed the financial committee.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 5, 2009

ugh.. bad vs worse? Look at a Ferris, Exmark, or Scag before doing anything. They pretty much rule the roost with gas ZTR's.

Chuck K. · Aug 5, 2009

Curious how the ZG 327 compares to the big boys??

Steve C · Aug 5, 2009

I have a 60" Swisher with a 26 hp Briggs and I love it. It is not as fast as a true professional mower, but my yard is so lumpy I couldn't stay in the seat if it was any faster. It has cut my mowing time in half over my 50" garden tractor. I bought mine as a returned unit with 18 hours on it. I am in mower heaven. I have seen this unit clearanced priced for $3500. I think it is a very good value.

randy741985 · Aug 6, 2009

I am Leaning Toward the Gravely, Scag is Professional with the Price to go with it.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 6, 2009

Chuck K. said:
Curious how the ZG 327 compares to the big boys??

Good mower, but expensive for the class that its in. Kubota is selling hydraulic lift and hydraulic PTO's in a space where that level of durability is not expected. Kubota does diesels best, the gas machines are good products but will never see the sales volumes that the other brands see unless they somehow manage to shave a good $1000 off the price.

two_bit_score · Aug 6, 2009

milkman said:
My church has a Gravely that has 1400 hrs. on it and has averaged costing $800 to maintain every year the four years we've had it. Worth $1300 trade on another new Gravely. Hasn't impressed the financial committee.

$800 a year maint?

Every year??

two_bit_score · Aug 6, 2009

randy741985 said:
I am Leaning Toward the Gravely, Scag is Professional with the Price to go with it.

Does the old saying, "you get what you pay for" ring any bells?

Browns329 · Aug 6, 2009

I guess it depends what models you are looking at. I don't have personal experience with either one, but I know the Bad Boy Pup is a lighter/residential machine compared to the Lightning. The Gravelys that I have seen look pretty heavy, but they may make a more residential model also. The commercial ones are definitiely costly if buying new ($8000+)! I opted to buy a used commercial model since I figured it would hold up better (Bobcat 61", 25 HP Kawasaki, $3000).

It also depends on how much grass you are mowing and how often.

milkman · Aug 6, 2009

two_bit_score said:
$800 a year maint?

Every year??

Yes, commercial mower and the dealer wanted $6800 plus old mower for same new commercial mower, in this case we didn't get what we pay for.

JasonL · Aug 6, 2009

I have a Bad Boy Lightning (54"?) with suspension. It rides nice, cuts good , goes fast, and has been very reliable (2.5yrs). Liquid cooled Kawasaki. I felt it was the most mower for the money. Only complaint- it doesn't like hills (typical of ZTR's) Jason

deere5105 · Aug 6, 2009

We mow about 4 acres weekly with a Bad Boy 60" with I believe 27 HP Kawasaki motor. Unit runs around 14 mph and cuts good at that speed if the grass hasn't gotten too tall. We only have around 240 hours on it and have it serviced annually. Maintenace cost around $200 to have all fluids and filters replaced and three new blades. Replaced three tractor type mowers with this one and cut mowing time in half and only have to maintain one mower. I believe it says Pro 60 across the front?? Guy at work's dad just lost the transmission in his Gravely. Believe it said it was 10 or so years old. Not sure how much use, but 10 years seems like pretty good service to me.

randy741985 · Aug 6, 2009

two_bit_score said:
Does the old saying, "you get what you pay for" ring any bells?

I like the Scag But I wanted to stay under $6500.

Flatheadyoungin · Aug 6, 2009

looked for a low hour used commercial mower......already depreciated and a better unit.....imho

ferris, scag, exmark, etc are the big dogs...

ride quality will mean a LOT to you once you spend some time on a ztr....unless your yard is PERFECTLY flat.....even then, you are moving at such a pace that the smallest bump will jolt you....

look at craigslist.....used ferris' with 15 hours all the way up to 1400 hours and prices in between top and bottom dollar...

man, that is unreal for maint. costs......800!

i can see one year like that and then about 4 others at 150 or so but each year? sounds like the dealer like to rape churches.....i know some do that around here to little leagues, schools, etc......they know they've got the money and there usually isn't a person that really knows machines keeping an eye on them.....

Nightrain1 · Aug 7, 2009

Make sure you fellas are comparing apple to apples. It's hardly fair to compare a residential Badboy against a machine that cost twice as much. I have a bad boy with a cat diesel in it and while a can't speak to longevity yet, I sure can speak to the ruggedness and speed of the machine. It became obvious after studying what works for other people, the Badboy is hard to beat dollar for dollar. A 60inch deck at 15 mph useing around .6 gallons of fuel per hour makes me a happy camper. Try lawnsite.com for more info on any of these machines. All the brands previously mentioned here are good. It wouldn't be hard to make a compelling case for any of them.

randy741985 · Aug 7, 2009

Nightrain1 said:
Make sure you fellas are comparing apple to apples. It's hardly fair to compare a residential Badboy against a machine that cost twice as much. I have a bad boy with a cat diesel in it and while a can't speak to longevity yet, I sure can speak to the ruggedness and speed of the machine. It became obvious after studying what works for other people, the Badboy is hard to beat dollar for dollar. A 60inch deck at 15 mph useing around .6 gallons of fuel per hour makes me a happy camper. Try lawnsite.com for more info on any of these machines. All the brands previously mentioned here are good. It wouldn't be hard to make a compelling case for any of them.

Have you heard anything bad about the Badboy pup Series. It looks well built for the Money?