help with commercial ZTR choices

[mowerman-99]

I am looking for zero turn mowers to mow about 5 acres. About 1/2 of this is pasture and the rest grass and small orchard. I am interested in commercial type mowers. I have been researching several brands with either 52 or 60 inch decks. I have about 1000 ft of drain ditches to mow and about 150 feet has any real incline to mow, but these areas can stay wet.

I have been looking a small utility tractors but I think I want to go with zero turn mower at this time. I have been using Husqvarna 26 HP with 54 inch deck. That mower is basically shot. Using that mower took be 5.5 hours to mow it all once a week. Bahia grass is around the barn and orchard. Blades do not last long due to the sandy conditions.

I have been looking at Bad Boy, Ferris, Scag, Dixon, Toro. and Exmark.
Only reason the Toro brand is interesting is the 5 yr/1200 hr warranty looks to be interesting on the G3 series. I am settling in on the Bad Boy lightening with 26 LC KAW/31 KAW or AOS with 27 LC KAW/ Or the Ferris I2000z with 27/34 KAW. I favor these due to the suspension system they offer. Pasture is kind of rough and I think that would be big benefit to me.

Budget is try to stay under 10k but I still want to buy the best unit for what I need but not overkill. Mowing season starts very early in March and ends mid November.

When downloading parts/manuals from all the vendors, BB just seems to be one step ahead of the over vendors on ease of maintenance with the swing out panels, size of the pumps, amount of fluids, materials used and price. Price difference seems that the ROPS is optional on BB but not other others. ROPS would be a pain in the orchard.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Build qualify, price, and dealer support are important to me. I did not include Hustler in this list due to the dealer being too far away, over 50 miles EACH way.

Thanks

 

[westbrooklawn]

Take a look at the Hustler Super Z. Extra heavy hydraulics, suspension seat, and optional flex forks for really rough terrrain.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ferris. Nothing else to say.

No matter what go Kawasaki. Neighbor is a commercial mower how has had Dixon, Scag, and Ferris. Now runs 72" IS3100 with the 38HP Kawasaki. Trouble free mowers and engines.

Chris

 

[toddol1971]

I have first hand experience with this question. I own a badboy lightning 52" with a 26hp liquid cooled kawi. I also mow an old pasture & the headlands of the other fields. The later is nice for taking walks with the wife & kids. The suspension is nice, but not as noticeable as I would have thought. The Michigan suspension seat is a must. I went thru this debate 2yrs ago. I went with badboy due to the over built nature of the machine & great price. A solid value & best buy for me. Believe me, this thing is tough. I'd buy another one, but doubt this one will ever wear out. Its very easy to work on also. I have no problem recommending this one.

 

[toddol1971]

One thing about suspension, If it flexes to much then it will scalp. These are very stiff suspensions, but do work to take out the shock. I mean can you imagine a spongy suspension going across the pasture bouncing up & down? Thats what your grass height would look like, up & down Take this into consideration when the ferris people tell you theres is better. More expensive doesnt make something better. I think the ferris's are more complicated. For me, when I looked at the mowers you can clearly see a difference in the badboy over the others. The more the gpm the pump the touchier the controls will be. There will be a learning curve to get used to.

 

[toddol1971]

One more thing. I would def go with the kaw. Personally I fell that the liquid cooled ones are better than air cooled. I also feel that the 26 hp has all the power I could ask for. Unless your constantly mowing wet tall grass I see no need to spend more money for a bigger motor. I went with a 52" deck cause I can get it thru the rear gate. This thing will mow at 13 mph & that is no joke. I figured I rather get the one that fit thru the gate cause it mows so fast I can still get the other mowing done hours sooner than with the rider.

 

[LQPAPPY]

Spend a couple days a week in the season on a Bush Hog ZTR and it is very heavy built. However on any slope especially wet, it is very easy to slide and get stuck. Wet ditches are almost impossible. Just a thought that no one mentioned.

 

[dodge man]

I know you said you visited a compact tractor, but why did you decide against it? Some of the things you describe sound perfect for a small compact or sub compact tractor. One big reason is it sounds like there are some hills and wet conditions, that 4wd would help on. Have you tried a zero turn on your property yet. It would be nice to try one out and see if thats what works for you.

 

[ModMech]

We have considered what to do with our CUT vs one larger tractor and a ZTR. After looking at the various brands, talking to folks that use them daily, we concluded that we would stay with the Kubota and not trade it off for a ZTR. The CUT has too much versatility for our situation, but mowing takes 2x to 3x longer than with a ZTR.

My opinion is that Hustler makes some of the best ZTRs money can buy, but they have some stiff competition. My suggestion is to carefully watch what brands the local pros use because that means the dealer network, pricing and quality must be decent for that brand, at least locally.

I like the Kubota ZTRs, but honestly, we would buy a Hustler because I don't think there is a "better" ZTR for the money.

 

[Diamondpilot]

One thing about suspension, If it flexes to much then it will scalp. These are very stiff suspensions, but do work to take out the shock. I mean can you imagine a spongy suspension going across the pasture bouncing up & down? Thats what your grass height would look like, up & down Take this into consideration when the ferris people tell you theres is better. More expensive doesnt make something better. I think the ferris's are more complicated. For me, when I looked at the mowers you can clearly see a difference in the badboy over the others. The more the gpm the pump the touchier the controls will be. There will be a learning curve to get used to.

I have never seen this and been around them for 8 years now. I do all his maintenance and the ones he has owned, 1500 series up to the 3100 series have been bullet proof. All were Kaw powered.

As for the suspension I am not sure how well it works but he is sold. All I have replaces is one ball joint in 8 years. There is a inter link between the decks and suspension so when it travels so does the deck keeping a uniform cut.

Chris