Zero turn

[radman1]

Why should money be a factor if it fits his needs/wants? The ZD326 is a mowin machine, if you have never mowed with a ZTR then you will wonder why you didn't purchase one sooner.
I use mine just for mowing and my tractors for tractor work.

OP has never had a zero turn. He is considering a high end diesel model. There are a vast number of other options from companies that are exclusively in the mowing business. From a practicality standpoint, it is hard to justify a diesel for personal use and mowing a couple of acres. The diesel won't mow any faster or handle a bigger deck, won't ride any more comfortable, and the other components (deck, drive motors, electrical system) won't last any longer than the gas versions. Diesel fuel costs as much as gas. The diesel would use less gallons/year but it would take a lot of fuel to make up that cost difference. Repair bills will be bigger on the diesel if he has problems. If the OP still wants the diesel, then by all means he can get one. If he lives in my area, I will even help him haul it home.:thumbsup:

Many people can afford a 3/4 ton diesel pickup but don't own one for many reasons and instead choose a 1/2 gas pickup.

 

[om21braz]

Well, just a ZD21 Bota' here and IMHO the pros for the diesel are obivously the fuel savings, it does have better cutting power @ equal hp ratings to gas because of the torque (which means nothing if blades are not kept sharp) and one thing not mentioned is that it is quieter than it's gas counterpart, and lastly, you may feel better with a diesel-fueled unit setting full of fuel in your basement (if that's an issue). The cons for most people are price, fuel availability, and price. Only you can make the decision, but if the cost difference is something you can live with, after a demo of a gas and a diesel unit - I suspect you'll choose diesel.

 

[wushaw]

OP has never had a zero turn. He is considering a high end diesel model. There are a vast number of other options from companies that are exclusively in the mowing business. From a practicality standpoint, it is hard to justify a diesel for personal use and mowing a couple of acres. The diesel won't mow any faster or handle a bigger deck, won't ride any more comfortable, and the other components (deck, drive motors, electrical system) won't last any longer than the gas versions. Diesel fuel costs as much as gas. The diesel would use less gallons/year but it would take a lot of fuel to make up that cost difference. Repair bills will be bigger on the diesel if he has problems. If the OP still wants the diesel, then by all means he can get one. If he lives in my area, I will even help him haul it home.:thumbsup:

Many people can afford a 3/4 ton diesel pickup but don't own one for many reasons and instead choose a 1/2 gas pickup.

My first ZTR 5 years ago was/is a Grasshopper 322d, it has a 22hp Kubota diesel, my first repair bill was $2.00 at 100hrs (none since) a steering rod end wore out. I figure since I have had two Kubota tractors I was doing good with the Kubota in the grasshopper.
I have alot of trees and the ZTR is the fastest way to cut, I tried it with a RFM and it was just too much of a pain and very time consuming, I guess I could have purchased a lawn tractor but I still would have had the maneuverability problem also if I cut it every week I can really move along and still get a good cut.

 

[sksmsllc]

No reason to look any further than a Bad Boy Z series 52" deck ZTR go with the 31 HP Kawasaki powerplant. You will never need another mower.:thumbsup: This thing will cut your lawn at 11mph and turn your 3 hour job into 45 min.

 

[coobie]

No reason to look any further than a Bad Boy Z series 52" deck ZTR go with the 31 HP Kawasaki powerplant. You will never need another mower.:thumbsup: This thing will cut your lawn at 11mph and turn your 3 hour job into 45 min.

Not to rain on your comment but I have a ZTR also and there is not many mowing places the you can run 11mph and get a good cut.coobie

 

[om21braz]

Not to rain on your comment but I have a ZTR also and there is not many mowing places the you can run 11mph and get a good cut.coobie

I'll second that, not even half that in a cemetery. But the range of movement a ztr mower allows far surpasses that of a lawn tractor in tight quarters.

 

[LBrown59]

No reason to look any further than a Bad Boy Z series 52" deck ZTR go with the 31 HP Kawasaki powerplant. You will never need another mower.:thumbsup: This thing will cut your lawn at 11mph and turn your 3 hour job into 45 min.

Not to rain on your comment but I have a ZTR also and there aren't many mowing places that you can run 11mph and get a good cut.

Or stay seated on the macine.

 

[Wesdor]

I bought a higher end ZTR three years ago and have been amazed at how much faster I can mow. Not just the speed - like others have said, you need really smooth ground to go that fast. The turning ease and quickness of a ZTR is where I believe the savings is found.

As far as the $10,000 for the one you are contemplating, that is your decision on how to justify. There are cheaper ZTRs, but getting what you really want is far more important in my opinion. (Of course getting what you really want should be based on careful research)

Good luck and I predict you will love the ZTR.

 

[3BPercherons]

IMHO, that mower is going to be in the $10,000+ range. Unless you are a commercial mower, why go that expensive? Look at all the commercial mowing companies, the gas versions are very reliable and much less expensive. I mow about 2.5 acres for the past 6 years with a gas zero turn and have not had a repair (unless it was my fault) with the exception of a new battery.

I went that expensive (+) on an exmark zero turn in order to get an excellent mower powered by a Kubota diesel (Kubota was not offering favorable financing at the time or I may have gone that route). Personally, I like the commonality of sticking with one brand as much as possible, plus I have a bulk diesel tank but not a bulk gas tank.

 

[JJT]

5 years ago I dropped $9500 on a ZD21, my only regret - not buying it sooner. I'll never buy another rider. My mow time is cut 50%+ and fuel consumption is 25% of what I was getting with the old rider. 300+ hours later, I still love this machine.