Need help picking a zero turn

[kthompson]

There is wide variance in brands from one area to another. From my looking and use of our Bushhog brand agree with all comments. Other than the frame and deck ( Kubota has own engine) most are using another company's parts. Ferris's suspension system does look nice and if buying today would give serious consideration to it. A ztr mower is moving faster than the old mower and what you thought was smooth will suddenly prove not to be. Maybe not for the true pros but with the steering system on these mowers it is hard for most people not to run wide open.

If you have trees be sure of limb clearance. You want a deck that extends past the wheels on the left side for easy of trimming. This will pay off in saying major trimming and around ditches. Pay attention to the discharge chute design, it needs to be easy to flip as you will be watching the trim side and forget about the chute and it needs to take care of itself. Oh those cup holders..a joke unless sitting parked.

BTW, my wife was not comfortable with the ZTR mower when looking at it and for about the first couple of times I used it. She sure does like HER mower now.

 

[LMan1967]

Remember, whatever mower everyone owns, thats the one they will recommend

FWIW, I have a Hustler, I like it fine

 

[Diamondpilot]

Remember, whatever mower everyone owns, thats the one they will recommend

FWIW, I have a Hustler, I like it fine

I don't own one, I maintain them. Ferris is a dream, SCAG a close second. Others are a nightmare.

Chris

 

[Monster5601]

Remember, whatever mower everyone owns, thats the one they will recommend

FWIW, I have a Hustler, I like it fine

And that is a good thing. I wouldn't expect someone to recommend a machine they do not have first hand knowledge of.

 

[gostovp]

a quick call to the Ferris dealer (about 25 miles from me) and he has one leftover 2011 IS 1500Z w/ a 20hp Kawasaki and a 48" deck..it's on the upper end of my price range, but less than the 8 to 9K for other commercial machines...

A quick look at the specs shows a better tranny than the ZT 3100 and about 200lbs more of machine wieght than the Gravely, and a full suspension, and a ROPS, and greasable spindles...I was planning to go down and to make my final look at the gravely, but now this one is in the mix and while more money looks to be more machine....

I'm planning to go down to the dealer tomorrow night and take a look

 

[EagleTDL]

full suspension, and a ROPS, and greasable spindles...

Good call on the greasable spindles, forgot that one on my list up post... You've got the right idea. And something else in your post, certainly give a hard look at "last year's model". Dealers will often let them go (especially now that we're into the fall season) at cost just to make room on the floor for next year's! Generally only have a couple of hours on them from folks driving them around the parking lot...

 

[LMan1967]

This is what I did....found a '10 FasTrak taking up space at a dealer's lot. Got it OTD with the suspension-fork upgrade for under 5k.....

 

[Sray330]

Need a little advise on Hustler. Upgrading from a Husqvarna and looking at the X1, 26 HP and 60" deck, vs. the Fastrac Superduty with same motor and deck. Mowing 4 acres of yard and 12 acres pasture. Is the X1 worth $1,500 more than the Fastrac Superduty? Seems like to me but thought I would get advise from some of you guys. Thanks,

 

[EagleTDL]

This is what I did....found a '10 FasTrak taking up space at a dealer's lot. Got it OTD with the suspension-fork upgrade for under 5k.....

Have to ask... Kudzu AL?? LOL

 

[LMan1967]

Need a little advise on Hustler. Upgrading from a Husqvarna and looking at the X1, 26 HP and 60" deck, vs. the Fastrac Superduty with same motor and deck. Mowing 4 acres of yard and 12 acres pasture. Is the X1 worth $1,500 more than the Fastrac Superduty? Seems like to me but thought I would get advise from some of you guys. Thanks,

I never heard of a X1, must be new. I wanted a 54" deck, the ZT-3100s, a good dealer/warranty, and a Kawa engine at my price point, and the FasTrak was there.

I mow ~ 5 acres of grass.

What does that extra 1500 buy? thicker metal?

 

[LMan1967]

Have to ask... Kudzu AL?? LOL

Well, that's not its official name, but it wouldn't be a misnomer

 

[JasG]

Hi, Newbie here...in the market for a new zero turn mower. Have just under 2 acres to mow. Right now takes over 2 hours w/ my POS Cub Cadet 1554.

Doing my fall closeout shopping, One of my local dealers has a Gravely ZT HD 52 for $4500 and a Toro Titan MX w/ the 54 inch deck for $5300.

I also found Dixie Chopper Silver Eagle 2750 at a dealer about 40 miles away for $7400.

I've also read great things about the Hustler FasTrack and Scag Freedom Z's....but I think they run close to $6K

The Gravely is a good deal, and I seem to find good feeback on it online...or should I wait a little bit and spend a little more for the Toro, the freedom z, the hustler or even the Dixie Chopper..

any feedback is greatly appreciated!

I know people with Ferris (factory is 7 miles from my house) and they make a great bullet proof product. The Ferris evolution is like sitting on a motorcycle, kind of a different style zero turn mower.

I also know a few with Dixie chopper who are very happy with them. They seem to be a very well made and reliable product. One of my co-workers has had one for 3 or 4 years now. His only complaint is that sometimes at shutdown it back fires, has never been able to figure out why. Other than that he loves it and would buy another one.

Around here most of the guys that mow grass for a living use Ferris or one of the copies of a Ferris.

 

[Sray330]

I never heard of a X1, must be new. I wanted a 54" deck, the ZT-3100s, a good dealer/warranty, and a Kawa engine at my price point, and the FasTrak was there.

I mow ~ 5 acres of grass.

What does that extra 1500 buy? thicker metal?

Maybe the X One is new, but seems like a **** of a nice mower. The extra $1,500 gets an extra year on the warranty, +3 MPH, the newer VX4 deck with recessed anit-scalp wheels, heavier drive system, 24 x 12 tires, better seat and stronger frame. I think I just answered my own question.

Thoughts?

 

[EagleTDL]

Well, that's not its official name, but it wouldn't be a misnomer

You must be down in LA... Hasn't overrun N Bama like it has in the southern parts. Shame...

 

[LMan1967]

Maybe the X One is new, but seems like a **** of a nice mower. The extra $1,500 gets an extra year on the warranty, +3 MPH, the newer VX4 deck with recessed anit-scalp wheels, heavier drive system, 24 x 12 tires, better seat and stronger frame. I think I just answered my own question.

Thoughts?

Well, Ive never seen one, but getting a better drive system is always good - other stuff sounds good also. I wouldn't worry much about more speed...IME you won't be mowing much above 8 mph or so anyway. Maybe Im off, but I dont actually mow 'flat out'. *shrug*

 

[LMan1967]

You must be down in LA... Hasn't overrun N Bama like it has in the southern parts. Shame...

Yep...moved from Huntsville, as a matter of fact.


No worries, my chemical-warfare campaign has had good results this year :thumbsup:

 

[dfeck]

I've owned a few zero turn mowers. Ones with and without suspension. I personally like the Ferris due to their full suspensions and powerful engine choices. I recently sold a Ferris is3100z with full suspension. It was a great machine and could fly mowing the grass. The suspension was a HUGE asset. However, I think the cut could have been better. I've talked to many people and this seems to be one minor flaw with Ferris. I know they changed the deck style since I purchased my mower so they may have heard feedback and looked into it. I've heard the new redesign is much better. I had ZERO issues with the mower but sold it because I went with an all in one solution (B3200 w/MMM). I must admit I'll miss the zero turn after mowing with my B3200 but knew this was something I gave up to get the tractor. I wouldn't recommend a zero turn without the suspension unless you have a lawn without many bumps. The benefit with zero turns is the speed but if you have to slow down because your body can't handle the bumps it's a waste of money.

Doug

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would skip the 48" deck on that Ferris and make them order you a larger deck. I maintain these mowers. Currently this weekend I have a IS500 with a 61" deck and a Briggs in my barn and a IS3100 with a 72" deck and a Kawasaki. Both are nice machines but would not want to mow with any less than a 61" deck.

Narrow decks not only cover less area but the big disadvantage is they do not allow you to get close to trees and shrubs so there is much more trimming.

Chris

 

[Mpking]

I love my fastrak! Got it for close to 5k after the dealer lowered the price quite a bit.

 

[speedbump]

Dixie Chopper, hands down the fastest mower on earth. I bought an 8 year old one. Owned by a private owner, not a lawn guy (they destroy everything) and I've had it two years now. It's still going strong. I replaced the belt once. My fault for running over Palm Fronds from Queen Palms.

It has a 60" cut and I mow just under two acres in 45 minutes.