Decisions Decisions Decisions!!!!

[rechromed2]

Howdy all-

Looking for a new mower to take care of 2.5 acres of seeded lawn but not all is irrigated. I currently have Cub Cadet RZT 50 that came with the house when we bought last Sept. I am far from impressed with the mowing of the machine and am on a mission to find its replacement. My head is spinning from all the research I have been doing trying to decide on a BX or new zero turn. I know this has been discussed ad nauseam. Well first I thought I finally decided and it was a BX with MMM and bagger. My better half then threw a wrench in the mix and said " Are you sure you don't want a bigger tractor?" Drool and nod, yes dear! Off to check out the B series!

Well another week of bumming rides at dealers and mass analysis of MMM's and baggers and and and and.... I decided I would not be happy with the marks this thing is going to put in my lawn. Apparently the BX got lumped into that decision too because I would have to screw with some kind of attachment to do anything anytime I got on the machine. Oh boy, this is exhausting!

So..... back to looking at nice zero turns. Checked out a Gravely Pro Turn 152 today for what seems like a normal price of $6300. I liked everything about this except that the handles didn't return to neutral on their own, don't know if this was their style or it needed adjustment. Then I headed on over to the Kubota/Hustler dealer. No Hustlers to speak of so I started poking about at the Kubotas. I ran into what I think are some pretty amazing deals on 2 used ZD's. I don't know the years but would guess they are both within 3yrs old. Something I would have to verify on Monday.

Machine 1: ZD323 60 rear discharge. 10 Hrs $8900
Edit: maybe it was a ZD326 due to rear discharge, just reading somewhere else that they didn't think its was available in the 23.

Machine 2: ZD221 54" side discharge with bagger and canopy. 90hrs $8800,

No warranty on either machine. Both owned by the same extremely wealthy gentleman that traded them in for a Walker due to weight issues in a wet yard. Could be story time at the dealer for all I know.

I would never have started off with that amount of money for a mower and was thinking about a $7500 range tops. But...., that always happens doesn't it, how could you not upgrade to diesel for $1500 bucks?

I really liked the size of the 221 better, I felt like I was more connected to it and the controls felt a little tighter. The seat however was very short on the back of the thighs. Can you put and aftermarket seat on this?

The 323 however was just a monster in every way and physically fit me( 6'5" 250) better, but controls seemed not as precise and would it be too heavy for the manicured portion of my lawn? This is the PNW and it gets kinda wet round here for the folks that don't know. I also can't put a bagger on it, but would the clippings be fine enough to not really see? Will the rear discharge deck stripe very well if at all?

Are these as good of deals as I believe? I walked out of there thinking these are must buy right now kinda deals. I think the 323 is the better deal of the two? Even if these are amazing deals is this just too much mower for 2.5 acres 1-2x's/week?

Sorry for the length. I'm about to melt down now.:laughing:

Thank you all ahead of time for your input!

 

[OzWaz]

Don't buy a Husqvarna if you want one with a effective catcher.

I have one and their catch capability is woeful.

When I brought it the sales person said it might not be so effective in tall grass or when it is a bit wet. What I forgot to ask was what he called "tall" and a "bit wet"

I have found out 150mm is "tall" green is "wet".

 

[Gary Fowler]

Sounds like the ZD 323 is the best buy. I don't think that is too much mower for your property. The trick to longevity in any mower is getting the largest that you can afford so you don't put so many hours on it at each mowing. $8900 for a diesel mower is a pretty good price. I paid $6800 for my Ferris 52" gasoline and would have gladly paid the extra $2K for a Kubota diesel.
I say go for it and make the dealer throw in a spare set of blades for it.

 

[628pm]

I have a zd326p mower and it is great. But my neighbor has an older bx2200 and his yard looks just as good. The only drawback in my opinion is traction on a wet surface (ditches) with the zd, The bx you just put it in 4wd and move on, you put the zd326 in that same position and you just spin you wheels. I don't mean for the bx to tear up the yard with 4wd but you just have better traction. If I had unlimited funds I would have one of the f series mowers from Kubota, but they are even thousands of dollars more than the zd326 which was enough.

 

[rechromed2]

Well after another day of yard work and mowing I have come to the conclusion that I wont be happy unless I'm bagging my yard. So that unfortunately writes off the ZD323/6 as it is a rear discharge and you can't bag it. The ZD221 has a bagger but I've decided I cant spend that amount of money on a mower and have zero recourse without a warranty.

Where does that put me? Im not sure but I am making a decision soon as another day with my current mower has kicked my will to purchase into high gear. Thank you for your thoughts thus far!

 

[Pete6114]

When buying used, especially without any warr. whatsoever, i'd be afraid of the true reason somebody traded it in. Buying problems is my biggest fear, unless i know the previous owner/machine. Have you even checked into the price of new?
I'd insist on a 30 day warranty, if i'd be even considering used. but thats just me....

 

[coldfingers]

When buying used, especially without any warr. whatsoever, i'd be afraid of the true reason somebody traded it in. Buying problems is my biggest fear, unless i know the previous owner/machine. Have you even checked into the price of new?
I'd insist on a 30 day warranty, if i'd be even considering used. but thats just me....

That is a heck of a p[rice on a zd 326! Can you try it out to see what you think of it? If you get to use it you will then have a gut feeling if you want it or not. They list for 14,500 or something like that. I would think with a fast blade tip speed that they would cut up the grass clippings pretty well, I don't bag my lawn so I'm always just spreading the clippings around.