Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[hawkeye08]

My zero turn purchase is on hold but when I did my research, Badboy was my choice without suspension and Ferris with suspension. We have earthworm mounds that get very hard (clay soil, the worms come up and leave little mounds) that beat me up on the riders I currently use. I am delaying my purchase but certainly plan on demo'ing a Ferris if the dealer has a place to try it (~200 miles away)..

 

[2ndhalf]

I think both are a nice mower. Around this area Badboy is carried at stores other than TSC. Our local Mahindra dealer also carries Badboy for example.

I think either Simplicy or the Gravely would be good choices. They have both been making mowers for a Loooooong time and have a great reputation for doing so. Bad Boy is sold at TSC but they are a bit of a new comer.. fit and finish on them doesn't seem as good to me they are a lot of crude steel to me when I look at them at TSC. But I know guys like them too. If it really is down to Bad Boy or Gravely.. I would say Gravely hands down and not just because I own one. The parts, dealer support and reputation of that company is outstanding. You really do need to go drive some... you will be able to tell which one you want to spend a couple of hours a week on that way.

I like that Gravely and simplicy have actual dealers too. If you have issues with the Bad Boy where are you taking it to... TSC? As far as Cub Cadet.. I borrowed a friends Cub Cadet when my Grasshopper was in the shop a couple years ago... and it felt like it was already about to come apart and it was only a couple of years old... They are MTD and not anything special I don't think.

 

[2ndhalf]

The Simplicity dealer called be back. The Contender was $4950. He also quoted me a Gravely ZT HD for $4899. The way I see it is it's between the Badboy and the Gravely. Maybe the Cub Cadet too. What do you guys think?

They put two engines in the Gravely (Kawasaki and Kohler) both are commerical and probably mow just great. I have the Kawasaki and I like Kawasaki, very torqy motors. The Kaw is a little higer than the kohler, in fact over $500 higher so the price difference you got from the two dealers could be in the motor. I absolutely love the way mine cuts and plows through very deep grass with no problem. I think you could go two weeks between cuts with that mower, if that appeals to you.

I started out with the Gravely frame model down I think the XL with a 52" deck I didn't like it as much and felt like it was taking too long to mow, Switched to the HD 60" deck and noticed a big difference. Your mowing more grass than I am so I think you would notice the difference even more.

 

[Monster5601]

Do I need a commercial unit?

Yes, in my opinion.

I mow four acres of rural acreage, I tried the big-box mowers but had to replace them once every three years. I finally realized a good commercial diesel is where I needed to go, so I dropped $12K on a Kubota ZD323. I'm about to start my sixth mowing season with the ZD323 and I have no regrets, in fact, I'm glad I did it (now that it is paid for). I'm going to retire in a couple years knowing I will never have to buy another mower.

 

[2ndhalf]

Yes, in my opinion.

I mow four acres of rural acreage, I tried the big-box mowers but had to replace them once every three years. I finally realized a good commercial diesel is where I needed to go, so I dropped $12K on a Kubota ZD323. I'm about to start my sixth mowing season with the ZD323 and I have no regrets, in fact, I'm glad I did it (now that it is paid for). I'm going to retire in a couple years knowing I will never have to buy another mower.

He is right, you don't need to pay 12k but you do need commercial for 7 acres.... I tried non-commercial with less than 5 and it went very bad.

 

[TJP89]

I've set my model type and budget, and don't really see any reason to exceed it. A low level commercial type mower should be fine, all I'm doing is mowing. The price at about 5K is where I've also kind of set myself. I'm torn between the Gravely and the Badboy. The Badboy seems on paper to be made better, and have more features. But it also is kind of unknown, no real dealer support. All I'm going on with the Gravely, which is made just fine, is the name and the dealer, who is very good, (actually the kubota dealer, but we'll just stay away from tractors). The thing I really don't like about the Gravely is the 52 or 61 inch deck. I really don't want to go more than 60, but 52 seems smaller than necessary. This would go easier if I could decided on 60 or 54 inch deck. Also how easy the deck comes off so I can get it on and off the trailer if I can't drive it on. Maybe I can angle a 60 on, but probably not a 61. I think I'll look at the Gravely tomorrow, see what I think once I sit on it. I liked the feel of the Badboy. Also the Cub Cadet is still a possibility at this point. Unlike the tractors, where there was an obvious standout choice, here I'm presented with equal choices. The 10% off at TSC might swing it.

 

[Kimber1911]

If you feel more comfortable with the Gravely that's the way I would go. They are a great name brand mower and I know when I drop that much money I certainly don't want to feel uncomfortable about it. Go with what your gut tells you.

 

[Clay45]

My vote is for a full blown commercial mower. I have a SCAG TigerCat 52" that I mow our 5 +/- ac pasture with. I needed the larger wheels and stability on hills. After 2 years on this property I can see that anything on a lighter build would be junked by now. I really like the Kawasaki FX engine but if I was going to mow 7 acres every week I believe I would be interested in a diesel rig. If you are making much of a cut you are going to burn a lot of gasoline. If prices stay down so much the better but I'm not counting on it. Scalping is a real issue with the wider decks but if your lawn is smooth and flat you will enjoy the efficiency for certain. Best of luck in your quest.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I know i'm GLAD I gave up on gas powered mowers LONG ago, The added torque and fuel efficiency is well worth it to me.

SR

 

[TJP89]

If you feel more comfortable with the Gravely that's the way I would go. They are a great name brand mower and I know when I drop that much money I certainly don't want to feel uncomfortable about it. Go with what your gut tells you.

That's the issue. Usually I have a way I'm swinging on something like this. Right now my gut is undecided. Hopefully a good look at the Gravely will decided it.