Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[TJP89]

I got the 52" deck so I could get in tighter spots. I mow 6 acres in 2.5 hours or less and 3/4 tank of fuel (4 gallons) with the Kawasaki FS690 engine. I don't think you will see more than 10-15 minutes saving with a 60 or 61" mower deck. I think the only difference in FS and FX engines is the air cleaner with the FX having a big canister type cleaner for longer intervals between cleaning. I would stay away from the Cub Cadet as they are still a residential mower. You really should look at Simplicity or Ferris if at all possible. Take a test drive on rough ground and you will buy it on the spot, guaranteed. That is the reason I have mine, my Craftsman residential was beating me to death even at the 6 MPH top speed. The Ferris is going to top out a 11 but on my rough area (crawfish mounds) I do about 8 mostly but do rap it out on some areas that are a bit smoother. It is better to have the speed and not need it than not have it at all.

The same dealer sells the Simplicity and Gravelys. I actually called to talk about the Simplicities, and he gave me some quotes. He then pushed the Gravelys as the better machine, at almost the same price. I looked at the specs and tended to agree with him. That's why I have moved past Simplicity. I can take a look tomorrow though. Ferris doesn't have a dealer around me.

 

[2ndhalf]

According to this chart you would save about a half hour for your size yard between the 52" and the 60" deck. Half an hour every week of the summer for as long as you mow. Gravely has a 52" ZT HD.

You can take the deck off, not sure how easy, haven't done it. ZT HD has the 3100 Hydro, which is a commercial hydro and is warranted for commercial use for 2 years I believe. You will know once you have driven more models.. it will be easy to tell. Some of the mowers that have been mentioned may be better commercial mowers but probably not in your $5k range.

They mention the Kaw engines in the threads above.. This link indicates the FR and FX as the commercial grade Kaw which FR is what Gravely puts in... FS is not listed as commercial in this link.

EFI Small Engines for ZTR, Riding & Push Mowers| Small Engines - Lawn Mower Engines - Parts - Kawasaki

Commercial Mower Speed & Productivity Chart | Ferris

 

[Complete Turf Care]

You will not want to take the deck off of a ZTR mower. They are not designed to remove the deck. All service on the deck can be performed without removing it.

Don't buy with the idea that you will be able to remove the deck.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I believe there are more internal differences between the FX and FS Kaw motors, not just the air filter.

I don't have any facts on that, but I was told that by several dealers.

I suspect that most dealers salesmen couldn't tell one from the other when setting side by side. Of course they want to tell you there is lots of difference so they can justify the higher cost. There could be some internal differences also but off hand I cant think of what they would be without tearing each one down and measuring the components. When I bought my Ferris, the dealer gave me the FX owners manual rather than the FS and I don't see anything different externally on the two other than the air filter.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You will not want to take the deck off of a ZTR mower. They are not designed to remove the deck. All service on the deck can be performed without removing it.

Don't buy with the idea that you will be able to remove the deck.

Have you ever removed the deck off a zero turn Grasshopper, like my 725?

It involves:

1. Pull two keepers back and turn them.

2. Slide two chains off their hooks.

3. Remove the pto shaft. (same way a tractor pto comes off)

4. Start the motor and drive away from the deck...

oooooooh, and then in the fall, I drive up to my snow blower, reverse order to hook it up AND I have a REALLY good sno-blower to use all winter!

SR

 

[TSO]

Of course, Rob... You CAN remove the deck on any ZTR, and it is done even easier on the brown machines. But the point is, traditionally, ZTR decks are meant to stay ON, unless you need to do major service or repairs. Practically every normal maintenance own is accessible with the deck on.

I cut grass for money, and I have many friends who also have landscape companies... I've never seen or heard ANY of them remove the deck unless a major service or repair is needed.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Of course, Rob... You CAN remove the deck on any ZTR, and it is done even easier on the brown machines. But the point is, traditionally, ZTR decks are meant to stay ON, unless you need to do major service or repairs. Practically every normal maintenance own is accessible with the deck on.

I cut grass for money, and I have many friends who also have landscape companies... I've never seen or heard ANY of them remove the deck unless a major service or repair is needed.

MY point was/is, it's pretty simple to to take the deck off my GH, and that the GH is a year around machine, not something you have to store in the winter, because unlike other zero turns, the GH is also useful in the winter....

SR

 

[TSO]

Congrats to you ... But the OP isn't considering a brown machine. Your point really isn't relevant.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Congrats to you ... But the OP isn't considering a brown machine. Your point really isn't relevant.

and he isn't going commercial with his either, so what you, or your buds do isn't relevant either... lol

BTW, maybe he should be thinking brown...

SR

 

[TSO]

Oh boy... Ok I'll rephrase it. The OP is looking at a traditional ZTR, somewhere between residential and commercial. However, the OP is apparently NOT looking at a front flip brown machine like yours. Sooooooo talking about how your brown machine flips the deck, blows snow, moves mountains, and stops bullets... Really doesn't apply.