Best commercial zero turn?

[Wilco]

The Snapper Pro is a good machine. I purchased a XT200 leftover for $6100 a few years back.The deals are out there and CASH talks! Kawasaki FX, zt5400 and a great cutting 61" icd deck. Dont rule out B/S engines...their Vanguard engine is one of the best out there right now. Other than riding around while testing go cut some thick grass and compare Quality of cut.

 

[mikester]

Hard to beat Kubota..I also like Ferris ZTR,s..Scag,Exmark also make great ZTR,s..

Nice wheels - why the eye bolts on the front wheel swing arm? You don't use the pin to lock the wheel when accessing under the deck?

 

[4570Man]

My diesel ZTR saves me a bunch of money, but they don’t come at an affordable price. My favorite machine that you might be able to afford used is a Ferris 2100. Any of the actual commercial grade mowers are good. I wouldn’t loose mulch sleep over the choice. The second problem with the diesel is it’s too heavy to mow wet areas. My Dixie chopper does mulch better in that aspect. My Dixie chopper also does a lot better job in a small unlevel yard. In a big yard not much can run with the my Grasshopper. You’re going to have to spend a lot to beat it.

 

[LD1]

I agree with others that most of the high end commercial units all use the same main components, just some different styling and different ergonomics. As far as deck size......just depends on what your typical lawn will look like. If you are talking town lots and nothing over an acre....I'd probably get a 48". If you are talking large country lawns....go big.

I mow 4 acres. I have an older Scag wildcat with 61" deck and kohler 27hp. Kohler is not my preference....but I bought it used from a friend at a good price, and the Kohler has not been an issue in the 6 years I've had it.

But I'll who what Eddie said. Numerous electrical Gremlins. I've replaced pto switch once. (Wasn't a simple bypass....was shocked when it took it off that there were like 7 or so wires all going to a simple PTO on/off switch).

I've replaced hey switch twice. And it's going out again...sometimes I have to wiggle the wire harness going up and under to the key switch just right to get it running.

The fuse that handles battery charging...sometimes blows. Sometimes the starter just clicks unless I reach back and wiggle a wire.

But all these electrical issues and switches....I am not convinced it's just a Scag issue. Cause almost every part I look up to replace....also has exmark, hustler, Toro, bobcat, etc cross references too. So I think many of these use the same generic switches

But all that aside....the Scag is one heck of a mowing machine. Nice striping even with no kit, good clipping discharge (unless it's wet), and built like a tank.

Not trying to sway you either way. But comparing Scag vs Toro vs exmark vs whatever....I think there are fewer differences than people realize. And mostly cosmetic /ergonomic.

 

[Turbys_1700]

LD1 is on the money. I bought a 325 D Toro Groundsmaster couple weeks ago. Not as fast as a zero turn but my ground is rough so speed is not as easy to attain. The 72" front deck has reduced my trimming and spraying to almost nothing. The mulching deck and blades do a great job but slows speed somewhat. I was looking hard at the Toro with the My Ryde system prior to finding this Groundsmaster. The 25 HP diesel is very easy on fuel.

 

[Gary Fowler]

One of the things to consider when buying a mower for commercial use is the size of the mower. Can you get a 60" mower thru homeowner gates (most are 4 to 5 foot max). I would stick with a max size of 54" and maybe even look at 48" or smaller.
I don't think you will be mowing a lot of super large lawns because most folks who have acreage lawns will own their own mower. For average city lawns a smaller deck that will fit thru a 4 foot gate will mow fine and not take a lot longer than a 60" when you consider that most of your time will be in unloading, loading and tiedown.

The Ferris IS700Z with the Kawasaki engine and 54" deck would be plenty for an initial investment in lawn care. You may even have to cut the deck size back to less than 48" size in order to get it thru some of the homeowner narrow gates. Check out potential customers for the minimum clearances you will encounter.

I have had mine for 4 seasons now and mow 6 acres every 5 days of so and then occasionally mow my 6 acre pasture. I had to replace one idler pulley that the bearing started to squall a bit and of course mower deck belts. I put about 100 hours per year on it, change oil/filters once a year in the engine and about every 2 years on the Hydro-gear drives.

You will need to raise the mower up to change the blades, I don't think you can raise the deck high enough to reach under to change. I cant remember the brand, but there is one that raises the deck up to 90 degree angle for servicing. This would be a real plus if you don't have a way to raise the mower up (I use my FEL to raise mine).

 

[jayburmister]

John Deere builds a great heavy duty zero turn. I have had ferris and scag in the past and they were great machines. In my opinion John Deere is superior with its beefy chassis and deck. The Deere weighed more giving It a smoother ride. It’s also had forced cooling on the drive motors. I racked up 800 hrs on the machine and the only repair was on the front bearing castor wheel. Parts were at my house in 2 days from amazon.

 

[4570Man]

One of the things to consider when buying a mower for commercial use is the size of the mower. Can you get a 60" mower thru homeowner gates (most are 4 to 5 foot max). I would stick with a max size of 54" and maybe even look at 48" or smaller.
I don't think you will be mowing a lot of super large lawns because most folks who have acreage lawns will own their own mower. For average city lawns a smaller deck that will fit thru a 4 foot gate will mow fine and not take a lot longer than a 60" when you consider that most of your time will be in unloading, loading and tiedown.

The Ferris IS700Z with the Kawasaki engine and 54" deck would be plenty for an initial investment in lawn care. You may even have to cut the deck size back to less than 48" size in order to get it thru some of the homeowner narrow gates. Check out potential customers for the minimum clearances you will encounter.

I have had mine for 4 seasons now and mow 6 acres every 5 days of so and then occasionally mow my 6 acre pasture. I had to replace one idler pulley that the bearing started to squall a bit and of course mower deck belts. I put about 100 hours per year on it, change oil/filters once a year in the engine and about every 2 years on the Hydro-gear drives.

You will need to raise the mower up to change the blades, I don't think you can raise the deck high enough to reach under to change. I cant remember the brand, but there is one that raises the deck up to 90 degree angle for servicing. This would be a real plus if you don't have a way to raise the mower up (I use my FEL to raise mine).

Good point. I mow a church that’s a large yard. The other big yards I cut are family owned.

 

[kenmac]

not all commercial mowers are equal. Some use aluminum pulleys while others use cast iron.
A mower that uses heavy components will cost more money.
Most commercial dealers should have a demo they will let you try.
I took home a Kubota ZD mower and ended up buying one .
The kubota ZD doesn't use an electric clutch for the blades. They use cast iron pulleys,and only one belt that drives the blades.

I found when comparing commercial gasoline mowers with the same features is, that they are priced about the same

 

[seasled]

Not sure where this pertains to my question?

Second sentence of your original post.