zero turn mowers EXPENSIVE

[BoylermanCT]

I would agree a zero turn will cut your time in half from a lawn tractor. Hustler invested the zero turn mower and my experience with both the manufacturer and dealer in CT have been excellent. They have a dealer in your area in Gaylord MI.

 

[shooterdon]

I would agree a zero turn will cut your time in half from a lawn tractor. Hustler invested the zero turn mower and my experience with both the manufacturer and dealer in CT have been excellent. They have a dealer in your area in Gaylord MI.

They are like a TSC or Big Box store. No service and no spare parts.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Interesting.

So the commercial mower built to take abuse are used by those who are careful and the more affordable mowers, that are not built to last, are used by people who will tear them up.

So, a "cheaper" mower ($5-6000?) used by people who do not care, lasts 2-3 years in commercial use. I assume that means about 25 hours a week for say 25 weeks in your area (625 hrs/year). 1250-1875 hours.

In my case, with 2 acres, I figure about 20-25 hours a year of use. A $5-6000 mower might last 60+ years???

I love seeing data that comes from those who do this for a living and run multiple machines. They have a far better history we can use to guide us. It "moderates" those who have $10-12k machines used 5 hours a week and rave about them to justify their choice.

Thanks for posting this. It has made my choice to "go cheaper" even more justified.

I tend to think like fried1765. At 70 years old, a $4000 mower will last forever...at least my forever. A $3000 mower may do the same! Even if I was 40 YO, a "residential" mower that lasts 20-25 years seems like a better way to go IMHO.

The 3k mower is a YMMV kinda deal.......For those that have steep banks and long inclines those BB models with hydros that cannot get serviced may or may not last due to the strain on the hydros. If one has a fairly level residential type environment; then yeah no doubt a BB store machine will fit the bill.
the ZT2800/3100 hydro motors can be had in the 5k range and the fluid/filters can be serviced easily.
I'm in that same age group. Will a BB store machine hold up, for 10 to 20 years? Again it depends on the condition of the property, level little to no inclines, etc......but I'm still learning.....and have three more months to learn...so y'all keep it coming...!
Am I willing to roll the dice and hope it does. ??
all questions to ponder for the next three months then time to cough up loose change for a decision.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

I'm with you, I REALLY appreciate quality, and I'm willing to pay for it.

I have never cared for "get by" products, I'd rather own something that I enjoy using that also is made to last longer...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

We live in a great many different worlds and realities on this site. That is for sure.

Some people I think actually don't mind buying poor quality stuff. gives them the opportunity to buy something shiny and new that much sooner.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

Amen Brother... :drink:

 

[shooterdon]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

Having a crippled up body puts a different rationale on selection. One that has nothing to do with how long a machine will do the job...it factors into how long the operator can do the job. Luckily, at 70, I am not at that stage yet. Also, with a relatively small flat area to mow, 2 acres, investing in a Cadillac mower seems silly.

If I ever get to the point I cannot endure an hour a week operating a mower, I have much bigger issues to deal with than getting grass cut.

The Country Clipper dealer offered to put in an upgraded seat for $350. This is on a $5k machine. Might be worth doing.

Btw, I used to have a Mercedes sedan. It was a wonderful car. I kept it for 20 years until I totaled it. It was a silly thing to buy,, but I drove a lot of miles and loved it. I look at high end ZT’s the same way. But I love cars a lot more than mowers. Most of us have just so many dollars to spend on stuff, so cost matters.

 

[Carl_NH]

I bought a Cub Cadet 1811 Hydro new in 1989, with a SB, 44" deck and plow for $2200 and that unit has 770 hours, with $4-500 in parts/maintenance over 31 years and it still runs/starts every time.

In 2010 got a new Ferris IS2000Z ZT with 25HP Kawasaki, for $7200 which has 360 hours in 10 years and very little cost other than blades and maintenance.

The Cub Cadet is my towing and mosquito spray rig with a mounted Stihl BP sprayer as I prefer not to lug 50LBS on my back anymore. The Ferris is the lawn machine and should easily last another 20 years with basic maintenance.

I prefer to buy good once, store it inside, and do regular maintenance, and they will last a long time.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm with you, I REALLY appreciate quality, and I'm willing to pay for it.

I have never cared for "get by" products, I'd rather own something that I enjoy using that also is made to last longer...

SR

I keep trying to talk myself into a Krone baler, which is the best, but thats a BIG pile of sheckles