2nd ZTR mower? Feasible?

[Dargo]

Thanks. I went to the site and found that my Kubota dealer is the closest Hustler dealer. However, when I called him to inquire about a 2nd ZTR, he told me that around $4800 was the closest he could get. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Nasty135]

A hundred dollars an inch , Huh? not bad IMO /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Spiffy]

For a commercial machine with individual pumps and wheel motors, "continuous duty" engine (both advantageous for the 5 acres on each mower I think you implied), high speed blades (for a nicer cut at fast ground speeds) and a heavy fab deck (longevity), and quality bearings and construction all around:

$4800 sounds like a steal.
Around the 5K mark, I'd bet it's one of the "transition units from the commercial direction" [low end commercial as opposed to high end consumer], but I'm wrong plenty often (don't tell my wife that). If you can sweat it out another season, perhaps look the for the pefect buy on a slightly used one in the off season. For some reason these things just don't seem to lose the initial value I'd expect, but patient eyes can pay off big.

Chad

 

[ChrisW]

I just got a Hustler Mini Z 52" cut with a 19hp Kawi engine and it is great! It was $5500 but it is a commercial unit and not residential. You may want to see what your Kubota dealer can do?

Chris

 

[Nasty135]

With what seems to be a growing trend into the homeowner ZTR market ,some will be for sale sooner or later and those would be the ones to buy used as long as they have been maintained properly. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[sportzkat]

$3K kind of puts you in ZTR no-mans land. You can buy a home use machine, but after using that Grasshopper you'll by very disappointed with it, I'd bet. To get something a little better you'll need to spend $2K-3K more. The Ferris 1500 is a good machine for the price, as is the Simplicity Citation (also made by Ferris), but you're talking around $6K. You might want to look at a Cub Cadet Z-Force. From what I have heard these are some of the best "tweener" machines around, along with the Hustler FasTrak. But when you look them over it doesn't take long to find out where they saved money (IZT drivetrains, smaller tires, crappy seats, ect.). The nice thing about the Ferris & Simplicity is they have dual pumps and wheel motors, like a commercial machine. I'm demo'ing a Citiation this weekend, so I'll report back on what I find. (Demo'd a Graveley 252 last weekend - very well-built machine, but also pricey. I was also surprised by the amount of clippings it left behind, though my grass was pretty tall...)

 

[Green4Me]

I have a similar situation. I have a green 4310 with 72in MMM. My "lawn",for lack of a better word, is rough and hilly. I also needed something beefy enough to haul around my 240#++ bucket, if you get my drift. This is more money than you mentioned, however it is a very nice machine. It is a Dixie Chopper. It has a 50in cut and 24hp commercial Intech motor. The seat is as comfortable as my old recliner. This is my first experience with a ZTR and it seems to fly. Someone used to them probably wouldn't see it that way. I paid $5900 two weeks ago. Could probably have haggled a little more but, oh well. http://www.dixiechopper.com/
Good luck in your quest.

 

[rbeitz]

If you are looking to spend in the $3K price range you should look for a good used commercial unit. You won't be happy with that homeowner junk. Last year I bought a 3 year old Scag Turf Tiger for $3600 from a large lawn maintenance company. I couldn't be happier with it. It was well maintained and runs excellent.

 

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( $3K kind of puts you in ZTR no-mans land.)</font><font color="blue" class="small">(

Well, I think that statement is pretty well on the money. As are the statements from everyone else telling me that I won't be happy with a "homeowner" model after running a commercial model for years. I say, true.

I'm about to say "pass" for this summer as well. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I guess I'm either going to have to shell out more cash, or wait until the fall comes and a lot of the small lawn care people face making payments on their "new" ZTR without any mowing income coming in. It sounds like I'm ready to take advantage of someone else's bad fortune. Maybe I'm just too cheap. I guess the search continues...just with a little less zest.
Wow, I apparently can't even figure out this color thing on my posts. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Why am I blue?

 

[bczoom]

Hey Dargo,

You never answered Frank's question on how many drivers you plan on using.

One on the 5030, another on the Grasshopper and yet another person mowing? With 5 kids + yourself, should you be looking at purchasing ZTR's in volume and get it done reaaalllly quickly?