5k Zero Turn Question

[sox3]

I'm partial to the Ariens / Gravely units as I sold and serviced them for 20+ years. Worked on all of them and I think
Ariens / Gravely is a very well built machine and they stand behind them.

 

[Carl_NH]

Honestly I agree with the comments on the ZTR vs a Tractor for 1 acre or so. If you got a used Kubota BX series diesel with a mower and front end loader you will be able to do so much more - mulch the beds, plow the snow, and mow the grass.

It might cost you $7000-9000 but you have a multi purpose machine for all seasons. If you still want to get a ZTR I like the JD too, but at $4500 range and they throw in a 2 year major issue warranty (hydro parts and motor).

The Kubota is a nice ZTR - first year design though - and that same model new is $5600-5800 here so for a 30 hr machine again $45-4700.

So think about a small BX Kubota - I think you would get much more functional use and in all seasons by spending a few more $.

Carl

 

[camps23]

I agree that the multi function compact tractor would be of so much more use, I love the BX line. I had a look a few times at the dealors at them.
Over here they start in the 9k range without a loader. I dont have that much cash to spend with the purchase of the new place. I was trying to keep it
down to the 5k range. I have two young children so time is key now. I feel my best option is to go with a ZTR for time and pure enjoyment of cutting the grass
In a few years when time and money are more plentiful then I would look at trading it in on a nice BX CUT. My list changed abit from original.....
New 2013 Kubota ZG124E 48" - $4800
Used 2013 Kubota ZG127S 54" 30hrs - $5300 (cash price no tax)
New John Deere Z445 54" - $5,500 plus tax
New Toro MX5060 50" - $4,900

 

[Carl_NH]

Well, I like the Kubota 127S with the hydro gear 3100 drives, the JD and toro use the hydro gear 2800 series.

The Kubota is a first year model and with 30 hours, as I said before that's a year's worth of mowing so offer less $5K?

They will all work well - its just what you prefer at this point.

Carl

 

[Midniteoyl]

Again. Why would I spend more money for a slower machine.

Lawn tractors are not designed to mow at the top speed, ZTRs are.

Besides, slow down and enjoy.. lifes good

 

[Midniteoyl]

I think that 60" deck would be too big for your 1.5 acres
but looks like a good deal

One of my properties is 1 acres with house and pole barn along with trees.. 61" still seems a little too small

 

[mikehaugen]

I have two young children so time is key now. I feel my best option is to go with a ZTR for time and pure enjoyment of cutting the grass

Time-wise... yes, but I don't think a ZTR is going to make cutting more enjoyable. I don't have one, but have driven one a few times and I think that a riding mower/tractor is much more relaxing and enjoyable.

One of my properties is 1 acres with house and pole barn along with trees.. 61" still seems a little too small

Yes, My mom has a total of 1 acre (and that includes buildings and driveway) and she has a 54" and I have never though that I wanted a smaller deck the couple times I have mowed for her. I have a total of 2.5 acres and mow with a 72" deck and have never wished I had a smaller deck... heck I used to mow with a 90" rfm, though that may have been a little too big.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Time-wise... yes, but I don't think a ZTR is going to make cutting more enjoyable. I don't have one, but have driven one a few times and I think that a riding mower/tractor is much more relaxing and enjoyable.

I think he meant enjoying time away, to mow..

 

[NoTrespassing]

Again. Why would I spend more money for a slower machine.

Top speed doesn't mean you'll finish faster unless you have no obstacles to mow around. I bought 13 year old Walker with 48 inch deck. It's not fast but it's so maneuverable I'm able to mow and collect all the grass in about 2/3 the time I could on a 54 inch traditional style rider. In addition to that my string trimming has been cut in half.

Kevin

 

[foreman Etexas]

I like the looks of the new Kommander,they hadn't come out yet when I bought last year but anyways I got a new Husqvarna RZ5424 last year and have mowed my place and parents place with it,has 60hrs and it was only $2500. The bads on it,fuel tank is small.

 

[djdicetn]

Ok I was able to locate a Gravely dealer about 30min from home. I will be checking them out this week as they are in the same town as the ferris dealer. So far this is the list of mowers I have been interested in. Please add or give me a reason to eliminate off my list. Thanks again...glad I came to the experts...alot better than listening to the salesman on commission.

Kubota Kommander ZG127s 54" - $6,034 (Can get one used with only 24hrs for $5500 no tax. Keep in mind its 13% tax in ON.)
John Deere Z445 54" - $5,500
Gravely ZT HD 52" - $5,874
Ferris IS500z 52" - ???
Toro MX5060 50" - $4,800

Out of that list the Gravely and Toro are the only ones using Kawasaki engines

I noticed you dropped the Gravely off your current list. Can you tell me why? It's disappointing that in Canada, they gouge you for more money than here in the U.S. because you list $5,874 for the ZT HD 52 and here at my local dealer in Nashville, TN the MSRP is $5099. That's sad and I too would question whether the Gravely(as much as I like mine) would be "worth" almost $6k but wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger at $5,100.

 

[camps23]

Still in the hunt.....
Gravely isnt out of the mix but seems very pricey in my area (still pricing). I seemed to have hit a wall with all these motor choices. Im trying to go with a model that has a Kawasaki motor option as
I have heard they are by far the more reliable motors over Briggs and Kohler. Are there any motors to stay away from ?

 

[foreman Etexas]

Kohler courage, the command is better,Briggs also has a better one but don't know the model,had a kawasaki on my old eX-mark tough motor. My brother has the Briggs on his eX-mark 60" and has had it for 8yrs never no problems and he mows a lot,heck we had a lawn service for year and done a lot of work. My O9 craftsman GT5000 still going strong with the briggs,gave it to the parents to use when I bought the new O-turn. Kohler does have a better track record that's why I got it this time but never had a issue with briggs,well maybe back when was young and the parents Murry,crapped out.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Kohler courage the commander

?? LOL

 

[foreman Etexas]

?? LOL

Kohler Command,that better? I wasn't even going to bother to correct it but since you didn't understand what I meant. I'm using my blackberry while out in pasture,give me a break not behind desk.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Kohler Command,that better?

LOL! :thumbsup:

 

[Midniteoyl]

Kohler Command,that better?

LOL! :thumbsup:


Kohler, the couragely commander

 

[Larro Darro]

We bought a new Scag Turf Tiger 71" at work. It is fast, but has a very rough ride. And as a coffee drinker, I find the ZRM's need to have both hands on the controls at all times a pain. A SCUT with a RFM or MMM is a more pleasant way to mow, and would be a better value for your needs. Most dealers will give you $0 down and 0% interest. The extra money spent will be well worth it in the long run.

My fenced back yard where I keep the dog is one acre. My 3930 and 6' RFM is too big for the gate, so I use a riding mower to do it, and it goes pretty quick. To me, ZRM for an acre is overkill

 

[sandman2234]

I can see the stuff falling before I even get through typing this post...
I just don't understand the big deal about ZERO TURN MOWERS. Yeah, they are great for running around a bunch of trees, but when you have a lot of open space, what is the deal? The guy that does the church property up the street has a fleet of zero turns, and occasionally I will jump on my tractor and run up there and do the "church yard" for him. I can do it in about half the time he can with his 54" mowers. Course, depending on which tractor I jump on, I might have him beat by shear horsepower alone, but not really.
The JD2555 with a 6'6" cut does a pretty good job in seventh gear, if you can hang on. Travel speeds exceed whatever they can hang onto that zero turn at and with that much horsepower, cut doesn't suffer. If I jump on the Ole Allis, a 50 year old tractor rated somewhere around 20 hp with it's six foot (72") cut belly mower, I might have to slow down just a little when I get into the thicker grass, but still "get 'er dun" in short time. Whenever I am out back playing around and my neighbor behind me needs some help with his 7.5 acre yard, I jump on the Allis and go mow an acre or two to make his riding mower days (yes DAYS) go easier. He appears to be hard on zero turns, wears them out pretty quickly. The old standard riding mower is his back up when the zero turns go down.
When I bought that Allis, I had been busy for a week, yard needed cutting before I left to make the trip up north. Got back, started to unload the tractors I had bought and my Dear Wife came out giving me heck about stop fooling with those tractors and get the mower busy. I disassembled the carb, cleaned it, put it back on, jumped the tractor off the truck and went to mowing. In less time than it normally took to mow our yard, I had ours and the mother in law's done. Not another word about how much I had spent on "those tractors".
For wide open spaces, it is hard to beat WIDE with horsepower with anything that is zero turn...
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

I can see the stuff falling before I even get through typing this post...
I just don't understand the big deal about ZERO TURN MOWERS. Yeah, they are great for running around a bunch of trees, but when you have a lot of open space, what is the deal? The guy that does the church property up the street has a fleet of zero turns, and occasionally I will jump on my tractor and run up there and do the "church yard" for him. I can do it in about half the time he can with his 54" mowers. Course, depending on which tractor I jump on, I might have him beat by shear horsepower alone, but not really.
The JD2555 with a 6'6" cut does a pretty good job in seventh gear, if you can hang on. Travel speeds exceed whatever they can hang onto that zero turn at and with that much horsepower, cut doesn't suffer. If I jump on the Ole Allis, a 50 year old tractor rated somewhere around 20 hp with it's six foot (72") cut belly mower, I might have to slow down just a little when I get into the thicker grass, but still "get 'er dun" in short time. Whenever I am out back playing around and my neighbor behind me needs some help with his 7.5 acre yard, I jump on the Allis and go mow an acre or two to make his riding mower days (yes DAYS) go easier. He appears to be hard on zero turns, wears them out pretty quickly. The old standard riding mower is his back up when the zero turns go down.
When I bought that Allis, I had been busy for a week, yard needed cutting before I left to make the trip up north. Got back, started to unload the tractors I had bought and my Dear Wife came out giving me heck about stop fooling with those tractors and get the mower busy. I disassembled the carb, cleaned it, put it back on, jumped the tractor off the truck and went to mowing. In less time than it normally took to mow our yard, I had ours and the mother in law's done. Not another word about how much I had spent on "those tractors".
For wide open spaces, it is hard to beat WIDE with horsepower with anything that is zero turn...
David from jax