Buying Advice Best zero-turn in the $4K-$6,500 range?

[Buckweet]

Such great advice guys. Really learning a lot here!

I'm going to go test-drive a Ferris this morning. To be honest, I get a bit freaked out when I'm demoing the mowers and I go up a slope and see those from wheels rise up off the ground. My yard has plenty of terrain where I could see the same thing happening. I'm thinking I may just want to look at something with a ROPS.

Any thoughts on equivalent Toros?

By the way, I'm noticing very few recommendations for the John Deere. Not interested in brand-bashing, but would you guys not consider JD in the same category/class as the other units I've refereced at the start of this post?

 

[JoshPA]

Really happy with my Ferris. Do I need the suspension? Nope. Do I want it? Yup.

 

[drg1]

I havae a Bad Boy ZT 60" with a little over 2 years on it..I mow my property about 3 acres along with my inlaws property about 2 acres...Haven't had a lick of problems with the mower..Built like a tank and love the heavy (not formed ) deck...Yards arent of the golf course style, so I neededs something to take the abuse..Parts are readily available and found out that the Oil filter is the same that I use on the Saturn cars..I use a wix filter for the oil, and buy the case amount from Oriley for for 31.00,,As far as not having a dealer close, this mower is pretty easy mechanically to work on ,,everything is very accessible. My neighbor has one also and broke something on it and just called Bad Boy and they shipped him the part no questions asked..With the internet its not difficult to get parts and support for this unit..If you interested in the BB just go to the web site, and you can get all the downloads and maintence schedules and parts there,,they are very helpful in all areas......I have some hills also to deal with and have had no issues..Some areas I still have to get the weed eater to but you will have that with any ztr or mower you get..Just be carefull mowing if its wet, as you will probably mar up the grass sliding on turns ,..as this is common on all ztr mowers, best bet is to drive they all and see what seems comfortable and fits you the best..I would not shy away from the Bad Boy because of the dealer situation. Hope this helps,,

 

[Buckweet]

Really happy with my Ferris. Do I need the suspension? Nope. Do I want it? Yup.

Just test drove the IS500Z with 52" deck ($5600), very nice! Dealer also has 61" for $400 more - apparently the 61" deck is accompanied by a wider framed platform as well... Very enticing.

Any knocks against the IS 500Z?

Thanks!

 

[JiminGa]

The deere you mentioned is not in the same ball game. You need to look at the z700 or z900 series to compare to hustler, scag, ferris, etc. I have a z910 deere that is great, but it was well over your stated price range.

 

[LD1]

Any thoughts on equivalent Toros?

Toro makes some lower end residential grade machines.

But there upper end machines are made my exmark if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[Sockwell]

Here is another vote for the Hustler. I bought a Fastrack Super Duty 54" last year and really like it. I mow about 4 acres with it almost weekly.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I have an exmark Lazer 48" ZTR and like it quite a bit. Very rugged fabricated deck that is suspended by chains so when you smack something with it it doesn't dent or go out of alignment. The ZTR can leave a skid mark when you turn too fast or tight so you have to be mindful of that when you mow. Great for dealing with trees and other obstacles.
-Mike

 

[Tdcw4]

Buy orange and never regret it

 

[LD1]

Buy orange and never regret it

Kubota?
Husqvarna?
Scag?