Bobcat ZTR

[jcmseven]

Anyone know anything about these? I have really been longing for a JD 757 or 777 ZTR, but for no more hours than I will put on one, they are a little pricey (oh no, I am considering NOT getting something by John Deere!!!!) My local Deere dealer has been recently stocking Bobcats, and they look industrial but well made. They make a 50 something inch cut for $6000 or so I think (about 1800 less than the Deere). Just wanted thoughts. I am not quite ready yet to buy a ZTR, but have been thinking about it for later this spring.

John M

 

[Birdhunter1]

My dad just traded in his Bobcat 50" cut with a 20 hp Briggs. It was a very good mower but he just traded on a commercial grade Toro with a 52" cut and a 19hp Kawasaki.

The Bobcat with the Briggs wasn't bad if you aren't going to put several hours on it daily, something about the Briggs made me leary of it but the Bobcat also had a hydrostatic drive while the new one of ours has a hydraulic motor at each wheel. For us and our business we needed the hydraulic drive because it is more durable, we do alot of turning (full turns etc.) and flat out to get lots done you got to have speed.

For a homeowner mower the Bobcat is a great machine, for our use it was a great machine. But to save the mower from severe over use we traded it in.

 

[dbear]

Sounds like your dad had the ES series(?) which was considered a "commercial-built" consumer model. The ZT200 series is much more heavily built with separate wheel motors and several engine options.

As I'm considering replacing my old Ransomes 3-wheeler, I've been researching ZTRs for a maybe a month now. Kind of partial to Bobcat brand cause of the good luck with my current model, but right now it seems like the CC Tanks are the most bang for your buck. Not to mention that two of my local Bobcat dealers have dropped the line. In their words, "Bobcat doesn't offer anything my other lines don't already cover."

 

[Birdhunter1]

I seriously wouldn't overlook the Toro commercial line or the ExMark, they are the same mower but they are some nice machines.
ub Cadets are good ones as well, a guy I work with got the homeowner series and the only complaint he has is the stupid sensors when you put it in reverse and it shuts off the pto (only when both arms are pulled back together).
How often do you put a zero turn in reversse when mowing, with both handles?........ All the time!
Another friend of mine has the M60 tank, it is quite the machine! He has had no complaints on it!