Brain Hurting over Zero Turn Mower

[Diamondpilot]

I would buy the one that would cut your field grass the best. I had a Exmark Quest 48 "premium residential" w/22 hp B&S ELS that could not cut 12" tough field grass for crap. It did fine in the more managed yard though. I also had to have a ZT2800 replaced (under warranty thank god) due to a leak. The dealer had it all last summer so I HAD to use my tractor. I sold the Exmark this spring and use my tractor with the woods belly mower now.

So you were using a ZTR as a bush hog then got upset when it failed? OK!

Chris

 

[Sockwell]

Decision ended up coming down to Exmark vs. Hustler. The reason: Both are sold by local shops with good reputations for service. The Exmark guy is also the Kubota dealer where I bought an L3240 and implements. The Hustler guy also sells Stihl and is where I'd bought an FS250 and a Pole Saw. Went with the Hustler because I was also needing a chain saw and could get it, extra chains and a little cash left over for the price difference. I appreciate everyone's input. Going into this, I didn't realize there were so many options.

 

[piller]

Congrats, of course you must now post pictures!
Just stumbled across this thread, I think you will like the Hustler, where I work they have a fleet of Hustlers and they look like nice machines.

 

[Daniel Tn]

Thank you so much for this thread!! I am new here and you happened to ask the very question I have been pondering on myself. I'm glad you found you a zero turn.

Now I'm going to bring this thing back to life and ask something for myself.

I'm going to be mowing about 3-5 acres worth of ground. Now it's not flat but it's not steep hills either; just a gradual slope on one side. I don't have any trees or other obstacles to contend with and speed of the mower is NOT an issue. I'm in it for a zero turn because of the available cut they provide. I have been doing this with a 42" cut lawn tractor and it takes me about 2 days to mow and trim it all (with about 3-4 hours a day). This was also a lot of wear and tare on the little mower; just couldn't handle it for long. So I'm looking for a lower end commercial grade zero turn for about the same price range as you said...about $5k tops. I went and looked at a bunch of local places today and I'm glad I've been doing my homework. Because they were ALL asking MSRP for their mowers, and were acting like they were "cutting me a deal" at that, and wouldn't budge off the prices.

I'm wanting about a 54 to 60 inch deck. I can't afford the diesel engine ones, but I'm also hanging on the thread of trying to find a used compact tractor and getting a mowing attachment for it. I could probably do a little more with the tractor but the price keeps me at bay on those. Any suggestions on models to look into and more importantly, PLACES to buy them from! I'm in Southeast TN between Chattanooga and Knoxville.

 

[Wooddust]

I have a Ferris and could not be more pleased with it.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have a Exmark Lazer z 60 in. cut 06 model. Its one heck of a machine it cuts grass faster and better than anything I have ever used.
Have used just about every kind of Tractor, they are a little ruff, if you go to fast, but boy or they fast can cut in half the time, plus it looks like a gulf coarse when done.
They can take some time to get used to, don't go down hill on wet grass ever.

I will second this choice, mine is 2000, and so far I have put a fuel filter and one set of belts on it, lubed and changed fluids.

She mows 7 acres in Indiana and never gave me a lick of trouble.

So far 2 of my neighbors have also gone and bought eXmarks since they liked mine so well

 

[CrashandBurn]

I've been using a CC ZTR for 12 years now with no problems, but if I ever need another ZTR it will have a tilt deck so I can get at the blades!!!!

 

[aczlan]

I will second this choice, mine is 2000, and so far I have put a fuel filter and one set of belts on it, lubed and changed fluids.

She mows 7 acres in Indiana and never gave me a lick of trouble.

So far 2 of my neighbors have also gone and bought eXmarks since they liked mine so well

I worked for Trugreen at one time (as a mechanic, mower operator, and sprinkler repairman). At the time they had both eXmark and Huskvarna mowers. I would take an ex over a husky any day of the week. The eXmarks were easier to work on, held up better under the abuse that the guys heaped on them (how in the world do you not notice that you burned up a deck belt, not once, but TWICE in less than 2 weeks? "I dunno what is wrong with the mower, it just stopped cutting for some reason").
The eXmarks that we had were not pretty, but the decks stayed level and they didn't take much maintainance to keep them working.

Aaron Z

 

[smstonypoint]

Made the decision earlier this year to try to find a new mower. I mow about 3 acres of uneven country yard. Thought it would be no big deal to find what I wanted, with a budget of $5k. This decision is harder than buying a tractor. Too many choices. When I start leaning toward one, a search will show that model has problems. Help.

<snip>

I went through the same agonizing process.

I was taught (and taught) that individuals can never be made worse off by having more choices. But everyday experience raises real questions. Behavioral economists claim that individuals are confused when confronted by "many" choices and are often unable to decide among the many alternatives.

Maybe those behavioral economists are on to something.

Steve