Do I wait???

[Rdrcr]

If you’re not in a hurry, I’d wait. The overall quality of the BB ZTR w/ Kawasaki engine is worth the premium. And, if you’re spending that much, get what you want.

I’ve personally never been happy with the big box store options.

Mike

 

[rgr33]

The crap I have put my 2006 Exmark/23hp Kawasaki through is shameful.
I doubt a box store unit could survive the experience.
Hurts to spend that much money on a Lawnmower, but I think you’ll be happier if you wait.

 

[shooterdon]

The crap I have put my 2006 Exmark/23hp Kawasaki through is shameful.
I doubt a box store unit could survive the experience.
Hurts to spend that much money on a Lawnmower, but I think you’ll be happier if you wait.

I have an Exmark dealer 12 miles away but their designs seem less maintenance friendly. As to longevity, I added the specifics of my situation to illustrate I have little "crap" to deal with. It would be easier for me to justify a $6k machine if I had 5 acres to cut, rough terrain or used it more than 20-30 hours a year; or even the chance of living and cutting grass for more than 20 years...LOL

I expect that the Bad Boy will be my last mower if I hold out for it. Plus I have a very good dealer to support it (same dealer as my LS). I was going to get a Country Clipper but it is a less robust build than the BB for only a few hundred difference.

Reading some of the reviews of machines from big box stores has me leaning strongly to getting a machine from a dealer. Both the Kubota and Deere dealers are not that great or I would have them on the list.

 

[oosik]

My JD X570 has a Kawasaki engine. Starts easy - runs strong. As has been said - if you are going to spend that much money - wait and get what you want. I wanted a 48" deck. They had to get the deck from another dealer. The dealer offer to give me the unit with a 54" deck for the same price. For what I paid - "get me the 48" deck or forget the sale". It was an easy decision for the dealer.

 

[3Ts]

Tuff Torque transmissions are hard to service and noted for failures and the transmissions are super expensive to replace.

Agreed. I bought a ZT and just beyond the warranty period one of the drives broke. $1300 for a new drive, but relatively easy to replace. Shortly after that the other drive broke. It was cheaper, only $900. This was on a $4k machine so if one breaks again, it's off to the scrap yard and I'll replace it with something else.

Note: What I found in all this is that the ZT was originally built with a "mod A" drive, then there was a "mod B" and shortly after that a "mod C" came out. Unfortunately the one I bought was a mod B, but the new drives are mod C so hopefully they'll last a long time. They seem to be a disposable item, no core returns, but remove the belt, covers, and a few bolts and they drop right out.