engine and product question

[PaulieD]

I'm looking into buying a zero turn mower. The one's I'm seriously considering are the RZ-4622 (Husqvarna Endurance engine), and the RZ-46215 (Kawasaki Engine). It appears, from other posts I've read, that the Kawasaki engine is well respected engine. I know nothing about the Endurance engine. Could someone tell me who makes the Endurance engine and whether or not it is a reputable product?

The other question I have is this: I'm currently mowing about 2 - 2.5 flat acres of property, broken into 5 or 6 smaller lawn areas. I currently use a Husqvarna 48" lawn tractor to mow this area in about 2hours and 20 minutes. I hope to cut that time by 25% or 30% with a zero turn. Is a 46 inch machine sized right for my mowing needs.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may provide.

Paul D

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't know about the Endurance engine, but I would go with Kawasaki just for the long term record by owners. Why take a chance on an unknown engine.
As long as you don't have clearance issues, I would go with the widest mower available for a flat property. I have a 52" and it will scalp some of my hills when mowing sideways and scalp the top when driving up and over. I mow about 6 acres and it takes me 2.5 hours with my Ferris IS 700 Z due in large to the number of trees and shrubs I have to mow around. About an hour of this is just mowing the first acre close to the house with lots of trees, shrubs and flower beds. Depending on your current mode of mowing with the tractor and how **** you are about getting close, I expect you to cut at least 30% or more in time once you master the Zero turn steering
Just remember that you are going to loose 3-6"(depending on your driving skills) on one side for overlap, so on a 46" you may get 42" of cut.

As for mowers, if you can afford it, step up to at least an entry level commercial grade mower with a fabricated deck and minimum of 3800 series transaxles. Most residential grade mowers will experience problems with the lesser quality transmissions and decks will wear/rust out in 5 years or less especially if you have sandy soil which works like a sandblaster underneath to eat away the metal.
I recommend you take a look at the Simplicity or Ferris (same mfg'er) as they are much smoother than most other mowers because of the spring/shock suspension system. They aren't cheap for the higher end commercial/near commercial grade. My IS700Z Ferris cost $6200? or was it $6800? without sales tax (farm exempt).

 

[Carl_NH]

The endurance is a Briggs engine - while they are good, like Gary I prefer Kawasaki for longevity and more commercial applications use Kawasaki. Also the Kawasaki gets great fuel economy - about a gallon per hour.

As to choices, consider upgrading to the MZ52 series of Husky as they are close to commercial machines, have cooling fans and filters on the hydraulic unit, and a fabricated deck. The RZ series has sealed hydro units, and stamped deck. The price difference is not small $3K for the RZ and $5K for the MZ, but I think it would be worth it. Then check out some others too as Gary suggested. (we like our Ferris for the ride)

As to cutting time, you will likely cut your mowing time in half, maybe a bit less depending on how many obstacles and shrubs. I do a little over 2 acres with "small areas" and it was 2 hours on the rider, with the ZTR 1:15.

 

[PaulieD]

Thanks for for the advice gentlemen. I am now looking at slightly larger residential products with 48 - 54 inch decks and fabricated, rather than stamped, decks. I'd like to jump up to commercial mowers with stronger transmissions, but the cost pushes me into the $5K+ bracket and I'm reluctant to jump that high. Lowes sells a Hustler Raptor HD with a fabricated deck and an upgraded transmission for $4K that I am considering.

 

[Carl_NH]

That's a better choice - just be aware warranty service at Lowes or HD will be non-existent. If you do your own repairs and maintenance then this is not a big deal. Here is a link to the lawn site discussion on the topic.

Http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/equipment-news/22108-hustler-mowers-being-sold-lowes-home-depot-4.html

However since you live in upstate NY - I strongly suggest you take a trip to see Ferris at 5375 N Main St Munnsville, NY 13409 - probably less than 2 hours drive for you and they make Simplicity and Ferris there.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Thanks for for the advice gentlemen. I am now looking at slightly larger residential products with 48 - 54 inch decks and fabricated, rather than stamped, decks. I'd like to jump up to commercial mowers with stronger transmissions, but the cost pushes me into the $5K+ bracket and I'm reluctant to jump that high. Lowes sells a Hustler Raptor HD with a fabricated deck and an upgraded transmission for $4K that I am considering.

I have not seen the Raptor before and was thinking that you were referring to their ATV/mower thing that came out but was pulled off the market. The Hustler Raptor mower web site certainly is a good one short of not listing any prices. I did a few comparisons for my own information as I'm probably soon to be in the mower buying business.

The comparisons of the residential mowers are definitely anemic compared to their commercial and industrial mowers. Although I suspect that they're half the price of any of the other categories, the specs imply that they're strictly for light duty use. Perhaps residential category mower is fine for your use, but for mine, nothing short of the commercial or industrial grade mowers would last through the warranty period - if that means anything.

Hustler does have a dealer within 30 miles of me as does Lowes and Home Depot. BUT - without slamming either of the big box stores publicly, I will say that I will never ever buy another mower from either again.

In short, you can use all that warranty paperwork for fire-starter - it's worthless. Not only do they give you the major blame you dodge game, they do not do their own service work. They'll sent your mower off to who-knows-where shade tree shop to have it patched up with who-knows-what kind of parts. And that's AFTER you lug it in to them.

Hopefully you'll have a better experience than I have had. I'll assure you though, I do have a file folder with about 200 documents detailing the effort to get one simple problem fixed by them. And that was successful only after finally locating and presenting the problem to their Regional Manager. No... you can put me in the not satisfied big box store mower buying category.

 

[PaulieD]

I have not seen the Raptor before and was thinking that you were referring to their ATV/mower thing that came out but was pulled off the market. The Hustler Raptor mower web site certainly is a good one short of not listing any prices. I did a few comparisons for my own information as I'm probably soon to be in the mower buying business.

The comparisons of the residential mowers are definitely anemic compared to their commercial and industrial mowers. Although I suspect that they're half the price of any of the other categories, the specs imply that they're strictly for light duty use. Perhaps residential category mower is fine for your use, but for mine, nothing short of the commercial or industrial grade mowers would last through the warranty period - if that means anything.

Hustler does have a dealer within 30 miles of me as does Lowes and Home Depot. BUT - without slamming either of the big box stores publicly, I will say that I will never ever buy another mower from either again.

In short, you can use all that warranty paperwork for fire-starter - it's worthless. Not only do they give you the major blame you dodge game, they do not do their own service work. They'll sent your mower off to who-knows-where shade tree shop to have it patched up with who-knows-what kind of parts. And that's AFTER you lug it in to them.

Hopefully you'll have a better experience than I have had. I'll assure you though, I do have a file folder with about 200 documents detailing the effort to get one simple problem fixed by them. And that was successful only after finally locating and presenting the problem to their Regional Manager. No... you can put me in the not satisfied big box store mower buying category.

I'm sorry to learn of your problems with the box stores Gem99 and I too would prefer to work with the local dealers. That said, my only significant box store product problem happened to be with an Ariens log splitter. My local Home Depot replaced it immediately no questions asked. I guess I got lucky.

Regarding the commercial mower option, I only put 450 hours of flat terrain mowing on my garden tractor mower in 10 years of service. While I plan to expand my mowing area a little bit next year, I'm not convinced I need to spend the cash required for a commercial grade product. But I'm listening and learning. Thanks, Paul

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'm sorry to learn of your problems with the box stores Gem99 and I too would prefer to work with the local dealers. That said, my only significant box store product problem happened to be with an Ariens log splitter. My local Home Depot replaced it immediately no questions asked. I guess I got lucky.

Regarding the commercial mower option, I only put 450 hours of flat terrain mowing on my garden tractor mower in 10 years of service. While I plan to expand my mowing area a little bit next year, I'm not convinced I need to spend the cash required for a commercial grade product. But I'm listening and learning. Thanks, Paul

Very understandable. Like I said - your situation no doubt is different than mine as will be your choices. And, I do still buy from Lowes and Home Depot... just not mowers or other power equipment.

I will say though that the mower that I did buy and had so much trouble getting them to replace the brake cable on, has lasted over 12 years and more than 2500 hours of mowing. And the little 15 hp Husqvarna is still running strong.

Three years ago however, I moved from a 3 acre "lawn" to a 13 acre plot with a "yard" The little Rider 155 did and does cut the area right around the house beautifully, but out in the pasture-like area... the weeds and brush just are too much to expect it to handle. So I bought a 26 hp Husqvarna garden tractor mower to handle the really heavy stuff. A ZTR probably would have been a better choice? The little 42" Rider served me well, but it deserves a little lighter work load. I do have a mid-size Kubota with a Rhino brush hog, should the bull weeds, etc. get out of hand.

So, the moral of my story is, try to buy the 'best' mower you can afford be it Husky, Husqvarna, or whatever. It's a big investment that you should expect to serve you well for years to come.

 

[Carl_NH]

Well, buy the best you can buy the first time. I prefer to spend a bit more ($2-3K more in the case of the ZTR) to get a 20-25 year machine durability wise, so go with a company and model that has some longevity.

My 24 year old Cub Cadet has 800 hours and still is used for brush cutting and misc. tasks, runs great and expect to get the same service from the Ferris ZTR which has 160 hours in 4 years.

20 years from now I plan to still be cutting the grass rather than looking up at it and want to have a comfortable durable machine.

 

[Carl_NH]

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