Help with Zero Turn Choice

Raleighfirewall · May 7, 2008

My LT has worn out and I'd like to replace it with a Zero Turn. I'll be cutting about 2 1/2 acres on a gentle to moderate slope, 60% 10-15 degree slope, 40% less than 10 degree slope, with a few trees. This property is located at our weekend lake getaway so I'm looking to save mowing time which will equal more lake time.

I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to three brands in order of preference, Hustler, JD, Toro.

I can get the Hustler Fastrak with 21 h.p. Kawasaki and two Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 hydro drives and 54" deck for $4890 + tax. A step up to the Fastrak Super Duty, 25 h.p. Kawasaki with commercial air filter, larger tires and not much else for $6K + tax. These Hustlers come with the same trannys and a 4 year warranty. Step up to the Mini Z and you get 10 cc hydr-gear pumps and motors, 19 h.p Kawasaki and larger rear tires and 52" cut for $6,500 + tax with a two year commercial warranty.

John Deere Z445 with 25 h.p. Kawasaki, 54" stamped deck with a Kanzaki (Tuff Torq) duplex pump with Parker wheel motors and two year warranty for $4960 out the door.

A Toro Z Master, Z400 I beleive, with 19 h.p. Kawasaki motor with 10 cc pumps and motors and 48" cut for $6500 + tax.

I really like the Hustler Fastrak/Super Fastrak because of the deck and warranty. They really seem to be built the heaviest for the $$. My hesitation is with the Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 transmissions and size of the rear wheels and tires. I can't see the price difference for the Fastrak Super Duty over the Fastrak. The increase in h.p. really jacks up the price. The JD Z445 is a nice looking unit, the price is right but I worry about the pump (singular) and drive motors. I've read that this is the drive system on their 7xx seies commercial mowers of the past but not the present Z5xx and Z 8xx. The deck and warranty are another concern. I do like JD's 30 return policy. The Toro is the least researched on my part. I just saw the mower briefly and it looked heavy duty and was only $500 more than the Fastrak Super Duty.

So, the question is, is the Hustler Fasttrak the way to go. Are the ZT-2800 trannys a commercial drive system that will give many, many years of trrouble free service? Will the JD Z445, purchased from a JD dealer, be my best bet for the $$? Should I consider the Toro further?

I'm looking to do something fairly soon. I would like for this mower to last me 15 + years. Thanks in advance for your help. This is a GREAT forum!!!

prosperity · May 8, 2008

As I have only had Deere equipment, I can only comment on them.

Don't be afraid of the Kanzaki pump and Parker wheel motors. This setup has been on their commercial line of 7xx series ZTraks for years now. I was told that the Z445 has the exact same pump/motor setup.

Actually, Deere redesigned their new ZTraks to a different system for 2008, with 2 separate sealed unitized pump/motor setup - the reviews I have seen on this system are up in the air yet (some problems).

Anyway, if your only concern is the pump/motor setup on that unit, don't worry about it - a tried and true system that has been working great for Deere for at least 5 years now.

shot_gun · May 8, 2008

+1 on the Z445. 48 or 54 Out of all the zero turn mowers that JD currently manufactures the 445 is second only to the 997 diesel Z. I cant speak on the hustler's and fast track's. Drive all of them and see which one feels like the best for the money. That would be my suggestion.

Will_C · May 8, 2008

Look them all over and find the one you like. The Toro and the Mini-Z are true commercial machines. I just purchased a 23hp/52" Toro Z4??. It has the Turbo Force deck and the canister-style air filter, and larger pumps (12cc?) The main reason I purchased it was the local dealer, I know that I would have been as happy with a Scag, Exmark, Hustler model that was comparable in terms of features, but I would have paid more. I paid $7200 for the Toro.
Will

CJ4 · May 10, 2008

Take a hard look at Bad Boy if you have a dealer around you.

tcarter1 · May 15, 2008

I just bought the Hustler Mini Z, 19 Hp Kawi, 52" for less than 6K. New 07 model. Local dealer has a couple, plus I saw the same setup/price on eBay. Seemed like a great value to me.

SCOOBY14B · May 17, 2008

I had a 52"/19hp Mini-Z for two long miserable years. The machine itself was ok, but the hp was way too low for that size deck. The deck itself is also way too shallow. Less than 4" makes for a poor cut on Fescue if you're gonna cut anything over 2.75".

Now own a Scag Turf Tiger and couldn't be happier.

Tractech · May 18, 2008

Of the three you are considering for only 2.5 acres the Hustler is by far a much better machine. The Toro and Deere are not even on in the same playing field. Deere relies on the paint to sell and as for there hydro system it is not a good design. I worked for deere in the past and "Quality Z's" are not there cup of tea. They use a stamped deck which they will brag is a 7 gauge steel. ( Yea only on the flat spots) the corners and bends ti is not able to take a beating. Yes they lok pretty but quality is what keeps you mowing and the Hustler stands out. If there is a Dixie Chopper dealer neat you that take the time to look at there new Iron eagle and the Silver eagle. Iron eagle is comparable to the Hustle mini and the Silver Eagle is there entry commercial duty mower. The Iron eagle has the tras. on each axle but it is completly different in design for dixie. The oil passage have been changed for better lubrication and the shaft is a 1" as compared to most others it is 3/4". Dixie or Hustler is your best choice for years of happy service. Dixie and Hustler are Pioneers in this Zero turn industry and others like to copy. Hope this helps you. In case you are wondering I own Dixie, Hustler, Snapper, Exmark. My two best machines are by far the Hustler and Dixie. Don't buy into the whole deep deck thing either. Most of the deep deck stuff is selling tactics. The do have some advantage in select situations but they can also be disaster as well because they create more area for grass to collect in the deck. Just ask the Exmark gurus of all the problems they had with the new "deep" deck thay introduced a couple of years ago. Blade tip speed is everything!!
Ok I guess that about coverit. You wanted opinion and that was mine from about 20+ years experience in the industry.

koop · May 18, 2008

Personally I am a Scag Turf Tiger guy. Seem like they built mowers like tanks.

Toro was the other mower I looked at seriously.

So if you don't go Scag, go Toro!

IMHO

tiger9297 · May 18, 2008

I looked at all models almost exactly a year ago. I went with a Grasshopper. Grasshopper only builds commercial grade mowers so they are all built like tanks. I absolutely love it. I know they are a little more expensive. I could have bought a number of comparable mowers made by different companies for less money, but the Grasshopper just seemed like a better built unit. Deck is welded plate steel. Nothing stamped. If you haven't considered one at least take a look before you buy.