Input needed on Zero Turn Mower purchase

[Captain Insano]

I've decided on a ZT for my residence. I have about an 3/4 or so of an acre that is fairly flat to cut. I have settled on about a 48" deck. While looking into manufacture I have decided that I want something that has ZT-3100 or better transaxle. As for the engine Kolher 7000 or Kawasaki FR as a minimum.

Now as for the models....I've looked at SCAG, Toro, and Gravely locallly. I've also looked online at the Ariens and Bad Boy.

Honestly, to me the Ariens Apex 48 through Home Cheapo looks like the best deal to me. I can get one for about $4400 new. 3 year warranty. Looking at something comparable in Kubota, SCAG, Toro and Gravely it looks like about 2K more. I see mixed results about Bad Boy and I'm not sure I want to go down that path.

I'd love a ZT-3200 or better transaxle but that puts me at easy $7 to 8K from what I've seen and truthfully for just moving my own mostly flat yard, I'm not sure that is worth it. Any other suggestions for the ~$5K other than the Ariens Apex 48?

Please let me know if I missed anything else or if I'm way off base!

 

[atsah]

Have you compared Deere at all?

 

[morris lipham]

I've decided on a ZT for my residence. I have about an 3/4 or so of an acre that is fairly flat to cut. I have settled on about a 48" deck. While looking into manufacture I have decided that I want something that has ZT-3100 or better transaxle. As for the engine Kolher 7000 or Kawasaki FR as a minimum.

Now as for the models....I've looked at SCAG, Toro, and Gravely locallly. I've also looked online at the Ariens and Bad Boy.

Honestly, to me the Ariens Apex 48 through Home Cheapo looks like the best deal to me. I can get one for about $4400 new. 3 year warranty. Looking at something comparable in Kubota, SCAG, Toro and Gravely it looks like about 2K more. I see mixed results about Bad Boy and I'm not sure I want to go down that path.

I'd love a ZT-3200 or better transaxle but that puts me at easy $7 to 8K from what I've seen and truthfully for just moving my own mostly flat yard, I'm not sure that is worth it. Any other suggestions for the ~$5K other than the Ariens Apex 48?

Please let me know if I missed anything else or if I'm way off base!

I have Husqvarner MZ 52, 3100 pumps, Kawasaki 23 HP, Luv it.

 

[Code54]

Not sure if you have a Ferris dealer around but check out their machines. I have a Z2 (Stand on zero turn) and it is great. Ferris has suspension systems on their ZTRs so they offer a far better ride than most. Now if your yard is smooth it is far less important. Also, the larger the wheels the better ride.
You should be more than fine with Z3100's - that is a commercial grade product (think the 2800 is top residential model) and for a flat less than acre lot they should last for about ever!

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't know about transaxles but I have a Kubota Z122RKW-42 that I cut about 3/4+ acre and have to deal with some tight spaces. Kawasaki engine. I absolutely love this thing. I installed mulching blades and this will plow down grass more than a foot high. Looking for pics to prove it but coming up blank. My image management is not good.

I would take a hard look at the Kubotas.

 

[handtools]

I've got 100 hours on my Ariens Apex 60 cutting 2 acres and can't say a bad thing about it.

 

[mddorange]

I have a Kubota Z121s w/48" deck. It works great and I love the air seat on it. It mows my 2 acre area in just a few hours that used to take me days with my old riding mower.

 

[check 6]

I have a Kubota ZD 1800 that I have had for over 12 years and it has never failed me. 54 inch deck. My lot is 1 acre and I also do some mowing on our neighborhood grass runway. In 12 years I have replaced the battery twice and the blades once a year. Other than that oil and filters annually. I could not be happier with the mower and the cut I get

 

[Turbys_1700]

Ariens and Gravely are the same unit. My local Gravely dealer despises Ariens. He is swamped with servicing his Gravely sales units. The Airens Home Depot units get put in the back of the line. He keeps his own customers serviced first.

If service is not an issue go with the Ariens. If it is you will need to find a servicing center. Local Gravely dealers will service those units but they are in protected regions and you may need to drive some distance. The other option is an independent service center.

 

[JerryK]

I have a new last year Cub Cadet Pro Z 154L, 27hp Kohler EFI [ starts easy, little better fuel consumption ], with HydroGear 3400's.... Mows pretty nice and the blades seem to stay sharp here in sand country with the Marbain steel blades. Had an old Toro Z-Master commercial unit before that, and they were a good unit. It had separate pumps/wheel motors... Sand ate all the Gator blades I put under it.