Input needed on Zero Turn Mower purchase

[Buggs67]

I'm in the same boat. My 25hp CK2510 with a 60" RFM is too slow and chewing up the lawn too much. I have lots of trees, gardens,etc to mow around and slopes. The back yard I have to mow straight up and then back down.

My local Kioti dealer (also closest) has a Hustler Raptor SD 54 for $4,100 and the better SDX 54 for $5,200. The SD is ZT2800 and the SDX is Zt3100. Both with spin on filters but the ZT3100 is comercial grade. It also has a heavier (10 ga) deck, larger rear tires and a better suspension seat. Kawa FR691 23 hp engines. He also sells Simplicity and Ferris and these are the ones with the best bang for the buck.

I will not buy from the Big Box stores. (Lowes doesn't carry the SDX)

 

[dragoneggs]

I'm a firm believer in going with a heavier gauge deck for durability and life. Takes a lot of abuse unless you mowing a manicured lawn.

 

[Buggs67]

I'm leaning towards the larger machine partly because of the better drives. My property is hilly and the better tread tires and heavier machine and better hydro-drives make sense.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have steep hills and it seems my hydro tranny is whining more after a few seasons on the steep hills. Maybe I need to service or maybe I am just taxing it too much?

 

[Turbys_1700]

This is what I mow my hilly yard with. The 72" offset deck is a time saver in getting close to things. It has cut down my weed eating and Roundup spraying tremendously. I can mow areas that are so steep you can hardly stand on them. My only criticism is that the 25HP Mitsubishi diesel is under powered. For my needs it is a perfect fit.

 

[tmcj]

I just picked up a Cub Cadet ZT1 50" a week ago and really like it so far. I ended up getting it from Home Depot since the closest dealer didn't have any on hand and I was kind of in a bind and need a replacement mower asap. Besides the CC $100 off sale, my credit card company has a 5% rewards refund going on right now for home improvement stores like HD & Lowes, etc. I had been using a Craftsman 17hp Briggs, 42" since I bought it new in '99. After I got the Max 26xl with 60" deck in '16 it does the large areas and the 42" only did the areas that the tractor & 60" are too big for for width, height, hills, or too heavy for soft spots. So I didn't want a big ZT, just something to get the smaller stuff, but not too small to do it all if needed. This ZT1 seemed to be the ticket.

Besides looking cool, the ZT1 seems to be built very well with the sq. tubular frame and fab'd deck, 23 hp Kawi FR series, easy height adjustment, framed in LED headlights, and larger tires than some of the others. I didn't shop around a lot but of the JD, Troy Built, Toro that I looked at I liked the CC the best. You may laugh, but I really prefer not to have red or green anyway, but I'm good with the yellow and black combo, lol. It is a no frills, serves the purpose, non commercial grade ZT that was right at the price range I was looking for and seemed to be more comfortable to me. My place is between my Dad's and my aunt's and I mow all three, which is about 4 acres altogether. I had the backhoe and loader on the Max for other chores so the Cubby is getting the whole job this week. So far I'm pretty impressed with it. This is my first zero turn and I love the speed and handling while still cutting well. I have no other experience with a ZT but I'm thinking I made a decent choice for the price range and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I didn't want or need a commercial grade mower, or the commercial grade bill. My old Craftsman lasted me 20 years and with the Max doing the bulk of the mowing, this Cubby should last me the next 20.....hopefully.