LONG STORY Need advice on a ZTR mower

[Spiffy]

Got curious, and had to check Kubota's website. Only two minor redflags:

The ZGs are getting much lighter decks (10ga) than the ZDs; if you're not abusing it I think you'd still be happy. 7 gage is about industructable, maybe overkill, but thats what most of the true commercial units are using.

They are using an integrated type transmission, but far as I can tell, much beefier than on the consumer or the "transision" units.

Exmark sure has a great reputation; sure you would be happy with the LazerZ, I'm not sure if the new compact [CT] models have proven themselves yet, but the specs look pretty good for those too.

Ferris is a cousin to the Snapper I have [no IS there though], and a good reputation as well, the only thing I've heard negative about the IS [besides more parts] is that the Simplicity [another cousin] with rear IS and front pivot without springs is slightly more responsive than Ferris's spring loaded front.

I'd say steer clear of the EZT or IZT transmission for your use. Find an engine you like [model, not just brand]; it doesn't take much HP to cut grass, but to get some torque from today's engines, just assume bigger is better [though GH claims to save a few HP using shaft drive on its front mounts]. Then ask a few questions: why this gage deck, why this spindle bearing, why not suspension, and see if you're satisfied with the answers.

If there is a difference, you should qualify for the most generous version of the warranty [not even close to the hours commerical guys will put on and you won't be renting it either]. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Sigarms]

Just got off the phone with my wife, will need a new fridge, boy, when it rains it pours.

Ok, what is my best bet if I went "commercial" and would like to keep it under 7K?

Talked with a dealer for eZmark, for a 23hp. 60" deck, I was looking at over 8K /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

He mentioned Bobcat as well for a little over 6K.

Speaking of the Bobcat, and experiences on this unit from anyone?

The Kubota that I was given a price on has a Kholer (sp?) engine.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> when it rains it pours </font>
The "old wives tale" is: expect bad things in "three's".... so you may be caught up for a while! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Last year we had AC, Fridge and water heater...

Anyway, the 60" will get you done faster [assuming it can get into and around the area's you need it to... a #1 concern when sizing]; but I think you'd be happy with around a 50" (48-54) and I have read claims that you have better defense againt scalping ect under 52". Dropping 6 to 12" inches and a couple HP will save about a $1000. The Snapper is a 52" and saved half the time over a large CC GT 48".

I think even Exmark and Scag get under $7 for around the $50"; but if you're getting a fair deal [only some apples/apples research and local comparison will constitute fair] on any brand for around 6K +/- $500 I betting you'll be very satisfied.

I researched the heck out of these things a few monthes ago; I think Bob-cat [Jacobsen; not the skid steer Bobcat] has a good reputation too; like Dargo said, most commercial machines do. If you have a Lesco dealer nearby you might get a 54 or 60 just under 6K; these supposedly come right off of CC's "Tank" mfg line [l like CCs colors better but the $s are substantial; I think Nasty is thoroughly enjoying his]; but the Tanks have a [I think] 3 year 0% plan.

I'd also bet the Exmark or the Scag has slightly better resale potential than most, but I'm with Moon, you'll like the Z so well, you'll opt to save the 2K on the finish mower later.

Have your most trustworthy dealers put together a couple more quotes and post the model numbers. I'm sure you'll get the good, bad and ugly!

 

[Spiffy]

An older thread with similar questions [atually one of many]: ZTR

BTW on the engines, I liked the torque curve [can't remember which site I compared them on] on the Kaw and have heard pretty good things on them. Kohler has, and I'd like to think still does make some good products too. The Vangaurd supposedly is gaining some respect for Briggs again. Everyone has made lemons and diehards, so if research doesn't show anything blatent on your personal favorite, I'd say it's the direction to go. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[getut]

I'm going to be the devil's advocate of everyone and mention that you said you needed a tractor for your property. So why not continue to get one? Go with a grey market or an older non-grey with all the features you need. Someone else has already taken the hit for depreciation and when the extra money frees up again, then sell the old/grey one for basically what you paid for it and then go get the tractor you really want.

 

[BarryinMN]

You noted hills - some of those ZTR's with caster front wheels will want to point down hill. That's my only concern when I went looking for a new mower 3 summers ago. Front decks are handy to get under trees.

I ended up getting a low hour used JD 455 diesel 60" lawn tractor Also has a 3 point hitch (cat 0) which allows multitasking - moving trailers, fixing roadway, cleaning up - smoothing lawns with various attachments, etc. Even used as a mobile workbench to carry tools around my acreage. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A really low cost option even less than Ford 8N would be an Allis Chalmers B or C with a belly mower ~ 22HP & probably $2500 or less in good shape

www.allischalmers.com

 

[Sigarms]

As mentioned, looked for a "used" tractor in the "low" (under 5k) price range, and I'm thinking that it may be "more trouble than it's worth" in the long run.

For the amount of land to mow and time it would take AND finances, the ZTR seems like the easiest and quickest way to get going.

I stopped (sp?) in a eXmark dealer after work today, spent about 20 minutes on the showroom floor, and no one even bothered to come up to ask me if they could help me. Now in thier defense, they only had one guy at the counter dealing with people, but...I did walk out SLOWLY waiting for a comment about trying to help me, but to no avail. That is one place that I will not be going back to.

If anything, I'll at least get some exercise until I buy somthing that is faster than I currently have /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[AlanB]

Hmmm,,,,, Always a question and you get what you pay for.

My wife runs a landscaping / lawncare company and we run an Exmark Lazer Z 60 with Kawasaki, a Dixon 60 with Kohler and a CC M48 Tank with a Kawasaki.

We also run a 1925 NH w HST.

Current thoughts reading this.

We like the mid mounts because they fit the trailers best. Bear in mind that some of the reasons certain mowers are popular may not apply to what you are trying to do.

The Exmark has been broke the past month waiting on a freaking gasket from Kawasaki. Boy does that make the wife happy. One month for a silly gasket. Had it been a Kohler I could have found one at the corner store. BTW the breather valve is in the middle of my Kawi engine. Want to check the breather reed? Pull the engine and dissassemble including pulling Cam and turning engine upside down.......

But I have had zero problems to this point with my Kawi's.

If you were my brother and I had to say what to do I would send you to Rural King or TSC and buy one of the cheap Cub ZTR 50" units for $3K. You are a homeowner, and using it as a homeowner. They will have a good warranty and local service available. While it does not compare to our exmark or even our Tank, it will do the job you are speaking of with little fuss.

I will add, Be carefull on hills until you have substantial experience.

 

[Sigarms]

AlanB

What is the "life expentancy" (hours) on that 50?

I figure what ever amount of time it takes to mow 8 acres, and multiply that by at 36 (weeks) per year (sunny N.C) and that will give my yearly hour usage.

If I get everything but the hill done with the ZTR I'll be happy at this point!

 

[AlanB]

Beats me, but I think it should hold up several years under one careful owner / user.

Our experience has been that we have mower problems when others use them (hired help) either they just do not understand, they do not care, or they want it broke to go home early or some combination thereof, but that is when we have real problems with our machines.

I would check the warranty and that will tell you what Cub thinks of them. I think they were carrying a Briggs on them so that probably has at least a two year warranty.

Thinking about it, I think Lowes was carrying them as well. I think Rural King also has the Husqvarna at the same price. If you get one from Lowes, they are sure to have a shop on contract for maintenance.

Also with Lowes if you want to save a buck and spend the time, get to know the lawn and garden manager and get one someone returned for whatever reason. Often you can get a heck of a deal and still have full warranty.