LONG STORY Need advice on a ZTR mower

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What is the "life expentancy" (hours) on that 50?)</font>

I don't know the answer, but I'll offer up what I sort of mentioned before. If you mow at 2mph, and slow for any bumps, like my dad does (along with keeping up with all the maintenance to the "T") It may last a few seasons. It's just the wear and tear of mowing 8 acres weekly is not something that a 'home owner' model was designed to do.

Look at the inexpensive CC's and then look at and drive a commercial unit. Decide for yourself then. You know what you want to accomplish more than any of us. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Hours is a vague term; too bad the meters don't have a built-in "abuse" multiplier /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I actually think many homeowners push machine limits more than commercial guys, just not remotely as many hours per season.

Neither hydrogear or many of the dealers are willing to put a number on the trannys, but the rumor going around the web for EZT & IZT is 600 & 800 hours. [You'd probably use a little over half of those hours in 3 years]

Again only rumor, but the cheaper engines are supposedly designed for "less than" 1000hours and the better air cooled "more than" 1000 [of course use and abuse or dumb luck can skew this far to either side], liquid better yet. Please don't take any stock in these numbers. Personally, I liked the Kaw's torque curve, also liked Vangard or Kohler Command over the Intek, but can't even give good examples.

A stamped deck [say 10 or even 11 gage] may do fine for many years too; but if you're hitting things or throwing rocks and branches those 12 gage ones can become paper real quick [yep, done that one]. I really like the 7 gage, but a "quality"[even some stamped ones] 10gage deck is nothing to scoff at.

What I'm saying is that I don't consider most of the people measuring in acres [and, unless it's absolutely perfect landscape, not even close for 8 acres] to fit the target consumer for the 3K machines. The RZT may or may not fit you ok for 3 years, but I was not at all impressed with them. May want to discuss it further with a CC dealer and get the "dirty details" on the warranty [not saying CC is hiding anything, just that most warranties are "limited"].

If you're talking about the 4K Z-Force [or equivalant], I'd think it would be perfect for what you initially proposed. But at 4K on 8 acres, my math says you'd have more bang for the dollar [good resale or 20 year use] on commercial machines, and I personanlly think you'd enjoy it more. BTW I think Tanks, Hustlers, and several others have 3 year warranties - but still "limited."

Doesn't hurt anything to give a ride and once, twice, thrice over to both ends of the spectrum and everything inbetween.

The only thing I know for a fact: if I recommend a specific machine and you bought it...it'd be a lemon! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> (hired help) </font>

Ok, now there's a situation where I have no doubt the commercial guys truely are abusive! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Else, I'm still thinking us "weekend warriers" are more "abusive" than a commercial operator with daily seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

May be way off, but I'd also wager that commecial users cut much more "lawn" than things "almost deserving of a brushhog". Oh well, he may get in some seats and find something that proves us both wrong! Actually, be pretty cool if he does, new options arrhhh arrhhh aaaarrrrrhhh. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sigarms]

I do appreciate the info.

Just with moving to another house, selling the other one, some other Major outside "endevors" around the house, and this thing called work, I'm really finding it hard to go out to some of these dealers before 5 pm. On top of that the grass keeps growing.

Wouldn't mind looking at that Kubota ZD23, or hopefully I can get to an eXmark dealer who will actually ask me what I'm looking for. Will also check out "in depth" the warranty on the cub cadet.

Again thanks. You have helped me cut my time down on what to look for.

 

[Jagmandave]

I'll put in a vote for Exmark, I paid $5600 for a 52", and it's been flawless. I also agree with the concensus that the commercial units are a better buy. One thing I liked about the Exmark was that the deck stands proud about 6" on the left allowing you to get up close to trees and such without dragging the rear tire on them. The other unit I really liked was the Dixie Chopper, faster than the Exmark, but not as easy to drive, at least to me.

 

[Makers_Mark]

Just picked up a Cub Cadet Z Force 50"
I will never go back to a non-ztr mower. Wish I could kick in $1500 more for the Kubota. Big difference in construction between the two. But I'm in the same boat as you. Too much going on and $4000 was pushing it for the Cub Cadet so an additional $1500 would mean I'd be getting divorced. I mow about 6 acres 1-2 times per week. It's an absolute pleasure to mow. It's not very good on hills. It loses traction and slips. I think if it had more weight on the rear tires it would do better.

 

[Sigarms]

So far can't find and eXmark for under 7k.

Just got done riding a scag, 19hp tiger cub. Price was $6200, is this a decent price?

It was nice though.

Had a z force there as well, you could tell the difference in ride, but I'm not sure if it was worth an extra $2600.

Althougthe finance company had a "decent" finance plan.

Talk about getting depressed /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Spiffy]

I not sure about the price, but you have me drooling! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Same drive train as the Snapper, but the bullet proof deck and Scag name...oh boy! [BTW the Snapper in a 48X19 retails $6200]

I really think the Tiger cub <font color="red"> edit: or equivalent </font> would be your "right tool"; a "20 year" machine, but not going to "really cool overkill" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif of a Turf Tiger<font color="red"> or equivalent </font> or something.

$3600: must have been a ZF-44 at sticker, else a heck of a buy on ZF-50. I don't have the numbers, but would bet the 19HP Kaw will out-torque the 20HP KC. If you thought the ride on the lot was better; try them side by side on some "terrain", though not seeing your hills there may not be a good mid-mount for you. Then start comparing quality of deck, frame, ect.

Don't have a clue how much room the Scag dealers will play, but if you can get some 0 interest financing and an extra set of blades with that, I'd say you're doing pretty well. The $2600 will dissapper real quick in 3 year value; probably flip-flop in 10 year value; and I really think you'd enjoy it better [and won't give it up when you get a tractor!]

I'd still expect a Scag dealer to let you try it out at home first. Let us know what it feels like on your place [really should have a RZT and a front mount there at the same time for some true perspective, but think you'll like the Scag].

 

[bczoom]

Sigarms,

All the info you've received so far as been good. I went down a similar path last year (trying to decide what to get). Looked at all of them but ended up with one not yet mentioned here.

Have you heard of/seen/tried a Country Clipper? The company has been around forever making machines for other companies but just came out with a line under their own name. I got the Charger which compares to many mentioned here. Price was a little less and it had a couple features I liked (joystick steering compared to double bar and a tilt up deck for easy maintenance).

Just another $.02 to throw in the mix.
Brian

 

[Moon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just got done riding a scag, 19hp tiger cub. Price was $6200, is this a decent price? )</font>

Sounds like a good price, considering the price of steel is up. The same model was 5995 in April of 2004.

Also, for those with really steep slopes / hills, I've seen a couple landscaping companies with AG tires on their ZTR's. I was keeping an eye out in case I needed to upgrade my tires, but the original tires did fine on my slopes. But, as long as you have the clearance, you can get the more aggressive tires. Just have to be a little easier on the ground turning or I'd guess you'd tear it up. Once in awhile I scuf mine if I turn too quick.

Moon of Ohio