Looking for ZTR mower advice...

[djdicetn]

I appreciate all of the advice. Today I picked up my new Dixon Ultra 52. For the price I simply couldn't find anything to really compete. I played around with it some today and it'll take some time to get accustomed to mowing this way, but it'll definitely shave time off my cutting. It does seem harsher riding than my old Craftsman mower, but that's probably because I was going way faster!
Todd

Bonedigger,
I agree with user Bird that you will probably be very happy with that ZTR. I looked at my final choices today(including the Dixons) and am going to be making offers to the dealers this week. My final choices in order of preference are:
1)Gravely Pro-Turn 152 XDC-Kawasaki 22hp FX691 engine & ZT3400 HydroGear trannies.
2)Dixon DX152-Kawasaki 22hp FX691 engine and ZT3400 HydroGear trannies.
3)Bad Boy Outlaw 5400-Briggs & Stratton 30hp Commercial Cyclonic engine and ZT5400 HydroGear trannies.
4)Bad Boy CZT5000-23hp Kawasaki FR730 engine and ZT3400 HydroGear trannies.
5)Hustler Fastrak Super Duty 54-Kawasaki 24hp FX(not sure of the model) engine and ZT3100 HydroGear trannies.
6)As alternates I am still considering the John Deere Z655 EZtrak, Gravely ZT HD 52 and Husqvarna MZ5424S.

I will most likely end up working out a deal on the Dixon, which even though they are now made by Husqvarna, they are a lot of ZTR for the money. From what I saw I was most impressed with the construction of the Gravely & Bad Boy although the Hustler is also a very well built mower. I was also considering the Dixon Ultr52, but shied away from the Kohler Courage. Hope yours turns out to be one of the good ones!!! Wish me luck on my endeavor to purchase my first ZTR. There sure was a LOT to learn about these machines to make an informed decision.

 

[Bird]

I was also considering the Dixon Ultr52, but shied away from the Kohler Courage.

According to Dixon's website the Ultra52 has the Command Pro engine while the Ultra61 has the Courage. Is that not true? And of course I know the Courage is the lower end, but I hope it's a good one since that's what I currently have on my little Toro.:laughing:

 

[BoneDigger]

Actually, the website needs updating. The Dixon Ultra 52 does indeed have the Kohler Courage Pro engine. But, I take care of my stuff and I'm taking a chance on this one. Plus, I don't spend a lot of time on the tractor. Hopefully I can get 10-15 years out of it then if it blows I'll put a new one on it. A lot of companies are using this engine, including Bad Boy, Cub Cadet, and others so hopefully it'll stay in working condition.

I got a good deal on the Dixon at 4500 which was better than anything comparable I could find. Everything else in this price range had cheaper drive parts, etc.

I do have a good dealer do hopefully if anything goes wrong they will take care of me.

Todd

 

[djdicetn]

Actually, the website needs updating. The Dixon Ultra 52 does indeed have the Kohler Courage Pro engine. But, I take care of my stuff and I'm taking a chance on this one. Plus, I don't spend a lot of time on the tractor. Hopefully I can get 10-15 years out of it then if it blows I'll put a new one on it. A lot of companies are using this engine, including Bad Boy, Cub Cadet, and others so hopefully it'll stay in working condition.

I got a good deal on the Dixon at 4500 which was better than anything comparable I could find. Everything else in this price range had cheaper drive parts, etc.

I do have a good dealer do hopefully if anything goes wrong they will take care of me.

Todd

BoneDigger,
That Ultra52, with the HydroGear ZT3400 and 11 gauge fabricated deck is indeed a steal at $4,500. I had the dealer offer to sell me the entry level commercial DX152 for $5899 and it has the Kawasaki FX commercial engine, 11 gallon tank versus the Ultra52's 5 gallon and the commercial spindles and weighs about 160 lbs more. I am going to offer him $6,100 for an out-the-door cash sale price and this will be $900-$1,000 less that the initial prices I've gotten on similar mowers(Gravely & Bad Boy). That being said, the Dixon is a steal for the entry level commercial model as well. Even though I considered the build on the Gravely & Bad boy to be a little heavier-duty I think the Dixon will do me well(it has a 3yr consumer bumper-to-bumper and 2 year commercial warranties). From what I've gathered, if the ZTR has a Commercial Warranty that pretty well says it is well made.

 

[heviduty]

Bought my wife a Snapper 400Z back in the spring. She was having trouble starting the JD318, and hearing her grind on the starter grated on my brain. I have no trouble with the old Onan, but it is sort of a one man tractor and trying to tell my wife how to set the throttle and choke, then what to do when it fires up to keep it running ... it just wasn't working out. I went with Snapper because the local dealer has a full service and parts department. For the money it appears to be a well made machine and has a fabricated deck. She has had no issues with it and says it is like mowing in an easy chair.

 

[djdicetn]

Actually, the website needs updating. The Dixon Ultra 52 does indeed have the Kohler Courage Pro engine. But, I take care of my stuff and I'm taking a chance on this one. Plus, I don't spend a lot of time on the tractor. Hopefully I can get 10-15 years out of it then if it blows I'll put a new one on it. A lot of companies are using this engine, including Bad Boy, Cub Cadet, and others so hopefully it'll stay in working condition.

I got a good deal on the Dixon at 4500 which was better than anything comparable I could find. Everything else in this price range had cheaper drive parts, etc.

I do have a good dealer do hopefully if anything goes wrong they will take care of me.

Todd

BoneDigger,

Well, the dealer accepted my offer for the Gravely Pro-Turn 152 XDC, which was my favorite of all that I looked at, and I got it for almost $1,000 less out-the door than the MSRP(plus taxes). It was a little more than I started out planning to spend(and about $650 more than the Dixon DX152) but I believe I will be very pleased with this mower. Again, thanks to those that offered advice that helped me make an informed decision!!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

It's good to hear first-hand from a Husqvarna owner. You got a good deal on that I still may end up getting the Husqvarna. My current lawn tractor(a 5-yr-old Craftsman YS5400) which is made by Husqvarna has been a good one aside from the 24hp Briggs & Stratton that had the choke cable break inside the carb after 3 years.

I think if you Google MTD you will find that they now own just about all the box store brands including Husqvarna. Maybe there is some difference in them but with one company producing all of them, I would think that they would share the parts and quality of what is dictated by the parent company. I believe all of the box store brands patronize the typical homeowner with 1/4-1/2 acre lots and their mowers are designed for that duty and 5-10 years of service (in most cases). I dont think any of the box store brands have a fabricated deck on them but I could be wrong.

 

[djdicetn]

I think if you Google MTD you will find that they now own just about all the box store brands including Husqvarna. Maybe there is some difference in them but with one company producing all of them, I would think that they would share the parts and quality of what is dictated by the parent company. I believe all of the box store brands patronize the typical homeowner with 1/4-1/2 acre lots and their mowers are designed for that duty and 5-10 years of service (in most cases). I dont think any of the box store brands have a fabricated deck on them but I could be wrong.

Gary,

If you consider Tractor Supply Company a "box store" they do carry the Bad Boy MX48 and ZT60 mowers which do have a fabricated deck, but that's the only place I've seen one. Yeah, I'm not crazy about "MTD quality" because I bought a Troy-Bilt 4-Cycle Gas trimmer only to have the cable that drives the head strip out just out of warranty. I'm glad I decided on the Gravely Zero Turn, which is now owned by Ariens Company. At least both of those companies are known for "quality products" and there won't be any "MTD parts" on my mower:0)

 

[genusCastor]

Hey BoneDigger, where you at in East Texas? I'm near Cleveland...

I have a Dixie Chopper with the Kohler Courage engine, it's been fine so far (2 yrs old). Seeing you're in east Texas, I'll be interested to know if you have any problems cutting Bahia grass. A detailed explanation of my saga is posted here.

- djb

 

[foreman Etexas]

Hey BoneDigger, where you at in East Texas? I'm near Cleveland...

I have a Dixie Chopper with the Kohler Courage engine, it's been fine so far (2 yrs old). Seeing you're in east Texas, I'll be interested to know if you have any problems cutting Bahia grass. A detailed explanation of my saga is posted here.

- djb

Gotta love that Bahia....Keep good blades,the one thing better about the ZTR's the blade speed helps with cutting it over my rider....