Buying Advice Residential ZTR advice

[mdbelt]

I've got 2.5 acres, mostly flat with a ditch & some minor rolling heaves on property. I mow every 10-14 days (sometimes every 7 in Spring if warranted). I don't have any plans for commercial mowing. I'll be replacing a 6 year old Husqvarna YTH2148 that gave me 300 hours then threw a push rod last weekend (yes I'll try & fix this as a secondary tractor in the "fleet"). I'd like to get a ZTR to help reduce mow time & spend more time with kiddos. After some great reading on transmissions, price ranges, & the lot, I've narrowed it down to the following three:
Cub Cadet RZT 54 25 HP Kaw - ZT 2800 Transmission $3,499.00
John Deere Z425 48 23 HP B&S - Kanzaki Dup-10 Transmission - $3,899.00
Cub Cadet Z-Force 48 22 HP Koh - ZT 2800 Transmission - $3,999.00

I'm sort-of leaning toward the RZT 54. I don't like the smaller tires, but it is 500 cheaper with a larger deck & similar transmission. Then again the RZT tops @ 6.5 MPH instead of 8. These top out my budget so I can't afford to move into a commercial unit, & I'm not sure I really need to. I've made a trip to the different dealers & taken a look at each of these units & plan on purchasing from a dealer when I pull the trigger.

This is a huge financial investment for me, & I believe in seeking the counsel of others. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.

 

[rmasonjr]

I have the JD Z445 54" - Kawasaki 25hp - I love it. I have ~3acres and it runs great and never have any problems. The only thing I dislike is that sharpening the blades requires either dropping the deck, or jacking the front end up, but I suppose you would have to do that with any of those you have listed unless you go with a Grasshopper or Bad Boyz - those have hydraulic decks I believe.

 

[TonyKoehler]

If you're looking at dollars, consider the Dixon SpeedZTR 54...$3300 or a SpeedZTR46 for $2850.

 

[Lyrch75]

Make certain that the Cubs are not using the cheesy hydraulic wheel motor coolers that the "Tank" units had. THey would go tu when they ate debris and then you would end up having to replace the seals in the wheel motor due to overheating.

 

[zukota]

I just went through this exact search. I would recommend adding the Hustler Fastrack sport 48 to your list. It's msrp is $3400 with the B&S engine and it's built MUCH MUCH better than anything you listed. The big problem with the residentials (including the sport) is the transmissions.

I ended up buying a used commercial. If you can find a well maintained commerical mower with sub 1000 hours, it will last much longer than any residential.

 

[zukota]

Make certain that the Cubs are not using the cheesy hydraulic wheel motor coolers that the "Tank" units had. THey would go tu when they ate debris and then you would end up having to replace the seals in the wheel motor due to overheating.

I believe that cub is an mtd with an integrated EZT trans. At least the tanks had seperate weel motors and pumps.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

spend a hair more and buy a nice used commercial mower...

heck, you may not even have to spend more.......i didn't, spent quite a bit less....

there are some good deals out there right now, just have to be patient and keep looking.....

 

[Diamondpilot]

I know a couple with a Cub and its junk. Not sure what model but they paid $4K and has a Briggs. Its always broken and I have welded things back on it 3 or 4 times.

I would look at a Ferris also. What ever you get buy something with a Kawasaki. My neighbor is a commercial mower and has had by far the best luck with them.

Chris

 

[Kernopelli]

I have to agree with Zukota and Flatheadyoungin. We just went through this with my sons mowing business and the vast majority of $3k range ZTR's are not built like the commercial models. Decks, pumps, drive motors, frames and engine models are different than the higher priced units...they're just built better and of higher quality.Two years ago we picked up a Grasshopper that he's been using since for half the price of a $3K+ ZTR's and he just found a commercial JD ZTR with 800 hrs and new factory engine for $2000 on Ebay. I'll admit very unusual circumstance concerning the new engine and price etc on this mower but the point is, deals are out there, especially at this time of year.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

i just saw ferris has ztr's starting at 4999 (i'm sure they are small, maybe no suspension but for $1000 more, 3 times the mower)

and the best part they have 1.9% financing for 5 years.......that's a good deal....

i gave 2250 for my ferris ztr......he thought it had a bad wheel motor or hydro pump........it needed a $75 belt....

it has a oil leak that i'm trying to trace down but other than cosmetics, it's great.......