Riding Mower - Lawn Tractor for Big Guy?

[BigGuy]

@ Carl and Jimmy and all:
Thanks again for the replies and good ideas.
I took a Bpb-Cat 22HP, 52" for a test drive at my home and it worked great. No problems on the slopes. That was Friday, on Saturday I brought it back to dealer to get their Exmark demo unit. While I was there, I saw a just received Exmark trade in. It's a 2009 Lazer (commercial) with a 52" cut, 27HP Hohler, deluxe seat and mulch kit. Has 570 hrs on it and I ended up getting it for $5000. I understand this one is around $10K new, and it has one year warranty left.
It's a little scratched up (from getting on and off the trailers) but overall in good shape and all service has been done by the dealer.
Before I take it, they will do a full service, change all fluids and filters, lub. all grease fittings, check belts and install new blades. Should be ready this Saturday - Hello grass, here I come!
Thanks again for all the help - I'll post a report after the first cutting.

 

[Carl_NH]

Bigguy,

Congrats on your new to you ZTR! Seems like a good price for the year, condition and warranty provided. THen changing all the fluids including the hydro fluids and filters too - thats a good thing.

Is the seat the suspension seat that they offered as the "deluxe seat" or is it a higher back seat? Either way you should be comfortable.

Just a few other things - I would do a final test drive acceptance at the dealer. Running the unit, checking the operation. There are reasons for this - mainly to make sure and document condition of everything and filters/fluids etc are all good and check the following.

Driving / Tracking Test: the unit should track straight with both levers pushed fully forward - it will take a 100' or so to test this. Should do the same in reverse.

Deck Leveling: Most of these mowers have the rear slightly lower than the front, also you want to park on a flat surface and measure all around - should be within 1/8" or less level.

Tire Pressure: Usually fronts are about 20-25 PSI and rears 12-15PSI - if they are off this will result in a uneven deck. Also if higher PSI will cause a rough ride.

Finally go on line and find an operator manual and review it - should be able to get a PDF free from the Exmark site..

And if the dealer is really nice you will get two full tanks of gas! Oh and a can of paint to touch up the scrapes..

Send some pics when you get it - thats a must..

 

[jltrent]

Might want to look at getting a good push mower maybe even self propelled as this would be good exercise and maybe you could get down on weight some.

 

[BigGuy]

Might want to look at getting a good push mower maybe even self propelled as this would be good exercise and maybe you could get down on weight some.

Nah, the weight is fine, I am just a bit too short!

 

[missingstexas]

Bigguy,

Congrats on your new to you ZTR! Seems like a good price for the year, condition and warranty provided. THen changing all the fluids including the hydro fluids and filters too - thats a good thing.

Is the seat the suspension seat that they offered as the "deluxe seat" or is it a higher back seat? Either way you should be comfortable.

Just a few other things - I would do a final test drive acceptance at the dealer. Running the unit, checking the operation. There are reasons for this - mainly to make sure and document condition of everything and filters/fluids etc are all good and check the following.

Driving / Tracking Test: the unit should track straight with both levers pushed fully forward - it will take a 100' or so to test this. Should do the same in reverse.

Deck Leveling: Most of these mowers have the rear slightly lower than the front, also you want to park on a flat surface and measure all around - should be within 1/8" or less level.

Tire Pressure: Usually fronts are about 20-25 PSI and rears 12-15PSI - if they are off this will result in a uneven deck. Also if higher PSI will cause a rough ride.

Finally go on line and find an operator manual and review it - should be able to get a PDF free from the Exmark site..

And if the dealer is really nice you will get two full tanks of gas! Oh and a can of paint to touch up the scrapes..

Send some pics when you get it - thats a must..

Carl- You do you do consultations? I'm considering purchasing a new ZD326 or ZD331 (Kubota) and your advise here seems very thought out. I might just print this out if I decide to pull the trigger after the TAX MAN commith in a few days...:thumbsup:

 

[Carl_NH]

missingtexas,

No don't do consultations but I was a IH mechanic and worked on various stuff - cub cadet, JD, farm tractors and just like things to be correct when they are delivered as it makes a difference in the customer experience out of the box.

When I got my Ferris ZTR last year I went over it closely per the setup manual and it wouldnt track straight. Did a bunch of adjustments in the levers and came to find out one of the hydraulic release valves (to push the unit by hand) was 1/4 turn loose causing the output to bleed off.. Simple fix but not easy to find.

On the Kubota ZTR they have more kubota "content" meaning the hydros, and controls are kubota brand vs the Parker, Kanzaki, Hydrogear components that the other commercial ZTR use. This is good in my opinion and worth the extra $$.

I looked at Kubota as I wanted a diesel - but they were more than I wanted to spend - $10K but they are a great unit with a lot of nice features like the deck lift and so on.

I am happy with my choice in Ferris with the 25HP Kawasaki - it uses less fuel than my 1811 Cub Cadet and does the lawn in about half the time.

Keep us posted on your selection and if questions ask away..

 

[missingstexas]

Thanks- I've test driven the Ferris several times and REALLY do love that suspension, but I really want the diesel. The Ferris dealer tells me that if I have engine or pump trouble on his diesel I'd be out of luck because he's never sold one and never had to work on one. I'd really hate being his 1st, not that I anticipate having troubles mind you, but with mechanical equipment you never really know.

 

[Carl_NH]

missingtexas,

I guess what I was trying to say but did not, is if I could have afforded a diesel, I would have gotten the Kubota.

The Kubota line are very well made and will run a long time, and the 326 probably has the same filters and engine that your B26 does.