I have a Scag Wildcat with a liquid cooled Kawasaki engine. I looked at all the mowers in my area and everything about the Scag was heavier, bigger and in my opinion, stronger. The blades are super easy to take off, the seat is the most comfortable that I sat in and the dealer has all the parts in stock. I don't have any experience with any of the other machines, so I can't say if mine is better or not, but I'm very pleased with Scag and would buy another.
Number one, most important thing of any mower or tractor is the dealer. If you have a great dealer, go with that brand.
Eddie
I like the Scag... but the one I'm looking at is the Freedom-Z. I think yours is a step or 2 up.
I have a Dixie chopper silver eagle and really do like it. Mine is the 27hp with 60 inch cut. This will be my third year with absolutely no problems. I cut around 4 acres a week, 3 is mine and about 1 acre for my mama. I have around 130 hours using it 2 full summers. They are really fast. I had a Husqvarna commercial before that. Only problem kept throwing pulley off and tearing belt off. The main thing get the commercial mower made so much better.
My Uncle has an older DC also and loves his. The one I found (last years model Magnum 2760) is a steal compared to the others at $5599... but it uses a Briggs and I'm not sure I"m happy about that.
I have an eXmarx lazer 60" with a diesel 3 cyl Diahatsu label (Briggs/Stratton. While I realize the extra cost of the diesel it is in a class unto itself
I would LOVE to get a Diesel, especially since I can write off the fuel (my tractor fuel). However, the up-front cost is MUCH higher. Takes it out of my price range as I'm really aiming around $6500. I think the diesel's start at around $10k.
Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, Exmark, Toro, Deere, Yazzo Keys, and one other, could have been Bobcat, all used the same tractor part, but the mower decks were all different designs. For the last several years, Exmark and Toro are the only two twins out there.. Each make their own decks, but the tractor part are the same between the two brands.
I may be wrong but aren't Exmark and Bobcat one of the same?
BobCat is by itself... made by Schiller Equip or something like that, out of Wisconsin I think. I also spoke with 2 other dealers (Big Dog and BadBoy) that are also around 25+ miles away, here's what they quoted me:
BigDog R-Series 60". KawFR691, ZT-3100, $6225
BigDog R-Diablo series 60". KawFX730, ZT-3400, $7845 (with the "Flex-Forks" added in the cost)... He said the BigDog's were Red Hustlers and usually 1-year behind the Hustler twin.
BadBoy CZT Elite 60", KawFS726, ZT-3400, $7662.
So, only the BigDog R-Series with a smaller engine than the others I'm shopping, was competitive in price to the rest of the list.
I have been mowing commerical for 14 years now, and have used Kubotas, Exmarks, and now Deeres. I will say there is no "perfect" machine. Find a dealer with a good service department, one that is somewhat close to you. Go sit and drive every machine your considering. Just cause they look the same, they will handle different and your visability around the machine may be different. Look at all the service points on the machines. Also, I would recommend you pay attention to tire sizes on the mowers, I prefer 23" tall rears or larger, and also some have smaller narrower fronts. Larger is better..
Also, of those you posted pictures of, I would stay away from the Husqvarna, I dont like the discharge side, too small of opening. Also look how much cheaper $ it is.. Of those you posted, I would look at the Exmark or Hustler. They should be sold and serviced by good reputable dealers. Take care of the machine and it will hold its value better than some of those others.
Good point on the tires... and I was thinking of staying away from the Husq/Dixon anyhow, they look much "cheaper".
I prefer a mower that does not crush down the grass before you try to cut it. I have an old Jacobsen 3 wheel mower that has the deck out front and ahead of the wheels that support the mower. So a mower with very thin front (ahead of the deck) support wheels to minimize compaction of the grass is preferred. No one makes a mower like that nowadays.
I use a 7' JD rotary brush/grass mower for field mowing but the tractor wheels crush down the grass (a foot wide for each rear wheel) so the mower can't cut it!
Dennis
Currently, I'm using a mid-90's Ford-NH CM272 72" Commercial Front Mower. It has a 27hp Shibaura Diesel. It's nice, and it cuts big spaces quick. However, it's VERY heavy and LONG, so it's not nearly as maneuverable around tight spots, and it ruts my lawn if/when it's damp. Also, it has very high hours... I already had to spend some money last year on it to replace a head-gasket (wasn't cheap) and parts are getting more and more difficult to find. I'm going to put it up for sale here in a couple weeks and get away from it.
I'll check into the Ferris units too and get some pricing.