Should I buy??

[thacheetah11]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2004 ZForce 44 ZTR from a buddy that I work with. I test drove it around his yard and road and it works good. We cut the blades on they work well too. The only thing wrong with it is that when you get into really thick bermuda, the belts want to slip when moving fast. He said if you slow down a little it cuts fine. He said that he can't use it because he's got a very steep hill on his property. My 3/4 of an acre is mostly flat. It doesn't use any oil either.

Is this an okay mower to purchase for $600?

All help is appreciated.

 

[LRTX1]

New it looks like about $3800. How many hours are on it? Even if you only get a few years out of it looks like a deal to me.

 

[thacheetah11]

I have no idea. Where do I find the hours used?

 

[LRTX1]

The commercial mowers have an hour meter on them. I am guessing this one does not. I am also guessing this is not a commercial mower. If it does have an hour meter it should be near the key. Either way it still sounds like a good price if it is not totaly worn out.

Look for things that shows abuse. Look around his yard, do the trees, fences and such look like they have been run in to. Also, look for rust on the deck. Does he have any service records.

Did the seller use it comercially? How big is his yard? Did he buy it new? All of these questions can sum up a good guess on the hours. I still think for 6 bones it would be a good deal if it runs and cuts grass.

 

[thacheetah11]

It was used only in a residential setting. The guy I'm buying from is the second owner. His yard is approximately 1 acre and he changed the oil last summer. Here's a couple of pics.

 

[artfull dodger]

For that kind of money, if it runs and cuts ok, buy it fast. The belt slipping is probably the result of a worn and stretched belt. Get a new one from the Cub dealer and that should stop the slipping. You might have also been trying to cut the grass to low, even the high doller machines have a limit to what they can handle. When our Cub Cadet dealership where I work as a repair tech gets a ZTR in used, they are resold in a day or less normaly. Used ZTR's are a rare item, most are used till they are worn out or the engine blows up. Looks in decent shape from the pics. Cheers Mike

 

[Donsyl]

Seems like a good deal to me...good luck and have fun

 

[Undercover]

I have never really looked at these.But i guy i work with got a new cc zero turn maybe 04 it has a 50" deck and it is the low end cc zero turns i believe because it cost less than $4000.He liked it so much he got a 2nd one last summer same model so now he has two.If i was looking for one i would for sure look into it.I am thinking $600 is a good deal?
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[scoutcub]

If you buy it for 600, you stole it! If you don't want it, I'll give you 800 for it!

 

[MarkV]

I have been using the ZForce 50 for the last three years and really like it. Though mine has a different motor it is basically the same machine. I agree with those who say $600 is a steal. If you start having problems with the belts it is often the tensioning pulley. They have a center bearing that tends to wear out. Not an expensive part and easily changed.

MarkV