The Winner Is.....eXmark

[Varmintmist]

What about ZTR on slopes??

I havent bought yet, but I have steered away from ZTR because of 2 things. First I can buy 2 lawn tractors for the ZTR price, and more importantly, I have been told that side hilling on a ZTR is impossible. That wont work for me.

 

[moss2940]

I wouldn't want to get into a debate about which mower is the best, I will never have the chance to use them all.
I did want to share one more experience that made me feel like I chose a good place to buy my mower.
After we got it in the truck for me to take it home I thought I should stop and fill up the tanks since it would be so easy and they held 12 gallons of gas total.
I pull up to the pump and go to put gas in one tank and it is full, so I check the other one and it is full. I was impressed. Not only did they give me what I thought was great deal on the price of the mower, they filled it up for me. What a nice touch by the dealer.
I don't think Lowes would have done that.

 

[Dargo]

Since I've now used (or test mowed with) 6 different ZTR mowers on my property this spring, there is a huge difference on how they mow on hills. However, for the most part, each ZTR I tested seemed to be exceptionally well built. I even tested 2 different eXmark units, one gas and one diesel. If mowing is the only chore, a ZTR will mow more than 2 lawn tractors. But, as you mentioned, the price difference is steep.

There seems to be just as big of a jump in cost and productivity when going to a front mount ZTR. I spent a considerable amount of time and money this spring learning this fact. There is a big jump from a lawn tractor to a ZTR, and there is a big jump from a mid mount ZTR to a front mount ZTR.

However, each step depends on your needs. If you need to tow something and need to use a front blade to push snow etc., a lawn tractor would work better for you than a ZTR. If you have a smooth lawn, no lake, no steep hills, and not many inside corners, then a mid mount ZTR will be all you will ever need. If you have a lake, lots of obsticles, a lawn that isn't exactly smooth, inside corners to mow, trees and bushes to mow under, and some significant hills, then a front mount ZTR is needed. I can literally stop, turn in complete circles, and continue mowing with my ZTR on the side of some hills that I wouldn't dare attempt to cross on my tractor. It all depends on your particular application.

I have not been on what I would consider a poorly built ZTR, mid or front mount. I didn't want to spend the extra money, but with my layout, a mid mount ZTR just wouldn't work. For my 2nd ZTR, I had to go with another front mount. Like I mentioned, from experience, you have several steps. First the lawn tractor, then the mid mount ZTR, then the front mount ZTR. There is just as much of a jump in abilities and production (and cost) with each. You just need to figure out which will fit your needs. There is no sense spending money for something you don't need, but there is also a painful feeling to spend quite a bit just to find that it won't do what you need. I can't say it enough; demo what you are considering on your own property. Then, make sure you use the demo model in all areas you intend to mow. After that, then you will be ready to buy what you need.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Nice Moss.....That is the way it should be.

 

[SkyPup]

Jim, last year I shopped them all and checked them out. Finally settled on a Kubota ZD-21 with the 60" ProDeck for $9,500 take home.

One year later and 100 hours later I am absolutely amazed and totally impressed by our little diesel lifesaver, although I am extremely distraught and upset whenever I wonder why I did not have this thing twenty years ago as it cut my time wasted by 90%.

Super powerful, super quiet, and super fuel efficient for every job in the book and did I mention super quiet.....what a great machine.

 

[sportzkat]

I'll just add that I looked at several ZTRs, both commercial and residential, and I don't think any of the commercial ones I looked at were poorly built. Any one of them of any brand would do what I needed and most likely last me a lifetime. Now the residential ones were another story, as many of them I looked at looked like toys when compared to the commercial units. I can't imagine getting much more than 6-7 years out of one of those units, but that's just my opinion. My conclusion after all I looked at was:

1. Spend the extra money and get a commercial unit
2. Buy from a dealer you like
3. Pick the unit you like best and has the features you want

Don't get too hung up in the brand names, because the commercial ZTRs are all built like tanks. Now a guy using this as a commercial unit would have different things to consider I'm sure, but all I'm going to do in mow my 2.5 acres.

 

[frank_f15]

i went up to the local dealer today and looked at a TORO ZTR, the only one he had was a 16HP 42" cut(which would be ok for me) price was $3000.00. di not look like to bad of a unit. But seems like none of the dealers around here want to let u try one out. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Durbob]

I'm just curious on how much the cheapest front mount costs? Plus what is the smallest cut size you can get with one and i'm also assuming there are no residential front mounts?

Thanks,
Dur

 

[Jagmandave]

Congratulations! I bought an Exmark with a 52" with the 19 hp Kawasaki last year and it has been completely trouble free. Unlike some of the other posters , I had no problems arranging for a demo, but as I had gotten the choices down to just two brands, I only demo'd those two. One of the reasons I liked the Exmark (oh, it was about $400 less also) was the way the deck stuck out about 6" on the left, enabling me to get up close to trees and such without dragging the rear tire as I went around.
I heartily agree that the dealer makes all the difference, both of my final choices were partly because of dealer location and attitude. I also looked at the Ferris, but at my dealer a comparable model was about $1300 more...............

 

[Moon]

Congrats Jim. Another ZTR convert. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Much like your ballerina comment, we named ours Matilda, because it felt like your waltzing Matilda when mowing around things (corny but true).

Once you look at the commercial ones it is hard to put down cash on a residential model ..at least if you have semi rough terrain like I do.

My 4 acres has a number of slopes which I mow with no problem with the ZTR. But all slopes are not created equal. For those considering a ZTR do like Dargo did and try to get demo's on your property. Especially if you have slopes you want to try em out on. I'd guess the dealers will do it if they have time, because they know that more than likely you'll end up buying.

I planted 10 more white pines yesterday. I sure would not have done that if I did not have a ZTR to mow around them with. I do think ZTR's are the future of mowing, and as they get more popular prices on all the units will come down.

Moon of Ohio