Buying Advice Thinking about buying my first ZTR

[Muleman4570]

I also just went through the same process this spring with the similar 3-5K budget (or so I thought.) I tend to buy stuff and keep it forever if I can and after all the looking ended up with a used Kubota ZD221 with 48hrs(Yup I verified that's right) for $6,500.00 from a dealer. It's built like a tank and has filters for tranny, liquid cooled etc. My searching showed me what people wanted 3-4K for in used air cooled machines was just not worth the risk. I also found out that a quality machine is a small fortune(like everything else I suppose). So I convinced myself I needed to buy a new unit(my budget had to change) and narrowed it to John Deere or Kubota diesel and then found a used Kubota at a dealer for what I thought was a great deal and jump on it. I now cut my property in half the time I was before and didn't completed break the bank. I will put 50 hours a year on the machine and it will last me a lifetime. Good hunting!

 

[shooterdon]

I also just went through the same process this spring with the similar 3-5K budget (or so I thought.) I tend to buy stuff and keep it forever if I can and after all the looking ended up with a used Kubota ZD221 with 48hrs(Yup I verified that's right) for $6,500.00 from a dealer. It's built like a tank and has filters for tranny, liquid cooled etc. My searching showed me what people wanted 3-4K for in used air cooled machines was just not worth the risk. I also found out that a quality machine is a small fortune(like everything else I suppose). So I convinced myself I needed to buy a new unit(my budget had to change) and narrowed it to John Deere or Kubota diesel and then found a used Kubota at a dealer for what I thought was a great deal and jump on it. I now cut my property in half the time I was before and didn't completed break the bank. I will put 50 hours a year on the machine and it will last me a lifetime. Good hunting!

This guy makes an important point...hours of use. In my case, a ZT will get 20 hours of use a year. If I purchase a machine that will last 1000 hours, that is 50 years. I am 70 in a month. Seems pointless.

The advice of guys cutting over 4 acres of grass should be weighed if you lawn is 2 acres (mine is just under 2 acres). If a "junk" ZT will last 400 hours, that will last an old man like me until I am 90. A $3000-3500 might be all I "need". I may still spend more to get what I "want" if I have the cash.

When I bought my tractor last year I went through the same process. The "cheap" LS saved me over $8000 compared to the Kubota I wanted. With about 100 hours a year of use, did I need a machine that might last 5000 hours more?

 

[Carl_NH]

This guy makes an important point...hours of use. In my case, a ZT will get 20 hours of use a year. If I purchase a machine that will last 1000 hours, that is 50 years. I am 70 in a month. Seems pointless.

The advice of guys cutting over 4 acres of grass should be weighed if you lawn is 2 acres (mine is just under 2 acres). If a "junk" ZT will last 400 hours, that will last an old man like me until I am 90. A $3000-3500 might be all I "need". I may still spend more to get what I "want" if I have the cash.

When I bought my tractor last year I went through the same process. The "cheap" LS saved me over $8000 compared to the Kubota I wanted. With about 100 hours a year of use, did I need a machine that might last 5000 hours more?

I agree at a certain point it doesn't make sense to spend $7K when spending half will get you what you need for 20 years. I got my Cub Cadet 1811 which is a hydro garden tractor in 1988 new for $2K and I still have it with 750 hours in 32 years, then in 2010 @ age 54 bought my Ferris IS2000 for $7K which has 320 hours now and will likely last another 20 years or 600 hours.

I prefer to buy good once, store inside, and take care of the machines and they will last a long time, but there is a point of diminishing returns as you point out, so its a matter of the stage in life and its different for everyone.

 

[fried1765]

I just got done buying a ztm myself. Challenging time to buy, between the time of year and the pandemic, dealers are out of stock in many cases.

You can get an eXmark Radius E series for $4999, possibly less with incentives. I was looking at the 50+ inch decks, and in my case, replacing my very expensive lawn service basically meant I felt like I was printing money by buying my own mower because of how quickly it will pay for itself.

I generally like to buy one level above my needs, was looking at Radius X and Kubota Z400 series. I was also in a hurry, inventory was lean. I couldn't find any eXmark Radius mowers to ride! After trying an eXmark lazer Z (too expensive), and Kubota Z400 and Z700 series, I went with the Z700. It's cheaper than an an eXmark laser Z, has superior hydraulics, and a 7 gauge steel deck, i.e., a tank. Since I also have a Kubota tractor I already have a dealer relationship/dependency so there's that too.

For the incremental dough, I just felt the Z700 was more responsive. Having used it for only one mow, all I can say is that I can be heard yelling various equivalents of "cowabunga!" as I charge across the flat pieces of the yard at 11 MPH. Seriously speedy stuff, fun as ****. I bought the 54 inch deck. The z700 is probably 2 steps above my needs, for which had a penny pincher's bit of buyer's remorse, but when I mess with that deck and things that hit it in my yard, that extra steel seems like money well spent.

Good luck.

I am replacing my big box JD LA110 rider, with a 2020 48" Scag Liberty Z (ZTR).
The JD works fine.....but I am 3 months shy of 80.
I WANTED a ZTR!
Will pick it up tomorrow.
I think I got a good deal...$4,500 OTD.
Now....let's hope I like it.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I am replacing my big box JD LA110 rider, with a 2020 48" Scag Liberty Z (ZTR).
The JD works fine.....but I am 3 months shy of 80.
I WANTED a ZTR!
Will pick it up tomorrow.
I think I got a good deal...$4,500 OTD.
Now....let's hope I like it.

For all of us who grew up cutting lawns with push mowers, a zero turn mower is like some kind of prize at the end of a long journey. Add to that the fact that kids won't mow your lawn now, and anybody wielding a string trimmer thinks they should be paid $50/hour, and well, if you gotta mow your lawn, the ztm is sure fun.

 

[lilranch2001]

As I have mentioned in other threads, I bought my eXmark Lazer Z in the spring of 2000, first major purchase after my divorce, she always told me "we do not need that".

I paid a tick over 9 K for it then, and use it, and abuse it mowing 7+ acres of lawn, and 6-7 acres of woods. Some of the woods is quite hilly.

The main problems I have had with it was replacing blades since I tend to hit a lot of rocks in the woods, mule belts since every now and again I get a branch stuck in the belt system, and after 17 years the o rings in the Kawasaki engine began leaking, so I had my dealer replace them as needed.

I think 2-3 years ago I replaced one spindle that was becoming noisy.

I am not quite sure the eXmark of today is as tough as it was 20 years ago, as they build way to many residential mowers now that Toro bought them, but if you can find a vintage eXmark, put a little money in it, you will have a tough azz machine!

 

[MESSMAKER]

Complaints about a Scag are a very very rare item.

 

[tradosaurus]

I need to replace a piece of junk riding mower for mowing around house and barns, driveway, etc (about 2 acres). Mostly level, although I do have a few gentle slopes to work around. I use a JD770 for pasture mowing and really hilly terrain.

My budget for this is $3000-$5000, of course cheaper is better.

Have read much about ZTR mowers which seem all the rage, but so many to choose from I go blind with all the options.

Any sage advice out there on ZTRs in this range? Other other better options than ZTR?

Thx,
Nick

You can pick up a new Toro commercial ZTR 60" for about $7500 new. This is the one I have and mow 3 acres on my property. I have about 90 hrs on it so far.

 

[Mat4644]

21 mowing seasons 3 acres on a commercial Toro zero turn. Still going strong. No deck rust through. No repairs other than normal maintenance items. For me it paid to spend more upfront and get a commercial duty mower.

 

[lilranch2001]

Agreed, I am on my 20th season for my eXmark Lazer Z, mowing around 10 acres a week, if you have rough ground, spend the extra on a suspension seat