Time for a new ZTR--Brand recommendations?

[Inspector507]

The only experience I've had with a ZTR was with a Kubota ZD323-60. I bought that one to be my last mower ever. After several life changing events I had to sell it.I was really impressed with the Diesel engine and the 60" deck. It had a 60" hydraulic raised fabricated deck. I really liked everything about it except the seat height. The center of gravity was real high. So anyone with lots of low hanging trees or ditches might not like it. I wanted a diesel since we had to wait sometimes to mow because of wet yard. I don't think you'd ever stall out the mower.

My wife worked at the dealership, so we got it at a real good price.

 

[Oleozz]

What ever brand you get I highly recommend a Kawasaki engine. The daughter of the dealer (graduated with my youngest, been to our house overnight a few times) talked to me after I had originally ordered mine and gave me some very good advice. She said to get the Kawasaki and a narrower deck because the wider deck tended to scalp the yards. Said any ZTR that the deck stuck out too far past the front wheels would do so.

The 24-hp Kawasaki uses less gas than my old mower with a 17-hp Kohler. I can mow my 1.1 acre lot four times on one tank.

My advice would be not to shop brands but to shop, in order, dealer-engine-deck size.

Oh yeah, our Bad Boy has an electric lift for the deck. Makes it easy for my short wife to adjust.

RSJT

Amen to the Kawasaki engine. Had a 21 hp Kawasaki engine in my Ferris ZTR, was very thrifty with gas and never had a problem in the 12 yrs I owned it. Now have a Kohler Command 23 hp and it is a gas guzzler. I'm guessing twice the fuel consumption with the Kohler.

 

[teejk]

I have the 42" Hustler brand with a 21.5HP Kawasaki. Works good...plus is that I can remove the blades without dropping the deck. Minus is that the maintenance parts are a bit pricey and oil changes require that extension tube that I always seem to forget where I stored it. Last year I added a Simplicity in 48" with a 23 HP B&S commercial engine. Plus is that it has suspension, maintenance parts are available locally and it has a "flip-down" oil drain. Minus is that I have to remove the deck to remove the blades...not a big thing for young people but I'm getting older and crawling around is getting harder. I'd recommend either one.

 

[rbtjr]

We have a Toro for home use, 50" deck. Great mower but you probably want something heavier duty. We had a 66" Exmark commercial mower for use at our country place (we mow about two acres there). It was a good mower and performed well. We sold it--actually traded it in on our current Wright 61" Sport X mower. I wanted the Sport X (similar to the Wright Standr models but has a seat such that you can either stand or sit) because I wanted to be able to step off of the mower if I got in trouble on a steep bank, near water, etc. The Wright is a really good, high commercial grade mower. Based on my experience I am sold on Wright mowers and will buy another Wright if and when I ever need another mower.

 

[RustyA]

We own a Hustler Fastrak 54" with Honda engine purchased 12 years ago. Belts and blades have been our only upkeep besides normal maintenance. Built like a tank...comfortable to operate, wife says it's the best mower we've ever owned and we had John Deere hydros before. I would buy another but this one won't quit.

 

[DK35vince]

I owned a Hustler FasTrac 54" (21 HP Kawasaki) for 4 years.
I upsized to a Hustler Super Z 72" (35 HP Kawasaki) 5 years ago.
Never had a single issue with either.

 

[Stimw]

I had a customer give me a 2004 Grasshopper with a blown engine that a tenant left behind !!
New are about $8 grand today.
I rebuilt the engine and I love this mower! Engine blew from cooling fins clogged causing overheating and eating a valve.
It is built to last and had 3300 hours on it when I got it.
It has two hydraulic pumps and two wheel motors.
I saw a Grasshopper cutting the Whitehouse lawn during a news report on TV!

 

[coobie]

FERRIS..

 

[Coyote machine]

Since the OP is already a Cub Cadet owner, and I did mention the newer Pro-Z steering wheel and lapbar available ZT mowers with four wheel steering - I want to reiterate my being very impressed with their commercial grade mowers, which have Hydro-gear wheel motors, each with it's own hydraulic fluid filter(s).
This is my second season on mine, and it started right up with no problems with Marine Stabilized non E-10 fuel from last fall. Zero issues to date. FWIW.:thumbsup:

Here's a link to another earlier thread about the CC mowers:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/cub-cadet-l-g/392016-cub-cadet-steering-wheel-zero.html

 

[Bocephous]

I've had my Hustler Fastrak 54" with an FX series Kawasaki mower since 2012. I have about 200 hours on it now; no problems, no complaints.