Buying Advice Tips and Guidelines before buying a Zero Turn Mower

Poopdeck Pappy · Feb 28, 2015

SR, I almost pulled the trigger on a gently used 725D 60" a couple of weeks ago. At the last moment, I decided to buy a gently used BX2660 with MMM instead. I still wish I could have both of them. I love those front-deck Grasshopper mowers. That PowerFold deck sure makes blade changes and deck cleaning a breeze, doesn't it?

I also looked at a 72" 930D. What a beast that one is.

Sawyer Rob · Mar 1, 2015

Poopdeck Pappy said:
SR, I almost pulled the trigger on a gently used 725D 60" a couple of weeks ago. At the last moment, I decided to buy a gently used BX2660 with MMM instead. I still wish I could have both of them. I love those front-deck Grasshopper mowers. That PowerFold deck sure makes blade changes and deck cleaning a breeze, doesn't it?

I also looked at a 72" 930D. What a beast that one is.

I also have an older 721-D and the 725-D is a HUGE step UP! I like it MUCH better than I thought I would...

I think in your case, I would have bought the 725 and an older tractors!

SR

Poopdeck Pappy · Mar 1, 2015

Sawyer Rob said:
. . . I think in your case, I would have bought the 725 and an older tractors!

I thought about it, but don't have room for both of them in the garage.

ztrjim · Mar 5, 2015

Grasshopper makes very good machines. What do decent used ones go for?

Poopdeck Pappy · Mar 5, 2015

ztrjim said:
Grasshopper makes very good machines. What do decent used ones go for?

The one I found was a 725D front-mount with the Kubota diesel motor with 300 hours for approx. $8,000.

slow84ta · Mar 9, 2015

I love Grasshopper, but I think it's overkill for my less then 2 acres. I'm thinking about one of those new Husqvarna Z246i zero turn mowers.

Sawyer Rob · Mar 9, 2015

Did you know Grasshopper has some lesser priced models too?? I believe they are aimed at home owners...

SR

RalphVa · Mar 10, 2015

One very important issue is how easy it is to remove the blades on the deck. On a Scag that we got for our church a few years back and that I maintained, I could literally remove its 3 blades in about 5 minutes' time. They were all through bolted and were easily accessed by raising the deck with a built-in hoist.

Think I even replaced one of the blade shaft bearings once and that it was an easy job.

The Scag compared to a (say) Sears underbelly tractor mower (that we had for the church at the time) was kinda like comparing a MacKissic chipper/shredder to a Troy Bilt Tomahawk. Both are like light and day comparisons concerning maintenance.

Ralph

RalphVa · Mar 10, 2015

One very important issue is how easy it is to remove the blades on the deck. On a Scag that we got for our church a few years back and that I maintained, I could literally remove its 3 blades in about 5 minutes' time. They were all through bolted and were easily accessed by raising the deck with a built-in hoist.

Think I even replaced one of the blade shaft bearings once and that it was an easy job.

The Scag compared to a (say) Sears underbelly tractor mower (that we had for the church at the time) was kinda like comparing a MacKissic chipper/shredder to a Troy Bilt Tomahawk. Both are like light and day comparisons concerning maintenance.

Ralph

the old grind · Mar 10, 2015

Country Clipper has had a 'Stand Up Deck' for 20 yrs or so, and a pal has had their 60" x 25hp (Kohler Command) for 15 yrs or more. His 4.5 ac have really tested it that I can tell. Only issues have ever been with .. the motor.

(sticking lifter & gd wire to v-reg pinched/shorted under fan cover)

I looked at used commercial mowers for my tree-peppered 2 ac job & saw too many with >2k hrs on them priced too much over $5k to suit my tastes. Got the 'Husky' MZ6128ZT with fabbed deck, H-G ZT 3400 wheel motors, dampened control levers, foot-op deck lift, for ~$5k with warranty. (Current 'MZ61' uses ZT3100s, and Kaw-power alt is very close in price).

I like the lift-out platform/plate that allows easy access for greasing spindles and checking/clearing belt area. btw, Dixon is now owned by Husqvarna, offers similar models, and it's been a big help that my dealer can also get parts for my '96 4228. I should get to 2k hrs in 20 or so years with the Husky, so I'll let you know how that's going.

What I miss is an articulating front axle, something my CC RZT50 had. (Nicer to have all 4 wheels on the ground!) To get that feature anymore we'd look at ... Country Clipper.

(joystick, anyone?)
Country Clipper zero-turn mowers have zero-turn radius capability