What to look for when buying a used ZTR?

agigliotos · Apr 4, 2010

Hi all. I'm thinking about buying a used ZTR mower. I have 2.5 acres that are mostly obstacle free and on a slight grade.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I should check on the machine to lessen the chance of getting a lemon? Hours, oil level and color, blades? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Tony

wampum · Apr 4, 2010

I know there are all kinds out there,some features are better on some and some better on others. I own a Wright with a 23 HP engine. I see them going fairly cheap at auctions and craigslist. You control them with your hands,and you can stand,ride or walk behind the model I have. I do believe for the size deck I have(52 inch) it is the shortest one available. You can get them with 60 inch decks walk behind or stand and ride. Mine has a motorcycle type seat that can be folded up easy to stand or walk behind. The advantage of walking or standing is ease of getting off or away if you run into trouble,say on a steep slope. Also walk behind gives you a large push type mower for really tight spots. A regular Zero that you sit in the middle in front of the engine is more comfortable,but not as easy to get off,and does not store in a smaller space and I believe the wright is easier to use. Others will come along giving there mower a good review. That is good,that will give you a lot of info to decide which is best for you. Here is a link to my mower : Wright : Sentar

Will_C · Apr 4, 2010

A big question is what will you be looking at-commercial or residential? I would recommend looking very closly at a residential model-you won't find an hour meter on most of them, so you will have judge it mostly by appearance. Does it look good cosmetically? Condition of the tires? They don't wear much, any wear and I would pass.

Commercial machines, I would want it to have less than 1,000hours. Cosmetically-if it looks good, it probably was used by a homeowner, most crews with many operators don't take care of cosmetic issues. many of the mowing outfits do maintainence, but if there isn't records???

Will

agigliotos · Apr 5, 2010

Will_C said:
A big question is what will you be looking at-commercial or residential? I would recommend looking very closly at a residential model-you won't find an hour meter on most of them, so you will have judge it mostly by appearance. Does it look good cosmetically? Condition of the tires? They don't wear much, any wear and I would pass.

Commercial machines, I would want it to have less than 1,000hours. Cosmetically-if it looks good, it probably was used by a homeowner, most crews with many operators don't take care of cosmetic issues. many of the mowing outfits do maintainence, but if there isn't records???

Will

It is a residential model. A 2 year old Toro Z4200. It has been used on a 1/2 acre lot so your point about the tires is a good one. If the information is true they should be in excellent shape.

I'm going to see it tomorrow or Wednesday so hopefully it looks and runs well.