what z turn to buy

[DannyD]

I am considering trading/selling my BX 23 in favor of a mower only and as a Kubota owner am partial to them. That aside what should I look for and what can I expect from these tractors. I will be spending in the 3 to 4 thousand range.

I have one acre of slight to steep grade to cut (BX does fine), with a fair assortment of decorations etc to cut around. One accesory that would be nice is a snow blade for the drive, other than that............nothing else needed.

 

[bczoom]

Danny,

Do a search for "ZTR" or look at some of the more recent posts for models in your price range.

Many ZTR's don't do well on a steep grade. Do you plan on going up/down the hill or side to side? Most have an issue on the side to side. I would recommend that you try to get a demo brought out to assure it can handle the hill.

I'm not familiar with any new machines in the $3-4K range that have a plow available.

Brian

 

[fig]

Danny,

I have been looking at ZT's myself for the past several months. If you have a BX; then you know about the Kubota ZD's. Would like to have a ZD21, but I can't stand the $9500 price tag.

The only mowers that I can think of that will allow a blade is the front deck design mowers (JD, Grasshopper, Kubota I think). Looked at a used JD F1145 couple weeks ago. Great used machine with a 6' deck diesel engine and 4wd and 420 hours. He was asking $8000. Happy hunting /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

Fig

 

[Spiffy]

If the hills are as steep as my imagination is saying, you'll really need some home testing to make a decision.

As far as the blade, I know Dixon makes one for most of their machines. One of the dealers had one on while I was shopping; when I looked at it curiously he said it did amazingly well and he cleaned his parking lot the whole winter with it [not too bad of a winter around here last year though].

On the Dixons, we're talking about a company that really knows their Zs; the FIL has used them for years, though has a front mount GH he likes better [once he gets the engine rebuilt anyway]. However, on TBN here where many people are used to having tracters with some weight and 2000+ hr components, I usually think the commercial grade machines in a ZTR. Dixon makes those too, but really offering something for everyone, you need to walk by quite a few models in their line-up before getting a "commercial drive-train".

Of course, if they could make the old cone clutches last 20 years [if you didn't mind adjusting them at say 500, 750, 900 hours, you get the idea] maybe they know something about the EZT & IZT I'm missing. I like fab decks too, but know of one 20 year old Dixon; probably well over 1000 abusive hours; deck looks litterally like Swiss cheese, yet still cuts nice.

Have fun shopping!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Spiffy]

I think their picture shows a RAM; if vague memory serves thats closer to the $5K machines; but the link for the SpeedZTR, so I presume it fits both.

Dixon

 

[Spiffy]

While I was testing the link, I couldn't resist looking at the RAM specs. Looks like the machine [assuming mid mount Z will hold your hills], they'd recommend for your situation. I'm also betting in the slow season, you could coerce a 44 into your target price [if I'm reading the spec right, their RAM 42 is another situation where I don't understand how a certain product fits the naming scheme....oh well].

Anyway, a little research and I wouldn't be surprised if you find all sorts of Z manufacturers offering a blade.

Once again....Have Fun!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[fig]

Dixon is one mfg that I have not seen. Also first one that I have seen with a blade option. Spoke too soon I guess.

Fig

 

[Nasty135]

I have a little info that I can pass along from a cousin: He stated that his ZTR (Ex-mark) with its turf tires was lousy on his OHIO hills,slopes whatever,, They were as I can agree harsh on the grass in turns as you will have a learning curve(literally). Through some frustration and agravation he actually switched to an AG style tire for his ZTR and now he is happy with his Mowing ability .

They actually will hold better on his hills and he also stated that they are more forgiving in turns as well /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif , Maybe because there is more smooth space between cleats(for turns)

I don't have any experience with this type of tire on a ZTR, but it might actually work pretty good.

OH! I forgot , He said after talking to a Buddy of his who works for the state hi-way or whoever cuts the grass on the roads in OHIO, He got this idea from them because all there mowing equipment uses the AG type tire.

So if your having troubles on your property with traction ,This may be a solution for you /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[LBrown59]

The thing i don't like about ZTs is they loose steering control if you loose traction.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am considering trading/selling my BX 23 in favor of a mower only . )</font>

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Why are you wanting to get rid of the BX23?