Widetrack Tank ZTR

brokenarrow · Sep 12, 2005

Hey everyone. First time to post here in a long time, but I visit and read all the good advice. All of which has been much appreciated.

I have been looking for a ZTR for about a month and the more I try the more questions I come up with. Each time we narrow our search down to a couple of mowers, another brand begs me to try it and the questions begin again.

We tested a Cub Tank EFI 60 inch this weekend. We were actually looking at the Toro mowers, but my wife doesn't weigh enough to keep the kill switch from triggering when she hits a bump. All in alll, the Tank was a pretty sweet setup, drove well, and my wife liked it (second best, her first choice is the Kubota ZD25). The dealer has 2 units and has them priced (on closeout) for $8000. Anyone running one of these big beasts? Is that a pretty decent price? Unit has no ROPS and has about 6 hours of demo use on it. Also, the dealer said the EFI would be much more fuel efficient than carb. model, any input? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Thanks.

gamble77 · Sep 12, 2005

It is more fuel efficent, the ROPS is not necessary, and that price is great, and the ones I have sold the people love them...any more questions!?!?!

JTKub · Sep 12, 2005

The CC tank ZTR's rival any of today's top end ZTR's. You see more and more commercial outfits using them. They gotta be good! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
G/luck
Joel

brokenarrow · Sep 13, 2005

The big questions I have is durability/dependability. The dealer has only sold about 6 of these units and he says no one has had any problems with them yet. Like anything else, most of the little things that people either really like or dislike don't seem to surface until they have put some hours on a machine. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks for the input!!

MBDiagMan · Sep 20, 2005

I think that the M48's, M60 and M72 are the best units that CC makes. The decks are adequate as long as you are not doing some REALLY tough mowing that will require extra deck toughness. The decks are only 10 guage vs. much heavier deck material found in some of the competitive units.

Good luck,
Doc

brokenarrow · Sep 25, 2005

We were out test driving units again yesterday. Made a trip to the nearest Scag, Ferris and Hustler dealers. The Scag dealer was really promoting the Tiger Cub. We started out searching for a 52-54 inch deck, but could probably make due with a 48 if needed. Initially, my wife and I both like the way the Tiger Cub handled. The only trouble we ran into was that with the seat all the way forward, the deck would not lock in the transport position without shoving the lever down. Since my wife is vertically challenged /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif, it was a little difficult for her to operate. Despite that fact, we both really liked the mower. The base seat on the Tiger Cub wasn't as comfortable as the seats on the bigger units. Apparently, you can order the mid-grade seat to put on the Tiger Cub for a mere $275.00.

After we finished at the Scag dealer, we went to the Ferris dealer. He didn't have any units out where we could test drive them, but the seat didn't slide forward enough on the floor model for my wife to be able to raise/lower the deck. One point I really like about the Exmark, Toro and Cub Cadet is the hand operated lever with the foot assist. The Ferris dealer said 2 weeks and the 2006 units would be in, so we opted to check back with him later.

Last but not least, we traveled up the road to the Hustler dealer (who also handles Cub Cadet). As soon as we walked in, I noticed a M60 EFI on sale for $7499. Best price we have seen prior to this was $7999. We decided to check out the Hustler line while we were there and I really liked them. My wife tried a Super Mini Z, but she couldn't reach the petal for the deck (See a pattern here? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Then, she climbed on a Super Z with the suspension seat and believe it or not, she could actually work the deck lift. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The dealer just happened to have a demo Super Z EFI unit, so we jumped on for a test drive. First, let me say that if I was going to drag race or commute on a ZTR, this beast would be my top choice. We took turns testing the unit, and were both pleased with it. I did notice that it has a tendency to leave divots if you aren't careful when you make quick turns. The EFI is nice. My wife doesn't have to hassel with the choke and having the parking brake integrated into the steering arms made things more simple for her. The dealer offered me the demo for $7850. It has 56 hours on it. I was pretty tempted by it, I haven't researched the Super Z much since we were looking for a smaller unit. We only have 2.5 acres to mow, so it seems like a little overkill. I like the better fuel economy out of the EFI, but I haven't found the EFI on any smaller units.

After running the Super Z, I much preferred it over the M60 EFI. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MBDiagMan · Sep 25, 2005

56 hours is a lot on a demo unit. Think about it, everybody and their brothers have driven the thing. If I were going to buy a demo, I would want to get a BIG discount on it.

Was the M60 tank for $7495 new or a demo unit?

I know nothing about the hustler line except that the 36" unit has EZT integrated drives. I would not recommend a mower with integrated drives for mowing 2.5 acres. They just don't have the longevity of individual pumps and wheel motors. Especially the EZT model drive. The IZT is a little more rugged.

Good luck with your choice. Your plan is excellent. Make sure that the wife can drive it and likes it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sounds like you might be setting things up so you can watch the game while the mowing is getting done. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Jusk kidding.

Good luck with your choice,
Doc

brokenarrow · Sep 26, 2005

The M60 was a new unit. Still setting on the showroom floor. The combination of that and the 36 months 0% interest make it pretty tempting.

What would be a good price on the demo unit? Since the wife likes it quite a bit, I am pretty tempted by it. Like you mentioned, that is quite a few hours for a demo. I am doing my best to insure that the wife will log most of the hours on the mower. We have about 25 acres of pasture that I have to keep in check with the bushhog, so the more she mows the easier it gets for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

MBDiagMan · Sep 26, 2005

I don't know what that Hustler goes for list price. I would think that since it is the end of the season and the unit is a high hour demo you should be able to get it pretty cheap. If you are serious about the Cub for $7595 I would think that you would at least want to get them down that low. If it were me, I would want to get it dirt cheap given the hours as a demo (everyone and their brother has had their hands on it.)

Yes, I think the EFI is the way to go. EFI is getting more reliable, but keep in mind that if you do have trouble with it the techs at the dealer may not have alot of experience with it. Ask the dealer what training their techs have had on the EFI system. Is it the EFI Kawasaki that is on the unit? If so is it liquid cooled. I have a liquid cooled Kawasaki on my Bad Boy and it is very quiet, which I think your wife would like.

I did not see where you are located. If there is a Bad Boy dealer near you, you might look at a Bad Boy. They are SUPER tough, well built, easily accessed for maintenance and VERY fast like you described the Hustler.

Good luck,
Doc

brokenarrow · Sep 26, 2005

I have heard a little bit about the Badboy mowers. Seems like they are built to take a lot of abuse. We don't have any dealers close to us, so that pretty much leaves them out. In fact, I had to travel about 90 miles to the Hustler, Scag and Ferris dealers. We only have Exmark and Kubota dealers close to us. I had every intention of buying a ZD25, but the Kubota dealer was too high and wouldn't budge a penny. He basically said he would rather hold the unit over till spring than to budge on his price. So he still owns it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I am trying to do a little more research. I have seen some posts on other websites where people have paid $7850 for the Super Z EFI (28hp KH ) brand new. I figure around $7000 would be fair on the demo, but I'm not sure if the dealer will agree.