Would you buy a 54" or 60" deck?

[iptman]

Most of these Kohlers aren't a bad engine today, but they aren't like the old Kohlers.

These days, most Kohlers are made in china.

SR

I think the Kohler Command series is made in the US.

 

[shooterdon]

I think the Kohler Command series is made in the US.

The Command engine is highly regarded. I got the Courage Pro. It is somewhere between the Courage and the Command...but much closer to the Courage.

I have been told the Courage should go 1000 hours and the Command 2500 hours. If I get 1000 hours I will be dead or close to it. I am 70 YO so even at 30 hours a year it will last over 30 years. I do about 20 "cuts" a year (cuts and leaf mulching). I figure an hour to cut the 2 acres I have. So far this year, have cut the grass 4 times. Grass goes dormant in late July and August. So this will be a light year for mower use.

It was either get the Kohler or maybe not get anything, and then face at least a 10% price increase. And I decided early on I would rather have a $5k new machine than a used commercial mower that would need work eventually.

I have a good dealer so that helped my decision.

 

[hunt4570]

The Command engine is highly regarded. I got the Courage Pro. It is somewhere between the Courage and the Command...but much closer to the Courage.

I have been told the Courage should go 1000 hours and the Command 2500 hours. If I get 1000 hours I will be dead or close to it. I am 70 YO so even at 30 hours a year it will last over 30 years. I do about 20 "cuts" a year (cuts and leaf mulching). I figure an hour to cut the 2 acres I have. So far this year, have cut the grass 4 times. Grass goes dormant in late July and August. So this will be a light year for mower use.

It was either get the Kohler or maybe not get anything, and then face at least a 10% price increase. And I decided early on I would rather have a $5k new machine than a used commercial mower that would need work eventually.

I have a good dealer so that helped my decision.

Stuff is normally dormant here June, July, and august here as well, not this year... it just keeps on raining! Just got my 25 year old JD back from the shop.. I need to catch up!

 

[Hay Dude]

Stuff is normally dormant here June, July, and august here as well, not this year... it just keeps on raining! Just got my 25 year old JD back from the shop.. I need to catch up!

I know, right? Just keeps raining here. Not the hot, dry end of the world climate I keep hearing about. Just below average temps and rain, rain, rain.
Cant make a bale of hay with this crap wet, cool weather

 

[shooterdon]

Got to use the new Bad Boy on Friday. What took me 1 hr and 45 minutes with the Husqvarna 48" rider took one hour with the 54"ZT. Had not operated a ZT for four years (and then only used it for 45 minutes) so still learning to drive the thing.

Cuts great even at full speed. It is not tracking perfectly so need to tweak that but overall very happy with it. Tearing up the turf if I turn on a dime so a bit of learning to do on that aspect as well.

 

[iptman]

I always 3 point turn to turn around. With any amount of moisture on the grass a zero degree turn will scalp the grass. Even slowing down too suddenly or speeding up too quickly can cause it as well.