Zero turn mower advice

[xtal01]

My old cub cadet (LT1050 lawn tractor) has seen better days.

I have 2 1/2 - 3 acres to cut.

It takes me about 5 hours.

I borrowed a Kubota ZD21 from the neighbor (farmer) .. 20 year old diesel commercial unit ...

WOW ... 2 hours and done!

SO ... I started looking.

Looks like I can get a decent residential unit (say a toro with a 60 " deck) for about $6K to $8K ...OUCH!

Or ... I can get a 20 year old ZD21 for about the same price (I see one out there for $5400, 950 hours).

And I see a Kubota ZG327 (60", gas, 800 hours) ... $4,500 ... probably 10-12 years old

I was really hoping to say in the $4500 - $5000 range

The ZD21 is diesel so O would think 950 hours is not bad ... but it is 20 years old/

I like the ZG327 as it is gas (since I don't have any other diesel equipment) ... but 800 hours on a 10-12 year old gas motor seems like a lot.

New just seems to be out of my price range (cheapest 60" I found was a JD at HD ... $5K ... but I was warned about "low end" home units).

Any advice ??????

Thanks .... Mike

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

I couldn't tell you much about mowers except they all seem to use the same engines from kawasaki or kholer.

I just purchased a cub cadet ZTS2 60

Cub Cadet Ultima ZTS2 60 Zero-Turn Mower | Cub Cadet US

Find parts and product manuals for your ZTS2 60. Free shipping on parts orders over $45.

www.cubcadet.com

I only test drove a toro and the cub cadet but had to make a decision as I didn't have any mower for my acreage and mowing season was coming. The reason I chose the cub cadet was purely because of the wheel. I think the toro timecutter 60" is roughly the same price, they both seem very solid as far as frame. The wheel on the cub cadet along with the front wheel actually steering and not just free wheeling is pretty comfy. Just did my first mow today of roughly 2 acres and it was about 75 minutes, granted I dont know the best route yet and I have to edge a lot of fence posts. I'm sure as I get more confident ill be able to cut that down to sub 1hr.

 

[Wagtail]

My JD Z355E (48" deck), petrol, was A$5,000-ish. New this year. I mow approximately 3 acres at a time = an hour and a bit.

I don't know where in the world you reside but they're out there.

 

[TIMMYDUCK]

Ariens Edge 52 for my better half to cut 2 and a half acres was 2800 brand new 2 years ago .

 

[Spike56]

My old cub cadet (LT1050 lawn tractor) has seen better days.

I have 2 1/2 - 3 acres to cut.

It takes me about 5 hours.

I borrowed a Kubota ZD21 from the neighbor (farmer) .. 20 year old diesel commercial unit ...

WOW ... 2 hours and done!

SO ... I started looking.

Looks like I can get a decent residential unit (say a toro with a 60 " deck) for about $6K to $8K ...OUCH!

Or ... I can get a 20 year old ZD21 for about the same price (I see one out there for $5400, 950 hours).

And I see a Kubota ZG327 (60", gas, 800 hours) ... $4,500 ... probably 10-12 years old

I was really hoping to say in the $4500 - $5000 range

The ZD21 is diesel so O would think 950 hours is not bad ... but it is 20 years old/

I like the ZG327 as it is gas (since I don't have any other diesel equipment) ... but 800 hours on a 10-12 year old gas motor seems like a lot.

New just seems to be out of my price range (cheapest 60" I found was a JD at HD ... $5K ... but I was warned about "low end" home units).

Any advice ??????

Thanks .... Mike

Mike,
I just went through the whole ZTR (which model, make) decision. For me, it really boiled down to Big Box or a local dealer where I could get service and parts. I have 3 acres with lots of trees and obstacles to mow around.
The decision is a tough one once you start looking at the details. My previous mower was a JD Z425 (48"); which I had 12 years and was still in good shape. I wanted to upgrade to a newer machine, so sold that one. In MY investigations, the $$ are significantly different depending on mindboggling factors. As I mentioned, if I looked local, I had Big Box (Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply) - sure there is a warrantee, but NO service, NO parts (except minor ones). The Kubota dealer was about 40 miles.
There is a local John Deere, and a local Hustler dealer. I went with the Hustler.
On your specific questions, IMHO, I think that is a LOT of hours on those used machines ! WOW, 800-950 hours. I do not think it's necessarily the engine to be concerned about, although that is a lot of run time on them. The hydraulics. belts, spindles, carb, deck parts.... for me, I would opt for a "residential" NEW model before spending THAT much a machine with that many hours.
So, my advice (unless you are a mechanic) is to buy a residential model. I think you can find a good one in your price range. If you have for example a local dealer, and the same machine at Home Depot, go with the dealer. Not only for the service, but I do not believe the machines are the SAME. I found Big Box stores order a "cheapened" model although it is hard to tell by looking these days. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tomtint]

I cut about 3-4 acres of grass a week between my home and a commercial property we own. I have had a Walker GHS now for about 5-6 years. Its cut unlit you is very nice. Leaves really nice stripes if that's what you like. It also has the box on the back that is large enough for about 1/2 acre worth of clippings if it's not overgrown when you are cutting. They are expensive today..like 12k when I bought it and more like 15k now..The only problem we have had with it was a blown head gasket due to grass getting packed around a cylinder and it over heated. Pretty easy inexpensive fix.

 

[Monster5601]

I use to run the big box store mowers, they lasted on average about two to three years before the engines started failing, all air-cooled. My Kubota dealer sent out a ZD323 for me to try (this is back in 2012), and I'm still running it. It cuts about 4 acres per session. I'm never going back to gas, gas engines are just too much effort compared to diesel.

What I considered, even though the ZD was big bucks (I think I paid around 12 grand for it back in 2012), is longevity. If I bought the ZD, how long will it last? I've been cutting with it for 10 years and all I do to it is scheduled maintenance. It sips fuel compared to the gassers and I am just about at the break-even point if still buying big-box mowers.

If that ZD21 has had scheduled maintenance, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. 950 hours on a diesel is nothing.

 

[RalphVa]

Bought a Ryobi ZT480e last year. Replaced tires with these this year. Can do 1/2 your lawn in one charge.

 

[brutus54]

I bought a Ferris IS2600Z diesel zero turn and mow about 2-3 acres. Very fuel efficient and cut my mowing time better than half. Be sure which ever brand you get it has suspension or you're going to be slowed down if your property is not smooth. This is 5th season and it was the best decision I made for a zero turn.

 

[Cycledude]

I am a Kubota ZD21 owner, currently at 1,400 hours, still using the original belt, I love it ! 950 hours on a used ZD21 seems like a pretty low hours machine if it has been properly operated and maintained.
My Kubota has a walking beam type front axel which I prefer but I don’t think any of the new zero turn mowers are available with the walking beam axel any more. I have also operated Ferris mowers with suspension, the suspension works nice but not really any better than walking beam.
One thing I don’t like about my ZD21 is the inside of the deck is much harder to scrape clean because it’s not smooth and there are so many more places for the grass to get stuck , the Ferris decks seem much smoother inside easier to scrape clean.

 

[RjCorazza]

I use to run the big box store mowers, they lasted on average about two to three years before the engines started failing, all air-cooled. My Kubota dealer sent out a ZD232 for me to try (this is back in 2012), and I'm still running it. It cuts about 4 acres per session. I'm never going back to gas, gas engines are just too much effort compared to diesel.

What I considered, even though the ZD was big bucks (I think I paid around 12 grand for it back in 2012), is longevity. If I bought the ZD, how long will it last? I've been cutting with it for 10 years and all I do to it is scheduled maintenance. It sips fuel compared to the gassers and I am just about at the break-even point if still buying big-box mowers.

If that ZD21 has had scheduled maintenance, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. 950 hours on a diesel is nothing.

View attachment 746082

All that, plus diesel fuel handling is just easier than gas. The op doesn't have any other diesels, so I can see the hesitation.
I "converted" my backup zd326 to slope duty by adding Chevron type tires, and filling them with 140lbs total of fluid. It sticks pretty well on slopes now.
I have been really tempted to get a Cyclone like yours for fall leaves. How do you like it?

 

[metalbender]

If you're looking, you owe it to yourself to test drive a Toro with the MyRide seat system. Bought a Titan 60 with that seat after a two minute test at the dealer. Didn't take long to convince me after using the Deines for a few years.

 

[Number15]

I purchased a used Grasshopper diesel with 600+ hours. It works great, you should check them out if you have a dealer near by.
Mine is a 2004 but it is in great shape.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I would look into a Gravely, I have 2 of the ZT HD series and both have been very good, both have the Kawasaki engines one is 10 and the other is 11 years old and have been trouble free except a starter selenoid on one and a belt on the other, the HD model is in the middle not a homeowner bottom end model and not a full commercial model. Gravely is usually always offering some sort of 0% financing if that interest's you, good luck on whatever you choose.

 

[JJT]

I have a 20 year old ZD21, with about 800 hours on it. No issues, ever. I fully expect it to outlive me, (I'm 60). I'd buy another in a heart beat.

 

[xtal01]

Thanks so very much for all the info!

Just trying to spend my money wisely.

It took me 10 years to build the house and now I am in the middle of building a 4500 sq ft workshop by myself. At 59, with some luck this will be the last one I build.

I drive a 36 year old truck that I paid $1000 for 5 years ago (even came with a snow plow) ... just hurts spending so much on a mower.

I am a machinist by trade and work on just about anything (since moving to VT, seems I have touched every type of farm equipment made).

I am usually pretty handy ... my wife has been paralyzed since she was 12 .. I built and elevator out the mast of an old forklift ($40K to buy .... $2K to build).

Here are some videos of the shop build youtube shop build videos

Thanks !!!!!!!!

Mike

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I would run your old lawn tractor and keep an eye out for a good used commercial zero turn. If you keep your eye out you will probably be able to find one in your price range with 500 hours or less. Brand is likely not terribly important as long as it's a legit commercial unit. The air filter should be a large cartridge unit mounted remotely, not integrated into the engine shroud. Typically the gas ones will go around 1,000 hours before issues beyond easily replaced components, belts, blades, maybe a pully or a spindle, etc. I don't know about the diesels, I would expect the engine to go way farther than that but components should wear the same as gas ones, hydro motors and pumps etc.

 

[stevem5215]

Shop transmission first. Spend as much as you can afford on a good quality transmission in the tractor or ZTR you want. A dealer should be able to help you find one in good shape. The thing to remember is that the big box places all use lower quality components in their machines to meet the price points. That's the compromise you get buying there along with no service at the shop. You'll pay to fix it mostly.

As for me, I bought a Simplicity ZTR with full suspension. That thing is great. It uses the ZT3400 trans in them. I have another ZTR Simplicity I bought before this one. It has ZT2800's in it. Both high quality transmissions that will last a long long time.

 

[RalphVa]

Ryobi: no gas, no oil, no belts, no gear boxes, no transmissions.

 

[xtal01]

I am sure in a few years that is what we will all have. Batteries ... run time ... charge time ... if they could work I would try one.