Zero Turn Mower Questions

[PT_4WD]

Hello,

I have been considering purchasing a zero turn. Mowing with my Case 448 and 4' deck can take as long as 8-8.5 hours in view of the bumpy, sloped terrain, density, and high growth rate or several parts of my lawn. I mow close to 3.5 acres. I see no means to purchase a new zero turn as these are out of sight expensive. However, I am finding a good sampling of low hour used machines within a reasonable driving distance from my home. By 'low hour' I mean 600 h and below but my definition could be flawed. Please guide me on some of these issues I'm navigating:

1) Hydraulics - Some of the used machines I have identified feature independent pumps and motors. I have maintained both types of hydraulic systems for neighbors and used these same zero turns. Is this considered inferior technology by any measure of the phrase? I do not consider these pump/motor systems bad. I have read generic comments that lend suspicion to the presence of hoses but I'm uncertain if these perspectives are legitimate.

2) Suspension upgrades to a ZTR that lacks suspension. How well does the ZGlide and any type of suspension seat help with my bumpy terrain? The standard in ride comfort for terrain like mine seems to be Ferris. I have read repeatedly the Toro MyRide system is supposed to make a considerable improvement above the ZTR that lacks any form of suspension but we're all different and I have no means to evaluate the MyRide system.

I am forcing myself to restrict my attention to commercial machines that have been used for personal use only or commercial machines with limited use. Presumably, the better technology will help in all regards. For example if I purchase a system with transmissions I think the HG ZT-3100 is the minimum level I should purchase so I'm focusing on the ZT-3200 machines. I do not yet understand the limitations of the pump/motor systems but I'm still working on this.

Regardless, this is an expensive purchase.

 

[Carl_NH]

Short answer - you are on the right track.
Ride:
- Ferris is the better/best of the pack for ride/suspension
- A suspension seat will make most machines comfortable - and you can easily add these too.
- A larger machine like Kubota diesels are reported to have a good ride over rougher ground but are $$$
- machines with larger tires are smoother

Hydraulics:
- The parker wheel motor and hydro gear pumps as separate units were the "standard" for commercial units for years. And IMO are better than "all in one" but that's subjective.
- These setups usually have a oil tank and filter setup and you can smell the oil - if its burnt smelling that's not good
- As you have noted correctly HydroGear 3200 and higher are more commercial all in one, and with care last a while.

Age and Hours:
- 600 hrs and under agree is a good number, and I like Kawasaki engines on these machines, but the Briggs commercial big block with the oil system seem to work good - but ai have no first hand experience.
- Brands - Scag, Exmark, Toro, Ferris, Kubota all make excellent commercial machines most lawn care co's run the scag/exmark. Personal use of these commercial machines is common for larger properties and they can be found with low hours - 2-400 - and 10 years old.

Overall I would expect you can find a very good commercial ZT for $4-6K range. What's your budget or target ?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Wow, you will save a lot of time. I have a 72" commercial Hustler and I can mow 3.5 acres very leisurely in 2 hours!

 

[JTKub]

8.5hrs of mowing. That's got to be a lot of fuel burned with the old Case 440. You'll save time and money on fuel with a ZTR. Like said, I wouldn't shy away from the ZT-3100s.

 

[jyoutz]

One bit of information. Stihl is selling the identical Ferris machine with suspension. It is simply a rebadged and repainted Ferris, but there are more Stihl dealerships than Ferris. The suspension is a game changer and I wouldn’t own a machine without it.

 

[zzvyb6]

There are other "zero turn" mowers that do a very good job and serve other purposes. I Have a JD F-935 with an 78" front mounted rear discharge deck that handlesvery tall grass, leaves, sticks, etc. It can run my Winpower pto generator, broom, snow blower and pull a large dual axle trailer. I also have a JD 1435, runs a 72" deck, the broom, and my PTO generator. It can move at 12 mph (measured by my driveway radar sign gadget). Both are diesels with Yanmar motors. They both start on the second revolution after sitting for 5 months or more. The broom also serves my snow clearing needs on an 800' driveway and windrows leaves very nicely. both are 26 hp and sip fuel much better than my friend's ExMark with a Kubota motor. Her Toro gas equivalent uses a LOT of gasoline. (about twice as much by volume).

Both of mine have a steering wheel. Don't laugh, I drive them with 1 hand and can make use of the built in drink holders.
Around here F935s go for about $2500 and the newer 1435's for about $5k