Zero Turn Mower

deereowner · Sep 20, 2005

I am looking at buying a ZTR for my 1.2 acre yard. Lots of trees, odd shaped yard. I am beginning to experience price creep, was looking first at the Cub Cadet ZTR50, then decided I needed to go with the Cub Cadet Z force 50, which had the IZT transmission and Kohler motor.
Now, I made the mistake of looking at a Hustler Fastrak 50, which is now $5000 (I started at $3000 with the ZTR50). Is it worth the difference? I have always believed that quality is worth the cost, but would like to hear from people with real world experience.

Thanks!

P.S. I have a John Deere LT110 that it is replacing, for faster mowing time, and more fun.

gamble77 · Sep 20, 2005

Either one of these machines would be what you need it to. If I were you I would spend the extra $1000 on the Z-Force 50. I woulnd't be able to justify the other $1000 on the Hustler...not for 1.2 acres. Take the middle ground and you will be very pleased!

deereowner · Sep 20, 2005

How about a used (15 hours) Gravely Promaster 44". I just found a deal at about $3,000 (if the bidding doesn't go up, not much time left)?

Thanks for the information.

MFMan · Sep 21, 2005

Check out this link for the new Massey Ferguson ZTM Series

http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/MF/NA/Lawn/MFZTMower/Zeroturnmower.htm

JohnSinVA · Sep 21, 2005

If you can score the Gravely for less than $4K then jump on it. Gravely makes very good commercial ZTRs. You might also look at its Airens sibling. The Airens 1742 is a highly recommended consumer ZTR.

Nasty135 · Sep 21, 2005

deereowner, Well after seeing your post about the gravely, I hope you jumped on that like a tick on a hound dog!!!

If you missed it I would take gambles sound advice for 1.2 acres... A commercial type ZTR would just be getting warmed up when it was all done /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Can we say overkill /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Gatorboy · Sep 21, 2005

Have you looked at any of the commercial walk-behinds, such as Scag, Exmark, Lesco? These also have a Zero-Turn Radius and are much less in cost.

fig · Sep 22, 2005

MFMan,

I would hate to think what those ZT MF's would price for! Do you know?

Fig

MFMan · Sep 23, 2005

MSRP on them is as follows:

ZT29 (28.4 HP) w/ 60" deck - $11,818

ZT33 (33.0 HP) w/ 72" deck - $13,247

Hope that helps!

Spiffy · Sep 23, 2005

The bang for the buck on your property: I'll second the ZF50 too.

Now if you can get a full comercial unit (i.e.: all these qualitites instead of mix and match: heavy duty welded frame, deep heavy gage [7 to maybe 10 gage] fabricated [ok JD makes a 7gage deep stamped deck] deck, commercial duty engine with a respectable torque curve, pumps & wheel motors (I think Kubota may use a heavy duty "transmission" though), 15K+ blade rate, etc.) for under $5K you better be all over it....even if overkill for a couple acres as previous noted. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif