ZTR Needed?

[Dargo]

I agree with Spiffy. I do like mid mount ZTR's, and even bought one for a week, but they just won't work for me. It sure sounds like you are in a similar situation. Depending on your situation, a front mount may be really needed, or not needed at all over a mid mount.

I just mowed with my front mount Grasshopper on the side of a hill that my tractor was having a hard time getting up in 4X4. As a matter of fact, the reason I used the Grasshopper was because my tractor had to spin to dig in to get enough traction even with the differential locked and in 4X4. I could back up it no problem with the Grasshopper, and even mow across no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The new DuraMax decks on the Grasshoppers are 7 gauge over 10 gauge with even more reinforcements. Heck, I've never managed to hurt the deck on the 5 year old one I have and it isn't built nearly as strong. In the commercial series I would look more at the spindles and the size of the wheel motors, and go with a liquid cooled gas unit or diesel. You were talking about replacement wheel motors and engines at 2000 hours. The G2 hydraulic system on the Grasshopper mowers doesn't even recommend a fluid and filter change until 1000 hours the first time, and every 1000 hours afterwards. Our highway department went 5000 hours on one of theirs before they changed the fluid and filter for the first time. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Also, the drive motors were 70% larger than those on the 28hp Ferris and Exmarks. I say that because I haven't heard of drive motor problems on the Ferris or Exmarks, so with 70% larger capacity motors I don't plan on having to change them ever.

Different situations require different mowers. There is no doubt that the mid mounts are every bit as tough and as fast, they just can't do what I particularly need. It sounds like your situation is similar and you are going to be dissatisfied with anything but a front mount.

 

[leoniru]

Thanks Spiffy and Dargo.
Now, Dargo. I just returned from a multibrand dealer who's been in business for over 30 years--so I guess he must be doing something right. I had a very comfortable time during my visit, i.e. everyone friendly, helpful and polite. The owner/salesman spent about an hour and a half with me answering all the questions I could put to him to my satisfaction. I had an oportunity to see their service and prep area and even got a demo ride (my first on a ZTR ever) on a front mount air-cooled 27 hp. Kohler Grasshopper with 61" deck that had the electric height and fold setup. Side discharge. Needless to say I was very impressed even though the mowing tract is far, far more tame than where I plan on using the machine.
I really would like to see/touch/try a Walker before spending this amount of money, but Walker has not as yet replied to my request for my nearest dealer.
This dealer, said that Walker seemd to be much more popular in the urban areas where bagging is mandatory. Said a few of the fellows he knew that had them were disatisfied primarily with their nonbagging (mulching or discharge) performance. Also said he thought they were kinda tough to work on as things were stuffed together to the max, but he did say they were a good machine.
I ended up leaving with a price of $11K for the front deck kubota diesel with 52" side discharge deck, and $9.5 K for an air-cooled 27 hp. Kohler.
Just missed out (isn't that the way it always is?) on a 721D front mount with grass collection system and 750 total hrs. for $4,995.00. Even though it was 14 or so years old, it looked right. I think I'd have jumped on it in a heartbeat had it not been sold already!
Do you (or anyone else) have any idea if this dealer's pricing is in the right ballpark so to speak?
I don't believe there are any other Grasshopper dealers within a reasonable drive from me, so I won't likely be able to 'shop around' on this particular model.
This dealer also sells Ferris, Scag, Bulldog, Dixon, and Ventrac. Had Country Clipper--dropped the line.
I'm probably looking at 'too much mower' for my property, but it always seems that no one manufacturer ever makes EXACTLY what I need. In my case, I think that if you could downsize the 21 hp. Kubota front deck Grasshopper by 30% or so---WITHOUT a tradeoff in build quality or materials-- it would be ideal for someone like me.
If anyone has any current Grasshopper pricing info I sure would appreciate it.

Thanx,

Jim S.

 

[bczoom]

Jim,

Is the Oneida you live in the one in Butler or Schuylkill county?

If Butler, call Smardt Equipment in Zelienople (724) 452-8540 and ask for Kevin. They're the local Kubota dealer and also have Walkers. They have a New Holland store in Portersville but don't know if they have mowers over there.

Heck, if you're in Butler, come over to my place if you want to try the Country Clipper.

Brian

 

[leoniru]

Brian(bczoom);

I'm in Schuykill Co. unfortunately, and I'm honored by your invitation to try your 'Clipper out.
Thanks, but it's a ride for me, AND I just gave my best sales pitch to the wife about the new diesel-powered Grasshopper---I'll let you guess what she said. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

JIm S.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Brian(bczoom);

I'm in Schuykill Co. unfortunately, and I'm honored by your invitation to try your 'Clipper out.
Thanks, but it's a ride for me, AND I just gave my best sales pitch to the wife about the new diesel-powered Grasshopper---I'll let you guess what she said. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

JIm S. )</font>

Oh well (on both points). /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I do the same sales pitch with the CFO. Aim real high and then settle/agree on what I really needed in the first place.

 

[leoniru]

Uh huh. That's the way I figure also. A thumb's down for an $11K expenditure just might open a door for something in the $6k or so area. I'll have to review her 'honey-do' list and try for some extra credit I guess.
Darn it though, that 'Hopper was sweet to play with.

JIm S.

 

[Dargo]

It does sound like you just missed a deal on the used Hopper. I was at an auction last year where our highway department, Holiday World (a local theme park), and our school corp. was unloading a few Hoppers. I was shocked to see some that were beat to death, and had over 6000 hours on them, were still bringing around 5k! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Everybody on here probably thinks I'm nuts after I tried my best to buy a 2nd ZTR earlier this spring for less money. To make a long story short, I did buy a Ferris ZTR (very nice by the way - the suspension is absolutely awesome) but after a week I traded it for a 2nd Grasshopper. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I only have about 600 hours on my diesel Hopper, and it still looks like new. So far, I've only bought 1 or 2 sets of blades, oil and filters for it. I don't get attached to any equipment, and am widely known to bash something I own (verbally) if it doesn't perform up to what I expect. However, I have to admit that I'm sold of these Grasshoppers. Now I only wish I would have bought another diesel rather than the 3 cylinder (Kubota) liquid cooled gas model. Hey, wanna like new gas powered Hopper with only 10 hours?! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you haven't listened to one, try the 3 cylinder Kubota gas model at your dealer. It is positively the smoothest engine I've ever heard on any mower; period. My only objection is that it drinks almost twice as much as the diesel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Unless you are going to mow professionally and trailer your mower a lot, I see no value in the power lift deck on the Grasshopper. I passed on that option both times I bought a new Hopper. I paid under 10k for the 3 cyl. gas Hopper with a 61" DuraMax deck. After I heard the Kubota gas engine, I just couldn't go with any other gas model they had. A friend has a Mazda Miata, and my new Hopper engine sounds just like it. I would think you could get an air cooled gas powered front mount Hopper for around 8k.

But, hey, what do I know?! I bought a really nice Ferris and only kept it for a week. Then I traded it on a nice Hopper. Now I probably will trade my Hopper next year on a 928 diesel Hopper with a 72" DuraMax deck. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I sound a bit too confused. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[leoniru]

Dargo;
Are you kidding about your gas 'Bota 'Hopper maybe being for sale?
If not, I'm quite interested even though it's gas. It is liquid-cooled though, isn't it?
Let me know ---you can PM me if you want.

Jim S.