ZTR recommendations?

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My buddy bought a Hustler. I think its a Fastrack with maybe 18-20hp Honda. Around $5500.

Anyway, playing around on it (with good traction), I noticed that you can "wheelie" the thing. The front rollers were coming off the ground. Do all ZTRs of this arrangement do this?

 

[PBinWA]

My buddy bought a Hustler. I think its a Fastrack with maybe 18-20hp Honda. Around $5500.

Anyway, playing around on it (with good traction), I noticed that you can "wheelie" the thing. The front rollers were coming off the ground. Do all ZTRs of this arrangement do this?

I just got my Ferris 1500Z and it will wheelie going up banks and slight slopes.

It won't wheelie on flat surfaces - at least I haven't tried to do it yet.

Do people ever add weight to the front end of these things or will that cause gouging on the lawn?

 

[PBinWA]

Oh yeah,

Here's my time comparison on my test patch of lawn.

On my Craftsman GT5000 (25HP 52" deck) going as fast as I can (not nice stripes) I could mow the test patch in 40 minutes.

On my Ferris 1500Z (25HP 52" Deck) mowing for the first time on a ZTR (after about an hour of practice) I mowed the test patch in 15 minutes. I was going pretty good by that time but certainly didn't hit all my full turns perfectly.

ZTR = less time mowing.

 

[Dargo]

Oh yeah,

Here's my time comparison on my test patch of lawn.

On my Craftsman GT5000 (25HP 52" deck) going as fast as I can (not nice stripes) I could mow the test patch in 40 minutes.

On my Ferris 1500Z (25HP 52" Deck) mowing for the first time on a ZTR (after about an hour of practice) I mowed the test patch in 15 minutes. I was going pretty good by that time but certainly didn't hit all my full turns perfectly.

ZTR = less time mowing.

What you'll like even better is that as it begins to break in, it will ride considerably better than the good ride it has now. Your suspension is very likely still very stiff even of the lightest spring setting. Happy mowing!

 

[PBinWA]

What you'll like even better is that as it begins to break in, it will ride considerably better than the good ride it has now. Your suspension is very likely still very stiff even of the lightest spring setting. Happy mowing!

Thanks for the recommendation Dargo!

It rides as rough as my Craftsman but I'm probably driving three times faster!

At half speed I don't even notice the bumps.

 

[slowrev]

A friend bought a Bad Boy ZTR with 65 hours on it. Upscale model with cushy ride seat and springy front crazy wheels.
Very nice, I tried it out and decided I wanted one bad!
It rides the best of any ZTR I have ever tried. Cub cadet, Exmark and Dixie Chopper. It even cuts grass too!

 

[billchalburn]

before buying any ZTR, research both the hydro pump & motor models & do a web search on repairs before looking turns into buying. for instance research Kanzaki Dup-13 before buying a Deere z-trak 777. my residential-used 777 with only 335 hours had its hydro pump fail, sending metal chips into the right Parker TF0240 drive motor. having to install a new hydro pump for $800+ and new motor for $600+ at only 335 hours made this expensive mower even more so. Now wondering if it was just bad luck on a mfg defect or will it happen again.

 

[djdicetn]

before buying any ZTR, research both the hydro pump & motor models & do a web search on repairs before looking turns into buying. for instance research Kanzaki Dup-13 before buying a Deere z-trak 777. my residential-used 777 with only 335 hours had its hydro pump fail, sending metal chips into the right Parker TF0240 drive motor. having to install a new hydro pump for $800+ and new motor for $600+ at only 335 hours made this expensive mower even more so. Now wondering if it was just bad luck on a mfg defect or will it happen again.

billchalburn,
Wasn't that JD still under warranty??? I looked at an EZTRAK 655 and was told that it had a 4 yr/400 hour warranty and it's way below the model you have.

 

[Alan L.]

I have a Scag Wildcat with a 61" deck and I have been so happy with the speed and quality of cut I just never noticed that it is overly rough riding. I only put 10 pounds on air in the tires (front tires are solid) and it has a nice comfortable suspension seat.