ZTR recommendations?

[RedDog]

has anyone tried the older snapper zturn with the single joy stick control lever? my old boss had one and it was great, but I have not seen any more like it. He bought it new back in around 97 or 98. He has passed away since so I cant get the exact year or model # but I remember how easy it was to drive it and you only needed 1 hand

I never tried the Snapper, but my Country Clipper is joy stick. Didn't CC make the Snapper?

Anyways, you are absolutely right about ease to drive!!!

 

[PBinWA]

A comparable 2007 ferris ZTR I looked at had the 33 hp.Cat.diesel in it.What turned my away from the ferris was it was $3,000 bucks more the the kubota 326 pro

Isn't the Kubota ZD331 a better comparison to the Ferris Diesel? The 33HP Cat diesel has 7 more HP than the ZD326. I'm pretty sure the price difference between the ZD326 and ZD331 is probably at least $2000-$3000.

You probably could compare the ZD326 to the Ferris 4500 though:

IS® 4500Z Series, Ferris® Industries, Zero-Turn, Riding Mowers, Ferris Mowers, Mowers, Mower, Commercial Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawnmowers, Suspension, Independent Suspension, Munsville New York, Syracuse, New York, Central New York, Mohawk Valley,

Much closer in specs.

 

[workinallthetime]

i do think you are right about the cat motor, i was trying to remember what else had a kubota diesel in it while i was at the john deere lawn and garden store. they sold ferris,jd,toro, and something else.
and yes the 33 hp ferris would compare to the zd331 both are 30hp+ and 72" cut. i think that was the ferris that weighed so much.

incedently i mow a friends yard and the rain just wont quit so he went out and bought an atwoods special pull behind your atv 60" cut 18 hp mower. Now that looks funny on a residential lot.

i think i might borrow it to mow mine since its raining again, its either that or hook a chain from the zd to the b3030 and have my wife pull me through the yard,lol

 

[coobie]

Isn't the Kubota ZD331 a better comparison to the Ferris Diesel? The 33HP Cat diesel has 7 more HP than the ZD326. I'm pretty sure the price difference between the ZD326 and ZD331 is probably at least $2000-$3000.

You probably could compare the ZD326 to the Ferris 4500 though:

IS® 4500Z Series, Ferris® Industries, Zero-Turn, Riding Mowers, Ferris Mowers, Mowers, Mower, Commercial Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawnmowers, Suspension, Independent Suspension, Munsville New York, Syracuse, New York, Central New York, Mohawk Valley,

Much closer in specs.

My kubota pro 326 60 inch deck was $10,700 the Kubota ZD331 I priced was $12,300 which is $1,500 more.The ferris 5100Z 33.5 hp.Cat.diesel 61 inch deck was $14,900.The ferris 4500z 28 cat.diesel 61 inch deck was $13,900.

 

[koop]

Not sure of the price, but I believe the Scag Turf Tiger comes with a Kubota diesel. As far a sticking to a hill my gas engine Tiger feels like it is glued to the slope. Extra wide stance and 10 gallons of gas between the wheels instead of on top of them makes a big difference.

 

[VicVega]

I have owned TWO ZTR's, one with a suspension and one without. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. Suspension or not, flat yard or not, low tires or not these things will beat you to death. They are good for as sore neck, sore arms, shoulders and wrists. Sure fun to drive and they make quick work of the yard, but you will pay for it.

I now have a JD F910 with a front mount mower, great ride and drives like a ZTR. Heavy duty unit that will last a long time. These can be bought used for less than $7,000. These all have suspension seats. Kubota, Gravely and JD make great choices.

Good luck.

VV

 

[workinallthetime]

I have owned TWO ZTR's, one with a suspension and one without. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. Suspension or not, flat yard or not, low tires or not these things will beat you to death. They are good for as sore neck, sore arms, shoulders and wrists. Sure fun to drive and they make quick work of the yard, but you will pay for it.

I now have a JD F910 with a front mount mower, great ride and drives like a ZTR. Heavy duty unit that will last a long time. These can be bought used for less than $7,000. These all have suspension seats. Kubota, Gravely and JD make great choices.

Good luck.

VV

and new they are close to 20k, alot better unit overall i will admit.

 

[VicVega]

The JD F910 and F930's can be had for less $3,000 used. My F910 was less than $2,000. A new engine (air cooled 18hp) and several other new parts had just been installed. My JD is a 2WD hydro with a 60" mower. Although 4WD can be had I would not think it would be necessary in Texas, sure isn't here in Ohio and I have a hilly 4 acres. Before I'd buy a ZTR, new or used, I'd be looking at a used front mount (ebay,for example) and give one a test drive. You will not be disappointed.

VV

 

[coobie]

The JD F910 and F930's can be had for less $3,000 used. My F910 was less than $2,000. A new engine (air cooled 18hp) and several other new parts had just been installed. My JD is a 2WD hydro with a 60" mower. Although 4WD can be had I would not think it would be necessary in Texas, sure isn't here in Ohio and I have a hilly 4 acres. Before I'd buy a ZTR, new or used, I'd be looking at a used front mount (ebay,for example) and give one a test drive. You will not be disappointed.

VV

To each his own,but I love my kubota ZTR.coobie

 

[BLUEBONNET2]

good morning,
hustler 52/20hp honda, 88 hrs so far, 3+ac. in about 2 hrs..excellent fuel economy...serviced at 60 hrs. sharpen blades once a year(in the spring)....NO FLAMES here....would buy another in a heart beat.....
if you have never used a ZTR, take your time and have some fun...you will be surprized at how fast it is and, if you are worried about it being rough, get a good seat cushion....i love mine...

bluebonnet2

 

[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.