vicory
Member
Re: ZTR\'s: Simplicity ZT18H or Cub Z-Force 50?
I'll weigh in since I actually purchased the Simplicity Citation earlier this year. The ownership issue has been discussed before, I researched it and there's some earlier post on that issue but bottom line is Simplicity owns a variety of manufactors, Ferris who developed the IFS systems and implemented them 8 years ago. It's my understanding that they purchased Briggs, not the other way around but the ownership debate is like which came first the chicken or the egg.
As for the Consumer Z units, they are sold as a combination unit, i.e. having both features of commercial and residential units. They have the commercial grade pumps but stamped decks etc... The price various but in general is less than true commerical units and often equal to many residential units. In Central Kentucky I've seen the 50" unit see for as low as $4,300 and the 44" cut as low as $3,800.
I chose the Citation as it's commerical grade unit and unless your rear is made of 10 gauge steel itself you'll be able to tell the difference if your yard is rough like mine. I compared several mowers, including many mentioned in this post and the IFS provided what I felt to be a better ride, although I liked things about all the ZTR's I tested.
I've put 9 hours on my unit and mow about 1.5 acres with allot to mow around, it took me about 2.25 hours with my garden tractor and I mowed Sunday and it took exactly an hour. I've mowed about an acre of my horse field when it was 6 inches high and wet as a test, this isn't flat or smooth, it's a rolling hill with all the dips of Kentucky hills, it cut through the grass like butter, engine never once acted as if under strain and the cut was surprising.
Mowing with a ZTR takes practice and I'm improving with each mow, only real negative I have is it cuts my yard better vertically than horizationally, i.e. smoother cut but I paid $5,250 for the 48" unit and all in all I'm satisfied. I know I found things I wish this one had and vise versa, in short get what meets your needs, test ride and mow with them and then decide. Good Luck!
I'll weigh in since I actually purchased the Simplicity Citation earlier this year. The ownership issue has been discussed before, I researched it and there's some earlier post on that issue but bottom line is Simplicity owns a variety of manufactors, Ferris who developed the IFS systems and implemented them 8 years ago. It's my understanding that they purchased Briggs, not the other way around but the ownership debate is like which came first the chicken or the egg.
As for the Consumer Z units, they are sold as a combination unit, i.e. having both features of commercial and residential units. They have the commercial grade pumps but stamped decks etc... The price various but in general is less than true commerical units and often equal to many residential units. In Central Kentucky I've seen the 50" unit see for as low as $4,300 and the 44" cut as low as $3,800.
I chose the Citation as it's commerical grade unit and unless your rear is made of 10 gauge steel itself you'll be able to tell the difference if your yard is rough like mine. I compared several mowers, including many mentioned in this post and the IFS provided what I felt to be a better ride, although I liked things about all the ZTR's I tested.
I've put 9 hours on my unit and mow about 1.5 acres with allot to mow around, it took me about 2.25 hours with my garden tractor and I mowed Sunday and it took exactly an hour. I've mowed about an acre of my horse field when it was 6 inches high and wet as a test, this isn't flat or smooth, it's a rolling hill with all the dips of Kentucky hills, it cut through the grass like butter, engine never once acted as if under strain and the cut was surprising.
Mowing with a ZTR takes practice and I'm improving with each mow, only real negative I have is it cuts my yard better vertically than horizationally, i.e. smoother cut but I paid $5,250 for the 48" unit and all in all I'm satisfied. I know I found things I wish this one had and vise versa, in short get what meets your needs, test ride and mow with them and then decide. Good Luck!
