Best commercial mower under 8500

[Shughes717]

You need to read my posting because I basically agreed with you to a point, I said... Not saying your theory about Larger tires, weight, and suspension making a difference in the ride doesn't have merit but it isn't necessarily hold true either, it just depends on what mower your talking about that was the reason I used the GS as an example because according to what you say it should be a terrible riding mower due to the smaller tires and lack of weight and the thing that makes me is the fact it's a better built mower than either of the mowers were talking about including drives. As far as substantiating my claim about the thicker frame improving the ride? I don't have to substantiate that because you already did. Your own words ( Lol, it's not a theory saying larger tires, weight, and suspension improves the ride.) It stands to reason that a 3" x 1.5 10 ga. frame will weigh more than a 2" x 1.5 11ga. frame. As far as my rops and where it's mounted, it's mounted to the frame behind the seat.

Gotta go Dallas and the Seahawks are playing

You say the z master weighs less, so how did I help substantiate your claim? You have not explained how the 3 x 1.5 10 ga. Frame helps the ride one bit. As for the gs it is a different style mower all together. What do you think your legs are working like when you are mowing when on the gs. A suspension! Thanks for helping prove my point. Not comparing apples to apples. I don't think the gs is better built than either the z master or the s150xt. Just a different style mower. The rops may not fold in the same place on the z master as it does on the s150xt either. As I said earlier the only way to know which sits lower is to measure from the ground to the seat not from the ground to the top of the folded rops.

 

[Ric]

You say the z master weighs less, so how did I help substantiate your claim? You have not explained how the 3 x 1.5 10 ga. Frame helps the ride one bit. As for the gs it is a different style mower all together. What do you think your legs are working like when you are mowing when on the gs. A suspension! Thanks for helping prove my point. Not comparing apples to apples. I don't think the gs is better built than either the z master or the s150xt. Just a different style mower. The rops may not fold in the same place on the z master as it does on the s150xt either. As I said earlier the only way to know which sits lower is to measure from the ground to the seat not from the ground to the top of the folded rops.

My seat platform to which the seat attaches to is 23" off the floor. From the floor to the top of my rops is 68.5 inches. From the floor to the bottom of my frame at the engine is 10.5 inches. The GS is a lot better built mower than either of the ones were talking about just simply because it has Hydraulic drives ( separate pumps and wheel motors ) and a Full 7 ga deck and 9 3/8 inch spindles and you substantiated my claim when you yourself said Larger tires, weight, and suspension improves the ride. So It stands to reason that a 3" x 1.5 10 ga. frame will weigh more than a 2" x 1.5 11ga. frame so it improves the ride. Like I said before.

 

[Shughes717]

My seat platform to which the seat attaches to is 23" off the floor. From the floor to the top of my rops is 68.5 inches. From the floor to the bottom of my frame at the engine is 10.5 inches. The GS is a lot better built mower than either of the ones were talking about just simply because it has Hydraulic drives ( separate pumps and wheel motors ) and a Full 7 ga deck and 9 3/8 inch spindles and you substantiated my claim when you yourself said Larger tires, weight, and suspension improves the ride. So It stands to reason that a 3" x 1.5 10 ga. frame will weigh more than a 2" x 1.5 11ga. frame so it improves the ride. Like I said before.

How is that when the z master weighs 944 ponds and the s150xt weighs 1107? I didn't help you prove anything. The truth is you can't substantiate your claim that the frame on the z master helps the ride at all. As i mentioned earlier though when you are on the grand stand your legs act as a suspension. There is your better ride compared to the mowers mentioned. I provided explanations for my "theory". I'm not knocking the grand stand. Good mower and has its applications. Two different type mowers. Not apples to apples. Not everyone who has large lawns would want to stand for two or three hours while they mow. You can argue thickness all day long and claim that makes the mower better. If you want to say that a thicker (in places) deck makes the mower better then the john deere mowers, and the outlaw series badboy would be better mowers than the others. I have never seen, heard, nor read on this site about any commercial deck having an issue with bending or breaking. Separate pumps and motors has advantages and disadvantages. One benefit to the hydrogear drives is no hydraulic lines, so it reduces the possibility of leaks. The main issue with any commercial deck is when a bearing goes down. Which can happen to all. If the blades hit something solid then sure it could damage the spindle mounts. If you read the posts on here about issues people have with their commercial mowers spindle mounts aren't mentioned.

 

[Mad Mackie]

OK guys, lets take a 7th inning stretch, half time break, or whatever and look at some ZTR facts!!
Most ZTRs have rigid frames, no suspension, several makes/models have some sort of suspension, but are more expensive.
Larger diameter/wider tires both front and rear improve the ride quality.
Heavier machines have a better ride.
Suspension seats improve the operators comfort/ride.
Deck construction varies between manufacturers, but overall, decks are durable.
Spindles are also generally durable, even when not maintained.
Blade life is strictly in the control of the operator.
Decks that can be quickly raised up will improve blade life, but still an operator control situation.
Belts from OEM are generally the best.
Belts as they travel almost always whip, the bigger the deck, the more they whip!!!
Pulley life is always mysterious.
Steering lever feeling differs between pumps/wheel motors and hydrostatic drives.
Hydrostatic drive units have separate hydraulic systems.
Many machines that have separate pumps and wheel motors have a common hydraulic oil reservoir.
Some engines are louder than others.
Some engines burn more fuel per hour than others.
Some engines use more engine oil than others.
Some machines require more frequent maintenance than others.
Some machines have more fuel capacity than others, an item to consider.
Some machines have longer warranties than others, another item to consider.
Blade replacement on all ZTRs can be a pain.
Cleaning the deck also is a pain.
Replacing belts can be a pain.
Mowing wet grass is a pain in the a--!!!!
Some models are more expensive, but why is not obvious.
Some dealers provide great service, some don't.
Some dealers provide loaner machines, some don't.
OK, Mad Mackie does have a few more, but I'll stop here.
Decisions, decisions, decisions!!!!
Recommendations, test drive, or demo, demo preferable.
Do your homework, but do not "over research"!!!
Over researching will leave you in a never satisfied condition!!!
Think before acting.
Mowing wet grass is a pain in the a--, OK, I already said that, get the point?
As for standers, some are OK standing, some rather sit, as for me, I'm a sitter, I'm old!!!!
Later
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Shughes717]

OK guys, lets take a 7th inning stretch, half time break, or whatever and look at some ZTR facts!!
Most ZTRs have rigid frames, no suspension, several makes/models have some sort of suspension, but are more expensive.
Larger diameter/wider tires both front and rear improve the ride quality.
Heavier machines have a better ride.
Suspension seats improve the operators comfort/ride.
Deck construction varies between manufacturers, but overall, decks are durable.
Spindles are also generally durable, even when not maintained.
Blade life is strictly in the control of the operator.
Decks that can be quickly raised up will improve blade life, but still an operator control situation.
Belts from OEM are generally the best.
Belts as they travel almost always whip, the bigger the deck, the more they whip!!!
Pulley life is always mysterious.
Steering lever feeling differs between pumps/wheel motors and hydrostatic drives.
Hydrostatic drive units have separate hydraulic systems.
Many machines that have separate pumps and wheel motors have a common hydraulic oil reservoir.
Some engines are louder than others.
Some engines burn more fuel per hour than others.
Some engines use more engine oil than others.
Some machines require more frequent maintenance than others.
Some machines have more fuel capacity than others, an item to consider.
Some machines have longer warranties than others, another item to consider.
Blade replacement on all ZTRs can be a pain.
Cleaning the deck also is a pain.
Replacing belts can be a pain.
Mowing wet grass is a pain in the a--!!!!
Some models are more expensive, but why is not obvious.
Some dealers provide great service, some don't.
Some dealers provide loaner machines, some don't.
OK, Mad Mackie does have a few more, but I'll stop here.
Decisions, decisions, decisions!!!!
Recommendations, test drive, or demo, demo preferable.
Do your homework, but do not "over research"!!!
Over researching will leave you in a never satisfied condition!!!
Think before acting.
Mowing wet grass is a pain in the a--, OK, I already said that, get the point?
As for standers, some are OK standing, some rather sit, as for me, I'm a sitter, I'm old!!!!
Later
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Lol. :thumbsup:

 

[Ric]

Ask to demo the mowers next spring!!!! Do not buy one until you have used it and "love" it!!!!!!!!

That would be a good idea, except No Dealers around here will let you demo a mower unless it's in the parking lot that's paved.

 

[zmister11]

That would be a good idea, except No Dealers around here will let you demo a mower unless it's in the parking lot that's paved.

Yep same here they won't let me actually cut grass with it. They said once it has cut grass every customer wants like 500 bucks off of that machine lol. If yall want to keep going back and forth than that works for me. I've been reading the posts everyday it helps me get all the facts on those mowers lol so thank you

 

[Shughes717]

Yep same here they won't let me actually cut grass with it. They said once it has cut grass every customer wants like 500 bucks off of that machine lol. If yall want to keep going back and forth than that works for me. I've been reading the posts everyday it helps me get all the facts on those mowers lol so thank you

Lol, I'm glad it's helping. I know it may not seem like it, but I do have respect for Ric. We go back and forth on here from time to time about some things, but it's all in good fun. We don't get angry. It sucks that you don't have any dealers that will let you demo their product. One of our local dealers will even deliver a unit to a potential customer's home for a demo. Demoing a product before a purchase is the best way to ensure you get exactly what you want. As I mentioned in my first post on this thread, no matter what brand you choose, you will be getting a very good mower. The budget you have will get you a top of the line mower.

 

[Ric]

Yep same here they won't let me actually cut grass with it. They said once it has cut grass every customer wants like 500 bucks off of that machine lol. If yall want to keep going back and forth than that works for me. I've been reading the posts everyday it helps me get all the facts on those mowers lol so thank you

Lol, I'm glad it's helping. I know it may not seem like it, but I do have respect for Ric. We go back and forth on here from time to time about some things, but it's all in good fun. We don't get angry. It sucks that you don't have any dealers that will let you demo their product. One of our local dealers will even deliver a unit to a potential customer's home for a demo. Demoing a product before a purchase is the best way to ensure you get exactly what you want. As I mentioned in my first post on this thread, no matter what brand you choose, you will be getting a very good mower. The budget you have will get you a top of the line mower.

Yeah I'm the same way, it's all in fun. In reality the mowers were talking about are all good mowers they all work for our particular needs so really what's there to get angry over. LOL nice too know were helping someone :laughing:

 

[Ric]

How is that when the z master weighs 944 ponds and the s150xt weighs 1107? I didn't help you prove anything. The truth is you can't substantiate your claim that the frame on the z master helps the ride at all. As i mentioned earlier though when you are on the grand stand your legs act as a suspension. There is your better ride compared to the mowers mentioned. I provided explanations for my "theory". I'm not knocking the grand stand. Good mower and has its applications. Two different type mowers. Not apples to apples. Not everyone who has large lawns would want to stand for two or three hours while they mow. You can argue thickness all day long and claim that makes the mower better. If you want to say that a thicker (in places) deck makes the mower better then the john deere mowers, and the outlaw series badboy would be better mowers than the others. I have never seen, heard, nor read on this site about any commercial deck having an issue with bending or breaking. Separate pumps and motors has advantages and disadvantages. One benefit to the hydrogear drives is no hydraulic lines, so it reduces the possibility of leaks. The main issue with any commercial deck is when a bearing goes down. Which can happen to all. If the blades hit something solid then sure it could damage the spindle mounts. If you read the posts on here about issues people have with their commercial mowers spindle mounts aren't mentioned.

Well to begin with my Z Master weighs 926lbs not 944lbs that's the 52" deck. The only difference between the a stander and a rider is where the person absorbs the shock, now true I do have a flex ride platform that helps but there both considered ZT mowers and you if have too mow for two or three hours with a ZTR I can cut that time a lot with a stander.
As far as drives go, the thing that most don't realize is there are better Hydrostatic drives than Hydro-Gear out there on the market like the Parker HT series which is a unitized system, it's a far better system than HG and easier to maintain and changing oil and no hydraulic lines. As for spindles and bearings I don't worry to much about those because Toro has that covered with there sealed bearings, if a bearing goes down they replace it at no cost to me.