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Best Zero Turn - Under $3500

#1

M

merkaba

I am interested in a new zero turn for my yard only...it's about 1.5 acres in New Hampshire. I have a pretty strict budget of $3500 and am trying to figure out the best mower I can buy. I have a local husqvarna dealer, but nothing else close...all 45-60 min away other than husqvarna.

I think these are my top options...but not entirely sure if i'm missing a brand or model? Just wondering what you would buy, and why. My yard has some hills, some flat, and some bushes/trees to also mow around. Any input would be great.

Bad Boy MZ Magnum ($3399 msrp) - Kawasaki FR65 1V / Kohler KT740

Huslter Raptor - ($2800 msrp 42" vs $3200 52") Kohler Pro 7000 25hp

Hustler Raptor SD - ($3999 msrp) Kohler Pro 7000 25hp (i think there are some decent deals on these right now locally)

Husqvarna Z248F - ($3499 msrp) Kawasaki FR 691V 23hp / Briggs Vanguard 23hp

Husqvarna MZ 54S - ($3999 msrp) "Semi-Commercial Machine" - Briggs Endurance Comm 25hp (no idea if they budge on price)

Gravely ZT XL - ($4099 msrp) Kawasaki FR V-Twin/Kohler 7000 (again no idea if they budge on these)

Gravely ZT X - ($3499 msrp) Kohler 7000


#2

RDA.Lawns

RDA.Lawns

I have ran toro mowers for the past 12 years. Its time to trade again. I have been looking at the bad boy mowers really hard. If it was me I'd get the bad boy .Side note its my opinion, others will have theirs.And I would not get a Kawasaki motor. Go demo them all.


#3

M

merkaba

Thanks. I'm also debating something like this.

http://maine.craigslist.org/grd/5746347854.html

bought new in March of 2015. HD 52" deck, Kawasaki 23hp. currently 239 hours, recently serviced, great mower 3500$


#4

Carscw

Carscw

I have looked at the mowers you have listed. As I am looking to replace 4 mowers this winter.
I feel the bad boy is the better mower for the price.


#5

Ric

Ric

merkaba said:
I am interested in a new zero turn for my yard only...it's about 1.5 acres in New Hampshire. I have a pretty strict budget of $3500 and am trying to figure out the best mower I can buy. I have a local husqvarna dealer, but nothing else close...all 45-60 min away other than husqvarna.

I think these are my top options...but not entirely sure if i'm missing a brand or model? Just wondering what you would buy, and why. My yard has some hills, some flat, and some bushes/trees to also mow around. Any input would be great.

Bad Boy MZ Magnum ($3399 msrp) - Kawasaki FR65 1V / Kohler KT740

Huslter Raptor - ($2800 msrp 42" vs $3200 52") Kohler Pro 7000 25hp

Hustler Raptor SD - ($3999 msrp) Kohler Pro 7000 25hp (i think there are some decent deals on these right now locally)

Husqvarna Z248F - ($3499 msrp) Kawasaki FR 691V 23hp / Briggs Vanguard 23hp

Husqvarna MZ 54S - ($3999 msrp) "Semi-Commercial Machine" - Briggs Endurance Comm 25hp (no idea if they budge on price)

Gravely ZT XL - ($4099 msrp) Kawasaki FR V-Twin/Kohler 7000 (again no idea if they budge on these)

Gravely ZT X - ($3499 msrp) Kohler 7000
Click to expand...


You'll find on Homeowner / Residential mowers you get what you pay for. It's just my opinion and I'll tell you up front I'm not a fan of Gravely but the with the mowers you have listed the Gravely ZT XL - ($4099 msrp) is the way to go or be my first choice. Second choice would be the Hustler Raptor SD.

It has a 3-inch fully fabricated tubular frame and a 10 gauge Fabricated deck. it also has what gravely claims to be a commercial-grade Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 transmission which are a real good reliable drive unit. I'd also stay with the Kawasaki engines, they have the best reputation out of the engines listed.

Personally if I were you and looking to spend $3500 on a mower I'd start checking CraigsList for a good low hour commercial mower.


#6

jekjr

jekjr

I am not sure about where you live but in my neck of the woods you can hire somebody to do your grass and one way out ahead on paying that much for a lawn mower. That way you do not have to do anything but write a check once a month........ Cheap mowers are just that. Cheap mowers.


#7

NorthBama

NorthBama

The Gravely looks like a good deal if it has been serviced regular and used by home owner. Only thing I see it should have better air filter system. Just my opinion. Toro commercial here


#8

Ric

Ric

NorthBama said:
The Gravely looks like a good deal if it has been serviced regular and used by home owner. Only thing I see it should have better air filter system. Just my opinion. Toro commercial here
Click to expand...


I agree, I'd like to see a better air system on the mower, but it is the FR series and shouldn't get run like the commercial engines. For a residential mower or use it should be fine. The FS series engines run the same air system and it's a commercial engine and it does a real good job, you just need to clean and change it more often because it's not like the heavy-duty canister air filtration system they run on the FX models.


#9

G

Good 1 Brian

Depends it you looking for dealer support or if you plan on doing you're on service and repairs on what and were you buy .
I also looked at blade speed , I see you have the standard Raptor using a Kohler Pro , the Pro series only on the Raptor SD .


#10

M

merkaba

I've narrowed it down to these two choices...need some help deciding!! I know the JD is like 7k new, and the gravely i think is running for 4700 new. Seems like a massive price difference...but how much better is the JD?

bought new in March of 2015. HD 52" deck, Kawasaki 23hp. currently 239 hours, recently serviced, great mower and i found out he has a trailer...so i made a package deal with a 5x10 landscape trailer for $3500...i need a landscape trailer...he paid $1200 for the trailer last year. Everything works great, just slow business-wise.
Bh8gdpSl.jpg


OR

2013 John Deere Z915 B has 203.0 hours,has a Kohler 23.9 motor. Has a 48 inch 7-iron two commercial deck on it
NFzLvmBl.jpg


#11

Z

zmister11

merkaba said:
I've narrowed it down to these two choices...need some help deciding!! I know the JD is like 7k new, and the gravely i think is running for 4700 new. Seems like a massive price difference...but how much better is the JD?

bought new in March of 2015. HD 52" deck, Kawasaki 23hp. currently 239 hours, recently serviced, great mower and i found out he has a trailer...so i made a package deal with a 5x10 landscape trailer for $3500...i need a landscape trailer...he paid $1200 for the trailer last year. Everything works great, just slow business-wise.

OR

2013 John Deere Z915 B has 203.0 hours,has a Kohler 23.9 motor. Has a 48 inch 7-iron two commercial deck on it
Click to expand...

If it was me , I would get the John Deere. My buddy has that same mower and it cuts really good. And with it being a 2013 with only 203 hours that's a steal!


#12

Z

zmister11

And if you need a trailer, just look on Craigslist. I always see open trailers for sale on their for cheap.


#13

Ric

Ric

merkaba said:
I've narrowed it down to these two choices...need some help deciding!! I know the JD is like 7k new, and the gravely i think is running for 4700 new. Seems like a massive price difference...but how much better is the JD?

bought new in March of 2015. HD 52" deck, Kawasaki 23hp. currently 239 hours, recently serviced, great mower and i found out he has a trailer...so i made a package deal with a 5x10 landscape trailer for $3500...i need a landscape trailer...he paid $1200 for the trailer last year. Everything works great, just slow business-wise.


OR

2013 John Deere Z915 B has 203.0 hours,has a Kohler 23.9 motor. Has a 48 inch 7-iron two commercial deck on it
Click to expand...



You can't really compare those two mowers and make a choice. There's a massive price difference because the Gravely HD is a Residential mower with an FR series Kawasaki and the John Deere 900 series is a commercial mower if I'm not mistaken and what engine is on it, is it the Kohler Command? Either mower will do the job your looking to do. You'll just need two consider your needs and how much money you want to spend.

Now as I said before I'm not a fan of Gravely and I'm sure not a fan of JD but personally and IMO and for the limited number of hours you as a homeowner will be putting on the machine the Gravely deal with the trailer looks pretty good and it's two years newer.


#14

Z

zmister11

Ric said:
You can't really compare those two mowers and make a choice. There's a massive price difference because the Gravely HD is a Residential mower with an FR series Kawasaki and the John Deere 900 series is a commercial mower if I'm not mistaken and what engine is on it, is it the Kohler Command? Either mower will do the job your looking to do. You'll just need two consider your needs and how much money you want to spend.

Now as I said before I'm not a fan of Gravely and I'm sure not a fan of JD but personally and IMO and for the limited number of hours you as a homeowner will be putting on the machine the Gravely deal with the trailer looks pretty good and it's two years newer.
Click to expand...

Yeah but if your paying the same price, why not get the commercial machine?


#15

Ric

Ric

zmister11 said:
Yeah but if your paying the same price, why not get the commercial machine?
Click to expand...

I was assuming or thinking the $3500 package price for the Gravely and Trailer. :confused3: He actually never said how much the JD was.


#16

Z

zmister11

Ric said:
I was assuming or thinking the $3500 package price for the Gravely and Trailer. :confused3: He actually never said how much the JD was.
Click to expand...

Oh that's true. I just saw the title and figured it was $3500 or less


#17

Z

zmister11

Well did you get one of the mowers?


#18

M

merkaba

Still have not pulled the trigger. My father in law is buying my current mower and am waiting for him to pay me before i do anything. It was supposed to be last week, but he ended up having surgery...so hopefully soon. BTW the Gravely HD is $3500 w/ the 5x10 trailer, and the JD is also $3500 for just the mower. Who knows if they will even be available now that it's taking a lot longer than initially expected. I'll keep you all updated with any new info as soon as i have the money and am ready to buy. No sense in inquiring anymore until i have cash in hand.


#19

Z

zmister11

merkaba said:
Still have not pulled the trigger. My father in law is buying my current mower and am waiting for him to pay me before i do anything. It was supposed to be last week, but he ended up having surgery...so hopefully soon. BTW the Gravely HD is $3500 w/ the 5x10 trailer, and the JD is also $3500 for just the mower. Who knows if they will even be available now that it's taking a lot longer than initially expected. I'll keep you all updated with any new info as soon as i have the money and am ready to buy. No sense in inquiring anymore until i have cash in hand.
Click to expand...

Good thinking ! Well I can't wait so see what you bring home.


#20

M

Magsrgod

merkaba said:
Still have not pulled the trigger. My father in law is buying my current mower and am waiting for him to pay me before i do anything. It was supposed to be last week, but he ended up having surgery...so hopefully soon. BTW the Gravely HD is $3500 w/ the 5x10 trailer, and the JD is also $3500 for just the mower. Who knows if they will even be available now that it's taking a lot longer than initially expected. I'll keep you all updated with any new info as soon as i have the money and am ready to buy. No sense in inquiring anymore until i have cash in hand.
Click to expand...

I think you'll be in good shape, when I was looking at CL for mowers I noticed they didn't seem to turn over quickly around here!


#21

Z

zmister11

Magsrgod said:
I think you'll be in good shape, when I was looking at CL for mowers I noticed they didn't seem to turn over quickly around here!
Click to expand...

Hey u never know! I sold mine on Craigslist in 2 days lol I was very surprised.


#22

R

rash3d

merkaba said:
I am interested in a new zero turn for my yard only...it's about 1.5 acres in New Hampshire. I have a pretty strict budget of $3500 and am trying to figure out the best mower I can buy. I have a local husqvarna dealer, but nothing else close...all 45-60 min away other than husqvarna.

I think these are my top options...but not entirely sure if i'm missing a brand or model? Just wondering what you would buy, and why. My yard has some hills, some flat, and some bushes/trees to also mow around. Any input would be great.

Bad Boy MZ Magnum ($3399 msrp) - Kawasaki FR65 1V / Kohler KT740

Huslter Raptor - ($2800 msrp 42" vs $3200 52") Kohler Pro 7000 25hp

Hustler Raptor SD - ($3999 msrp) Kohler Pro 7000 25hp (i think there are some decent deals on these right now locally)

Husqvarna Z248F - ($3499 msrp) Kawasaki FR 691V 23hp / Briggs Vanguard 23hp

Husqvarna MZ 54S - ($3999 msrp) "Semi-Commercial Machine" - Briggs Endurance Comm 25hp (no idea if they budge on price)

Gravely ZT XL - ($4099 msrp) Kawasaki FR V-Twin/Kohler 7000 (again no idea if they budge on these)

Gravely ZT X - ($3499 msrp) Kohler 7000
Click to expand...

check out this:
http://bestlawnmowerguide.com/what-type-of-lawn-mower-should-i-buy/#Zero_turn_lawn_mower


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