Buying New ZTR - around $5,000 - deciding end of May

[fry]

All forgive me for "hijacking" sites - not intentional - wasn't aware of forum etiquette....i am learning, along with learning mowers!

Five thousand is our budget. We have about 10 acres, but 6-7 are in horse pasture - but we fenced so that we can mow around the pasture also.
Our land is fairly even, not golf course grass at all - lot of weeds.....we are out in the country surrounded by corn and soybean fields.

Kubota Kommander - the 124E Series. ...around $4,499 plus $248 for the suspension seat. B&S engine. 48" cut. Salesman very nice and polite - a big PLUS for me!
The salesman also showed us a CubCadet Z-Force S 48 for about $4,499. Has the regular steering wheel. Kawasaki engine. Has the steering wheel and not the "sticks".

TORO. Wasn't impressed with the first salesman - won't buy from him.
Went to another dealer - further away. Test drove the following:
MX 5060 Timecutter - Sale $3,849. Felt nice until we test drove the Titan!
Tital MX series, but in our budget is the Tital ZX5420 , on sale for $4,899. Comparison between the two is Huge, like a Cadillac and a ......Yugo. Probably not that much of a difference, but big!
The salesperson much more professional, helpful.....would buy from him.

Definitely see why you all recommend to buy from a dealer and not a big box store...thank you.

This Saturday, plan to look at Gravely's, BobCat, etc....and my husband wants to look at a Country Clipper with a joystick?!

 

[RatRacer]

Yay!
Face it, everything has a learning curve. But you have to start somewhere, and learn as you go.

If you have a chance, check a Husqvarna dealer. I'm awaiting the delivery of my M-ZT 52.

It has a majority of what the others have, but it was the only one in my price range that does 10mph for wide open spaces.
Final price- $5200 @ 0.49%-48mo
ZT-3400's
Cast iron spindles
My repair guy says not to worry about it, 28hp B&S Endurance
Fab deck
23" rear wheels
Real comfy seat
See the M-ZT 52 here

 

[djdicetn]

All forgive me for "hijacking" sites - not intentional - wasn't aware of forum etiquette....i am learning, along with learning mowers!

Five thousand is our budget. We have about 10 acres, but 6-7 are in horse pasture - but we fenced so that we can mow around the pasture also.
Our land is fairly even, not golf course grass at all - lot of weeds.....we are out in the country surrounded by corn and soybean fields.

Kubota Kommander - the 124E Series. ...around $4,499 plus $248 for the suspension seat. B&S engine. 48" cut. Salesman very nice and polite - a big PLUS for me!
The salesman also showed us a CubCadet Z-Force S 48 for about $4,499. Has the regular steering wheel. Kawasaki engine. Has the steering wheel and not the "sticks".

TORO. Wasn't impressed with the first salesman - won't buy from him.
Went to another dealer - further away. Test drove the following:
MX 5060 Timecutter - Sale $3,849. Felt nice until we test drove the Titan!
Tital MX series, but in our budget is the Tital ZX5420 , on sale for $4,899. Comparison between the two is Huge, like a Cadillac and a ......Yugo. Probably not that much of a difference, but big!
The salesperson much more professional, helpful.....would buy from him.

Definitely see why you all recommend to buy from a dealer and not a big box store...thank you.

This Saturday, plan to look at Gravely's, BobCat, etc....and my husband wants to look at a Country Clipper with a joystick?!

Fry,
You and the hubby are definitely making straight A's on your homework!!! All the mowers you are looking at(except for maybe the Cub...I'll explain below) are ZTR's that will do the job you need done and meet your budget goal. I knew you would probably be impressed with the Toro Titans(I was, and almost made an offer on the Titan MX5480). Sure wish that dealer would give you a deal on the 48" Titan MX that would make it affordable for you. Those are VERY nice ZTR's. The Husqvarna(M-ZT 52) that user RatRacer just bought is another worthy consideration if I hadn't already mentioned it. Seems like he got a very good deal on it though, because the MSRP on the Husqvarna website is $5499. Now on the Cub Cadet Z-Force S(with the steering wheel).....that ZTR has the sealed HydroGear EZT trannies and for your mowing needs I wouldn't recommend those for durability(also, I have read a couple of posts in the Cub Cadet forum here that had some pretty negative reviews by owners). Now the Z-Force S Commercial 48"(with the steering wheel) has the ZT-3100 trannies, but it has a $5,499 MSRP. I would recommend you look at the Z-Force 48" with lap bars, which at least has the ZT-2800 serviceable trannies(but those are what I would consider "light Commercial duty" but with regular maintenance might be OK for you). The Z-Force 48" lap bar ZTR has a MSRP 0f $4849, but a local dealer here shows it on sale for $4199(very good price for that model!). Also, you may need to discuss with the hubby and decide whether a 48" will make you able to cut the 3-4 acres in an acceptable amount of time or whether you need to be looking at a 52-54" like the Toro Titan you looked at. The main consideration is you can get a better-built ZTR model/series with a smaller 48" deck for almost the same kind of money as a not-as-well-built 52-54" model/series in the same make. I know.....more decisions....just when you & the hubby thought it was safe to go back in the water:0)
P.S.
If you decide you need the bigger deck, see what that Cub dealer will do for you on the Z-Force(with lap bars) in the 54". A dealer here shows the MSRP as $5,599 but has it currently "on sale" for $4,799(right down your alley)!!!

 

[fry]

OMG - 2nd day of "looking" = more confused.:confused2:
1st Stop. BobCat Dealer-VERY nice sales woman. Showed us a 52" mower, KAW(FR) engine for $5,199. Nice, but didn't fall in love.
2nd stop. Gravely Dealer - Also, VERY nice salesman. Showed us a 48 ZT HD like DJD recommended. Price $4,999. 0% financing for 48 months. We both liked this very much.
....we should have stopped looking but we didn't......
3rd stop. Hustler and Kubota dealer. Again, very nice salesman. Have to admit the Hustler FastTrack 48" was nice too. Price $4,999. 0% financing for 48 months. KAW engine.
Don't know why, but I have a soft spot for the Kubota Kommander 48". The "S" series at $4,949, the "E" series for $4,499. 0% financing for 36 month.
4th stop. Country Clipper, Ferris and Toro dealer. What is it with all these nice salespeople all of a sudden??...thought I could narrow my decision down by hateful salesman - i'm finding out there isn't many in the mower business. :smile:
-Country Clipper. Hubby had to try the joystick steering. I didn't care for it - they say it's more ergonomic comfort - but I can see one slouching to the side driving it?? LOved the way the deck folded out and up for easy cleaning and working on.
-Ferris. model IS 600Z. price $5,999 with a KAW (FS) engine.48". Husband loved the shock/suspension system. 0% for 48 months.
-TORO Z Master (commercial) KAW(FX) engine....but a 52 inch and on sale, yes, sale for $6,499 until May 22. 0% for 48 months. I must be out of my mind:shocked: 'cause I have it on the list!!!! What are we thinking???
Whew - we are wore out ....from stress and shopping. All your input has definitely helped me out - I understand a little more or even a lot of what they are talking about. We didn't make a decision yet. It's not going to be easy.....we may end up putting all the contenders in a hat and pulling the winner out.

.....and how was your Saturday??? One day we will be like you all - mowing our yard instead of shopping for one. :wink:

 

[Rivets]

I have to add my opinion, as I always do. Having worked on most of the models you are looking at I'll give my opinion as a mechanic. For various reasons I would stay away from the Country Clipper, Hustler, Toro Z-Master and Cub Cadet. Don't feel that the quality is there or in the case of the Toro, way over kill. I am partial to the Kubota (haven't work on that model, to new, but it is built by a quality manufacturer, which we sell) Toro Titan, and Ferris.

 

[djdicetn]

OMG - 2nd day of "looking" = more confused.:confused2:
1st Stop. BobCat Dealer-VERY nice sales woman. Showed us a 52" mower, KAW(FR) engine for $5,199. Nice, but didn't fall in love.
2nd stop. Gravely Dealer - Also, VERY nice salesman. Showed us a 48 ZT HD like DJD recommended. Price $4,999. 0% financing for 48 months. We both liked this very much.
....we should have stopped looking but we didn't......
3rd stop. Hustler and Kubota dealer. Again, very nice salesman. Have to admit the Hustler FastTrack 48" was nice too. Price $4,999. 0% financing for 48 months. KAW engine.
Don't know why, but I have a soft spot for the Kubota Kommander 48". The "S" series at $4,949, the "E" series for $4,499. 0% financing for 36 month.
4th stop. Country Clipper, Ferris and Toro dealer. What is it with all these nice salespeople all of a sudden??...thought I could narrow my decision down by hateful salesman - i'm finding out there isn't many in the mower business. :smile:
-Country Clipper. Hubby had to try the joystick steering. I didn't care for it - they say it's more ergonomic comfort - but I can see one slouching to the side driving it?? LOved the way the deck folded out and up for easy cleaning and working on.
-Ferris. model IS 600Z. price $5,999 with a KAW (FS) engine.48". Husband loved the shock/suspension system. 0% for 48 months.
-TORO Z Master (commercial) KAW(FX) engine....but a 52 inch and on sale, yes, sale for $6,499 until May 22. 0% for 48 months. I must be out of my mind:shocked: 'cause I have it on the list!!!! What are we thinking???
Whew - we are wore out ....from stress and shopping. All your input has definitely helped me out - I understand a little more or even a lot of what they are talking about. We didn't make a decision yet. It's not going to be easy.....we may end up putting all the contenders in a hat and pulling the winner out.

.....and how was your Saturday??? One day we will be like you all - mowing our yard instead of shopping for one. :wink:

Grasshopper....grasshopper.....you MUST strive to find "the center/eye of the storm":0)
Welcome to the wonderful(head spinning) world of ZTR shopping. I, like you, am a first time ZTR buyer and by no means am I an expert at this!! We told you there were a lot of good ZTR's to choose from...some with this....some with that, you will just need to step back(you may need to re-read your post if you didn't take good notes) and sort out the most "important" features that give you that warm & fuzzy.
Firstly, remember the "apples-to-apples" approach...the Toro Z-Master is a grade above just everything else you looked at(except maybe the Ferris) and that's why you were so impressed(I take it that this one was the 2000 Series that "I almost bought"). But if $6499(I think I was quoted $6100 for a 2012 last fall) puts it on your short list, you and the hubby need to huddle again and set the budget appropriately and not deviate unless you raise the bar on all of the others to match the Z-Master and the Ferris. Also you neeed to decide 48", 52", 54" etc. and compare the same/similar size decks across each different ZTR make. You will either have to drop down into the Toro Titans series or bring the others up a notch to the Toro Z-Master and Ferris. In the Gravely that would be the base Pro-Turn(not the 100ZXDZ), the FasTrak Super Duty in the Hustler line, the Jazee Pro in the Country Clipper line and I don't really know on the Kubota Z Series above the Kommander ZG100 series(I "think" their price jumps way up when you get above the Kommander). And you are right...the "easy/fun" part is the shopping/looking at different ZTR's and the hard part is deciding which one to buy. But you & hubby are practicing due diligence and are doing an excellent job. I know you need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks.....soooooo take a deep breath, don't stress over it and make a corporate decision that both of you feel comfortable with. I'm sure as hard as you two are working at it, it will be the right one!!!!

 

[djdicetn]

I have to add my opinion, as I always do. Having worked on most of the models you are looking at I'll give my opinion as a mechanic. For various reasons I would stay away from the Country Clipper, Hustler, Toro Z-Master and Cub Cadet. Don't feel that the quality is there or in the case of the Toro, way over kill. I am partial to the Kubota (haven't work on that model, to new, but it is built by a quality manufacturer, which we sell) Toro Titan, and Ferris.

Rivets,
Can you tell user fry what they would be looking at for a Kubota ZG222A-48(if they decide to move up to a "Commercial Grade")? Can you be more specific about the problems you see with the Z-Master or the Hustler ZTR's? Quality, in what regard???

P.S.
The reason I find it difficult to accept negative reviews of Hustler products is because of their historical reputation of quality and that they received the highest overall ratings this year of ANY outdoor equipment manufacturer by the dealer networks(see NAEDA Survey below):

http://www.msdeda.com/pdf/2013 Dealer Manufacturer Survey.pdf

 

[RatRacer]

Lol! Good luck with that!
I know the feeling. My original budget was 3K, but attractive financing for better, durable, quality can make you look further up. When you can get a machine that "could" last decades vs. 5 or so years for about double, but livable with reasonable financing, it'll drive you nuts. But, usable and comfortable ergonomics is an important aspect for larger jobs to be bearable. It may be a $ inconvenience right now, but it will pay off in the long run by making that chore being way more tolerable for a happier life in general.

 

[fry]

Opinions very much welcome and wanted! Thank you for taking the time to reply....it is MUCH appreciated!

Yes, I realize that if we do (gulp) raise our budget, that we need to go back and see what the dealers have comparable to the TORO Z-Master.
But.......I really, really don't want to go more than $5,000. I started out with $3,000 - and then I thought I was out of my mind.
Which my contenders would be the Kubota Kommander, Gravely 48" ZT HD, Toro Titan, Hustler FastTrack.....but Rivets has me wondering about the Hustler.
The Ferris has the KAW FS engine and the shocks - is that really a big thing? I know the FS is Heavy Duty engine, but I'm thinking that the FR engine would be good for us??
My wonderful husband is thinking maybe down the line to buy something big enough to cut the horse pasture with....am I wrong to not like the idea? We have an old 8N Ford tractor that we bushhog the pasture with, yes it needs work - but maybe I should put the $1,000 more into the 8N tractor instead of upgrading to a Monster of a mower for residential use. My poor husband has to fight with the 8N Ford tractor a lot to get it going. (are there any good forums like this one for 8N Ford tractors for help and advice?)

Any of the ones I listed above for around $5,000 should last me a long time right?....more than 5 years - I'm hoping it's the last one we buy.

By the way, does homeowner insurance cover the mowers?....do I have to get a seperate policy for it?....after all it's the price of a car! Just wondering.
Thank you again for taking the time to help us.

 

[djdicetn]

Opinions very much welcome and wanted! Thank you for taking the time to reply....it is MUCH appreciated!

Yes, I realize that if we do (gulp) raise our budget, that we need to go back and see what the dealers have comparable to the TORO Z-Master.
But.......I really, really don't want to go more than $5,000. I started out with $3,000 - and then I thought I was out of my mind.
Which my contenders would be the Kubota Kommander, Gravely 48" ZT HD, Toro Titan, Hustler FastTrack.....but Rivets has me wondering about the Hustler.
The Ferris has the KAW FS engine and the shocks - is that really a big thing? I know the FS is Heavy Duty engine, but I'm thinking that the FR engine would be good for us??
My wonderful husband is thinking maybe down the line to buy something big enough to cut the horse pasture with....am I wrong to not like the idea? We have an old 8N Ford tractor that we bushhog the pasture with, yes it needs work - but maybe I should put the $1,000 more into the 8N tractor instead of upgrading to a Monster of a mower for residential use. My poor husband has to fight with the 8N Ford tractor a lot to get it going. (are there any good forums like this one for 8N Ford tractors for help and advice?)

Any of the ones I listed above for around $5,000 should last me a long time right?....more than 5 years - I'm hoping it's the last one we buy.

By the way, does homeowner insurance cover the mowers?....do I have to get a seperate policy for it?....after all it's the price of a car! Just wondering.
Thank you again for taking the time to help us.

I would await a more detailed explanation, like I requested, from user Rivets on the Hustler. I have heard very little if any negative reviews by Hustler owners(and very many good user revirew) and as I pointed out Hustler received the highest dealer rating this year(not just owner or mechanic views). I made an offer on a Hustler and if the dealer had negotiated price to my liking I might very well be a Hustler FasTrak Super Duty owner today. The base FasTrak is no slouch either when compared to any other ZTR in it's class and most users here will agree with that statement. I have no idea why he questions their quality. I believe I hear your gut saying the Z-Master is too expensive and that's OK. Go back to the $5,000 ZTR's you have looked at and(I've forgotten how much area you will be mowing) get the smallest deck size that you really need because then you can look for upgraded other features you may really need or prefer to get more for your $5K. Of course if you will need a 52" or 54" deck by all means compare those models. Your husband may very well be right thinking out to the future needs!! I think that any of the ZTR's in the $5k range will last 10 years minimum easily if well maintained. Even though my ZTR is my first one I had a $2,000 lawn tractor that lasted 19 years because I took good care of it, so it's reasonable to expect something that costs almost 3 times that much to do the same!!!
P.S.
Yes, homeowner's Insurance covers your ZTR(personal property) even if you are trailering it(I thought I would need a rider on my auto insurance for towing a trailer with a ZTR but my agent told me no....unless I am in the lawn care business which has different rules).