I'm looking to replace my 16 yr. old JD GT245 54" deck garden tractor for mowing my own 3.25 acres. A couple of times a year I will mow my neighbors(same size) and in laws(1 acre) lawns when then are unable but have typically used their machine in the past. South Louisiana so no hills but a few moderately sloped ditches and often wet grass. Lots of live oaks and pines so many exposed roots and holes but I try to keep those cleared with Roundup, etc.... I occasionally miss some.
I'm looking for a machine that will be durable, reliable, easy to maintain, quality cut, and drastically cut into my current 3+ hour mowing time. I want to stay close to the 54" because I know it fits through my shed door and on my trailer. So far of the dealers within an hour of me I have looked at JD, Scag, Hustler, Gravely, and Kubota. I really like some of what I see in all of them.
At or Below Budget:
Kubota Z421KW, 24HP KW, 54" $6499
Hustler Fastrack SD, 25HP KH, 54" $7200
Gravely ZTHD 60, 24HP KW, 60" $5600
Scag Patriot, 22HP KW, 52" $6899
Around Budget or Slightly Over:
Kubota Z724KW, 25.5HP KW, 54" $8499
Hustler X One, 27 HP KW, 52" $8400
JD Z915e, w.Susp.Seat added, 25HP KH, 54" $8400
Gravely PT60, 24HP KW, 60" $7550
Over Budget:
Scag TIger CatII, 22.5 HP KW, 52" $8599
Huslter X One, 27HP KW, 60" $8999
JD Z920m, w.Susp.Seat and Tweels, 23.5HP KW, 54" $9650
Gravely PT160, 23.5 KW, 60" $9150
I will be financing and all models but JD currently have 0 for 48. JD is 36 which is kind of a deal killer but all are expecting changes come March 1. The Kubota dealer told me to come back to their exhibit at the "Sportsman Show" in two weeks and they'll will be offering some incentives... he hinted at the Z724 w/Suspension Seat at no extra costs. The Hustler/Scag dealer is having their grand opening for their new store that same weekend and will be offering additional markdowns on X One/Tiger Cat II and above models.
I know this may be overkill for my intended use but I got 16 years out of the GT245 and I want 20 out of my next one. Would appreciate any advice, recommendations, and pros or cons you've experienced with any of these.
Thanks
I'm looking for a machine that will be durable, reliable, easy to maintain, quality cut, and drastically cut into my current 3+ hour mowing time. I want to stay close to the 54" because I know it fits through my shed door and on my trailer. So far of the dealers within an hour of me I have looked at JD, Scag, Hustler, Gravely, and Kubota. I really like some of what I see in all of them.
At or Below Budget:
Kubota Z421KW, 24HP KW, 54" $6499
Hustler Fastrack SD, 25HP KH, 54" $7200
Gravely ZTHD 60, 24HP KW, 60" $5600
Scag Patriot, 22HP KW, 52" $6899
Around Budget or Slightly Over:
Kubota Z724KW, 25.5HP KW, 54" $8499
Hustler X One, 27 HP KW, 52" $8400
JD Z915e, w.Susp.Seat added, 25HP KH, 54" $8400
Gravely PT60, 24HP KW, 60" $7550
Over Budget:
Scag TIger CatII, 22.5 HP KW, 52" $8599
Huslter X One, 27HP KW, 60" $8999
JD Z920m, w.Susp.Seat and Tweels, 23.5HP KW, 54" $9650
Gravely PT160, 23.5 KW, 60" $9150
I will be financing and all models but JD currently have 0 for 48. JD is 36 which is kind of a deal killer but all are expecting changes come March 1. The Kubota dealer told me to come back to their exhibit at the "Sportsman Show" in two weeks and they'll will be offering some incentives... he hinted at the Z724 w/Suspension Seat at no extra costs. The Hustler/Scag dealer is having their grand opening for their new store that same weekend and will be offering additional markdowns on X One/Tiger Cat II and above models.
I know this may be overkill for my intended use but I got 16 years out of the GT245 and I want 20 out of my next one. Would appreciate any advice, recommendations, and pros or cons you've experienced with any of these.
Thanks