First ZT - Gravel Pro Turn 52 - Ferris IS700 - Exmark Pioneer S - Snapper Pro Sx150t

[captain ron]

And survey says.... each has their own preferences. All good.

Yes its a dead heat!


Your feedback, dj's, ric ,ed , etc. is exactly what I was hoping to get from this post. That look at this unit for a few hundred more in the brand your getting all this. Sales folks can say that too, but here I'm taking as more re-world usage vs just sales.
I don't know many commercial mowers here in town, but as others have said I have kept an eye what people have on their trailers. I will say this most that I have seen are Red, which makes it sometimes hard to tell which kind it is!

 

[captain ron]

Out the door at 6999 for Pioneer S-Series 60 inch. I got the CV740-3138 Kohler 27 hp motor. The 500 rebate will apply to all the Pioneer E and S series mowers, BUT the seat only comes on a certain model 60 inch model. The model number has "SS" at the end (Model PNS740KC604SS). Based on the engine hours. My dealer told me I could get one, but the engine for the seat we a 500 hour engine model. I choose model with engine that gave 1800 hour engine. If you look you will find varied ending number after the CV740... CV740-0008, CV740-0017, etc. Mine is CV740-3138 725cc. Believe that is what he was referring to. Still got 500 rebate, better model of engine at (1800 hours). Mine came with "comfort suspension seat". Rides better than others I tried out (Gravely, bad boy, dixie). Would still like to try out full suspension seat though.

Van to follow-up another question is yours a 2014 model? In looking at the 2014 sales manual it shows only two Kohler engines listed for the 60" unit both show as a Kohler ZX740, which when I look in the matrix in the back of the manual I think the ZX is a typo and they list them as Kohler ZT740 there. Looking at the Kohler website it shows those as 25 hp units. Maybe they can still be ordered with other engines like what you got even thought its not listed in the sales material?

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks for the feedback Djdicetn - Gravely doesn't specifically call out there deck on the website, does the pro-turn 52 have a x-factor deck as well...its just the gauge on the Pro-152 is thicker? That's a great price I could see why you went that way, from the website that directs you to the dealer site it shows that unit closer to $7,500 sales price with MSRP in the 8k range. I have not spoke to the dealer about that unit to see if that is the actual price point they are selling at, so will have to see where they are. I would agree from a pricing perspective that unit starts to kick into the next class of units from all the manufactures I listed: like a Toro 3000, Exmark Lazer Z, Ferris 2100. This is the feedback I was looking for from real users to say hey for a couple hundred more this is well worth and here's why. I'm hoping to get there to do some test drives this week, so I'll report back as I continue the selection process

The base Pro-Turn was introduced in 2013 as the Gravely entry-level commercial ZTR and was not available when I bought my 2012 Pro-Turn 152(which up until 2013 was considered the entry-level commercial...even though the ZT HD carries a "Commercial Warranty" in addition to it's Residential Warranty). I, like you, think Gravely needs to be a little more competitive with their warranty period(my 2012 Warranty states 3 years/1,000 hours) because the machines are solid enogh for a 5 year warranty easily. It's hard to tell on the Gravely website which only states that the base Pro-Turn has a 10gauge deck with 7gauge spindle reinforcements(and the pictures don't help), but if you look at one it will have an "X-Factor" decal on the top of the deck opposite from the discharge chute. Yep, seems like all ZTR's have had price increases over the last few years(the MSRP on mine in 2012 was $7,199 and the 2013 was $7,499). I bought late September of 2012(just before the dealer was to take delivery of the 2013 models) so I made an offer to take his last 2012 model Pro-Turn 100 XDZ off his hands. When he accepted my offer(basically approx. $1500 off the MSRP of the same ZTR for 2013) I didn't hesitate and have never looked back. This ZTR will outlive me!!!

 

[Vanousb]

Van to follow-up another question is yours a 2014 model? In looking at the 2014 sales manual it shows only two Kohler engines listed for the 60" unit both show as a Kohler ZX740, which when I look in the matrix in the back of the manual I think the ZX is a typo and they list them as Kohler ZT740 there. Looking at the Kohler website it shows those as 25 hp units. Maybe they can still be ordered with other engines like what you got even thought its not listed in the sales material?

My model is new 2013 with the CV740-3138 Kohler.27hp

 

[captain ron]

based on specs the snapper pro is the hands down winner.......was quoted 6150 from SLE in nashville......5400 transmission is what they put on the gravely 460 and scag turf tiger......snapper pro offers about 8 different engine choices

Edd do you have some experience with the snapper pro line? I haven't found anyone with any real knowledge of it outside of the dealers, that has been my only hesitation. The one dealer was pushing me harder towards the ferris line vs Snapper, but honestly at points I felt like I knew more about it from online reading then he did. His big point was that the Snapper is a solid frame and that the Ferris was a suspension frame. My thought was that Ferris is the only suspension frame, so I can't believe all the other manufactures aren't making it work. The warranty is great, the parts are great (5400 Hyrdos and FX engine), pricing seems to be great, but I just keep wondering if I missing something. People have said the ICD is very good cutting deck, maybe not as good as the toro or scag deck, but that part seems solid too. I need to try it again with focus on the ride, from what I have read on here and online there isn't a suspension seat available. Thanks for the heads up on SLE looks like they carry some other lines (Ferris, Toro, Snapper Pro) as well and offer delivery.

 

[ddbtdd]

based on specs the snapper pro is the hands down winner.......was quoted 6150 from SLE in nashville......5400 transmission is what they put on the gravely 460 and scag turf tiger......snapper pro offers about 8 different engine choices

Absolutely correct.
Don't just choose your ztr by the color of paint or what the salesman tells you. Look at the specs and the price. Ztrs are mostly premade components. Everyone makes a great ztr until it breaks down.

 

[Ric]

Edd do you have some experience with the snapper pro line? I haven't found anyone with any real knowledge of it outside of the dealers, that has been my only hesitation. The one dealer was pushing me harder towards the ferris line vs Snapper, but honestly at points I felt like I knew more about it from online reading then he did. His big point was that the Snapper is a solid frame and that the Ferris was a suspension frame. My thought was that Ferris is the only suspension frame, so I can't believe all the other manufactures aren't making it work. The warranty is great, the parts are great (5400 Hyrdos and FX engine), pricing seems to be great, but I just keep wondering if I missing something. People have said the ICD is very good cutting deck, maybe not as good as the toro or scag deck, but that part seems solid too. I need to try it again with focus on the ride, from what I have read on here and online there isn't a suspension seat available. Thanks for the heads up on SLE looks like they carry some other lines (Ferris, Toro, Snapper Pro) as well and offer delivery.

You can't always base everything with a ZTR on specifications. You say you haven't found anyone with any real knowledge of Snapper outside of the dealers, well have you asked why that is? It's because of two things, one being the professionals are not using them in any amount and two, with there cost the homeowner not willing to spend that amount of money to mow a or his yard especially when the homeowner can buy a really good ztr for half that cost.

You say my thought was that Ferris is the only suspension frame, so I can't believe all the other manufactures aren't making it work. I think that pretty much answers your own question, in the fact that other manufacturers aren't making it work because it may not be what it's cracked up to be.

I think there are two things you need to look at when purchasing a mower, 1 Warranty, you need to get a mower that has the best warranty available and 2 is a Dealer with a service department that can back it up.

 

[DSepe]

Edd do you have some experience with the snapper pro line? I haven't found anyone with any real knowledge of it outside of the dealers, that has been my only hesitation. The one dealer was pushing me harder towards the ferris line vs Snapper, but honestly at points I felt like I knew more about it from online reading then he did. His big point was that the Snapper is a solid frame and that the Ferris was a suspension frame. My thought was that Ferris is the only suspension frame, so I can't believe all the other manufactures aren't making it work. The warranty is great, the parts are great (5400 Hyrdos and FX engine), pricing seems to be great, but I just keep wondering if I missing something. People have said the ICD is very good cutting deck, maybe not as good as the toro or scag deck, but that part seems solid too. I need to try it again with focus on the ride, from what I have read on here and online there isn't a suspension seat available. Thanks for the heads up on SLE looks like they carry some other lines (Ferris, Toro, Snapper Pro) as well and offer delivery.

Thought I would chime in here real quick. The reason companies don't have suspension is because of patents held by Ferris. These companies can't just rip off others unique designs and features (Apple vs Samsung). Hustler has flex forks as does Dixie Chopper (sold to them by the patent holding company) and some Scags have a operator suspension system. That being said I have a IS600V and love it. I am located in a Bob-cat dominated area simply because we have an awesome Bob-cat dealer no other reason. Service by the dealer trumps any minor differences in engines,Hydro's, seats or whatever. That's just my 2 cents...good luck on your decision may the best dealer win.

 

[djdicetn]

Thought I would chime in here real quick. The reason companies don't have suspension is because of patents held by Ferris. These companies can't just rip off others unique designs and features (Apple vs Samsung). Hustler has flex forks as does Dixie Chopper (sold to them by the patent holding company) and some Scags have a operator suspension system. That being said I have a IS600V and love it. I am located in a Bob-cat dominated area simply because we have an awesome Bob-cat dealer no other reason. Service by the dealer trumps any minor differences in engines,Hydro's, seats or whatever. That's just my 2 cents...good luck on your decision may the best dealer win.

That's the first time I have ever heard that other ZTR manufacturers do not install wheel suspension options with the reason being Ferris owns the patent. With Hustler, Scag, Dixie Chopper.....and Bad Boy ZTR's having their own suspension offerings I find it hard to believe that Gravely couldn't design a suspension system that would not infringe on any patent Ferris may have. That's like saying Ford cannot implement a hybrid model car because Toyota holds the patent with the Prius. I tend to agree with user Ric that the reason others don't offer suspension systems is that it is more gimmick than it is functional. Besides, I would guess that the overall design of a ZTR mower lends itself to a better cut with a solid chassis and a floating deck. The BEST way to get a smoother ride on any brand ZTR is to get a good quality full suspension seat(that is after all the only area of a ZTR(the seat) that a operator would notice any difference in the ride.....NOT because the left front tire absorbs a bump. If most other components on the ZTR's you are comparing are similar I would demo them and make sure they have a full suspension seat if mowing for extended periods and ride is important. Like mentioned, dealer choice is as important as specs & price which won't vary much between brands(all of the ZTR's mentioned in this poll are very good machines).

 

[ddbtdd]

Ferris may well hold the patent on suspension but that doesn't keep others from using their suspension short of paying a royalty to Ferris (or Briggs).
I believe one company that builds ztr's - Husqvarna - owns the zero turn patent and that doesn't stop anyone else from building them.