Gravely/Ariens Owner Check-In --- Read This First!

[gfp55]

I am going to have to reply to my own thread I think. I was the person asking about the Gravely as a first time zero turn owner. I figure I must have done something incorrectly since there were no responses. I think I have ended up going out today to buy an Exmark LZ with a 60" deck and three bag bagger.

I'm sorry that any one of the zero turn know it all's did not give you the time of day. Thats because they don't like Gravely's and they are close minded and like to follow not lead. If you get an Exmark you should get all kinds of help because thats the brand lots on this forum seem to like. I had a zero turn NH but I did not use it very much and need a tractor that does more the cut grass. I could not give much help or advice on your choice, I hope more folks pay more attention to your next post. Good luck and maybe you will still keep us updated if you do buy the Exmark.

 

[Buck1x]

I'm sorry that any one of the zero turn know it all's did not give you the time of day. Thats because they don't like Gravely's and they are close minded and like to follow not lead. If you get an Exmark you should get all kinds of help because thats the brand lots on this forum seem to like. I had a zero turn NH but I did not use it very much and need a tractor that does more the cut grass. I could not give much help or advice on your choice, I hope more folks pay more attention to your next post. Good luck and maybe you will still keep us updated if you do buy the Exmark.

No worries! You did, and I thank you. I went to buy the Exmark LZ but there was some confusion and it would not start without a jump (they had been warned I was coming back for a good look and listen) and I was very disappointed a dealership couldn't have done some prep. When it did start the throttle did not alter the rpms so we shut it down and I walked. I told them they could do a better prep and call me if they wished to sell it. My enthusiasm was considerably dampened and I let them see that. Should be worth a few hundred bucks off the top. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Buck1x]

Sorry you didn't get any responses. The Exmark LZ is a great mower. If I had the money, that's what I would buy. 90% of professionals use them in my area. Keep us posted. I think you made a good decision.

Thank you for the very positive response. If you will look at a response to the thread you will see a small glitch in the buying process. I wanted this one cause the bagger was a big one with three bags, it had a brand new short block (for some reason he seemed to think that was a good reason for it not starting) and he mentioned that the Bushings or bearings had all been replaced in the mower deck. I think. Today I paid a crew to get the leaves off the back yard. It is only an acre and a half and I was hoping to play with the Exmark but no luck and the family is coming for Easter tomorrow. Joan wanted a clean lawn and the snow blower doesn't do leaves vey well.

 

[gfp55]

No worries! You did, and I thank you. I went to buy the Exmark LZ but there was some confusion and it would not start without a jump (they had been warned I was coming back for a good look and listen) and I was very disappointed a dealership couldn't have done some prep. When it did start the throttle did not alter the rpms so we shut it down and I walked. I told them they could do a better prep and call me if they wished to sell it. My enthusiasm was considerably dampened and I let them see that. Should be worth a few hundred bucks off the top. Thanks again for the reply.

Yes sir, a dealer should have checked things out before you got there. Well look at it this way, be glad you didn't buy and have it home when it didn't start. It may need a new battery. Hopefully they will have the problems fixed if you do go back. The person that installed the shortblock may have forgot to hook up the throttle when they did the install. I would look for oil leaks after you run it for a good 10-15 minutes to see if it has leaks. Do you know how many hours are on the meter? What year is it? What size deck. Any warranty? Keep us updated if you will. Happy Easter to you & yours.

 

[Buck1x]

Yes sir, a dealer should have checked things out before you got there. Well look at it this way, be glad you didn't buy and have it home when it didn't start. It may need a new battery. Hopefully they will have the problems fixed if you do go back. The person that installed the shortblock may have forgot to hook up the throttle when they did the install. I would look for oil leaks after you run it for a good 10-15 minutes to see if it has leaks. Do you know how many hours are on the meter? What year is it? What size deck. Any warranty? Keep us updated if you will. Happy Easter to you & yours.

Well, he's had two days to look at it and call me back. I guess he doesn't want to sell it. Yesterday we got my 79 Jeep CJ5 running after nearly 26 years so maybe the money that would have put me on a good mower will instead go into the Jeep! The Exmark was a 2006 LZ with a 60" deck and three bag bagger. The new short block and bearings made the hours less solid in my mind but I am thinking it was either 750 or 1000. I have looked at every used commercial mower in the area and the hours tend to run together. The dealer had it at one year I buy the parts he does the labor and 30 days anything breaks he fixes it free or takes it back. I was very happy with the deal until it did not work. Especially after the positive feedback from your group.

A slightly funny story. The original sales man was busy so another one took me out to show me the mower. We recognized it since one of the bags was a different color that the other two, which I had noted earlier. I was so impressed when he drove it out of the shed that I told my wife I had already nicknamed it "The Beast". It was awesome! The original salesman came running out yelling that it was the wrong mower, that one was a customers and not one for sale. I was ready for the bait and switch but they took me into the shop and showed me another one that was considerably more used (Paint and tire wear) and somehow looked smaller. He said it was the same frame size as the one we had just seen. (Does anyone know if the LZ's changed physical size since 2006?) The 23 hp Kohler motor was certainly NOT the Kawasaki one that the newer one had though! And sure as heck, it had one bag a different color than the other two also! I am sure there was no ill intent and this really was the one I had looked at in the shed on previous visits.

I probably ought to switch threads since I am now an imposter and not a new Gravely-Ariens owner. Is there a thread for us little John Deere 316 lawn tractor owners?

 

[bucanole]

Thanks for having me, need a little help with my mower. I have a Gravely 160z with a 23 hp Kawasaki fh680v I bought new in 03. Have had hardly any problems, all minor. It's been a great mower, but now I'm stumped. I'm hoping for help quick as the grass never stops growing. Don't know how much help I could be in the future as I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I will help if I can.

 

[bucanole]

Having carb problems, getting plenty of fuel to carb, but doesn't run. I can pull fuel line off and dribble fuel into air intake and it will run fine. I removed bowl and float and cleaned fuel inlet as best I could "a stem of grass". Replaced but still same results. Any ideas?

 

[Roachman]

New owner here and have not taken delivery yet. I just purchased a ZT HD 60 Gravely and it seems to be the ticket for my needs. I have no pictures yet as I will get it this weekend.

 

[gfp55]

New owner here and have not taken delivery yet. I just purchased a ZT HD 60 Gravely and it seems to be the ticket for my needs. I have no pictures yet as I will get it this weekend.

Sounds great and we will be waiting for pictures.

 

[Roachman]

Got my mower yesterday, the ZT HD 60. It arrived setup and ready to go. I filled the gas tank, checked the oil levels, set the deck height and off I went. I discovered the ins and outs of the stick steering as there is a fairly short learning curve. By the end of my mowing job (approx. 4 - 5 acres) I felt pretty competent and the job took less time than before with my lawn tractor.

The quality of cut is very good and the mower is very responsive. My wife & I are very pleased with the yard's appearance. I had to learn to not make sudden steering adjustments. The seat is quite comfortable and I don't think I'll need the suspension kit as they are putting a better seat on the latest ones. My yard has several rough areas and it didn't jar me too badly. Overall I am very pleased with it. I actually look forward to mowing again!

This one has the Kohler 26HP engine on it. It looks like the oil filter will be a bit hard to reach but they put a hose on the oil drain to make that process easier. I think Ill make an extension for it to direct the flow when I drain it to prevent a mess. I feel that we made a good decision and I would recommend this machine. I have a good feeling about my dealer and time will tell.

Below are some images I took with my phone after the first mowing.