Guess what - need help deciding on zero turn

[Shughes717]

The Ferris dealer is also a Husqvarna, Simplicity and Stihl dealer. I glanced at the two he had on the floor. He had a lawn tractor I looked at earlier in the year - was not impressed so I assumed the rest of the bunch was similar. Maybe I'm wrong.

The mzt is a commercial mower. A 52" will run between $5000 and $5500. It offers the commercial fs series Kawi engine and zt3400 hydros. The snapper pro s125xt has the same drive train with a 61" icd deck in the same price range. You can get a 48" big dog stout with the heavy duty fx series engine and zt3400 hydros in the same price range, but those mowers would be extreme overkill for your needs. Simplicity is geared more for residential use than the ferris. Not made quite as heavy unless you are looking at the champion, or citation.

In the end you know what your budget is, and what you want. Any of the mowers you are looking at will serve you well for many years if you maintain proper service and don't abuse the mower. You don't need to feel like you have to have the commercial drive train. It wouldn't be worth the extra money for your needs. If you have two particular mowers you are looking at in the same price range, and one does offer a better engine, transmission combo then it would probably be a better option. You will probably be putting 50 hours a year on the machine or less, so the residential engines should be fine for your job. If You want to look at husqvarna you may want to check out the mz series. Has a thinner 11 gauge deck and has the fr series Kawi, but they aren't bad mowers.

 

[Emptyjones]

"It sounds like the snapper pro you looked at is either a s50xt,..." Shughes717", it is the S50XT with the Kawi FX. Here's the link to the advertisement: https://knoxville.craigslist.org/grd/4732860880.html

I went and checked out a new one (S50XT) at the local dealer, again very close to the house. Really liked the guys there too. Two brothers own and run it. Liked it very well, found nothing to not like about it and it was set up right too - no herky jerky or pulling to one side (unlike the Bobcat I checked out). It had the B&S "turf" series on it. I talked to the dealer about the bad rep of B&S. He went into the single cylinder debacle that gave them the rep. He did say of all the turf series he has sold (which, apparently, is quite a few) he has not had one come back in for any kind of work (damage or warranty). So, I'm wondering if the extra $200 for the Kawi is actually worth it - I kinda like the idea of going against the grain/popularity (I always pull for the underdog). At any rate, he quoted me $4350 + tax which, was $650 less than advertised. It did not have some of the details of the Ferris IS600z had but that's not a deal breaker for me. Plus I really don't think they are apples and apples. I liked the size of it, I think it fits my situation better, it handled very well (set up and ZT 3100's), and I love that iCD deck too. I wish it had bigger rear tires but they seemed a bit taller than some of the other machines I've checked out with 20" tires. They had a pretty good slope (maybe 4:1) in the back lot and I tried it parallel with slope and it seemed to hold pretty well.

Whaddya think?

 

[Shughes717]

"It sounds like the snapper pro you looked at is either a s50xt,..." Shughes717", it is the S50XT with the Kawi FX. Here's the link to the advertisement: https://knoxville.craigslist.org/grd/4732860880.html

I went and checked out a new one (S50XT) at the local dealer, again very close to the house. Really liked the guys there too. Two brothers own and run it. Liked it very well, found nothing to not like about it and it was set up right too - no herky jerky or pulling to one side (unlike the Bobcat I checked out). It had the B&S "turf" series on it. I talked to the dealer about the bad rep of B&S. He went into the single cylinder debacle that gave them the rep. He did say of all the turf series he has sold (which, apparently, is quite a few) he has not had one come back in for any kind of work (damage or warranty). So, I'm wondering if the extra $200 for the Kawi is actually worth it - I kinda like the idea of going against the grain/popularity (I always pull for the underdog). At any rate, he quoted me $4350 + tax which, was $650 less than advertised. It did not have some of the details of the Ferris IS600z had but that's not a deal breaker for me. Plus I really don't think they are apples and apples. I liked the size of it, I think it fits my situation better, it handled very well (set up and ZT 3100's), and I love that iCD deck too. I wish it had bigger rear tires but they seemed a bit taller than some of the other machines I've checked out with 20" tires. They had a pretty good slope (maybe 4:1) in the back lot and I tried it parallel with slope and it seemed to hold pretty well.

Whaddya think?

The commercial turf is a new engine. It hasn't been out there long enough to get much feed back on it. I am a Kawi fan and my mower has the same fx series engine that is offered on the s50xt. Snapper pro mowers are very well built and that is a good price for an s50xt. You are right in your statement about the s50xt not being apples to Apple with the is600. The s125xt is the comparable mower to the is600. It sounds as though you have found a mower you like and it will suit your needs well. Let us know what you decide and post pictures of whatever you purchase.

Btw, I just noticed you are a fellow tennessean. With you checking Knoxville Craig's list it sounds like your stomping grounds are in East Tennessee. I think I forgot to answer one of your earlier questions about my mower. I have had it for three seasons now. My dad has an s200xt for four seasons. He cuts about 9 acres with his. We have a great local dealer as well. You may want to see if you can get the dealer to throw in a suspension insert or lights.

 

[Emptyjones]

The commercial turf is a new engine. It hasn't been out there long enough to get much feed back on it. I am a Kawi fan and my mower has the same fx series engine that is offered on the s50xt. Snapper pro mowers are very well built and that is a good price for an s50xt. You are right in your statement about the s50xt not being apples to Apple with the is600. The s125xt is the comparable mower to the is600. It sounds as though you have found a mower you like and it will suit your needs well. Let us know what you decide and post pictures of whatever you purchase.

Btw, I just noticed you are a fellow tennessean. With you checking Knoxville Craig's list it sounds like your stomping grounds are in East Tennessee. I think I forgot to answer one of your earlier questions about my mower. I have had it for three seasons now. My dad has an s200xt for four seasons. He cuts about 9 acres with his. We have a great local dealer as well. You may want to see if you can get the dealer to throw in a suspension insert or lights.

Yep, east TN - "Murvul" aka Maryville ha ha. He offered me a good deal on the s125XT @ $5500 but I really think it's too much for my needs. I'm studying hard on the 50. Will keep you posted.

 

[Shughes717]

Yep, east TN - "Murvul" aka Maryville ha ha. He offered me a good deal on the s125XT @ $5500 but I really think it's too much for my needs. I'm studying hard on the 50. Will keep you posted.

The s125xt is overkill for your needs. I'm at the other end of the state. I live in friendship.

 

[Ric]

you should check out the Husqvarna line most times you will find more bang for the buck. better motor and trannies than most in the same price range

He should also check out Toro, Exmark, Hustler and Scag, there all better mowers than what he is looking at and better built.

 

[Shughes717]

He should also check out Toro, Exmark, Hustler and Scag, there all better mowers than what he is looking at and better built.

There you go again spouting opinions about how much better other mowers are when you have never had any experience with the ones you are bashing. Everyone of the brands you mentioned will cost more for the same options that are on the ones he is looking at. To go with mowers that compare to the ones the op is looking at he would have to look at the hustler fastrack, the exmark pioneer, the scag freedom z, or the toro Titan mx. All have a higher price tag. We have gone round and round about this. Engines and transmissions are all the same. All have heavy duty frames and decks. What makes them any better? I know you can read the threads on every brand you mentioned and see problems with their mowers, and it's usually the engine, or something not engaging. Just like the threads for all the brands you didn't mention. Just paying for paint and brand.

 

[Ric]

There you go again spouting opinions about how much better other mowers are when you have never had any experience with the ones you are bashing. Everyone of the brands you mentioned will cost more for the same options that are on the ones he is looking at. To go with mowers that compare to the ones the op is looking at he would have to look at the hustler fastrack, the exmark pioneer, the scag freedom z, or the toro Titan. All have a higher price tag. We have gone round and round about this. Engines and transmissions are all the same. All have heavy duty frames and decks. What makes them any better? I know you can read the threads on every brand you mentioned and see problems with their mowers, and it's usually the engine, or something not engaging. Just like the threads for all the brands you didn't mention. Just paying for paint and brand.

I wouldn't worry about my experience with mowers, I've had plenty of experience over the last 40 plus years or more with a lot of different brands of mowers. It also doesn't take a rocket scientist to compare spec's and manufacturers to know what mower is better than another.
You say everyone of the brands you mentioned will cost more for the same options that are on the ones he is looking at, well have you every ask yourself why they cost more, it's because there a better built mower from frames to decks and spindles, lift systems and warranty's but I'm not going to argue the point with you.
I gave the individual my opinion, I said He should also check out Toro, Exmark, Hustler and Scag, there all better mowers than what he is looking at and better built and they are and he should check out all the options before he buys.

 

[Shughes717]

I wouldn't worry about my experience with mowers, I've had plenty of experience over the last 40 plus years or more with a lot of different brands of mowers. It also doesn't take a rocket scientist to compare spec's and manufacturers to know what mower is better than another.
You say everyone of the brands you mentioned will cost more for the same options that are on the ones he is looking at, well have you every ask yourself why they cost more, it's because there a better built mower from frames to decks and spindles, lift systems and warranty's but I'm not going to argue the point with you.
I gave the individual my opinion, I said He should also check out Toro, Exmark, Hustler and Scag, there all better mowers than what he is looking at and better built and they are and he should check out all the options before he buys.

Apparently you don't read the specs. You have never proven how another brand, particularly toro, is built any better. An s150xt has larger wheels, more fuel capacity, larger hydros, and a larger engine than the z master 2000 and costs less. You have no experience with ferris or snapper pro, therefore you cannot give an informed opinion on either. How can anyone take your opinion seriously when you haven't used one? The only reason you bash ferris and snapper pro is because you hate their parent company. You are basing your opinion on emotion instead of facts. I will give toro credit. They are great mowers, but unless the buyer owns horses they are over priced.

 

[Ric]

Apparently you don't read the specs. You have never proven how another brand, particularly toro, is built any better. An s150xt has larger wheels, more fuel capacity, larger hydros, and a larger engine than the z master 2000 and costs less. You have no experience with ferris or snapper pro, therefore you cannot give an informed opinion on either. How can anyone take your opinion seriously when you haven't used one? The only reason you bash ferris and snapper pro is because you hate their parent company. You are basing your opinion on emotion instead of facts. I will give toro credit. They are great mowers, but unless the buyer owns horses they are over priced.

Your spouting things that you don't know, you say You have no experience with ferris or snapper pro, how do you know I have know experience with them, YOU DON'T so don't spout facts you don't know. Talk about basing your opinion on emotion instead of facts. Larger hydros? the only thing larger hydro's get you is speed that can't be used when your mowing, those speed are for transport mode not mowing. I have proven that the Toro is a better built machine you just refuse to see it. Ya know I didn't respond to your post I just basically agree with Dave1954 about checking out some other mowers so this conversation with you is over.