Guess what - need help deciding on zero turn

[Shughes717]

Good to know, thanks Ric. Do you know the diffs btw these and the 3400's?

I understand ric's point about the larger hydros, but I don't entirely agree that there is no benefit with the larger hydros. First, these commercial mowers can mow well up to 10 mph if the grass is mowed regularly. I mow mine at full speed and get a great cut, however, if I go any longer than 7 days between mowing I have to slow down. If the mower has zt3100 hydros or smaller then the top speed is about 7.5 to 8 mph. Two mph faster helps get large jobs done quicker. That is why I can mow my lawn much faster with a 48" deck mower than the previous owner could with his jd mower and a larger deck.

The second thing that may or may not apply to what you want from a mower is the ability to tow things, such as pull behind sprayers, or trailers. The larger hydros increase the tow capacity of the machine. Larger hydros usually come on mowers with wider tires, and are heavier. Mowers with larger hydros handle hills much better than mowers with smaller hydros as well.

The last thing I will point out is, although Ric brought up the point that he got 1400 hours on a mower with smaller hydros, heavy duty hydros are designed for more rugged applications and should last longer. Ask yourself this question (if I had to choose between two mowers of the same price, with the only difference being one having the smaller zt3100 hydros and the other having commercial zt3400 hydros, which one would I choose?). I know which I would choose. You can ask yourself the same question concerning engines.

I will agree with Ric that kohler is a good engine. I had good luck with the ones I have owned. The Kawi engine on my current mower just happens to be the best engine I have ever had on a mower. If someone is only mowing an acre that is flat and doesn't plan on pulling anything then Ric is absolutely right, you won't get much benefit from the larger hydros. If you have several acres and/or plan on doing more than mowing with the machine then the larger hydros would be worth the extra money.

 

[Carscw]

You all put to much thinking into this.
If you like how a mower looks, rides, cuts and is in your price range then buy the dang thing.

All this crap over the flipping drives.

I like the sealed units. Just get on and go no filters or fluid to change.

Oh you say they don't last ha ha

My 2006 toro Z480 has well over 4000 hours on it. Have never even replaced the drive belt. I am 250 pounds and drive it up hills most of you would cry about.
I run tires that are 4 inches taller then stock. And yes the little briggs is still going strong.

Top speed 12mph

 

[Emptyjones]

You all put to much thinking into this.
If you like how a mower looks, rides, cuts and is in your price range then buy the dang thing.

All this crap over the flipping drives.

I like the sealed units. Just get on and go no filters or fluid to change.

Oh you say they don't last ha ha

My 2006 toro Z480 has well over 4000 hours on it. Have never even replaced the drive belt. I am 250 pounds and drive it up hills most of you would cry about.
I run tires that are 4 inches taller then stock. And yes the little briggs is still going strong.

Top speed 12mph

You are absolutely correct...I am thinking about this WAAAAAYYYY too much. BUT, I am not overly endowed with cash and would like not to buy a new $4-5000 mower once a decade (as a homeowner, that is). The other thing is I do not have much experience/expertise in the mower industry. Ask me about a piece of heavy equipment and I can tell you in a heart beat whether it is a POS or not (I'm in the heavy civil/earthmoving business). Our equipment tends to last about 10-15,000 hrs before we start looking at retirement or trade in. I know there are varying opinions on brands but, like heavy equipment, the longevity of the equipment is in its build, components and routine maintenance. Then there is the service side of it from the dealer (parts availability, warranty, maintenance programs, etc...). So, I look to you guys for advice on that end... and I appreciate it. I apologize if I am boring you guys or wearing out my welcome.

 

[Carscw]

You are absolutely correct...I am thinking about this WAAAAAYYYY too much. BUT, I am not overly endowed with cash and would like not to buy a new $4-5000 mower once a decade (as a homeowner, that is). The other thing is I do not have much experience/expertise in the mower industry. Ask me about a piece of heavy equipment and I can tell you in a heart beat whether it is a POS or not (I'm in the heavy civil/earthmoving business). Our equipment tends to last about 10-15,000 hrs before we start looking at retirement or trade in. I know there are varying opinions on brands but, like heavy equipment, the longevity of the equipment is in its build, components and routine maintenance. Then there is the service side of it from the dealer (parts availability, warranty, maintenance programs, etc...). So, I look to you guys for advice on that end... and I appreciate it. I apologize if I am boring you guys or wearing out my welcome.

Sorry was really not meant for you.

I cut 100 plus yard a week and do not use commercial mowers.

In your price range I would go with a husqvarna or cub cadet.

They offer the best built mower in your price range.

No fancy crap that you do not need. Just good built mowers.

 

[Ric]

I understand ric's point about the larger hydros, but I don't entirely agree that there is no benefit with the larger hydros. First, these commercial mowers can mow well up to 10 mph if the grass is mowed regularly. I mow mine at full speed and get a great cut, however, if I go any longer than 7 days between mowing I have to slow down. If the mower has zt3100 hydros or smaller then the top speed is about 7.5 to 8 mph. Two mph faster helps get large jobs done quicker. That is why I can mow my lawn much faster with a 48" deck mower than the previous owner could with his jd mower and a larger deck.

The second thing that may or may not apply to what you want from a mower is the ability to tow things, such as pull behind sprayers, or trailers. The larger hydros increase the tow capacity of the machine. Larger hydros usually come on mowers with wider tires, and are heavier. Mowers with larger hydros handle hills much better than mowers with smaller hydros as well.

The last thing I will point out is, although Ric brought up the point that he got 1400 hours on a mower with smaller hydros, heavy duty hydros are designed for more rugged applications and should last longer. Ask yourself this question (if I had to choose between two mowers of the same price, with the only difference being one having the smaller zt3100 hydros and the other having commercial zt3400 hydros, which one would I choose?). I know which I would choose. You can ask yourself the same question concerning engines.

I will agree with Ric that kohler is a good engine. I had good luck with the ones I have owned. The Kawi engine on my current mower just happens to be the best engine I have ever had on a mower. If someone is only mowing an acre that is flat and doesn't plan on pulling anything then Ric is absolutely right, you won't get much benefit from the larger hydros. If you have several acres and/or plan on doing more than mowing with the machine then the larger hydros would be worth the extra money.

The laws of physics will tell you the faster your ground speed, the faster the blades have to turn to keep up with it and seeing how blade tip speed comes from an engine rpm that can only run like 3600 rpm or something in that neighborhood I fail to see where Hydros have anything to do with Blade tip speed and how fast you can mow. I mean between 18 and 19000 fpm is just that. The Larger hydros are meant for extended periods of use, not faster mowing speeds. The faster your ground speed the more you decrease your cut quality.

If you want a mower with the ability to tow things, such as pull behind sprayers, or trailers buy a garden tractor, it will do all those things and more better than a ZTR that's what they were designed for a ZTR was designed to mow grass and besides that a GT would be a whole lot cheaper.
When I purchased my Z master I did so knowing I would be mowing approximately 24 hours weekly and knowing that the 3400 drives were designed for lighter applications of 40 to 50 hours weekly, that would be more than sufficient for my type of conditions or the job I am doing. The only thing larger drives would do for me is cost me more money out front, cost me more to maintain and cost me more to run.

If you want to increase your productivity buy a larger deck.

 

[Shughes717]

The laws of physics will tell you the faster your ground speed, the faster the blades have to turn to keep up with it and seeing how blade tip speed comes from an engine rpm that can only run like 3600 rpm or something in that neighborhood I fail to see where Hydros have anything to do with Blade tip speed and how fast you can mow. I mean between 18 and 19000 fpm is just that. The Larger hydros are meant for extended periods of use, not faster mowing speeds. The faster your ground speed the more you decrease your cut quality.

If you want a mower with the ability to tow things, such as pull behind sprayers, or trailers buy a garden tractor, it will do all those things and more better than a ZTR that's what they were designed for a ZTR was designed to mow grass and besides that a GT would be a whole lot cheaper.
When I purchased my Z master I did so knowing I would be mowing approximately 24 hours weekly and knowing that the 3400 drives were designed for lighter applications of 40 to 50 hours weekly, that would be more than sufficient for my type of conditions or the job I am doing. The only thing larger drives would do for me is cost me more money out front, cost me more to maintain and cost me more to run.

If you want to increase your productivity buy a larger deck.

As I mentioned already. I can mow at full speed (10 mph) and get a great cut. I don't need a larger deck. Why buy a gt that is much slower at mowing when I can get a ztr with larger hydros that can pull anything a gt can pull? I want to save time and money that's why the larger hydros suit my needs. As I said in my earlier posts, larger hydros do have benefits for those with more acreage to mow and those who want to pull things. Purchasing a separate gt to pull things won't save money. I also agreed that someone who is only mowing an acre and had no intentions of pulling anything wouldn't benefit much from larger hydros. Heavier built hydros are better. It's no different than the comparison of a residential engine to a commercial. The commercial engine is better. I simply pointed out the advantages. A mower with zt3400 hydros will cut great at full speed and mow circles around a mower with zt3100 hydros. I mow mine every week at that speed and have one of the best looking lawns in my neighborhood. Laws of physics must prove then that a mower with a bts of 18000 to 19000 fpm can mow at 10 mph because my mower does it.

 

[Carscw]

You are both WRONG.

Where is fish? He would set you on the right path.

 

[Dave1954]

Some might get a home grade mower of any brand to cut a 100 yards a week and last forever and that's great, but it is also not the norm, if so there would be no commercial grade mowers. Id rather buy the better built heavy grade than hope for the best. for 5k, you have many choices of great well built mowers. I bought a Husqvarna mzt-52 and I feel it was the best bang for the buck of all I researched.

 

[Shughes717]

You are both WRONG.

Where is fish? He would set you on the right path.

That is your opinion. I know what my mower will do because I have been using it for three years. I know what other brands will do because I have used many brands. Any brand mower with zt3400 hydros and a commercial engine will mow 10mph. I also know what a gt will do because I have owned and used many. Never been on one that can even come close to the mowing speeds of these commercial ztr mowers. I understand that you can make a gt last forever. That is a testament to how well you take care of your machines, but a commercial ztr mower is much better built than any residential mower (ztr or gt).

 

[Emptyjones]

Sorry was really not meant for you.

I cut 100 plus yard a week and do not use commercial mowers.

In your price range I would go with a husqvarna or cub cadet.

They offer the best built mower in your price range.

No fancy crap that you do not need. Just good built mowers.

No worries, I don't bruise that easy. I just wanted to reiterate why I started this thread to begin with. As of now, I feel the Snapper Pro S50XT is the best deal I've come across with the Kawi Fx, ZT-3100's and that killer iCD deck ($4550). Haven't really checked the Huskies out though.