How important is the transmission for residential units?

[djdicetn]

I certainly can't fault your logic. The only time it wouldn't make sense is if you go out and buy something like this while your family is starving. Based on all your posts, I can tell that you do your homework prior to purchasing...:thumbsup:
Bruce

If it hadn't been for these forums and the experienced users volunteering to educate me about what to look for and what was important in ZTR's(there is a WHOLE LOT to the technology behind them to learn about).....I probably would have been unhappy about what I spent and what I got right now. And, I was fortunate to have the cash available from a previous employer's early retirement buyout and could convince my wife that this purchase was a "retirement investment" where we wouldn't face the expense of a new mower purchase or major repairs when we are both retired in 2014 and won't have that kind of money available.

 

[crimson_axe]

Would it be possible to change the ezt to the zt2800 or the zt3100 after the ezt units start to fail on most mowers?

 

[txzrider]

Would it be possible to change the ezt to the zt2800 or the zt3100 after the ezt units start to fail on most mowers?

I'm sure it is... would it be better to just buy the ztr with a 2800/3100 to start with ? That is the question.

 

[crimson_axe]

I'm sure it is... would it be better to just buy the ztr with a 2800/3100 to start with ? That is the question.

Yes I agree it would be - it's just the initial cost and I need a 42/46 inch deck for a cub cadet s series(wife cuts lawn when I'm on the road) and the mowers with either the 2800/3100 are only offered on 48+ sized deck mowers - so I'll have to check with the dealer to see if he can get one of the commercial mowers with a smaller deck than 48

 

[djdicetn]

Yes I agree it would be - it's just the initial cost and I need a 42/46 inch deck for a cub cadet s series(wife cuts lawn when I'm on the road) and the mowers with either the 2800/3100 are only offered on 48+ sized deck mowers - so I'll have to check with the dealer to see if he can get one of the commercial mowers with a smaller deck than 48

Gravely has a ZT HD in a 44" deck if you have a Gravely dealer nearby. That's a "high-end residential"(3-Year Consumer Warranty/1-Year Commercial Warranty) with the ZT-3100 trannies. Would be worth adding to the comparisons.

P.S.
Normal MSRP is $5,499 and my local dealer shows it on sale for $4,899.

 

[Ric]

Yes I agree it would be - it's just the initial cost and I need a 42/46 inch deck for a cub cadet s series(wife cuts lawn when I'm on the road) and the mowers with either the 2800/3100 are only offered on 48+ sized deck mowers - so I'll have to check with the dealer to see if he can get one of the commercial mowers with a smaller deck than 48

Dixie Chopper Zee 2 series offers a 42, 48 or a 54 deck size. It's $4599 has a 21hp FR Kawasaki engine with the 2800 drives and is rated 3.1 acres per hour.

 

[crimson_axe]

Thanks - I will check out both the gravely and the dixie chopper - funny thing is I'm spending more time on picking out a mower than I spent on my suv - 2 days on suv 3+ weeks on the mower

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks - I will check out both the gravely and the dixie chopper - funny thing is I'm spending more time on picking out a mower than I spent on my suv - 2 days on suv 3+ weeks on the mower

The question is......are you happy with your SUV(or do you wish you had spent 3 weeks looking at them:0)
Lots and lots of good ZTR's, with lots of technical specs to compare and pro's & con's for each brand(SUV's too, but easier to pick:0)

 

[crimson_axe]

Very happy with the the chevy equinox but that was a easy pick. Mower a bit harder because I want to get something much better than the cheaply priced bolens which I was able to get 10 yrs out of - maybe 500hrs. I'm new to the z-turns but I this board has a lot of great information and I thank all of you for that.

 

[djdicetn]

Very happy with the the chevy equinox but that was a easy pick. Mower a bit harder because I want to get something much better than the cheaply priced bolens which I was able to get 10 yrs out of - maybe 500hrs. I'm new to the z-turns but I this board has a lot of great information and I thank all of you for that.

Well, IMHO youv'e picked the right time of the year to start looking. I bought my Gravely last fall(second week of September) and dealers this time of year are much more prone to negotiate price on existing inventory on hand. As I stated earlier, my local dealer is already showing the fall discount pricing to get rid of all the 2013's he can before getting the new 2014's in(I believe sometime in November or early December). I offered him approx. $400 less than the already reduced price(which included zero financing) for an out-the-door cash price and he didn't even hesitate to accept. That deal saved me around $1K off the MSRP plus taxes. And, the same model for 2013 went up $500 so I consider my savings to be close to $1,500!!! Of course I was fortunate to have some retirement savings at my disposal to allow me to offer a cash purchase price, but you can still save some significant coins if you make a reasonable offer this time of year. The only downside is that if they think they can sell it easily at their best price and unload it before the end-of-season they may not come down as much. And...if you are interested in a model that they don't have "on hand" it's difficult to get them to order a current year model this late at any kind of discount. Good luck and I hope you find a dealer that has just what you are looking for and gives you a GREAT deal on it!!!