You are right the more expensive one will probably last longer. Ride smoother too. That's a lot of money for a mower. Can buy a good truck for that amount. How long do you think the pro-turn 60" would last a homeowner if it was parked under a shed and serviced correctly? Twenty years? I have looked at worldlawn and scag as well as the Gravely mowers. Of course the box store brands also. The worldlawn mower is really a nice looking mower with the industrial motor on it. Scag is out of my price range. I haven't looked to close at bad boys but they look good and heavy made too. What other brand of ztr have you owned?
Nod,
As far as my recommendations, price wise, I figured since you said the Hustler 60" replacement would cost you $6199 you were "willing" to spend a little less than that. But sounds like my recommendations are not what you are budgeting(don't want to "buy a truck":0)
My Gravely is my first(and only) ZTR I've ever owned so I cannot offer any other brand "first-hand" experience. I made an offer last Fall on a Bad Boy Outlaw(54") but am glad I didn't get it(there ave very "mixed reviews" by owners as to the cut quality, etc. of these even though I too was impressed with the "build"). The Worldlawn's, based upon what I've read, are mostlt Chinese parts and do not come highly recommended by others. And I(and others here) highly recommend staying away from the big box retailers if you are looking for high-end quality. I can't say about the Pro-Turn lifespan, but it is after all marketed by Gravely as a Professional Grade(Commercial) ZTR so I would expect it(as I expect my Pro-Turn 100XDZ) to last 20 years with regular maintenance. I'll tell you more after I've had mine 20 years:0)
Good luck finding the ZTR that meets your needs!!!