I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

[djdicetn]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

LOL, I'm not a Deere fan myself...

When I was shopping ZTR's and looked at the John Deere's I was a bit surprised that the JD Zero Turns that were comparable to the $6K-$7K ZTR's of other brands I had looked at had 10gauge "stamped" decks(on the JD's). The JD salesman told me that JD research had determined that the "rounded shape" of a stamped deck had been proven to give a better cut that the "squared/boxed corners" shape of the fabricated decks. I thought he was blowing smoke(because the real expensive line of John Deere ZTR's.......yep.....had fabricated decks). I wonder, though, if some of the comments I see on forum threads about preferring the cut of a lawn tractor is related to them having the stamped decks???? Anyone's thoughts on that?

 

[jklowe48]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

Hey guys 1st post here...I have been reading and learning so far.....Went to my local Hustler dealer today, still recovering from sticker stock....

Hustler FasTrak 60" or FasTrak Super Duty 60", looks like both use ZT-3100 trans, looks like both use Kaw 24hp, $5794 or $6479.

I got a price of $6799.00 before tax for super duty 54" cut. Why such a price difference???? A 54" in NC is way more than a 60" in MI. The only bite I got was he would take 4% off if I paid cash,which is still $6527.04 plus tax.

The Hustler comes highly reccomended from friends who are owners, but from what I'm seeing here and what my friends told me they paid I might move to something else if Hustler dealer doesn't come down.

jklowe48

 

[mowerman05]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

I own a 8000.00 deere with stamped deck and a 3500.00 great dane with a fab deck and I see no difference in finish cut all things being equal.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

Hi jklowe48,
Go to the Hustler website and check the specs on the Fastrack and Fastrack Superduty. The Kawasaki FS engines have a standard air filter, but the FX engines have the HD two Stage air filtration and are a more expensive engine. Kawasaki engines on Hustlers machines come with a 3 year warranty where generally they have a two year warranty. Hydro-Gear 3100s are fine drive units.
Hustlers have the least involved maintenance program of any ZTR that I have dealt with.
The difference in the area prices NC verses MI is shipping as the manufacturer is close to MI.
I bought a new Hustler X-ONE 60" rear discharge deck last Aug, nice machine and has an FX730V Kawi/26 HP, sweet engine!!
Don't nickel dime yourself!
Mad Mackie in CT

 

[djdicetn]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

Hi jklowe48,
Go to the Hustler website and check the specs on the Fastrack and Fastrack Superduty. The Kawasaki FS engines have a standard air filter, but the FX engines have the HD two Stage air filtration and are a more expensive engine. Kawasaki engines on Hustlers machines come with a 3 year warranty where generally they have a two year warranty. Hydro-Gear 3100s are fine drive units.
Hustlers have the least involved maintenance program of any ZTR that I have dealt with.
The difference in the area prices NC verses MI is shipping as the manufacturer is close to MI.
I bought a new Hustler X-ONE 60" rear discharge deck last Aug, nice machine and has an FX730V Kawi/26 HP, sweet engine!!
Don't nickel dime yourself!
Mad Mackie in CT

jklowe48,

As user Mad Mackie pointed out, the different series of the Kawasaki engines denotes the "rating" for those engines(FR____ indicates an engine rated for Residential applications, FS____ indicates Heavy Duty and FX____ indicates Commercial). There is an additional spec for each of those that indicates how many "hours" these engine series are designed to "last" with the progression being FR the least, FS longer and FX longest. As I interpret this, it is a "guideline", not a "guarantee" since, as Mad Mackie pointed out they may all very well carry the same 3 year Kawasaki warranty. But, as he mentioned, each "step up" will give you better filtration systems and other bells & whistles. Myself, I wanted a Kawasaki FX series because if I was going to spend several thousand dollars on a "Commercial quality" ZTR mower I wanted the top-of-the-line Kawasaki engine(also a "Commercial" rated) on that investment. If you are trying to "save money" you may be satisfied with a FR or FS Kawa, but I figured it was worth the money to get the FX.

 

[jklowe48]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

jklowe48,

As user Mad Mackie pointed out, the different series of the Kawasaki engines denotes the "rating" for those engines(FR____ indicates an engine rated for Residential applications, FS____ indicates Heavy Duty and FX____ indicates Commercial). There is an additional spec for each of those that indicates how many "hours" these engine series are designed to "last" with the progression being FR the least, FS longer and FX longest. As I interpret this, it is a "guideline", not a "guarantee" since, as Mad Mackie pointed out they may all very well carry the same 3 year Kawasaki warranty. But, as he mentioned, each "step up" will give you better filtration systems and other bells & whistles. Myself, I wanted a Kawasaki FX series because if I was going to spend several thousand dollars on a "Commercial quality" ZTR mower I wanted the top-of-the-line Kawasaki engine(also a "Commercial" rated) on that investment. If you are trying to "save money" you may be satisfied with a FR or FS Kawa, but I figured it was worth the money to get the FX.

I'm sold on the super duty and the better fx engine...one last question....one of my friends has offered to sale me his 2011 54" superduty only has 127 hrs on it, what should I offer? He hasn't made a price yet just talking for now. I'm also aware of the recall and the little problems people were having with them shutting off when hot..I'm thinking $2500.00 to $3000.00

 

[Mad Mackie]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

I would wait for your friend to come up with a price first as he probably paid $6,000 or more just two years ago.
On this forum, lawnsite.com, in the sponsors section there is a Hustler forum and you can get direct answers from a Hustler representative.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing:

 

[cactusjack24]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

Howdy Tso, I Bought a new ztr last year so I understand what your going through. I have a 1994 Dixon with the 20hp Kohler that is a tank,my wife loves to mow with it,my local dixon dealer has been in business for over 30yrs and even they told me not to buy the "new dixon" they said once husky took over their quailty went downhill, they have been very disapponted. my son bought a gravely 3 yrs ago and mowes about 10 rough acres and loves it. I bought a Hustler last year to mow my 20 acre pasture with and I couldn't be happier, It used to take me 12 hrs to brushhog it and now I can do it in 6 hrs. The choice is up to you but when a dealer tells me not to buy their mower that carries alot of weight with me. let us know what you decide. Cactusjack

 

[Old Goat]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

I bought a Hustler last year to mow my 20 acre pasture with and I couldn't be happier, It used to take me 12 hrs to brushhog it and now I can do it in 6 hrs.

Not surprized. Hustler and Big Dog are made by Excel Indutries. The original ZTR machines.
Read the history section here.
Zero-turn mower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles

 

[Gil]

Re: I'm shopping for a ZTR 60" --- Here's what I'm finding, your thoughts please

Lot of good advise in these posts. I did my shopping 3 years ago upgrading from a John Deere GX345 with 54 inch deck to a Gravely ZT HD60 with 26HP Kawasaki engine. Great mower but a couple of things I wish had known before I purchased that no one has mention (or I over looked).:frown: First, and this applies to most all ZT I have seen, is a poor design of the engine carburetor intake. They are too low, thus the filters clog up very fast. Have to clean my filter after each mowing and replace after about half a dozen mows. Have seen some recent Gravely models that have a carb intake stack that is about 10 inches above the engine. Looking at it for possible modification to my Gravely. It may be a combination of blade speed, deck design, etc, but my ZT kicks up a lot of clippings and dust which clogs my filter in nothing flat. I think just a bit of height on the intake would either stop or at least cut down on the problem. The Kawasaki air filter is not cheap. It is propitiatory and runs about $15. And they do not make a prefilter for it. Ideas, anyone? Second is tires. Have some slopes to mow and ZT drifts. Changed out tires to a better grip. Help some but not a lot. Friend who owns a Lawn Service company told me after I made the change, that he has his ZT tires filled with the no flat foam. Not the over the counter foam, but the one that is done by tire dealers. It is expensive but he said worth it if you are mowing on slopes. I did do it on my front tires at cost of $35 per tire. The foam adds weigh and thus more traction and more stability.
Other than those two criticisms about the mower, ZT is the way to go if you have a large area to mow (have about 3 acres), and Gravely is a great mower.

Regards, and be good to yourself, and others,
Gil