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Based on my budget of $4000 or less, and the dealers I've spoken with, I'm looking at one of the following models:

JD z435 with 48" deck with B&S Cyclone
JD z445 with 48" deck and Kawisaki
Hustler Raptor SD with 48" deck and Kohler
Gravely ZT XL with 42" or 52" deck and Kohler

Which of these will give the best cut quality? Which will last the longest? Which will be the most dependable?

Is there another brand that I should consider? I need to finance, so used is kind of out of the question. I can't go any higher on the budget either.

Thanks!

214 views, and not a single reply..... really?

I nothing wrong with any of the brands you mention. If I was looking for a new mower it would be a Ferris other then that it would be a John Deere. Don't like the cost of Kawasaki parts so that would be my last choice of engines. That is a big investment so buy what fells best for you.

reynoldston said:

I nothing wrong with any of the brands you mention. If I was looking for a new mower it would be a Ferris other then that it would be a John Deere. Don't like the cost of Kawasaki parts so that would be my last choice of engines. That is a big investment so buy what fells best for you.

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Ferris are nice... but not in my budget.

Everyone says that the Kawasaki motors are the best and most reliable.... I guess I didn't realize that they were more expensive to fix if they broke. Do you know anything about the B&S Cyclonic motors that are in the Deere's?

mich3210 said:

Ferris are nice... but not in my budget.

Everyone says that the Kawasaki motors are the best and most reliable.... I guess I didn't realize that they were more expensive to fix if they broke. Do you know anything about the B&S Cyclonic motors that are in the Deere's?

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I didn't say Kawasaki was a bad engine but also I don't see where they are any better. Parts are expensive but I find Kawasaki seems to be on the top of the price list. I see more Kawasaki engine repairs in my shop then any other brand which means nothing because its a very popular engine. If you like the John Deere with the Kawasaki I say buy it. Have you priced the Ferris? My brother-in -law had a Gravely and loved it and I don't recall that he ever had any problems with it. Hustler is something I never had any experience with because no dealers around us. I say buy what you like the looks and feel of. I do like the John Deere because we have a very good dealer system here in our county.

reynoldston said:

I didn't say Kawasaki was a bad engine but also I don't see where they are any better. Parts are expensive but I find Kawasaki seems to be on the top of the price list. I see more Kawasaki engine repairs in my shop then any other brand which means nothing because its a very popular engine. If you like the John Deere with the Kawasaki I say buy it. Have you priced the Ferris? My brother-in -law had a Gravely and loved it and I don't recall that he ever had any problems with it. Hustler is something I never had any experience with because no dealers around us. I say buy what you like the looks and feel of. I do like the John Deere because we have a very good dealer system here in our county.

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I'm down in the Binghamton NY area, and I know that we have a good JD Dealer network in this area too with Lindsey Lawn & Garden. That's one of the reasons that I'm leaning towards John Deere.

I don't know a whole lot about Ferris, but it looks like the only ones that come in a 48" deck are the F160z and the IS600z. I can call the dealer again and see what I get for a quote.

mich3210 said:

I'm down in the Binghamton NY area, and I know that we have a good JD Dealer network in this area too with Lindsey Lawn & Garden. That's one of the reasons that I'm leaning towards John Deere.

I don't know a whole lot about Ferris, but it looks like the only ones that come in a 48" deck are the F160z and the IS600z. I can call the dealer again and see what I get for a quote.

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All of the mowers you are looking at are decent mowers. Dealer support is important. If you have a good JD dealership, then that should weigh into your decision. If you are interested in Ferris, but don't have the budget, look into Snapper Pro. Same mower design (both owned by B&S), but Snapper Pro doesn't have the independent suspension. They are priced lower than Ferris as well. Check into the Spapper Pro s50xt.

Shughes717 said:

All of the mowers you are looking at are decent mowers. Dealer support is important. If you have a good JD dealership, then that should weigh into your decision. If you are interested in Ferris, but don't have the budget, look into Snapper Pro. Same mower design (both owned by B&S), but Snapper Pro doesn't have the independent suspension. They are priced lower than Ferris as well. Check into the Spapper Pro s50xt.

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Closest Snapper dealer is 40 miles away.

I called the Ferris dealer, and the IS600 is $5399. They also just started carrying the Simplicity Courier, but I'm not real impressed by that.

I really appreciate all of the insight and suggestions.

I would not recommend either of the John Deere machines. They just aren't built as well as they used to be and parts are way overpriced.

I am not qualified to make a recommendation because I have never owned a riding mower, but if I had to suggest one it would be the Hustler.

primerbulb120 said:

I would not recommend either of the John Deere machines. They just aren't built as well as they used to be and parts are way overpriced.

I am not qualified to make a recommendation because I have never owned a riding mower, but if I had to suggest one it would be the Hustler.

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Not that I am knocking Hustler or any other brand. Just wondering? Why are you saying John Deere is poor quality and overpriced? I really don't find them any better or worst then anything else that come through my shop. You have to also remember which model you are buying and you get what you pay for. You buy a cheap model John Deere, that is what you get. John Deere is a well establish company that's been around for many years. The OP said he would spend 4000 dollars, so he should be able to buy a better model in what ever he buys.

reynoldston said:

Just wondering? Why are you saying John Deere is poor quality and overpriced? I really don't find them any better or worst then anything else that come through my shop. You have to also remember which model you are buying and you get what you pay for. You buy a cheap model John Deere, that is what you get. John Deere is a well establish company that's been around for many years. The OP said he would spend 4000 dollars, so he should be able to buy a better model in what ever he buys.

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It's not so much the tractors that are over priced, it's the parts that are over priced. As for quality, read this: tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-ag-tractors/314432-john-deere-quality-control-problems.html


Some people still find the JD name to be synonymous with quality. Others, like me, believe that you can get a better deal elsewhere.

primerbulb120 said:

It's not so much the tractors that are over priced, it's the parts that are over priced. : .

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Don't know how many parts you use in your shop. I work on a lot of different types of equipment in my shop. Parts aren't cheap for anything. Just last week I paid 50 dollars for a air filter on a ATV. Today in my shop I priced a potentiometer for a handi- cap electric scooter for 30 dollars. Its just not John Deere that has overpriced parts. Start comparing part prices between JD, Gravely or Hustler and you wouldn't see much different. .

reynoldston said:

Don't know how many parts you use in your shop. I work on a lot of different types of equipment in my shop. Parts aren't cheap for anything. Just last week I paid 50 dollars for a air filter on a ATV. Today in my shop I priced a potentiometer for a handi- cap electric scooter for 30 dollars. Its just not John Deere that has overpriced parts. Start comparing part prices between JD, Gravely or Hustler and you wouldn't see much different. .

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Give me the part number for the ATV air filter and I'll find it for less than $50. (That is, unless it's a John Deere ATV.:laughing


A set of drive wheels for a JD self propelled mower is $55+. A set of drive wheels for a Craftsman self propelled is $20.
The choke lever for a JD string trimmer is $11.99. Choke lever for a Ryobi trimmer is 75 cents.

Just do a google search for "John Deere over priced parts." Then do a search for "Hustler over priced parts" and see how the results compare. You will find plenty of people complaining about JD parts prices, but the same can't be said about Hustler.

The air filter from the local dealer was for a Polaris Scrambler 500 with a pre filter. No part numbers because the job is done and gone. When the customer wants his ATV yesterday I don't shop for parts. He has to pay to play. It seems you buy a lot more parts then me so you must have a wholesale account. I personally don't care because this is just a retirement job for me. So I say don't buy a John Deere because they are overpriced and a big pile of junk :thumbsup:

reynoldston said:

The air filter from the local dealer was for a Polaris Scrambler 500 with a pre filter. No part numbers because the job is done and gone. When the customer wants his ATV yesterday I don't shop for parts. He has to pay to play. It seems you buy a lot more parts then me so you must have a wholesale account. I personally don't care because this is just a retirement job for me. So I say don't buy a John Deere because they are overpriced and a big pile of junk :thumbsup:

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I repair machines as a hobby and I don't have any wholesale accounts. I would have bought the ATV air filter on eBay and saved the customer $35: ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=scrambler+500+air+filter&_sop=15

Hmm, I think this thread has gone off topic.

Met with the JD Dealer last night.... very happy with the customer service so far! It's the only dealer that has been willing to bring a unit out to my house to let me give try on my property. He was also able to do better on the price for the z445 with the Kawasaki motor if it's a cash deal with no t. I really liked the unit. Might try to visit the Hustler dealer on Saturday, but so far none of the other dealers that I've talked to have been as accommodating.

It's your money and your purchase, if you like JD the best go with it. JD products may not be the best, but they have a reputation for good customer service and friendly dealers. :smile:

mich3210 said:

Met with the JD Dealer last night.... very happy with the customer service so far! It's the only dealer that has been willing to bring a unit out to my house to let me give try on my property. He was also able to do better on the price for the z445 with the Kawasaki motor if it's a cash deal with no t. I really liked the unit. Might try to visit the Hustler dealer on Saturday, but so far none of the other dealers that I've talked to have been as accommodating.

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Lakeland John Deere is the dealer we have here north of you and I have found them very helpful when I go to them for parts. I just order them on line and they have them waiting for me at the dealer when I go get them. I bought a mower from them in 1980 and the sales man still remembers me as I walk into the dealer. I have always had top service with John Deere and if I was to buy a new mower it would be one of my top choices. I really don't know why John Deere is hated so much on this forum. As on the repair side I find them just as well made as any other brand. Also this being said I do like my Ferris. You will pay more for a Ferris but it will be many years before you will ever need another mower ( if maintained right).

I do not hate John Deere at all. But you said it "As on the repair side I find them just as well made as any other brand" Now they cost more than other brands if comparing apples to apples. Heck I own a JD f925 with 72" out front deck and a snow broom. Awesome machine but I also bought it right.

primerbulb120 said:

I repair machines as a hobby and I don't have any wholesale accounts. I would have bought the ATV air filter on eBay and saved the customer $35: ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=scrambler+500+air+filter&_sop=15

Hmm, I think this thread has gone off topic.

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Yes the poor customer and you would also give him free labor because you love your hobby so much. If they don't like my prices go elsewhere. They will just take the ATV and pound it into the ground in a couple of weeks and I can fix it for a little of nothing, I don't think so. As I said they play they pay. It looked like they ran this bike through a swamp and I spent 2 days getting it to run again and you say I can save the customer 35 dollars. This is something you don't get into working on mower and lawn equipment. Now do you really think the ATV dealer would feel sorry for them because ATV dealers gets 100 dollars per hour for labor.

Yes this thread has gone off topic when I seen how I could save some jerk 35 dollars.

Yeah... I'd say we've gotten way off topic here.

I've looked at JD, Hustler and Gravely. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the JD. I wasn't really all that impressed with the Hustler Raptor SD. And I didn't care for the Gravely dealer.

I was able to sell my garden tractor today, so I've got some money to put down on the zero turn now.

I am sure you made the right choice with the John Deere. I was at the local John Deere dealer this pass Friday picking up parts and see that they had a big line up of new machines.