As luck would have it, the Kohler motor on my tired 14 year old Dixon mower went out just before mowing season came to an end. This has put me in a position to either buy a new mower now or wait til spring. It seems that there are some deals to be had has dealers are clearing inventory. I went this past weekend to look at a Hustler Raptor SD 54 which seems to have wide praise on this forum and others. While at the dealer, the salesman told me to take a look at the Cub Cadet Z-Force LZ 54 as it had similar if not better features and was heavily discounted at $3,800 (reg $4999) vs. the Raptor at $4,000 (not discounted as they are new). As a fairly large guy (6'1" 220 I mean 240) the Cub Cadet had more room and a bigger seat. I also like that the handles were easily adjustable with no tools as I have an 11 year old mower to be that will be sharing duty.
The salesperson said that historically he would not recommend the Cub Cadet to anyone but that they had really turned the corner with their 2014 model and were a smoking value at this price.
Any thoughts? (BTW, this is a residential 1 acre purchase)
/f you buy the sd54 at home depot they will give you a 10% off first purchase, when I mentioned this to my dealer and he said he would match it . 3599.00. that was at dealer in cumming ga. might try that and see what happens
I wouldn't rank the cub cadet better than the raptor sd. I agree with the others. You should shop around to find the mower and deal you think is best. I also am a big fan of ferris, but for only one acre the mowers you are looking at will handle your lawn easily.
Base Ferris is a price bump above what you are looking at. I'd avoid Cub like the plague... Yellow Troybilt, MTD junk. Build wise its not near the RSD. I'd check out the RSD, Gravely.
I sure agree with the Ferris. It would be a mower you would own for many years and you would love it. 4000 dollars would only be a down payment so its not for everybody, its more a commercial mower. I think you would be just fine with the Cub.
I sure agree with the Ferris. It would be a mower you would own for many years and you would love it. 4000 dollars would only be a down payment so its not for everybody, its more a commercial mower. I think you would be just fine with the Cub.
One could get an is600 in the 5k range, but you are right that 4k won't buy a new one out right. May be angle to find a good used one for that price. I remember one member posting that he got a 2012 is1500 with very low hours for 4k. Why can't I find deals like that?:smile: oh, I need to correct myself. It was pcclipper and he got the mower and a trailer for 5k. Still an awesome deal. The mower only had 19 hours on it.
I paid almost 8000 dollars for my Ferris 14 years ago. Must be the prices came down. If you can buy the Ferris for $4200 that would be my choice for sure.
I paid almost 8000 dollars for my Ferris 14 years ago. Must be the prices came down. If you can buy the Ferris for $4200 that would be my choice for sure.
Doing some internet shopping we see there are several models and grades to choose from. Not all that different from any other product. I'm sure there are still some 8000 dollar machines out there.
Doing some internet shopping we see there are several models and grades to choose from. Not all that different from any other product. I'm sure there are still some 8000 dollar machines out there.
