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Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoughts?

Moved to 3 acre lawn home. My 10 yr old 50 in cub cadet zero down an feel its time to replace with a new mower. Looking hard at exmark pioneer 60 inch cut for 6900 and gravely 5400 or bad boy (or other). All 3 mentioned are carried local so service is close. Been researching for a while and know all brands have goods and bads at this level. Used a demo exmark and found it impressive. But its pricey. Just wanted to get some opinion from others who have a newer mower. Is extra 1500 cash worth it on exmark.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Where you located Hillbilly?

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Just south of bowling green.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Vanousb said:

Just south of bowling green.

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Gotch'ya, if you had been up this way closer to Winchester, I was going to suggest checking out Flemingsburg there are a few dealers there that have just about everything so you could look around.

There are so many to chose from I just stayed with Green myself for the comforts and conveniences.

Good luck and hunting for the mower.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Thanks. Going with the mind set that spending a little more on a quality mower i can use for a long time will be better than going with two or three a lesser mowersover that same time is the better choice. Plaus i want to cut my time. Mowed my 3 acres with the exmark demo in well over half the time than my old zt cub cadet. Was a little shocked. Leaning for exmark because the dealer is 10 minute from my house and they seem to be close to if not the top of the line.
There is some peace of mind knowing the dealer and having them just out the door in cases needed. If I decided on exmark the next decision is the 52 inch vs the 60. Like the extra 3 inches tire difference and the improved air filter, and the extra horse power system on the 60. But its 1000 in price. Even a deal right now for suspension seat for same price (total perk).

Going to look at a bad boy this afternoon and a gravely tomorrowto compare.

Like hearing opinions of owners as this is my first big scale mower.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

I have chosen to become the proud owner of an Exmark Pioneer S series 60inch ultracut series 4 foot lift deck with 27 hp kohler cv740 engine. After trying demos found the 23 x 10.5 tires and solid frame to offer best ride over my lawn. Also put a lot into the value of service being local. To me worth the extra cost to compared mowers.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Vanousb said:

I have chosen to become the proud owner of an Exmark Pioneer S series 60inch ultracut series 4 foot lift deck with 27 hp kohler cv740 engine. After trying demos found the 23 x 10.5 tires and solid frame to offer best ride over my lawn. Also put a lot into the value of service being local. To me worth the extra cost to compared mowers.

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Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Congrats man!!

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Congrats on mower.

This is exactly the situation I am in. I am seriously looking at a Pioneer S 60" but am very curious about the Bad Boys. What did you see/ find out when you demo'd the BB vs the Ex?

Any one else driven both and have an opinion?

Thanks

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

I personally liked the extra size tires (23 vs 20) on the pioneer 60 inch s-series. Felt the ride was better on my lawn. Also think the filter system and extra hp on this model was better than the bad boy. Both had version of easy clean out on deck (bb was lift up foot stage for middle clean up and exmark was pull offs for sides). I chose sides as the size makes middle easy enough to get to. I did struggled with cost difference. In the end i felt the cost is justified on the little extras on quality in all areas combined...engine, frame details, hydrolics, deck, etc.

Would also consider service (both location and quality) in the decision. Both exmark and bb dealers are local, but felt the guys at the exmark dealer were better for me.

I also looked at gravely. Found them to be more like bb end the end.

I found in looking it is like trucks. They all will say best. Some like ford, some dodge, others chevy. Pays to drive all and see what feels good to you.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you decide on.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Congrats on the new mower! I'm in the same situation...got 4 acres to cut and looking to step up. Would you mind sharing how much you paid? You said it was the Kohler V740. How did the price with that engine compare to the Kawi engine?

Thanks and wipe that grin off your face when you're mowing...you'll get bugs in your teeth.:laughing:

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Vanousb said:

I have chosen to become the proud owner of an Exmark Pioneer S series 60inch ultracut series 4 foot lift deck with 27 hp kohler cv740 engine. After trying demos found the 23 x 10.5 tires and solid frame to offer best ride over my lawn. Also put a lot into the value of service being local. To me worth the extra cost to compared mowers.

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Out of the three you were considering, I believe you made the right choice. I don't personally own one, but my neighbor has enjoyed his for 15+ years and I would rank it in quality with a ferris (without suspension) congrats and happy mowing

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Thanks AvBr. I think the choice was right for me. As for the engine, there was no difference in the cost of kohler vs kaw on the pioneer S-Series from my dealer. Was 6900 plus tax. I went with 42 mon 0% interest offer they have right now. Like I mentioned, there is a few extras in the details (tire/frame/deck/air filter system/etc) with the exmark that sold me along with the service I know I will get from dealer. I read where at this level, experienced mowers say go bigger...you will not regret it for the extra cost. All were good, but I feel I get the most from the Pioneer model and the extra cost to me was worth it. Only thing I have my eyes on might be the full suspension seat option.

Very happy ...will remember the advice to keep my mouth closed poolecw. haha:laughing:

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

You did well and will enjoy cutting the acreage. I mow about an acre at my house and the 48" deck is plenty big. Beats the heck out of my old 48" JR tractor. It used to take an hour but now I can cut it nicely in 20 minutes. Only problem I have now, is that I can't wait to cut the grass. :laughing:

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Third mow on the new Exmark. WOW...went from around 2.5 hours mowing to just a little over 1 hr on 3 acres. Best cut i have seen and unreal turn ability, hug trees, etc. and so easy to clean deck with quid remove side covers. Sure others are good, but I am totally sold on the Pioneer S performance. More than I expected.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Mowing for about a month now. Another huge positive is the offset deck to help trim around obstacles. Also added an Exmark full suspension seat. Made a very noticeably smoother ride to an already good ride. Continue to be very impressed overall with the power, cut, and feel of the Pioneer S.

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

Vanousb said:

Mowing for about a month now. Another huge positive is the offset deck to help trim around obstacles. Also added an Exmark full suspension seat. Made a very noticeably smoother ride to an already good ride. Continue to be very impressed overall with the power, cut, and feel of the Pioneer S.

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When I was looking in 2012 I thought the Exmarks were out of my price range and never really considered them. Kinda wish I had taken a look at the Pioneer S:0)
But you gotta admit that me getting the 2012 52" Pro-Turn 100 XDZ for $6,800 OTD was a deal that would have been hard to beat with anything else!!! I saved over $1,300 off the MSRP plus taxes for the same model for 2013. But your comments about your Exmark have been the very first time I've "looked back":0)

Re: Looking to upgrade to 60" exmark vs gravel vs bad boy (or other recommend). Thoug

djdicetn said:

When I was looking in 2012 I thought the Exmarks were out of my price range and never really considered them. Kinda wish I had taken a look at the Pioneer S:0)
But you gotta admit that me getting the 2012 52" Pro-Turn 100 XDZ for $6,800 OTD was a deal that would have been hard to beat with anything else!!! I saved over $1,300 off the MSRP plus taxes for the same model for 2013. But your comments about your Exmark have been the very first time I've "looked back":0)

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:laughing: I can say that your comments, djdicetn, about Gravely let me know I was in the right ball park when looking...and the deal you got would have swayed me I think. Exmark is big here in the commercial world. My dealer was the one who turned me on to the Pioneer S (2013 model in particular which lowered the price , and in his opinion was the better deal for the money over the 2014). Did not really ever consider the quest in my looking at all...did consider the Pioneer E, but the S was a much better deal for the money, but really considered the Gravely. But after demo of all considered, fell in love with the pioneer S. And now with the full suspension seat, can;t imagine one better at that semi-commercial range.