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Maybe buying a new Gravely "pro turn 48"
#1
J
jonesandjones
J
jonesandjones
I'm looking at buying a Gravely Pro Turn 48 (not the 100xdz model, just the Pro Turn). It is my understanding that this is more or less Gravely's bottom of the line professional model. Gravely's website has this machine starting at $6699.00 and most local dealers (South Florida) are selling it for 5999.00. I found a dealer that is willing to sell it for approximately $5350.00. I have financing ready to go and I'm supposed to go sign the papers on Monday.
I found a Bad Boy CZT Elite for $5800.00, but have not negotiated that price yet. Both dealerships are within reasonable driving distance. I see that the Bad Boy has larger drives, electronic deck height control, larger rear wheels and more available accessories.
I live in South Florida and will be cutting mostly St. Augustine grass approximately one acre with a lot of trees. The lot is mostly level except for a drainage ditch in front of the property with about a 15ｺ slope.
I'm looking for advice on which mower to go with.
Thank you for any advice.
JJ
I found a Bad Boy CZT Elite for $5800.00, but have not negotiated that price yet. Both dealerships are within reasonable driving distance. I see that the Bad Boy has larger drives, electronic deck height control, larger rear wheels and more available accessories.
I live in South Florida and will be cutting mostly St. Augustine grass approximately one acre with a lot of trees. The lot is mostly level except for a drainage ditch in front of the property with about a 15ｺ slope.
I'm looking for advice on which mower to go with.
Thank you for any advice.
JJ
#2
M
mack126
M
mack126
I have a bad boy magnum z and also cut about 1 acre of grass. Its a 27 hp and cuts just fine with a 48 inch deck. This is 3500 dollar mower. I see now they offer 0% for four years and two year warrenty. I am very happy with mine.I'm looking at buying a Gravely Pro Turn 48 (not the 100xdz model, just the Pro Turn). It is my understanding that this is more or less Gravely's bottom of the line professional model. Gravely's website has this machine starting at $6699.00 and most local dealers (South Florida) are selling it for 5999.00. I found a dealer that is willing to sell it for approximately $5350.00. I have financing ready to go and I'm supposed to go sign the papers on Monday.
I found a Bad Boy CZT Elite for $5800.00, but have not negotiated that price yet. Both dealerships are within reasonable driving distance. I see that the Bad Boy has larger drives, electronic deck height control, larger rear wheels and more available accessories.
I live in South Florida and will be cutting mostly St. Augustine grass approximately one acre with a lot of trees. The lot is mostly level except for a drainage ditch in front of the property with about a 15ｺ slope.
I'm looking for advice on which mower to go with.
Thank you for any advice.
JJ
#3
J
jonesandjones
J
jonesandjones
Thanks for the reply,
It would be nice to save the $2K and I will consider it.
I'm just wondering how the CZT elite stacks up against the proturn 48 (model991200) as far as reliability, fit and finish, and most important, ease of maintenance.
Thanks again,
JJ
It would be nice to save the $2K and I will consider it.
I'm just wondering how the CZT elite stacks up against the proturn 48 (model991200) as far as reliability, fit and finish, and most important, ease of maintenance.
Thanks again,
JJ
#4
djdicetn
Last fall I made offers on a Bad Boy Outlaw and the Gravely Pro Turn XDZ100(at that time the entry-level commercial...they introduced the "regular" Pro Turn in 2013). I went with the Gravely and have never looked back. That's a good price on the Pro Turn 48 and aside from the FS KAwa instead of the FX, the ZT-3200 trannies instead of the ZT-3400 and the 10gauge deck instead of the 7gauge deck; it's basically the same machine as the XDZ series. i don't think you would regret getting the Pro Turn for a second!!!
djdicetn
Thanks for the reply,
It would be nice to save the $2K and I will consider it.
I'm just wondering how the CZT elite stacks up against the proturn 48 (model991200) as far as reliability, fit and finish, and most important, ease of maintenance.
Thanks again,
JJ
Last fall I made offers on a Bad Boy Outlaw and the Gravely Pro Turn XDZ100(at that time the entry-level commercial...they introduced the "regular" Pro Turn in 2013). I went with the Gravely and have never looked back. That's a good price on the Pro Turn 48 and aside from the FS KAwa instead of the FX, the ZT-3200 trannies instead of the ZT-3400 and the 10gauge deck instead of the 7gauge deck; it's basically the same machine as the XDZ series. i don't think you would regret getting the Pro Turn for a second!!!
#5
J
jonesandjones
Thanks for the advice!!!
I pulled the trigger on the Pro Turn! It should be delivered tomorrow and I will have the entire holiday weekend to use it!! The deciding factor for me was the track records of the 2 machines. I could find absolutely nothing negative about the Gravely while there were some less than favorable reviews on the Bad Boy. I also have a soft spot for the Ariens brand. My Ariens 21" walk behind is 16 years old and I have done nothing to it other than regular maintenance and it still runs great! I also considered the fact that the Gravely/Ariens line has been in business since, I believe, 1916. They must be doing something right!
All that said I don't anticipate any issues with the FS engine or the lighter deck as the mower was purchased for residential use only. I am a little concerned about the ZT-3200 trannies though. Almost every other high end mower in this class and size seems to have the 3400 trannies. Still, as you said, it was a good price and with 0% financing for 48 months, it was a really good deal.
Thanks again,
JJ
J
jonesandjones
Last fall I made offers on a Bad Boy Outlaw and the Gravely Pro Turn XDZ100(at that time the entry-level commercial...they introduced the "regular" Pro Turn in 2013). I went with the Gravely and have never looked back. That's a good price on the Pro Turn 48 and aside from the FS KAwa instead of the FX, the ZT-3200 trannies instead of the ZT-3400 and the 10gauge deck instead of the 7gauge deck; it's basically the same machine as the XDZ series. i don't think you would regret getting the Pro Turn for a second!!!
Thanks for the advice!!!
I pulled the trigger on the Pro Turn! It should be delivered tomorrow and I will have the entire holiday weekend to use it!! The deciding factor for me was the track records of the 2 machines. I could find absolutely nothing negative about the Gravely while there were some less than favorable reviews on the Bad Boy. I also have a soft spot for the Ariens brand. My Ariens 21" walk behind is 16 years old and I have done nothing to it other than regular maintenance and it still runs great! I also considered the fact that the Gravely/Ariens line has been in business since, I believe, 1916. They must be doing something right!
All that said I don't anticipate any issues with the FS engine or the lighter deck as the mower was purchased for residential use only. I am a little concerned about the ZT-3200 trannies though. Almost every other high end mower in this class and size seems to have the 3400 trannies. Still, as you said, it was a good price and with 0% financing for 48 months, it was a really good deal.
Thanks again,
JJ
#6
lawn mower fanatic
Hopefully we can get a review and pictures!
lawn mower fanatic
Thanks for the advice!!!
I pulled the trigger on the Pro Turn! It should be delivered tomorrow and I will have the entire holiday weekend to use it!! The deciding factor for me was the track records of the 2 machines. I could find absolutely nothing negative about the Gravely while there were some less than favorable reviews on the Bad Boy. I also have a soft spot for the Ariens brand. My Ariens 21" walk behind is 16 years old and I have done nothing to it other than regular maintenance and it still runs great! I also considered the fact that the Gravely/Ariens line has been in business since, I believe, 1916. They must be doing something right!
All that said I don't anticipate any issues with the FS engine or the lighter deck as the mower was purchased for residential use only. I am a little concerned about the ZT-3200 trannies though. Almost every other high end mower in this class and size seems to have the 3400 trannies. Still, as you said, it was a good price and with 0% financing for 48 months, it was a really good deal.
Thanks again,
JJ
Hopefully we can get a review and pictures!
#7
djdicetn
I have read some info recently that seems to accurately describe the difference between the Kawa FS(Heavy Duty) and FX(Commercial) series engines as basically the same engines except that the FX having the Commercial Donaldson dual air filter system. And yeah, the base Pro-Turn may not have the Lifetime Warranty X-Factor deck, but a 5 Year deck warranty indicates it's built to last. The HydroGear ZT-2800 is the entry level serviceable heavy duty tranny, the ZT-3100 is considered "Commercial grade" and the ZT-3200 is identical to the ZT-3100, but has upgraded gears inside. I think if you follow the recommended maintenance on the ZT-3200's you won't find them to be a "weak link". Like user lmf said, we want pictures and honest owner feed back which will be useful to other forum users considering taking the ZTR plunge. Welcome to the growing Gravely family and I agree about the heritage of quality of both the Gravely and Ariens machines(my next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old+ Ariens Zoom 42" which is a light residential unit and it's still going strong). Enjoy and keep us informed on your new big boy toy!!!
djdicetn
Thanks for the advice!!!
I pulled the trigger on the Pro Turn! It should be delivered tomorrow and I will have the entire holiday weekend to use it!! The deciding factor for me was the track records of the 2 machines. I could find absolutely nothing negative about the Gravely while there were some less than favorable reviews on the Bad Boy. I also have a soft spot for the Ariens brand. My Ariens 21" walk behind is 16 years old and I have done nothing to it other than regular maintenance and it still runs great! I also considered the fact that the Gravely/Ariens line has been in business since, I believe, 1916. They must be doing something right!
All that said I don't anticipate any issues with the FS engine or the lighter deck as the mower was purchased for residential use only. I am a little concerned about the ZT-3200 trannies though. Almost every other high end mower in this class and size seems to have the 3400 trannies. Still, as you said, it was a good price and with 0% financing for 48 months, it was a really good deal.
Thanks again,
JJ
I have read some info recently that seems to accurately describe the difference between the Kawa FS(Heavy Duty) and FX(Commercial) series engines as basically the same engines except that the FX having the Commercial Donaldson dual air filter system. And yeah, the base Pro-Turn may not have the Lifetime Warranty X-Factor deck, but a 5 Year deck warranty indicates it's built to last. The HydroGear ZT-2800 is the entry level serviceable heavy duty tranny, the ZT-3100 is considered "Commercial grade" and the ZT-3200 is identical to the ZT-3100, but has upgraded gears inside. I think if you follow the recommended maintenance on the ZT-3200's you won't find them to be a "weak link". Like user lmf said, we want pictures and honest owner feed back which will be useful to other forum users considering taking the ZTR plunge. Welcome to the growing Gravely family and I agree about the heritage of quality of both the Gravely and Ariens machines(my next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old+ Ariens Zoom 42" which is a light residential unit and it's still going strong). Enjoy and keep us informed on your new big boy toy!!!
#8
J
jonesandjones
Well, I had a chance to use the new mower today and it is great! :wink: The controls are smooth as silk and the drives seem to be more than powerful enough even on the steep slop in the drainage ditch in front of our house. It took on my severely over grown lawn without even trying. The only thing I noticed was the ROPS is high enough to catch some low branches and as it is behind the operator, it is difficult to know when you catch something. Nothing a little pruning won't cure. I cut my mowing time in half and I'm not even used to the mower yet.
This thing is built like a tank! The difference between this and my old residential tractor is like night and day. It is solid as a rock and it doesn't bounce around on bumpy terrain like my old mower.
The seat is very comfortable and seems to conform to my body like a recliner. I considered upgrading it for the full suspension seat as I have serious back problems but after an hour of mowing I felt just fine so for now I will save the money.
The Kawasaki engine runs smooth enough although not as smooth as a Honda. That said I have yet to see any other engine that does. The Kawwee engine has plenty of juice and never once dropped RPM even in very heavy grass. I did notice some heat on my back when standing still but once the mower is moving it is not noticeable.
As far as the quality of the cut, I have no complaints. I set the deck to cut 3.75" but I will raise the deck to 4.00" next time. 3.75" was just a bit too low for my St. Augustine lawn, never the less, the lawn looks like a carpet. (Even though it was allowed to get way over-grown while I was shopping for a new mower). The lawn now now needs some serious de-thatching. A pull behind de-thatcher would be a nice accessory so it's time to look at the Gravely accessory site.
The best thing about my new Gravely Pro Turn is it makes it fun to mow the lawn again!!! :laughing: I may need to fertilize the heck out of the lawn just so I can get it to grow faster and have an excuse to mow more often!
Only time will tell but I feel confident I made the right choice. I can only imagine how nice your mower must be with the extra bells and whistles you mentioned but I will have to make due with imagining because my Pro Turn 48 is more than enough mower for what I will use it for and I dare say I will have this mower for many many years to come.
The Wife is much more techno-savey than I am so I will have her post some pictures tomorrow. (After I get the mower all nice and clean again).
I'll keep everyone posted on how my new "big boy toy" is doing. It is still growing season here in Florida so I will be mowing every 7 to 10 days.
Thanks again for all your help!!!
JJ
J
jonesandjones
I have read some info recently that seems to accurately describe the difference between the Kawa FS(Heavy Duty) and FX(Commercial) series engines as basically the same engines except that the FX having the Commercial Donaldson dual air filter system. And yeah, the base Pro-Turn may not have the Lifetime Warranty X-Factor deck, but a 5 Year deck warranty indicates it's built to last. The HydroGear ZT-2800 is the entry level serviceable heavy duty tranny, the ZT-3100 is considered "Commercial grade" and the ZT-3200 is identical to the ZT-3100, but has upgraded gears inside. I think if you follow the recommended maintenance on the ZT-3200's you won't find them to be a "weak link". Like user lmf said, we want pictures and honest owner feed back which will be useful to other forum users considering taking the ZTR plunge. Welcome to the growing Gravely family and I agree about the heritage of quality of both the Gravely and Ariens machines(my next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old+ Ariens Zoom 42" which is a light residential unit and it's still going strong). Enjoy and keep us informed on your new big boy toy!!!
Well, I had a chance to use the new mower today and it is great! :wink: The controls are smooth as silk and the drives seem to be more than powerful enough even on the steep slop in the drainage ditch in front of our house. It took on my severely over grown lawn without even trying. The only thing I noticed was the ROPS is high enough to catch some low branches and as it is behind the operator, it is difficult to know when you catch something. Nothing a little pruning won't cure. I cut my mowing time in half and I'm not even used to the mower yet.
This thing is built like a tank! The difference between this and my old residential tractor is like night and day. It is solid as a rock and it doesn't bounce around on bumpy terrain like my old mower.
The seat is very comfortable and seems to conform to my body like a recliner. I considered upgrading it for the full suspension seat as I have serious back problems but after an hour of mowing I felt just fine so for now I will save the money.
The Kawasaki engine runs smooth enough although not as smooth as a Honda. That said I have yet to see any other engine that does. The Kawwee engine has plenty of juice and never once dropped RPM even in very heavy grass. I did notice some heat on my back when standing still but once the mower is moving it is not noticeable.
As far as the quality of the cut, I have no complaints. I set the deck to cut 3.75" but I will raise the deck to 4.00" next time. 3.75" was just a bit too low for my St. Augustine lawn, never the less, the lawn looks like a carpet. (Even though it was allowed to get way over-grown while I was shopping for a new mower). The lawn now now needs some serious de-thatching. A pull behind de-thatcher would be a nice accessory so it's time to look at the Gravely accessory site.
The best thing about my new Gravely Pro Turn is it makes it fun to mow the lawn again!!! :laughing: I may need to fertilize the heck out of the lawn just so I can get it to grow faster and have an excuse to mow more often!
Only time will tell but I feel confident I made the right choice. I can only imagine how nice your mower must be with the extra bells and whistles you mentioned but I will have to make due with imagining because my Pro Turn 48 is more than enough mower for what I will use it for and I dare say I will have this mower for many many years to come.
The Wife is much more techno-savey than I am so I will have her post some pictures tomorrow. (After I get the mower all nice and clean again).
I'll keep everyone posted on how my new "big boy toy" is doing. It is still growing season here in Florida so I will be mowing every 7 to 10 days.
Thanks again for all your help!!!
JJ
#9
djdicetn
Again, welcome to the growing Gravely family of the forums!!! Somehow, I knew what kind of first-time mowing experience review you would post even before reading all of your praises:0)
Yeah, I have a clear conscience every time I recommend a Gravely to users here that are shopping for a new ZTR for all the reasons you eluded to and that it's hard to beat the quality you get for your money when compared to almost any competitor's ZTR with similar build & features. I picked up a mulch kit at my dealer Friday and looked forward to getting it installed and see how well it dealt with the excessive grass clippings that the mild & wet summer we have had here in middle TN has caused. The Kentucky Fescue has grown so fast and so thick I've been having to mow over the windrows "several" times to disperse the clippings. I was VERY impressed again with the "heavy-dutiness" of the kit(the box containing the baffles and 3 blades weighed 50-75lbs) and the instructions were very clear(easy enough that a caveman could do it:0)
Well I jacked up the Gravely Saturday with my MoJack(you'll want to look into getting one of these...they are GREAT) in the driveway and cleaned underneath the deck with my power washer. I no sooner got done with that and the sky "opened up" and it began pouring rain(I barely got the Gravely back into the garage :0(
It poured for about an hour, so I resolved that even though the grass was REALLY needing cutting I would most likely get the kit installed and not be able to try it out for several days(the forecast had 40%-50% chance of rain all weekend). I took my time and the installation went smoothly. Yesterday(Sunday) the sun came out around noon, so around 4:00PM I decided to go ahead and give it a try even though mulching wet grass is not recommended and I didn't expect the best first-use results. I set the deck at 3"(I normally cut at 2 1/2") and I was VERY surprised that I cut the whole front yard without a hint of grass clippings(it dropped a little bit towards the end, but mowing over that area one more time got rid of them).
Towards the end of mowing the back yard, it did "drop" several large chucks of wet grass clippings and when I was done the clipping buildup underneath the deck required washing out but I am pretty certain that next time I mow(no rain within 24-48 hours, so the grass will be good & dry) and only cutting 1/3 of the total grass height that the buildup underneath the deck won't be as significant(those clippings I cleaned yesterday were "extremely wet"). But all things said....I was VERY HAPPY with the effectiveness of the Gravely mulch kit and would recommend it for the part of the growing season when the grass is very thick and grows very fast. My front yard looks as nice as my neighbor's and he got out there Saturday morning before the rain hit with his Ariens Zoom(which I envied for years when I was using a lawn tractor before I bought the Gravely). Now my yard doesn't make his look bad by being next to it:0)
djdicetn
Well, I had a chance to use the new mower today and it is great! :wink: The controls are smooth as silk and the drives seem to be more than powerful enough even on the steep slop in the drainage ditch in front of our house. It took on my severely over grown lawn without even trying. The only thing I noticed was the ROPS is high enough to catch some low branches and as it is behind the operator, it is difficult to know when you catch something. Nothing a little pruning won't cure. I cut my mowing time in half and I'm not even used to the mower yet.
This thing is built like a tank! The difference between this and my old residential tractor is like night and day. It is solid as a rock and it doesn't bounce around on bumpy terrain like my old mower.
The seat is very comfortable and seems to conform to my body like a recliner. I considered upgrading it for the full suspension seat as I have serious back problems but after an hour of mowing I felt just fine so for now I will save the money.
The Kawasaki engine runs smooth enough although not as smooth as a Honda. That said I have yet to see any other engine that does. The Kawwee engine has plenty of juice and never once dropped RPM even in very heavy grass. I did notice some heat on my back when standing still but once the mower is moving it is not noticeable.
As far as the quality of the cut, I have no complaints. I set the deck to cut 3.75" but I will raise the deck to 4.00" next time. 3.75" was just a bit too low for my St. Augustine lawn, never the less, the lawn looks like a carpet. (Even though it was allowed to get way over-grown while I was shopping for a new mower). The lawn now now needs some serious de-thatching. A pull behind de-thatcher would be a nice accessory so it's time to look at the Gravely accessory site.
The best thing about my new Gravely Pro Turn is it makes it fun to mow the lawn again!!! :laughing: I may need to fertilize the heck out of the lawn just so I can get it to grow faster and have an excuse to mow more often!
Only time will tell but I feel confident I made the right choice. I can only imagine how nice your mower must be with the extra bells and whistles you mentioned but I will have to make due with imagining because my Pro Turn 48 is more than enough mower for what I will use it for and I dare say I will have this mower for many many years to come.
The Wife is much more techno-savey than I am so I will have her post some pictures tomorrow. (After I get the mower all nice and clean again).
I'll keep everyone posted on how my new "big boy toy" is doing. It is still growing season here in Florida so I will be mowing every 7 to 10 days.
Thanks again for all your help!!!
JJ
Again, welcome to the growing Gravely family of the forums!!! Somehow, I knew what kind of first-time mowing experience review you would post even before reading all of your praises:0)
Yeah, I have a clear conscience every time I recommend a Gravely to users here that are shopping for a new ZTR for all the reasons you eluded to and that it's hard to beat the quality you get for your money when compared to almost any competitor's ZTR with similar build & features. I picked up a mulch kit at my dealer Friday and looked forward to getting it installed and see how well it dealt with the excessive grass clippings that the mild & wet summer we have had here in middle TN has caused. The Kentucky Fescue has grown so fast and so thick I've been having to mow over the windrows "several" times to disperse the clippings. I was VERY impressed again with the "heavy-dutiness" of the kit(the box containing the baffles and 3 blades weighed 50-75lbs) and the instructions were very clear(easy enough that a caveman could do it:0)
Well I jacked up the Gravely Saturday with my MoJack(you'll want to look into getting one of these...they are GREAT) in the driveway and cleaned underneath the deck with my power washer. I no sooner got done with that and the sky "opened up" and it began pouring rain(I barely got the Gravely back into the garage :0(
It poured for about an hour, so I resolved that even though the grass was REALLY needing cutting I would most likely get the kit installed and not be able to try it out for several days(the forecast had 40%-50% chance of rain all weekend). I took my time and the installation went smoothly. Yesterday(Sunday) the sun came out around noon, so around 4:00PM I decided to go ahead and give it a try even though mulching wet grass is not recommended and I didn't expect the best first-use results. I set the deck at 3"(I normally cut at 2 1/2") and I was VERY surprised that I cut the whole front yard without a hint of grass clippings(it dropped a little bit towards the end, but mowing over that area one more time got rid of them).
Towards the end of mowing the back yard, it did "drop" several large chucks of wet grass clippings and when I was done the clipping buildup underneath the deck required washing out but I am pretty certain that next time I mow(no rain within 24-48 hours, so the grass will be good & dry) and only cutting 1/3 of the total grass height that the buildup underneath the deck won't be as significant(those clippings I cleaned yesterday were "extremely wet"). But all things said....I was VERY HAPPY with the effectiveness of the Gravely mulch kit and would recommend it for the part of the growing season when the grass is very thick and grows very fast. My front yard looks as nice as my neighbor's and he got out there Saturday morning before the rain hit with his Ariens Zoom(which I envied for years when I was using a lawn tractor before I bought the Gravely). Now my yard doesn't make his look bad by being next to it:0)
#10
J
jonesandjones
Wow! You must have read my mind!! I was thinking about cleaning the underside of the deck just this evening and I was going to ask how you clean your mower deck and how often you do it. I really want to take care of my new toy...
It will be stored in a utility shed I have out back as there won't be room for it in the garage. (Yes I am one of the few people in Florida that actually keeps cars in the garage). I will have to run an electrical service to the shed so I can dehumidify it. The salt air and humidity here eats up everything!
I also stocked up on plenty of ethanol free 90 octane gas for the Gravely and the rest of my lawn and garden equipment. (I also use it in my motorcycle). I really don't like some of the things I have read about the negative effects of ethanol on engines that aren't used daily, especially anything with a carburetor. I know there are additives to deal with ethanol but why bother when there is a station that sells the ethanol free stuff nearby.
I'll call the dealer tomorrow and ask about the MoJack as well as the mulch kit. If it works on your Kentucky Fescue it should work really well on my St. Augustine (What most folks up north consider crab grass)... I also found several tow behind dethacthers on line as well as some plug aerators I would like to add to my lawn arsenal so I will need the towing attachment as well.
Today was a beach day for me and the wife so I didn't get a chance to take any pictures before it got dark but I will post them soon!
JJ
J
jonesandjones
Again, welcome to the growing Gravely family of the forums!!! Somehow, I knew what kind of first-time mowing experience review you would post even before reading all of your praises:0)
Yeah, I have a clear conscience every time I recommend a Gravely to users here that are shopping for a new ZTR for all the reasons you eluded to and that it's hard to beat the quality you get for your money when compared to almost any competitor's ZTR with similar build & features. I picked up a mulch kit at my dealer Friday and looked forward to getting it installed and see how well it dealt with the excessive grass clippings that the mild & wet summer we have had here in middle TN has caused. The Kentucky Fescue has grown so fast and so thick I've been having to mow over the windrows "several" times to disperse the clippings. I was VERY impressed again with the "heavy-dutiness" of the kit(the box containing the baffles and 3 blades weighed 50-75lbs) and the instructions were very clear(easy enough that a caveman could do it:0)
Well I jacked up the Gravely Saturday with my MoJack(you'll want to look into getting one of these...they are GREAT) in the driveway and cleaned underneath the deck with my power washer. I no sooner got done with that and the sky "opened up" and it began pouring rain(I barely got the Gravely back into the garage :0(
It poured for about an hour, so I resolved that even though the grass was REALLY needing cutting I would most likely get the kit installed and not be able to try it out for several days(the forecast had 40%-50% chance of rain all weekend). I took my time and the installation went smoothly. Yesterday(Sunday) the sun came out around noon, so around 4:00PM I decided to go ahead and give it a try even though mulching wet grass is not recommended and I didn't expect the best first-use results. I set the deck at 3"(I normally cut at 2 1/2") and I was VERY surprised that I cut the whole front yard without a hint of grass clippings(it dropped a little bit towards the end, but mowing over that area one more time got rid of them).
Towards the end of mowing the back yard, it did "drop" several large chucks of wet grass clippings and when I was done the clipping buildup underneath the deck required washing out but I am pretty certain that next time I mow(no rain within 24-48 hours, so the grass will be good & dry) and only cutting 1/3 of the total grass height that the buildup underneath the deck won't be as significant(those clippings I cleaned yesterday were "extremely wet"). But all things said....I was VERY HAPPY with the effectiveness of the Gravely mulch kit and would recommend it for the part of the growing season when the grass is very thick and grows very fast. My front yard looks as nice as my neighbor's and he got out there Saturday morning before the rain hit with his Ariens Zoom(which I envied for years when I was using a lawn tractor before I bought the Gravely). Now my yard doesn't make his look bad by being next to it:0)
Wow! You must have read my mind!! I was thinking about cleaning the underside of the deck just this evening and I was going to ask how you clean your mower deck and how often you do it. I really want to take care of my new toy...
It will be stored in a utility shed I have out back as there won't be room for it in the garage. (Yes I am one of the few people in Florida that actually keeps cars in the garage). I will have to run an electrical service to the shed so I can dehumidify it. The salt air and humidity here eats up everything!
I also stocked up on plenty of ethanol free 90 octane gas for the Gravely and the rest of my lawn and garden equipment. (I also use it in my motorcycle). I really don't like some of the things I have read about the negative effects of ethanol on engines that aren't used daily, especially anything with a carburetor. I know there are additives to deal with ethanol but why bother when there is a station that sells the ethanol free stuff nearby.
I'll call the dealer tomorrow and ask about the MoJack as well as the mulch kit. If it works on your Kentucky Fescue it should work really well on my St. Augustine (What most folks up north consider crab grass)... I also found several tow behind dethacthers on line as well as some plug aerators I would like to add to my lawn arsenal so I will need the towing attachment as well.
Today was a beach day for me and the wife so I didn't get a chance to take any pictures before it got dark but I will post them soon!
JJ
#11
djdicetn
When I first used my Pro Turn 152 last Fall and early this Spring there really wasn't any buildup underneath the deck(just a "green stain"). As the middle of the growing season approached, I noticed a slight buildup in a few areas and I just used a wide putty knife with the deck raised all the way up. I've only used the mulch kit the one time(and the grass was VERY wet) but I had to use a hose to spray the clipping buildup from underneath the deck after letting it cool down. I may have to clean underneath the deck more with the mulch kit ongoing, but a couple of more mowings without the grass so wet will reveal that need.
I don't know whether your dealer will carry the MoJack or not, but I'll paste a link to Lowes at the bottom for you to see what they look like(they also sell them at TSC I think). You will find that jack invaluable for sharpening blades, etc. Looking forward to some pictures!!!! Here's that link:
Shop MoJack Tractor Lift at Lowes.com
djdicetn
Wow! You must have read my mind!! I was thinking about cleaning the underside of the deck just this evening and I was going to ask how you clean your mower deck and how often you do it. I really want to take care of my new toy...
It will be stored in a utility shed I have out back as there won't be room for it in the garage. (Yes I am one of the few people in Florida that actually keeps cars in the garage). I will have to run an electrical service to the shed so I can dehumidify it. The salt air and humidity here eats up everything!
I also stocked up on plenty of ethanol free 90 octane gas for the Gravely and the rest of my lawn and garden equipment. (I also use it in my motorcycle). I really don't like some of the things I have read about the negative effects of ethanol on engines that aren't used daily, especially anything with a carburetor. I know there are additives to deal with ethanol but why bother when there is a station that sells the ethanol free stuff nearby.
I'll call the dealer tomorrow and ask about the MoJack as well as the mulch kit. If it works on your Kentucky Fescue it should work really well on my St. Augustine (What most folks up north consider crab grass)... I also found several tow behind dethacthers on line as well as some plug aerators I would like to add to my lawn arsenal so I will need the towing attachment as well.
Today was a beach day for me and the wife so I didn't get a chance to take any pictures before it got dark but I will post them soon!
JJ
When I first used my Pro Turn 152 last Fall and early this Spring there really wasn't any buildup underneath the deck(just a "green stain"). As the middle of the growing season approached, I noticed a slight buildup in a few areas and I just used a wide putty knife with the deck raised all the way up. I've only used the mulch kit the one time(and the grass was VERY wet) but I had to use a hose to spray the clipping buildup from underneath the deck after letting it cool down. I may have to clean underneath the deck more with the mulch kit ongoing, but a couple of more mowings without the grass so wet will reveal that need.
I don't know whether your dealer will carry the MoJack or not, but I'll paste a link to Lowes at the bottom for you to see what they look like(they also sell them at TSC I think). You will find that jack invaluable for sharpening blades, etc. Looking forward to some pictures!!!! Here's that link:
Shop MoJack Tractor Lift at Lowes.com
#12
J
jonesandjones
Thanks for the link!! My dealer sent me to the local Harbor Freight Store and I picked up something called a High Lift Mower Jack. It looks just like the MoJack and it was on the shelf. It seems to be sturdy enough and I have a 90 day warranty. If I'm not satisfied with it I'll return it and order a Mojack from Lowes.
My wife has been working late all week so I am attempting to attach the pictures of the new mower myself. Hopefully it will work so here goes!!!
By the way, check out the size of those caster bearings! They must be 2" in diameter... Definitely heavy duty!
JJ
J
jonesandjones
When I first used my Pro Turn 152 last Fall and early this Spring there really wasn't any buildup underneath the deck(just a "green stain"). As the middle of the growing season approached, I noticed a slight buildup in a few areas and I just used a wide putty knife with the deck raised all the way up. I've only used the mulch kit the one time(and the grass was VERY wet) but I had to use a hose to spray the clipping buildup from underneath the deck after letting it cool down. I may have to clean underneath the deck more with the mulch kit ongoing, but a couple of more mowings without the grass so wet will reveal that need.
I don't know whether your dealer will carry the MoJack or not, but I'll paste a link to Lowes at the bottom for you to see what they look like(they also sell them at TSC I think). You will find that jack invaluable for sharpening blades, etc. Looking forward to some pictures!!!! Here's that link:
Shop MoJack Tractor Lift at Lowes.com
Thanks for the link!! My dealer sent me to the local Harbor Freight Store and I picked up something called a High Lift Mower Jack. It looks just like the MoJack and it was on the shelf. It seems to be sturdy enough and I have a 90 day warranty. If I'm not satisfied with it I'll return it and order a Mojack from Lowes.
My wife has been working late all week so I am attempting to attach the pictures of the new mower myself. Hopefully it will work so here goes!!!
By the way, check out the size of those caster bearings! They must be 2" in diameter... Definitely heavy duty!
JJ
Attachments
#13
djdicetn
You dun good(on both the posting of the pictures.....and....on the purchase of that Gravely:0)
You're gonna enjoy mowing for many years to come!!!!!!!
And yeah, the Harbor Freight jack is very similar to the MoJack and has the same rating. You should be pleased with how easy that will make it when you need to get underneath the deck for blade sharpening, etc. It sure helped when I put the mulch kit on last weekend!!!!
djdicetn
Thanks for the link!! My dealer sent me to the local Harbor Freight Store and I picked up something called a High Lift Mower Jack. It looks just like the MoJack and it was on the shelf. It seems to be sturdy enough and I have a 90 day warranty. If I'm not satisfied with it I'll return it and order a Mojack from Lowes.
My wife has been working late all week so I am attempting to attach the pictures of the new mower myself. Hopefully it will work so here goes!!!
By the way, check out the size of those caster bearings! They must be 2" in diameter... Definitely heavy duty!
JJ
You dun good(on both the posting of the pictures.....and....on the purchase of that Gravely:0)
You're gonna enjoy mowing for many years to come!!!!!!!
And yeah, the Harbor Freight jack is very similar to the MoJack and has the same rating. You should be pleased with how easy that will make it when you need to get underneath the deck for blade sharpening, etc. It sure helped when I put the mulch kit on last weekend!!!!
#14
lawn mower fanatic
That looks VERY nice! :thumbsup:
lawn mower fanatic
Thanks for the link!! My dealer sent me to the local Harbor Freight Store and I picked up something called a High Lift Mower Jack. It looks just like the MoJack and it was on the shelf. It seems to be sturdy enough and I have a 90 day warranty. If I'm not satisfied with it I'll return it and order a Mojack from Lowes.
My wife has been working late all week so I am attempting to attach the pictures of the new mower myself. Hopefully it will work so here goes!!!
By the way, check out the size of those caster bearings! They must be 2" in diameter... Definitely heavy duty!
JJ
That looks VERY nice! :thumbsup:
#15
J
jonesandjones
Thanks!
I can't wait to get some of the accessories!
In the mean time I will be working on my 1999 Husky tractor and my old 1997 Ariens 21" walk behind. I really should sell the tractor to help pay for the Gravely but it's in such good shape I hate to part with it!!!
I'll use the Ariens for the real tight spots...
J
jonesandjones
That looks VERY nice! :thumbsup:
Thanks!
I can't wait to get some of the accessories!
In the mean time I will be working on my 1999 Husky tractor and my old 1997 Ariens 21" walk behind. I really should sell the tractor to help pay for the Gravely but it's in such good shape I hate to part with it!!!
I'll use the Ariens for the real tight spots...
#16
djdicetn
jj,
Yeah, so far I've "invested" in a sunshade(don't have any pics here at work) and I really like it. Of course, you mentioned "snagging" the ROPS and I was going to suggest loweering it into the 90 degree setting. But with my sunshade I can't do that. I also installed an "aftermarket" light kit(and there's a thread, I'll come back and post a link to for you if you anticipate mowing after dark......mine's a LOT less expensive thaan the Gravely light kit and works great). Last "toy" I just bought for mine was the Gravely mulch kit....and I absolutely love it(and highly recommend it)!!! My dealer sold it to me at the 2012 price($150) and it's now around $185(but well worth it...I'll post another link to a striping thread where i posted some pics....it gave my Gravely give a "mild striping look" cut). I still may invest in one more toy...the Gravely hex striper kit. Enjoy that Pro-Turn cause you're gonna love it!!!!
Here's a link to the ZTR light kit I installed:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/18564-ztr-light-kit.html
Here's a link to the thread where I posted some pics of my lawn after installing my mulch kit:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/comme.../19367-striping-gotta-love-12.html#post130481
djdicetn
Thanks!
I can't wait to get some of the accessories!
In the mean time I will be working on my 1999 Husky tractor and my old 1997 Ariens 21" walk behind. I really should sell the tractor to help pay for the Gravely but it's in such good shape I hate to part with it!!!
I'll use the Ariens for the real tight spots...
jj,
Yeah, so far I've "invested" in a sunshade(don't have any pics here at work) and I really like it. Of course, you mentioned "snagging" the ROPS and I was going to suggest loweering it into the 90 degree setting. But with my sunshade I can't do that. I also installed an "aftermarket" light kit(and there's a thread, I'll come back and post a link to for you if you anticipate mowing after dark......mine's a LOT less expensive thaan the Gravely light kit and works great). Last "toy" I just bought for mine was the Gravely mulch kit....and I absolutely love it(and highly recommend it)!!! My dealer sold it to me at the 2012 price($150) and it's now around $185(but well worth it...I'll post another link to a striping thread where i posted some pics....it gave my Gravely give a "mild striping look" cut). I still may invest in one more toy...the Gravely hex striper kit. Enjoy that Pro-Turn cause you're gonna love it!!!!
Here's a link to the ZTR light kit I installed:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/18564-ztr-light-kit.html
Here's a link to the thread where I posted some pics of my lawn after installing my mulch kit:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/comme.../19367-striping-gotta-love-12.html#post130481
#17
J
jonesandjones
Wow!
What a beautiful lawn! That Gravely looks like it's never been used! Really nice set up!!! I have to admit I am little jealous of that full suspension seat. I guess the knob in front of the seat is for lumbar adjustment/support. Really nice!!!
I love the lights and considering our 98 degree days with 99% humidity down here, mowing after dark sounds like a real good idea! I'll definitely add them to my toy list. That said I think the first add on will be the trailer hitch and then the mulch kit. I'll install the lights later as daylight savings time draws to an end. I'm not sure how well the striper kit will work on our St. Augustine lawns but I really like the look. I'll ask my dealer about it. I'll keep you posted on the add ons as I install them.
It looks like you have the discharge chute stowed on top of the deck. The dealer didn't explain how that works but when I saw the locking pin and small cable attached to the chute I figured there must have been a way to store it while using the mulch kit.
We have had several days of heavy rain here but hopefully things will clear up by the weekend so I will be able to use the new mower again. I've actually been looking at ways to get rid of some landscaping so I will have more lawn to mow!
Thanks again for all the great advise and especially for the Gravely recommendation!!!
JJ
J
jonesandjones
jj,
Yeah, so far I've "invested" in a sunshade(don't have any pics here at work) and I really like it. Of course, you mentioned "snagging" the ROPS and I was going to suggest loweering it into the 90 degree setting. But with my sunshade I can't do that. I also installed an "aftermarket" light kit(and there's a thread, I'll come back and post a link to for you if you anticipate mowing after dark......mine's a LOT less expensive thaan the Gravely light kit and works great). Last "toy" I just bought for mine was the Gravely mulch kit....and I absolutely love it(and highly recommend it)!!! My dealer sold it to me at the 2012 price($150) and it's now around $185(but well worth it...I'll post another link to a striping thread where i posted some pics....it gave my Gravely give a "mild striping look" cut). I still may invest in one more toy...the Gravely hex striper kit. Enjoy that Pro-Turn cause you're gonna love it!!!!
Here's a link to the ZTR light kit I installed:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/18564-ztr-light-kit.html
Here's a link to the thread where I posted some pics of my lawn after installing my mulch kit:
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/comme.../19367-striping-gotta-love-12.html#post130481
Wow!
What a beautiful lawn! That Gravely looks like it's never been used! Really nice set up!!! I have to admit I am little jealous of that full suspension seat. I guess the knob in front of the seat is for lumbar adjustment/support. Really nice!!!
I love the lights and considering our 98 degree days with 99% humidity down here, mowing after dark sounds like a real good idea! I'll definitely add them to my toy list. That said I think the first add on will be the trailer hitch and then the mulch kit. I'll install the lights later as daylight savings time draws to an end. I'm not sure how well the striper kit will work on our St. Augustine lawns but I really like the look. I'll ask my dealer about it. I'll keep you posted on the add ons as I install them.
It looks like you have the discharge chute stowed on top of the deck. The dealer didn't explain how that works but when I saw the locking pin and small cable attached to the chute I figured there must have been a way to store it while using the mulch kit.
We have had several days of heavy rain here but hopefully things will clear up by the weekend so I will be able to use the new mower again. I've actually been looking at ways to get rid of some landscaping so I will have more lawn to mow!
Thanks again for all the great advise and especially for the Gravely recommendation!!!
JJ
#18
djdicetn
The knob on the front of the suspension seat adjusts to the weight of the rider to increase/decrease the ride tension and works well. Gravely has a cheaper "flap type' striper kit that attaches across the back edge of the deck, but it would be on "full time". I like the hex striper because you can engage/disengage it(I probably wouldn't want to stripe my back yard). I think you would be happy with the better quality cut the mulch kit provides....I am!! Yeah, the chute storage on the deck is kinda nice(especially since it isn't needed when a mulch kit is installed). Your more than welcome for any advise I've given that you have found to be useful!!
djdicetn
Wow!
What a beautiful lawn! That Gravely looks like it's never been used! Really nice set up!!! I have to admit I am little jealous of that full suspension seat. I guess the knob in front of the seat is for lumbar adjustment/support. Really nice!!!
I love the lights and considering our 98 degree days with 99% humidity down here, mowing after dark sounds like a real good idea! I'll definitely add them to my toy list. That said I think the first add on will be the trailer hitch and then the mulch kit. I'll install the lights later as daylight savings time draws to an end. I'm not sure how well the striper kit will work on our St. Augustine lawns but I really like the look. I'll ask my dealer about it. I'll keep you posted on the add ons as I install them.
It looks like you have the discharge chute stowed on top of the deck. The dealer didn't explain how that works but when I saw the locking pin and small cable attached to the chute I figured there must have been a way to store it while using the mulch kit.
We have had several days of heavy rain here but hopefully things will clear up by the weekend so I will be able to use the new mower again. I've actually been looking at ways to get rid of some landscaping so I will have more lawn to mow!
Thanks again for all the great advise and especially for the Gravely recommendation!!!
JJ
The knob on the front of the suspension seat adjusts to the weight of the rider to increase/decrease the ride tension and works well. Gravely has a cheaper "flap type' striper kit that attaches across the back edge of the deck, but it would be on "full time". I like the hex striper because you can engage/disengage it(I probably wouldn't want to stripe my back yard). I think you would be happy with the better quality cut the mulch kit provides....I am!! Yeah, the chute storage on the deck is kinda nice(especially since it isn't needed when a mulch kit is installed). Your more than welcome for any advise I've given that you have found to be useful!!
#19
R
RustyBoy
Hello,
I also live in Florida and have St. Augustine grass in good shape. Would you please elaborate on a couple of questions. I too have a bad back and I'm really concerned about the rough ride. I was thinking of buying the ZT HD model and tried it out - it was too bumpy on Bahia grass and although I don't have that grass, the ride was too rough for me to even consider. So I would have to add the suspension seat kit and hopefully that would help a lot on that model but just don't know. But I see that your model, the Pro-Turn, has the integrated suspension seat. Are you getting a smooth ride out of that seat??? Do you know how your integrated suspension seat would compare to the suspension seat kit for the Zt HD? And is the jack you bought good for changing the blades? Lastly, are you very happy with your Gravely Pro Turn as I'm thinking about upgrading to the Pro Turn but just not sure if the ZT HD is sufficient and comfortable for my 1 1/2 acre lot. Thanks for any input you can provide.
R
RustyBoy
Wow!
What a beautiful lawn! That Gravely looks like it's never been used! Really nice set up!!! I have to admit I am little jealous of that full suspension seat. I guess the knob in front of the seat is for lumbar adjustment/support. Really nice!!!
I love the lights and considering our 98 degree days with 99% humidity down here, mowing after dark sounds like a real good idea! I'll definitely add them to my toy list. That said I think the first add on will be the trailer hitch and then the mulch kit. I'll install the lights later as daylight savings time draws to an end. I'm not sure how well the striper kit will work on our St. Augustine lawns but I really like the look. I'll ask my dealer about it. I'll keep you posted on the add ons as I install them.
It looks like you have the discharge chute stowed on top of the deck. The dealer didn't explain how that works but when I saw the locking pin and small cable attached to the chute I figured there must have been a way to store it while using the mulch kit.
We have had several days of heavy rain here but hopefully things will clear up by the weekend so I will be able to use the new mower again. I've actually been looking at ways to get rid of some landscaping so I will have more lawn to mow!
Thanks again for all the great advise and especially for the Gravely recommendation!!!
JJ
Hello,
I also live in Florida and have St. Augustine grass in good shape. Would you please elaborate on a couple of questions. I too have a bad back and I'm really concerned about the rough ride. I was thinking of buying the ZT HD model and tried it out - it was too bumpy on Bahia grass and although I don't have that grass, the ride was too rough for me to even consider. So I would have to add the suspension seat kit and hopefully that would help a lot on that model but just don't know. But I see that your model, the Pro-Turn, has the integrated suspension seat. Are you getting a smooth ride out of that seat??? Do you know how your integrated suspension seat would compare to the suspension seat kit for the Zt HD? And is the jack you bought good for changing the blades? Lastly, are you very happy with your Gravely Pro Turn as I'm thinking about upgrading to the Pro Turn but just not sure if the ZT HD is sufficient and comfortable for my 1 1/2 acre lot. Thanks for any input you can provide.
#20
djdicetn
Rustyboy,
User jonesandjones has the regular Pro-Turn and I believe the suspension seat on his has the dampening isolators similar to the upgrade kit for the ZT HD. Hopefully he will respond and give you some feedback, otherwise I would suggest you send him a private message directly in case he isn't getting emails on this thread any longer. From what JJ said about the Harbor Freight jack it would do fine for changing blades, etc. I have the MoJack(the small EZ Lift model) and it also does a fine job(I used it to r & r my blades when I installed my mulch kit. I got an amazing deal on my 2012 Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(in the Fall, just before the dealer got the 2013 models in) and it has the full suspension seat(it has a VERY smooth ride). With the price increases over the last two years industry-wide I probably couldn't afford mine if I looked at a new one today(they are close to $8K.....almost $2k more than I paid OTD). Personally I think for mowing 1.5 acres(would take you maybe 45 minutes on a 48") the regular suspension seat would suffice. I hope JJ gives you the skinny on that!!! You won't regret buying a Gravely!!!!!
djdicetn
Hello,
I also live in Florida and have St. Augustine grass in good shape. Would you please elaborate on a couple of questions. I too have a bad back and I'm really concerned about the rough ride. I was thinking of buying the ZT HD model and tried it out - it was too bumpy on Bahia grass and although I don't have that grass, the ride was too rough for me to even consider. So I would have to add the suspension seat kit and hopefully that would help a lot on that model but just don't know. But I see that your model, the Pro-Turn, has the integrated suspension seat. Are you getting a smooth ride out of that seat??? Do you know how your integrated suspension seat would compare to the suspension seat kit for the Zt HD? And is the jack you bought good for changing the blades? Lastly, are you very happy with your Gravely Pro Turn as I'm thinking about upgrading to the Pro Turn but just not sure if the ZT HD is sufficient and comfortable for my 1 1/2 acre lot. Thanks for any input you can provide.
Rustyboy,
User jonesandjones has the regular Pro-Turn and I believe the suspension seat on his has the dampening isolators similar to the upgrade kit for the ZT HD. Hopefully he will respond and give you some feedback, otherwise I would suggest you send him a private message directly in case he isn't getting emails on this thread any longer. From what JJ said about the Harbor Freight jack it would do fine for changing blades, etc. I have the MoJack(the small EZ Lift model) and it also does a fine job(I used it to r & r my blades when I installed my mulch kit. I got an amazing deal on my 2012 Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(in the Fall, just before the dealer got the 2013 models in) and it has the full suspension seat(it has a VERY smooth ride). With the price increases over the last two years industry-wide I probably couldn't afford mine if I looked at a new one today(they are close to $8K.....almost $2k more than I paid OTD). Personally I think for mowing 1.5 acres(would take you maybe 45 minutes on a 48") the regular suspension seat would suffice. I hope JJ gives you the skinny on that!!! You won't regret buying a Gravely!!!!!
#21
R
RustyBoy
Thanks for your input. Yes, the brochure states that the Pro-Turn has an 'integrated suspension seat'. And I now see you have the full suspension seat, something I didn't know was available. Not sure how the suspension kit for the ZTHD compares to the Pro-Turn or your seat. All three seats look completely different. The cost of the suspension kit is $260 - the photo on the Gravely site in their accessory download section shows the kit and shows a knob that appears to adjust the two horizontal springs that fit within its frame. What is now puzzling to me is that knob - I assume the knob is to adjust the tension of the springs. I notice that you also have a knob on your seat; does the knob adjust the spring tension? Lastly, how would I send jonesandjones a PM as I don't see that choice anywhere? Thanks,
R
RustyBoy
Rustyboy,
User jonesandjones has the regular Pro-Turn and I believe the suspension seat on his has the dampening isolators similar to the upgrade kit for the ZT HD. Hopefully he will respond and give you some feedback, otherwise I would suggest you send him a private message directly in case he isn't getting emails on this thread any longer. From what JJ said about the Harbor Freight jack it would do fine for changing blades, etc. I have the MoJack(the small EZ Lift model) and it also does a fine job(I used it to r & r my blades when I installed my mulch kit. I got an amazing deal on my 2012 Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(in the Fall, just before the dealer got the 2013 models in) and it has the full suspension seat(it has a VERY smooth ride). With the price increases over the last two years industry-wide I probably couldn't afford mine if I looked at a new one today(they are close to $8K.....almost $2k more than I paid OTD). Personally I think for mowing 1.5 acres(would take you maybe 45 minutes on a 48") the regular suspension seat would suffice. I hope JJ gives you the skinny on that!!! You won't regret buying a Gravely!!!!!
Thanks for your input. Yes, the brochure states that the Pro-Turn has an 'integrated suspension seat'. And I now see you have the full suspension seat, something I didn't know was available. Not sure how the suspension kit for the ZTHD compares to the Pro-Turn or your seat. All three seats look completely different. The cost of the suspension kit is $260 - the photo on the Gravely site in their accessory download section shows the kit and shows a knob that appears to adjust the two horizontal springs that fit within its frame. What is now puzzling to me is that knob - I assume the knob is to adjust the tension of the springs. I notice that you also have a knob on your seat; does the knob adjust the spring tension? Lastly, how would I send jonesandjones a PM as I don't see that choice anywhere? Thanks,
#22
Fish
Fish
Not to be mean, but if you have tried the Gravely already, and it was too rough, what is wrong with trying other brands? As far
as brand loyalty, that is OK, but the gravelys from 40 years ago were made by Gravely, now they are basically Ariens, which in itself a premium brand, but there are a lot of other great brands out there. Demo a Scag, for example, or a Hustler, until you find a ride you like. To save you some time, don't bother demo-ing a Dixie Chopper if ride smoothness is a concern.
as brand loyalty, that is OK, but the gravelys from 40 years ago were made by Gravely, now they are basically Ariens, which in itself a premium brand, but there are a lot of other great brands out there. Demo a Scag, for example, or a Hustler, until you find a ride you like. To save you some time, don't bother demo-ing a Dixie Chopper if ride smoothness is a concern.
#23
R
RustyBoy
I understand what you're saying and I somewhat agree. The dealers close to me are Toro, Kubota, Snapper, ExMark and Gravely - no Scag or Hustler in the area. From what I could determine, the Toro and ExMark had the least bang for the buck, albeit the ExMark is an excellent commercial brand. Not interested in Snapper so I had the Kubota and Gravely to choose from. The Gravely specs has it all over the Kubota for the same price, the main reason for Gravely. If I can't get a unit around $5K that rides somewhat comfortably, I just won't buy one. But thanks for your thoughts.
R
RustyBoy
Not to be mean, but if you have tried the Gravely already, and it was too rough, what is wrong with trying other brands? As far
as brand loyalty, that is OK, but the gravelys from 40 years ago were made by Gravely, now they are basically Ariens, which in itself a premium brand, but there are a lot of other great brands out there. Demo a Scag, for example, or a Hustler, until you find a ride you like. To save you some time, don't bother demo-ing a Dixie Chopper if ride smoothness is a concern.
I understand what you're saying and I somewhat agree. The dealers close to me are Toro, Kubota, Snapper, ExMark and Gravely - no Scag or Hustler in the area. From what I could determine, the Toro and ExMark had the least bang for the buck, albeit the ExMark is an excellent commercial brand. Not interested in Snapper so I had the Kubota and Gravely to choose from. The Gravely specs has it all over the Kubota for the same price, the main reason for Gravely. If I can't get a unit around $5K that rides somewhat comfortably, I just won't buy one. But thanks for your thoughts.
#24
Fish
Fish
Yeah, I encounter a lot of folks that only go with one brand because Grandad had one, but lawn mowers, like Beer brands, are
now owned by a handful of companies, so the models can all be the same, but with a different paint job, and price tag.
If your gravely dealer is also an Ariens dealer, the ztrs in that bracket are likely the same, but Ariens priced a tad lower, so
ask. They are now the same company.
now owned by a handful of companies, so the models can all be the same, but with a different paint job, and price tag.
If your gravely dealer is also an Ariens dealer, the ztrs in that bracket are likely the same, but Ariens priced a tad lower, so
ask. They are now the same company.
#25
R
RustyBoy
Djdicetn,
I went to the Gravely dealer and took the Pro-Turn for a short ride. Unfortunately, the area I used it on wasn't really a lawn but an empty lot with over-grown grass and weeds; just not typical of a lawn so the ride was a bit rough but better than the HD model. But I'm seriously thinking about getting that model because of the upgraded seat from the HD model. Question: This may seem picky, but when I looked at the Pro-Turn, the front area appears elongated, especially as compared to the HD. Could it appear that way because the seat is set further back towards the engine than other brands? Also, I could just about reach the angled foot rest with the seat adjusted to the furthest point forward, assuming that's what that angled piece of metal is for. In the sales brochure, it shows a picture of a guy resting his feet on the angled piece which makes sense. Yet when I see your picture, I noticed that your feet are placed flat on the floor pan, a place I would have to place mine to be comfortable. That being said, do you have an issue compressing the pedal for adjusting the deck since you have to stretch your leg to compress the pedal against the angled piece? What do you think?
R
RustyBoy
The knob on the front of the suspension seat adjusts to the weight of the rider to increase/decrease the ride tension and works well. Gravely has a cheaper "flap type' striper kit that attaches across the back edge of the deck, but it would be on "full time". I like the hex striper because you can engage/disengage it(I probably wouldn't want to stripe my back yard). I think you would be happy with the better quality cut the mulch kit provides....I am!! Yeah, the chute storage on the deck is kinda nice(especially since it isn't needed when a mulch kit is installed). Your more than welcome for any advise I've given that you have found to be useful!!
Djdicetn,
I went to the Gravely dealer and took the Pro-Turn for a short ride. Unfortunately, the area I used it on wasn't really a lawn but an empty lot with over-grown grass and weeds; just not typical of a lawn so the ride was a bit rough but better than the HD model. But I'm seriously thinking about getting that model because of the upgraded seat from the HD model. Question: This may seem picky, but when I looked at the Pro-Turn, the front area appears elongated, especially as compared to the HD. Could it appear that way because the seat is set further back towards the engine than other brands? Also, I could just about reach the angled foot rest with the seat adjusted to the furthest point forward, assuming that's what that angled piece of metal is for. In the sales brochure, it shows a picture of a guy resting his feet on the angled piece which makes sense. Yet when I see your picture, I noticed that your feet are placed flat on the floor pan, a place I would have to place mine to be comfortable. That being said, do you have an issue compressing the pedal for adjusting the deck since you have to stretch your leg to compress the pedal against the angled piece? What do you think?
#26
djdicetn
Sorry....been camping with the grandkids for the last week. For many the ride is very important especially if they have back problems, etc. and I can't blame you for putting emphasis on a feature that is important to you. user Fish is correct in that Ariens bought out Gravely a few years ago but they continue to build the Gravely to the same specs and market them more towards the commercial users and focus more on homeowners with their Ariens line. They have very similar models in the Ariens line up to a certain point(maybe a slightly less heavy build but same features), but when you get into the Gravely XDZ and Pro-Ride series there isn't any Ariens models that "Commercial". BTW, my next-door-neighbor has a 35-yr-old Ariens Zoom that still cuts better than any ZTR you buy at a big box like Lowes,etc. Ariens has always been a "premium" homeowner product and they are very good machines for the money. Yeah, for a 6 footer or better guy he can put his feet on the angled rest at the top but I don't find it the least bit uncomfortable to place my feet on the floor pan. When you mention the deck adjustment....I don't no whether you can tell in my pictures or noticed, but I had polio as a child and my right leg is 1" shorter than my left and the muscle system is much smaller. A huge selling [point for me on the Gravely was the deek lift design in that it doesn't take a significant amount of leg strength to adjust it. I looked at a 60" Bad Boy Outlaw that had a massive 5 gauge deck(yeah...a 1/4 inch thick deck shell) that was sooooooo heavy that no matter how hard I tried I could not lift the deck to adjust it. I had no problem when I sat on the Gravely and adjusted it's deck.Now THAT was a big deal for me like the ride comfort is for you. But this is my first ZTR and I'm not sure about others(or commercial mowers) but I don't do any deck height adjustment while mowing...I pretty well set it and forget it. I sent a message to user joneandjones a week or so ago to ask if he would give you some feedback, but I don't know if he is still active on the forums(I've been off them myself since about last October until just recently. Kinda like user Fish said...you just need to make the dealer aware of the importance of the ride and they should find some terrain similar to your yard to let you demo their ZTR if they want to sell you on. There are a couple of brands(Hustler and Ferris are two) that sell ZTRs with "shocks" on the front suspension but in my opinion these are gimmicks and don't really add any comfort the the rider. Suspension seats are your best option for that. I'll be honest with you though...finding a Commercial quality ZTR(the seats on them are designed for guys that ride them ALL DAY LONG) for $5K is gonna be tough. I paid $6,800 OTD for my 52" Gravely and that was between $1,000 and $1,300 off the MSRP plus tax for a 2012(buying in the Fall just before the 2013's were to be delivered helped me get a good deal......plus I used my retirement savings and paid cash for it). What did you think overall when you demoed the Pro-Turn??? I think it is bout as good as you will find for the money(it is after all considered by Gravely as their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR). To get into a Commercial-oriented ZTR you almost have to spend $6k-$8K. That's not saying that if look aty some others you may find one with a ride to your expectations for closer to $5K. You say there is a Toro dealer nearby... take a look at the Titan MX series(I think the 48" is Model#MX4880). They have a suspension seat described as having "3-D Isolation" and even though I didn't demo one I almost pulled the trigger on a Toro Z-Master Commercial 2000 Series which is another you may want to look at. They are up into the $6K range though. I hope I have helped some and I sure hope you find the ZTR that's just right for you!!!
djdicetn
Djdicetn,
I went to the Gravely dealer and took the Pro-Turn for a short ride. Unfortunately, the area I used it on wasn't really a lawn but an empty lot with over-grown grass and weeds; just not typical of a lawn so the ride was a bit rough but better than the HD model. But I'm seriously thinking about getting that model because of the upgraded seat from the HD model. Question: This may seem picky, but when I looked at the Pro-Turn, the front area appears elongated, especially as compared to the HD. Could it appear that way because the seat is set further back towards the engine than other brands? Also, I could just about reach the angled foot rest with the seat adjusted to the furthest point forward, assuming that's what that angled piece of metal is for. In the sales brochure, it shows a picture of a guy resting his feet on the angled piece which makes sense. Yet when I see your picture, I noticed that your feet are placed flat on the floor pan, a place I would have to place mine to be comfortable. That being said, do you have an issue compressing the pedal for adjusting the deck since you have to stretch your leg to compress the pedal against the angled piece? What do you think?
Sorry....been camping with the grandkids for the last week. For many the ride is very important especially if they have back problems, etc. and I can't blame you for putting emphasis on a feature that is important to you. user Fish is correct in that Ariens bought out Gravely a few years ago but they continue to build the Gravely to the same specs and market them more towards the commercial users and focus more on homeowners with their Ariens line. They have very similar models in the Ariens line up to a certain point(maybe a slightly less heavy build but same features), but when you get into the Gravely XDZ and Pro-Ride series there isn't any Ariens models that "Commercial". BTW, my next-door-neighbor has a 35-yr-old Ariens Zoom that still cuts better than any ZTR you buy at a big box like Lowes,etc. Ariens has always been a "premium" homeowner product and they are very good machines for the money. Yeah, for a 6 footer or better guy he can put his feet on the angled rest at the top but I don't find it the least bit uncomfortable to place my feet on the floor pan. When you mention the deck adjustment....I don't no whether you can tell in my pictures or noticed, but I had polio as a child and my right leg is 1" shorter than my left and the muscle system is much smaller. A huge selling [point for me on the Gravely was the deek lift design in that it doesn't take a significant amount of leg strength to adjust it. I looked at a 60" Bad Boy Outlaw that had a massive 5 gauge deck(yeah...a 1/4 inch thick deck shell) that was sooooooo heavy that no matter how hard I tried I could not lift the deck to adjust it. I had no problem when I sat on the Gravely and adjusted it's deck.Now THAT was a big deal for me like the ride comfort is for you. But this is my first ZTR and I'm not sure about others(or commercial mowers) but I don't do any deck height adjustment while mowing...I pretty well set it and forget it. I sent a message to user joneandjones a week or so ago to ask if he would give you some feedback, but I don't know if he is still active on the forums(I've been off them myself since about last October until just recently. Kinda like user Fish said...you just need to make the dealer aware of the importance of the ride and they should find some terrain similar to your yard to let you demo their ZTR if they want to sell you on. There are a couple of brands(Hustler and Ferris are two) that sell ZTRs with "shocks" on the front suspension but in my opinion these are gimmicks and don't really add any comfort the the rider. Suspension seats are your best option for that. I'll be honest with you though...finding a Commercial quality ZTR(the seats on them are designed for guys that ride them ALL DAY LONG) for $5K is gonna be tough. I paid $6,800 OTD for my 52" Gravely and that was between $1,000 and $1,300 off the MSRP plus tax for a 2012(buying in the Fall just before the 2013's were to be delivered helped me get a good deal......plus I used my retirement savings and paid cash for it). What did you think overall when you demoed the Pro-Turn??? I think it is bout as good as you will find for the money(it is after all considered by Gravely as their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR). To get into a Commercial-oriented ZTR you almost have to spend $6k-$8K. That's not saying that if look aty some others you may find one with a ride to your expectations for closer to $5K. You say there is a Toro dealer nearby... take a look at the Titan MX series(I think the 48" is Model#MX4880). They have a suspension seat described as having "3-D Isolation" and even though I didn't demo one I almost pulled the trigger on a Toro Z-Master Commercial 2000 Series which is another you may want to look at. They are up into the $6K range though. I hope I have helped some and I sure hope you find the ZTR that's just right for you!!!
#27
R
RustyBoy
Thanks for your reply. The latest is that I took a second look at the 48" entry level Pro-Turn which I liked a lot because it has an upgraded seat from the HD model. After looking at it again, I decided that there was too much clearance between the front caster wheels and the deck. This distance would prohibit me from reaching straight into bushes and near corners. The reason for what I consider the excessive clearance is due to the fact that Gravely uses the same frame on the 48" deck as on the 60" deck. I also found that for me, the seat was too far back and awkward. Other than what I mentioned, I loved that model and Gravely's specs are much better than its competitors. So my choices are the HD or Kubota Kommander, and I can purchase the Gravely for $450 less than the Kommander, and that would include the optional suspension seat kit on the HD. The kit will raise the seat almost 3". The Kommander has a suspension seat but the seat is not as elevated. So I'm still undecided. The HD has 20" drive wheels while the Kommander has 22", but the HD has 13 caster wheels and the Kommander 11". But what bugged me about most about the Gravely, albeit a minor quality control issue, is with the right control arm at the point it connects with the black bracket. Over 90% of the models that use the same bracket have friction of varying degrees. One was really difficult to move, but most rub enough to wear the paint and eventually rust will occur in that area. At the moment, I'm tending toward the Kommander 48" deck, and would also like to look at the new 2014 Toro Titan ZX4800 (74851) - that should be released any day. I'm getting overdosed on ZTMs. I did find one Pro-Turn where there was no friction, an exception to the rule. So that's about it, and thanks again for your feedback. BTW, my mother had polio as a child, and as a child, they fused one ankle thinking it would help but it didn't. She also had one leg shorter than the other and had deformed feet. She had to have custom made shoes in the then shoe capitol of the world, Brockton, Massachusetts. She had a shoe last made to her feet from plaster, then a plastic type material that was used to make her shoes. Thanks again for the info.
R
RustyBoy
Sorry....been camping with the grandkids for the last week. For many the ride is very important especially if they have back problems, etc. and I can't blame you for putting emphasis on a feature that is important to you. user Fish is correct in that Ariens bought out Gravely a few years ago but they continue to build the Gravely to the same specs and market them more towards the commercial users and focus more on homeowners with their Ariens line. They have very similar models in the Ariens line up to a certain point(maybe a slightly less heavy build but same features), but when you get into the Gravely XDZ and Pro-Ride series there isn't any Ariens models that "Commercial". BTW, my next-door-neighbor has a 35-yr-old Ariens Zoom that still cuts better than any ZTR you buy at a big box like Lowes,etc. Ariens has always been a "premium" homeowner product and they are very good machines for the money. Yeah, for a 6 footer or better guy he can put his feet on the angled rest at the top but I don't find it the least bit uncomfortable to place my feet on the floor pan. When you mention the deck adjustment....I don't no whether you can tell in my pictures or noticed, but I had polio as a child and my right leg is 1" shorter than my left and the muscle system is much smaller. A huge selling [point for me on the Gravely was the deek lift design in that it doesn't take a significant amount of leg strength to adjust it. I looked at a 60" Bad Boy Outlaw that had a massive 5 gauge deck(yeah...a 1/4 inch thick deck shell) that was sooooooo heavy that no matter how hard I tried I could not lift the deck to adjust it. I had no problem when I sat on the Gravely and adjusted it's deck.Now THAT was a big deal for me like the ride comfort is for you. But this is my first ZTR and I'm not sure about others(or commercial mowers) but I don't do any deck height adjustment while mowing...I pretty well set it and forget it. I sent a message to user joneandjones a week or so ago to ask if he would give you some feedback, but I don't know if he is still active on the forums(I've been off them myself since about last October until just recently. Kinda like user Fish said...you just need to make the dealer aware of the importance of the ride and they should find some terrain similar to your yard to let you demo their ZTR if they want to sell you on. There are a couple of brands(Hustler and Ferris are two) that sell ZTRs with "shocks" on the front suspension but in my opinion these are gimmicks and don't really add any comfort the the rider. Suspension seats are your best option for that. I'll be honest with you though...finding a Commercial quality ZTR(the seats on them are designed for guys that ride them ALL DAY LONG) for $5K is gonna be tough. I paid $6,800 OTD for my 52" Gravely and that was between $1,000 and $1,300 off the MSRP plus tax for a 2012(buying in the Fall just before the 2013's were to be delivered helped me get a good deal......plus I used my retirement savings and paid cash for it). What did you think overall when you demoed the Pro-Turn??? I think it is bout as good as you will find for the money(it is after all considered by Gravely as their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR). To get into a Commercial-oriented ZTR you almost have to spend $6k-$8K. That's not saying that if look aty some others you may find one with a ride to your expectations for closer to $5K. You say there is a Toro dealer nearby... take a look at the Titan MX series(I think the 48" is Model#MX4880). They have a suspension seat described as having "3-D Isolation" and even though I didn't demo one I almost pulled the trigger on a Toro Z-Master Commercial 2000 Series which is another you may want to look at. They are up into the $6K range though. I hope I have helped some and I sure hope you find the ZTR that's just right for you!!!
Thanks for your reply. The latest is that I took a second look at the 48" entry level Pro-Turn which I liked a lot because it has an upgraded seat from the HD model. After looking at it again, I decided that there was too much clearance between the front caster wheels and the deck. This distance would prohibit me from reaching straight into bushes and near corners. The reason for what I consider the excessive clearance is due to the fact that Gravely uses the same frame on the 48" deck as on the 60" deck. I also found that for me, the seat was too far back and awkward. Other than what I mentioned, I loved that model and Gravely's specs are much better than its competitors. So my choices are the HD or Kubota Kommander, and I can purchase the Gravely for $450 less than the Kommander, and that would include the optional suspension seat kit on the HD. The kit will raise the seat almost 3". The Kommander has a suspension seat but the seat is not as elevated. So I'm still undecided. The HD has 20" drive wheels while the Kommander has 22", but the HD has 13 caster wheels and the Kommander 11". But what bugged me about most about the Gravely, albeit a minor quality control issue, is with the right control arm at the point it connects with the black bracket. Over 90% of the models that use the same bracket have friction of varying degrees. One was really difficult to move, but most rub enough to wear the paint and eventually rust will occur in that area. At the moment, I'm tending toward the Kommander 48" deck, and would also like to look at the new 2014 Toro Titan ZX4800 (74851) - that should be released any day. I'm getting overdosed on ZTMs. I did find one Pro-Turn where there was no friction, an exception to the rule. So that's about it, and thanks again for your feedback. BTW, my mother had polio as a child, and as a child, they fused one ankle thinking it would help but it didn't. She also had one leg shorter than the other and had deformed feet. She had to have custom made shoes in the then shoe capitol of the world, Brockton, Massachusetts. She had a shoe last made to her feet from plaster, then a plastic type material that was used to make her shoes. Thanks again for the info.
#28
djdicetn
Are you trading up from a lawn tractor?? You mention mowing straight into bushes and corners. With the maneuverability of a ZTR, you will find that you will rarely if ever do that.. Instead, you will just swing sideways cutting up to the obstacle with the left side of the deck and cut around the bush or corner. These things will cut fairly close using that method with the left side of the deck. On the control arms....the arms on my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ are VERY adjustable. If any part of the lap bar is even close to rubbing on the bracket the dealer should be able to adjust that where it won't rub. The Toro Titan series is a very good Consumer ZTR and I was impressed with the near-commercial quality of the MX(the ZX looked a lot like the Timecutter big box models). Toros are also very good quality products and I encourage you to compare them before buying. I hear ya...I looked at Bad Boys, Toros, Husqvarnas, Dixons(now made by Husqvarna), John Deeres and Cub Cadets before I looked at(and fell in love with) my Gravely. All the specs and features will have your head spinning and you've gotta just go with your gut feeling on the one that best matches what you are wanting. For me, I wanted a full Commercial ZTR with a 50"-60" deck for less than $7K out-the-door and the Gravely won hands down. I too started out thinking I could get into a Commercial for $5k but soon learned that $6k was cutting it close and most that met my criteria were $7k-$8k. If your budget will allow, I think if you try to find something around $6k you will find something that will meet your expectations. Also, most on these forums will advise you to try getting a Kawasaki engine as they are the most reliable on the market. Mine has a Commercial FX691V with the dual stage canister-type air filter(very efficient and low-maintenance). You also should look for serviceable hydro trannies(on the Hydro Gear that is the ZT-3100 or higher) and at minimum a 9 gauge or 10 gauge deck shell(mine has a 7 gauge with lifetime warranty). Commercial quality spindles usually have cast iron housings(or at least heavy-duty aluminum) with 1" shafts. It took several dealers(and the Gravely mechanic) to convince me that the sealed spindle bearings were equivalent quality to ones with grease zerks but I finally got enough info to convince me. There is a LOT of stuff to consider on these machines!!!! Good luck!!
djdicetn
Thanks for your reply. The latest is that I took a second look at the 48" entry level Pro-Turn which I liked a lot because it has an upgraded seat from the HD model. After looking at it again, I decided that there was too much clearance between the front caster wheels and the deck. This distance would prohibit me from reaching straight into bushes and near corners. The reason for what I consider the excessive clearance is due to the fact that Gravely uses the same frame on the 48" deck as on the 60" deck. I also found that for me, the seat was too far back and awkward. Other than what I mentioned, I loved that model and Gravely's specs are much better than its competitors. So my choices are the HD or Kubota Kommander, and I can purchase the Gravely for $450 less than the Kommander, and that would include the optional suspension seat kit on the HD. The kit will raise the seat almost 3". The Kommander has a suspension seat but the seat is not as elevated. So I'm still undecided. The HD has 20" drive wheels while the Kommander has 22", but the HD has 13 caster wheels and the Kommander 11". But what bugged me about most about the Gravely, albeit a minor quality control issue, is with the right control arm at the point it connects with the black bracket. Over 90% of the models that use the same bracket have friction of varying degrees. One was really difficult to move, but most rub enough to wear the paint and eventually rust will occur in that area. At the moment, I'm tending toward the Kommander 48" deck, and would also like to look at the new 2014 Toro Titan ZX4800 (74851) - that should be released any day. I'm getting overdosed on ZTMs. I did find one Pro-Turn where there was no friction, an exception to the rule. So that's about it, and thanks again for your feedback. BTW, my mother had polio as a child, and as a child, they fused one ankle thinking it would help but it didn't. She also had one leg shorter than the other and had deformed feet. She had to have custom made shoes in the then shoe capitol of the world, Brockton, Massachusetts. She had a shoe last made to her feet from plaster, then a plastic type material that was used to make her shoes. Thanks again for the info.
Are you trading up from a lawn tractor?? You mention mowing straight into bushes and corners. With the maneuverability of a ZTR, you will find that you will rarely if ever do that.. Instead, you will just swing sideways cutting up to the obstacle with the left side of the deck and cut around the bush or corner. These things will cut fairly close using that method with the left side of the deck. On the control arms....the arms on my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ are VERY adjustable. If any part of the lap bar is even close to rubbing on the bracket the dealer should be able to adjust that where it won't rub. The Toro Titan series is a very good Consumer ZTR and I was impressed with the near-commercial quality of the MX(the ZX looked a lot like the Timecutter big box models). Toros are also very good quality products and I encourage you to compare them before buying. I hear ya...I looked at Bad Boys, Toros, Husqvarnas, Dixons(now made by Husqvarna), John Deeres and Cub Cadets before I looked at(and fell in love with) my Gravely. All the specs and features will have your head spinning and you've gotta just go with your gut feeling on the one that best matches what you are wanting. For me, I wanted a full Commercial ZTR with a 50"-60" deck for less than $7K out-the-door and the Gravely won hands down. I too started out thinking I could get into a Commercial for $5k but soon learned that $6k was cutting it close and most that met my criteria were $7k-$8k. If your budget will allow, I think if you try to find something around $6k you will find something that will meet your expectations. Also, most on these forums will advise you to try getting a Kawasaki engine as they are the most reliable on the market. Mine has a Commercial FX691V with the dual stage canister-type air filter(very efficient and low-maintenance). You also should look for serviceable hydro trannies(on the Hydro Gear that is the ZT-3100 or higher) and at minimum a 9 gauge or 10 gauge deck shell(mine has a 7 gauge with lifetime warranty). Commercial quality spindles usually have cast iron housings(or at least heavy-duty aluminum) with 1" shafts. It took several dealers(and the Gravely mechanic) to convince me that the sealed spindle bearings were equivalent quality to ones with grease zerks but I finally got enough info to convince me. There is a LOT of stuff to consider on these machines!!!! Good luck!!
#29
R
RustyBoy
No, I'm not trading up at all. Actually, this will be my first rider, probably the reason for spending an inordinate amount of time looking at so much detail. If I got the HD, I would be buying the $260 suspension seat which means that the Pro-Turn will only cost me $360 more with Gravely's upcoming April promotion. I feel the $360 is well worth it since I would be upgrading the transmission to the 3200, drive tires from 20" to 22" and better seat. Plus I would think that the longer mower would provide a better ride than the HD. So you don't think that the increased spacing (deck to front wheels) on the 48" Pro-Turn would be an issue into corners and around bushes? If you don't mind, what is the distance from the back of your caster wheels to your deck? I think I measured about 7 1/2" on the Pro-Turn's 48" deck, and about 3 1/2" for the 48" HD model.
R
RustyBoy
Are you trading up from a lawn tractor?? You mention mowing straight into bushes and corners. With the maneuverability of a ZTR, you will find that you will rarely if ever do that.. Instead, you will just swing sideways cutting up to the obstacle with the left side of the deck and cut around the bush or corner. These things will cut fairly close using that method with the left side of the deck. On the control arms....the arms on my Pro-Turn 100 XDZ are VERY adjustable. If any part of the lap bar is even close to rubbing on the bracket the dealer should be able to adjust that where it won't rub. The Toro Titan series is a very good Consumer ZTR and I was impressed with the near-commercial quality of the MX(the ZX looked a lot like the Timecutter big box models). Toros are also very good quality products and I encourage you to compare them before buying. I hear ya...I looked at Bad Boys, Toros, Husqvarnas, Dixons(now made by Husqvarna), John Deeres and Cub Cadets before I looked at(and fell in love with) my Gravely. All the specs and features will have your head spinning and you've gotta just go with your gut feeling on the one that best matches what you are wanting. For me, I wanted a full Commercial ZTR with a 50"-60" deck for less than $7K out-the-door and the Gravely won hands down. I too started out thinking I could get into a Commercial for $5k but soon learned that $6k was cutting it close and most that met my criteria were $7k-$8k. If your budget will allow, I think if you try to find something around $6k you will find something that will meet your expectations. Also, most on these forums will advise you to try getting a Kawasaki engine as they are the most reliable on the market. Mine has a Commercial FX691V with the dual stage canister-type air filter(very efficient and low-maintenance). You also should look for serviceable hydro trannies(on the Hydro Gear that is the ZT-3100 or higher) and at minimum a 9 gauge or 10 gauge deck shell(mine has a 7 gauge with lifetime warranty). Commercial quality spindles usually have cast iron housings(or at least heavy-duty aluminum) with 1" shafts. It took several dealers(and the Gravely mechanic) to convince me that the sealed spindle bearings were equivalent quality to ones with grease zerks but I finally got enough info to convince me. There is a LOT of stuff to consider on these machines!!!! Good luck!!
No, I'm not trading up at all. Actually, this will be my first rider, probably the reason for spending an inordinate amount of time looking at so much detail. If I got the HD, I would be buying the $260 suspension seat which means that the Pro-Turn will only cost me $360 more with Gravely's upcoming April promotion. I feel the $360 is well worth it since I would be upgrading the transmission to the 3200, drive tires from 20" to 22" and better seat. Plus I would think that the longer mower would provide a better ride than the HD. So you don't think that the increased spacing (deck to front wheels) on the 48" Pro-Turn would be an issue into corners and around bushes? If you don't mind, what is the distance from the back of your caster wheels to your deck? I think I measured about 7 1/2" on the Pro-Turn's 48" deck, and about 3 1/2" for the 48" HD model.
#30
djdicetn
I don't have any problems maneuvering and cutting around my deck, garage, landscaping or shrubs using the left side of the deck. For a $360 difference that would be money well spent upgrading to the Pro-Turn. Now remember...my Gravely is NOT the base Pro-Turn. It is a step up into the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(stands for Xtra-Durability ZTR) Commercial lineup. When I bought my 2012 mine was their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR. They came out with the regular Pro-Turn in 2013 as their "entry-level" Commercial series and is very similar, but has the 10 gauge deck(mine is 7 gauge), the FS series Kawa engine(mine has the FX....BTW, on Kawa engines FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty and FX=Commercial) the ZT-3200 trannies(mine has the ZT-3400). I believe they use the same frame because both state 78.6" length and 50" width(without chute). And the Pro-Turn has 13" front tires and 22" rear where mine has 23" rear. Mine has 9.5 gal. capacity gas tanks and the Pro-Turn has 6.0 gal. I can't tell you all the differences, but on the 48" the 100 XDZ is about 100 lbs heavier than the base Pro-Turn so there are several features that are a bit heavier-duty on the 100 XDZ to add that much weight. I measured my front tires and they are 5" from my 52" deck and the front of the tires 17" from the deck. I'm not certain I understand where you are going with that but the front fork design must be correct for each machine to ensure stability. Most likely the 7 12/2" vs 3 1/2" you noted between the Pro-Turn and HD is due to the Pro-Turn having much larger/heavier constructed fork shafts and this can add durability and maneuverability versus the HD model. As with anything...the more you pay for a model when you go up a series the better quality you get.
djdicetn
No, I'm not trading up at all. Actually, this will be my first rider, probably the reason for spending an inordinate amount of time looking at so much detail. If I got the HD, I would be buying the $260 suspension seat which means that the Pro-Turn will only cost me $360 more with Gravely's upcoming April promotion. I feel the $360 is well worth it since I would be upgrading the transmission to the 3200, drive tires from 20" to 22" and better seat. Plus I would think that the longer mower would provide a better ride than the HD. So you don't think that the increased spacing (deck to front wheels) on the 48" Pro-Turn would be an issue into corners and around bushes? If you don't mind, what is the distance from the back of your caster wheels to your deck? I think I measured about 7 1/2" on the Pro-Turn's 48" deck, and about 3 1/2" for the 48" HD model.
I don't have any problems maneuvering and cutting around my deck, garage, landscaping or shrubs using the left side of the deck. For a $360 difference that would be money well spent upgrading to the Pro-Turn. Now remember...my Gravely is NOT the base Pro-Turn. It is a step up into the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(stands for Xtra-Durability ZTR) Commercial lineup. When I bought my 2012 mine was their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR. They came out with the regular Pro-Turn in 2013 as their "entry-level" Commercial series and is very similar, but has the 10 gauge deck(mine is 7 gauge), the FS series Kawa engine(mine has the FX....BTW, on Kawa engines FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty and FX=Commercial) the ZT-3200 trannies(mine has the ZT-3400). I believe they use the same frame because both state 78.6" length and 50" width(without chute). And the Pro-Turn has 13" front tires and 22" rear where mine has 23" rear. Mine has 9.5 gal. capacity gas tanks and the Pro-Turn has 6.0 gal. I can't tell you all the differences, but on the 48" the 100 XDZ is about 100 lbs heavier than the base Pro-Turn so there are several features that are a bit heavier-duty on the 100 XDZ to add that much weight. I measured my front tires and they are 5" from my 52" deck and the front of the tires 17" from the deck. I'm not certain I understand where you are going with that but the front fork design must be correct for each machine to ensure stability. Most likely the 7 12/2" vs 3 1/2" you noted between the Pro-Turn and HD is due to the Pro-Turn having much larger/heavier constructed fork shafts and this can add durability and maneuverability versus the HD model. As with anything...the more you pay for a model when you go up a series the better quality you get.
#31
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
I don't have any problems maneuvering and cutting around my deck, garage, landscaping or shrubs using the left side of the deck. For a $360 difference that would be money well spent upgrading to the Pro-Turn. Now remember...my Gravely is NOT the base Pro-Turn. It is a step up into the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(stands for Xtra-Durability ZTR) Commercial lineup. When I bought my 2012 mine was their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR. They came out with the regular Pro-Turn in 2013 as their "entry-level" Commercial series and is very similar, but has the 10 gauge deck(mine is 7 gauge), the FS series Kawa engine(mine has the FX....BTW, on Kawa engines FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty and FX=Commercial) the ZT-3200 trannies(mine has the ZT-3400). I believe they use the same frame because both state 78.6" length and 50" width(without chute). And the Pro-Turn has 13" front tires and 22" rear where mine has 23" rear. Mine has 9.5 gal. capacity gas tanks and the Pro-Turn has 6.0 gal. I can't tell you all the differences, but on the 48" the 100 XDZ is about 100 lbs heavier than the base Pro-Turn so there are several features that are a bit heavier-duty on the 100 XDZ to add that much weight. I measured my front tires and they are 5" from my 52" deck and the front of the tires 17" from the deck. I'm not certain I understand where you are going with that but the front fork design must be correct for each machine to ensure stability. Most likely the 7 12/2" vs 3 1/2" you noted between the Pro-Turn and HD is due to the Pro-Turn having much larger/heavier constructed fork shafts and this can add durability and maneuverability versus the HD model. As with anything...the more you pay for a model when you go up a series the better quality you get.[/QUOTE
Thank you for the feedback as it was most helpful. Where am I going with this? Hell if I know, but the front forks on the Pro-Turn look so much different than the HD, almost awkward to me because of the 7 1/2" gap between the casters and deck. The fact that you don't have problems with maneuvering around anything helps a lot in my decision, even though the gap between the casters and deck on the 48" is 2 1/2" more, so that can't make much of a difference. I'm going to the dealer Monday morning for the last time and hopefully make a decision. I'll also see how much more YOUR seat would cost, if possible, to replace the entry level Pro-Turn's seat. Either way, I'm thinking of the Pro-Turn more now than before, thanks to you and jonesandjones's comments. BTW, Gravely is modifying their decks by removing the chains and going to a dogbone style drag link starting with the Pro-Turn series for 2014. I was told that the dogbone style eliminates a wear point, unlike the chain, however, I tend to think the chain is proven and of a simpler design and easy to repair the worn part. Thanks again and I'll let you know what I decide.
#32
djdicetn
djdicetn
I don't have any problems maneuvering and cutting around my deck, garage, landscaping or shrubs using the left side of the deck. For a $360 difference that would be money well spent upgrading to the Pro-Turn. Now remember...my Gravely is NOT the base Pro-Turn. It is a step up into the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ(stands for Xtra-Durability ZTR) Commercial lineup. When I bought my 2012 mine was their "entry-level" Commercial ZTR. They came out with the regular Pro-Turn in 2013 as their "entry-level" Commercial series and is very similar, but has the 10 gauge deck(mine is 7 gauge), the FS series Kawa engine(mine has the FX....BTW, on Kawa engines FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty and FX=Commercial) the ZT-3200 trannies(mine has the ZT-3400). I believe they use the same frame because both state 78.6" length and 50" width(without chute). And the Pro-Turn has 13" front tires and 22" rear where mine has 23" rear. Mine has 9.5 gal. capacity gas tanks and the Pro-Turn has 6.0 gal. I can't tell you all the differences, but on the 48" the 100 XDZ is about 100 lbs heavier than the base Pro-Turn so there are several features that are a bit heavier-duty on the 100 XDZ to add that much weight. I measured my front tires and they are 5" from my 52" deck and the front of the tires 17" from the deck. I'm not certain I understand where you are going with that but the front fork design must be correct for each machine to ensure stability. Most likely the 7 12/2" vs 3 1/2" you noted between the Pro-Turn and HD is due to the Pro-Turn having much larger/heavier constructed fork shafts and this can add durability and maneuverability versus the HD model. As with anything...the more you pay for a model when you go up a series the better quality you get.[/QUOTE
Thank you for the feedback as it was most helpful. Where am I going with this? Hell if I know, but the front forks on the Pro-Turn look so much different than the HD, almost awkward to me because of the 7 1/2" gap between the casters and deck. The fact that you don't have problems with maneuvering around anything helps a lot in my decision, even though the gap between the casters and deck on the 48" is 2 1/2" more, so that can't make much of a difference. I'm going to the dealer Monday morning for the last time and hopefully make a decision. I'll also see how much more YOUR seat would cost, if possible, to replace the entry level Pro-Turn's seat. Either way, I'm thinking of the Pro-Turn more now than before, thanks to you and jonesandjones's comments. BTW, Gravely is modifying their decks by removing the chains and going to a dogbone style drag link starting with the Pro-Turn series for 2014. I was told that the dogbone style eliminates a wear point, unlike the chain, however, I tend to think the chain is proven and of a simpler design and easy to repair the worn part. Thanks again and I'll let you know what I decide.
Glad to help....hope the dealer will work with you. Not sure how I feel about Gravely's design decision on the deck hanging system The chains are VERY HEAVY duty and will last for decades. Chain-hung deck suspensions are well proven in the commercial lawncare industry and have been a standard others have abandoned only to find it harder to adjust, stay adjusted and to prevent scalping. Leveling my deck is a cinch as well as setting the front lower than the back(some Pros set the rear of the deck lower...called "heeling the deck" which is supposed to give a cleaner more professional cut but requires more engine power). IMHO, if it ain't broke don't fix it:0)
#33
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Glad to help....hope the dealer will work with you. Not sure how I feel about Gravely's design decision on the deck hanging system The chains are VERY HEAVY duty and will last for decades. Chain-hung deck suspensions are well proven in the commercial lawncare industry and have been a standard others have abandoned only to find it harder to adjust, stay adjusted and to prevent scalping. Leveling my deck is a cinch as well as setting the front lower than the back(some Pros set the rear of the deck lower...called "heeling the deck" which is supposed to give a cleaner more professional cut but requires more engine power). IMHO, if it ain't broke don't fix it:0)
Ok, I pulled the plug on the entry level 48" Pro-Turn and added the floor pan mat and discharge chute cover. The suspension seat like what you have would have cost nearly $450 more, so I decided to take jonesandjones recommendation as with his bad back and the type grass we have, shouldn't have any problems. Thanks to you and everyone else for your constructive comments.
#34
J
Justwookin
J
Justwookin
Ok, I pulled the plug on the entry level 48" Pro-Turn and added the floor pan mat and discharge chute cover. The suspension seat like what you have would have cost nearly $450 more, so I decided to take jonesandjones recommendation as with his bad back and the type grass we have, shouldn't have any problems. Thanks to you and everyone else for your constructive comments.
Please let me know how you like it. I am in the exact same boat. I have been contemplating between the Gravely ZT HD 48 and the Kubota Kommander 48S. I liked all of the specs on the Gravely better than the Kubota, the only thing I like about the Kubota is the roll bar, since my yard has some hills. (However, I don't like the non-hinged roll bar that the kubota has). So then I started looking at the Gravely Pro-turn 48. The only thing I don't like about the pro-turn (besides the price) is the longer length, since I have a tight area to fit it in my garage.
Decision, decisions. My head is spinning. Btw, can I ask what price you paid for the Pro-turn 48 and were quoted on the ZT HD 48?
#35
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Please let me know how you like it. I am in the exact same boat. I have been contemplating between the Gravely ZT HD 48 and the Kubota Kommander 48S. I liked all of the specs on the Gravely better than the Kubota, the only thing I like about the Kubota is the roll bar, since my yard has some hills. (However, I don't like the non-hinged roll bar that the kubota has). So then I started looking at the Gravely Pro-turn 48. The only thing I don't like about the pro-turn (besides the price) is the longer length, since I have a tight area to fit it in my garage.
Decision, decisions. My head is spinning. Btw, can I ask what price you paid for the Pro-turn 48 and were quoted on the ZT HD 48?
I agree with you regarding the better specs of the HD versus the Kommander. The Kommander does look neat but that's not the reason I'm buying the mower. I know what you mean about the length, but when comparing the mowers to the Kubota, there is only a 2.1" difference as the Kubota is 76.4" and Pro-Turn at 78.5". Of course, the HD is shorter than both. My final decision with going with the Pro-Turn versus the HD is because I originally was thinking about buying the HD's optional suspension seat that costs $260. The Kubota model S has the suspension seat, so if you want to do a fair comparison, you need to add the Gravely suspension seat to the equation. I received quotes from two dealers and both were the same price. During a certain day in April, I was told that Gravely is allowing dealers to sell one mower at dealer cost per person/company - Gravely then rebates the dealer. The HD cash price w/o tax was $4439 plus $260 for the seat. So I would have paid $4700 for the HD. The Pro-Turn is $5210 for the promotion and has a much better seat than the HD (without suspension seat). But I believed it worth paying $510 more for the Pro-Turn not only because of the seat, but it has a better engine, better transmission, stronger forks and commercial deck suspension. Resale is also another factor when and if I have to sell. But getting the promotional price reduces your warranty from consumer to commercial. Otherwise, others have said a good price in south Florida is around $5350 to $5500 that I would assume would be cash and not credit card or financing. So without the promotion and using a credit care, I think $5500 is about right, albeit most dealers are asking around $5900, and suggested retail is $6600. From my experience, Kubota will not budge. Lastly, Kubota has no customer service phone number or online support to speak of while Gravely has all sorts of online tech support articles and accessories as well as tech people you can speak to. I tried calling Kubota about a technical question and was told to contact the dealer. Also, I was told by a couple of people that Kubota parts are more expensive.
#36
djdicetn
djdicetn
I agree with you regarding the better specs of the HD versus the Kommander. The Kommander does look neat but that's not the reason I'm buying the mower. I know what you mean about the length, but when comparing the mowers to the Kubota, there is only a 2.1" difference as the Kubota is 76.4" and Pro-Turn at 78.5". Of course, the HD is shorter than both. My final decision with going with the Pro-Turn versus the HD is because I originally was thinking about buying the HD's optional suspension seat that costs $260. The Kubota model S has the suspension seat, so if you want to do a fair comparison, you need to add the Gravely suspension seat to the equation. I received quotes from two dealers and both were the same price. During a certain day in April, I was told that Gravely is allowing dealers to sell one mower at dealer cost per person/company - Gravely then rebates the dealer. The HD cash price w/o tax was $4439 plus $260 for the seat. So I would have paid $4700 for the HD. The Pro-Turn is $5210 for the promotion and has a much better seat than the HD (without suspension seat). But I believed it worth paying $510 more for the Pro-Turn not only because of the seat, but it has a better engine, better transmission, stronger forks and commercial deck suspension. Resale is also another factor when and if I have to sell. But getting the promotional price reduces your warranty from consumer to commercial. Otherwise, others have said a good price in south Florida is around $5350 to $5500 that I would assume would be cash and not credit card or financing. So without the promotion and using a credit care, I think $5500 is about right, albeit most dealers are asking around $5900, and suggested retail is $6600. From my experience, Kubota will not budge. Lastly, Kubota has no customer service phone number or online support to speak of while Gravely has all sorts of online tech support articles and accessories as well as tech people you can speak to. I tried calling Kubota about a technical question and was told to contact the dealer. Also, I was told by a couple of people that Kubota parts are more expensive.
I think you are gonna be very pleased with your Pro-Turn....and welcome to the growing Gravely clan on the forum!!! I think your dealer gave you a fair price on it and I think what you are talking about is the 1 Day Fleet Sale that is on April 4th. I got a card from my dealer, but is specifically states "Commercial Cutters Only" so I don't think we homeowners would be eligible for the 20% off on any Commercial Gravely. My dealer's regular price for the 48" ZT HD is $4,999 and for the 48" Pro-Turn is $6,099(plus tax). And you are spot on about the support for Gravely's. When I bought a trailer for mine I asked my dealer about the recommended tie-down points on the Pro-Turn 100XDZ. The marketing material specifically stated that there were "designated/reinforced" tie-down points but none of the literature(even my Owners Manual) showed them. My dealer wasn't sure either so I called technical support. The rep put me on hold, talked to one of the staff engineers and then explained to me exactly where the designated tie-down points were. I have purchased a bimini sunshade, a mulch kit and the hex striper kit from my dealer and he sold me all of them at the same price he sells them to his commercial customers for. He's saved me pretty close to $100 on those three items. I think you will find your dealer to be the same...they really do deliver service after the sale and take care of their customers!!! When you get a chance post some pictures of your new Gravely......we wanna see it!!!
#37
J
Justwookin
J
Justwookin
I agree with you regarding the better specs of the HD versus the Kommander. The Kommander does look neat but that's not the reason I'm buying the mower. I know what you mean about the length, but when comparing the mowers to the Kubota, there is only a 2.1" difference as the Kubota is 76.4" and Pro-Turn at 78.5". Of course, the HD is shorter than both. My final decision with going with the Pro-Turn versus the HD is because I originally was thinking about buying the HD's optional suspension seat that costs $260. The Kubota model S has the suspension seat, so if you want to do a fair comparison, you need to add the Gravely suspension seat to the equation. I received quotes from two dealers and both were the same price. During a certain day in April, I was told that Gravely is allowing dealers to sell one mower at dealer cost per person/company - Gravely then rebates the dealer. The HD cash price w/o tax was $4439 plus $260 for the seat. So I would have paid $4700 for the HD. The Pro-Turn is $5210 for the promotion and has a much better seat than the HD (without suspension seat). But I believed it worth paying $510 more for the Pro-Turn not only because of the seat, but it has a better engine, better transmission, stronger forks and commercial deck suspension. Resale is also another factor when and if I have to sell. But getting the promotional price reduces your warranty from consumer to commercial. Otherwise, others have said a good price in south Florida is around $5350 to $5500 that I would assume would be cash and not credit card or financing. So without the promotion and using a credit care, I think $5500 is about right, albeit most dealers are asking around $5900, and suggested retail is $6600. From my experience, Kubota will not budge. Lastly, Kubota has no customer service phone number or online support to speak of while Gravely has all sorts of online tech support articles and accessories as well as tech people you can speak to. I tried calling Kubota about a technical question and was told to contact the dealer. Also, I was told by a couple of people that Kubota parts are more expensive.
Thanks. That is a great deal that you got. Unfortunately, my dealer is not running any such promo (that they have told me at least). I am going to look at it one more time, but I am 90% sure that I am going to go with the Gravely Pro-Turn 52". It is way more mower than what I currently need, but we would like to potentially move in the future, so why not get a mower that could easily handle a bigger yard. The Gravely definitely beats other mowers when you compare it spec vs spec for the money.
#38
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Thanks. That is a great deal that you got. Unfortunately, my dealer is not running any such promo (that they have told me at least). I am going to look at it one more time, but I am 90% sure that I am going to go with the Gravely Pro-Turn 52". It is way more mower than what I currently need, but we would like to potentially move in the future, so why not get a mower that could easily handle a bigger yard. The Gravely definitely beats other mowers when you compare it spec vs spec for the money.
Maybe you could call another dealer and ask if they are having their Gravely Partner Promotion this month. If so, ask for their promo price on the mower. I have just over 1 acre to mow and the guy that's been doing our lawn has an ExMark 50". He said that if you go too large, you start having scalping issues, but at 52" and the lawn condition, you may not. Lastly, I also forgot to mention that one of the reasons I went with the Pro-Turn was that the drive tires increased to 22" from the HD's 20" tires. But caster wheels are both those units are larger than the Kubota, and from what I've been told, the larger wheels helps eliminate the tires from digging into the lawn. Best of luck in your decision.
#39
J
Justwookin
J
Justwookin
Maybe you could call another dealer and ask if they are having their Gravely Partner Promotion this month. If so, ask for their promo price on the mower. I have just over 1 acre to mow and the guy that's been doing our lawn has an ExMark 50". He said that if you go too large, you start having scalping issues, but at 52" and the lawn condition, you may not. Lastly, I also forgot to mention that one of the reasons I went with the Pro-Turn was that the drive tires increased to 22" from the HD's 20" tires. But caster wheels are both those units are larger than the Kubota, and from what I've been told, the larger wheels helps eliminate the tires from digging into the lawn. Best of luck in your decision.
Well, I made the splurge and got the Gravely Pro-Turn 52. This all started last year when I was trying to decide between the Exmark Quest and Gravely XL 48. Somehow, I ended up making several upgrades to the Pro-Turn. Funny how that works. Mine will be delivered next Friday. Just in time for mowing season to actually start here.
#40
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Well, I made the splurge and got the Gravely Pro-Turn 52. This all started last year when I was trying to decide between the Exmark Quest and Gravely XL 48. Somehow, I ended up making several upgrades to the Pro-Turn. Funny how that works. Mine will be delivered next Friday. Just in time for mowing season to actually start here.
Lucky you! Mine was ordered yesterday and I believe I'll get it within 10 days to 2 weeks; just can't wait as this will be my first rider.
#41
djdicetn
djdicetn
Well, I made the splurge and got the Gravely Pro-Turn 52. This all started last year when I was trying to decide between the Exmark Quest and Gravely XL 48. Somehow, I ended up making several upgrades to the Pro-Turn. Funny how that works. Mine will be delivered next Friday. Just in time for mowing season to actually start here.
Wow.......I just noticed in my last reply that I "thought" that I was congratulating user Rustyboy on pulling the trigger on his 48" Pro-Turn, but I was actually replying to your last post:0)
From time to time I get a little heat from other forum users for having "tunnel vision" recommendations for Gravely's but both of you guys are fixing to find out why!!! I have a clear conscience recommending the Gravely and don't really consider myself biased just because I own one(I also recommend Cub Cadet Z-Force, Toro Titans & Z-Masters, Husqvarnas, Dixons and Dixie Choppers which I consider all very good machines). Gravely, and their parent company Ariens have both had impeccable reputations for quality equipment and I think you both are going to find that your Pro-Turns exceed your expectations. Enjoy your new yard toys, take good care of them and expect many years of reliable service.
Welcome to the growing Gravely family on this forum and please post some pictures when you get them home!!!! I hope that the information I provided helped you in making a very difficult high dollar investment decision(there are a LOT of good ZTR's on the market), because I like the feeling I get when I know another person is going to be as pleased with their ZTR purchase as I am!!!!
#42
djdicetn
djdicetn
P.S.
The more I look at my replies....the more confused I get:0(
When I look at the reply above this one it looks to me like user Rustyboy bought the Pro=Turn 52!!!!
It appears that they made some changes to the forum software since last Fall when I was last active on the forum that makes it difficult to see exactly whose quote you responded to. I know for a fact I responded to user Justwookin's post where he announced his purchase of the Pro-Turn 52, but when you look at my reply....user Rustyboy is in the "quote's blue area" making it appear as though I responded to him.
Or is it just me???????? What do others think about how the "Reply To Quote" looks in my last posts???? If I get an amen that it is confusing, I will contact one of the forum administrators like users Ric or Lawn Mower Fanatic and ask them to look into it!!! Thanks!!
The more I look at my replies....the more confused I get:0(
When I look at the reply above this one it looks to me like user Rustyboy bought the Pro=Turn 52!!!!
It appears that they made some changes to the forum software since last Fall when I was last active on the forum that makes it difficult to see exactly whose quote you responded to. I know for a fact I responded to user Justwookin's post where he announced his purchase of the Pro-Turn 52, but when you look at my reply....user Rustyboy is in the "quote's blue area" making it appear as though I responded to him.
Or is it just me???????? What do others think about how the "Reply To Quote" looks in my last posts???? If I get an amen that it is confusing, I will contact one of the forum administrators like users Ric or Lawn Mower Fanatic and ask them to look into it!!! Thanks!!
#43
lawn mower fanatic
I agree, it does look confusing. But that's because back in post #31 the user forgot to put in a bracket to end the quote, so after that things got a little messed up. But it's no big deal. The forum software didn't change. :smile:
lawn mower fanatic
P.S.
The more I look at my replies....the more confused I get:0(
When I look at the reply above this one it looks to me like user Rustyboy bought the Pro=Turn 52!!!!
It appears that they made some changes to the forum software since last Fall when I was last active on the forum that makes it difficult to see exactly whose quote you responded to. I know for a fact I responded to user Justwookin's post where he announced his purchase of the Pro-Turn 52, but when you look at my reply....user Rustyboy is in the "quote's blue area" making it appear as though I responded to him.
Or is it just me???????? What do others think about how the "Reply To Quote" looks in my last posts???? If I get an amen that it is confusing, I will contact one of the forum administrators like users Ric or Lawn Mower Fanatic and ask them to look into it!!! Thanks!!
I agree, it does look confusing. But that's because back in post #31 the user forgot to put in a bracket to end the quote, so after that things got a little messed up. But it's no big deal. The forum software didn't change. :smile:
#44
djdicetn
Hey lmf, good to hear from ya!!! I see you've still got your hand on the pulse of the forum:0)
Thanks....I kinda figured it was "thread-specific", cause I've replied to some other threads and it didn't do what it was doing on this one. I haven't had much time since last Fall to be on the forum. With retiring in October and then my wife retiring end of January it's been kinda hectic getting all the retirement financial planning ducks in a row. Hope all is well with you. Things are great here in middle TN. Aside from a lot of traveling plans and a LOT of fishing with the wife(I was truly blessed with a wife that loves to fish more than I do......she MADE me buy a boat:0) I'll try to become active in the forum again and continue to give feedback on my 2012 Gravely Pro-Turn XDZ 152. Got the Gravely mulch kit installed(luvin it) and then the Gravely Hex Striper kit end of the season last year. I'll be posting some results and critiquing whether the striper kit was worth the investment. Again, thanks for the sanity check on this thread's quotes!!
djdicetn
I agree, it does look confusing. But that's because back in post #31 the user forgot to put in a bracket to end the quote, so after that things got a little messed up. But it's no big deal. The forum software didn't change. :smile:
Hey lmf, good to hear from ya!!! I see you've still got your hand on the pulse of the forum:0)
Thanks....I kinda figured it was "thread-specific", cause I've replied to some other threads and it didn't do what it was doing on this one. I haven't had much time since last Fall to be on the forum. With retiring in October and then my wife retiring end of January it's been kinda hectic getting all the retirement financial planning ducks in a row. Hope all is well with you. Things are great here in middle TN. Aside from a lot of traveling plans and a LOT of fishing with the wife(I was truly blessed with a wife that loves to fish more than I do......she MADE me buy a boat:0) I'll try to become active in the forum again and continue to give feedback on my 2012 Gravely Pro-Turn XDZ 152. Got the Gravely mulch kit installed(luvin it) and then the Gravely Hex Striper kit end of the season last year. I'll be posting some results and critiquing whether the striper kit was worth the investment. Again, thanks for the sanity check on this thread's quotes!!
#45
R
RustyBoy
Hey guys,
Rusty Boy here and I did buy the entry level 48" Pro-Turn. Very happy with it. Since this is my first rider, wasn't sure what speed I should be using. I assumed that once the engine was running, the blades were turning at max speed, regardless of the engine throttle speed selected. I thought this because I wrongly thought that the engine speed adjustment was only for the MPH speed and not blade speed. I mowed my lawn at the lowest throttle engine speed and everything cut fine. Now, I was told that I should be cutting at a higher engine speed to increase blade speed. Question: If this is the case, then should I always be using max engine speed to get max blade speed when I mow??? Wouldn't this max engine speed increase engine wear versus using a lower speed??? Maybe adjust engine speed to somewhere in between, like mid point in the throttle???
R
RustyBoy
I agree, it does look confusing. But that's because back in post #31 the user forgot to put in a bracket to end the quote, so after that things got a little messed up. But it's no big deal. The forum software didn't change. :smile:
Hey guys,
Rusty Boy here and I did buy the entry level 48" Pro-Turn. Very happy with it. Since this is my first rider, wasn't sure what speed I should be using. I assumed that once the engine was running, the blades were turning at max speed, regardless of the engine throttle speed selected. I thought this because I wrongly thought that the engine speed adjustment was only for the MPH speed and not blade speed. I mowed my lawn at the lowest throttle engine speed and everything cut fine. Now, I was told that I should be cutting at a higher engine speed to increase blade speed. Question: If this is the case, then should I always be using max engine speed to get max blade speed when I mow??? Wouldn't this max engine speed increase engine wear versus using a lower speed??? Maybe adjust engine speed to somewhere in between, like mid point in the throttle???
#46
djdicetn
Rustyboy,
You should ALWAYS mow with the engine at full throttle(even though it seemed to do alright at less). The maximum engine rpm is factory set to attain the proper blade tip speed for optimum results. Your Gravely or Kawasaki manuals should have instructions similar to mine like:
1)If engine is cold set Choke to full. If engine is warm from running, the Choke will not be necessary.
2)Set throttle to approx. half and start engine. Turn off Choke, if used, after engine starts.
3)Allow engine to run at half-throttle for 3-5 mins. to allow engine oil to get fully circulated before applying a load to engine.
4)Set engine at approx. 3/4 throttle and then engage blade PTO.
5)Move throttle to full speed before beginning to mow.
6)To disengage blades, reduce engine throttle to approx. 3/4 throttle and then disengage PTO(this helps prevent too much strain when engaging/disengaging blades).
7)Before stopping engine set throttle at lowest speed for approx. 2 mins.(this prevents backfires, etc.).
The forward/reverse movement speeds that you attain with the ZTR are relative to how much you move the control arms forward or backward.....they are NOT controlled by the engine speed. And actually, just the opposite....you are more likely to cause premature wear and damage to the engine by mowing the grass with it not at full throttle. Have you posted pics of your new Gravely???? We wanna see it!!! Enjoy!!!!!
djdicetn
Hey guys,
Rusty Boy here and I did buy the entry level 48" Pro-Turn. Very happy with it. Since this is my first rider, wasn't sure what speed I should be using. I assumed that once the engine was running, the blades were turning at max speed, regardless of the engine throttle speed selected. I thought this because I wrongly thought that the engine speed adjustment was only for the MPH speed and not blade speed. I mowed my lawn at the lowest throttle engine speed and everything cut fine. Now, I was told that I should be cutting at a higher engine speed to increase blade speed. Question: If this is the case, then should I always be using max engine speed to get max blade speed when I mow??? Wouldn't this max engine speed increase engine wear versus using a lower speed??? Maybe adjust engine speed to somewhere in between, like mid point in the throttle???
Rustyboy,
You should ALWAYS mow with the engine at full throttle(even though it seemed to do alright at less). The maximum engine rpm is factory set to attain the proper blade tip speed for optimum results. Your Gravely or Kawasaki manuals should have instructions similar to mine like:
1)If engine is cold set Choke to full. If engine is warm from running, the Choke will not be necessary.
2)Set throttle to approx. half and start engine. Turn off Choke, if used, after engine starts.
3)Allow engine to run at half-throttle for 3-5 mins. to allow engine oil to get fully circulated before applying a load to engine.
4)Set engine at approx. 3/4 throttle and then engage blade PTO.
5)Move throttle to full speed before beginning to mow.
6)To disengage blades, reduce engine throttle to approx. 3/4 throttle and then disengage PTO(this helps prevent too much strain when engaging/disengaging blades).
7)Before stopping engine set throttle at lowest speed for approx. 2 mins.(this prevents backfires, etc.).
The forward/reverse movement speeds that you attain with the ZTR are relative to how much you move the control arms forward or backward.....they are NOT controlled by the engine speed. And actually, just the opposite....you are more likely to cause premature wear and damage to the engine by mowing the grass with it not at full throttle. Have you posted pics of your new Gravely???? We wanna see it!!! Enjoy!!!!!
#47
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Ok, I get the message - follow the owner's manual and don't assume as I did. Actually I did read the manual before using the mower but wrongly assumed about the position of the throttle, thinking I was doing some good with the lowest throttle position. The dealer mentioned to start engine at half throttle, and also engage the PTO switch at half throttle to lessen the stress when engaging the blades. There must be a reason for Gravely to recommend 3/4 throttle for starting and engaging the PTO switch so that is exactly what I'll be doing.
As I'm typing, I'm reading the Kawasaki manual and they say to start at half throttle position. What's confusing is that the manual further states that after starting, to move the throttle lever to halfway between fast and slow - isn't that the same as half throttle????? So should I follow Kawasaki or Gravely's manual?????
I'll get a picture tomorrow if it doesn't rain as I plan on mowing.
As I'm typing, I'm reading the Kawasaki manual and they say to start at half throttle position. What's confusing is that the manual further states that after starting, to move the throttle lever to halfway between fast and slow - isn't that the same as half throttle????? So should I follow Kawasaki or Gravely's manual?????
I'll get a picture tomorrow if it doesn't rain as I plan on mowing.
#48
R
RustyBoy
R
RustyBoy
Ok, here is the picture. Waiting for the grass to dry from the morning dew before mowing.
Attachments
#49
djdicetn
That's a beauty(the Gravely)!!! And a VERY nice looking lawn as well. That Pro-Turn's gonna make your yard look like a green carpet. On the throttle, your dealer gave you good advice. It is appropriate to start at half to three fourths throttle(I too get confused because the owner's manual and engine manual sometime state different things). And for engaging/disengaging the blades the same is true that half to three fourths is an appropriate range. On the manual conflicts, my opinion has always been to follow the instructions in the engine manufacturer's manual if it has something different than the owner manual from the ZTR manufacturer for anything related to the "engine operation/maintenance". Everything else on the ZTR(like the trannies, deck, etc.), the owner's manual should be followed. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're doing just fine as a first-time ZTR/rider owner!!! We all have a lot to learn about these ZTR machines when we get one(this is my first ZTR...I did have two lawn tractors previously). That's why I like this forum......I've picked up a lot of good information here from a lot of other users that share their experience and knowledge. Feel free to ask any other questions that come up, share your ownership experience with us and keep us posted on how your journey progresses on that shiny new Gravely:0)
djdicetn
Ok, here is the picture. Waiting for the grass to dry from the morning dew before mowing.
That's a beauty(the Gravely)!!! And a VERY nice looking lawn as well. That Pro-Turn's gonna make your yard look like a green carpet. On the throttle, your dealer gave you good advice. It is appropriate to start at half to three fourths throttle(I too get confused because the owner's manual and engine manual sometime state different things). And for engaging/disengaging the blades the same is true that half to three fourths is an appropriate range. On the manual conflicts, my opinion has always been to follow the instructions in the engine manufacturer's manual if it has something different than the owner manual from the ZTR manufacturer for anything related to the "engine operation/maintenance". Everything else on the ZTR(like the trannies, deck, etc.), the owner's manual should be followed. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're doing just fine as a first-time ZTR/rider owner!!! We all have a lot to learn about these ZTR machines when we get one(this is my first ZTR...I did have two lawn tractors previously). That's why I like this forum......I've picked up a lot of good information here from a lot of other users that share their experience and knowledge. Feel free to ask any other questions that come up, share your ownership experience with us and keep us posted on how your journey progresses on that shiny new Gravely:0)