Buying Advice MZT 52 or Hustler SD54

[Dave1954]

newbie to the forum, first post but been a searcher and reader for awhile. need advise, I find myself in sort of the need for a new mower, really more want than need I guess, my 99 Scotts 42'' 16hp is still working fine but my yard was being cut for the last 5 years or so by a landscaper because my job and hobbies kept me busy. Things have slowed down now and my landscaper has relocated so I pulled out the old Scotts which I have kept in good working order in case something came up and the landscaper couldn't do the job. He was also cutting my neighbors yard too. So my neighbor needs someone to do his yard as well. So I figured if I cut his yard and pickup the 80.00 bucks he is willing to pay a month (two cuts)I could use it to pay on a new zero turn. The landscaper used a scag and it was fast and did a good job. I want the best bang for the buck but also best for my needs, only mowing about 1.5 acres including the neighbors. So ive been searching and researching every brand of zero turn, started in the 4k range till I read the 14 pages of reviews on the husky MZT52 so bumped it mid 5k. I want top quality and the best in high end residential, low end commercial I can get for the price range listed. So far I've narrowed it down to the MTZ52 for 5518.00 otd, or a Hustler SD54 for 3812.otd.(both coming from local dealers) I really like the huskys better transmission's (3400), cast iron spindles ,rops and FS kawie, over the zt2800 and FR kawie, alum spindles, no rop in the SD, but do I need the upgrades? open to any opinions on these two machines or suggestions of other brands as long as they fall within the price range no higher than the husky, sorry for the long wind. thanks Dave

 

[BlazNT]

I have a 7 year old Husqvarna RZ5424 and it is like brand new. Change the oil like you are supposed to and all will be good. The only problems I have had are of my own making. Replaced spindle because I got something wrapped around it and I did not remove it for over a year.

 

[Vanousb]

newbie to the forum, first post but been a searcher and reader for awhile. need advise, I find myself in sort of the need for a new mower, really more want than need I guess, my 99 Scotts 42'' 16hp is still working fine but my yard was being cut for the last 5 years or so by a landscaper because my job and hobbies kept me busy. Things have slowed down now and my landscaper has relocated so I pulled out the old Scotts which I have kept in good working order in case something came up and the landscaper couldn't do the job. He was also cutting my neighbors yard too. So my neighbor needs someone to do his yard as well. So I figured if I cut his yard and pickup the 80.00 bucks he is willing to pay a month (two cuts)I could use it to pay on a new zero turn. The landscaper used a scag and it was fast and did a good job. I want the best bang for the buck but also best for my needs, only mowing about 1.5 acres including the neighbors. So ive been searching and researching every brand of zero turn, started in the 4k range till I read the 14 pages of reviews on the husky MZT52 so bumped it mid 5k. I want top quality and the best in high end residential, low end commercial I can get for the price range listed. So far I've narrowed it down to the MTZ52 for 5518.00 otd, or a Hustler SD54 for 3812.otd.(both coming from local dealers) I really like the huskys better transmission's (3400), cast iron spindles ,rops and FS kawie, over the zt2800 and FR kawie, alum spindles, no rop in the SD, but do I need the upgrades? open to any opinions on these two machines or suggestions of other brands as long as they fall within the price range no higher than the husky, sorry for the long wind. thanks Dave

Can't speak for husky as I did not have them on my list to compare. No local dealer. I did demo hustler and it was not for me. It is for other though. Just not me. As both are from nearby dealers and assuming you trust their service and track record, I would go with the better specs. Fits your desire for upper end residential/ lower end commercial. If you feel you have the budget, you kind of answers your question when you said you "liked the husky" better. Since mowers at a certain level become very similar, your personal preference counts....for me it was exmark pioneer s in the 6500 range. Spent a little more because it felt right for me and had the higher end features I wanted. For the difference, I would pick husky. Do again say...dealer reputation big factor and demo all you are considering. Good luck.

 

[Dave1954]

Can't speak for husky as I did not have them on my list to compare. No local dealer. I did demo hustler and it was not for me. It is for other though. Just not me. As both are from nearby dealers and assuming you trust their service and track record, I would go with the better specs. Fits your desire for upper end residential/ lower end commercial. If you feel you have the budget, you kind of answers your question when you said you "liked the husky" better. Since mowers at a certain level become very similar, your personal preference counts....for me it was exmark pioneer s in the 6500 range. Spent a little more because it felt right for me and had the higher end features I wanted. For the difference, I would pick husky. Do again say...dealer reputation big factor and demo all you are considering. Good luck.

Thank you both for your replys, many read my post but I'm sure this same newbie question has been asked countless times before. I'm still researching which will work better for me, I have a local ex mark dealer so I will check out the pioneer but they are proud of them and not much for great deals. Thanks

 

[Shughes717]

Thank you both for your replys, many read my post but I'm sure this same newbie question has been asked countless times before. I'm still researching which will work better for me, I have a local ex mark dealer so I will check out the pioneer but they are proud of them and not much for great deals. Thanks

If you don't mind spending the extra money then the husqvarna is the better of the two machines. It will mow faster, and leave a great cut. Unless you are looking at mowing 5 plus acres though, the hustler raptor sd would probably be plenty of mower for you. Without knowing what you are mowing, such as acreage and terrain it is hard to give advice beyond what I just mentioned. If I were deciding between the two to mow my 4.2 acres I would go with the husqvarna.

 

[Dave1954]

If you don't mind spending the extra money then the husqvarna is the better of the two machines. It will mow faster, and leave a great cut. Unless you are looking at mowing 5 plus acres though, the hustler raptor sd would probably be plenty of mower for you. Without knowing what you are mowing, such as acreage and terrain it is hard to give advice beyond what I just mentioned. If I were deciding between the two to mow my 4.2 acres I would go with the husqvarna.

Only cutting about 1.5 acres but that could change, also only looking to buy a mower once. Leaning toward the mtz52 because of its heavier duty components but your right it's overkill I'm sure

 

[Shughes717]

Only cutting about 1.5 acres but that could change, also only looking to buy a mower once. Leaning toward the mtz52 because of its heavier duty components but your right it's overkill I'm sure

It definitely is overkill, but it can't say anything about someone else buying more mower than they have lawn. I purchased mine two years ago, a s150xt 48" for $5300, and only had an acre to mow. Sold my place this year and purchased another and I now have 4.2 acres. My wife complained when I was deciding between the 48" and 52" model that both were too big for our lawn. I am happy with the mower I have now, but the bigger deck, fuel capacity, wheels, and engine would be nice today. Could have gotten all that for a few hundred more, but my wife drew the line at the 48" mower. :laughing:

 

[Dave1954]

It definitely is overkill, but it can't say anything about someone else buying more mower than they have lawn. I purchased mine two years ago, a s150xt 48" for $5300, and only had an acre to mow. Sold my place this year and purchased another and I now have 4.2 acres. My wife complained when I was deciding between the 48" and 52" model that both were too big for our lawn. I am happy with the mower I have now, but the bigger deck, fuel capacity, wheels, and engine would be nice today. Could have gotten all that for a few hundred more, but my wife drew the line at the 48" mower. :laughing:[/] I could save 900.00 by buying the mz52 but give up 34's for 31's and the FS commercial grade for the home grade fr and a bunch of other goodies. One thing I failed to say is I'm a big guy, and the mzt says it has a 200 lb clutch and all the models under it only have 90 lb rated clutches, I haven't heard anyone talk about this and would love some input about this.

 

[Shughes717]

It definitely is overkill, but it can't say anything about someone else buying more mower than they have lawn. I purchased mine two years ago, a s150xt 48" for $5300, and only had an acre to mow. Sold my place this year and purchased another and I now have 4.2 acres. My wife complained when I was deciding between the 48" and 52" model that both were too big for our lawn. I am happy with the mower I have now, but the bigger deck, fuel capacity, wheels, and engine would be nice today. Could have gotten all that for a few hundred more, but my wife drew the line at the 48" mower. :laughing:[/] I could save 900.00 by buying the mz52 but give up 34's for 31's and the FS commercial grade for the home grade fr and a bunch of other goodies. One thing I failed to say is I'm a big guy, and the mzt says it has a 200 lb clutch and all the models under it only have 90 lb rated clutches, I haven't heard anyone talk about this and would love some input about this.

With hydrostatic motors torque is what you want to look at. The zt3100 will produce up to 370ft lbs of intermittent torque and 200 ft lbs of continuous torque. That should be plenty to handle even a big guy. It is all up to how much you are willing to spend. These mowers are all built well, however, if you go with the mz series you go from a heavy duty fabricated deck to a lighter stamped deck. The stamped deck does have a 10 year warranty. You are only mowing 1.5 acres, so any of them should serve you well for a long time. The mzt is the best of the three you are considering.

 

[Dave1954]

With hydrostatic motors torque is what you want to look at. The zt3100 will produce up to 370ft lbs of intermittent torque and 200 ft lbs of continuous torque. That should be plenty to handle even a big guy. It is all up to how much you are willing to spend. These mowers are all built well, however, if you go with the mz series you go from a heavy duty fabricated deck to a lighter stamped deck. The stamped deck does have a 10 year warranty. You are only mowing 1.5 acres, so any of them should serve you well for a long time. The mzt is the best of the three you are considering.

Thanks, we'll today I expanded my horizons I did some calling around and found several dealers willing to deal. Scag 48 freedomsz ex mark pioneer e, hustler fast track, and several other brands all these could be bought for 5 k each, so the mtz52 still looks like a great machine but compared to these others is it still top dog? To complicate things a little more a friend has a 09 Troy built xp50 kohler 25,hp says its nice and only could use some new back tires and battery. he said he would sell me for 1250.00 which wasn't even on the radar but I'm sure it would do for my needs at least for now. He now pays someone to mow cause his back gives him problems cutting.