Need new zero turn in 6-7k range. Please give input.

[rodflu]

Will need new mower this spring. Personal use, 4 acres. Hilly, not steep. Some bumps here and there. Think rural, not farm. I'm thinking 60 inch deck. Need s to be durable. I don't live very close to any dealers or large cities, so everything is a drive. Looking online and calling for prices, I've narrowed choices to Gravely pro turn 160XDZ which dealer has %20 off sale coming up in 2 weeks puts it in around $6300. Simplicity Citation XT from another dealer for $6250. And Snapper Pro S125Xt just under $6k. Oh yea, Ferris 700 for $6700 ( think with B&S commercial turf.

Last resort if needed, buy larger used machine. Did see Snapper Pro S200 for $5500 (different class of machine from current choices).

Have not got to demo any of these, nor actually see one. I actually did look at a Dixie Chopper Magnum HP for $6400, but dealer was ***. He didn't seem interested in making a sale, and there are no other Dixie Chopper dealers anywhere near.

Not sure if engine Kohler vs. Kawasaki vs. B&S Commercial turf matters. If I were running machine 30 hrs/week that may be different. I don't expect more than 2-3 hrs/Week.

Any ideas or other suggestions. I did hear a few complaints about Gravely traction issues, but they seem heaviest build. Wondering if pivoting front end of Simplicity/Ferris make difference in cut/handling from the solid front of Gravely. Liked look of Bad Boys but can only get one around here from Tractor Supply, no service.

 

[highlift60]

Since all you have is Tractor Supply, I would not recommend buying a Bad Boy from them. Never buy from a big box store as you probably already know. I would then go for the Gravely, hands down with the 20% off sale. Make sure there are no ridiculous fees tacked on because 20% is a big discount. Stick with Kawasaki. The only Briggs you want is a Vanguard, and Kohler is a Command. Kawasaki still makes the finest small engines available bar none and I think you get the FX with the Proturn 160. It will cost more, but will be worth it in the long run. Steep hills will be difficult for zero turns so make sure your grades aren't too steep. Also Ariens/Gravely factory support is very good.

 

[Carscw]

Why not buy the bad boy at tractor supply?

It is the same mower sold at a dealer. Made by the same people at the same place.

 

[diamatron]

I purchased a snapper s200x last year for 6400. It does have the commercial turf, which is a newer line briggs which so far has seen positive results. Very durable machine. Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

 

[rodflu]

Why not buy the bad boy at tractor supply?

It is the same mower sold at a dealer. Made by the same people at the same place.

No problem with TSC. Just that they do not service them. I'd have to drive (or figure out how to get machine 1 1/2 hours away for any service.)

 

[rodflu]

I purchased a snapper s200x last year for 6400. It does have the commercial turf, which is a newer line briggs which so far has seen positive results. Very durable machine. Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Do you mean the Snapper pro 200XT. I think I had a quote with the BS Comm turf 27 for $6700 Do you believe it is sufficient. Another dealer basically told me I needed the Vangard 36 HP for roughly $7700+

 

[Ric]

Why not buy the bad boy at tractor supply?

It is the same mower sold at a dealer. Made by the same people at the same place.

If I'm looking to spend 6 or 7K on a mower it wont be on anything from Tractor Supply. I'd be looking at Toro/Exmark, Hustler or maybe Scag, something that has a 4 to 5 year warranty.

 

[diamatron]

Ya. Snapper pro model 5901280 I think. I was worried about it being under powered on a large deck, but it really isn't. No loss of speed going uphill and only a slight drag in heavy grass. There is a lot of information online showing tear downs of this engine showing the engineers have fixed the problems from the Intek series briggs.

Try sle equipment online and type in that model number. I put an suspension insert under the premium seat for a very nice ride. Dealers wants 250 for insert, but at rural king website for 60.

 

[Shughes717]

Will need new mower this spring. Personal use, 4 acres. Hilly, not steep. Some bumps here and there. Think rural, not farm. I'm thinking 60 inch deck. Need s to be durable. I don't live very close to any dealers or large cities, so everything is a drive. Looking online and calling for prices, I've narrowed choices to Gravely pro turn 160XDZ which dealer has %20 off sale coming up in 2 weeks puts it in around $6300. Simplicity Citation XT from another dealer for $6250. And Snapper Pro S125Xt just under $6k. Oh yea, Ferris 700 for $6700 ( think with B&S commercial turf.

Last resort if needed, buy larger used machine. Did see Snapper Pro S200 for $5500 (different class of machine from current choices).

Have not got to demo any of these, nor actually see one. I actually did look at a Dixie Chopper Magnum HP for $6400, but dealer was ***. He didn't seem interested in making a sale, and there are no other Dixie Chopper dealers anywhere near.

Not sure if engine Kohler vs. Kawasaki vs. B&S Commercial turf matters. If I were running machine 30 hrs/week that may be different. I don't expect more than 2-3 hrs/Week.

Any ideas or other suggestions. I did hear a few complaints about Gravely traction issues, but they seem heaviest build. Wondering if pivoting front end of Simplicity/Ferris make difference in cut/handling from the solid front of Gravely. Liked look of Bad Boys but can only get one around here from Tractor Supply, no service.

6k is a little high for an s125xt. I mow 4.2 acres with a 48" snapper pro s150xt. It's a very well built mower. I have had mine for 3 seasons with no issues. I am a big fan of ferris mowers. They are the same mower as the snapper pro line except they have an independent suspension. The is700 is ok, but I don't think there is enough travel in the suspension. If I could afford it I would purchase an is2100 myself, but it is a little more mower than I need. Has an awesome ride though. The fx series is the heavy duty commercial engine. The is700 and the s125xt only have the fs series as the Kawi option. The s150xt and s200xt have the fx series as the Kawi option. I agree with the earlier post that the vanguard is the best of the briggs line. I have an uncle who prefers the kohler efi. I really like my mower, but I wish I had gotten the dealer to throw in a suspension seat. I will be purchasing one. Good luck and let us know what you went with.

 

[rodflu]

Will need new mower this spring. Personal use, 4 acres. Hilly, not steep. Some bumps here and there. Think rural, not farm. I'm thinking 60 inch deck. Need s to be durable. I don't live very close to any dealers or large cities, so everything is a drive. Looking online and calling for prices, I've narrowed choices to Gravely pro turn 160XDZ which dealer has %20 off sale coming up in 2 weeks puts it in around $6300. Simplicity Citation XT from another dealer for $6250. And Snapper Pro S125Xt just under $6k. Oh yea, Ferris 700 for $6700 ( think with B&S commercial turf.

Last resort if needed, buy larger used machine. Did see Snapper Pro S200 for $5500 (different class of machine from current choices).

Have not got to demo any of these, nor actually see one. I actually did look at a Dixie Chopper Magnum HP for $6400, but dealer was ***. He didn't seem interested in making a sale, and there are no other Dixie Chopper dealers anywhere near.

Not sure if engine Kohler vs. Kawasaki vs. B&S Commercial turf matters. If I were running machine 30 hrs/week that may be different. I don't expect more than 2-3 hrs/Week.

Any ideas or other suggestions. I did hear a few complaints about Gravely traction issues, but they seem heaviest build. Wondering if pivoting front end of Simplicity/Ferris make difference in cut/handling from the solid front of Gravely. Liked look of Bad Boys but can only get one around here from Tractor Supply, no service.

Update: Going to look at used 2013 Snapper Pro 200xt 32 HP vanguard 61" deck. 250 hours. Dealer demo. Never sold, so they say I can get new finance deal (0% for 48 mo.). Sticker $5500. Sound good? Its a 2 hour drive to get it. Is that worth it? Thanks.