Need opinions on Gravely ZTR

[Dataz722]

I am in need of a new mower and really can't decide what to get. I want something that will last and isn't going to be junk or be replaced in 5 years, but I really don't have much money available right now. I have about an acre that is flat except for a decent sized ditch in the front that needs to be cut and is is somewhat smooth but it is bumpy in areas.

I am looking at some Gravely zero-turns and want to know if the ZTXL is really worth the ~$1300 over the entry level ZT. They are the same motor but I know the XL has a heavy gauge welded deck where the ZT's is stamped. Other than that is there much difference? And is it worth the extra money when money is really tight?

Is there anything else out there that I should look at as well? I was looking at the toro timecutter but heard some not so great things about it which made me look at the gravelys. I am also not dead set on a ZTR, but it seems that with what a decent tractor would cost it isn't much more to get the ZTR, unless there is something I am missing.

And getting used isn't an option right now since money is tight and I will need to get from a dealer that is offering 0% financing.

Thanks.

 

[JET4]

look at the Hustler Raptor, they come in 42 and 52 size.

 

[Dataz722]

look at the Hustler Raptor, they come in 42 and 52 size.

I haven't looked into that one at all. Why would you choose that over the Gravely?

 

[Dataz722]

Well they do have a dealer that is really close to me. I just called and they are certainly cheaper, which is a good thing but are they just as good or better quality?

 

[Old Goat]

Looked at Gravely too.

After much searching and learning, found out that Hustler was the first ZTR mower in 1966, starting looking hard at them then finally decided on a Big Dog.

Made by the same people Excel Industries and built like a brick you know what. Commercial grade Hydraulic wheel motors heavier than that Gravely.

I paid $4800 + tax for a R754 and can't say enough good about it.

If you are looking for a smaller size, they would be cheaper than what I paid.

You owe it to yourself to check them out. Simple yet strong.

R-Series Zero-Turn Commercial Grade Riding Mowers - Big Dog Mowers

 

[djdicetn]

I am in need of a new mower and really can't decide what to get. I want something that will last and isn't going to be junk or be replaced in 5 years, but I really don't have much money available right now. I have about an acre that is flat except for a decent sized ditch in the front that needs to be cut and is is somewhat smooth but it is bumpy in areas.

I am looking at some Gravely zero-turns and want to know if the ZTXL is really worth the ~$1300 over the entry level ZT. They are the same motor but I know the XL has a heavy gauge welded deck where the ZT's is stamped. Other than that is there much difference? And is it worth the extra money when money is really tight?

Is there anything else out there that I should look at as well? I was looking at the toro timecutter but heard some not so great things about it which made me look at the gravelys. I am also not dead set on a ZTR, but it seems that with what a decent tractor would cost it isn't much more to get the ZTR, unless there is something I am missing.

And getting used isn't an option right now since money is tight and I will need to get from a dealer that is offering 0% financing.

Thanks.

Dataz722,

IMHO, yes...the upgrade from the base ZT(regular residential model) to the ZT XL is worth the $1300 diffeence on the 42" model. First, the benefits(durability and cut) of the fabricated deck and secondly, the benefits(servicable ZT-2800 trannies on the XL versus the sealed EZT trannies on the XL). The base ZT is a very good basic residential ZTR and would indeed give you 5 years(or better if well maintained) of service, but as with anything you get what you pay for and the XL would give longer service, more durability and better quality of cut. Once you begin looking at spending "several" thousands of dollars on a quality ZTR mower you need to save up and get the best you can afford. Just for you to think about......add another $900 to that extra $1300(now your talking $2200 more than the 42" base ZT) and you could find yourself the proud owner of a 44"(smallest deck they have) ZT HD Gravely that is for all intents and purposes "near Commercial" quality. The ZT HD is just below my Pro-Turn XDZ 100 Commercial and I am extremely pleased with it. When you compare apples to apples between all of the leading brands in regard to features and build you will see Gravely shine as the best for your money compared to most others when it comes to build, durability and warranty for the money. If you compare to Hustler, Cub Cadet Zero Force, etc. which are all good machines just make sure the series/models are similar across the different brands and have similar deck construction, trannies, engines etc. Believe me I went through this process last fall and looked at different ZTR's until my head was spinning . There are so many good ones you will need to decide what's most important to you and it may be a difficult decision. We forum members will assist with any information we can to help. Best of luck finding the ZTR that is right for you!!!
P.S.
On Toros(also very good "dealer models"....Timecutters are Home Depot, etc. geared towards the "masses"), you need to find a Toro dealer and look at/compare the Titan ZX or Titan MX series to these others. Those Toros are excellent Residential machines and you can again add those to the comparison mix for pricing, etc.

 

[Dataz722]

Dataz722,

IMHO, yes...the upgrade from the base ZT(regular residential model) to the ZT XL is worth the $1300 diffeence on the 42" model. First, the benefits(durability and cut) of the fabricated deck and secondly, the benefits(servicable ZT-2800 trannies on the XL versus the sealed EZT trannies on the XL). The base ZT is a very good basic residential ZTR and would indeed give you 5 years(or better if well maintained) of service, but as with anything you get what you pay for and the XL would give longer service, more durability and better quality of cut. Once you begin looking at spending "several" thousands of dollars on a quality ZTR mower you need to save up and get the best you can afford. Just for you to think about......add another $900 to that extra $1300(now your talking $2200 more than the 42" base ZT) and you could find yourself the proud owner of a 44"(smallest deck they have) ZT HD Gravely that is for all intents and purposes "near Commercial" quality. The ZT HD is just below my Pro-Turn XDZ 100 Commercial and I am extremely pleased with it. When you compare apples to apples between all of the leading brands in regard to features and build you will see Gravely shine as the best for your money compared to most others when it comes to build, durability and warranty for the money. If you compare to Hustler, Cub Cadet Zero Force, etc. which are all good machines just make sure the series/models are similar across the different brands and have similar deck construction, trannies, engines etc. Believe me I went through this process last fall and looked at different ZTR's until my head was spinning . There are so many good ones you will need to decide what's most important to you and it may be a difficult decision. We forum members will assist with any information we can to help. Best of luck finding the ZTR that is right for you!!!
P.S.
On Toros(also very good "dealer models"....Timecutters are Home Depot, etc. geared towards the "masses"), you need to find a Toro dealer and look at/compare the Titan ZX or Titan MX series to these others. Those Toros are excellent Residential machines and you can again add those to the comparison mix for pricing, etc.

Thank you. I actually thought the trannies were the same in both of them. That alone is pretty much worth the difference in case there is ever a problem.

As much as I would love to get the HD, and I did look at it and consider it just for the fact that it can take a plow, I just can't justify that money right now unless I knew for a fact that I would get at least another 5 years of use out of it, and there is no way for anyone to know that for sure. I also don't have to time to save up any more because my tractor just died last weekend and I don't plan on push mowing an acre again. I will give it some more thought though and run the numbers some more, but I just don't think it is in the cards especially since I need to get a bagger too and they want an insane $1000 just for that.

Good to know though that I am on the right track with the Gravely for my budget.

Thank you.

 

[Dataz722]

The more I think about it, the more I really need to stay under $3000 if possible, otherwise I will have to just up a couple levels to the HD and have to start finding a couple other yards I can do a week to help pay for it and I would rather not do that since I don't have that much free time.

How does the Raptor compare to the regular Gravely ZT? It seems they both have the same non servicable trans but the Raptor does have a better deck and possibly frame. The Raptor is cheaper too and the bagger is about half the price. Any input between those two?

Also, are there any graden tractors that I should be considering as well for any reason?

 

[djdicetn]

Looked at Gravely too.

After much searching and learning, found out that Hustler was the first ZTR mower in 1966, starting looking hard at them then finally decided on a Big Dog.

Made by the same people Excel Industries and built like a brick you know what. Commercial grade Hydraulic wheel motors heavier than that Gravely.

I paid $4800 + tax for a R754 and can't say enough good about it.

If you are looking for a smaller size, they would be cheaper than what I paid.

You owe it to yourself to check them out. Simple yet strong.

R-Series Zero-Turn Commercial Grade Riding Mowers - Big Dog Mowers

Old Goat,
Can't argue with you about the quality of that Big Dog, but just to clarify the apples-to-apples comparison to a Gravely....The Gravely 52" ZT HD($4,899 MSRP for the 2013....2012 may have been less) is the model that equates to your Big Dog aside from a 2" less width deck and it has "exactly" the same HydroGear ZT-3100 trannies as your Big Dog. That would be the two Big Dog-Gravelys that the OP would need to compare(to see what the $99 difference was, all things considered).

 

[djdicetn]

The more I think about it, the more I really need to stay under $3000 if possible, otherwise I will have to just up a couple levels to the HD and have to start finding a couple other yards I can do a week to help pay for it and I would rather not do that since I don't have that much free time.

How does the Raptor compare to the regular Gravely ZT? It seems they both have the same non servicable trans but the Raptor does have a better deck and possibly frame. The Raptor is cheaper too and the bagger is about half the price. Any input between those two?

Also, are there any graden tractors that I should be considering as well for any reason?

I haven't really researched the Hustler Raptor which is kinda new, but I did make an offer for a 2012 Hustler 54" Fastrak Super Duty, but the Gravely beat it out price, warranties and features.