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Moving to a house on 2 acres with a bunch of trees, all flat except for a mound septic system. If I'm trying to keep my purchase price under $3k, would I be better off getting a new Hustler Raptor or a used commercial ZTR? There is a 2006 Ferris IS1500 with 740 hours that has been serviced regularly for $2600. Last service was 25 hours ago this year.

Am I asking for trouble getting a 10 yr old commercial machine with 700 hours? It seems so much better built that it seems like it might be a better choice. Overall it looks pretty clean.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!

This is my opinion and only mine. The Raptor seems to have lots of quirks too say the least. With only 2 acres to mow you will not hit the 1500 hour mark on the commercial mower for quite a few years. I think you would be happier with the Ferris. Lots of complaints with the raptor that have work arounds but why should you have to work around so much stuff on a new mower. I have a 9 year old Husqvarna RZ5424 that I have not had to tighten a single bolt or worry about a bolt shearing off or have the deck clog with grass while mowing. Nor have I bent a front wheel mount even though I have at full speed hit front wheel mount on a non moveable object. I almost threw myself off the mower. So in closing get the Ferris you will be much happier.

m3scott said:

Moving to a house on 2 acres with a bunch of trees, all flat except for a mound septic system. If I'm trying to keep my purchase price under $3k, would I be better off getting a new Hustler Raptor or a used commercial ZTR? There is a 2006 Ferris IS1500 with 740 hours that has been serviced regularly for $2600. Last service was 25 hours ago this year.

Am I asking for trouble getting a 10 yr old commercial machine with 700 hours? It seems so much better built that it seems like it might be a better choice. Overall it looks pretty clean.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Good question. The 740 hours on the commercial isn't a lot of hours, but being 10 years old and costing $2600 would be a bit of a gamble for me. Your really taking the individuals word on how the mower was serviced and how many hours it really has, you really can't tell. I'm running mowers with 7 and 800 hours that are 3 years old. Personally I'd have to question the hours especially if the mower has been used commercially.

With 2 acres I'd spend a bit more and step up to the Raptor SD if possible and get the 2800 drives. I would agree with BLaNT the Raptors seem to have there quirks but either way if you purchased the Raptor or the Raptor SD you'll have Hustler to back up the mower with their 3 year warranty which could save you a on of money rather than a mower that could cost you a ton of money in repairs. To me the Raptors are the way to go.

Thanks for the info, guys.

Well here is one more option that popped up locally.

A '06 Grasshopper 120k with Parker pumps, the Kohler engine 540 hours, single owner which looks pretty clean. No rust. Might be able to pick up for $2k from the dealer.

Any thoughts on that?

I love Grasshopper front mount mowers. I know nothing of the mid mount mowers but they should be built as well as the front mount ones. They are built to last. 540 hours is good as well.

m3scott said:

Thanks for the info, guys.

Well here is one more option that popped up locally.

A '06 Grasshopper 120k with Parker pumps, the Kohler engine 540 hours, single owner which looks pretty clean. No rust. Might be able to pick up for $2k from the dealer.

Any thoughts on that?

Click to expand...

The Grasshopper 120k is a good machine no doubt, but again are you willing to take a chance? Yeah you say it looks pretty clean but it's a ten year old mower and how clean can a ten year old mower be? What about things like spindles or spindles bearings, belts and pulleys, drives etc etc etc. How are they and have they all been serviced?
If your a mechanically inclined and you can buy the parts yourself and do the work you may make it work but if not $65 to $70 per hour bench rate ain't cheap. IMO that 06 Grasshopper is a dream come true for the dealer.

Well I took a chance, but not a very big one.

I looked over and drove the Grasshopper. Very clean, engine ran great, no smoke, no rust. Just a nice well maintained machine. It's built like a tank. He (Gravely dealer) had it priced at $2400 but I picked it up for $2k even and he had an extra belt as well.

Budget was $3k, spent $2k and got a better machine than I would have new!

Agreed! Good buy.