new to site and looking to buy a Zero turn mower

[ghessler26]

In my opinion the best bang for your buck is the Gravely Pro-Turn series. I'd check your local Gravely dealer.

 

[djdicetn]

In my opinion the best bang for your buck is the Gravely Pro-Turn series. I'd check your local Gravely dealer.

ghessler26,
You & I wouldn't be a little biased towards the Gravely's would we(heh...heh:0)
So, which Gravely model do you have? I have the Pro-Turn 152 XDZ and couldn't be happier with my choice!!

BTW, that was very thoughtful to help out user passgas55 in the Ariens/Gravely forum with the solution to his wheel stud dilemma!! Although, the Ariens tech support guy should have been able to provide that information. User passgas55 never really replied to my question about why he wasn't pursuing a "warranty repair' as he indicated that he had only had the 148 for two years(the Pro-Turns have a 3-year Residential warranty and a 2-year Commercial warranty). He never indicated he used his mower in a business.
P.S.
He never really eluded to how a wheel stud got broken on a 2-year-old ZTR either......makes me kinda wonder if it was "user error" and not something that would be covered under a mfg's warranty.

 

[ghessler26]

I really don't own any Gravely products but I sell them & I get to demo all of the zero turns they have to offer.

The wheel hub of the other the other user shouldn't be this big of an issue. The Pro-Turn 100 series which he has come with a 3 year / 1000 hour warranty to any homeowner or landscaper.

 

[Ric]

ghessler26,
You & I wouldn't be a little biased towards the Gravely's would we(heh...heh:0)
So, which Gravely model do you have? I have the Pro-Turn 152 XDZ and couldn't be happier with my choice!!

BTW, that was very thoughtful to help out user passgas55 in the Ariens/Gravely forum with the solution to his wheel stud dilemma!! Although, the Ariens tech support guy should have been able to provide that information. User passgas55 never really replied to my question about why he wasn't pursuing a "warranty repair' as he indicated that he had only had the 148 for two years(the Pro-Turns have a 3-year Residential warranty and a 2-year Commercial warranty). He never indicated he used his mower in a business.
P.S.
He never really eluded to how a wheel stud got broken on a 2-year-old ZTR either......makes me kinda wonder if it was "user error" and not something that would be covered under a mfg's warranty.

I'm not a Gravely fan but they do make a great mower. Something that maybe worth mentioning with all the talk about Exmark, would be to realize that (Exmark) is owned and made by Toro so there basically the same mower and you can buy the Toro's somewhat cheaper and some of them have a 5 year 1200 hour warranty.

 

[ghessler26]

I'm not a Gravely fan but they do make a great mower. Something that maybe worth mentioning with all the talk about Exmark, would be to realize that (Exmark) is owned and made by Toro so there basically the same mower and you can buy the Toro's somewhat cheaper and some of them have a 5 year 1200 hour warranty.

The difference between Exmark & Toro commercial zero turns is the mower deck. The Toro Turbo Force deck is complete 7 gauge steel throughout the entire deck with large cast iron spindles. The Exmark deck is 7 gauge steel around the skirting & 10 on top & throughout the rest of the deck with aluminum spindle, which do not hold up to the heat as well. Also, when looking at the specs check out the weight difference between the two. For example, Toro model 74915 & Exmark LZS740KC604 are the same chasis with different decks with a weight difference of 100 lbs. Also, as stated in the earlier post this Toro model has a 5 year / 1200 hr warranty to any user. Exmark only has a limited 3 year commercial warranty & 5 year / 750 hr homeowner warranty.

 

[Ric]

The difference between Exmark & Toro commercial zero turns is the mower deck. The Toro Turbo Force deck is complete 7 gauge steel throughout the entire deck with large cast iron spindles. The Exmark deck is 7 gauge steel around the skirting & 10 on top & throughout the rest of the deck with aluminum spindle, which do not hold up to the heat as well. Also, when looking at the specs check out the weight difference between the two. For example, Toro model 74915 & Exmark LZS740KC604 are the same chasis with different decks with a weight difference of 100 lbs. Also, as stated in the earlier post this Toro model has a 5 year / 1200 hr warranty to any user. Exmark only has a limited 3 year commercial warranty & 5 year / 750 hr homeowner warranty.

Today buying any mower a person has to consider warranty and dealer, I also think probably any of the mowers mentioned are good mowers and would last someone a long time. The key factor with any mower is a good maintenance schedule, changing air filters, gas filters regularly along with oil filters and oil every 50 hours and greasing things on a regular basis makes a big difference in how a mower operates and how long it will last.

 

[ksgrassguy]

thank you all i'm going to look into the Toro model 74915
to cover all my bases

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

thank you all i'm going to look into the Toro model 74915
to cover all my bases

I think that will fit your needs very well. Tell us what you think of it once you look at it! :thumbsup:

 

[djdicetn]

I think that will fit your needs very well. Tell us what you think of it once you look at it! :thumbsup:

lmf,
I've been assisting the op(user ksgrassguy) on the side via private messages and the Toro 74915 is in the Z-Master 5000 series, so I advised him to compare it to the Gravely Pro-Turn 200 XDZ series instead of the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ series like I have(more similar to the Toro Z-Master 3000 series). Then the Gravely Pro-Turn 400 XDZ series are comparable to the Toro Z-Master 6000(gas) and 7000(diesel) series. I definitely did not discourage ksgrassguy from getting a Toro because I consider the ones just mentioned as about as good of a ZTR that you can buy(I just got a better deal price-wise on the Gravely compared to the 52" Toro Z-Master 3000). Your right, though, if he bought an Ex-Mark, Toro Z-Master or Gravely Pro-Turn he would be happy with any of those. I think, the last time we chatted he had made an offer to the Gravely dealer on a Pro-Turn 152 XDZ that the dealer accepted. I told him the story about my "first ride" when I got my Gravely home and if the rest of you guys want a ROFL(rolling on the floor laughing) story I'll be glad to share(as embarassing as it may be:0)
P.S.
I think user ksgrassguy contacted the Ex-Mark dealer about the Lazer Z E-series and the dealer quoted him a price that was about $2,000 more than the Gravely. That's why I think that the Ex-marks are good....just not "that good". And I'd be willing to bet the Ex-Mark is at least $1,000 more than a comparable Toro Z-Master. I just can't justify the extra $ for an Ex-Mark:0(

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

lmf,
I've been assisting the op(user ksgrassguy) on the side via private messages and the Toro 74915 is in the Z-Master 5000 series, so I advised him to compare it to the Gravely Pro-Turn 200 XDZ series instead of the Pro-Turn 100 XDZ series like I have(more similar to the Toro Z-Master 3000 series). Then the Gravely Pro-Turn 400 XDZ series are comparable to the Toro Z-Master 6000(gas) and 7000(diesel) series. I definitely did not discourage ksgrassguy from getting a Toro because I consider the ones just mentioned as about as good of a ZTR that you can buy(I just got a better deal price-wise on the Gravely compared to the 52" Toro Z-Master 3000). Your right, though, if he bought an Ex-Mark, Toro Z-Master or Gravely Pro-Turn he would be happy with any of those. I think, the last time we chatted he had made an offer to the Gravely dealer on a Pro-Turn 152 XDZ that the dealer accepted. I told him the story about my "first ride" when I got my Gravely home and if the rest of you guys want a ROFL(rolling on the floor laughing) story I'll be glad to share(as embarassing as it may be:0)
P.S.
I think user ksgrassguy contacted the Ex-Mark dealer about the Lazer Z E-series and the dealer quoted him a price that was about $2,000 more than the Gravely. That's why I think that the Ex-marks are good....just not "that good". And I'd be willing to bet the Ex-Mark is at least $1,000 more than a comparable Toro Z-Master. I just can't justify the extra $ for an Ex-Mark:0(

Exmark mowers sure are expensive! If you would like to share your ROFL story I would love to hear it! :tongue: