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New tractor styler rider or a zero turn?
#1
T
tom-ky
T
tom-ky
Currently have a 46" MTD mower that is 15 years old. Takes about 1.5 hours to mow what I mow. Mower is rough so I am considering replacing it. Lookes at a Gravely ZT XL 48 for $4100, also looked at some Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and Exmark. Gravely seemed to handle the best. I have a few small slopes that my current rider handles ok. Debating if it is worth a couple $2,000 more to get a zero turn. Would it save that much time?
#2
txzrider
txzrider
that really all depends on what you mow. ZTR's really save time when there is a lot of manevering required to mow around obstacles. but it does not sound like you have enough mowing to require too heavy duty a mower. also on the slopes, slopes matter to ztr's cause the best way to mow them is across and angling slightly upwards. but for whats it's worth I would never go back to a traditional rider.
#3
metz12
i agree 100%. it doesnt sound like you need a ztr. you need a regular old rider. i love my craftsman and i work for a guy that uses cub cadets. i like the cubs but they are sometimes more pricey then the craftsman. sears you will get some good deals. but i would recommend going with your local dealer. do you know what they carry? and try to get something with a briggs and stratton or a kohler command. do not buy something with a courage. they are horrible.
metz12
that really all depends on what you mow. ZTR's really save time when there is a lot of manevering required to mow around obstacles. but it does not sound like you have enough mowing to require too heavy duty a mower. also on the slopes, slopes matter to ztr's cause the best way to mow them is across and angling slightly upwards. but for whats it's worth I would never go back to a traditional rider.
i agree 100%. it doesnt sound like you need a ztr. you need a regular old rider. i love my craftsman and i work for a guy that uses cub cadets. i like the cubs but they are sometimes more pricey then the craftsman. sears you will get some good deals. but i would recommend going with your local dealer. do you know what they carry? and try to get something with a briggs and stratton or a kohler command. do not buy something with a courage. they are horrible.
#4
T
tom-ky
Got a lot of buildings to mow around, I would guess around 1 - 1.5 acres. Glosest places sells Husqvarna and Exmark. 30 miles or so away is Gravely, Cub Cadet and box stores. If I got a ZT I may consider hauling it to a house in town and mowing that yard instead of using a push mower. Regular rider is not too good on it as there is too much turning.
T
tom-ky
i agree 100%. it doesnt sound like you need a ztr. you need a regular old rider. i love my craftsman and i work for a guy that uses cub cadets. i like the cubs but they are sometimes more pricey then the craftsman. sears you will get some good deals. but i would recommend going with your local dealer. do you know what they carry? and try to get something with a briggs and stratton or a kohler command. do not buy something with a courage. they are horrible.
Got a lot of buildings to mow around, I would guess around 1 - 1.5 acres. Glosest places sells Husqvarna and Exmark. 30 miles or so away is Gravely, Cub Cadet and box stores. If I got a ZT I may consider hauling it to a house in town and mowing that yard instead of using a push mower. Regular rider is not too good on it as there is too much turning.
#5
lawn mower fanatic
I think you would be OK with a lawn tractor, but a zero-turn might still save you some time because it can turn around quicker and it might be able to go faster. Also it would save time on that other yard in town you mow.
lawn mower fanatic
Currently have a 46" MTD mower that is 15 years old. Takes about 1.5 hours to mow what I mow. Mower is rough so I am considering replacing it. Lookes at a Gravely ZT XL 48 for $4100, also looked at some Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and Exmark. Gravely seemed to handle the best. I have a few small slopes that my current rider handles ok. Debating if it is worth a couple $2,000 more to get a zero turn. Would it save that much time?
Got a lot of buildings to mow around, I would guess around 1 - 1.5 acres. Glosest places sells Husqvarna and Exmark. 30 miles or so away is Gravely, Cub Cadet and box stores. If I got a ZT I may consider hauling it to a house in town and mowing that yard instead of using a push mower. Regular rider is not too good on it as there is too much turning.
I think you would be OK with a lawn tractor, but a zero-turn might still save you some time because it can turn around quicker and it might be able to go faster. Also it would save time on that other yard in town you mow.
#6
metz12
metz12
Maybe you should go the walk behind mower route. maybe with the stander attachment. personally i would go with the regular lawn tractor but that is my opinion.
#7
Old Goat
Old Goat
Just got done with your same dilemma.
After 2 years of thinking about this and driving myself almost crazy, I settled on a 54" Big Dog R754 model.
13 year old MTD just had to go. I may have gone a little large, but we have 2.25 acres to cut and this machine is well, well built.
What finished the deal for me is when I discovered that these are built by Excel Industries, which built the first ZTR made in 1966!
You owe it to yourself to look at them well before you buy. I got my R754 for $4800 + tax, but you could probably do with a C series for what you need to do. I'd guess somewhere about $3500.
Not as commercial duty as The Hustler line they build, but plenty sturdy for residential use.
Once we get accustomed to driving it, it should cut the mowing time from 4+ hours to maybe 1 1/2.
Residential and Commercial Zero Turn Radius Lawn Mowers and Tractors - Big Dog Mowers
Charles
After 2 years of thinking about this and driving myself almost crazy, I settled on a 54" Big Dog R754 model.
13 year old MTD just had to go. I may have gone a little large, but we have 2.25 acres to cut and this machine is well, well built.
What finished the deal for me is when I discovered that these are built by Excel Industries, which built the first ZTR made in 1966!
You owe it to yourself to look at them well before you buy. I got my R754 for $4800 + tax, but you could probably do with a C series for what you need to do. I'd guess somewhere about $3500.
Not as commercial duty as The Hustler line they build, but plenty sturdy for residential use.
Once we get accustomed to driving it, it should cut the mowing time from 4+ hours to maybe 1 1/2.
Residential and Commercial Zero Turn Radius Lawn Mowers and Tractors - Big Dog Mowers
Charles
Attachments
#8
djdicetn
tom-ky,
Don't rule out an investment in that Gravely, although I would recommend that you consider an upgrade to the 48" ZT HD if you can afford $900 more than the XL. The HD is "near-commercial" quality but don't get me wrong the XL would be a very good residential unit. I bought my 52" 2012 Pro-Turn XDZ at the right time(last fall) and avoided a $300 2013 price increase for that model and made an out-the-door deal with my local dealer that save me $1,300 over a new 2013 Pro-Turn 152. I am VERY happy with my Gravely!!!
djdicetn
Currently have a 46" MTD mower that is 15 years old. Takes about 1.5 hours to mow what I mow. Mower is rough so I am considering replacing it. Lookes at a Gravely ZT XL 48 for $4100, also looked at some Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and Exmark. Gravely seemed to handle the best. I have a few small slopes that my current rider handles ok. Debating if it is worth a couple $2,000 more to get a zero turn. Would it save that much time?
tom-ky,
Don't rule out an investment in that Gravely, although I would recommend that you consider an upgrade to the 48" ZT HD if you can afford $900 more than the XL. The HD is "near-commercial" quality but don't get me wrong the XL would be a very good residential unit. I bought my 52" 2012 Pro-Turn XDZ at the right time(last fall) and avoided a $300 2013 price increase for that model and made an out-the-door deal with my local dealer that save me $1,300 over a new 2013 Pro-Turn 152. I am VERY happy with my Gravely!!!
#9
K
KubotaJohn
tom-ky, check out the new Kubota Kommander, it is a Zturn that is focused to someone just like you. It has a 24 and 27 HP option with either a Kohler or B&S in both of those HP ratings. Right now the prices start around 4500.
PM for additional information or I can email you a brochure.
K
KubotaJohn
Currently have a 46" MTD mower that is 15 years old. Takes about 1.5 hours to mow what I mow. Mower is rough so I am considering replacing it. Lookes at a Gravely ZT XL 48 for $4100, also looked at some Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and Exmark. Gravely seemed to handle the best. I have a few small slopes that my current rider handles ok. Debating if it is worth a couple $2,000 more to get a zero turn. Would it save that much time?
tom-ky, check out the new Kubota Kommander, it is a Zturn that is focused to someone just like you. It has a 24 and 27 HP option with either a Kohler or B&S in both of those HP ratings. Right now the prices start around 4500.
PM for additional information or I can email you a brochure.
#10
T
tom-ky
Looks like a pretty nice mower just checking the Kubota site. I like the seat. Called closest dealer, $4499 for one with B&S, One strike that I do see compared to the Gravely is one year less on the 0% finance. It is about $400 higher also but does have a extra year on warranty.
T
tom-ky
tom-ky, check out the new Kubota Kommander, it is a Zturn that is focused to someone just like you. It has a 24 and 27 HP option with either a Kohler or B&S in both of those HP ratings. Right now the prices start around 4500.
PM for additional information or I can email you a brochure.
Looks like a pretty nice mower just checking the Kubota site. I like the seat. Called closest dealer, $4499 for one with B&S, One strike that I do see compared to the Gravely is one year less on the 0% finance. It is about $400 higher also but does have a extra year on warranty.
#11
wjjones
wjjones
Yep I mow with both, and the zero runs circles around the tractor but I have a few customers that will not under any circumstances let me in their yard with the zero. They say they like the cut of the ractor style better myself it doesnt look any different but you know its their yard so I use which ever mower they prefer.
#12
metz12
i like the cut of a tractor too. just my opinion.
metz12
Yep I mow with both, and the zero runs circles around the tractor but I have a few customers that will not under any circumstances let me in their yard with the zero. They say they like the cut of the ractor style better myself it doesnt look any different but you know its their yard so I use which ever mower they prefer.
i like the cut of a tractor too. just my opinion.
#13
djdicetn
When I was shopping ZTR's and looked at the John Deere's I was a bit surprised that the JD Zero Turns that were comparable to the $6K-$7K ZTR's of other brands I had looked at had 10gauge "stamped" decks(on the JD's). The JD salesman told me that JD research had determined that the "rounded shape" of a stamped deck had been proven to give a better cut that the "squared/boxed corners" shape of the fabricated decks. I thought he was blowing smoke(because the real expensive line of John Deere ZTR's.......yep.....had fabricated decks). I wonder, though, if some of the comments about preferring the cut of a lawn tractor is related to them having the stamped decks???? Anyone's thoughts on that?
djdicetn
i like the cut of a tractor too. just my opinion.
When I was shopping ZTR's and looked at the John Deere's I was a bit surprised that the JD Zero Turns that were comparable to the $6K-$7K ZTR's of other brands I had looked at had 10gauge "stamped" decks(on the JD's). The JD salesman told me that JD research had determined that the "rounded shape" of a stamped deck had been proven to give a better cut that the "squared/boxed corners" shape of the fabricated decks. I thought he was blowing smoke(because the real expensive line of John Deere ZTR's.......yep.....had fabricated decks). I wonder, though, if some of the comments about preferring the cut of a lawn tractor is related to them having the stamped decks???? Anyone's thoughts on that?
#14
wjjones
They may, or may not cut better? But they will sure hold more clippings under the deck which requires more cleaning under the deck. I say its a way for them to charge more but spend less making the mower because the fab deck cost more for them to make.
wjjones
When I was shopping ZTR's and looked at the John Deere's I was a bit surprised that the JD Zero Turns that were comparable to the $6K-$7K ZTR's of other brands I had looked at had 10gauge "stamped" decks(on the JD's). The JD salesman told me that JD research had determined that the "rounded shape" of a stamped deck had been proven to give a better cut that the "squared/boxed corners" shape of the fabricated decks. I thought he was blowing smoke(because the real expensive line of John Deere ZTR's.......yep.....had fabricated decks). I wonder, though, if some of the comments about preferring the cut of a lawn tractor is related to them having the stamped decks???? Anyone's thoughts on that?
They may, or may not cut better? But they will sure hold more clippings under the deck which requires more cleaning under the deck. I say its a way for them to charge more but spend less making the mower because the fab deck cost more for them to make.
#15
djdicetn
wjjones,
You are spot on about the grass clippings!! I hated having to clean underneath the deck of my two previous lawn tractors(if I didn't, they would throw a belt the next time I mowed). I've only mowed about a half dozen times with my Gravely and so far the only thing I've seen on the underside of the deck is a "green stain"....no grass clippings and no dirt clods.....that's one of the nicest features I've seen yet:0)
djdicetn
They may, or may not cut better? But they will sure hold more clippings under the deck which requires more cleaning under the deck. I say its a way for them to charge more but spend less making the mower because the fab deck cost more for them to make.
wjjones,
You are spot on about the grass clippings!! I hated having to clean underneath the deck of my two previous lawn tractors(if I didn't, they would throw a belt the next time I mowed). I've only mowed about a half dozen times with my Gravely and so far the only thing I've seen on the underside of the deck is a "green stain"....no grass clippings and no dirt clods.....that's one of the nicest features I've seen yet:0)