New ZTR advice PLEASE - Australia

[Devo73]

Gday all

1st time poster from Australia here :thumbsup: Great forum and some very knowlegable people here so i hope you can steer me in the right direction.

I've been looking around now for a new ZTR for only a couple of weeks after moving into a 5 acre property, most of which is fairly rough except for about 1/4 acre of nice lawn, but i hope to change that over the coming years. Most of the 5 acres will be mowed and as such i don't really want an entry level model, more high end residential or low end commercial, budget does play a part here.

I've narrowed my search down (based on location of dealers) to Hustler, Husqvarna or Toro. I have a local Deere dealer but not really what i want. I initially looked at either a Hustler Raptor 52" $7000, a Toro Timecutter MX 5050 $7500, or Timecutter MX 4250 $6500 but have since thought about spending a bit more and am now looking at :

- Toro Titan MX 5400, 747cc Kohler V-Twin 23hp (which i believe is the Command Pro?), ZT 3100 hydros, 54" cut for $9000 (all $AU so a fair chunk more than you guys in the U.S. are paying)
- Hustler Raptor SD, Kawasaki FR691V 23hp (* see below), ZT 2800 hydros, 48" cut, for $8100
- Husqvarna MZ 52, Husky endurance commercial (i think B&S?) 25hp, ZT 3100 hydros, 52" cut for $9000

* Now after talking to the Australian Kawasaki/Hustler rep he told me that all Australian Kawa engines are either FS or FX. The FR here in Oz has been up-speced with the FS air cleaners, starter motors, flip up covers? and pre filters making it essentially an FS. Same long bore block and part numbers etc. Now thats just me parroting the guy because i'm a mechanical nupty

There is a good review of the Husky on here that i have read but just wanting some input from the brainstrust on here.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Cheers :smile:

 

[bertsmobile1]

Can't give you much help on comparing the machines.
I have a couple of Timecutter MX5's on the books.
My only problem with them as been the single rocker retaining bolt coming loose and trashing the heads.
Fixed under waranttee but took a long time.
Kawaka parts are available from both Stens & Gripskies so are readily available and reasonably priced.

Kohler prices are a joke.
I can buy them retail in the USA, pay the shipping to OZ and they are still cheaper than the wholesale price here.

I have one customer with the big Huskie, no great problems except for the Kwaka's rockers.
Was not really impressed with it but he is happy and it only ever comes in for scheduled services.

Whatever you buy it must have the Donaldson style air filter ( 2 element tubular ) so if not on there, get it fitted as a dealer accessory.
Do not allow them to mount it to the blower housing as it makes removing the housing very difficult and you will need to remove it regularly to clean the engine block.
I add a full hour to the service fee when they are mounted that way.

 

[Devo73]

Thanks for the advice on the Donaldsons mate. Where are you located?
Any advice on the 2800 hydro compared to 3100? I'm leaning towards the Hustler because of the kawasaki engine but the hydros are "inferior".

 

[bertsmobile1]

Sydney.

The original Kwaka filter elements are around $ 100 and the aftermarket ones are around $ 50.
You should get 4 or 5 outers to every inner and it is the only air filter that actually works.
Good thing that Kwaka have upgraded to it as standard.
Most of the skid steers run this type of filter.