North of you

[Old Gweilo]

Hi All

I'm about to purchase my first ZT mower. I expect to buy before next spring. I'm looking at an Ariens Apex and would appreciate any recommendations and or cautions before I buy. I've looked at Kubota too but believe the Apex is, pound for pound, the better buy. What say you ?

 

[Honest Abe]

Hi All I'm about to purchase my first ZT mower. I expect to buy before next spring. I'm looking at an Ariens Apex and would appreciate any recommendations and or cautions before I buy. I've looked at Kubota too but believe the Apex is, pound for pound, the better buy. What say you ?

If someone gave me a free Ariens I'd immediately take it to Kubota and trade it in for a decent unit. But that's just me... Oh ya, if you want my dead one with less than 400 hours you have it, just keep your hands off my JD.

 

[Old Gweilo]

If someone gave me a free Ariens I'd immediately take it to Kubota and trade it in for a decent unit. But that's just me... Oh ya, if you want my dead one with less than 400 hours you have it, just keep your hands off my JD.

The Apex and Kubota have the same 3100 series transaxles, the same engines, wheels and 10 ga deck. The Apex has a 4 year, (500 hr) warranty compared to the Kubota's 3. Up here the Kubota costs more, (though not by a lot). Is your dead Ariens not still covered under warranty or is Ariens not living up to it ? Thanx.

 

[Honest Abe]

The Apex and Kubota have the same 3100 series transaxles, the same engines, wheels and 10 ga deck. The Apex has a 4 year, (500 hr) warranty compared to the Kubota's 3. Up here the Kubota costs more, (though not by a lot). Is your dead Ariens not still covered under warranty or is Ariens not living up to it ? Thanx.

NOT living up to it! It's had numerous issues, i.e. 2 completely new deck spindles, a pto clutch, and then the motor busted the crank. So, up there's...

 

[Old Gweilo]

NOT living up to it! It's had numerous issues, i.e. 2 completely new deck spindles, a pto clutch, and then the motor busted the crank. So, up there's...

Good to know, Thanx.

 

[Honest Abe]

and for the record, I do take care of my equipment. I still have a 1981 Case 108 that my son uses, it has the original deck and spindles, and it has to have 3-4k hours on it by now. My son rebuilt the 8hp B&S engine a few years ago. It still cuts a nice lawn...

 

[Honest Abe]

PS - check out the post above from today, i.e. Ariens Apex Weak/Defective HydroGear Transaxle?

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

and for the record, I do take care of my equipment. I still have a 1981 Case 108 that my son uses, it has the original deck and spindles, and it has to have 3-4k hours on it by now. My son rebuilt the 8hp B&S engine a few years ago. It still cuts a nice lawn...

Ariens is the residential side and Gravely is the commercial side, same company. Ariens, like Gravely, are good solid machines. If you actually got 3000-4000 hours out of a Briggs and Stratton 8 horsepower engine, prior to or around rebuild, that is amazing.