Novice could use some expert advice.

[bam1379]

I currently mow 5 acres with an Ariens Zoom 52 inch. I have recently picked up an extra 2.5 acres from the grandfather of my wife who lives next to us and is turning 80 this year. I am looking to upgrade to a larger and faster mower. The two mowers I am looking at are a John Deere 915B and the Bad Boy CZT Elite, both are 60 inch mowers. The John Deere is a 2013 model and has 180 hours on it with the 24 HP Kohler engine. The price listed on it is $5800.00. The Bad Boy is a new mower. It has 726 cc Kawasaki engine and the listed price is also $5800.00. I have read everything I could find on the internet about the two mowers. I was wondering if there are any current owners of these two mowers that could give me an opinion.

Thank You

 

[clpolcar]

Personally I would go with the Deere over the bad boy. Deere I believe has a stamped deck. I would look at other brands but if your set on those two I would get the deere

 

[Carscw]

Go with the bad boy. Very good built mowers the Deere well it's just green and over priced.

 

[Mike88se]

Personally I would go with the Deere over the bad boy. Deere I believe has a stamped deck. I would look at other brands but if your set on those two I would get the deere

Most people would prefer a fabricated/welded deck over a stamped deck.

 

[clpolcar]

I know I prefer a welded deck. I was just saying the Deere I believe has a stamped deck.

 

[Ric]

I currently mow 5 acres with an Ariens Zoom 52 inch. I have recently picked up an extra 2.5 acres from the grandfather of my wife who lives next to us and is turning 80 this year. I am looking to upgrade to a larger and faster mower. The two mowers I am looking at are a John Deere 915B and the Bad Boy CZT Elite, both are 60 inch mowers. The John Deere is a 2013 model and has 180 hours on it with the 24 HP Kohler engine. The price listed on it is $5800.00. The Bad Boy is a new mower. It has 726 cc Kawasaki engine and the listed price is also $5800.00. I have read everything I could find on the internet about the two mowers. I was wondering if there are any current owners of these two mowers that could give me an opinion.

Thank You

I'm not a fan of either, especially JD but if I had too make a choice I'd go Bad Boy for the Kawaski FS engine. It's a great engine and the fact your buying new the warranty is the next reason I'd buy BB

 

[HarryHarley]

The Ariens Zoom 52 inch you have now is a very good mower. I believe it has a welded deck too.
Are you having a problem with it? Or, do you just want two mowers?
Having two mowers is great.... then your wife has one to use and the job will get done twice as fast - LOL
Tough decision on what to buy, but I'm sure you have your preference. Let us know what you get and a picture too!
Good luck.

 

[djdicetn]

I currently mow 5 acres with an Ariens Zoom 52 inch. I have recently picked up an extra 2.5 acres from the grandfather of my wife who lives next to us and is turning 80 this year. I am looking to upgrade to a larger and faster mower. The two mowers I am looking at are a John Deere 915B and the Bad Boy CZT Elite, both are 60 inch mowers. The John Deere is a 2013 model and has 180 hours on it with the 24 HP Kohler engine. The price listed on it is $5800.00. The Bad Boy is a new mower. It has 726 cc Kawasaki engine and the listed price is also $5800.00. I have read everything I could find on the internet about the two mowers. I was wondering if there are any current owners of these two mowers that could give me an opinion.

Thank You

How old(model year and hours) is that Ariens?? I'd be willing to bet it has served you well(my next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old Zoom 42 that still cuts GREAT). I wouldn't buy either of those two mowers(JD or BB), but would suggest that you look into buying one of your Ariens "big brothers"....a Gravely. Since Ariens bought Gravely a few years back they have improved QC and the Gravely is their Commercial bread-and-butter line. It would be difficult to get into a 60" Gravely for < $6k(unless you find a good used one...which most owners don't get rid of) but for what you are going to be mowing you REALLY need a Commercial/Industrial grade ZTR!!!
IMHO neither the JD or BB would hold up mowing 7.5 acres regularly.

 

[cwallen]

I would go with the deere.I mow around 10 acres give or take. I use and recommend the john deere x495 with 24 hp yanmar diesel and a 62 inch deck. have put 325 hours on mine in last three years with no problems. I know this isn't what you asked but maybe helps. btw I have 5500.00 in my 495

 

[ken helton]

I'm not a commercial mower and don't wanna be but... I bought a badboy this year. I shopped for almost a year off and on . I will say the guys who downplay the badboy probally haven't seen one. I'm new to zt mowers so I hit some things at first. Let's just say that badboy is very tough I had a jd law tractor and it was very good but I don't think the build was any better just saying don't let the brand sway you into a mower I looked at jd hustler ariens cub and others I bought what I thought was the best for my budget I didn't care what logo was on it good luck!