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Requesting Suggestions: ZTR Mower Purchase
#1
M
Meetloaf13
M
Meetloaf13
Hello,
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months.
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
- Willing to buy new or used
- My lawn is a 3D hybrid, likes to be cut fairly short, so it can't clog up easily with moist turf
- Budget probably under 3K, better if around 2K
Thanks for your suggestions and help!
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months.
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
- Willing to buy new or used
- My lawn is a 3D hybrid, likes to be cut fairly short, so it can't clog up easily with moist turf
- Budget probably under 3K, better if around 2K
Thanks for your suggestions and help!
#2
reynoldston
You get what you pay for. For that amount of money you are starting on the low side so it isn't going to matter what you buy. I would say something made by MTD would be a good choice.
reynoldston
Hello,
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months.
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
- Willing to buy new or used
- My lawn is a 3D hybrid, likes to be cut fairly short, so it can't clog up easily with moist turf
- Budget probably under 3K, better if around 2K
Thanks for your suggestions and help!
You get what you pay for. For that amount of money you are starting on the low side so it isn't going to matter what you buy. I would say something made by MTD would be a good choice.
#3
Ric
Mite want to check into something like this, Hustler Raptor with flip up deck.
Ric
Hello,
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months.
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
- Willing to buy new or used
- My lawn is a 3D hybrid, likes to be cut fairly short, so it can't clog up easily with moist turf
- Budget probably under 3K, better if around 2K
Thanks for your suggestions and help!
Mite want to check into something like this, Hustler Raptor with flip up deck.
#4
reynoldston
The Hustler looks like a nice outfit, in the high part of your price range but now the flip up deck accessory brings it up to 5,000 dollars. All you have to do is add another 5 thousand making it 10,000 dollars and you can buy a Farris Pro 60 that the deck lifts. Its only money, did you say you wanted to spend 2K?
reynoldston
Mite want to check into something like this, Hustler Raptor with flip up deck.
The Hustler looks like a nice outfit, in the high part of your price range but now the flip up deck accessory brings it up to 5,000 dollars. All you have to do is add another 5 thousand making it 10,000 dollars and you can buy a Farris Pro 60 that the deck lifts. Its only money, did you say you wanted to spend 2K?
#5
Ric
It's the cheapest flip up deck he is going to buy, His other alternative would be the Hustler Raptor which you can get for about $2495 and the buy the Mojack for his lift. I sure would waste $10000 on a Briggs & Stratton Product.
Ric
The Hustler looks like a nice outfit, in the high part of your price range but now the flip up deck accessory brings it up to 5,000 dollars. All you have to do is add another 5 thousand making it 10,000 dollars and you can buy a Farris Pro 60 that the deck lifts. Its only money, did you say you wanted to spend 2K?
It's the cheapest flip up deck he is going to buy, His other alternative would be the Hustler Raptor which you can get for about $2495 and the buy the Mojack for his lift. I sure would waste $10000 on a Briggs & Stratton Product.
#6
reynoldston
reynoldston
. I sure would waste $10000 on a Briggs & Stratton Product.[/QUOTE said:The Farris Pro 61 comes with either two engines Briggs or a Kawasaki. I sure wouldn't waste my money on a Kawasaki. Now as far as my Farris go's its the best mower I ever own. Its going on 15 years old with 900 hrs and other then maintenance its never give me any problems. We could argue all day but no one agrees on mower brand or oil. Now the only thing I don't like about Kawasaki is the price of parts. I don't know what engine or mower you like but I am sure it has its problems also.
#7
Ric
The correct spelling is Ferris. A Ferris is actually owned by Simplicity manufacturing who is a subsidiary of B&S. 900 hrs is not a lot of hours for a mower that's 15 years old when you consider the monthly time it was used. I had a Cub Cadet with a Kohler Courage that was just less than 2 years old when I sold it that had 773 hrs on it and it never gave me any problems. I've run 3 Kawasaki engines for the last three years and this parts thing is a myth. It cost no more for maintenance on them than it did for the Kohlers and with the warranty's the mowers have never cost me a dime in repairs which have virtually been none and I can't say the same for any B&S that I've ever owned. When you start putting 700 to 1000 hrs a year on mower engines it's a different ball game.
Ric
The Farris Pro 61 comes with either two engines Briggs or a Kawasaki. I sure wouldn't waste my money on a Kawasaki. Now as far as my Farris go's its the best mower I ever own. Its going on 15 years old with 900 hrs and other then maintenance its never give me any problems. We could argue all day but no one agrees on mower brand or oil. Now the only thing I don't like about Kawasaki is the price of parts. I don't know what engine or mower you like but I am sure it has its problems also.
The correct spelling is Ferris. A Ferris is actually owned by Simplicity manufacturing who is a subsidiary of B&S. 900 hrs is not a lot of hours for a mower that's 15 years old when you consider the monthly time it was used. I had a Cub Cadet with a Kohler Courage that was just less than 2 years old when I sold it that had 773 hrs on it and it never gave me any problems. I've run 3 Kawasaki engines for the last three years and this parts thing is a myth. It cost no more for maintenance on them than it did for the Kohlers and with the warranty's the mowers have never cost me a dime in repairs which have virtually been none and I can't say the same for any B&S that I've ever owned. When you start putting 700 to 1000 hrs a year on mower engines it's a different ball game.
#8
reynoldston
reynoldston
If this is a spelling or grammar test you win hand down. All this forum is to me is entertainment. I am just a dumb mechanic if this is something you need to know and you are one very intelligent person. So you win the spelling bee. :thumbdown: For anything that has come into my shop that says Kawasaki on it including bikes, snowmobiles, and mowers has more major problems then any other brand and this is many years back. Yes if I was to buy a new mower and it have a Kawasaki engine in it, the engine brand wouldn't matter to me one bit what it had in it. As a matter of fact if I resell a mower and it has a Kawasaki engine it sells faster. We sure don't need to like each other or what brand we buy. BMW stinks next to a Harley Davidson if you would like to get into that war.
#9
Ric
You can use the forum for entertainment, a lot of people do. It's also a source of information to some. As far as winning a spelling contest goes I have too say I did fairly well in English when I was in school but probably couldn't hold a candle to what the kids are learning there today. With the computer you are using you really don't need to be to intelligent to spell because it tells you when a word is misspelled as your typing your message and you can use the spell check too correct the spelling. For myself I think a post with the correct spelling is a lot easier to read than trying to guess what someone is trying to say.
I can agree with you about a mower with a Kawasaki engine always selling better and faster than the others. True they cost more to buy but are worth the money. As far as saying BMW is better than a Harley goes I really couldn't say as I've never owned either so there's no war there.
Ric
If this is a spelling or grammar test you win hand down. All this forum is to me is entertainment. I am just a dumb mechanic if this is something you need to know and you are one very intelligent person. So you win the spelling bee. :thumbdown: For anything that has come into my shop that says Kawasaki on it including bikes, snowmobiles, and mowers has more major problems then any other brand and this is many years back. Yes if I was to buy a new mower and it have a Kawasaki engine in it, the engine brand wouldn't matter to me one bit what it had in it. As a matter of fact if I resell a mower and it has a Kawasaki engine it sells faster. We sure don't need to like each other or what brand we buy. BMW stinks next to a Harley Davidson if you would like to get into that war.
You can use the forum for entertainment, a lot of people do. It's also a source of information to some. As far as winning a spelling contest goes I have too say I did fairly well in English when I was in school but probably couldn't hold a candle to what the kids are learning there today. With the computer you are using you really don't need to be to intelligent to spell because it tells you when a word is misspelled as your typing your message and you can use the spell check too correct the spelling. For myself I think a post with the correct spelling is a lot easier to read than trying to guess what someone is trying to say.
I can agree with you about a mower with a Kawasaki engine always selling better and faster than the others. True they cost more to buy but are worth the money. As far as saying BMW is better than a Harley goes I really couldn't say as I've never owned either so there's no war there.
#10
Lawnboy18
Not sure what to say about that... You told me you had one.
Anyways, lets just help the guy out here on choosing a mower. A Toro SS4200 would be a good mower. It is at the maximum of your budget tho.
If you would want to buy used, well that is a whole new story. You really have to be carefull.
It would be nice to know how many acres you are going to mow.
Lawnboy18
You can use the forum for entertainment, a lot of people do. It's also a source of information to some. As far as winning a spelling contest goes I have too say I did fairly well in English when I was in school but probably couldn't hold a candle to what the kids are learning there today. With the computer you are using you really don't need to be to intelligent to spell because it tells you when a word is misspelled as your typing your message and you can use the spell check too correct the spelling. For myself I think a post with the correct spelling is a lot easier to read than trying to guess what someone is trying to say.
I can agree with you about a mower with a Kawasaki engine always selling better and faster than the others. True they cost more to buy but are worth the money. As far as saying BMW is better than a Harley goes I really couldn't say as I've never owned either so there's no war there.
Not sure what to say about that... You told me you had one.
Anyways, lets just help the guy out here on choosing a mower. A Toro SS4200 would be a good mower. It is at the maximum of your budget tho.
If you would want to buy used, well that is a whole new story. You really have to be carefull.
It would be nice to know how many acres you are going to mow.
#11
Ric
Not sure what to say about that? I told you I do have one (a BMW) and I do own a BMW just not one with handlebars which was how the reference was made. That's why I made the comment I really couldn't say as I've never owned either so there's no war there. I mean really if you use the reference BMW and Harley Davidson in the same sentence one would assume your talking about motorcycles.
If you read the post the OP he said:
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months and said
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
I gave him my opinion of the cheapest model available with easy access to under the deck and I commented later in the thread It's the cheapest flip up deck he is going to buy, His other alternative would be the Hustler Raptor which you can get for about $2495 and then buy the Mo-Jack for his lift
MoJack EZ 300 lb Lawn Mower Lift -The MoJack
or a mower jack like this from Northern Tool for $149
Pro-Lift Hydraulic Lawn Mower Lift, Model# T-5350 | Lawn Mower Lifts| Northern Tool + Equipment
Now personally I wouldn't try mowing an acre of land with a cheap MTD product, however if the OP likes the MTD line I'd go with there high end Cub Cadet Z Force with the Kohler Engine along with at least the 2800 drives. it would do the job nicely but again there's no easy access under the deck without having a jack or jack-stands.
Ric
Not sure what to say about that... You told me you had one.
Anyways, lets just help the guy out here on choosing a mower. A Toro SS4200 would be a good mower. It is at the maximum of your budget tho.
If you would want to buy used, well that is a whole new story. You really have to be careful.
It would be nice to know how many acres you are going to mow.
Not sure what to say about that? I told you I do have one (a BMW) and I do own a BMW just not one with handlebars which was how the reference was made. That's why I made the comment I really couldn't say as I've never owned either so there's no war there. I mean really if you use the reference BMW and Harley Davidson in the same sentence one would assume your talking about motorcycles.
If you read the post the OP he said:
Looking to purchase a ZTR riding mower before our mowing season starts in 3-4 months and said
- Have about an acre, with a few decorative islands that I have to mow around.
- I need the ability to bag, and I'd like to sharpen the blades myself, so easy access under the deck (without having a jack or jack-stands) is a must.
I gave him my opinion of the cheapest model available with easy access to under the deck and I commented later in the thread It's the cheapest flip up deck he is going to buy, His other alternative would be the Hustler Raptor which you can get for about $2495 and then buy the Mo-Jack for his lift
MoJack EZ 300 lb Lawn Mower Lift -The MoJack
or a mower jack like this from Northern Tool for $149
Pro-Lift Hydraulic Lawn Mower Lift, Model# T-5350 | Lawn Mower Lifts| Northern Tool + Equipment
Now personally I wouldn't try mowing an acre of land with a cheap MTD product, however if the OP likes the MTD line I'd go with there high end Cub Cadet Z Force with the Kohler Engine along with at least the 2800 drives. it would do the job nicely but again there's no easy access under the deck without having a jack or jack-stands.
#12
P
possum
P
possum
Those cheap Toro zero turns have decks that come off in only a few minutes. You do have to kneel or squat down but there is no hard work or heavy lifting. I know a fellow that has two different ones and he has no problem doing the blades. He is 80 and has severe COPD. He does an acre with one and less with the other.
#13
S
Shughes717
The country clipper wrangler is another option. Comes standard with a flip up deck. Also has single joystick controls. Price range between 3 and 4k.
S
Shughes717
It's the cheapest flip up deck he is going to buy, His other alternative would be the Hustler Raptor which you can get for about $2495 and the buy the Mojack for his lift. I sure would waste $10000 on a Briggs & Stratton Product.
The country clipper wrangler is another option. Comes standard with a flip up deck. Also has single joystick controls. Price range between 3 and 4k.
#14
Ric
There are a few company's that have the flip up decks, like Hustler, Husqvarna with there R220T, Exmark I believe they have a flip up on there Navigator, Kubota I believe has one along with Walker Mower but most are on the expensive side 4K and up.
Ric
The country clipper wrangler is another option. Comes standard with a flip up deck. Also has single joystick controls. Price range between 3 and 4k.
There are a few company's that have the flip up decks, like Hustler, Husqvarna with there R220T, Exmark I believe they have a flip up on there Navigator, Kubota I believe has one along with Walker Mower but most are on the expensive side 4K and up.
#15
S
Shughes717
As I said the country clipper wrangler is available between the 3 and 4k range. Every model country clipper makes comes with a flip up deck. They have been making them for years. That is the most affordable ztr on the market that has a flip up deck. The r 220t isn't a ztr it's an articulating mower and runs over 5k. The kubota's I have seen have a front axle that pivots like a jack on some of their higher end models which will run 6k plus. I will have to take your word for the exmark line, but I would wager they run 6k plus as well. Walker makes a fine mower as well, but a little out of the op's price range.
S
Shughes717
There are a few company's that have the flip up decks, like Hustler, Husqvarna with there R220T, Exmark I believe they have a flip up on there Navigator, Kubota I believe has one along with Walker Mower but most are on the expensive side 4K and up.
As I said the country clipper wrangler is available between the 3 and 4k range. Every model country clipper makes comes with a flip up deck. They have been making them for years. That is the most affordable ztr on the market that has a flip up deck. The r 220t isn't a ztr it's an articulating mower and runs over 5k. The kubota's I have seen have a front axle that pivots like a jack on some of their higher end models which will run 6k plus. I will have to take your word for the exmark line, but I would wager they run 6k plus as well. Walker makes a fine mower as well, but a little out of the op's price range.
#16
Ric
Most all the flip up deck models are going to be out of the OP's price range. I know the Husqvarna is an articulating mower but the deck does flip up manually. The R 220T can be purchased for I believe their site says $3995. The Exmark I think is over 10K and Toro has the Direct Collect 8000 model, which is the same mower just different name. The thing is for the budget the op's talking about regardless whether he buys a cheap ZTR or a Lawn Tractor, without a lift of some type cleaning the deck and sharpening blades going to be a problem. That's the reason I suggested the Hustler Raptor for $2495 with a $149. lift from Northern Tool. Cost would be right at 3k.
Ric
As I said the country clipper wrangler is available between the 3 and 4k range. Every model country clipper makes comes with a flip up deck. They have been making them for years. That is the most affordable ztr on the market that has a flip up deck. The r 220t isn't a ztr it's an articulating mower and runs over 5k. The kubota's I have seen have a front axle that pivots like a jack on some of their higher end models which will run 6k plus. I will have to take your word for the exmark line, but I would wager they run 6k plus as well. Walker makes a fine mower as well, but a little out of the op's price range.
Most all the flip up deck models are going to be out of the OP's price range. I know the Husqvarna is an articulating mower but the deck does flip up manually. The R 220T can be purchased for I believe their site says $3995. The Exmark I think is over 10K and Toro has the Direct Collect 8000 model, which is the same mower just different name. The thing is for the budget the op's talking about regardless whether he buys a cheap ZTR or a Lawn Tractor, without a lift of some type cleaning the deck and sharpening blades going to be a problem. That's the reason I suggested the Hustler Raptor for $2495 with a $149. lift from Northern Tool. Cost would be right at 3k.
#17
S
Shughes717
That's the reason I suggested the country clipper wrangler. It fits the categories the op requested and is in the ball park in budget. I didn't start naming mowers that are either way out of the op's budget, or were not ztr mowers. I agree that the most cost efficient would be a cheap ztr with a mow jack, but the op asked about mowers in the 2 to 3k range that offered a flip up deck. A 42" wrangler will run about $3200 to $3300 and offers exactly what the op was asking for. It makes no sense to name a bunch of mowers that doesnt fall into the category that the op is requesting.
S
Shughes717
Most all the flip up deck models are going to be out of the OP's price range. I know the Husqvarna is an articulating mower but the deck does flip up manually. The R 220T can be purchased for I believe their site says $3995. The Exmark I think is over 10K and Toro has the Direct Collect 8000 model, which is the same mower just different name. The thing is for the budget the op's talking about regardless whether he buys a cheap ZTR or a Lawn Tractor, without a lift of some type cleaning the deck and sharpening blades going to be a problem. That's the reason I suggested the Hustler Raptor for $2495 with a $149. lift from Northern Tool. Cost would be right at 3k.
That's the reason I suggested the country clipper wrangler. It fits the categories the op requested and is in the ball park in budget. I didn't start naming mowers that are either way out of the op's budget, or were not ztr mowers. I agree that the most cost efficient would be a cheap ztr with a mow jack, but the op asked about mowers in the 2 to 3k range that offered a flip up deck. A 42" wrangler will run about $3200 to $3300 and offers exactly what the op was asking for. It makes no sense to name a bunch of mowers that doesnt fall into the category that the op is requesting.
#18
Ric
I'm not telling or suggesting that he spend a ton of money on one of those mowers, I was pointing out he couldn't get what he was looking for with the money he was wanting to spend. For an acre of ground I was pointing out the cheapest Ztr and jack that would do the job the most efficient for the money he wants to spend. That IMO would be the Hustler Raptor 52" deck with a jack for Northern tool for under 3K. In comparison the Country Clipper Wrangler price for there 52" is $4695.
Ric
That's the reason I suggested the country clipper wrangler. It fits the categories the op requested and is in the ball park in budget. I didn't start naming mowers that are either way out of the op's budget, or were not ztr mowers. I agree that the most cost efficient would be a cheap ztr with a mow jack, but the op asked about mowers in the 2 to 3k range that offered a flip up deck. A 42" wrangler will run about $3200 to $3300 and offers exactly what the op was asking for. It makes no sense to name a bunch of mowers that doesnt fall into the category that the op is requesting.
I'm not telling or suggesting that he spend a ton of money on one of those mowers, I was pointing out he couldn't get what he was looking for with the money he was wanting to spend. For an acre of ground I was pointing out the cheapest Ztr and jack that would do the job the most efficient for the money he wants to spend. That IMO would be the Hustler Raptor 52" deck with a jack for Northern tool for under 3K. In comparison the Country Clipper Wrangler price for there 52" is $4695.
#19
S
Shughes717
The op also doesn't need a 52" deck for 1 acre. I never mentioned the 52" version. The 42" would more than meet his/her needs and is in the price range. None of the other brands offer a flip up deck anywhere near that price ($3200 to $3300). Btw, I can get a country clipper challenger for the price you listed. Before you correct me i miss typed the deck size. It is a 41" not a 42".
S
Shughes717
I'm not telling or suggesting that he spend a ton of money on one of those mowers, I was pointing out he couldn't get what he was looking for with the money he was wanting to spend. For an acre of ground I was pointing out the cheapest Ztr and jack that would do the job the most efficient for the money he wants to spend. That IMO would be the Hustler Raptor 52" deck with a jack for Northern tool for under 3K. In comparison the Country Clipper Wrangler price for there 52" is $5752.95.
http://www.lawnmowerhosp.com/product/country-clipper-wrangler-zero-turn-rider-1107
The op also doesn't need a 52" deck for 1 acre. I never mentioned the 52" version. The 42" would more than meet his/her needs and is in the price range. None of the other brands offer a flip up deck anywhere near that price ($3200 to $3300). Btw, I can get a country clipper challenger for the price you listed. Before you correct me i miss typed the deck size. It is a 41" not a 42".
#20
Ric
The WCC 52" is $4695 The 41" is $3595. The Huistler 52 at full price is only $2999 and would be a much faster cut and it also come with a 23 Hp kawasaki not the 21.5 IMO much more mower for the money. Now I may be wrong but I think that deck on the WCC is manual isn't it? That jack from Northern is a Hydraulic and easy to use, I've almost got myself ready to buy one of those. $149 for that jack is a good price.
Ric
The op also doesn't need a 52" deck for 1 acre. I never mentioned the 52" version. The 42" would more than meet his/her needs and is in the price range. None of the other brands offer a flip up deck anywhere near that price ($3200 to $3300). Btw, I can get a country clipper challenger for the price you listed. Before you correct me i miss typed the deck size. It is a 41" not a 42".
The WCC 52" is $4695 The 41" is $3595. The Huistler 52 at full price is only $2999 and would be a much faster cut and it also come with a 23 Hp kawasaki not the 21.5 IMO much more mower for the money. Now I may be wrong but I think that deck on the WCC is manual isn't it? That jack from Northern is a Hydraulic and easy to use, I've almost got myself ready to buy one of those. $149 for that jack is a good price.
#21
S
Shughes717
It is manual, but very easy to lift. My 12 year old daughter can do it. The price you show must be a sticker price. We both know you can get. Dealers to come off a couple hundred bucks. Dealers around here will sell them all day long for the price I listed. Nothing wrong with the hustler, and it would cut faster. The 41" would cut it plenty fast as well. Mowing 1 acre isn't a lot for either mower. The only advantages would be deck size ( if the op has the storage space for a mower that wide)and engine make if you prefer Kawi. The 21.5 engine has plenty of power for a 41" deck. I have also been looking at the hydraulic mow jack for my snapper pro. Good purchase for those of us who service their own mowers.
S
Shughes717
The WCC 52" is $4695 The 41" is $3595. The Huistler 52 at full price is only $2999 and would be a much faster cut and it also come with a 23 Hp kawasaki not the 21.5 IMO much more mower for the money. Now I may be wrong but I think that deck on the WCC is manual isn't it? That jack from Northern is a Hydraulic and easy to use, I've almost got myself ready to buy one of those. $149 for that jack is a good price.
It is manual, but very easy to lift. My 12 year old daughter can do it. The price you show must be a sticker price. We both know you can get. Dealers to come off a couple hundred bucks. Dealers around here will sell them all day long for the price I listed. Nothing wrong with the hustler, and it would cut faster. The 41" would cut it plenty fast as well. Mowing 1 acre isn't a lot for either mower. The only advantages would be deck size ( if the op has the storage space for a mower that wide)and engine make if you prefer Kawi. The 21.5 engine has plenty of power for a 41" deck. I have also been looking at the hydraulic mow jack for my snapper pro. Good purchase for those of us who service their own mowers.