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Hi guys,

Just moved from mowing 3+ acres with my 18-year-old Deere 425, to a 1/2 acre suburban lot. The Deere is now retired, and this time I would like to go with a zero-turn.

As much as I am tempted to go with a pro model, I must admit and get real that I really only need a pro-sumer model. I draw the line at what is sold at big box stores, I won't do that.

48" or even 42" will work. Right now it is between the Gravely ZT-42 and the Kubota Kommander, but I am totally open to suggestions... thanks!

I moved your thread to the Mower Buying & Pricing Forum. :smile:

Personally I think you would get more "bang for your buck" with the Kubota, but that's just my opinion.

ldigioia said:

Hi guys,

Just moved from mowing 3+ acres with my 18-year-old Deere 425, to a 1/2 acre suburban lot. The Deere is now retired, and this time I would like to go with a zero-turn.

As much as I am tempted to go with a pro model, I must admit and get real that I really only need a pro-sumer model. I draw the line at what is sold at big box stores, I won't do that.

48" or even 42" will work. Right now it is between the Gravely ZT-42 and the Kubota Kommander, but I am totally open to suggestions... thanks!

Click to expand...

What's your "budget"??? If you are comparing a Kommander to a Gravely, you should be looking at the Gravely ZT HD to get apples-to-apples. The smallest deck for the Gravely ZT HD is 44" and the MSRP on it is $4899. I think you'll find the build, quality of components and their warranties competitive with any others in the high-end residential ZTR class. Good luck finding the right ZTR for your needs.

Grasshopper......... the original inventor of Zero Turn!!

HarryHarley said:

Grasshopper......... the original inventor of Zero Turn!!

Click to expand...

I've heard arguments that Dixon held the first "zero turn patent"(although I think it was a golf-cart looking contraption) and others that say Hustler was the first. All I know is I heard about Grasshopper ZTR's long before I heard of those other two. I "kinda" went to the Grasshopper dealer but they didn't have a single model in the "showroom"(might be a good indication of how well they sell:0) but my initial "budget" was $4k-$5K and I wanted "near Commercial quality". I didn't think Grasshopper had any heavy-duty ZTR's in that price range. When I ended up realizing I couldn't touch "Commercial quality" for that much money and upped the budget to $6k-$7k I probably should have gone back and looked at the Grasshoppers. I'm pretty happy with my Gravely though and saved almost $1300 on my 2012 compared to the MSRP of the 2013 same model:0)

I was just told yesterday that "Hustler" was "the original inventor of Zero Turn..." I did mean to check on Grasshopper, but there are no dealers for them nearby. A dealer that I trust who is just down the road has Gravely, Hustler and Toro, among others... I actually trust the local Kobota place less, despite the great quality.

I never looked at Hustler before, but so far it looks perfect for me, if I can get one with a 48" deck.

HarryHarley said:

Grasshopper......... the original inventor of Zero Turn!!

Click to expand...

ldigioia said:

I was just told yesterday that "Hustler" was "the original inventor of Zero Turn..." I did mean to check on Grasshopper, but there are no dealers for them nearby. A dealer that I trust who is just down the road has Gravely, Hustler and Toro, among others... I actually trust the local Kobota place less, despite the great quality.

I never looked at Hustler before, but so far it looks perfect for me, if I can get one with a 48" deck.

Click to expand...

In 1964 hustler came out with the first zero turn mower
In 1969 grasshopper came out with the first commercial zero turn mower.
Then in 1974 came Dixon

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Carscw said:

In 1964 hustler came out with the first zero turn mower

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They've come a long way from this! :licking:

hustlerbeginning


(http://www.b58hustler.com/pic/model36-cover.png)

lawn mower fanatic said:

They've come a long way from this! :licking:

hustlerbeginning

(http://www.b58hustler.com/pic/model36-cover.png)

Click to expand...

That looks more like an articulating rider than it does a zero turn!!!

Carscw,
Thanks for the detailed history lesson....maybe that'll settle the controversy(unless you own a Grasshopper or a Dixon:0)

I stand corrected... looks like Hustler technically wins the "first" category. They are a good company too.

HarryHarley said:

I stand corrected... looks like Hustler technically wins the "first" category. They are a good company too.

Click to expand...

OK, can you see if you can find the GrassHopper "first Commercial ZTR" introduced in 1969??? Attached is a picture of the first Dixon Zero Turn and just like user Carscw said.....it's a 1973 model!!!