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Soliciting Help for new purchase on Zero Turn Mower
#1
M
MorrisGray
M
MorrisGray
Things I know... I have about 3 acres of grass to mow and I previously owned a Ariens Zoom Max 48" deck with a Kawasaki FR691V motor tagged as 24hp. I liked this mower but after 6 years of use I gave it to my son-in-law to buy me a new mower but now I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. For some reason that same FR691V Kawasaki motor is no longer on a new Ariens and that same motor is no longer rated 24hp, either 23 or 22, not sure. My yard is rough, old pasture land.
I am considering a Ferris IS700z with the front & rear coil over shocks, w/ B&S Commercial Turf Series 27hp @ $6,099 or with the Kawasaki FS691V 23hp @ $6,599... both with the 52" deck. This Ferris model has ZT3400 hydro and a pivoting front bar axle. What concerns me is the B&S Commercial motor being good enough? And aluminum cast spindles? Is it worth $500 more for the Kawasaki motor and is that even a good choice? It weighs 1059lbs and has 22x11-10 rear wheels.
I could step up to the IS2100z that starts at $8,499 that gives you ZT4400 hydro, independent front bar axle suspension(much nicer), 24x9.5-12 rear wheels.... Vanguard 810 26hp / add $500 to get Vanguard 810 EFI 28hp / or add $600 to get Kawasaki FX801V 852cc 25.5hp... still has aluminum spindles in the 52" deck width
Other mowers I am considering cost less like the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947
Bad Boy ZT Elite 54" deck 26hp Kohler motor $4,703
Or maybe a Husqvarna M ZT52 or something else in the $5k-$6k range?
Is the Briggs Commercial Turf Series motors okay? I hear good and bad about all but a lot of information I have found to read is dated back to 2012/2013 and I know things change from year to year. Some for the better and some for the worse.
Are the cast aluminum spindles okay? Is it better to get greaseable bearings or sealed bearings?
Any and all suggestions welcome. I am not going to spend more than $9,500 but would just as soon spend just $5,000 if not able to really justify spending more. I tried a Dixie Chopper mower that had ZT2800 hydro and did not like the power output. I am pretty sure my Ariens mower had ZT3100 hydro. I live about 10 miles south of Chattanooga in Rock Springs, GA
Nearby dealers are Chattanooga Tractor Supply, Skyline Power Equipment, North Georgia Equipment Sales, Tas Equipment Supply, and some others
I am considering a Ferris IS700z with the front & rear coil over shocks, w/ B&S Commercial Turf Series 27hp @ $6,099 or with the Kawasaki FS691V 23hp @ $6,599... both with the 52" deck. This Ferris model has ZT3400 hydro and a pivoting front bar axle. What concerns me is the B&S Commercial motor being good enough? And aluminum cast spindles? Is it worth $500 more for the Kawasaki motor and is that even a good choice? It weighs 1059lbs and has 22x11-10 rear wheels.
I could step up to the IS2100z that starts at $8,499 that gives you ZT4400 hydro, independent front bar axle suspension(much nicer), 24x9.5-12 rear wheels.... Vanguard 810 26hp / add $500 to get Vanguard 810 EFI 28hp / or add $600 to get Kawasaki FX801V 852cc 25.5hp... still has aluminum spindles in the 52" deck width
Other mowers I am considering cost less like the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947
Bad Boy ZT Elite 54" deck 26hp Kohler motor $4,703
Or maybe a Husqvarna M ZT52 or something else in the $5k-$6k range?
Is the Briggs Commercial Turf Series motors okay? I hear good and bad about all but a lot of information I have found to read is dated back to 2012/2013 and I know things change from year to year. Some for the better and some for the worse.
Are the cast aluminum spindles okay? Is it better to get greaseable bearings or sealed bearings?
Any and all suggestions welcome. I am not going to spend more than $9,500 but would just as soon spend just $5,000 if not able to really justify spending more. I tried a Dixie Chopper mower that had ZT2800 hydro and did not like the power output. I am pretty sure my Ariens mower had ZT3100 hydro. I live about 10 miles south of Chattanooga in Rock Springs, GA
Nearby dealers are Chattanooga Tractor Supply, Skyline Power Equipment, North Georgia Equipment Sales, Tas Equipment Supply, and some others
#2
S
Shughes717
Greetings from the other end of Tennessee. I know you mentioned that your lawn is old pasture, but does it also consist of steep hills? If so then a heavier mower, with bigger hydros will stay on the hills a little better than a smaller ztr mower. The Commercial Turf engine is a newer line of commercial engine, but has been out for a few years. I purchased a 48" Snapper Pro s150xt in 2012. The Commercial Turf engine had only been out for about a year, and my dealer didn't have much info on them. I decided to spend the extra money and get an FX series Kawaski engine. The Commercial turf has been out long enough now to get a good idea of any problems with the engines. My local dealer has sold a lot them, and said he doesn't see them in the shop often. Mad Mackie is a member on this site who repowered one of his Scag mowers with a commercial turf engine and he gave a great review of it. He seems to be satisfied.
Snapper Pro and Ferris are both owned by Briggs & Stratton. The only difference between the two is the Snapper Pro doesn't come with the independent suspension. I mow a little over 4 acres with my mower and it does great. The suspension system on the IS700 doesn't have as much travel as the IS2100, so it doesn't offer as smooth a ride. There are several great mower brands out there that offer a mower that will suit your needs in the $5k to $6k range. Something with zt3100 hydros or bigger, and a FS series Kawi or commercial turf engine with a fabricated deck is what I would recommend. any mower in that range will have deck sizes ranging from 48" up to 61". I Have several obstacles in my lawn, and I can mow 4 acres in about 2 hours with my 48" mower. A suspension seat will improve the ride about as much as the suspension on the IS700.
I am a big fan of Ferris mowers, but if I were looking to purchase one, it would be the IS2100 or up. The suspension on the IS700 doesn't offer enough of an improved ride to justify the extra $$. The Snapper Pro s125xt is the same mower as the IS700 without the suspension and cost much less (same price range as Husqvarna mzt). As for spindles, my mower has cast aluminum spindles and are greasable. I have been running mine for 4 seasons and have had no issues with the spindles. There is debate over whether greasable or sealed bearings are better. I can say, as someone who has grown up on a cotton farm, the farm equipment we use always utilizes greasable bearings for the heaviest jobs. It takes me less than 5 minutes to grease every zerk on my mower.
S
Shughes717
Things I know... I have about 3 acres of grass to mow and I previously owned a Ariens Zoom Max 48" deck with a Kawasaki FR691V motor tagged as 24hp. I liked this mower but after 6 years of use I gave it to my son-in-law to buy me a new mower but now I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. For some reason that same FR691V Kawasaki motor is no longer on a new Ariens and that same motor is no longer rated 24hp, either 23 or 22, not sure. My yard is rough, old pasture land.
I am considering a Ferris IS700z with the front & rear coil over shocks, w/ B&S Commercial Turf Series 27hp @ $6,099 or with the Kawasaki FS691V 23hp @ $6,599... both with the 52" deck. This Ferris model has ZT3400 hydro and a pivoting front bar axle. What concerns me is the B&S Commercial motor being good enough? And aluminum cast spindles? Is it worth $500 more for the Kawasaki motor and is that even a good choice? It weighs 1059lbs and has 22x11-10 rear wheels.
I could step up to the IS2100z that starts at $8,499 that gives you ZT4400 hydro, independent front bar axle suspension(much nicer), 24x9.5-12 rear wheels.... Vanguard 810 26hp / add $500 to get Vanguard 810 EFI 28hp / or add $600 to get Kawasaki FX801V 852cc 25.5hp... still has aluminum spindles in the 52" deck width
Other mowers I am considering cost less like the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947
Bad Boy ZT Elite 54" deck 26hp Kohler motor $4,703
Or maybe a Husqvarna M ZT52 or something else in the $5k-$6k range?
Is the Briggs Commercial Turf Series motors okay? I hear good and bad about all but a lot of information I have found to read is dated back to 2012/2013 and I know things change from year to year. Some for the better and some for the worse.
Are the cast aluminum spindles okay? Is it better to get greaseable bearings or sealed bearings?
Any and all suggestions welcome. I am not going to spend more than $9,500 but would just as soon spend just $5,000 if not able to really justify spending more. I tried a Dixie Chopper mower that had ZT2800 hydro and did not like the power output. I am pretty sure my Ariens mower had ZT3100 hydro. I live about 10 miles south of Chattanooga in Rock Springs, GA
Nearby dealers are Chattanooga Tractor Supply, Skyline Power Equipment, North Georgia Equipment Sales, Tas Equipment Supply, and some others
Greetings from the other end of Tennessee. I know you mentioned that your lawn is old pasture, but does it also consist of steep hills? If so then a heavier mower, with bigger hydros will stay on the hills a little better than a smaller ztr mower. The Commercial Turf engine is a newer line of commercial engine, but has been out for a few years. I purchased a 48" Snapper Pro s150xt in 2012. The Commercial Turf engine had only been out for about a year, and my dealer didn't have much info on them. I decided to spend the extra money and get an FX series Kawaski engine. The Commercial turf has been out long enough now to get a good idea of any problems with the engines. My local dealer has sold a lot them, and said he doesn't see them in the shop often. Mad Mackie is a member on this site who repowered one of his Scag mowers with a commercial turf engine and he gave a great review of it. He seems to be satisfied.
Snapper Pro and Ferris are both owned by Briggs & Stratton. The only difference between the two is the Snapper Pro doesn't come with the independent suspension. I mow a little over 4 acres with my mower and it does great. The suspension system on the IS700 doesn't have as much travel as the IS2100, so it doesn't offer as smooth a ride. There are several great mower brands out there that offer a mower that will suit your needs in the $5k to $6k range. Something with zt3100 hydros or bigger, and a FS series Kawi or commercial turf engine with a fabricated deck is what I would recommend. any mower in that range will have deck sizes ranging from 48" up to 61". I Have several obstacles in my lawn, and I can mow 4 acres in about 2 hours with my 48" mower. A suspension seat will improve the ride about as much as the suspension on the IS700.
I am a big fan of Ferris mowers, but if I were looking to purchase one, it would be the IS2100 or up. The suspension on the IS700 doesn't offer enough of an improved ride to justify the extra $$. The Snapper Pro s125xt is the same mower as the IS700 without the suspension and cost much less (same price range as Husqvarna mzt). As for spindles, my mower has cast aluminum spindles and are greasable. I have been running mine for 4 seasons and have had no issues with the spindles. There is debate over whether greasable or sealed bearings are better. I can say, as someone who has grown up on a cotton farm, the farm equipment we use always utilizes greasable bearings for the heaviest jobs. It takes me less than 5 minutes to grease every zerk on my mower.
#3
John R
John R
I bought a Scag Tiger Cat II with a 61" deck for less than your top spending limit.
It has the Kaw FX730 engine, greaseable cast iron spindles, and cast iron wheel motors, you can get a Tiger Cat for even less.
It has the Kaw FX730 engine, greaseable cast iron spindles, and cast iron wheel motors, you can get a Tiger Cat for even less.
#4
Ric
There are better mowers out there than the ones your looking at here for the money you're talking about. The Scag Tiger Cat II that John R was talking about is just one example, it's a good mower. You can get into the Toro Z Master 2000 commercial with 3400 drives for like 7500 or the Z Master 3000 for about your max that you want to spend and the same in the Hustler line up which are better mowers.
Out of the ones you mentioned I'd go with the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947. Dixie makes an excellent machine and the FS motor is a real good engine, the 2800 drives are also a good drive unit, been running the FS and 2800's for four years and it's never been touched except for the normal maintenance. I'd do a little more research on some other brands before I made my choice.
Ric
Things I know... I have about 3 acres of grass to mow and I previously owned a Ariens Zoom Max 48" deck with a Kawasaki FR691V motor tagged as 24hp. I liked this mower but after 6 years of use I gave it to my son-in-law to buy me a new mower but now I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. For some reason that same FR691V Kawasaki motor is no longer on a new Ariens and that same motor is no longer rated 24hp, either 23 or 22, not sure. My yard is rough, old pasture land.
I am considering a Ferris IS700z with the front & rear coil over shocks, w/ B&S Commercial Turf Series 27hp @ $6,099 or with the Kawasaki FS691V 23hp @ $6,599... both with the 52" deck. This Ferris model has ZT3400 hydro and a pivoting front bar axle. What concerns me is the B&S Commercial motor being good enough? And aluminum cast spindles? Is it worth $500 more for the Kawasaki motor and is that even a good choice? It weighs 1059lbs and has 22x11-10 rear wheels.
I could step up to the IS2100z that starts at $8,499 that gives you ZT4400 hydro, independent front bar axle suspension(much nicer), 24x9.5-12 rear wheels.... Vanguard 810 26hp / add $500 to get Vanguard 810 EFI 28hp / or add $600 to get Kawasaki FX801V 852cc 25.5hp... still has aluminum spindles in the 52" deck width
Other mowers I am considering cost less like the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947
Bad Boy ZT Elite 54" deck 26hp Kohler motor $4,703
Or maybe a Husqvarna M ZT52 or something else in the $5k-$6k range?
Is the Briggs Commercial Turf Series motors okay? I hear good and bad about all but a lot of information I have found to read is dated back to 2012/2013 and I know things change from year to year. Some for the better and some for the worse.
Are the cast aluminum spindles okay? Is it better to get greaseable bearings or sealed bearings?
Any and all suggestions welcome. I am not going to spend more than $9,500 but would just as soon spend just $5,000 if not able to really justify spending more. I tried a Dixie Chopper mower that had ZT2800 hydro and did not like the power output. I am pretty sure my Ariens mower had ZT3100 hydro. I live about 10 miles south of Chattanooga in Rock Springs, GA
Nearby dealers are Chattanooga Tractor Supply, Skyline Power Equipment, North Georgia Equipment Sales, Tas Equipment Supply, and some others
There are better mowers out there than the ones your looking at here for the money you're talking about. The Scag Tiger Cat II that John R was talking about is just one example, it's a good mower. You can get into the Toro Z Master 2000 commercial with 3400 drives for like 7500 or the Z Master 3000 for about your max that you want to spend and the same in the Hustler line up which are better mowers.
Out of the ones you mentioned I'd go with the Dixie Chopper Magnum 2250R 22hp Kawa FS motor 50"deck $4,947. Dixie makes an excellent machine and the FS motor is a real good engine, the 2800 drives are also a good drive unit, been running the FS and 2800's for four years and it's never been touched except for the normal maintenance. I'd do a little more research on some other brands before I made my choice.