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Under $3000 Zero Turn Mower Help

#1

M

mwj2007

I'm currently looking at the Dixie Chopper Zee 1 ($2799) and the Ariens Zoom 42 ($2,499). Any recommendations or other 42" options I should be looking at? Thanks.


#2

K

KennyV

WELCOME to LMF...

You didn't say what type use you are going to have... small medium size lawn, fairly smooth and mostly level??
Of the two you mentioned the Dixie Chopper has a bit better deck.. the prices you have listed are a bit higher than I would think being as this is the end of season & you should find some better sale prices around...
These are both lighter duty ZTR ... but depending on your application, may get you by for a while...
:smile:KennyV


#3

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

A residential mower like that might be fine for you but it all depends what you use it for. If you maintain it well and only use it once a week, on a medium sized lawn, it will do a good job, but if you use it every day for 6 hours a day, and don't maintain it, don't expect it to last. Most mowers are good, the problems come if you use a residential mower too much.


#4

scott47429

scott47429

if i was you and had that kinda of money to spend i would start looking for a used commercial mower now is the time to buy since winter is coming on and that kind of money may very well land you into a lightly used comical mower that will last you a life time thats what i did good luck


#5

M

mwj2007

Thank you so much for the help so far everyone! I should have clarified:

-My lawn is about 1 acre and flat
-I live in Wisconsin so it's used 6 months out of the year. At peak times in summer it will be used 2 times a week but mostly once a week.
-Just looking to get a good bang for the buck and something that will last a long time
-I can't go bigger than a 42" deck because any bigger and it wont get up the ramp to my shed (I also think bigger would be overkill for an acre.

I like the Zee 1 alot but there just doesn't seem to be many reviews out there and I want to make its the right choice. Also, is there big difference between a briggs and kohler engine?


#6

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

mwj2007 said:
Thank you so much for the help so far everyone! I should have clarified:

-My lawn is about 1 acre and flat
-I live in Wisconsin so it's used 6 months out of the year. At peak times in summer it will be used 2 times a week but mostly once a week.
-Just looking to get a good bang for the buck and something that will last a long time
-I can't go bigger than a 42" deck because any bigger and it wont get up the ramp to my shed (I also think bigger would be overkill for an acre.

I like the Zee 1 alot but there just doesn't seem to be many reviews out there and I want to make its the right choice. Also, is there big difference between a briggs and kohler engine?
Click to expand...

That mower would probably be good for you. I am not an engine expert, so I don't know the differences, but I know that the Kohler Courage engine has some bad ratings, but also some people never had problems with it.


#7

Ric

Ric

mwj2007 said:
I'm currently looking at the Dixie Chopper Zee 1 ($2799) and the Ariens Zoom 42 ($2,499). Any recommendations or other 42" options I should be looking at? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I personally would go with the Dixie chopper but I'd step up to the Zee 2, the Zee 1 is running the briggs Intek engine and the EZT drives and neither one is all that great. The Zee 2 has the Kawasaki engine and the hydro gear 2800 drives which are serviceable and in my opinion is twice the mower. Yea the Zee 2 is $3799 and it would be worth the extra and I don't believe you'll have the problems with it like you will the Zee1 or the Ariens.
If you're mowing an acre twice a week anything with those ezt drives isn't going to hold up to long.


#8

A_tank96

A_tank96

I have a Toro timecutter z4200, Does all I want it to. I have a 19 Horse Kohler Courage, but you can upgrade to the Toro timecutter ss 4260 which has a 21 horse Kawasaki and better seat, deck, and other things, for about $3100. A new Toro timecutter ss 4200 is 2600, or you could go with an Exmark Quest, with pretty much better everything and a little better than the ss 4260 for like 3400, depending on your dealer. Just make sure you buy it from a dealer.

A_tank


#9

slammed

slammed

mwj2007 said:
Thank you so much for the help so far everyone! I should have clarified:

-My lawn is about 1 acre and flat
-I live in Wisconsin so it's used 6 months out of the year. At peak times in summer it will be used 2 times a week but mostly once a week.
-Just looking to get a good bang for the buck and something that will last a long time
-I can't go bigger than a 42" deck because any bigger and it wont get up the ramp to my shed (I also think bigger would be overkill for an acre.

I like the Zee 1 alot but there just doesn't seem to be many reviews out there and I want to make its the right choice. Also, is there big difference between a briggs and kohler engine?
Click to expand...

I have no experience with those two mowers but I have had a JD zero turn from a BB store. It worked well in all those areas. I have had it for now 2+ years and it has near 400 hours on it still going strong. It cost around the $3000.00 you have for one.


#10

K

KennyV

mwj2007 said:
is there big difference between a briggs and kohler engine?
Click to expand...

There is not enough difference to talk about between the B&S intek and the Kohler Courage... as far as that goes even the Kawasaki FR is in that same class... These are all about the same with similar problems... none bad engines, but none are great exceptional engines either. all 3 are used in Many brands of lower & mid grade ZTR's...

The biggest difference between the 2 you mentioned is: the deck on the Zee 1 is better... if you go up slightly to a Zee 2 you will get a slightly better transaxle, couled with the FR engine...
If you don't expect too much from these mowers they will do what you need. I would not make the choice based on engine... :smile:KennyV


#11

M

mwj2007

Thanks everyone. Now I'm intrigued by the Zee 2 and I'll have to look closer into the other models mentioned.

Sorry, I know nothing about this stuff. What is the EZT drive that I should be concerned about? That would not be an issue with the Zee 2? Bottom line, I would pay a little more if I could save from future issues but I have to draw the line somewhere!


#12

K

KennyV

mwj2007 said:
What is the EZT drive that I should be concerned about? That would not be an issue with the Zee 2?
Click to expand...

slightly better transaxle....
It is slightly better....
Depending on how it is used... any system will eventually have problems.... :smile:KennyV


#13

Ric

Ric

mwj2007 said:
Thanks everyone. Now I'm intrigued by the Zee 2 and I'll have to look closer into the other models mentioned.

Sorry, I know nothing about this stuff. What is the EZT drive that I should be concerned about? That would not be an issue with the Zee 2? Bottom line, I would pay a little more if I could save from future issues but I have to draw the line somewhere!
Click to expand...

The EZT is hydro drive is hydro drives low end drive unit and is a sealed unit that is a residential unit the Zee 2 has the Hydro Drive 2800 that some manufacturers do use on some of the commercial units. For what you're doing it should never be a concern and could save from future issues. I have the 2800 drives in my CC commercial Z Force and have 600hrs on them in like 18 months and have never had an issue.
The Zee 2 also runs the Kawsaki engine which IMO is a far better motor than that Intek ever thought of being, but that's my opinion. Like I said the Zee 2 would be my choice.


#14

ztrjim

ztrjim

There is a decent list here for residential zero turn mowers under $3000. Good Luck with your shopping! $2999 or less | Top Rated Zero Turn Mower Reviews :thumbsup:


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