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Started out looking at smaller LT/GT..moved up to not so small.....then over to the small ZTR's...then not so small...starting to think I may be over thinking and buying. I have a rectangular, flat 2 acre property. Subtract out the house, pool, drive, etc and I am left with 1 acre that needs to be mowed. The entire acre is St. Augustine grass in great shape and I have about 15 trees to mow around but each has a nice size (6' or so) mulched circle underneath so no need to mow up close to the trees. The mower will be almost solely used for mowing. I may get a small cart to move some plants or mulch on occasion, like 3-4 times a year. Never any sizeable loads of anything. I want a really good quality YT/Gt/ZTR that will last a long time. Can and will maintain it myself i.e. oil changes, transmission fluid changes, etc. Budget is up to $5000. My research has left me looking at Gravely ZT XL48, Dixie Chopper Zee2, Simplicity Broadmoor, Husqvarna GT48XLS and the like. Find myself worrying K46 vs. 57, cast spindles vs aluminum, on and on. With the property and use I describe, what is "big enough" to fit my needs? Are the ones I am looking at in the right range or overkill?

The more you look the more you over think it. Get what you originally set out to get.

Make a list of what you prefer this can eliminate a few of them. Dealer location and trust is important. Most of these mowers comes down to hair splitting. I started at 4k went to 5k then spent closer to 6k w/tax. I figured my kids will enjoy it someday. :smile:

My preferences , kawasaki engine , fabbed deck , warranty length, 3100 trannies, 48" cut, dealer location and trust.

Yours might be different ask five people get five different answers most here though will let you know. Go to each forum here and ask about the machine you are looking at.

Thanks Tom. I've learned enough on purchases like this to know I should decide on what I actually need and then go one step up. Just don't want to stupidly overspend and end up looking like the guy who buys the big RV to go to the park down the street (got one of tose guys next door!). I don't THINK that a 48"-50" Gravely ZTR or larger YT/GT would be a stupid spend as it would seem to be built to last a long time....just checking with you guys who know. Going up to 3100's would seem to be a bit exciessive though!

firstbase said:

Thanks Tom. I've learned enough on purchases like this to know I should decide on what I actually need and then go one step up. Just don't want to stupidly overspend and end up looking like the guy who buys the big RV to go to the park down the street (got one of tose guys next door!). I don't THINK that a 48"-50" Gravely ZTR or larger YT/GT would be a stupid spend as it would seem to be built to last a long time....just checking with you guys who know. Going up to 3100's would seem to be a bit exciessive though!

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Yeah , BUT , (love that word but) you must have a nicer mower than him. Most of these machines are residential only a few have commercial capabilities. Mine has a commercial warranty but imo that doesn't mean go mow 35yards a week or whatever with it. Keep us posted which way you go...:wink:

Tom59 said:

The more you look the more you over think it. Get what you originally set out to get.

Make a list of what you prefer this can eliminate a few of them. Dealer location and trust is important. Most of these mowers comes down to hair splitting. I started at 4k went to 5k then spent closer to 6k w/tax. I figured my kids will enjoy it someday. :smile:

My preferences , kawasaki engine , fabbed deck , warranty length, 3100 trannies, 48" cut, dealer location and trust.

Yours might be different ask five people get five different answers most here though will let you know. Go to each forum here and ask about the machine you are looking at.

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Tom, what are you mowing? How much lawn/type of property?

firstbase said:

Tom, what are you mowing? How much lawn/type of property?

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I am cutting a fairly hilly front yard about 1/2 acre or so the back is less hilly more of a slope and over an acre. I also mow my neighbors yard -she has cancer- that one is small about a half acre. All in all two acres lots of obstacles like tree's flower beds etc. We have some seriously fast growing grass here mostly because it's fertilized and limed properly. I'd say every 5-6 days and in summer months when drier about 7-10 days.

The problem with ZTR's in the 5k range is way too many of them.

I know you mentioned spindles but they aren't that expensive. Secondly, I've NEVER replaced one on my tractors yet. Keep'em greased twice a yr. As long as you don't run over things like gators -

Tom59 said:

The more you look the more you over think it. Get what you originally set out to get.

Make a list of what you prefer this can eliminate a few of them. Dealer location and trust is important. Most of these mowers comes down to hair splitting. I started at 4k went to 5k then spent closer to 6k w/tax. I figured my kids will enjoy it someday. :smile:

My preferences , kawasaki engine , fabbed deck , warranty length, 3100 trannies, 48" cut, dealer location and trust.

Yours might be different ask five people get five different answers most here though will let you know. Go to each forum here and ask about the machine you are looking at.

Click to expand...

firstbase,

User Tom59 summed it up pretty well above in regard to getting a "tough ZTR" that will last relative to the thousands of dollars you are investing. With the area you are cutting, if you were impressed with what you saw in the Gravely ZTR's I would recommend that you seriously consider the ZT HD 48" cut. It's in the ballpark of your maximum budget at $4999 and has the Commercial grade features(mentioned by Tom59) that make investing in a high-end Residential ZTR a good investment without going overboard(like I did getting the Pro-Turn 100XDZ series). Don't get me wrong, I don't regret spending the additional money because I had it in savings, this was a "retirement investment" and most importantly....had the "blessing of my wife":0)
Whatever you choose I hope you get exactly what you need to get the job done!!!!!