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Good Morning! I'm looking at trading up from a Garden Tractor to a Zero Turn. The two models that are withing my prices range are a 2015 Z435 or the 2016 Z535M.

I've been trying to research them, but haven't found a lot of information or reviews. It seems like most people went for the Z445 which had the Kawisaki motor. Unfortunately it's out of my price range.

Shop around for best price on Z445, John Deere website is showing a $500.00 difference. Rebates, etc. may apply at this time of year, you may end up finding a deal at JD dealers.

mechanic mark said:

Shop around for best price on Z445, John Deere website is showing a $500.00 difference. Rebates, etc. may apply at this time of year, you may end up finding a deal at JD dealers.

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The only JD Dealers locally are all owned and operated by the same group.

Z435 is $3599

Z535M is $3999

Z445 is $4199

I think the 435 and 535M are basically the same machine, so I'm looking at the 435. I'd like the 445, but it's over my budget. I'm already taking a huge loss on my Garden Tractor, which is not going over very well with the boss.

what kind of garden do you have?

Glyn Robinson said:

what kind of garden do you have?

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2014 Husqvarna GT52XLS. Best dealer trade I've been offered is $1500. I've got it listed for $2000 on Craigslist.

i youtubed it! lol

nice mower!

Are you stuck on having a John Deere? So many other options for less money and in my opinion better mowers.

BlazNT said:

Are you stuck on having a John Deere? So many other options for less money and in my opinion better mowers.

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No, I'm not stuck on it. I have 2 Gravely Dealers, and Hustler Dealer.

I can get a 48" Raptor SD for $3899 or a 48" Gravely XL for $3999-4199 depending on which motor it has. $4199 already $200 over my max, there's no way I can talk the other half into anything more.

If you have other suggestions, then please share them. I'm very limited in the dealers that are local. I'm also concerned with dealer support after the sale, which I know I can get with the Deere dealer.

Please share your thoughts...

In your price range I would look at anything but John Deere.
Husqvarna has some nice zero turn mowers in your price range. You would end up with more mower for the money.

Carscw said:

In your price range I would look at anything but John Deere.
Husqvarna has some nice zero turn mowers in your price range. You would end up with more mower for the money.

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I haven't been happy with my Husqvarna Garden Tractor, so I'm not considering them. I love my Husky Chainsaw, but they will not be in the running for a ZT.

To elaborate on my statement, the cut quality that I've gotten from my Husky GT52XLS has been terrible. I despise it. It leaves lots of uncut grass, to the point where I'm recutting about 10 inches of the previous row every pass. The dealer I purchased it from basically blew me off. The other dealer in the area I have not been impressed with.

If there are other brands you'd like to recommend, then please do so. Or tell me how the Gravely XL or Raptor SD are better than the z435/z445. I'm mainly concerned about the quality of cut, reliability of the machine, and the service from the dealer.

I have ran a RZ5424 for 9 years and it has the best cut in a mower I have ever had. Leaves the grass looking like a carpet. The only time I had issues with the cut quality I found lots of grass stuck to the underside of deck. Cleaned it out and back to perfect cut. But if Husqvarna is out then Hustler Raptor would be my second choice.
One last thing. This is my opinion Stamped deck over welded deck for cut quality.

BlazNT said:

I have ran a RZ5424 for 9 years and it has the best cut in a mower I have ever had. Leaves the grass looking like a carpet. The only time I had issues with the cut quality I found lots of grass stuck to the underside of deck. Cleaned it out and back to perfect cut. But if Husqvarna is out then Hustler Raptor would be my second choice.
One last thing. This is my opinion Stamped deck over welded deck for cut quality.

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Blaz - My Husky garden tractor has the welded/fabricated deck... it constantly needs to be cleaned because it's getting loaded with grass. As you suggested, I'm looking at stamped instead of welded. Quality of cut is more important than having some big heavy welded deck. It's interesting that your second choice would be Hustler Raptor SD though, as it has a welded deck, not a stamped.

I run the toro timecutter SS5000 I have 4 of them. I also feel the stamped deck gives a better cut.
The cut is perfect the deck is easy to adjust( level)
With John Deere you are paying extra money for the name.

mich3210 said:

Blaz - My Husky garden tractor has the welded/fabricated deck... it constantly needs to be cleaned because it's getting loaded with grass. As you suggested, I'm looking at stamped instead of welded. Quality of cut is more important than having some big heavy welded deck. It's interesting that your second choice would be Hustler Raptor SD though, as it has a welded deck, not a stamped.

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The only reason for that choice is I think John Deere's home owners line is not a good machine at all for the price. Comes time to fix it and you really pay then.
I don't have any experience with Gravely line to recommend them.
A kid down the street does have a Raptor an it does a good job.

By the way I now scrape out from under my deck after every mow. Lot easier to clean a little off the deck than to clean off a ton of grass after it had been packed in there for a while. I just pull it up on the ramps get my putty knife and clean. All of 5 min total. The wash out port is worthless. Also remember with a Husqvarna the top of the deck needs cleaned as well. The spindles allow air to pass through and grass build up has to be removed. My blower takes care of that after every mow as well.

i do the same thing BlazNT

Carscw said:

I run the toro timecutter SS5000 I have 4 of them. I also feel the stamped deck gives a better cut.
The cut is perfect the deck is easy to adjust( level)
With John Deere you are paying extra money for the name.

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I agree you are paying for the name. I'll look at the Toro, but I haven't been all that impressed with the only local dealer that sells them outside of Home Depot.

mich3210 said:

I agree you are paying for the name. I'll look at the Toro, but I haven't been all that impressed with the only local dealer that sells them outside of Home Depot.

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My local dealer sucks.
The salesman just piss me off. But there service and parts department is great.
I got my last one at Home Depot for $400 less then the dealer.
The dealer still does any warranty work.

Carscw said:

My local dealer sucks.
The salesman just piss me off. But there service and parts department is great.
I got my last one at Home Depot for $400 less then the dealer.
The dealer still does any warranty work.

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The Dealer that does Toro, Gravely, Husqvarna and Exmark is a little Mom and Pop place. The "Salesman" and Service are the same people....