ZTR newb needing advice

[fastbee]

The Raptor did ok...there are just so many solid choices for around $4k that it makes it hard to decide. I got a call back from a Snapper Pro dealer that said he could get me in a 50xt 48" cut with B&S engine for $4100 plus tax. Might go try it out this weekend. It might seem silly, but I like the larger rear whee/tire combos the more commercial units offer. The 20x10-10 and 20x12-10 just look better to me, not sure if they actually help or not.

 

[Shughes717]

The Raptor did ok...there are just so many solid choices for around $4k that it makes it hard to decide. I got a call back from a Snapper Pro dealer that said he could get me in a 50xt 48" cut with B&S engine for $4100 plus tax. Might go try it out this weekend. It might seem silly, but I like the larger rear whee/tire combos the more commercial units offer. The 20x10-10 and 20x12-10 just look better to me, not sure if they actually help or not.

Larger tires will offer a slightly better ride. Snapper pro is a very good mower. My best friend just purchased a 48" 2009 s50x after asking me to take a look at it. It had 87 hours on it and was in great shape. He was mowing his 1.5 acres with an old 46" Stanley tractor and it took him almost 2 hours. His first time mowing with the s50x took him 46 minutes, and that's after stopping three times to ask me questions. I suggest testing every mower you can and see what you like and dislike about each one. Go with the mower that you think is best for your particular needs. All of the mowers in the range you are looking at are very well made and will last you a long time.

 

[judgecrater]

I just purchased a Hustler Raptor SD 54 inch. I could not be happier. It handles hills far in excess of what you have. It is fast and fun. I got it a Lowes and got their extended warranty (which may not be needed.) The heavy duty deck seems to put up with my abuse just fine and the engine has more than enough power to shoot up the steep hills.

 

[Shughes717]

I just purchased a Hustler Raptor SD 54 inch. I could not be happier. It handles hills far in excess of what you have. It is fast and fun. I got it a Lowes and got their extended warranty (which may not be needed.) The heavy duty deck seems to put up with my abuse just fine and the engine has more than enough power to shoot up the steep hills.

Hustler makes a fine product. The raptor and raptor sd are some of the most reasonably priced ztr mowers on the market. Well suited for lawns 3 acres or less.

 

[fastbee]

I wish Hustler would offer the larger rear wheels/tires on the 48 SD. Snapper Pro and Dixie Chopper offer 20x10 rears and the Husqvarna MZ series offers 22x10 rears. I like that look, and while looks don't make it mow better I still have to see it when I mow. The 20x8 rears on the Hustler 48 SD make it look like the mowers from the big box stores...they just look small compared to the rest of the machine. Hopefully i'll get to at least run some around parking lots this weekend. I'm planning to head to a dealer that sells Snapper Pro, Simplicity and Ferris another that sells Hustler and Husqvarna and maybe the Dixie Chopper dealer. With any luck I'll find something I like. The guy mowing for me until I get another mower has already racked up a $210 bill for the month with one more week left before the end of his billing cycle.

 

[Shughes717]

I wish Hustler would offer the larger rear wheels/tires on the 48 SD. Snapper Pro and Dixie Chopper offer 20x10 rears and the Husqvarna MZ series offers 22x10 rears. I like that look, and while looks don't make it mow better I still have to see it when I mow. The 20x8 rears on the Hustler 48 SD make it look like the mowers from the big box stores...they just look small compared to the rest of the machine. Hopefully i'll get to at least run some around parking lots this weekend. I'm planning to head to a dealer that sells Snapper Pro, Simplicity and Ferris another that sells Hustler and Husqvarna and maybe the Dixie Chopper dealer. With any luck I'll find something I like. The guy mowing for me until I get another mower has already racked up a $210 bill for the month with one more week left before the end of his billing cycle.

You are on the right track. Test them all and go for the one you like best. They are all well built. I will admit that the snapper pro, the mz and the dixie chopper are a little heavier made than the raptor sd. They have larger hydros, and some of them offer a commercial engine.

 

[fastbee]

I think I've narrowed it down to two different machines: Hustler Raptor 54 SD or a Husqvarna MZ52LE. I've got a couple of local dealers for the RSD 54 both are at $3999. The Husqvarna is a closeout about 2 hours away, it's $3999 as well. I liked the MZ52LE a little better, but would rather buy local. No Husqvarna dealer local has anything near the RSD 54 for less than $4800. Any opinions?

 

[Shughes717]

I think I've narrowed it down to two different machines: Hustler Raptor 54 SD or a Husqvarna MZ52LE. I've got a couple of local dealers for the RSD 54 both are at $3999. The Husqvarna is a closeout about 2 hours away, it's $3999 as well. I liked the MZ52LE a little better, but would rather buy local. No Husqvarna dealer local has anything near the RSD 54 for less than $4800. Any opinions?

Either would suit your needs well. I would go with the mower I liked best. In the end you have to be happy with what you choose. If you decide to go with a mower that wasn't your first choice because that's what your local dealer has, you will wonder if you should have gotten the husky every time you see one go by. I understand that you want to buy local for dealer support, and that is what I usually recommend to people, but the mower you want isn't offered locally for the price you can get it elsewhere.