ZTR vs Compact Tractor

[djdicetn]

I mow around 5 acres some trees, some pine tree, a hill and some ditches. I have a JD X500 and a New Holland TC30 with a finish mower. The finish mower is OK for pastures, but scalps badly.I get tired of doing all the mowing with the JD as it kills my back. I want a ROPS for the ditches. I have a good JD, Exmark, and Dixon & NH. dealers close. I keep waffling between a ZTR and a compact tractor. The ZTR is pretty much a one trick pony, but does that trick really well. A compact with a mid mount can do a lot of things. I might even get crazy and trade the NH in on a newer tractor with a mid mount.
Suggestions?

If you have a nearby Gravely dealer, I recommend that you look at them before deciding. They have been manufacturing farm & lawn equipment since 1916 and are some of the most solid and durable ZTR's you will find. Ariens bought Gravely a few years back so they would have a fully Commercial line but they didn't change anything about the way they build them. If you demo one of their Pro-Turn 100 XDZ's I think you'll be thoroughly impressed. Here's a link if you want to check out the specs and pricing(just click on Find A Dealer):

Pro-Turn 100 Commercial Zero turn Mower

 

[bckskin2]

Dixon DX 161

The Dixon dealer sold the 72", but he has a DX161 demo unit he will sell for $6,500.00 the DX260 is too rich for my blood unless I want to start a lawn service. I my bring it home and try it in the real world.

 

[Shughes717]

Re: Dixon DX 161

The Dixon dealer sold the 72", but he has a DX161 demo unit he will sell for $6,500.00 the DX260 is too rich for my blood unless I want to start a lawn service. I my bring it home and try it in the real world.

The Dixon dx161 is plenty of mower for your job. Fx series Kawi engine, zt3400 hydros, and blue is a great color. Good looking machine. Let us know if you pull the trigger on it.

 

[bckskin2]

Blue

Blue does match my New Holland TC30 that I bought from the same dealer.

 

[Shughes717]

Re: Blue

Blue does match my New Holland TC30 that I bought from the same dealer.

Have you demoed the mower yet? If so how did you like it?

 

[djdicetn]

Re: Dixon DX 161

The Dixon dealer sold the 72", but he has a DX161 demo unit he will sell for $6,500.00 the DX260 is too rich for my blood unless I want to start a lawn service. I my bring it home and try it in the real world.

The DX161 comes with either a Kawasaki FX or Briggs & Stratton Commercial. I hope the demo you are looking at has the Kawa. In the Fall of 2012 I made a counter offer to my Dixon dealer of $6,150 OTD on a DX152 with the Kawa(his best price was $6,391). He never responded to my counter offer. If that DX161 has the Kawa, I would offer $6,500 out-the-door(my dealer is showing the DX161 for $10/month for 48 months @ 0% interest which comes out to $7,680....BTW, don't believe otherwise, whenever a dealer offers 0% financing there is a $200-$300 financing "fee" built into the price otherwise the finance company would go out of business). At $6,500 OTD that DX161 with a Kawa engine would be a very good deal!!

 

[bckskin2]

Ultra 52"

Dixon Ultra 52 - Zero Turn Mowers The dealer is going to bring out a Ultra 52" for me to try. It is a 2013 and I can get it less that the ZTRs at the big box stores. The only things I am not thrilled with is no roll bar and the Kohler engine, but at $2,500.00 less that the DX it looks like a bargain. What is the problems with the Kohler engine for residential use?

 

[Shughes717]

Re: Ultra 52"

Dixon Ultra 52 - Zero Turn Mowers The dealer is going to bring out a Ultra 52" for me to try. It is a 2013 and I can get it less that the ZTRs at the big box stores. The only things I am not thrilled with is no roll bar and the Kohler engine, but at $2,500.00 less that the DX it looks like a bargain. What is the problems with the Kohler engine for residential use?

Good looking mower. If the hills and ditches you mow are very steep I would still look at the dx, the zt3100 hydros don't quite handle hills as well at the zt3400 and zt5400 do. Wouldn't want an 800 lb mower rolling on top of me without a rops either. If the ditches are mild you should be ok. Nothing sold at a box store will suit your needs. You are on the right track. Had a kohler on a residential tractor mower for 10 years with minimal problems. I prefer the Kawi though.

 

[djdicetn]

Re: Ultra 52"

Dixon Ultra 52 - Zero Turn Mowers The dealer is going to bring out a Ultra 52" for me to try. It is a 2013 and I can get it less that the ZTRs at the big box stores. The only things I am not thrilled with is no roll bar and the Kohler engine, but at $2,500.00 less that the DX it looks like a bargain. What is the problems with the Kohler engine for residential use?

How much is the dealer asking??? Does it have a full Warranty?? The Kohler Courage(Google is your friend) has a history of problems due to design flaws, but it may only be the single cylinder Courage engines. Another user on the forums got an Ultra with the Kohler twin and seemed to be real happy with it. Strict adherence to maintenance(oil/filter change after break-in, then every 50 hours) and that Kohler Courage Pro may serve you just fine for Residential use. See what the dealer would charge you to add a ROPS to it. Also, a suspension seat can be added(highly recommended upgrade on a ZTR), but I don't know what that cost would be. If you are getting it at a very good price, you may still get a great deal with adding a ROPS and suspension seat. The ZTR itself....ZT-3100 trannies, fusion blades & cast iron spindles is a very good Residential ZTR, and would be a minimum match for your needs......but with you mowing 5 acres with it I would still recommend the DX Commercial series. What's the scoop on that DX161? It'll have the ROPS, the ZT-3400's, Kawa FX Commercial engine w/canister dual stage filter and an 11gal fuel capacity(won't need to refuel in the middle of cutting 5 acres). It's really your better choice to meet your needs. You still may want to check into upgrading to the full suspension seat for mowing 5 acres!!

 

[Shughes717]

Re: Ultra 52"

How much is the dealer asking??? Does it have a full Warranty?? The Kohler Courage(Google is your friend) has a history of problems due to design flaws, but it may only be the single cylinder Courage engines. Another user on the forums got an Ultra with the Kohler twin and seemed to be real happy with it. Strict adherence to maintenance(oil/filter change after break-in, then every 50 hours) and that Kohler Courage Pro may serve you just fine for Residential use. See what the dealer would charge you to add a ROPS to it. Also, a suspension seat can be added(highly recommended upgrade on a ZTR), but I don't know what that cost would be. If you are getting it at a very good price, you may still get a great deal with adding a ROPS and suspension seat. The ZTR itself....ZT-3100 trannies, fusion blades & cast iron spindles is a very good Residential ZTR, and would be a minimum match for your needs......but with you mowing 5 acres with it I would still recommend the DX Commercial series. What's the scoop on that DX161? It'll have the ROPS, the ZT-3400's, Kawa FX Commercial engine w/canister dual stage filter and an 11gal fuel capacity(won't need to refuel in the middle of cutting 5 acres). It's really your better choice to meet your needs. You still may want to check into upgrading to the full suspension seat for mowing 5 acres!!

Agree with your post. What part of tennessee do you live in djdicetn?