Buying Advice Tips and Guidelines before buying a Zero Turn Mower

[txdon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do1OYb0qcW0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4inzNONoV4&feature=youtu.be

All stand up decks are not created equal in ease of use. The raptor wins.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've seen Kubota's and a few others with manual flip up decks, my Grasshopper deck is electric powered flip up and Grasshopper has had that for a few years now...

SR

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Yes, the PowerFold deck on the front mount Grasshopper is very slick and easy. Also saves space on a trailer or in your garage with it folded up.

 

[Mark_G]

I have a ferris that I love. We have a small 4-H farm and I cut a lot of area that is not nice lawn. Having the suspension keeps me from being beat up on rough terrain. When my blades are sharp the quality of the cut is great. And its not 1/2 bad even when they are a bit dull.

 

[TSO]

I think any commercial grade ZTR would be a good choice. For the most part, they all use the same engines, transmissions, wheel motors, tires, seats, etc. what sets them apart will be things like deck design, suspension options, and paint and decals. one more thing that needs to be pointed out is rider position and comfort. My mower has a more upright seating stance, while my buddies scag seems to be more of a reclined or shallower seating stance. all of them will be slightly different, so go check them all out and sit on them and see which one you like best. They will all cut about the same, and then you just need to factor in which brand you like and which dealership you want to work with.

I have a hustler super Z diesel 66 inch and I'm very happy with it. my buddy has a scag cheetah 61 inch and he loves his. it's all pretty much a matter of opinion in the commercial class.

 

[txdon]

one more thing that needs to be pointed out is rider position and comfort.

That is so true and I did not realize it till I had two. My JD is like sitting low in a lounge chair and my Craftsman is like sitting high at the dinning table. I actually prefer the more up-rite position of the Craftsman.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That's one thing I really like about the front deck Grasshoppers, they ride really good! I have a messed up lower back, so I really appreciate that!

SR

 

[ztrjim]

Grasshopper is probably the best on the market....?

 

[TSO]

Grasshopper is probably the best on the market....?

Are you asking or telling us?

 

[the old grind]

Mowing on one wheel seems so .. 'millenial' in the digital age and price means so little post-financial crisis.

Get self sharpening blades & buddy skateboard or go home. Bling wins.

 

[ztrjim]

Asking, I know I've heard alot of good things and it seems here alot of you guys all talk very highly of GrassHoppers.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Asking, I know I've heard alot of good things and it seems here alot of you guys all talk very highly of GrassHoppers.

When I get a ZTR, there's a very high likelihood it will be a Grasshopper front-mount with the Powerfold deck, preferably with a Kubota diesel engine. It would be so nice to push a switch to fold the deck up to clean it, change the blades and then fold it back down and go mow.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

NO question, the power fold deck is a huge plus!

SR

 

[Boris1]

I think any commercial grade ZTR would be a good choice. For the most part, they all use the same engines, transmissions, wheel motors, tires, seats, etc. what sets them apart will be things like deck design, suspension options, and paint and decals. one more thing that needs to be pointed out is rider position and comfort. My mower has a more upright seating stance, while my buddies scag seems to be more of a reclined or shallower seating stance. all of them will be slightly different, so go check them all out and sit on them and see which one you like best. They will all cut about the same, and then you just need to factor in which brand you like and which dealership you want to work with. I have a hustler super Z diesel 66 inch and I'm very happy with it. my buddy has a scag cheetah 61 inch and he loves his. it's all pretty much a matter of opinion in the commercial class.

How much would one of the super z diesels set someone back new? (ballpark of course)

 

[TSO]

How much would one of the super z diesels set someone back new? (ballpark of course)

I think around $12-13k

 

[davesl708]

:2cents: My brother is still using his 35yr old Grasshopper. Keeps on running and has had little work done on it. Nothing on the engine. Only some bearing in the front wheels and some linkage.

Used it in his business before retiring ten years ago. Not sure how many hours on it.

I would give Grasshopper a serious look.

 

[txdon]

Are the older Zs like the newer - every year motors and transmissions change - some for good some for money savings. It's hard to give advice based on the longevity unless there have been no changes.

 

[DK35vince]

How much would one of the super z diesels set someone back new? (ballpark of course)

Probably closer to 14-15K from the prices I received when I bought my Super Z (gas) in 2013.

 

[TSO]

Probably closer to 14-15K from the prices I received when I bought my Super Z (gas) in 2013.

I'm out of touch with new pricing on my super Z diesel... I ended up finding mine used with only 174 hrs at a Dealership in Ohio. Only paid around $8k for it.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm out of touch with new pricing on my super Z diesel... I ended up finding mine used with only 174 hrs at a Dealership in Ohio. Only paid around $8k for it.

My 2013 Super Z w/72" deck and 35 HP Kawasaki was near 11K. (Before tax.)
It was an additional $1200 to get the HD model (Hyper Drive transmissions)
If I remember right the dealer price for the Diesel was 14K + and I think the diesel comes standard with the Hyper Drive transmissions.