Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[TJP89]

After a quick look, it seems to me that I should be looking in the range of the Hustler Fastrak, and the Scag Freedom Z. Kind of top end residential to lower end commercial. Am I in the right area?

 

[TSO]

I think that size sounds about right. I wouldn't worry about specs too much. Except, opt for the largest hydro pumps and motors... Also, the bigger the tires, the better the ride.

You'll also find a difference in comfort between them. For example, my Hustler has a upright seating position compared to my buddies Scag. I prefer the seating position of the Hustler, whereas he prefers the more reclined position of the Scag.

To each his own... But they're all similar enough that you can focus on individual preference for the most part.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

After a quick look, it seems to me that I should be looking in the range of the Hustler Fastrak, and the Scag Freedom Z. Kind of top end residential to lower end commercial. Am I in the right area?

Yes. You are in the right area.

 

[xring100]

After a quick look, it seems to me that I should be looking in the range of the Hustler Fastrak, and the Scag Freedom Z. Kind of top end residential to lower end commercial. Am I in the right area?

yes agreed these mowers give you good bang for the buck.

 

[2ndhalf]

After a quick look, it seems to me that I should be looking in the range of the Hustler Fastrak, and the Scag Freedom Z. Kind of top end residential to lower end commercial. Am I in the right area?

You are sort of in luck.. a few of the commercial mower companies (Hustler & Gravely to name two) realized there were home owners with large tracts of land who wanted their equipment to last and yet not pay 8 - 10k for a mower. I'm one of them.. I did a lot of research and here is what I bought for 5 acres of mowing. Gravely ZT HD Zero Turn Mower I love it. Takes me about 1.5 hours to mow 4ish acres. You have 7 it would take you over 2. You can only mow about 6mph which is fast enough for me.

The hustler RapterHD was my second choice but they were a little more. I liked it a lot though. So you don't think I'm caparing these to other crap mowers I have also owned and mowed on a 725 Grasshopper Diesel (nice one) and a Hustler MiniZ 52" fast but rough ride. I like my Gravely better than any of them I have owned. It cuts tall grass like a BOSS. DO NOT Buy a residential quality mower for 7 acres I've done it... you would regret. Especially since you have been mowing with a tractor you may have a rougher ride than you know which will destroy a home owner model.

You want a commercial quality engine, welded deck, high quality spindles and look at ground speed if you don't want to spend much time mowing. I'm not sure if the Hustler HD is still made though.

 

[TJP89]

So in looking around I've been focusing on deck build and transmission. I've seen 2800 and 3100 transmissions mostly. I'm wondering what the difference is, as both are claimed to be commercial grade. The 2800s are often paired with light duty decks, so I think they are lighter duty. However, some brands have a decent deck with 2800 trannies. Should I pass them over on grounds of the tranny, or is 2800 OK?

 

[TractorGuy]

I was eye balling the Raven MPV hybrid last year. Looks like they didn't get the bugs out and Lowes dropped them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOyt_aFuK8

I have an old Craftsman ZT7500 with a 24 hp briggs and 54" deck that works pretty good but I can't seem to get a perfect cut out of it. My yard is not a manicured deal so it doesn't matter that much. It sure mows a lot faster than the old lawn tractors did but the wife can't seem to master running it. I have pretty much done all the mowing anyways but if something happens to me she would need a helper or different machine. Takes some getting use to and I still tear up the ground a little on turns every now and then.

 

[2ndhalf]

So in looking around I've been focusing on deck build and transmission. I've seen 2800 and 3100 transmissions mostly. I'm wondering what the difference is, as both are claimed to be commercial grade. The 2800s are often paired with light duty decks, so I think they are lighter duty. However, some brands have a decent deck with 2800 trannies. Should I pass them over on grounds of the tranny, or is 2800 OK?

3100 are a heavier duty, considered commercial duty. The Gravely ZT HD is actually warrantied for some commercial duty work I believe. If you go see one and sit on one you will see they are very heavy built for a 5k mower. It rides very smooth also. Also it has more leg room, I happen to be 6'4" and that was the deciding factor for me. For 7 acres I would not go with smaller than a 60" deck, even on a zero turn. I think you would regret that decision.

 

[2ndhalf]

This is good site for describing ZTR things to consider. It has a chart with how many acres you can mow per acre for deck size and ground speed.. nice chart! Also goes into some detail on the 2800 vs 3100 Trans

Zero Turn Mower Buyers Guide | What to consider before buying | Top Rated Zero Turn Mower Reviews

 

[xring100]

This is good site for describing ZTR things to consider. It has a chart with how many acres you can mow per acre for deck size and ground speed.. nice chart! Also goes into some detail on the 2800 vs 3100 Trans

Zero Turn Mower Buyers Guide | What to consider before buying | Top Rated Zero Turn Mower Reviews

Pretty thorough article. I enjoyed reading it. thanks for sharing

 

[stoyan79]

I am in NW Indiana and I was in your shoes few months ago.

I did tons of research and consulted with owners of lawn maintenance companies.

Having to mow 7 acres, paying extra for commercial unit is a wise move.

It is hard to beat a Snapper Pro for the money.

So, I will make it easy for you, after many hours of research, here are your best bets.

1. Excellent, top of the line residential - $4,350
Snapper 550Z - 61" deck, 3100 commercial trannys. Best residential machine out there with many commercial features.
550Z Zero Turn Mower: Riding Lawn Mowers | Snapper

2. S125XT - Commercial mower, 61" iCD deck (highly regarded by Pro's), commercial engine, 3400 trannys - $5,350
S125XT

3. S200XT - A Tank - High End commercial machine, comparable to some $10K mowers from other brands.
Excellent machine, all the way. 61" iCD deck, commercial engine, 5400 trannys - $6,350
S200XT

I bought the S125XT, but you cannot go wrong with either.
This place has best prices, owned by an old Amish gentleman. The store is in his house.

Bontrager Engine Service LLC
3500 N 500 W
Shipshewana, IN
(260) 768-3129

 

[TJP89]

As an update, I'm looking around online at various models that fit my specs. I might get out this weekend to some dealers to get more of a firsthand idea of them. Going slow:thumbsup:

 

[TSO]

I am in NW Indiana and I was in your shoes few months ago.

I did tons of research and consulted with owners of lawn maintenance companies.

Having to mow 7 acres, paying extra for commercial unit is a wise move.

It is hard to beat a Snapper Pro for the money.

So, I will make it easy for you, after many hours of research, here are your best bets.

1. Excellent, top of the line residential - $4,350
Snapper 550Z - 61" deck, 3100 commercial trannys. Best residential machine out there with many commercial features.
550Z Zero Turn Mower: Riding Lawn Mowers | Snapper

2. S125XT - Commercial mower, 61" iCD deck (highly regarded by Pro's), commercial engine, 3400 trannys - $5,350
S125XT

3. S200XT - A Tank - High End commercial machine, comparable to some $10K mowers from other brands.
Excellent machine, all the way. 61" iCD deck, commercial engine, 5400 trannys - $6,350
S200XT

I bought the S125XT, but you cannot go wrong with either.
This place has best prices, owned by an old Amish gentleman. The store is in his house.

Bontrager Engine Service LLC
3500 N 500 W
Shipshewana, IN
(260) 768-3129

LOL boy did that ever sound like an advertisement.

What makes them "the best" ?

 

[stoyan79]

Best bang for the buck.
Show me another 61" ZTR with commercial trannys, Kawasaki engine, made by well known, over 100 years old, reputable company for $4,350?

LOL boy did that ever sound like an advertisement.

What makes them "the best" ?

 

[TSO]

Ah Roger-that ... I read that as you saying "best" and didn't know you meant "Best bang for the buck." That does seem like a good deal.

 

[stoyan79]

I was in the market for a ZTR few months ago and did spend a lot of time, trying to find best bang for the buck. Snapper seems to be offering best bang for the buck right now. The $6,350 machine is built like a tank, very heavy and comes with 5400 trannys. Most ZTRs built like that with that kind of components are around $10K.

Ah Roger-that ... I read that as you saying "best" and didn't know you meant "Best bang for the buck." That does seem like a good deal.

 

[Gary Fowler]

And those little diesels aren't very thirsty. My F-series will mow forever on a tank of fuel. These gassers are pretty thirsty. My F-series has a 60" deck and unless your yard looks like the side of the mountain it will be fine.

My 52"deck will scalp just about anywhere in my yard at some point since it is all up or down hill running. It would scalp worse if wider. Sloping property needs to be considered when selecting a deck width along with clearances between fixed objects, trailer width etc.

 

[TJP89]

My 52"deck will scalp just about anywhere in my yard at some point since it is all up or down hill running. It would scalp worse if wider. Sloping property needs to be considered when selecting a deck width along with clearances between fixed objects, trailer width etc.

Yes, I'm starting to lean toward a 54" for those reasons.

 

[tcartwri]

Best bang for the buck.
Show me another 61" ZTR with commercial trannys, Kawasaki engine, made by well known, over 100 years old, reputable company for $4,350?

They are made by Ferris. They are basically a Ferris with a suspension delete.

Ferris, Simplicity and Snapper Pro are in turn owned by B&S.

 

[DK35vince]

7 acres is a big yard. Here is my experience with a big yard.
I mow around 7 acres and my first zero turn was an upper end residential unit a Hustler FasTrak 54".
I had it for 4 years. It was a well built little mower, never gave me a single problem. It was great for cutting around the trees, house and tight areas. But I sure wouldn't want to cut the entire 7 acre lawn with it every week.
We used it for the tighter, smaller areas and used the tractor with an 84" rear mower for the open areas.
For this big yard I just wanted more, so a couple years ago I sold the FasTrak and upsized to an upper end commercial unit. 35 HP Hustler Super Z 72" zero turn. Pricey, but this should be the last mower I ever need to buy.
This thing is awesome. Built like a tank, very fast, plenty of power and mowing 7 acres is a cake walk with this mower. (mows my 7 acre lawn in 2 hours).
With my wife on the zero turn and me mowing with the tractor we can mow the lawn in around 1 hour 20 minutes.

Attached is a picture of my previous FasTrac 54" beside the Super Z.