Choosing a new mower

[aarolar]

I'm in the market for a new zero turn this coming year and I have it narrowed down between a Hustler and Kubota dealers based on how I've been treated so far. I have an excellent relationship with my Kubota dealer and the Hustler guys are small mom and pop place who give me the warm fuzzies. Right now I'm looking at the Fastrac on the Hustler end, and the new Kubota Z400 series. Important to me in this order

1) Comfort, I have a rough yard and my current mower gives me back pains.

2) Ability to handle bahia grass and rougher conditions, tons of bahia and semi finished areas around my estate. Mini orchard and around the sawmill.

3) Reliability, yep this got pushed to third

I hate Bahia and I know cutting it often will help but I just can't mow twice a week during the peak season and that crap will grow a foot in 5 days easy. We don't care much about a manicured lawn we drive tje truck and tractor across the front yard all winter moving firewood to the porch.

 

[Thomas]

Kubota offer nice diesel zero turn tad more $$$'s,but if getting " guys are small mom and pop place who give me the warm fuzzies. Right now" guess you should consider your gut feelings.

 

[aarolar]

Kubota offer nice diesel zero turn tad more $$$'s,but if getting " guys are small mom and pop place who give me the warm fuzzies. Right now" guess you should consider your gut feelings.

Too much money for diesel and they weigh too much IMO.

I should mention the bota dealer is mom and pop as well.

 

[2ndhalf]

Given your requirements and mowing needs just make sure that you get plenty of motor for the deck size. I bought a Hustler MiniZ and it had a 19hp Kaw powering a 52" deck and it was way underpowered IMO.

I now have a Gravely I think it is 25hp kaw running a 60 inch deck and I could mow a hay field with that thing.

Of the two models you mentioned I think you would be happy with either. Just get the biggest motor they offer for the deck size you decide on.

I also think that a deep deck makes a big difference in handling tall grass. My Mini Z had a shallow deck and my Gravely has a very deep deck.

 

[aarolar]

Given your requirements and mowing needs just make sure that you get plenty of motor for the deck size. I bought a Hustler MiniZ and it had a 19hp Kaw powering a 52" deck and it was way underpowered IMO.

I now have a Gravely I think it is 25hp kaw running a 60 inch deck and I could mow a hay field with that thing.

Of the two models you mentioned I think you would be happy with either. Just get the biggest motor they offer for the deck size you decide on.

Yes that was already my plan I'm way undersized now I don't want that again.

 

[katoomed00]

If comfort is your thing, you need to look at and test ride Ferris (coil over suspension) or Bad Boy-Maverick or OutlawXP 54", 61" and 72" (compression suspension)

 

[aarolar]

If comfort is your thing, you need to look at and test ride Ferris (coil over suspension) or Bad Boy-Maverick or OutlawXP 54", 61" and 72" (compression suspension)

I am really interested in Ferris but absolutely no dealer support around me.

 

[katoomed00]

Something else you may consider is installing a small air bag under the seat, I did this and it made a world of difference (air bag deflated is about 1" tall)
I know dealer support means a lot to some folks, not so much for me. If I ever had an issue,(which is a rare thing) just contacted the dealer and they normally send parts, if you're really interested in Ferris this may be a way to go.
Also you may have a mower shop near by that might be an authorized repair shop for Ferris.
I test rode many different brands looking for a smooth riding mower that wasn't a full fledged commercial mower. Ferris and Bag Boy were the only mowers that meant my requirements. Both offer a mower that was considered high end residential/lower end commercial with suspension and in my price range ($6000-$8000) plus several other things, ended up with the Bad Boy 54" Maverick for $6000 out the door.

 

[aarolar]

Something else you may consider is installing a small air bag under the seat, I did this and it made a world of difference (air bag deflated is about 1" tall)
I know dealer support means a lot to some folks, not so much for me. If I ever had an issue,(which is a rare thing) just contacted the dealer and they normally send parts, if you're really interested in Ferris this may be a way to go.
Also you may have a mower shop near by that might be an authorized repair shop for Ferris.
I test rode many different brands looking for a smooth riding mower that wasn't a full fledged commercial mower. Ferris and Bag Boy were the only mowers that meant my requirements. Both offer a mower that was considered high end residential/lower end commercial with suspension and in my price range ($6000-$8000) plus several other things, ended up with the Bad Boy 54" Maverick for $6000 out the door.

My dealer thing is being able to get belts, blades, spindle parts at a whim and not having to order everything, ordering stuff is one of my pet peeves.

 

[HillStreet]

I have a Kubota Z125S with 54 inch deck. Works great, and it is comfortable as well as fast. Initially it kept throwing deck belts but the dealer and Kubota rep went to work right away on slight redesign and its fine since.

 

[Hugh Rea]

Hustler used to have a "flex" something or other front wheel option for comfort.

I'm not familiar with your grass but going on your growth rates I'm guessing it a finer spindly sort of grass?

If this is the case the tip speed of your mower blades are the key to a good cut and that info used to be available.

Thought the Kubota was a more expensive option but also work out HP/inch (or whatever measurement you want) of cutting deck.

 

[2ndhalf]

Hustler used to have a "flex" something or other front wheel option for comfort.

I'm not familiar with your grass but going on your growth rates I'm guessing it a finer spindly sort of grass?

If this is the case the tip speed of your mower blades are the key to a good cut and that info used to be available.

Thought the Kubota was a more expensive option but also work out HP/inch (or whatever measurement you want) of cutting deck.

Yes, I had the flex forks on my Hustler Miniz It still rode rough and if you had a teenager on it mowing full out it bounced and left grass uncut.

I have not ridden the Ferris but my nephew has the big Ferris and just loves it.

I think your best bet is to get a good seat on it. My Gravely has a much better seat than my miniz had and it is much more comfortable to run.

 

[DK35vince]

Yes, I had the flex forks on my Hustler Miniz It still rode rough and if you had a teenager on it mowing full out it bounced and left grass uncut.

I have not ridden the Ferris but my nephew has the big Ferris and just loves it.

I think your best bet is to get a good seat on it. My Gravely has a much better seat than my miniz had and it is much more comfortable to run.

I have the Flex forks on my Hustler Super Z.
They help take some of the sharpness out of the bumps, but I think my suspension seat and running 7-8 PSI in the tires helps the most.
I'm pretty happy with the ride.

 

[Cleburne]

I bought a Hustler X-One last year with a 60 inch deck, with a Kawasaki FX850v. I call her Bessie, very pleased with the purchase so far.

 

[2ndhalf]

I have the Flex forks on my Hustler Super Z.
They help take some of the sharpness out of the bumps, but I think my suspension seat and running 7-8 PSI in the tires helps the most.
I'm pretty happy with the ride.

Yeh, the hustler Super Z is night and day nicer than the Miniz. My MiniZ seat didn't have much for springs from what I remember and very thin.

 

[aarolar]

Went shopping today and have decided 100% on the Hustler Fastrak SDX, the dealer is great, mower looks proper and the price is well within my range. Probably going back next week to write a check.

 

[2ndhalf]

Went shopping today and have decided 100% on the Hustler Fastrak SDX, the dealer is great, mower looks proper and the price is well within my range. Probably going back next week to write a check.

Good choice. You won't be disappointed. That has the commercial HydroGear ZT 3400 transmission.

 

[nybirdman]

If you have a Simplicity dealer near;their zero turns are made by Ferris or at least in the same plant.
My BIL and SIL both purchased one and they are nice machines for a lot less money than a Ferris.

 

[atomchaser]

I've had a Fastrack SDX for a couple years and been happy with it. The seat does slide back a forth a bit to help the ride. I did install the flex forks on mine last year but I don't notice much of difference with them and in retrospect would not have spent the money on them. I only mow a couple acres once a week or so if the ride is too rough I just slow down a bit.

 

[aarolar]

I've had a Fastrack SDX for a couple years and been happy with it. The seat does slide back a forth a bit to help the ride. I did install the flex forks on mine last year but I don't notice much of difference with them and in retrospect would not have spent the money on them. I only mow a couple acres once a week or so if the ride is too rough I just slow down a bit.

Good to hear, I brought it home today no grass to cut but I'm ready for when there is in the next weeks.