Need help with new 0-turn purchase...

[Foreman TX]

So I am having trouble making the descion with all the choices,been trying to decide for weeks it is a big purchase. I’m looking at all the big names,Exmark/Scag/Hustler/JD/Spartan/Gravely to name a few. Been going back and forth on EFI or Carb too. Deck size prolly a 72 but not against getting a 60 been using my brothers JD 920M 60 and it’s been nice,upgraded seat and zglides rides great. I mow pretty good bit around 4acres,it has hills and trees so not just all open. Grass is common Bermuda/Bahia.Price well kinda like to stay under 10k,can get pretty good deal on Hustler X-One 72 with the carb Kawasaki 850 right now.

 

[Summerlin]

Don’t be afraid to check out the Cub Cadet Pro-Z models if you have a dealer nearby.

Same components as the “big names” without the big price tag

 

[shooterdon]

My tractor dealer just started carrying the Bad Boy. Not the machine you may want, but he told me he thinks the Kawaski engines are better than the Kohlers. Both are available on the Bad Boys.

 

[Grumpycat]

Any brand mower not owned by Briggs & Stratton will have a selection of engines from Kohler and Kawasaki. Exmark has an engine under their own name built in China but offers Kawasaki and Kohler on upper models. When Briggs & Stratton started buying mower manufacturers such as Snapper all other manufacturers quit offering B&S engines.

My preference is for Country Clipper. More metal. More/all Made In USA. And for some reason I like one joystick over twin sticks (they offer both). I have not seen on other brands but CC offers optional handrails. Sounds silly and unnecessary but they are really nice for getting on/off. In less than 2 minutes with no tools you can release the rear of the CC mower deck and stand it upright to clean or check the blades.

Also prefer larger models with ROPS. If you haven't had a zero-turn before, most can wheelie just yanking on the sticks. Smaller models do not have ROPS option for cost and apparently most consumers hate the rollbar and seatbelt. Without ROPS your best survival strategy is to fall free of the machine. With ROPS is best to be held inside the rollbar.

Bigger decks mow golf courses faster but if you have uneven ground a smaller deck will do a better job, slower. Then again, shave a few high spots with a big deck and you will know where to go to level your lawn.

 

[Foreman TX]

Don’t be afraid to check out the Cub Cadet Pro-Z models if you have a dealer nearby.

Same components as the “big names” without the big price tag

We do have those close,I was actually there looking at Spartan and never gave them a look. But I have come across YouTube video since on them and I may go back,to take a look. Thanks for the reply

 

[Foreman TX]

My tractor dealer just started carrying the Bad Boy. Not the machine you may want, but he told me he thinks the Kawaski engines are better than the Kohlers. Both are available on the Bad Boys.

Friend of mine actually just bought the new Badboy Rebel 72” with 999cc Kawasaki,thing is built heavy and motor sounds tough. I did mow with it for short time. It’s overkill on yard once your staying on top of it,it’s loud too. My yard is rough like his so speed nothing can really use. I actually enjoy mowing on the JD better out the two,it’s quite and the ride is way smoother. It’s on my list also haven’t ruled it out thou.

 

[Code54]

Check out lawnsite - there is a ton of pros on there and a ton of talk about ZTR's.

I personally like the Ferris line of mowers (suspension is great). I personally have the Kaw. nonEFI motor and am very pleased with it on my Ferris stander (Z2)

Don't pass over looking at standers, VERY quick, fit in a smaller area, great ride. The z3 has some huge decks but get a bit pricey, z2 comes in 60" and you can mow a LOT of grass VERY quick with a 60" stander!

 

[Foreman TX]

Any brand mower not owned by Briggs & Stratton will have a selection of engines from Kohler and Kawasaki. Exmark has an engine under their own name built in China but offers Kawasaki and Kohler on upper models. When Briggs & Stratton started buying mower manufacturers such as Snapper all other manufacturers quit offering B&S engines.

My preference is for Country Clipper. More metal. More/all Made In USA. And for some reason I like one joystick over twin sticks (they offer both). I have not seen on other brands but CC offers optional handrails. Sounds silly and unnecessary but they are really nice for getting on/off. In less than 2 minutes with no tools you can release the rear of the CC mower deck and stand it upright to clean or check the blades.

Also prefer larger models with ROPS. If you haven't had a zero-turn before, most can wheelie just yanking on the sticks. Smaller models do not have ROPS option for cost and apparently most consumers hate the rollbar and seatbelt. Without ROPS your best survival strategy is to fall free of the machine. With ROPS is best to be held inside the rollbar.

Bigger decks mow golf courses faster but if you have uneven ground a smaller deck will do a better job, slower. Then again, shave a few high spots with a big deck and you will know where to go to level your lawn.

Yeah I have been mowing with 0-turn for past 9yrs but it’s been cheap Husqvarna 54” but’s it’s nothing looking at getting again. Looking for comfort and something going to last. Engine Kawasaki/Kohler/Yamaha any those 3 as long it’s there commercial series.
Thanks for reply

 

[Carl_NH]

Check out lawnsite - there is a ton of pros on there and a ton of talk about ZTR's.

I personally like the Ferris line of mowers (suspension is great). I personally have the Kaw. nonEFI motor and am very pleased with it on my Ferris stander (Z2)

Don't pass over looking at standers, VERY quick, fit in a smaller area, great ride. The z3 has some huge decks but get a bit pricey, z2 comes in 60" and you can mow a LOT of grass VERY quick with a 60" stander!

Second on the Ferris machines - I have had the 52" IS2000 full suspension for 9 years with a Kawasaki 25HP and have rough ground. Very happy with the ride and the cut and build quality of these units.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I purchased last week a Snapper Pro s200xt with a 61" deck and Kawasaki 25.5 HP engine. These are basically a Ferris without the suspension. The floor plan was due on it and my dealer marked it down 2300 dollars from list. It has the same icd deck used on the Ferris it mows great. With the zt 5400 drives and a dry weight of 1170# it is a great value.

 

[Foreman TX]

I have heard good about Ferris just no dealers local thou.

 

[txdon]

Do a comparison of the transmissions. That is the most critical part of the ZERO TURNS.

 

[searcyfarms]

my dad has a country clipper its been a GREAT mower - I like the looks of the suspension of the ferris and the spartan look good as well

 

[Foreman TX]

Do a comparison of the transmissions. That is the most critical part of the ZERO TURNS.

Any one over the other? Just kinda heard Parker is good 12cc or better. I’m not sure what the John Deere has on it thou

 

[cdaigle430]

You indicated you have hills.....I also posted question about ZT mowers and have hills but for safety reasons decided not to buy a ZT.

I test drove one in my yard and did in fact find it too dangerous for me on my slop which leads to a deep pond at the bottom.

I am going to keep my current Huqvarna YTH2448 until it dies and then look into the Swedish Husvarna AWD front mount mower. I am hoping ZT technology comes out with one you can use on a slope safely by then.

Lots of people ask me if my current rider works why change to a ZT? Its because I have too many things to mow around and a ZT would shave 30 minute off my mow time.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Do a comparison of the transmissions. That is the most critical part of the ZERO TURNS.

Yep, price goes up accordingly. I looked at ferris, but to get kawasaki, you now have to go to the IS3200 model, which was over $10k. I went with a kubota Z421.

 

[Foreman TX]

You indicated you have hills.....I also posted question about ZT mowers and have hills but for safety reasons decided not to buy a ZT.

I test drove one in my yard and did in fact find it too dangerous for me on my slop which leads to a deep pond at the bottom.

I am going to keep my current Huqvarna YTH2448 until it dies and then look into the Swedish Husvarna AWD front mount mower. I am hoping ZT technology comes out with one you can use on a slope safely by then.

Lots of people ask me if my current rider works why change to a ZT? Its because I have too many things to mow around and a ZT would shave 30 minute off my mow time.

The slopes are not to bad few spots but it don't feel tippy on the bigger wider mowers.

 

[Foreman TX]

Yep, price goes up accordingly. I looked at ferris, but to get kawasaki, you now have to go to the IS3200 model, which was over $10k. I went with a kubota Z421.

Yeah me and the wife both like the Ferris 3200 midnight edition but only comes with the Vanguard. I'm not even sure how far would have to go to find a dealer for them. Kinda won't to stay local as can.

 

[Code54]

Yep, price goes up accordingly. I looked at ferris, but to get kawasaki, you now have to go to the IS3200 model, which was over $10k. I went with a kubota Z421.

If you like Ferris with Kaws - looks at the Z2 standers. Fully commercial with the Kaw.

 

[Ortimber]

I’ll throw a plug in for Kubota. While I have a bigger diesel machine, it works great on my property which doesn’t have a flat spot anywhere. Kubota also makes commercial grade gas machines that look pretty good.