Looking for advice on zero turn mower

[drysalty]

Im in the market for a zero turn mower. I’m on the list to demo a Kioti zero turn when my dealer gets them in. In the mean time I’m looking at other brands available locally and I’d love some input on these mowers as I’ve never owned or operated one. I’m mowing about 2.5 acres weekly in the summer and I’ve been using a 38” riding mower and it Takes a day to get everything taken care of. I’m thinking a 48 - 54 inch deck, I’d like good hydros, 2800’s minimum preferably 3100’s or better. let me know what you like and why I should buy one! Thanks in advance!

 

[RjCorazza]

I have always run Kubota ZD mowers, first for my 6 acres then for 30 acres of commercial (across 15 lawns).
A commercial diesel is overkill for 2.5 acres, but they sure are nice. Kubota has a full line of zero turns from residential gas, to commercial diesels. Check them out.

 

[MasseyFerg231]

I have an older bush hog ZT with 60” deck. It runs ok for age hours. Other than odd issues due to co diction/age, it runs pretty well.
My wife thinks it’s ready for the junkyard, but it’s along way from it!!

grew up mowing with JD 140 then 318 mowing about 6 acres per week. Wish I had a ZT then!

 

[drysalty]

I have always run Kubota ZD mowers, first for my 6 acres then for 30 acres of commercial (across 15 lawns).
A commercial diesel is overkill for 2.5 acres, but they sure are nice. Kubota has a full line of zero turns from residential gas, to commercial diesels. Check them out.

There is a big kubota dealer about 10 miles from here; but I (and every one I know) hates to buy from them as they are terrible to do business with. There are other kubota dealers but they are more distant, about 40 miles or so. I’d be glad to buy a kubota, but it wouldn’t be from my local dealer. I have exmark, Ferris, scag, husqvarna, cub cadet, also very close by. There’s a toro/ bad boy dealer 35 miles away, I’m sure there are others I’m missing.

 

[RjCorazza]

There is a big kubota dealer about 10 miles from here; but I (and every one I know) hates to buy from them as they are terrible to do business with. There are other kubota dealers but they are more distant, about 40 miles or so. I’d be glad to buy a kubota, but it wouldn’t be from my local dealer. I have exmark, Ferris, scag, husqvarna, cub cadet, also very close by. There’s a toro/ bad boy dealer 35 miles away, I’m sure there are others I’m missing.

I Pass more than 3 kubota dealers to get to the one I am comfortable dealing with, so I definitely get where you’re coming from.
Exmark has a big presence in my area for commercial mowers, but I don’t have any experience with them.
If I were to switch from ZD mowers (which I wouldn’t!) next in line would probably be a suspended Ferris. They are VERY comfortable.

 

[drysalty]

I’m going to look at a used Ferris tomorrow, it a IS 2100 with the fan assisted bagger and a dethatching rake. It has 26 hours on it, it looks to have a Briggs engine but no oil guard system . What do you think is a reasonable price to offer if it’s as nice as it looks in pictures?

 

[metalbender]

Do yourself a favor and take the time to test drive a Toro with the MyRide seat system. NUFF SAID

 

[Boss 302]

If you don't have your mind made up on a certain manufacturer, be sure to check out Ferris, they are absolutely top shelf and they cost a little more but certainly worth a look see.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Good info on this site regarding which ZTR is best for each particular features. After reviewing those posts and specs on about 8 different brands my conclusion was that each had some of the best and some of the worse features. For the same quality I think each brand is priced similarly.

After having bought 2 mowers from BB stores in the past, and regretted it as soon as the first time I needed repair or service work done, the deciding factor for me was to only buy from a close dealer and one that I trusted. That thought kept bringing me back to my small town local Kubota dealer.

So, in short, I bought my first ZTR, a Kubota KZ2412, 48" & Kawasaki motor, yesterday. I opted for the 48" due to the need to mow in between many trees. Larger size ZTR's were priced only a small amount higher, but I bought what I needed. I'm long over the "My dog is bigger than your dog." syndrome.

Best price? Best ride? Best quality? Who knows; Best dealer support? Definitely! I will know in 10 years if my selection was the best for my needs. What I do know is that dealer has supported me beyond expectations with my Kubota tractor. He has a great reputation in the community and has been in the Kubota business for 40 years. That says a lot to me.

Many thanks to the posters on this thread that have shared the up's and down's of the brands that they know about.

 

[shooterdon]

I went through this last year and got a 54" Bad Boy ZT Elite. Also about 2 acres and I cut my mowing time to about an hour. It is the lowest priced ZF with a front suspension.

Very please so far and at my age (71) will likely be the last mower I buy.

 

[drysalty]

i bought the used ferris i mentioned in a post earlier in this thread. It seems to be a top tier mower, and given the acessories that the buyer threw in i thought it a great deal. I got the 52" IS 2100 and got the turbo pro max bagger and a small trailer and a blade sharpener and a few other goodies. The mower has 26 hours on it and was priced several thousand below what the local ferris dealer is asking for a new IS2200 mower with no bagger. Im glad i started looking early as the dealers i visited all seemed to mention availability and difficulties keepiong machines in stock the last few summers.

 

[Diggin It]

I’m mowing about 2.5 acres weekly ...

Flat? Sloped? Hilly? Obstacles? Soft ground/turf? Wet?

I'm still curious about these:

Altoz Commercial-Grade Equipment | Altoz, Inc.

Experience the Altoz difference with commercial-grade equipment. Performance & engineering for residential, commercial & agriculture use.

altoz.com

 

[Erik M]

Enjoy the Ferris, they are a top tier mower. I missed a great deal on a used one like yours and bought a new Toro Titan 60”. Good ZT mowers are not cheap but they perform better and have greater durability.

 

[drysalty]

I have a reasonably flat area, it’s wet in places now as it’s mud season here. In a week or two when it’s dry I’m going to use the bagger and dethatching rake to start cleaning up for spring. There is one slope behind my barn that is in question. I’ve measured it at 18* and the mower says 15* is the max slope it’s rated for. I bet it will do more than the stated 15* but I’ve always done this slope diagonally and that’s how I plan to do it with the zero turn.

this is my first zero turn so I’m unable to help on Altoz brand mowers.

 

[Carl_NH]

Great you got that machine - I saw it on Craigslist NH I think - nice machine.

I am getting ready to thatch lawn and vacuum up later today - early for us here in NH.

 

[drysalty]

Enjoy the Ferris, they are a top tier mower. I missed a great deal on a used one like yours and bought a new Toro Titan 60”. Good ZT mowers are not cheap but they perform better and have greater durability.

Thanks! Agreed on the cost but I think in the long run it’s money well spent. This machine should have durability to last many many years the way I’m going to use it plus the time it’s going to save me has value too. Whether it’s time I’m able to use to make a few bucks or time I use to go fishing it’s still time that’s being used in a better fashion than sitting on my old mower.

 

[bobmisi]

After owning my Exmark for 17 years with really no problems other than spindle bearings, I decided to get a new one. Went to my dealer and was disappointed in the new Exmarks. Seems they haven't kept up with the times. The products seemed cheaply made and top dollar prices. Dealer seemed uninterested to make a deal. Now he is pushing other brands cause he doesn't like dealing with Exmark and not a fan of the factory rep. So I did lots of looking. Did some internet shopping with four Gravely dealers and they fought for my business, all making offers online. A year later I have a Pro Turn 252 and couldn't be happier with the deal I got or the machine. This machine is heavy duty and quality. Gravely has been around for a long time. Longer than probably any other zero turn brand. The hydros are 5400 series. Try one out and then do your shopping on the internet cause if you go in person they figure they have you once they get you in their store. The dealer I bought from let me take a demo for a week which is something you should definately do.

 

[drysalty]

Great you got that machine - I saw it on Craigslist NH I think - nice machine.

I am getting ready to thatch lawn and vacuum up later today - early for us here in NH.

Yes the fellow I bought it from had sold a large property in Gilford and moved to a home in an association that does all the outside maintenance for you. He had recently sold his excavation business and knew the value of buying good machinery up front and then taking care of it. This machine looks brand new, and that’s no exaggeration. I feel like I got a great deal!

 

[drysalty]

After owning my Exmark for 17 years with really no problems other than spindle bearings, I decided to get a new one. Went to my dealer and was disappointed in the new Exmarks. Seems they haven't kept up with the times. The products seemed cheaply made and top dollar prices. Dealer seemed uninterested to make a deal. Now he is pushing other brands cause he doesn't like dealing with Exmark and not a fan of the factory rep. So I did lots of looking. Did some internet shopping with four Gravely dealers and they fought for my business, all making offers online. A year later I have a Pro Turn 252 and couldn't be happier with the deal I got or the machine. This machine is heavy duty and quality. Gravely has been around for a long time. Longer than probably any other zero turn brand. The hydros are 5400 series. Try one out and then do your shopping on the internet cause if you go in person they figure they have you once they get you in their store. The dealer I bought from let me take a demo for a week which is something you should definately do.

the local kubota dealer that I’m not a huge fan of sells the gravely mowers. I stopped in there to put eyes on several brands at the same time. They had kubota, husqvarna, Wright, and Gravely machines on the floor. I was very impressed with the gravely machines, they were very well built and priced well. i would gladly have bought one of those .

 

[brokeasajoke]

After owning my Exmark for 17 years with really no problems other than spindle bearings, I decided to get a new one. Went to my dealer and was disappointed in the new Exmarks. Seems they haven't kept up with the times. The products seemed cheaply made and top dollar prices. Dealer seemed uninterested to make a deal. Now he is pushing other brands cause he doesn't like dealing with Exmark and not a fan of the factory rep. So I did lots of looking. Did some internet shopping with four Gravely dealers and they fought for my business, all making offers online. A year later I have a Pro Turn 252 and couldn't be happier with the deal I got or the machine. This machine is heavy duty and quality. Gravely has been around for a long time. Longer than probably any other zero turn brand. The hydros are 5400 series. Try one out and then do your shopping on the internet cause if you go in person they figure they have you once they get you in their store. The dealer I bought from let me take a demo for a week which is something you should definately do.

I have a gravely pro turn made in 2008. Still serving me well and so is they kawi fx751 engine. Snapper pro sw30 (think ferris) has served well. I traded my late 90s Ferris for a kimber master carry custom 1911 with crimson trace grips. It was still going but one transmission had to be rebuilt on it about 2007. My partner runs scag, gravely, and cub cadet. My choice I believe would be parts and service of whom ever is closest with good customer aervice but small tires and a narrow stance on the drive tires will turn me off in a hurry on a walk behind.