Any tips for buying commercial left over ZT's?

[rerod]

Hello everyone.

My craftsman LT 1000 is still cutting my 1.2 acre lot, but I'm a little concerned about it's reliability because it came with the property and burns over 1 quart of oil each season. I imagine dealers already want to sell this and last years new inventory, but november/december might be better months to look for deals.

Can anyone give tips on buying last years or left over new mowers from dealers? I have seen $1000 price variances from dealer to dealer on commercial ZT's and I'm guessing that's because they dont use msrp, but "retail" pricing which is "a perception of what the market will bear". Or in other words, the most $ they feel they can get.

With such loose pricing, how does a home owner know if the new left over actually has a "reduced price"?

A couple of key things Ive read about buying a mower is "shop by transmission.." Meaning box store mowers transmissions aren't designed to be rebuilt but replaced.

Second, Ive read the kawasaki open-loop EFI mower engines dont have the great reputation I thought they had.. Vanguard closed loop EFI engines have a better reputation and the new gravely Yamaha EFI engines sound promising.

Anyway, Ive over paid for cars I wanted, but it feels like I'm even more vulnerable to over paying for a mower since the only price guideline I have is ebay's completed listings since they is no KBB for commercial mowers that I know of.

Thanks!

 

[shovelmike]

I have used similar lawn tractors for years mowing about the same size yard. I bought a Sears LT 10 in 76, and used it until 92. The Briggs and Stratton was still running fine, the suspension for the deck was so worn that I has trouble keeping belts on it. 92 til 04 I mowed with Craftsman II 12.5 Briggs and Stratton Commercial Gold. It is waiting for a carburetor rebuild, thanks to ethanol in the gas.
I began mowing with a Hustler Super Z, commercial zero turn radius...25 hp Kawasaki carbureted. I cut my mowing time from 3 hours to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
I am very happy with the Hustler, the Kawasaki engine is the way to go, the commercial mowing people swear by them.
At any rate, a quart a season isn't too bad, yours might still run a long time.

 

[3gunr]

My bad boy zt has the kohler magnun engine and it has been great . between my yard ,my daughters and my sisters i mow 9 acres a week. its about seven yrs old now. not sure on the hrs.

 

[yomax4]

I scored heavy on year end deal at a Gravely dealer. I got a Proturn for $200 less the next lower unit ZTHD. I was suspicious enough to pay cash and drive it 3/4 of a mile to a friends house to pick up later. Offer Cash and the wheels start to spin.

 

[coobie]

I would try to buy a left over dealer demo model.CASH purchase is your friend.

 

[shovelmike]

A great suggestion, my Hustler was a demo, 15 years and going strong, and two or three of those years I was doing commercial mowing for a restaurant chain.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Take a look at Snapper Pro. They are well priced to start with. They run some great deals at the end of season. I got top model for less than seven grand. It has been about the best thing I have owned with a motor. I would not be surprised to see it still running in 25 years.

 

[nards444]

Like anything else buying out of season usually nets better savings. Buying snow equipment in the spring/summer, and lawn equipment in the winter. But with that said pricing is a half dozen one half the other on the internet. Trying to get a good price opinion on the internet is kind of a waste of time. best thing you can do is compare different dealers, walk out of negotiations that will tell you if thats the best price that dealer can do.

 

[rerod]

Hey thanks everyone.. Im kinda stuck on the vanguard or yamaha engine right now..

If I buy a commercial ZT, does that word "commercial" guarantee it has a transmission that's rebuildable? Does the word "commercial" mean the mower is worth fixing if and when it breaks down, unlike the residential units?

Thanks!

216 Snapper Pro S2xt (S2XTBVE2861) for sale in Riverside, IA. Schnoebelen Riverside, IA (319) 648-2481

 

[4get gto]

Hey thanks everyone.. Im kinda stuck on the vanguard or yamaha engine right now..

If I buy a commercial ZT, does that word "commercial" guarantee it has a transmission that's rebuildable? Does the word "commercial" mean the mower is worth fixing if and when it breaks down, unlike the residential units?

Thanks!

Rebuildable only means as long as they make parts for that transmission. I have one "2" in my Woods ( grasshopper) that that's rebuildable but from what I hear there are no parts available any more. Mine's 22 years old so maybe I'm expecting to much..? I forget the name of the transmissions used in this one but that's what I'm up against if one ever fails.