Buying Advice Best zero-turn in the $4K-$6,500 range?

[dbear]

Buy orange and never regret it

Kubota?
Husqvarna?
Scag?

Bad Boy?
Simplicity?

Did we miss any?

 

[gabeancounter]

Slightly outside your price range but this is my next mower. I currentl own lazer z 60". The cheapest I have seen this mower is $7500

NEW 60'' HUSQVARNA ZERO TURN LAWN MOWER 30HP KOHLER | eBay

 

[Carl_NH]

Buckweet,

I have the Ferris IS2000 52" 25HP Kawasaki with the high back seat (they call it deluxe).

Got it last year as an 09 leftover delivered for $7K from a dealer in Maine (120 mi away).

I am 6'4 and wanted something comfortable to sit in and also accomodate long legs, and ride and cut nice on our originally forest floor / rocky bumpy lawn..

I also wanted a good cut so stayed away from the 60" plus some areas I have are narrow so 52" was max.

So, get the high back seat option, then turn over the pedal lift rubber, and I moved the seat back 2.5" also and I am very comfortable..

Now to your question, the IS500 is the entry machine, with suspension, and is considered a rugged homeowner / entry level commercial.

The next step up is the 1500 series which has the same suspension as the 500 but a larger frame and tires, then the 2000 and 3000 series have a more HD suspension setup.

Price wise, its about $1000 jump from the 500 to the 1500, then $500 more to the 2000 series dependiing on the width and motor setup. I would stay with Kawasaki..

Now, there is another option too. Simpilicity - they are made by Ferris - same design, just a different name if you look at the higher end Simplicity units (Cobalt and Citation) they have the same suspension, Kawasaki engines and are about $1-1.5K lower on the list price..

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Carl

 

[probolpher]

Buckweet,

I have been researching this exact thing in the exact same price range for a month. As far as I can tell, the best bang for the buck is in the Hustler fast track or in the Scag Tiger Cat unless you want to step up the the Scag Wildcat which is an extra 1000 but will get you coolers for the hydraulics. I almost purchased the Wildcat because it has the best deck.

I have now reverted back to looking at garden tractors. My hilside in Vermont is constantly wet as the soil holds water and it rains constantly. I have a Kubota B2920 to mow my fields but I have realized that it will dig up my constantly wet lawn too much to mow with.

If you are going to be mowing a lot of hills and your land is wet, I would make sure to drive one at your house before purchasing.

The zero turn idea seemed great a month ago until I talked with my father in law who told me about his Toro zero turn "This thing would get stuck in a cow patty. I don't even break it out until July when the ground is completely dry."

Good luck.

 

[LD1]

Buckweet,

I have been researching this exact thing in the exact same price range for a month. As far as I can tell, the best bang for the buck is in the Hustler fast track or in the Scag Tiger Cat unless you want to step up the the Scag Wildcat which is an extra 1000 but will get you coolers for the hydraulics. I almost purchased the Wildcat because it has the best deck.

I have now reverted back to looking at garden tractors. My hilside in Vermont is constantly wet as the soil holds water and it rains constantly. I have a Kubota B2920 to mow my fields but I have realized that it will dig up my constantly wet lawn too much to mow with.

If you are going to be mowing a lot of hills and your land is wet, I would make sure to drive one at your house before purchasing.

The zero turn idea seemed great a month ago until I talked with my father in law who told me about his Toro zero turn "This thing would get stuck in a cow patty. I don't even break it out until July when the ground is completely dry."

Good luck.

I have an older model of the wildcat. It has the A deck instead of the newer "v" deck. But other than that, I am very pleased.

A friend that owns a lawncare business sold it to me. It is a 2900 hour machine, But all the hydraulics were replaced about 800 hours ago and the kohler 27HP only has ~300 hours on it. I can verify this because I helped him do both:thumbsup: A brand new seat and brand new rear tires as well.

So far, I am very pleased. Especially with the $3500 pricetag. The only thing I would like better would be the kawasaki motor. I am not a huge fan of the kohlers as I have already mentioned.

But all that said, I would probabally not spend the $8k or so for a new one. Especially after sitting it next to the bobcat of my fathers. They are near identical, and the bobcat is usually cheaper if buying new.

So all that said, If you can afford new, compair them all closley and you will probabally find very little difference. If that is the case, I'd focus more on price/warrenty rather than brand.

If buying used, its about whats avaliable at the time to suit your needs. But so far, about everything that has been mentioned are all excellent brands and mowers.

Scag, Hustler, bobcat, bunton, dixie chopper, upper end toros, kubotas, JD's, ferris, etc. All make great commercial quality machines. Its all about personal preference but you really cant say one is any better than the other.

 

[Buckweet]

Buckweet,

I have been researching this exact thing in the exact same price range for a month. As far as I can tell, the best bang for the buck is in the Hustler fast track or in the Scag Tiger Cat unless you want to step up the the Scag Wildcat which is an extra 1000 but will get you coolers for the hydraulics. I almost purchased the Wildcat because it has the best deck.

I have now reverted back to looking at garden tractors. My hilside in Vermont is constantly wet as the soil holds water and it rains constantly. I have a Kubota B2920 to mow my fields but I have realized that it will dig up my constantly wet lawn too much to mow with.

If you are going to be mowing a lot of hills and your land is wet, I would make sure to drive one at your house before purchasing.

The zero turn idea seemed great a month ago until I talked with my father in law who told me about his Toro zero turn "This thing would get stuck in a cow patty. I don't even break it out until July when the ground is completely dry."

Good luck.

Funny you should mention going back to a GT. Just test drove a JD x500 when I went to pick up my dead old Scotts 2554. Hills are definitely part of my geography. That said, the Ferris seemed to handle the slopes pretty well.

I've officially entered analysis paralysis mode!

 

[probolpher]

As far as I can tell, it seems that as long as the hills are dry that the Zero turn will be ok. However, if they are wet it's anyone's guess.

I personally would be willing to take the risk and hope. Unfortunately, after I just purchased an expensive tractor, my wife isn't willing to take that same risk. ****.

 

[Buckweet]

I just bought a Hustler Fastrak yesterday. I paid $5,500 no tax. I drove a Gravely ZTHD 52", Scag freedom z 52", JD 445, and the Hustler. I felt like it had the best features sub $5,500 - 24hp Kawasaki, 54" deck fabricated deck, ROPS, comfy seat, Full rear bumper/engine protector/hitch. I also liked that I had an option to get Flex Forks (their version of a front suspension) if the ride got to be too bumpy with just a suspension seat. I really wanted to have the seatbelt so I decided I needed a mower with ROPS. While I was demoed the Gravely, I hit a bump going full speed and it nearly threw me out of the chair.

I would like to have driven a Ferris, but I don't have any dealers in my area. Take a look at the Hustler Fastrak or Fastrak Super Duty. Of the models you listed though, I'd stick with a Gravely or Badboy if the Scag really didn't work for you. That price on the Gravely 52" was a couple of hundred bucks better than what I got quoted. They gave me the same price for the 60" though .

Just saw this post - not sure why I missed it above. Will check out the Hustler.

 

[Tdcw4]

Buy a kubota

 

[crbr]

.....Kawasaki.....

That is where I would start.

 

[Buckweet]

Buckweet,

I have the Ferris IS2000 52" 25HP Kawasaki with the high back seat (they call it deluxe).

Got it last year as an 09 leftover delivered for $7K from a dealer in Maine (120 mi away).

I am 6'4 and wanted something comfortable to sit in and also accomodate long legs, and ride and cut nice on our originally forest floor / rocky bumpy lawn..

I also wanted a good cut so stayed away from the 60" plus some areas I have are narrow so 52" was max.

So, get the high back seat option, then turn over the pedal lift rubber, and I moved the seat back 2.5" also and I am very comfortable..

Now to your question, the IS500 is the entry machine, with suspension, and is considered a rugged homeowner / entry level commercial.

The next step up is the 1500 series which has the same suspension as the 500 but a larger frame and tires, then the 2000 and 3000 series have a more HD suspension setup.

Price wise, its about $1000 jump from the 500 to the 1500, then $500 more to the 2000 series dependiing on the width and motor setup. I would stay with Kawasaki..

Now, there is another option too. Simpilicity - they are made by Ferris - same design, just a different name if you look at the higher end Simplicity units (Cobalt and Citation) they have the same suspension, Kawasaki engines and are about $1-1.5K lower on the list price..

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Carl

I went and test-drove the Ferris IS 2000z today. In a word "wow"! The only thing better than the full suspension is the 10 mph speed! I swear that 20% of my mowing time is just going from one are of the lawn to another. What a sweet mower! $7999 for a 2010 - will try and either negotiate down to $7500 + get the deluxe seat.

This is the one!!!!

 

[Carl_NH]

Buckweet,

Congrats on your decision - if you can get the 2010 unit with the new ICD deck for $7700 range and the high back seat you got a great deal!

The local dealer here in NH wanted $8500 (they arent really competitve tho) and if they would have dropped to $7700-7800 I would have bought locally last year.

The IS2000 is a great machine and you wont be dissapointed. Here's a pic of mine.

Send some pics along when you get it!

Carl

 

[Buckweet]

Since my search began, my budget has increased - funny how that happens...

I've now found the unit that I believe I'll be moving forward on, but would appreciate any last minute counsel. I found a dealer (65 miles from my house) who has 3 2009 IS 2000 with a 25 hp Kawasaki Engine and 52" deck. This dealer is totally cool. He encouraged me to take home their demo IS2000 unit (identically configured as the one I'd be buying). I did that on Wednesday night, mowed my entire yard, and brought the unit back on Friday. My cutting time went from 2 hours and 50 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes to do all 3 acres of mowable grass. The cut was acceptable considering how fast I was mowing.

The unit DOES NOT have the ICD deck, which is a bummer, but he is selling these 2009 IS 2000s with the 52" decks for $7000. I asked him about the price for two (as my brother is also in need of a unit), and he basically told me he could sell me all three and that's the lowest he could sell them for as they are basically $500 below his cost - which Ferris will be giving him some incentive back to sell off these units from his store inventory.

He also has an IS 2000 with a 30hp and a 61" deck - along with a high-back air-ride seat that was the dealers demo/loaner unit with 100 hours on it. He's asking $8000 for that unit. While it would be nice to have a 61" deck and the larger engine with the more comfy seat, I'm not sure the 100 unknown hrs on the machine are worth it.

Any thoughts you might offer will be well received. I really loved how comfortable the ride was - and on my nicer areas of lawn, it cut very nicely.

Thanks guys!

Darren

 

[Carl_NH]

Darren,

Thats exactly the unit I got non ICD deck - I have no issues with the cut or build quality. Its a great riding machine and I cut almost 2 acres (lots of gardens/beds/trees) in an hour vs 1.5 hrs with my Cub Cadet.

I paid $6800 plus $240 shipping to NH was less than the sales tax if I picked it up. it is the IS2552 with the 25HP Kawasaki, 52" cut with the high back seat - was a benefit I didnt realize it had until it arrived.

Bottom line, at $7K it is a good deal, and if you are getting two machines I would offer $13800 - OR have him swap the suspension seat on yours for $14K out the door. I assume your 6.5% tax in MN is on top of that?

As for the 61" with 100 hours for a $1000 more that already has a 1.5 yrs of hours on it based on your cutting time and the wider decks dont always cut as nice as the 52".

Great machines and glad you found a dealer that works with you..

Carl

 

[Buckweet]

Thanks (again) Carl!

Yes, sales tax will be in addition. Sounds like my brother is going to take me up on me mowing his 1.75 acres (and making my payments on the machine during the summer months) - so I'll be mowing a combined ~ 4.25 acres per week with the unit.

I'm pretty jazzed!

 

[Buckweet]

Good morning,

For what its worth, I ended up purchasing the Ferris IS2000 from a dealer who had 2 carry over units (without the ICD deck).

I paid $7000.

Really like the Ferris and am yet to find anything to complain about after 4.5 hours of mowing.

I've gotten very spoiled with the suspension and am wondering how I ever mowed my yards without it.

Many thanks to those of you who helped me make this descision (Carl and others). Great advice, which has continued after the purchase!

 

[rankrank1]

FWIW: I too would love to have a Ferris simply for the suspension. Also look at the Simplicity Zero turns as they have suspension too. (Briggs and Stratton owns both Ferris and Simplicity so they are similar in many regards. Just make sure the Simplicity has both front and rear suspension some of the cheaper ones only have it on the front).

Simplicitiy's are typically cheaper, although some of the really cheap ones will not have the more desirable transaxles. I would think you could find a nice one though for around $6000 that has the better tranaxles since you are not shopping in the bargain basement range price wise.