Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[2ndhalf]

You've got some time before mowing season.. take your time and get in some seats and run them. You will probably change your mind a few times before you decide. $5k is still a lot of money so kick some tires.

Spec sheets can only take you so far, driving them and sitting on them is the true test. All ZTRs handle differently I have owned 4 and mowed with 5 different types. Some turn better, some ride better, some cut better. Don't be content to just sit on one.. if they won't let you run it don't buy it!

 

[xring100]

I spent some time this morning calling around the area to various dealers, getting quotes on zero turns. I had narrowed it down to the Cub Cadet ZLX, the Badboy ZT Elite, the Scag Patriot, The Gravely ZT HD, the simplicity Contender, and the Snapper 550Z. The Patriot was quoted at about 7K, which ruled it out, I can get a used SCUT for that kind of money. I messed up the number on the Snapper dealer, so haven't talked to them, and the Simplicity dealer hasn't called me back yet. The others are as follows:

CC ZLX - $4800
Badboy ZT Elite - $4799
Gravely ZT HD - $5439

The Badboy mower seems to be the best one going right now. I'm not completely comfortable with it because it just seems to be a brand sold by TSC. The last thing I got from them was a grader blade, that turned out to be a POS. Does anyone here have experience with Badboy? Spec wise it is better than the others. I also can get 10% off. It's the fact that it seems so obvious that is setting off alarms in my head.

I'm also still going back and forth over the 54 vs 60 inch deck. I'm leaning toward 54 for tight spaces and trailer loading, but I'm still trying to convince myself that it's not going to significantly affect my mowing time on the more open areas.

I was looking at the Gravely today for a buddy who just bought a house nice that it has the ZT3400 Trans and kawasaki engine looks like a good deal for the price. not many in this price range have the Kawasaki which is something he really wanted

Ferris, Simplicity and Snapper are the same mower. Ferris and Simplicity have suspension, Snapper does not, that is why Snapper is sold for much less.

Citation XT Zero Turn Mower: Riding Yard Mowers | Simplicity

 

[TJP89]

You've got some time before mowing season.. take your time and get in some seats and run them. You will probably change your mind a few times before you decide. $5k is still a lot of money so kick some tires.

Spec sheets can only take you so far, driving them and sitting on them is the true test. All ZTRs handle differently I have owned 4 and mowed with 5 different types. Some turn better, some ride better, some cut better. Don't be content to just sit on one.. if they won't let you run it don't buy it!

Exactly. Now I'm at that point. Didn't get out over the weekend. But have time tomorrow, so I plan to check out the Cub Cadet and the Gravely. I did sit on the Badboy at TSC. I'm impressed by the badboy on paper, but it stops there. I have my doubts about the electric deck lift, and downright dealer support from a box store. I know they have actual dealers, but still... I'm leaning toward the 60" again. My yard is plenty big for it. The only sticking point is the trailer. I don't plan to haul the mower very often, but I do want to be able to. Ease of deck removal is the main consideration here. That will likely decide between the Gravely and the Cub Cadet. If they're equal, I'll likely go with the Gravely. Unless of course after sitting on them I feel differently.

Question: how hard is it to remove the deck on your Gravely? And, is it possible to drive the mower onto the trailer without it, or does that unbalance it too much? Also, does the ZT HD have the 3400 trans, I thought it had the 3100.

 

[TSO]

Why would you possibly want to deal with removing the deck?

On a ZTR, you really only want to deal with that if you need to repair something.

 

[TJP89]

Why would you possibly want to deal with removing the deck?

On a ZTR, you really only want to deal with that if you need to repair something.

I had figured it wouldn't come off that easy. I want to be able to remove it for servicing. Also in the rare times I need to haul it. It won't fit on the trailer with the deck, so I need to be able to remove it if I need to. No plans on doing this regularly. If it's absolutely impossible, I'll go with a smaller deck.

 

[TSO]

Even for regular service, you shouldn't need to remove the deck. Just lift up the front of the machine at the frame and you've got access to pretty much everything.

I would suggest going with the 52-54" deck

 

[Gary Fowler]

My lawn is rough, we have clay soil and the night crawlers come up and leave little mounds. It makes for a rough ride on mower, so I have been leaning towards the Ferris with the suspension that smooths this type of ride out a bit. Perhaps the others would not be bad, but I would be very sad to buy my last mower and not be happy with it. My delay is the closest Ferris dealer is 180 miles away so I can't demo one on my lawn very easy...

What about Simplicity? Same mower.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Even for regular service, you shouldn't need to remove the deck. Just lift up the front of the machine at the frame and you've got access to pretty much everything.

BETTER yet, get a Grasshopper and you can just flip the "deck" up....

SR

 

[Gary Fowler]

I've set my model type and budget, and don't really see any reason to exceed it. A low level commercial type mower should be fine, all I'm doing is mowing. The price at about 5K is where I've also kind of set myself. I'm torn between the Gravely and the Badboy. The Badboy seems on paper to be made better, and have more features. But it also is kind of unknown, no real dealer support. All I'm going on with the Gravely, which is made just fine, is the name and the dealer, who is very good, (actually the kubota dealer, but we'll just stay away from tractors). The thing I really don't like about the Gravely is the 52 or 61 inch deck. I really don't want to go more than 60, but 52 seems smaller than necessary. This would go easier if I could decided on 60 or 54 inch deck. Also how easy the deck comes off so I can get it on and off the trailer if I can't drive it on. Maybe I can angle a 60 on, but probably not a 61. I think I'll look at the Gravely tomorrow, see what I think once I sit on it. I liked the feel of the Badboy. Also the Cub Cadet is still a possibility at this point. Unlike the tractors, where there was an obvious standout choice, here I'm presented with equal choices. The 10% off at TSC might swing it.

I got the 52" deck so I could get in tighter spots. I mow 6 acres in 2.5 hours or less and 3/4 tank of fuel (4 gallons) with the Kawasaki FS690 engine. I don't think you will see more than 10-15 minutes saving with a 60 or 61" mower deck. I think the only difference in FS and FX engines is the air cleaner with the FX having a big canister type cleaner for longer intervals between cleaning. I would stay away from the Cub Cadet as they are still a residential mower. You really should look at Simplicity or Ferris if at all possible. Take a test drive on rough ground and you will buy it on the spot, guaranteed. That is the reason I have mine, my Craftsman residential was beating me to death even at the 6 MPH top speed. The Ferris is going to top out a 11 but on my rough area (crawfish mounds) I do about 8 mostly but do rap it out on some areas that are a bit smoother. It is better to have the speed and not need it than not have it at all.

 

[TSO]

I believe there are more internal differences between the FX and FS Kaw motors, not just the air filter.

I don't have any facts on that, but I was told that by several dealers.

 

[TJP89]

I got the 52" deck so I could get in tighter spots. I mow 6 acres in 2.5 hours or less and 3/4 tank of fuel (4 gallons) with the Kawasaki FS690 engine. I don't think you will see more than 10-15 minutes saving with a 60 or 61" mower deck. I think the only difference in FS and FX engines is the air cleaner with the FX having a big canister type cleaner for longer intervals between cleaning. I would stay away from the Cub Cadet as they are still a residential mower. You really should look at Simplicity or Ferris if at all possible. Take a test drive on rough ground and you will buy it on the spot, guaranteed. That is the reason I have mine, my Craftsman residential was beating me to death even at the 6 MPH top speed. The Ferris is going to top out a 11 but on my rough area (crawfish mounds) I do about 8 mostly but do rap it out on some areas that are a bit smoother. It is better to have the speed and not need it than not have it at all.

The same dealer sells the Simplicity and Gravelys. I actually called to talk about the Simplicities, and he gave me some quotes. He then pushed the Gravelys as the better machine, at almost the same price. I looked at the specs and tended to agree with him. That's why I have moved past Simplicity. I can take a look tomorrow though. Ferris doesn't have a dealer around me.

 

[2ndhalf]

According to this chart you would save about a half hour for your size yard between the 52" and the 60" deck. Half an hour every week of the summer for as long as you mow. Gravely has a 52" ZT HD.

You can take the deck off, not sure how easy, haven't done it. ZT HD has the 3100 Hydro, which is a commercial hydro and is warranted for commercial use for 2 years I believe. You will know once you have driven more models.. it will be easy to tell. Some of the mowers that have been mentioned may be better commercial mowers but probably not in your $5k range.

They mention the Kaw engines in the threads above.. This link indicates the FR and FX as the commercial grade Kaw which FR is what Gravely puts in... FS is not listed as commercial in this link.

EFI Small Engines for ZTR, Riding & Push Mowers| Small Engines - Lawn Mower Engines - Parts - Kawasaki

Commercial Mower Speed & Productivity Chart | Ferris

 

[Complete Turf Care]

You will not want to take the deck off of a ZTR mower. They are not designed to remove the deck. All service on the deck can be performed without removing it.

Don't buy with the idea that you will be able to remove the deck.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I believe there are more internal differences between the FX and FS Kaw motors, not just the air filter.

I don't have any facts on that, but I was told that by several dealers.

I suspect that most dealers salesmen couldn't tell one from the other when setting side by side. Of course they want to tell you there is lots of difference so they can justify the higher cost. There could be some internal differences also but off hand I cant think of what they would be without tearing each one down and measuring the components. When I bought my Ferris, the dealer gave me the FX owners manual rather than the FS and I don't see anything different externally on the two other than the air filter.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You will not want to take the deck off of a ZTR mower. They are not designed to remove the deck. All service on the deck can be performed without removing it.

Don't buy with the idea that you will be able to remove the deck.

Have you ever removed the deck off a zero turn Grasshopper, like my 725?

It involves:

1. Pull two keepers back and turn them.

2. Slide two chains off their hooks.

3. Remove the pto shaft. (same way a tractor pto comes off)

4. Start the motor and drive away from the deck...

oooooooh, and then in the fall, I drive up to my snow blower, reverse order to hook it up AND I have a REALLY good sno-blower to use all winter!

SR

 

[TSO]

Of course, Rob... You CAN remove the deck on any ZTR, and it is done even easier on the brown machines. But the point is, traditionally, ZTR decks are meant to stay ON, unless you need to do major service or repairs. Practically every normal maintenance own is accessible with the deck on.

I cut grass for money, and I have many friends who also have landscape companies... I've never seen or heard ANY of them remove the deck unless a major service or repair is needed.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Of course, Rob... You CAN remove the deck on any ZTR, and it is done even easier on the brown machines. But the point is, traditionally, ZTR decks are meant to stay ON, unless you need to do major service or repairs. Practically every normal maintenance own is accessible with the deck on.

I cut grass for money, and I have many friends who also have landscape companies... I've never seen or heard ANY of them remove the deck unless a major service or repair is needed.

MY point was/is, it's pretty simple to to take the deck off my GH, and that the GH is a year around machine, not something you have to store in the winter, because unlike other zero turns, the GH is also useful in the winter....

SR

 

[TSO]

Congrats to you ... But the OP isn't considering a brown machine. Your point really isn't relevant.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Congrats to you ... But the OP isn't considering a brown machine. Your point really isn't relevant.

and he isn't going commercial with his either, so what you, or your buds do isn't relevant either... lol

BTW, maybe he should be thinking brown...

SR

 

[TSO]

Oh boy... Ok I'll rephrase it. The OP is looking at a traditional ZTR, somewhere between residential and commercial. However, the OP is apparently NOT looking at a front flip brown machine like yours. Sooooooo talking about how your brown machine flips the deck, blows snow, moves mountains, and stops bullets... Really doesn't apply.