Buying Advice Buying a Zero-Turn Mower

[TJP89]

OK, I'm back. Due to bad weather, I didn't look at the Gravely until yesterday afternoon. BUT, I really liked what I saw. It was the ZT HD 60". I'm going 60". They can loan me trailer to get it home. Also, the salesman agreed with you all. I asked how easy the deck came off and he said straight out "you don't." But there is no need to. If I really need to get under the thing, I have a loader that will lift the whole darn thing, much less the front of it. That line of thinking sent down the path of, If I need to get this somewhere, I can lift the whole thing with the loader onto a trailer. So 60" it is.

The mower was impressive. maintenance was easy to get to. Simple deck lift. Smooth and quiet. I was pretty much sold. I think this is it. I really don't want to buy from TSC, and there isn't a whole lot on Badboy. Cub Cadet is more expensive, and they won't be able to get one in until I buy it. Not happening. So I think Gravely it is.

Now, it comes with an option of a Kohler 7000 Pro V twin, with some sort of smart choke system. Or a Kawasaki V-twin with normal choke. The Kohler is cheaper by $200. Obviously I'll take 200 off, but is there a definite better choice on those engines? I drove the Kawasaki, and it was really quiet. is the Kohler like that too, or is it worse off. I have a Kohler on the log splitter, and that thing is the loudest motor I have, more so than the Kioti. Also real hard starting. Is that just a small engine thing, or a Kohler thing?

For those of you who think I need to go bigger: I looked at a commerical mower next to the HD. I see no reason to spend 2K more, I think the HD will do fine. I'm only putting about 50hrs of lawn mowing a year on this thing, so there is no need to go overkill I'm only using half the year. I don't need a multitasking tractor, I have two already. I'm having hard enough time justifying 5K on a part-year lawn mower.

 

[TSO]

I have always heard great things about Kaw engines and that is the way I'd lean... But first, I'd say to try to operate both before you make a decision.

 

[stoyan79]

I would spend $200 extra on the Kawi. How much are you getting the Gravely for?

OK, I'm back. Due to bad weather, I didn't look at the Gravely until yesterday afternoon. BUT, I really liked what I saw. It was the ZT HD 60". I'm going 60". They can loan me trailer to get it home. Also, the salesman agreed with you all. I asked how easy the deck came off and he said straight out "you don't." But there is no need to. If I really need to get under the thing, I have a loader that will lift the whole darn thing, much less the front of it. That line of thinking sent down the path of, If I need to get this somewhere, I can lift the whole thing with the loader onto a trailer. So 60" it is.

The mower was impressive. maintenance was easy to get to. Simple deck lift. Smooth and quiet. I was pretty much sold. I think this is it. I really don't want to buy from TSC, and there isn't a whole lot on Badboy. Cub Cadet is more expensive, and they won't be able to get one in until I buy it. Not happening. So I think Gravely it is.

Now, it comes with an option of a Kohler 7000 Pro V twin, with some sort of smart choke system. Or a Kawasaki V-twin with normal choke. The Kohler is cheaper by $200. Obviously I'll take 200 off, but is there a definite better choice on those engines? I drove the Kawasaki, and it was really quiet. is the Kohler like that too, or is it worse off. I have a Kohler on the log splitter, and that thing is the loudest motor I have, more so than the Kioti. Also real hard starting. Is that just a small engine thing, or a Kohler thing?

For those of you who think I need to go bigger: I looked at a commerical mower next to the HD. I see no reason to spend 2K more, I think the HD will do fine. I'm only putting about 50hrs of lawn mowing a year on this thing, so there is no need to go overkill I'm only using half the year. I don't need a multitasking tractor, I have two already. I'm having hard enough time justifying 5K on a part-year lawn mower.

 

[TJP89]

5K plus tax for Kohler, 5200 plus tax for Kawasaki.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My Ferris with the Kawasaki FS691 engine is the easiest starting engine I have ever had. Just lift the choke cable (keep your hand on it because you will need to push it back in quickly) turn the key and the engine fires on the first round. It's 23 HP will cut circles around my 26Hp B&S engine and use 25% less fuel. I have no experience with the Kohler engines but a few years back some of the Kohler engines were having oil leaks from warped heads IIRC.

 

[2ndhalf]

I agree with the others... I have had Kaws on three different mowers (2 were ZTRs) I really liked them all. I think the comercial guys prefer Kaw for the torque. I also didn't like the idea of the "Smart Choke" sounds like something to break, I'll take my manual choke. I had to pay $500 extra for my Kaw and I'm glad I did.. that doesn't sound like a bad deal to me.

Kohler used to be an awesome moter 25 years ago but I think it is like a B&S now. IMO

 

[Creamer]

Heck, I'm SOLD on front mount decks for ride alone, let alone how much better you can see what the deck is going and get under bushes/branches ect...

Then there's accessories you can mount on the front too...

SR

I agree! I also believe in having four wheels - a single tailwheel can get a little rough even on a lawn. Remember you are buying a mower to have for more than five years and the body may be a little more sensitive in a few years. A good used Deines like below or a Grasshopper does very well. Lots of attachments and flexibility. Bought my Deines in 97 and last year was the first year I had to replace anything on it mowing between 2 & 6 acres every year, had my kids and wife run it too - they definitely were not easy on it.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=9452719

I wouldn't be shy about a 72" deck either. I thought 60 was big enough when I bought mine and it probably is but there are times I sure wish I had gone bigger.

 

[TSO]

I had a front-mower before, a Ford CM272. It was a big-beetch! More comfortable ride than my ZTR, but also slower and more cumbersome.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Even though I mow at a pretty fast speed, I NEVER run my front deck GH as fast as it will go, so I guess it's fast enough...

My back is pretty much shot, the ride of the front deck machines is a LOT better, and my back thanks me every time I run that machine!

SR

 

[DK35vince]

Even though I mow at a pretty fast speed, I NEVER run my front deck GH as fast as it will go, so I guess it's fast enough...

My back is pretty much shot, the ride of the front deck machines is a LOT better, and my back thanks me every time I run that machine!

SR

What makes the ride better ?
With suspension seat and flex forks and 7- 8 PSI tire pressure the ride on my Z is pretty good IMO.

 

[xring100]

What makes the ride better ?
With suspension seat and flex forks and 7- 8 PSI tire pressure the ride on my Z is pretty good IMO.

you sit directly over the large drive tires they absorb the bumps really well. I noticed the difference on my neighbors Grasshopper immediately. It didn't seem to pitch as much either but that might have been in my imagination

 

[DK35vince]

you sit directly over the large drive tires they absorb the bumps really well. I noticed the difference on my neighbors Grasshopper immediately.

So do I
Hustler Turf ? Zero Turn Riding Mowers ? Commercial ? Super-Z - Mowers - Residential - Super Z
I also have the flex forks on the front that take up some of the shock in the front

 

[Sawyer Rob]

They ride better because it flex's right under your knees (where the decks connects to the tractor) and the back of the deck is "spring loaded". That takes some of the bounce out, instead of you taking all the hit and getting bounced all around...

Plus you still have the spring seat and soft tires...

It really does make a difference...

SR

BTW, the amount of "spring loading" is fully adjustable to YOUR liking too...

 

[xring100]

So do I
Hustler Turf ? Zero Turn Riding Mowers ? Commercial ? Super-Z - Mowers - Residential - Super Z
I also have the flex forks on the front that take up some of the shock in the front

Good point it's definitely better than my cub cadet. I'm at a loss to explain it. I'll hopefully be picking up a new Kubota in a month or two and ride them back to back and see the same is true the Kubota weighs between 3 and 4 times as much as the turd cadet.

Edit SR's post makes sense

 

[DK35vince]

Good point it's definitely better than my cub cadet. I'm at a loss to explain it. I'll hopefully be picking up a new Kubota in a month or two and ride them back to back and see the same is true the Kubota weighs between 3 and 4 times as much as the turd cadet.

Edit SR's post makes sense

According to the specs my Super Z with 72" deck weighs just under 1600 lb.
Its the best ride in a mower I've ever owned. (never owned a front deck)

 

[2ndhalf]

Good point it's definitely better than my cub cadet. I'm at a loss to explain it. I'll hopefully be picking up a new Kubota in a month or two and ride them back to back and see the same is true the Kubota weighs between 3 and 4 times as much as the turd cadet.

Edit SR's post makes sense

I had a Grasshopper 725 Diesel 61" front deck for a summer. It was smooth and a very nice mower but I did not have the expensive seat that Grasshopper made; they are not cheap. I think my gravely is just as smooth a ride. I think due to fairly large front tires and a good seat.

I think having a good seat with springs is pretty important. My Hustler Mini Z with flex forks was not smooth but it had a cheap seat.

I think a good seat is worth the extra $$

 

[TJP89]

Having googled Kawasaki and Kohler, I determined that each has an equal chance of failing. I told the salesman this morning I'd take the Gravely ZT HD 60" with the Kohler engine. I'll pick it up Monday.

 

[Clay45]

Gravely is good equipment and they know how to build a lawnmower. I sincerely hope you enjoy using it and that it is the correct level of equipment for your lawn. No matter what we'll all enjoy learning your thoughts as you put it to work on your property; good or bad. Next time any of us are shopping we'll all be wiser.

Regards,

Clay

 

[coobie]

Having googled Kawasaki and Kohler, I determined that each has an equal chance of failing. I told the salesman this morning I'd take the Gravely ZT HD 60" with the Kohler engine. I'll pick it up Monday.

I am sure you will be very happy with the gravely.A co-worker has a gravely ZTR with the Kohler and loves it.

 

[2ndhalf]

Having googled Kawasaki and Kohler, I determined that each has an equal chance of failing. I told the salesman this morning I'd take the Gravely ZT HD 60" with the Kohler engine. I'll pick it up Monday.

Congrats, I'm sure it will be just fine. Kohler is American made which is good also. Let us know what you think after you mow for the first time.