Buying a ZTR, what should I look for, or avoid?

[usmron]

I just picked up a new Husqvarna z-454 for my parent’s 4 acre lawn. It’s got a Kawasaki 23 hp engine. I’ve cut it with it three times so far and it’s worked well, knocking it out in about 2 hours and averaging about 2.5 gallons of gas per cut.

It does not have the suspension seat on it but that is an available option that the dealer said lists for $800, but he could get me for $400. The stock seat is pretty comfortable.
View attachment 3510572View attachment 3510573
The only thing I don’t like about it is the rollbar. I folded it down to fit under some branches over there, but it still hooked one on my last cut and pulled it down against my ear. No blood, but that hurt fur a while.

There are no slopes or ditches on their yard, so I’m going to take the damn thing off and see if I can bolt it onto my Farmall Cub tractor. It would be nice to mount a canopy to on that.

This is a commercial mower. It’s quite a bit smoother than the 5 year old residential version (model MZ-454) that my dad had previously. That one had a Kohler engine on it which has now gone out of business.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Kohler engines are still being made in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They have been there for years. They are also being made in China.

 

[wolc123]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Kohler engines are still being made in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They have been there for years. They are also being made in China.

You sure those are not Rhelkos ? Check your spelling, may have mixed up some letters.

 

[Gator6x4]

You sure those are not Rhelkos ? Check your spelling, may have mixed up some letters.

“
Kohler manufactures internal combustion engines at several locations worldwide
.
Their primary facilities include:

• Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA: This plant specializes in gasoline engines, particularly the low-mix, high-volume models like the Courage series.
• China (Kohler-YinXiang Ltd.): A joint venture established in Chongqing manufactures small gasoline engines.
• Italy (through a subsidiary, Lombardini Srl): This facility specializes in the production of diesel engines, according to Rehlko Engines.

While Kohler's headquarters remain in Kohler, Wisconsin, engine manufacturing has been consolidated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They also have a global network of sales, service, and distribution centers. ”

Koehler makes and sells a Diesel engines bearing the name Rehlko.

 

[wilso]

I’ve been researching ZTRs too, so I'm glad that I've found this topic. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
What about Grasshopper mowers? I didn't find any posts about them here. Are they good? I checked Grasshopper Mower reviews, and lots of users praise their longevity and ease of maintenance, but note that parts can be pricey and service is often dealer‑only.

 

[wolc123]

“
Kohler manufactures internal combustion engines at several locations worldwide
.
Their primary facilities include:

• Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA: This plant specializes in gasoline engines, particularly the low-mix, high-volume models like the Courage series.
• China (Kohler-YinXiang Ltd.): A joint venture established in Chongqing manufactures small gasoline engines.
• Italy (through a subsidiary, Lombardini Srl): This facility specializes in the production of diesel engines, according to Rehlko Engines.

While Kohler's headquarters remain in Kohler, Wisconsin, engine manufacturing has been consolidated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They also have a global network of sales, service, and distribution centers. ”

Koehler makes and sells a Diesel engines bearing the name Rehlko

I’m pretty sure the new name with the mixed up letters applies to the gas motors now too, so that the could concentrate on plumbing supplies with the “Kohler” name.

 

[Gator6x4]

I’m pretty sure the new name with the mixed up letters applies to the gas motors now too, so that the could concentrate on plumbing supplies with the “Kohler” name.

You are correct.

“Kohler Energy, which included Kohler Power Systems and Kohler Engines, was rebranded as Rehlko in September 2024.
The rebranding of Kohler Energy to Rehlko follows the acquisition of the former by Platinum Equity in May 2024, establishing it as a separate business entity focused on energy solutions, according to Power Progress. This change means that the engines and power systems previously branded as Kohler are now part of the Rehlko brand.
It is important to note that the name Rehlko is derived from the letters of Kohler, reflecting the company's heritage while signifying a new focus on energy solutions, says Rehlko's chief brand and sustainability officer, Francis Perrin, according to OEM Off-Highway and PR Newswire.“

 

[wolc123]

I’m You are correct.

“Kohler Energy, which included Kohler Power Systems and Kohler Engines, was rebranded as Rehlko in September 2024.
The rebranding of Kohler Energy to Rehlko follows the acquisition of the former by Platinum Equity in May 2024, establishing it as a separate business entity focused on energy solutions, according to Power Progress. This change means that the engines and power systems previously branded as Kohler are now part of the Rehlko brand.
It is important to note that the name Rehlko is derived from the letters of Kohler, reflecting the company's heritage while signifying a new focus on energy solutions, says Rehlko's chief brand and sustainability officer, Francis Perrin, according to OEM Off-Highway and PR Newswire.“

That’s about what our local Husqvarna dealer told me.

I’ve had decent luck with older Kohler engines in my Wheel Horse and John Deere Lawn tractors, but not so much with the newer one in my dad’s Husqvarna MZ-454, “residential series” zero turn.

Our dealer thought we’d be significantly better served by the Kawasaki engine in the new Z-454 “commercial” series zero turn.

 

[arrow]

That’s about what our local Husqvarna dealer told me.

I’ve had decent luck with older Kohler engines in my Wheel Horse and John Deere Lawn tractors, but not so much with the newer one in my dad’s Husqvarna MZ-454, “residential series” zero turn.

Our dealer thought we’d be significantly better served by the Kawasaki engine in the new Z-454 “commercial” series zero turn.

Your dealer would be correct

 

[arrow]

You are correct.

“Kohler Energy, which included Kohler Power Systems and Kohler Engines, was rebranded as Rehlko in September 2024.
The rebranding of Kohler Energy to Rehlko follows the acquisition of the former by Platinum Equity in May 2024, establishing it as a separate business entity focused on energy solutions, according to Power Progress. This change means that the engines and power systems previously branded as Kohler are now part of the Rehlko brand.
It is important to note that the name Rehlko is derived from the letters of Kohler, reflecting the company's heritage while signifying a new focus on energy solutions, says Rehlko's chief brand and sustainability officer, Francis Perrin, according to OEM Off-Highway and PR Newswire.“

It will be interesting to see if there is an improvement with their stationary engines that would also harken to Kohlers heritage when they made decent ones.
I am not holding too much hope as this consortium seems to have screwed up their Oregon Tool acquisition.
Equity enterprise is only interested in one thing:
Capitol acquisition and many times that involves cuts rather than reputation of quality.

 

[Jaybr]

He stated a 30 footer with 3 Yamahas would cost over a million now.

Not sure what kind of boat he was referring to but most 30' with triple Yamahas are 1/2 that

 

[arrow]

Not sure what kind of boat he was referring to but most 30' with triple Yamahas are 1/2 that

Yeah that kind of statement surprised me as well.
I did see a Grady White 386 this January in Long Boat Key that was over a million. Had three 450 hp Yamys.
He may have been talking about 30’ class in generalities.

 

[Jaybr]

Yeah that kind of statement surprised me as well.
I did see a Grady White 386 this January in Long Boat Key that was over a million. Had three 450 hp Yamys.
He may have been talking about 30’ class in generalities.

38' with triple 450's yes, but a 30' with triples will be 300's which are a lot cheaper. I have a 34 Regulator with twin Yamaha 425's that I ordered new in 2021, the twin 425's where more expensive than triple 300's. Don't know pricing on them all but Regulator is on the higher tier, and the jump from a 31' to a 37' is $475k on the base price. The 37 starts at $1m.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I've got a bit more than 1400 hours on my 2018 John Deere Z960M 31 HP Kawasaki 60" deck, 91 Octane No-Ethanol gas, I bought it used, started life in a landscaper fleet, I bought it 2 years ago with just over 1300 hours, it's a good grass cutter!

Paid $5000, with suspension seat, new is over $16K ...

 

[WinterDeere]

I've got a bit more than 1400 hours on my 2018 John Deere Z960M 31 HP Kawasaki 60" deck, 91 Octane No-Ethanol gas, I bought it used, started life in a landscaper fleet, I bought it 2 years ago with just over 1300 hours, it's a good grass cutter!

Paid $5000, with suspension seat, new is over $16K ...

I don’t know about the 31 hp variant, but if like the 25 hp version, it’s probably time to pull the valve covers and adjust the valve lash. Also check valve guide protrusion, and replace head(s) if they’ve slipped at all. The guides on the 25 hp are not serviceable, I guess head replacement was deemed cheaper by Kawi.

The cooling fins on these engines tend to clog with grass clippings, worse if any seal is weeping oil. Then the head gets hot, expands, and the valve guide slips. Known issue, but not a huge problem unless ignored, and usually avoidable by just blowing the thing out after each mowing

Result of badly slipped guide is limited rocker travel, and bent push rods. So roll push rods on flat surface to check for bends, if a guide has slipped and head replacement warranted.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I adjusted my valves when I got mine, cooling fins were OK, other than the oil cooler fins ... !

 

[WinterDeere]

the o-ring between the oil cooler and block was leaking on mine when I got it. Made a big mess, over time, until replaced.

 

[Texasmark]

What's the budget? If money's no object get a commercial diesel unit with a fabricated deck.

In don't like fabricated decks as there are too many places where grass gets clogged and cakes up. I like stamped steel because they have almost 100% round surfaces where grass can't hide.

Ok so you can't run into brick walls with them but I don't run into brick walls!

 

[tulenutn2o]

I’ve been researching ZTRs too, so I'm glad that I've found this topic. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
What about Grasshopper mowers? I didn't find any posts about them here. Are they good? I checked the reviews, and lots of users praise their longevity and ease of maintenance, but note that parts can be pricey and service is often dealer‑only.

I have bought box store mowers, cub cadet, Deere knock off scotts, wheelhouse, too many others to mention. I now have 3 grasshoppers, a 2010, 2012, and a 2024. 725d with 61” power fold and bagger, 725d 61” power fold, and a 900d with tweels, 72” power fold and hydraulic lift and grammar air seat. As you can tell I have settled on grasshopper. I had a kubota gr2110 in the mix since 2015 as well as a bad boy mid mount. Nothing compares to a commercial mower. I am partial to grasshopper. Never an issue getting needed parts, which have been normal belts, pto switch, rollers and such. Buy once, cry once, is my motto. I average 12 acres a week. Mowing time is greatly reduced by the 900, so comfortable and fast. My advance, spring for a commercial unit, used or new. The Kubota gr2110 is a maintenance nightmare and a real p.o.s., bad boy is a run of the mill mower in my book. Added bonus on the tweels is no flats. You would be surprised by how many flats I have had on regular tires. I hot tired of fixing them.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Fabricated decks last much longer than stamped decks. No matter how careful you are you will hit things. Stamped decks tend to be on lighter, lesser machines. Believe me, you want a heavier machine. They ride better and last longer and have better traction.

 

[DK35vince]

Fabricated decks last much longer than stamped decks. No matter how careful you are you will hit things. Stamped decks tend to be on lighter, lesser machines. Believe me, you want a heavier machine. They ride better and last longer and have better traction.

The John Deere 7 iron is a quality 7 gauge stamped deck.