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

[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.