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

[WinterDeere]

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

Best of both words. Similar weight to a fab'd deck, but without the welded corners and crevaces that cause fab'd decks to collect grass and rust in the corners and welds.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

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.

Like the two posts following yours ... Apparently you are not familiar with the 7 Iron decks that John Deere puts on there commercial Z-turns ... Yes, there are more expensive Z-turns than my Z960M, 1,400 Lb - $17,000 one, but calling it a "lighter, lesser machines" is quite a stretch!

As far as I know John Deere is the only one who invested stamping equipment to press the one piece decks ...

I've accidentally snagged and BENT T-Posts with my "wimpy" deck!

 

[BufordBoone]

After a lot of research, I bought a 54" Kubota 422KW.

Main factors:
The Kubota dealer has treated me very well with service for my tractors - Good people
The transmission is a 3600 series
Excellent suspension seat

An equally priced and comparable Exmark had a 3100 transmission.

I'm amazed at the capability and convenience.

I called a friend that recommended I get a Zero Turn Mower and berated him for not pushing me into it sooner!