Contemplating a new ZT

[WVH1977]

I currently have a Gravely ZT48 with the 19 HP Kawasaki that is 12 years old. My new house is currently being built and I have around 3 acres of grass that will need to be cut (currently cutting part of it and bush hogging the rest. I will more than likely clear another 2 acres, so potentially more grass to cut in the future. My property is rolling but nothing I am scared of to use the zero-turn on. My current mower does fine and has been a great mower but I am wanting a bigger one with at least a 52 inch cut and nice seat.I am thinking about the Gravely Pro-Turn Z52 or the ZT HD52. I really like the Pro-Turn 160. I sat on a Jacobsen ZT. It felt nice but I did not test drive it and don't know anything about them.

I am looking for feedback on the following questions:

What are some other ZT's that are good mowers that are comfortable and will last?
Is it worth the money to get into a diesel ZT, like Kubota?
Is a 60 inch cut as good/better than a 52/54inch cut?
Are the new fuel injection engines on the ZT's worth it?
Would the big Deere diesel lawn tractor be worth looking at?

I am not making any big purchases like this until my house is completed. So I will probably be looking in late winter/early spring if I decide to pull the trigger. Just doing some research now to see what is out there. I probably should just keep what I have got but I would like a bigger more comfortable mower that is less stress on the back. It is paid for and runs well. If I do buy, I will try to stay 10 grand and under but will spend more if it is worth it and will last me for 20 or so years.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I have a Hustler 60" X-One with a 29 hp Kawasaki FX850 engine and an air ride seat. Tons of speed and power and pretty comfortable too. Mows really nicely, yard looks great when I am done. Mows 6 acres an hour, but I can't mow that fast without losing my teeth!

I would shop whatever dealers you have around you and pick based on the dealer. In CT it is Hustler, Deere and Scag. All offer good mowers.

 

[stevem5215]

I have a Simplicity Citation XL with a 27hp and a 61" deck. It has full suspension and you can cut at full speed with it. A very awesome machine if you like moving fast on a ZTR.

Steve

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[ChuckT]

I looked at ZTRs for our 1.5 acres, and 2 things stopped me - the "consumer grade" models had the reputation of the pumps going out and costing dearly to replace and the front tires - they're all solid tires. Can't see getting an un-bumpy mowing session with bricks for tires.

 

[shovelmike]

Another vote for Hustler here, have had mine since '04 and still holding up well. After being accustomed to mowing with ZTR you won't even want to mow with a tractor.

 

[WVH1977]

Another vote for Hustler here, have had mine since '04 and still holding up well. After being accustomed to mowing with ZTR you won't even want to mow with a tractor.

I do have a Hustler dealer close by. I will definitely check them out. I believe you are probably right about being accustomed to a ZTR but I was wondering how comfortable that Deere X758 would be. I have a Wheel Horse Magnum that I still use use for pulling around a little yard cart for sticks. My Dad left it to me. I driving that thing around the yard.

 

[WVH1977]

I have a Ferris dealer close buy and am going to check them out too.

 

[DK35vince]

I've owned my Hustler Super Z for 7 years now, never a single issue. Awesome mower.
Another brand to look at IMO is the Snapper Pro s200xt. Basically the same mower as the Ferris is3200 but without the suspension. Hydro gear 5400 transaxles, ICD deck, Etc.
I recently bought a Snapper Pro s200xt with the 37 HP Vanguard EFI with oil guard, 72" deck, 5400 transaxles, deluxe suspension seat. Seems to be a well built mower for the $$.

 

[Tippmann98]

I recently went thru the buying process for two mowers. One for personal use and one for the local cemetery association that I mow for. I shopped around and had a spreadsheet made up of comparisons. To make a long story short, I got a Toro 2000 series for personal use and a Toro 3000 series for the cemetery. Traded off a Kubota ZG327. For me, it came down to suspension. It just makes mowing that much more bearable. A Ferris 2100z was a close second place. Just my two cents

 

[mikester]

What are some other ZT's that are good mowers that are comfortable and will last?
Is it worth the money to get into a diesel ZT, like Kubota?
Is a 60 inch cut as good/better than a 52/54inch cut?
Are the new fuel injection engines on the ZT's worth it?
Would the big Deere diesel lawn tractor be worth looking at?.

10 years ago I went from a 72inch 3PH finishing mover to a 60inch diesel ZD326. Here are my observations:

Diesel engines are far superior to gas for fuel efficiency and reliability. I have no doubt this ZTR will last another 10 years with no headaches. Surprisingly my local dealer has a couple of same age ZD326 units on sale with higher hours for the same price I paid for mine 10 years ago. Small 4 stroke gas engines have always been a source of frustration for me probably because of the ethanol thats in everything around here. Small 2 strokes have been generally more reliable but they are noisy and stink. I wont buy gas powered equipment if I can avoid it.

ZTR cuts in about a quarter the time my tractor did. Crazy fast.

Smaller widths generally give a nicer looking cut because they follow the ground contours better.

If you have a lot of trees or turns ZTRs will tear up the ground easier. If you arent ham fisted you can minimize tear up.

If your spacial skills, driving ability and reflexes are lacking then DONT get a ZTR.

If you want your lawns to look like a golf course then stick with your existing mower style.

If you find cutting grass a chore and want to save time get a commercial ZTR.

If you want a reliable machine with longevity and holds its value get a Kubota commercial diesel ZTR.

 

[MF2604h]

I have a John Deere z915e and snapper pro s-150.

The JD 900 hours on it now and runs like the day I bought it. I think it was about $8000 when I bought it.

The snapper pro has 850 hours on it. I bought it used with around 600 hours on it. It was abused some when I got it. I bought it cheap as a backup. It still runs and cuts good.

To me the snapper pro has a nicer cut because it has the mulch kit. The JD cuts faster. The snapper pro has the Kawasaki engine and the JD has the Kohler engine. I would either one again.

I own a lawn care business so I run them hard. I cut about 100 yards every two weeks.

Good luck I hope this helps

 

[Welshman]

Today I took delivery on a Toro Titan 60" with the MyRide suspension system. Great machine, and the MyRide is outstanding.
I mow 7+ acres, and cut an hour and 20 minutes off my mowing time.

 

[kthompson]

If not badly mistaken Snapper, Ferris and Simplicity are the same company now. My local dealership has all three in his show room sitting side by side and the shade of red is what I notice. I think Ferris is who designed their suspension system but they don't use it on all models and on some only use suspension on two of the wheels. I have a 61 inch Ferris with full suspension, a 37 hp Kawasaki FEI, it is a monster. Yes it likes gas. The ride is great with their standard seat, well not an air ride seat. Have near 200 hours on it and no issue on the mower. The throttle body of the engine had to be replaced just past warranty. Two different dealerships missed the problem till warranty ran out.

Only issue I don't like on the mower is the way you are sort of reclined it is hard to see the left side of the deck for cutting close.

 

[Dynasty]

I have a quick question. I don't think it requires its own thread, so I figured this would be a good place for it.

I currently have a 54" deck width residential grade zero turn. I mow 5 acres of flat open area and am looking to speed up the mowing process. Will I see a significant time savings by upgrading to a commercial grade mower in 60" deck width? On paper, these units can go 10+ MPH while my current mower can go 8 MPH. The ground is pretty flat so higher speeds can be utilized. Or is a 72" deck width where I will see a significant time savings?

 

[Welshman]

I have a quick question. I don't think it requires its own thread, so I figured this would be a good place for it.

I currently have a 54" deck width residential grade zero turn. I mow 5 acres of flat open area and am looking to speed up the mowing process. Will I see a significant time savings by upgrading to a commercial grade mower in 60" deck width? On paper, these units can go 10+ MPH while my current mower can go 8 MPH. The ground is pretty flat so higher speeds can be utilized. Or is a 72" deck width where I will see a significant time savings?

How long does it take to cut it now?

 

[mikester]

I have a quick question. I don't think it requires its own thread, so I figured this would be a good place for it.

I currently have a 54" deck width residential grade zero turn. I mow 5 acres of flat open area and am looking to speed up the mowing process. Will I see a significant time savings by upgrading to a commercial grade mower in 60" deck width? On paper, these units can go 10+ MPH while my current mower can go 8 MPH. The ground is pretty flat so higher speeds can be utilized. Or is a 72" deck width where I will see a significant time savings?

Cutting speed makes the most difference in time, a little extra cutting width helps too. Talk to your local dealer and see if they will let you demo the one you want on your property. 5 acres is a lot of grass and time wasted (IMHO). You won't regret an air ride seat.

 

[Dynasty]

How long does it take to cut it now?

It takes about 4 to 5 hours now.

 

[Dynasty]

Cutting speed makes the most difference in time, a little extra cutting width helps too. Talk to your local dealer and see if they will let you demo the one you want on your property. 5 acres is a lot of grass and time wasted (IMHO). You won't regret an air ride seat.

I agree with you about time spent cutting. If I could cut my mowing time in half, I would consider that a good thing. People in town tell me to get goats. I laugh it off, but most are serious.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I went from a 46" lawn tractor to a 54" residential ZT (Hustler Raptor SD) to a 60" commercial ZT (Hustler X-One). I mow 3 acres of yard and a 2 acre field so 5 acres total. The lawn tractor took 5 hours. The Raptor SD cut it in half to 2.5. The X-One cut it down to 1.5. The X-One will mow 6 acres an hour, but it would have to be very smooth terrain. See if your dealer will let you demo a model. My dealer lent me the X-One when my Raptor SD went in for warranty work. I never gave it back to him.