Just saw my first $80,000 lawnmower

[RjCorazza]

I'm wondering how many mowings you'd need to make to pay off the difference in a diesel versus gasser mower. Anyone care to take a stab at it? Mileage is better, but diesel isn't exactly free, either. I mow 3-4 acres every 3 - 5 days, and I don't think I could manage to rack up enough in fuel savings to offset the higher price of the diesel, I'm guessing only a commercial outfit is going to be able to make those numbers work.

As to maintenance, I've owned my mower almost 20 years, and have not had a single expense related to the engine, other than yearly oil and filter.

I'll take a shot at that...
For my use of 35.45 acres per week :
Diesel gallons = 14.5 / wk
Diesel at $3.85 = $60 / wk
---
Gas gallons = 29 / wk (conservative)
Gas at $3.25 = $94 / wk
---
So $34 less per week on diesel, times 28 weeks of mowing equals $952 less per year diesel fuel cost.
Fuzzy math : 10 year diesel life expectancy at 500 hours per year (conservative). So over 10 years running the diesel costs $9500 less in fuel use. Rough numbers for Kubota gas commercial zero turns are $5000 less than a diesel (z700 vs zd1211).

So for my use I think 5 years is about the break even point between gas and diesel. There are other factors to consider like resale value, and that a gas mower is not likely to last 5000 hours without at least one repower.

 

[Fixastuff]

Remember if it doesn’t make sense to you then then won’t work for anyone. lol.

 

[walnutman]

I had an eXmark last year. Brand new. Was 14k. I couldn't deal with the really rough ride. Thought my kidneys were gonna fall out. I sold it at a 1k loss and bought a Ferris with the awesome 4-link sprung suspension and was 4k less. So much smoother ride.
Ferris sells a 72" CAT diesel ZT for 36k

Ferris 5902162 72" IS6200 Zero Turn Mower 48HP CAT Diesel (Instant Reb

Ferris 5902162 72" IS6200 Zero Turn Mower 48HP CAT Diesel Features: 48HP / 1700cc CAT Turbo Diesel engine 72" Cutting deck with Ferris' NEW iCD+ cutting system Ferris' multi-patented independent suspension system delivers a smooth and consistent cut Adjustable, large coil-over shocks maximize...

sleequipment.com

 

[Fixastuff]

What’s crazy isn’t spending 80k on a mower to make money. Crazy is spending 6+k on a mower and wasting tons of life cutting large lawns at home.

 

[Buckgeneit]

It's an Exmark Lazer Z 37hp diesel. No fancy cab with AC. Looks more or less like any other zero-turn I've seen.

I'm hoping someone who knows more about these things can answer a question for me. Is there ever an actual business case to be made for a mower that costs as much as my 75hp tractor? I just can't make sense of it.

If I was going to spend that I would buy the Bobcat Toolcat go on UTube and check them out. air conditioned and heated cab

 

[walnutman]

What’s crazy isn’t spending 80k on a mower to make money. Crazy is spending 6+k on a mower and wasting tons of life cutting large lawns at home.

Some of us enjoy the ride. It's like a getaway.

 

[Buckgeneit]

Prices I'm seeing are closer to $60k, but maybe we're comparing different variants:

2024 Exmark Lazer Z Diesel 96 in. Yanmar RD 37 hp in Walpole, New Hampshire

For a variety of reasons, the diesel-powered Lazer Z mowers may be the right choice for your cutting needs.

www.pinnacleviewequipment.com

It's also a triple deck, not "like every other zero turn I've ever seen".

96 inch

 

[Hermio]

It's an Exmark Lazer Z 37hp diesel. No fancy cab with AC. Looks more or less like any other zero-turn I've seen.

I'm hoping someone who knows more about these things can answer a question for me. Is there ever an actual business case to be made for a mower that costs as much as my 75hp tractor? I just can't make sense of it.

That is more than most people's lawns are worth.

 

[IllinoisTC33oper]

Financing at 0% interest is free money. I Took advantage of it and I’m glad I did. My last tractor saved me about $150,000 over the last 24 years so I think it was an acceptable deal.

I test mowed a nice Ferris Zero Turn at my nearby NH dealership. When I asked about the 0% financing option they told me "you can do that a for an 8% premium on the purchase price"! - LOL!, WTH?
Made me reconsider my relationship with them. (It is where I bought an NH compact utility tractor, years ago.)

 

[WinterDeere]

You can invest in the top of the line or you can pay taxes on your company's profits or you can give your employees a raise? Guess which decision 'Big Business' CEO would make?

Ironically, top of the line equipment and complaints about poor equipment, are sometimes a bigger issue for employee retention than salary.