Looking at a used 2010 Z425.

npaden · Apr 6, 2016

Okay, I wasn't really looking at a John Deere, but this mower has been on craigslist for a while now and I think it is a good enough deal that I may end up buying it.

John Deere Z425 Mower

The guy has said he would take $2,000 for it and says it runs and mows great. He would keep it but he moved to town and it is way overkill for his small yard that he has now.

I have been researching ZTR's for a couple weeks now and was about set on buying a Hustler Raptor SD 60" mower brand new. With a Lowe's 10% off coupon I was looking at $4,400 with tax. I have plenty of area for a bigger mower, but I'm only mowing about 1.5 acres so it really will only mean maybe 10 minutes difference on mowing time with the 48" so not really that big of a deal. My yard is not a lawn and has some bumps and rocks. I'm planning on getting it in better shape, but I've read that the stamped decks aren't as sturdy as the fabricated decks.

The Hustler has a fabricated deck vs. the Deere with a stamped deck. The Hustler has a Kohler engine vs. the Deere has a Briggs engine. Hustler has a foot operated deck lift. Hustler has a internal suspension seat. I know the Deere isn't as nice but at less than 1/2 price I'm thinking it may be the way to go for my first ZTR.

The mower only has 87 hours on it and looks well maintained. Are there any things that I should make sure and inspect on it?

Does this seem like a good deal or should I just spend the $ and get the one I was wanting?

If this ends up being a problem mower what is the chance I can get out from under it without losing $2k?

Thanks in advance. Nathan

npaden · Apr 6, 2016

Right now I'm mowing with a 54" deck powered by a Briggs 10 hp engine that attaches to the front of my ATV. Am I going to be disappointed with the 48" cut on the Z425? I know I won't be disappointed in not having to switch from forward to reverse and trying to get into tight spots compared to the ATV.

4570Man · Apr 6, 2016

I'd guess the mowing time will be pretty close. If the grass was thick the JD would probably win since it is supposed to more than double as much HP. My ZTR has a 50" deck and it mows pretty fast. My ZTR will mow every bit of twice as fast as a garden tractor with a 48" deck.

npaden · Apr 6, 2016

And now of course I have a lead on another Z425 that a co-workers neighbor is selling. He is upgrading to the Hustler Raptor SD 60" that I have been looking at. He is selling his 2008 Z425 with 231 hours on it for $1,500.

If I do the math and say they are both going to make it to 500 hours the $2,000 one would end up costing $4.84 an hour and the $1,500 one would end up costing $5.58 per hour. If I say they are going to last to 1,000 hours the newer one would end up costing $2.19 per hour and the older one would end up costing $1.95 per hour. Both say they are running fine. My co-worker told me that the guy with the 2008 replaced or worked on the carb on his last year but he didn't mention it to me. That's one thing I don't want to be doing is working on it nearly every time I want to use it.

4570Man · Apr 6, 2016

I'm aware that it is a lower end ZTR, but I'd expect a minimum of 1000 hours. I'd buy the cheaper one. Even at current fuel prices it cost me more than that in fuel to run. I have a commercial grade ZTR with 850 hours and belts and oil are the only thing I have had to change. I'm still running factory blades which are in surprisingly good shape.

DJRuss · Apr 7, 2016

You're making an unfair comparison IMO. When weighing a $1500-2000 used low-end residential ZT to a $4400 new mid-level residential machine, the used one is going to win every time cause you really don't get that many more features on the new one. Keep in mind that a new JD 48in ZT of similar quality is right under $3000. The question then is "Do I spend the extra $1000 on a new machine with warranty?" If yes, then also ask "Do I spend the extra $1400 on the Hustler?"

npaden · Apr 7, 2016

Yes, for sure this isn't an apples to apples comparison. A brand new 48" Z425 would run right at $3,500 with tax right now with a $600 spring promo they have going so the new machine of the same caliber would be $1,500 to $2,000 more than the used ones I'm looking at.

If I bought a new machine I would not buy a Z425 and for sure I wouldn't buy a 48" machine. I had pretty much had my mind made up on a new 60" Hustler Raptor SD before these 2 deals popped up.

DJRuss · Apr 7, 2016

Sounds like your head is on straight.

Zero turn shopping is hard. There are so many different brands and models at every price point.

npaden · Apr 8, 2016

Thought I would update the thread. I ended up going with a new Hustler Raptor SD 60". That's what my heart wanted the entire time, just finally decided to just go for it.

It had .1 hours on the meter when I picked it up. Mowed my yard and it now has .7 hours on the meter. Ran great and mowed great too. Pretty impressive to me.