Looking for a zero turn.

[pipefitter]

I cut about 3.5 acres of grass. We've only lived here a year, and I've used my '92 Craftsman 42" rider, but it takes a while. I've been looking at stuff in the $2,500-$3500 range. What should I be looking for? Dual hydro's? Suspension? Engine type and size? My brother has a mobile repair shop and has worked on almost all of them. The only one he doesn't care for is the Craftsman. He said the "box store" JD's, Husky's, Toro's, Cub Cadet's, Ariens are fine if maintained. I really don't want to buy a commercial grade machine if I don't have to. I have a BX23 with a mmm that I can use but I really don't like racking up hours on it cutting grass.

 

[4570Man]

The upper end of your budget would buy a used commercial machine. I’d rather have a used commercial machine over a new lesser machine any day.

 

[gladehound]

Not sure why you don't want a commercial machine. I started out looking for a "good" homeowner level machine with a ~$3,500 budget. Then I ran into a 5 year old Exmark Laser with 400 hours of private use for $4,500 and the difference between the build was night and day. I went with the heavier used mower and am very happy I did.

 

[Turbys_1700]

A commercial grade unit will have serviceable hydro drives. My son purchased a CRZ Bob Cat zero turn last year. It is considered a lower grade commercial/homeowner unit with Hydro-Gear™ ZT-2800 hydrostatic drive transaxles. Those drives are fully serviceable. Personally I opted for a used Toro Groundsmaster 325d this spring. Not a zero turn but a commercial grade unit.

 

[morrisL]

You definately want serviceable pumps, those cheap big box store mowers have throw away pumps. I bought a Husqvarner MZ52 with Kawasaki 23hp for $4300, it has Hydrogear 3100 pumps.

 

[ZTMAN]

I assume your brother will help you out if you buy one of those beater mowers, BUT, I would use the BX. The extra hours is not going to depreciate the machine more than the cost of the mowers you are looking at.
Mowing 3.5 acres will put about 75 hours on the BX per year.

If time is an issue, then get a commercial ZT. I have a Scag, my neighbors have the BB or "professional" homeowner ZT models. I see them load them up at least once a season to take in for repairs, they don't leave as good of cut, and look uncomfortable since they have a smaller operator platform.

 

[pipefitter]

I looked at a Ferris, and liked the looks and the suspension. My brother is a retired firefighter, and they had a Ferris to use at their station. He didn't care for the cut, and thought the suspension was over rated. Thanks folks.

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't help with what to buy, but I would suggest trying to find one with as little saftey junk on it as possible. I have a Scag Wildcat that cost me $8,000 that was awesome at first, but after a few years, the safety switches started giving me issues and it would take an hour or two to track it down before I could get it to start. Then buying a new switch took time. Replacing it was easy, but after replacing every single one of them, they started going out again!!! Then it was the key, which I have now bypassed. The PTO Generator only lasted about five years and that was $300 to replace. I can't even count how many fuses that I've blown on it. I think that I've bypassed just about everything, and it's been working pretty good this year. Just be sure to find something that doesn't have a lot of needless wiring!!!

The other bid deal is changing the blades. I go through three sets of blades a year at my place. Sharpening them just wears them out faster. I run a set of blades for two months, then put in a new set. This gets me through mowing season. My blades are super easy to change. I like that a lot!!!

 

[JohnBuffaloMN]

Not sure why you don't want a commercial machine. I started out looking for a "good" homeowner level machine with a ~$3,500 budget. Then I ran into a 5 year old Exmark Laser with 400 hours of private use for $4,500 and the difference between the build was night and day. I went with the heavier used mower and am very happy I did.

Got my Exmark Lazer for around $3.8K about 1100 hours if I recall, with a brand new engine (gasoline), and a suspension seat! Heavy duty (I have a lot of rough terrain and trees) and it is holding up well. The deck on a non-commercial unit alone is non starter for me - they have to be tough!

 

[tcreeley]

I have a Craftsman ZTL7000. It is MTD made. Excellent zeroturn. Rugged. I mow the pasture, the lawn, hit rocks, do ditches. It does not like mud- gets stuck. It has a Briggs and Stratton twin motor - Platinum. Price was great when I got it - cheaper than the "name" brands.