Buying Advice Purchasing first ZTR

gigundous · Oct 31, 2010

I'm in the market to purchase my first ZTR. I recently purchased a home with a little over an acre which is waaaaay bigger than the city place I have lived at for the past 30 some years. I've done a ton of research and have narrowed my choices down to two mowers. Which is where i need some help. I can't make up my mind.

I can get a 48" Hustler Fastrak for $4950 out the door or a Exmark Quest SP for $4999 out the door. Pretty much the same price.

The Fastrak has a 19hp Kaw motor and the Exmark has a 20hp Kaw motor. The frame on the Exmark is a bit heavier duty yet the Fastrak has a lifetime warranty on the frame. Both mowers come with a 4 year warranty aside from the Hustler frame. Both have the 3100 pumps as well.

I know the quest is not the greatest mower but the quest SP looks to be a completely different platform. Better motor, heavier frame, heavier transmission and hydraulics, larger air filter etc. I saw the regular quest and demo'd it... ruled it out immediately... just seemed cheap to me.

From what i have read Hustler customer service is second to none. And i was sold on the Fastrak until i stumbled on the SP yesterday. Supposedly the Quest SP is marked down a couple thousand dollars. I really can't find much info on the SP since it is a relatively newer mower.

The only big differece i can see is in potential service. The hustler place is about 45 mins away and is a smaller mom and pop type shop. Not bad mind you but a place with 5-10 employees. Surprisingly they seem more concentrated on commercial large tractors. The nearby Exmark dealer is a much larger local place with maybe 50-75 employees as is about 10 mins away. They seem to be a bit more balanced selling as much residential as they do the big commercial stuff.

Any help is appreciated here guys, what would you do and why?

Thanks in advance!

dbear · Oct 31, 2010

Well, I don't know what help I can be as when I last shopped for a mower, the "pro-sumer" class wasn't as established as it is now. However, for what it's worth, I frequent a couple of forums for lawn care pros and I do know the Hustler Fastrak is quite highly regarded, so much so that some pros are using them as daily runners. I don't recall much discussion, if any, regarding the Quest SP.

Exmark and Hustler are both excellent companies, although when I was looking, the local Exmark dealer, not a large dealer in terms of employess, but certainly when talking sales, focused primarily on commercial customers to the extent that someone like myself could not get the time of day from them. Also at that time, the only Hustler dealer was acquired by a multi-store JD/Scag outfit that decided Hustler didn't offer anything different than what they already carried, so they pretty much dropped them. Consequently, neither brand was on my short list.

I ended up buying a DC Silver Eagle from a large, multi-store, multi-brand, Ag equipment outfit that is 45 minutes away, despite that there was a closer dealer only about 20 minutes away (also popular with the lawn care pros, rated quite high on my "jerk" list). I went with the further dealer because the level of customer service from the initial sales contact thru now 5 years of parts and support has been very personal to the point of being almost that small, family-owned business sort of feel. Before I had commited to buying anything, I was given a tour of their facility; and introduced to the parts manager, service manager, and even the owner/general manager who I know picked up the phone at least one time I called about getting some new blades. I truly felt as if my business, although certainly small when compared to a new 150+ HP tractor, mattered greatly to them and was sincerely appreciated by all of their employees. (As a side note, the nearer DC dealer has since dropped the brand.)

Don't know if any of this "helped" in your decision, other than to reinforce how your local dealer can make or break any deal, and to say that 45 minutes is not too far to go for piece of mind.

sweettractors · Oct 31, 2010

gigundous said:
I'm in the market to purchase my first ZTR. I recently purchased a home with a little over an acre which is waaaaay bigger than the city place I have lived at for the past 30 some years. I've done a ton of research and have narrowed my choices down to two mowers. Which is where i need some help. I can't make up my mind.

I can get a 48" Hustler Fastrak for $4950 out the door or a Exmark Quest SP for $4999 out the door. Pretty much the same price.

The Fastrak has a 19hp Kaw motor and the Exmark has a 20hp Kaw motor. The frame on the Exmark is a bit heavier duty yet the Fastrak has a lifetime warranty on the frame. Both mowers come with a 4 year warranty aside from the Hustler frame. Both have the 3100 pumps as well.

I know the quest is not the greatest mower but the quest SP looks to be a completely different platform. Better motor, heavier frame, heavier transmission and hydraulics, larger air filter etc. I saw the regular quest and demo'd it... ruled it out immediately... just seemed cheap to me.

From what i have read Hustler customer service is second to none. And i was sold on the Fastrak until i stumbled on the SP yesterday. Supposedly the Quest SP is marked down a couple thousand dollars. I really can't find much info on the SP since it is a relatively newer mower.

The only big differece i can see is in potential service. The hustler place is about 45 mins away and is a smaller mom and pop type shop. Not bad mind you but a place with 5-10 employees. Surprisingly they seem more concentrated on commercial large tractors. The nearby Exmark dealer is a much larger local place with maybe 50-75 employees as is about 10 mins away. They seem to be a bit more balanced selling as much residential as they do the big commercial stuff.

Any help is appreciated here guys, what would you do and why?

Thanks in advance!

We have sold the Dixon ZTR mowers for years and could sell you a 52 inch for under 3k + modest shipping. If interested in more specifics, call my Son, Greg at the Munfordville Location. 270-524-0385 or email glsweet@scrtc.com . Dixon has been around since the early seventies. Ken Sweet

Diamondpilot · Oct 31, 2010

Both the Hustler and Exmark are good units. I maintain a fleet of ZTR's for a local mower. While he does not run either of them everything he has now days runs Kawasaki motors. He will not touch anything else anymore for good reasons.

If you have a dealer in your area look at Ferris. The IS500 can be had with up to a 61" deck for about the same money.

At the end of the day go with your gut and trust me and get a Kawasaki, nothing else.

Chris

picker77 · Oct 31, 2010

I won't go on about brands, lots of good choices out there. Personally, I mow about 7 acres with a Scag 61" Turf Tiger with a 27 hp Kawasaki liquid-cooled V-twin, a solid and reliable but expensive commercial type mower. I second Diamondpilot's endorsement of Kawasaki's industrial engines. But there's no way you need a 1200 lb 25-30 HP 61" mower for 1 acre. You'd be done mowing before the deck bearings even got warmed up. :laughing: Something in a 48"-52" would be plenty big, do less turf damage, do better on fuel, get your mowing done in time to watch the ball game, and not take up half your garage to park.

Once you're skilled at driving a good ZTR you won't ever consider going back to a standard rider. But don't for a second believe the "zero turn" hype they all advertise. To avoid screwing the inside tire into the turf all of them require a Texas U-turn for back and forth mowing, or rounded-off turns if mowing in a spiral. With careless driving they will ALL eat turf with the inside tire on very sharp or "zero radius" turns, especially on soft or damp ground.

If you can stand to wait a while, buy a "leftover" 2010 model around January. Prices will be MUCH better then.

gigundous · Nov 1, 2010

I've looked at Ferris and i see the 500 has a Briggs motor. I'd prefer to stick with Kaw if i can. I looked at the 1500 and its just out of my price range.

Dixon doesn't have a rep anywhere near me so that's out.

Good suggestion on waiting until January. Maybe I'll do that if i can't get either dealer to budge on price at all.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Now does anyone really know much about what the deal is with the Exmark Quest SP?

MBDiagMan · Nov 1, 2010

If there is a Bad Boy dealer in your area, it is worth checking out. In '05 I bought a Bad Boy Lightening with a 27HP liquid cooled Kawasaki. It has been flawless since new. The liquid cooled engine has way more than enough power and is very quiet.

Bad Boy is a fast growing concern in Arkansas and has unbelievably great customer service. They do business the old fashioned way. I can highly recommend them.

Porkie · Nov 2, 2010

I have had a SNAPPER 65 inch, pro series, 23hp Kawasaki powered ZTR for about 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made to purchase it. The dealers claim that it would cut my mowing time in half was more than accurate.

I finish mow 8 acres EVERY WEEK, from maybe late March until late October and actually--hopefully mowed for the last time yesterday!

On my New Holland TC40D with a 7 foot finish mower, the job took about 7 hours of seat time.

On my ZTR, I've actually done the job in 3.5 hours!

In 4 years, I've had no problems whatsoever, with just oil and filter changes, HYD fluid and filter replacements, blade sharpening and air filter cleaning.

Look for a thick deck and tough construction. These things are expensive so get a good one!

Sam

firefighter9208 · Nov 2, 2010

picker77 said:
I won't go on about brands, lots of good choices out there. Personally, I mow about 7 acres with a Scag 61" Turf Tiger with a 27 hp Kawasaki liquid-cooled V-twin, a solid and reliable but expensive commercial type mower. I second Diamondpilot's endorsement of Kawasaki's industrial engines. But there's no way you need a 1200 lb 25-30 HP 61" mower for 1 acre. You'd be done mowing before the deck bearings even got warmed up. :laughing: Something in a 48"-52" would be plenty big, do less turf damage, do better on fuel, get your mowing done in time to watch the ball game, and not take up half your garage to park.

Once you're skilled at driving a good ZTR you won't ever consider going back to a standard rider. But don't for a second believe the "zero turn" hype they all advertise. To avoid screwing the inside tire into the turf all of them require a Texas U-turn for back and forth mowing, or rounded-off turns if mowing in a spiral. With careless driving they will ALL eat turf with the inside tire on very sharp or "zero radius" turns, especially on soft or damp ground.

If you can stand to wait a while, buy a "leftover" 2010 model around January. Prices will be MUCH better then.

I would have to agree. I have found a new way to turn with my Grasshopper 223 (23 HP Kohler Pro Command) with 54" deck. Come to a complete stop and then pull one handle backwards as you push the other handle forwards. You will turn on a dime with 9 cents change and not tear up the turf. One you've done this a few times it becomes second nature and you can turn around in your own tracks w/o tearing up the grass.

Chris

gigundous · Nov 9, 2010

The more i think about my decision of Exmark vs Hustler it boils down to two things.

Which unit would be expected to remain in good working order for the longest assuming proper care and maintenance? Biggest bang for the buck as far as the units life goes. $5000 is a significant investment in my eyes and if one will start needing repairs in 5 years and the other 15 well then my choice is obvious.

And which one would be easiest for a homeowner to repair? I am a do-it-yourselfer so I would probably attempt to buy the parts and fix it myself when things go wrong.

coobie · Nov 9, 2010

gigundous said:
The more i think about my decision of Exmark vs Hustler it boils down to two things.

Which unit would be expected to remain in good working order for the longest assuming proper care and maintenance? Biggest bang for the buck as far as the units life goes. $5000 is a significant investment in my eyes and if one will start needing repairs in 5 years and the other 15 well then my choice is obvious.

And which one would be easiest for a homeowner to repair? I am a do-it-yourselfer so I would probably attempt to buy the parts and fix it myself when things go wrong.

IMHO take the above suggestions and go with the ferris mower with the Kaw.engine if you can afford it.You will be very happy with your choice for many years to come.It only takes a few extra $$ to fly first class.LOL.coobie

toddol1971 · Nov 15, 2010

I'm gonna say go with the bad boy. They are tough.... I've got an 07 with 200 hrs. Mows good, rides good (michigan suspension seat) and was cheaper than the others. Its got a 1/4" thick steel deck. It uses all the same stuff the others use, like hydro gear pumps and wheel motors etc. You cant go wrong with bad boy. You'd be doing yourself a disservice by not at least trying BB.

shane · Nov 15, 2010

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet is resale. I know you are not considering resale, but maybe you should. I've learned the hard way as I use to not consider resale on items "I thought" I would not be getting rid of. Between the two, the Exmark will hold it's value better because of it's name (IMHO).

For your application, I believe any of the big commercial mowers (Ex., JD, HUS., GrassHopper, Dix., etc.) will be just fine. Kinda like swatting nats with a sledge hammer.

Nightrain1 · Nov 16, 2010

BB is hard to beat when looking for the best bang for the buck, but I would buy from the closest, best dealer. Don't put too much weight in any brand loyalty as there are several top notch ztr manufacturers out their.

MESSMAKER · Nov 19, 2010

Nightrain1 said:
BB is hard to beat when looking for the best bang for the buck, but I would buy from the closest, best dealer. Don't put too much weight in any brand loyalty as there are several top notch ztr manufacturers out their.

I think all are good products. Xmark and Scag rule around here, but you never hear a bad word on a BB,Grasshopper or Ferris. I will be in the market in a couple of years and I think I will go with a BB with a premium engine.

TGF · Nov 19, 2010

I own a John Deere EZtrak 445, and I would not recommend it. I have had issues with the left side hydro from the get go, the dealer has worked on it twice and even replaced a pump.

gilbertmsg · Nov 19, 2010

You should also take a look at the Gravely's, they are expensive, well built and will be mowing when most of the others are melted for scrap.

Eddie

Diamondpilot · Nov 19, 2010

MESSMAKER said:
I think all are good products. Xmark and Scag rule around here, but you never hear a bad word on a BB,Grasshopper or Ferris. I will be in the market in a couple of years and I think I will go with a BB with a premium engine.

Last summer my local dealer had BB with the 30 something HP CAT Diesel and a 61" deck for $9999.

Thats a steal. All the comparable diesels were $15,000 or so. I tried to talk my customers who run Ferris and Scag into them but they would not budge. Both are pretty brand loyal. No problem with that. The Scag has been a good mower for them and the Ferris even better.

Chris

Nightrain1 · Nov 19, 2010

BB has the 28 hp and 35 hp perkins/cat diesels. Both are very good engines but the 35 runs smoother and uses a little less fuel to boot. I don't think I will ever go back to those big thirsty gassers.