Thinking of buying a zero turn mower????

[two_bit_score]

I have a 61" Scag. It will mow at 11mph. There are some stretches that are too rough, but I still seem to manage about 2-2.5 acres an hour. But the grass is usually 6-8 inches tall when I mow it. Much faster than the brush hog which is probably under 2 acres an hour. And a whole lot prettier cut.

Sounds like your Scag does what I would need one to do. Mow taller grass and rougher areas. What model do you have?

 

[two_bit_score]

Check out the Hustler brand of mowers. I love mine. Have had it for three years. I think you get the most bang for your buck with the hustler.

I do understand the Hustler is a good mower. The area where I'll mostly use it does not have a Hustler dealer and does have a Scag dealer. Plus there is one close to where I live and I'll pass one on the way to the other place.

 

[broncobilly]

Has anyone used a bush hog Commercial ztr mower?
I was thinking about bush hog cz2555 model. I like the idea of Bush Hog deck been offset to help mow under/around the fence without the tires getting to close
I have a couple of dealers in my area, Bush Hog, Scag, Hustler, Ferris and Exmark. Bad Boy is over 45 mile away and that痴 not a good choice for me at this time. I am looking for input about all ztr mowers. Please do not hold back any comments or concerns. I want to try the Kawasaki engine.

 

[wallace]

I have sold around 15 of the bush hogs this year they are a well put together machine and with having a full 3 year warranty how can you beat that.
The only complaint I every heard was that the deck was loud.
If you like the CZ you should try the PZ especially if you have a unlevel hilly yard.

 

[JANDG]

I use a CC M72KW Tank ZTR , built way tough & the 37hp kawasaki will do about anything. w/ 72" deck it & along with massive amount of trees to go around would make going back to tractor or lawn tractor a nightmare. I picked the Tank up for 7k w/ 32hrs on it & full 3 year commercial warranty. I have been trying to kill a couple 14hp Kawasaki's in JD LX series mowers for 15 years, they will not die. I regually dive into 4' tal salal brush with them for years & they just keep on ticking. For me Kawasaki is the only way to go for air motors. The 37hp is a beast that has a very unique sound, 1000cc V-twin getting ready to take of. At almost 1500lbs I have got it stuck in spring, but just snatched it with JD compact & off & mowing again in no time
Joe

 

[horse7]

I've been sort of considering a ZTR due to having trees scattered around, end up having to weed wack around the trees after bush hogging with an 84". This gets old really really fast (I'm considering removing all the trees...).

The most important feature is stability on hills (with ROPS), the Hustler looks promising. Several others are well rated but seem to be very long, even Exxon Valdez long and maybe they are good at what they do but mobility in tight spaces in important in my case.

So when you all comment on how you love your (insert brand here) ZTR, some reference to how it is on slopes would be appreciated.

 

[kthompson]

I have a Bush Hog estate ztr and my brother has a commercial one. Think they are 4 years old and neither have any real issues. One thing I like is their spindles...they were the same on all of their finish mower and ztr decks expect I think one or all of their bat wing cutters. Have a rfm that is about 9 years old with only replacement of wear parts.

 

[DIRTROAD]

WOW, I had no idea that Bush Hog even made anything other than implements. I am going to have to check into these. Guess I don't get out much

 

[Dargo]

I've been sort of considering a ZTR due to having trees scattered around, end up having to weed wack around the trees after bush hogging with an 84". This gets old really really fast (I'm considering removing all the trees...).

The most important feature is stability on hills (with ROPS), the Hustler looks promising. Several others are well rated but seem to be very long, even Exxon Valdez long and maybe they are good at what they do but mobility in tight spaces in important in my case.

So when you all comment on how you love your (insert brand here) ZTR, some reference to how it is on slopes would be appreciated.

I just crossed 2000 hours on my oldest front mount Grasshopper, a 721D G2. Other than fluid changes, it's had exactly two changes of blades; that's it! No belts, no spindles, no anything! The first 1000 hours of use was all commercial and it was used as a bush hog for the most part. I mowed the sides of right of ways, the backs of dams and other areas where nobody else could mow. I've owned most all of the name brand commercial mowers. Other than specialized machines with dual wheels, none comes even remotely close to hanging with a front mount Grasshopper on hills. I have 2000 hours of proof to not only back that up but to also back up their unbelievable durability. The bottom line for me is that I've owned most all of them, started with all Scags (mistake) used the others on various jobs, and I only own Grasshopper front mount mowers now. Believe me, I've had dozens of people claim that their (insert name) ZTR will do as well on hills and have invited them out to prove me wrong. It hasn't happened. They aren't cheap, but you don't get quality cheap.

 

[broncobilly]

Hello everyone. I am new to the ztr family. I think I have narrowed the search down to a couple of units in my here. Here are my choices:
1. Ferris IS2000 with the big block and 61 cut, comes with full suspension and suspension seat
2. Ferris IS1500 21hp Kawasaki with 52? comes with full suspension
3. Hustler Fastrak Super Duty 25-54 $5990 without r.o.p.s... Have to order flex forks and suspension seat
4. HUSTLER Z 21hp Kawasaki with 60 $7500 with r.o.p.s... .. Have to order flex forks and suspension seat
5. Bush Hog cz2555 (25hp Kawasaki with 55? $ 7395 with r.o.p.s... Choice of High-Back or Full-Suspension Seat
6. SCAG- looked at them briefly, the shop that I went to was low on inventory. They had a big moving sale

I like the Is2000 better then the IS1500 because of the storage compartment and cup holder.
The Hustler Dealer will let me test drive the unit at my house, they also have the main parts on hand.
The Ferris dealer is just a retail shop (his main bread and butter is Polaris four wheelers. I thing the Ferris is out due to no dealer support with parts.)
The Bush Hog Dealer not sure if this dealer will let me test drive the unit at my house, they also have the main parts on hand.
I want a unit that will last for a long time.
I would like some input about these choices?
Should I get the greasable spindles or the sealed spindles?

 

[dfeck]

Broncobilly,

I own a Ferris IS3100Z and can only comment on the Ferris ZTR's. I've owned 3 Ferris' over the years and found them to be VERY well built. The full 4-wheel suspension is awesome if you have bumpy ground. I have the 32HP big block w/61" deck and found it to be very reliable. I've had ZERO problems with the mower in 2 years of ownership. I would also recommend the greasable spindles. I had a Ferris that had sealed non-greasable spindles and blew the bearings in 2 of the 3 spindles within 200hrs of use. Apparently, Ferris got away from the sealed non-greasable spindles due to having issues with them.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Dargo]

Broncobilly,

I own a Ferris IS3100Z and can only comment on the Ferris ZTR's. I've owned 3 Ferris' over the years and found them to be VERY well built. The full 4-wheel suspension is awesome if you have bumpy ground. I have the 32HP big block w/61" deck and found it to be very reliable. I've had ZERO problems with the mower in 2 years of ownership. I would also recommend the greasable spindles. I had a Ferris that had sealed non-greasable spindles and blew the bearings in 2 of the 3 spindles within 200hrs of use. Apparently, Ferris got away from the sealed non-greasable spindles due to having issues with them.

Thanks,
Doug

I'd agree with you. When I was in the mowing business I had a Ferris mower. I found it to be particularly well built, easy to maintain and that it had a far better ride than other mid mount mowers. I'm also big on having greasable spindles. I have just over 2000 hours on my older Grasshopper (greasable) and all three spindles are completely tight with zero wear apparent.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If going for the Ferris I would pass on the big block and get the Kawasaki 37 HP engine. My neighbor has one on a 72" cut and its awesome. He has had 3 Ferris mowers all with Kaw Engines. Before that he was a Briggs guy but had to replace or rebuild the engine every 2 seasons on Dixons.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

Are you getting rid of the tractor and riding mower now that you have a ztr?

I toiled away for four years, mowing the four or five acres of my 13 that are cleared and have grass using either a riding mower and/or my JD4500 pulling a six foot landpride mowing deck. Usually, after golf on Saturday or all day Sunday, I went out and suffered through about 3.5/4 hours of driving back and forth, trying to figure out a pattern that I could cut that would allow me to not have to back up to try to make tight turns etc. 4 HOURS!! My property is not symmetrical like a football field. It has lots of decorative trees, horse fencing, garden beds, etc. I'm telling you, four hours in the hot VA sun is not pleasant at times. Not to mention the fact that after I was done with just the mowing I had to try to get other chores done. That is, if I had the energy or inclination.

So, I decide to go ahead and sell the riding mower (for only $100 less than I paid four years ago!) and a woodchipper (turned a profit on that one, thanks JINMA!) on Craigslist and take the cash and apply it toward a zero turn. I browse Craigslist for a few weeks and find a commercial grade Husqvarna with only 200 hours on it. Retails for 10K, guy is asking 5500. I offer 4000, we settle on 4500. I go out to pick it up and turns out it belongs to some millionaire who got foreclosed.

Anyways, the zero turn mower has literally changed my life. Using a standard digital watch, I have timed my first three sessions mowing the entire area I used to do in 3.5/4 hours using the riding mower and tractor. It has taken me between 59 minutes and 65 minutes each time! That's ONE QUARTER the time it used to take!! I can mow my 4 to 5 acres in less time than it takes some surbabanite to mow his postage-stamp yard!! Now, I can mow on Friday after work before the wife even gets home. I have discovered this thing that they call a "weekend". It's a strange and wonderful period of time between two work weeks when you can garden, play golf, spend time with the kids, repair your house, work on projects, engage in some "physical" activities with the wife and/or girlfriend (depending on mood).

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A ZERO TURN, DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crbr]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

 

[asher halfon]

hello im new here, glad to be with you , im sossy that my english isnt so good. iwonder if you can help me to find a mathews 9ft in everag shap tanks asher

 

[PBinWA]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

True but Kawasaki also equals - gas guzzler! If you care. I don't really but I do notice the difference comparing my Kohler 25HP and Kawasaki 25HP.

 

[aczlan]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

As long as you don't lose the nylon gears in the oil pump they are good engines. We had a 60" Exmark where I used to work that was essentially scrapped after the oil pump went and took the engine with it. The mower had ~1000 hrs on it and had regular maintenance when the nylon gears in the oil pump went.

Aaron Z