Thought on these Zero Turn Mowers

[rtimgray]

Due to some problems with my other mowing equipment (Yanmar F16D) and a desire to get my yard in a little better shape (the rice tires on the Yanmar are a little rough on it from time to time), I'm going to be picking up a ZTR shortly, hopefully sometime this week.

I mow about 1 1/2 acres with many, many obstructions, mostly trees. The yard area is generally flat or gently sloping with one spot that is relatively steep.

My budget limit is about $3,000. There are a couple of dealers of ZTRs reasonably close, but I've had poor experiences with them in the past regarding other issues, and I don't want to do business with them, which leaves me more or less with the selection available from TSC, Lowes and HD. After a quick look at what they have available in my price range, here's the summary:

JD Z235 - 20 HP, 42" cut - $2500
JD Z255 - 22 HP, 48" cut - $3000

Husqvarna RZ4623 - 23 HP, 46" cut - $2700

Cub Cadet RZT 42 - 22 HP, 42" cut - $2500
Cub Cadet RZT 54 - 24 HP, 54" cut - $3000

There is a John Deere dealer in town, and I have had so-so to poor service from them from back when I had an old John Deere tractor. However, I do like the idea of what I hope would be better availability of parts and service should it be needed.

There is a Cub Cadet dealer just a few miles from the house - however, this is one of the dealers I have mentioned above that I don't want to do business with or even have to do business with. However, my brother has had a Cub Cadet from Home Depot for 5 years and it has basically be trouble free. He mows about 3/4 acre, but it is a steep lot.

I see on the web that there is a Husky dealer a couple of towns over, but I have no idea if it is a real dealer or if it's just a guy in a garage.

I have actually set on and messed around with each of these units, and I've got to say that I really like the feel of the Husky the best, but I will probably like any of them, so long as they perform well for years to come.

Again, $3000 is my limit on these units. I understand that these aren't pro-grade mowers, but it is going to be used for just my residential mowing and nothing more. Plus, once I get the Yanmar fixed again, I'll still have it as a back-up should the ZTR conk out.

I would appreciate your guys thoughts on these units.

Thanks.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Just from looking, not owning, there's not a nickel's worth of difference in any of the ZTR's sold by the big box stores.

Have you tried a lawn and garden store that serves commercial landscapers?

I'd rather have a smaller Ferris than a bigger-cut Big Box Store lightweight.

 

[rtimgray]

I have checked some of the lawn and garden stores that are around (aside for the local ones that I don't want to do business with). The problem is that the lower end units that they have given me budgetary figures on around in the $4500 to $5000 range, which is out of my price range. $3000 is going to be a tough nut for me.

I understand your line of reasoning, and I have to admit I hesitated to even post this question because I figured I would get this type of response (not that it is unjustified, mind you). I just simply cannot afford a commercial unit, nor will I be using it in a commercial application.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Loadstar]

I would agree with the previous poster about them being similar. On the other hand I don't really think you need a commercial grade mower. With your mowing I'm sure a lighter mower would be sufficient. I mowed with a ranch king (mtd) 16.5 hp 48" cut mower for 10 years. It was about 6 hours of mowing on hilly ground. Lost a head gasket once but it was a couple hour job. When we got the ariens ztr it cut 4 hours off my mowing time. I rebuilt the deck on the ranch king and it went to our lake house. Dont get me wrong at 13 years old it is about shot but it will get the deck stripped off, motor rebuilt, frame cracks welded and will be a trailer puller from now on. We got our money out of a big box store mower and then some.

 

[Ted Summey]

It would be worth your time to examine the Simplicity ZTRs. I purchased one. It has similar features as a commercial mower like separate hydro motors to drive the wheels, fabricated deck, front suspension and a heavier frame than the box store machines. The advantage was that the price wasn't as high as the commercial machines. My dealer had some other brands like the box stores sell so I could compare side by side. That's what convinced me on the upgrade. Since it was the hardware/lawn and garden dealer, I was able to trade my old mower for a good price.

It costs absolutely nothing to visit a dealer and get a quote and financing terms if you need it. I spent 6 months shopping off and on before I made my choice. I've owned three box store machines in 23 years, I guess it took me a while to learn that anything over 5 years is lucky or requires extensive overhaul with a box store machine.

 

[sweettractors]

Due to some problems with my other mowing equipment (Yanmar F16D) and a desire to get my yard in a little better shape (the rice tires on the Yanmar are a little rough on it from time to time), I'm going to be picking up a ZTR shortly, hopefully sometime this week.

I mow about 1 1/2 acres with many, many obstructions, mostly trees. The yard area is generally flat or gently sloping with one spot that is relatively steep.

My budget limit is about $3,000. There are a couple of dealers of ZTRs reasonably close, but I've had poor experiences with them in the past regarding other issues, and I don't want to do business with them, which leaves me more or less with the selection available from TSC, Lowes and HD. After a quick look at what they have available in my price range, here's the summary:

JD Z235 - 20 HP, 42" cut - $2500
JD Z255 - 22 HP, 48" cut - $3000

Husqvarna RZ4623 - 23 HP, 46" cut - $2700

Cub Cadet RZT 42 - 22 HP, 42" cut - $2500
Cub Cadet RZT 54 - 24 HP, 54" cut - $3000

There is a John Deere dealer in town, and I have had so-so to poor service from them from back when I had an old John Deere tractor. However, I do like the idea of what I hope would be better availability of parts and service should it be needed.

There is a Cub Cadet dealer just a few miles from the house - however, this is one of the dealers I have mentioned above that I don't want to do business with or even have to do business with. However, my brother has had a Cub Cadet from Home Depot for 5 years and it has basically be trouble free. He mows about 3/4 acre, but it is a steep lot.

I see on the web that there is a Husky dealer a couple of towns over, but I have no idea if it is a real dealer or if it's just a guy in a garage.

I have actually set on and messed around with each of these units, and I've got to say that I really like the feel of the Husky the best, but I will probably like any of them, so long as they perform well for years to come.

Again, $3000 is my limit on these units. I understand that these aren't pro-grade mowers, but it is going to be used for just my residential mowing and nothing more. Plus, once I get the Yanmar fixed again, I'll still have it as a back-up should the ZTR conk out.

I would appreciate your guys thoughts on these units.

Thanks.

items in DIXON store on eBay!

Above is a link to some of our Dixon ZTR mowers. They invented the ZTR about 40 yrs ago. All the rest are "Johnny come latelys". Dixon is now owned by Husqvarna. Shipping is cheap. Ken Sweet

 

[Bird]

As with many products, it can be a purely personal preference. In my case, I would not want one of the machines from one of the big box stores simply because I want one from a dealer who can repair or service it, if needed. And I also wanted a ZTR that would go through 3' gates. It used to be that the only such machine I could find was the Dixon 30, but the nearest dealer did not have one for me to actually see; said those little ones sell so well that they're usually sold by the time they come in.:laughing: But then Toro came out with a 32" and that's now what I've had for a couple of years.

 

[the old grind]

Worst thing about my Cub Cadet RZT50 (~$3k) is the stamped deck has openings that allow clippings to gather on top of it. (I'd check for that on the RZTs, would look to the 54" for a yard that describes like my own, many trees, etc.) Deck cleans off with a leaf blower, but that's another step, leaves a pile of chaff & seeds to rake up, and may be something to notice in your price range. You didn't mention a Hustler dealer near you. Their Kaw-powered 48" has a 'fabbed' deck & pro-looking features/details for what I paid for the C-C.

Ease of loading to take in for service or parking space are small considerations, but may favor one deck or o'all size. You only pay once, but time/work saved adds up after a while. IMO ZTs are easy to work on if you have to tinker. A wise friend once said, "If you're gonna spend the $$, get what you want." By the time you could wear one out the options will likely be a lot different. ('96 Dixon 4421, Dixon mech drive ... '04 C-C RZT 50 .. both in regular use)

Mow 'tall', sharpen often, see the green.

 

[sweettractors]

I have a next door neighbor/retired school teacher, that mows my yard and 46 others every week with a Dixon ZTR mower. The kicker is that he mows all of those 47 yards in 3 days and hunts and goes fishing the other 4. Ken Sweet

 

[xmabellx]

For what it's worth I picked up a used hustler sport with 48in deck/Kawasaki motor/arm rests/and rops with 20hrs for $3250. I believe retail is around $4000. I will say for my 1.5 acres this thing is Awsome. Great cut, speed and trimming ability. I've been very happy with it so far.