Want a zero turn mower, but what to get?

[kevin37b]

Diesel Grasshopper .

 

[snakeguy]

This year I picked up a craftsman ztl7000 with bagger at the Sears outlet. Has the 50" deck and the briggs platinum vtwin at 26hp. Put 53 hours on, mowing approx 3 acres, and I am very happy with it so far. Was amazed at how nice the cut was compared to my jd2305 with the 62" deck, and of course, shaved hours off my mowing time. Has also made fall leaf cleanup a breeze. Paid under 3k for tractor/bagger and the on-site 3 year warranty. Less money than most of you guys are talking but figure ill offer up my experience with a less expensive machine.

 

[Gary Fowler]

This year I picked up a craftsman ztl7000 with bagger at the Sears outlet. Has the 50" deck and the briggs platinum vtwin at 26hp. Put 53 hours on, mowing approx 3 acres, and I am very happy with it so far. Was amazed at how nice the cut was compared to my jd2305 with the 62" deck, and of course, shaved hours off my mowing time. Has also made fall leaf cleanup a breeze. Paid under 3k for tractor/bagger and the on-site 3 year warranty. Less money than most of you guys are talking but figure ill offer up my experience with a less expensive machine.

The first ZTR I bought was the 6000 Craftsman with 26 Hp B&S engine ($3000 +tax). It mows good, has plenty of power but will beat you to death mowing over rough ground. I still have it but use almost exclusively the Ferris IS 700 with the 23 HP Kawasaki engine. It uses much less fuel than the Craftsman and travel speed with it is up to 9 mph compared to about 5-6 with the Craftsman It is so much better riding than any other hard frame mower like Grasshopper, Hustler, ExMark, John Deere, and all others because of it patented shock absorbing frame which I don't think anyone else has. It really makes a difference in ride quality. You could put another $1000 in other mowers and get a air ride seat so the ride would be comparable I suppose. The deck is also chain suspended so no hard links to bend or break like most other mowers.
I think all the major brands do a good job of mowing and most have the fabricated deck which will pretty much last forever, but they all ride the same except the Ferris.

 

[murphy1244]

Simplicity has the same suspension as Ferris as both are owned by Briggs. Ferris is the Top of the line for them thou.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Starting to research zero turn mowers, but holy cow, there's so many out there I don't know where to begin!

I'm familiar with all the major brands (Hustler, Ex-mark, Badboy, Scag, Ferris, etc), but there seems to be a lot of variances out there.

I've read a lot on all the "features" each offers, but frankly, some of it I wouldn't know what is better and what isn't.

Kinda hoping some zero turn owners can help me out.

I'm not sure exactly the acreage I mow around my place, but to give you an idea...I currently have an older Craftsman 18HP 42" cut rider and if I go to it, with minimal breaks it takes me about 6 to 6.5 hours to mow everything I need to mow. Needless to say, it's a full day and I'm pretty beat when done, especially when it is sunny (I get a nice tan though!). During this time of year I am pretty much stuck mowing every weekend and if I miss a weekend it turns into a two day affair because the grass is too thick (can't cut full width and it is much slower going).

The yard is fairly rough too. Some areas bounce me around pretty good, so have to go slow.

I know one thing for sure, I'm not looking to spend $12,000 for one of the super upper end machines, I can't afford that. I'd like to stay $8,000 or less (actually, preferably even less than that, but after looking around I've at least figured out I'm not going to get enough machine for too much less).
I'd prefer a new machine vs used.

With all that said, any particular recommendations? Kinda hoping there are some with some sort of suspension in that price range, but so many models out there. I'd like at least a 61" cutting deck, maybe even a 72" if they offer something like that in that price range.

I forgot to mention that the Ferris with independent 4 wheel suspension, Kawasaki FS 690 commercial engine, 3400 series transaxles (serviceable NOT throw away like the Craftsman) with 52" deck was $6800. Lots of mower for the price and you wont get much mower in heavy duty use for less than that price.

 

[PMA]

Dixie chopper

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[Gary Fowler]

Diesel Grasshopper .

I think the OP wanted to spend less than $8K not $20K for a mower.

 

[hobie]

I'd be interested to know what Ramm4X4 got? I have a Country Clipper residential w/42" deck. Love the joy stick, and flip up deck. Having issues w/ the safety switch under the seat these days, but otherwise have loved it.

 

[big bubba]

lots of excellent advice here!! and to choose from. i've got 3 zero turns for my business, all commercial grade. my recommendation comes in the form of what NOT to get. i would steer clear of consumer grade units (husky, JD, ect) sold @ lowes, etc. the decks just don't hold up. most all of the recommendations here seem to imply that. the Bad Boy is a good mower, though they have their "lower end" units as well. I also like the idea of a finish mower that one poster suggested if your tires are forgiving on the turf good luck

 

[WTC67213]

Can get into the Bad Boy Outlaw 61'' for $7,199 or Jump to the XP series with front and rear suspension as well as Suspension air seat. 61'' $8,899 72'' $9,299
All the outlaws have 1/4'' steel decks compared to say the 11ga decks everyone else is using.

CZT would be another viable option 60'' for $5,999