What to do...

HappyOne · May 22, 2003

Mowing. Grr, I just wish the grass would self cut.

I have been using a JD 214 for years to mow about 3-4 acres and a mile of trails. I also have a tough as nails L4350 with lots of accessories. This year I bought a used 6' finish mower to pull behind the L4350, and now I am hooked. My mowing time was cut in half. Problem is, it weighs nearly 4000 lbs and is not kind to the lawn. I can see compaction issues from just three mowings, not to mention where I turned too tight and ripped up the turf here and there.

My delima is I will no longer be mowing with the big guy, and want to get something that will mow as fast. I have considered a BX kubota, but really don't know if that is necessary. I just want a good solid mowing machine that can make short work of my cutting.

The only other possible option I might use would be a tiller, but my L4350 could handle that as well. So where do purpose built mowers come in price wise. Is a BX sized sub compact the way to go or overkill?

James

prosperity · May 22, 2003

I started out with a JD 214 years ago. Then went to a JD 332 diesel with 50" cut and thought I was in heaven. After a few years got the itch again. To make a long story short, I went with a JD 2210 w/62" cut. I really thought I was overkilling for a mowing machine. But....what a mowing machine it is. I also mow about 4 acres at home. Not overkill - just a joy to mow with.

The other alternative would be a zero turn mower. If you don't have any real steep hills, this might be the way to go since you already have the L4350. The ZTR's are a blast to mow with and super quick. Kubota makes a couple different variations, one with a diesel (love those diesels!). Go to your dealer and try one out. It will seem awkward at first, but once you get used to it they are great and fast.

r0GuE · May 22, 2003

If you are JUST talking mowing, why not a used BX1800 w/ 60" deck or a new BX1500 with 50" deck.

markie61 · May 22, 2003

If you are doing STRICTLY mowing, I would suggest a ZTR mower. Since you like orange , check out the Husqvarna line. They make a 72" hydrostatic unit that is VERY fast and VERY good!. I recall it being in the $5-6K range and think it had a Kawasaki gas engine. Website here.

I was mowing with my 72" RFM the other day (which takes less than 1/3 of the time my lawn tractor used to take) and my neighbor had a lawn service mow his big yard with 2 ZTRs. They were zipping up and down their field passing me all over the place and were done with 6 acres before I was halfway done. And they can get CLOSE to stuff and in and out tight places you could never get with even a little lawn tractor.

Even after getting my tractor, I STILL want one for the tight places. I may look for one this fall when the lawn companies are done for the season - get a used one.

Mark

PS I had a friend buy a Kubota ZTR and it is extremely fast - I think he said 10 acres/hour. But I vaguely recall a price of around $16K (?) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2003

Yep a good quality Zero turn mower.

HappyOne · May 22, 2003

I have a friend with a friend who mowes right of ways along the interstate. He has a couple of Ransomes ZTR's he is selling for $1500-2500. Is this a good brand, am I nuts considering anything that heavily used?

James

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2003

How good of a friend is he ? Do you really trust him ? Used well cared for commercial quality mowers can be fine. Also he will know of service issues and parts suppliers for future service issues. For the price he is asking you can barely get an el-cheapo JD riding lawn mower.

WVBill · May 22, 2003

( Is this a good brand, ...)

I've been researching ZTRs lately - thinking about getting one for myself and had not come across the Ransomes name. I did a quick google search and came up with This Link . Looks like Ransomes is in a pretty good family - though I still don't see any Ransomes-branded ZTRs on their web page.

cowboydoc · May 22, 2003

I went through this decision last year. I looked at the ZTR's and tryed some of them. Then I tryed the 400 series JD's. I didn't notice one little difference in cut. I got the AWS 455 from JD. It has the turning radius of the ZTR's and mows just as fast or faster than the ZTR. I went with the 455 because the price was actually lower than what I could buy a ZTR for. Plus I have the benefit of not just having a specific lawnmower only. With the 455 it can be used for all kinds of things that you never could with the ZTR.

Ches · May 22, 2003

I support your checking into a ZTR. I have a Bob Cat ZTR 219 with a 52 inch deck (19 HP Kawasaki). It's rated at 8 acres per hour. I've had it for two years now. I was mowing with a Wheel Horse garden tractor before (can't remember size of deck). Cut my mowing (yard, orchard, trees, around pond and dam) from six hours or so to about two. Really happy with it and have had no problems. Cost me around $6000. Since you already have a tractor, a ZTR might be better alternative than a BX.

prosperity · May 22, 2003

( I have a friend with a friend who mowes right of ways along the interstate. He has a couple of Ransomes ZTR's he is selling for $1500-2500. Is this a good brand, am I nuts considering anything that heavily used? )

I would really check them out. See if they have service records - very important. I wish I was closer because I would love to see these units. Also check to see if you can easily get parts for them. I would be very tempted myself at that price - if I only lived close enough to see them.

HappyOne · May 22, 2003

Stopped by the local Deere dealer. No new ZTR's (major demand) , a few front mowers, and several trade in's. Dealer mentioned that in the grand scheme, a tractor (compact, garden etc) would retain a higher retail value. He also suggested that a used 455 with a 60" deck would stack up well against a 707 series Z-Trak and have a higher resale.

What's the feel here on resale potential of a new ZTR vs a new green or orange compact?

FamilyFarm · May 22, 2003

(
What's the feel here on resale potential of a new ZTR vs a new green or orange compact?

)

It depends on which end of the deal you are on! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
If you are looking for a used one, you may really get a bargain! If you buy the new one, AND sell it soon, you may have to "give it away"! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Terry

BillG_in_TX · May 23, 2003

( He also suggested that a used 455 with a 60" deck ... )

Let me guess: He has a used 455 with a 60" deck available, and doesn't have any ZTR's - new or used. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

prosperity · May 23, 2003

( What's the feel here on resale potential of a new ZTR vs a new green or orange compact?)

I would say the resale of the compact would be better - the ZTR has one purpose where the compact has many.

markie61 · May 23, 2003

Your first post said,
( I just want a good solid mowing machine that can make short work of my cutting. )
If that is STILL your goal, ZTR is undoubtedly the way to go. There are other places to look besides that dealer.

Resale value is like everything else: when the demand is up (spring) value will be up; when the demand is low (January), value will drop to nothing. If I could find an exceptional value now for a ZTR, I would consider it to augment my CUTs mowing. But I plan to get by for now and look starting AFTER mowing season.

Mark

BTW, I shopped professional-lever ZTRs seriously about 3 years ago. I don't know if anything has changed, but Deere were some of the most expensive. I thought Lesco's were a good price (though not full-featured) and Husqvarna's were the best value "package."

Anonymous Poster · May 23, 2003

I agree with Bill, sounds like he was trying to sell his stock. Probably would have been glad to sell you a ZTR if he had one in stock , and would have told its merits over the CUT /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

TBone · May 23, 2003

Somebody posted this site a while back. I am seriously considering one of their residential ZTR's. They look really well built for the $$$.

Country Clipper

TBone

HappyOne · May 23, 2003

(
Let me guess: He has a used 455 with a 60" deck available, and doesn't have any ZTR's - new or used. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif )

They had lots of used (and new) lawn tractors, a few toro, hustler and ?? ZTR's. They actually had someone break in and steal their remaining new ztr's. I don't honestly think he was pushing anything he had, just mentioning what others here have said. When it comes time to sell, the lawn/compact tractor will move quicker.
Unfortunately the Ransomes sold. Deere dealer's next best used deal is a Hustler 3400 72" deck with 650 hours for $5000. I acutally liked the single central stick. It looks like you could easily operate it with one hand.

I plan to look around more this weekend.

Thanks for all the great comments!

James

cowboydoc · May 23, 2003

Well I'm not a dealer and those were my exact thoughts on the ZTR vs. the 455. I don't think anyone with a ZTR could cut any faster than I can on my 455. That was my biggest thing was time and I could not go any faster or get any better cut with a ZTR. That's why I went with the 455. I even had front mount mower for a few weeks as well. The 455 was hands down the winner in my opinion.