Why are Zero-Turn Mowers so Expensive?

stubborn · Mar 13, 2007

From what little browsing I have done most Zero-Turn Mowers (ZTM) seem to be priced kinda high, at least compared to a "regular" tractor. Home Depot and Lowe's has a Deere and Cub Cadet, both with 38" decks (I think), non mulching (which is what I want) and both machines are priced at $3K. I bought a Cub Cadet LT1050 mulching tractor for $2200 last year.

Are ZTM machines that much more expensive to build? If I did get one it would need to have a 48" (minimum) mulching deck and I would like to not pay more than $2500. I have about 4 acres to mow and lots of it is paths. I found this Husqvarna 48" ZTM at Sears for $3K but that still seems expensive. Maybe it's just me.

Taiser · Mar 13, 2007

ZT's are a different machine from the get go since many have commercial applications. Sorry to say but your cub is at the bottom scale of machines, it's basically to compete with the low end JD's (100 series). There are not many (any?) really basic low end ZT's out there and the ones that are there probably sell once for every 10 tractors (my guesstimate only).

If you go to the Cub 2000 series and up then you'll see the prices get much closer. Not only that but standard tractors outsell the ZT's by a big margin = less production = higher cost but their is still a good market for ZT's or they wouldn't be selling them

!

whodat90 · Mar 13, 2007

Because they're worth it. I went from a lawn tractor to a RFM to a front mount ZTR, and it's amazing how much better and faster it cuts. Lawn tractors are made to do lots of things, and they do all of them adequately. ZTRs are designed to cut, and they do it amazingly well. FWIW, look at something other than the current expensive midmounts, I went with a slightly older frontmount and saved lots of money. Good ZTRs cost about 3/4 of what a subcut costs. The thing is, they'll last forever. A lawn tractor nowadays is a throwaway, you may get a couple years out of them or you may not. They're in a whole different category as far as quality and longevity.

JSUnlimited · Mar 13, 2007

I'd say by the lot size you indicated on your profile, you might be better off with something along the commercial line.

You can check this post out,

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/cub-cadet/91438-new-toy-m-60-tank.html

And yes, they are expensive!

montejw · Mar 13, 2007

stubborn said:
From what little browsing I have done most Zero-Turn Mowers (ZTM) seem to be priced kinda high, at least compared to a "regular" tractor. Home Depot and Lowe's has a Deere and Cub Cadet, both with 38" decks (I think), non mulching (which is what I want) and both machines are priced at $3K. I bought a Cub Cadet LT1050 mulching tractor for $2200 last year.

Are ZTM machines that much more expensive to build? If I did get one it would need to have a 48" (minimum) mulching deck and I would like to not pay more than $2500. I have about 4 acres to mow and lots of it is paths. I found this Husqvarna 48" ZTM at Sears for $3K but that still seems expensive. Maybe it's just me.

Twice as many hydrostatic transmissions might be part of it.

workinallthetime · Mar 13, 2007

for years i have mowed with a john deere 430 or 455 both diesel both w/ 60 inch cut. This year I bought a 11,400.00 kubota zd326 and the difference is night and day. I dont know to much about the low end models but maybe the cost is also due to the makeup of the transmission having to deliver foreward to one wheel and reverse to the other, i THINK they have actually got 2 hydo units where your lawan tractor has 1 clutch drive trans in most low end units. hydro alone is a upgrade on any unit. you might look into a used jd 455 it would mow your 4 acres quickly and have the diesel power to last for years to come. the 430 and 455 i had were both bought used w/ over 2k hours for around 3500.00 and since its a tractor you can do alot more with it. I live on 2 acres but I maintain 12 total for free and then I have commercial accounts alos.
good luck

hosejockey2002 · Mar 13, 2007

The commercial grade ZTRs cost twice (or more) as much, but will last many times as long. They are designed to mow 40 hours a week. The consumer grade mowers are made to mow 2 hours a week. A ZTR will outmow a lawn tractor by at least a 2/1 margin.

jcmseven · Mar 14, 2007

I have found the wide marging actually not to be the case in my experience. I have mowed extensively with a 595 X series JD, a 3720 with a 72" RFM and a 757 60" ZTR JD. I am reasonably accomplished with all machines and feel my data is fairly repeatable. The fastest one is---the ZTR. It will cut about 20-30% time of most reasonable mowing jobs and will do a great job on lawns that are relatively flat, smooth and filled with obstacles. It struggles some on rough or uneven terrain and steep hills can be an adventure. My 595 was not as fast, but still pretty fast and would outmow a ZTR on steep hills, due to its MFWD and standard steering wheel setup. My 3720 would come within literally a few minutes on wide open jobs as the ZTR, but of course struggled in tight spaces due to its size. Surprisingly though, it did not drop much time and the rougher the terrain the better it did. For deep grass or wide open areas, it was actually the best cut and close to the fastest. My dad currently has the ZTR, and it is a really nice machine. His lawn is perfect for a ZTR, fairly flat with some knolls, smooth with some landscaped gardens and no low hanging limbs. I can cut his three acres in about 1.25 hours and do a good job. The 595 would cut it in about 1.8 hours and the 3720 in 1.5-1.6. The question, though, is why are the ZTR's expensive. My perception is they are not. My dad's commercial level 757 JD actually cost us $7400 last year. An equivalent gasoline powered X series tractor is around $8500-9000. The cheaper ZTR's can be had for $3000-4000 but where they cut corners is largely in the engine and the hydraulic pumps. There is a huge difference in motor/pump apparati and a cheap one will only give about two years decent service in normal use. A good high end ZTR will go 1000-2000 before any problems are likely to occur. Many ZTR's these days are going diesel due to their increased mowing torque and fuel economy. These engines will really drive up the price of the machine--and generally the motors and pumps are similar, so the actual longevity is not much more. I know some commercial mowers who get 3000 hours from their machines, but these are exceptions. In summary, for what one gets, the ZTR's are really not excessively priced, but if you go commercial be prepared to pay a bit more.

John M

stubborn · Mar 14, 2007

Thanks to all for the great replies! Yes, I knew that my LT1050 was sort of at the "bottom end" but it does a fairly good job. Having said that, I would like to cut some time off of my 4-hour mowing process. Since my property has lots of trails and roundabouts I find myself going over some patches again & again. I like that the LT1050 can mow in reverse and that is something that I would want in a ZTR.

I just looked at MTD's website and found the Troy-Bilt Mustang ZT 50" for a MSRP of $3K. I don't know if I can use mulching blades but that is a must for me. What are some other good brands/models of ZTR mowers? I see that Cub Cadet also has a 50" RZT 50 for $3K. MTD also has a White ZT 50 for $3300.

Deere has the EZtrak Z425 with a 48" deck for $4K but this is out of my price range (included for comparison only). Of all the MTD brands and the Husqvarna in my OP and the Craftsman 50" ZTR Mower (model #2690641) well, I honestly don't know where to start! Any recommendations would be appreciated.

coasterez · Mar 14, 2007

Have you considered a commercial walk-behind, perhaps with a svelky? Around here, most landscape contractors seem to prefer the large walk behinds. Perhaps they are just more versatile; or they might just be the fastest for varied landscapes.

Beware of MTD. You get what you pay for. Having said that, my father got 14 years out of a cheap $900 craftsman lawn tractor, and the guy we sold it to is still using it, now going on 16 years. However, for as much land as you have, I wouldn't think the "cheap" machines would hold up.

I would suggest you also look into a good used JD with all-wheel-steer. I have a JD 425 AWS. What a grass cutting machine! I think simplicity also made some AWS models. A good used one can be had for about $3000 or so.