Z Turn Mowers

[lostcreekranch]

I've got about 8-9 acres of "yard" around the house at ranch that I mow with our John Deere Z-820A. It's now 9 years old and just at 1000 hours.

I have used the Oregon mulching blades, since the original JD blades were replaced, and when sharp they really mulch the cuttings well.

I've had very good service from the unit but, we are considering it's replacement and really wanting a diesel since we have a 300 gallon diesel tank. Since I haul gasoline in 5 gallon cans going diesel would really reduce my gas use which is about 25 gallons a month on average. Then gas would be required for Polaris Ranger and 2-stroke equipment. We have no realistic access to non-ethanol contaminated gasoline here so, anything that reduced gasoline need would be great.

BTW, I treat gasoline with Stabil Marine 360.

 

[big bubba]

many good ZT suggestions here. no doubt, within each manufacturer there's entry level, mid level, and commercial. personally even for moderate use, i would tend toward mid level or higher rather than the consumer grade.

so for example, hustler has the entry level Raptor: i sure wouldn't have one. but their higher end models speak for themselves. deck construction would be the 1st thing i look at (gauge, stamped or fabricated, etc.) to get a good idea of lightweight construction, go to lowes and gently kick one of the decks...multiply that a thousand fold to equate what a few jobs put it through

just a thought. of course, as mentioned, ease of dealer service would be my 2nd consideration. also, go w/a kawi engine, not real keen on kohler from personal experience good luck

 

[kenmac]

called and got a price for a 60'' badboy outlaw xp... elec. deck, 852cc kawsaki FX commercial engine ..OTD $9,143.72. This is cash price. To finance is more. As they say, cash is king ! lol
Guess I busted my 6-7 K budget lol
May try to go look this weekend

Most everyone else in it's class is over 10K + tax which is over 11K

 

[riptides]

Yes, that's about the price range (9-11k). For entry commercial class units. But most will probably service you well for many years.

Next after deck spec for me was speed, then comfort.

 

[clevalley]

I picked up a SCAG Tiger Cat which was traded in a few years ago. It was owned for 3 years and had 120 hours on it - it had all the service receipts and the dealer gave him $5000 for it. It literally came off the ttrailer and was parked near the building and the owner said "$5500 and it's yours" I bought it and never regretted owning it.

Whatever brand you end up with I highly recommend a commercial grade unit as they are a WORLD of difference between a homeowner series. You pay a bit more up front but save in long run

 

[riptides]

A big difference in the box store "residential" ZTR's and the "commercial" units are the hydo-pumps and transmissions. Keep that in mind when you are checking out whatever brand you are looking at. To me, that's where all the action is.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a Snapper Pro s200xt with a 61" cut and 27hp motor.. It is a sturdy built unit with Hydo-Gear 5400 drive units. It weighs about 1200lbs .It has a 4 year warranty. It is more or less the same as The non-suspension Ferris line. I got mine for a little over 6 grand but I went with the Briggs engine. Several other engines are offered.

 

[clevalley]

A big difference in the box store "residential" ZTR's and the "commercial" units are the hydo-pumps and transmissions. Keep that in mind when you are checking out whatever brand you are looking at. To me, that's where all the action is.

...and the frame, deck, splindles, wheels and wheel bearings. The engines are also typically commercial series. Over all they are built more heavy duty.

 

[Coyote machine]

Paid $6K OTD for a commercial grade Pro Z with 6 hours of demo use on dealer's lot; which lists for $7,300+ tax. 4 year, 500 hour warranty. Kawa 23.5HP 730FX engine, Hydro-Gear trans/pumps, etc. Heavy duty fabricated deck. I plan to get a lot of years of good service out of it.
Has about 15 hours on it now, and I have no complaints/concerns, etc.
For either retail or what I paid I feel it is a high quality unit. You could spend a lot more dollars and not get much more result....IMHO.

 

[Milo]

Just as another option you should be able to get a Ferris Z2100 Kawasaki, 61" deck, for about that price. I just paid $8,900 plus WV sales tax.

called and got a price for a 60'' badboy outlaw xp... elec. deck, 852cc kawsaki FX commercial engine ..OTD $9,143.72. This is cash price. To finance is more. As they say, cash is king ! lol
Guess I busted my 6-7 K budget lol
May try to go look this weekend

Most everyone else in it's class is over 10K + tax which is over 11K

 

[lilranch2001]

I own an eXmark, 17 years old and I beat the h*II out of it in the woods

I have replaced 1 fuel filter, 3 mule belts, 2 deck belts, 1 fuel cap because I didn't tighten it well enough, and 2 spindle bearings

I usually put a new set of blades on it each spring

Our lawn service at work has Deeres, and invariably they seem to have to tinker with them almost each visit, I know they put a lot more hours on them, but I never notice the guys with eXmarks playing with theirs.

 

[Texasmark]

Just as another option you should be able to get a Ferris Z2100 Kawasaki, 61" deck, for about that price. I just paid $8,900 plus WV sales tax.

My Ferris IS700Z, BS Vanguard 26, 61" deck, upgrade seat, $7100 this spring OTD. IS stands for Industrial Service. Vanguard is an industrial rated engine with the dual stage air filtration like you have (should have) on your tractor. I could have bought it with a Kaw, but liked the specs on the Vanguard and like my other BS V twins...have no experience with Kaw, other than a 125 dirt bike years ago and had no problems with that to speak of. On speed, you're going to have to look hard to find something that mows faster than that rig. I did add a few improvements to mine.

 

[eng1886trk]

I mow just shy of 3 acres and recently purchased a 2016 60" Exmark Lazer Z E-Series mower with the 730 Kawasaki in it. I also got the UltraVac with the dump from seat bagger. It is a dream to use. I got it from a dealer as a demo they were off loading with only 52 hours on it which allowed me to use their 0% financing and still get the 4 year residential warranty.

I am happy I went with the Laser Z E-series because it put me in the commercial bracket of mowers while not buying the top of the line X Series mower for a landscaper that mows daily. Also, I got the Lazer Z because I am accustom to using my brother in-laws Exmark which is now approaching 2500 hours and still running.

 

[GuiltySpark]

I just bought a new JD Z930M 60" and love it. I had borrowed a friend's Z930M-EFI w/60" MOD, so I had a pretty good handle on what to expect on my property. I mow around the house, shop, barns, fence lines, and a part of a pasture I'm trying to keep under control until I get cows in there. All up, about 5 acres, with a lot of trees to weave around. It takes me right at 3 1/2 hours once I figured out the most efficient pattern.

I stepped back from EFI and the MOD deck to reduce cost, and so far am ok with it. Out the door, I was at $8,999 which Deere did at 4 years 0% interest.

 

[RoyJackson]

I stepped back from EFI and the MOD deck to reduce cost, and so far am ok with it. Out the door, I was at $8,999 which Deere did at 4 years 0% interest.

Still less expensive then I expected...

 

[katoomed00]

Got the Bad Boy 54" Maverick 3 weeks ago, independent wheel suspension and $6500 out the door sold me, this is a lower end commercial unit. I did a lot of research and test riding, comparing apples to apples. So far really nice riding and cutting machine. Wasn't to sure about the electric deck lift, if you need to go over something it takes about 5 seconds to fully lift. Wife enjoys cutting the grass again (which is very important, LOL). If you need more mower check out the Outlaw XP, independent suspension with a lot of cool features for about $8500.

 

[kenmac]

Yes, that's about the price range (9-11k). For entry commercial class units. But most will probably service you well for many years.

Next after deck spec for me was speed, then comfort.

this is the top of the line bad boy mower. Not an entry level.

Having said that. I have not made a move as of yet. I have been looking at a Kubota. Just don't know if it's worth thr price difference of the other brands.
I was quoted 13,765.00 + 2.5% tax (from one dealer) for a 2017 kubota ZD1211. Most of the other brands seem to be in the same price range. Right around 10 K + tax (give or take a few $$). Anybody think the Kubota would be worth the difference ?

Going to check another dealer monday

 

[Texasmark]

My Ferris was $7100, 2017 model. The top was an online purchase for about $200 and is the 52" unit....may have been $250 for the wide one. Perfect for this machine if you are looking for a super functional, rugged sun shade as it is designed for 2x3 tubing on ROPS brackets. The after market traction tires were for my personal usage, not normally required. The seat springs were about $15 for the pair. While I was waiting for some paper work I scanned the ZTs on the lot and some were over $15k. For what I got and what it does, I am absolutely thrilled!!!!!!!

 

[rustyshakelford]

this is the top of the line bad boy mower. Not an entry level.

Having said that. I have not made a move as of yet. I have been looking at a Kubota. Just don't know if it's worth thr price difference of the other brands.
I was quoted 13,765.00 + 2.5% tax (from one dealer) for a 2017 kubota ZD1211. Most of the other brands seem to be in the same price range. Right around 10 K + tax (give or take a few $$). Anybody think the Kubota would be worth the difference ?

Going to check another dealer monday

Your comparing apples to oranges. Gas vs diesel. We ordered a 1211 with the rear discharge. Hopefully getting it this week depending on the rain. I borrowed a buddies side discharge and it was unreal how well this mowed. To me it's worth spending the money and getting what I wanted and what would fit in well here. Another perk is we have a bunch of diesel onsite and I don't have to worry about gas going bad in the winter. Is it worth a 4K premium, that's for you to decide but we are moving everything to diesel and I like only having to deal with one fuel.

Brett

 

[lostcreekranch]

Your comparing apples to oranges. Gas vs diesel. We ordered a 1211 with the rear discharge. Hopefully getting it this week depending on the rain. I borrowed a buddies side discharge and it was unreal how well this mowed. To me it's worth spending the money and getting what I wanted and what would fit in well here. Another perk is we have a bunch of diesel onsite and I don't have to worry about gas going bad in the winter. Is it worth a 4K premium, that's for you to decide but we are moving everything to diesel and I like only having to deal with one fuel.

Brett

I agree on going diesel and our next ZT will be diesel. We have a 300 gallon tank of off-road red diesel for tractors.

I've looked at the Kubotas and really impressed with rear discharge too.