zero turn mower comparison

[HD Labs]

Trying to buy zero turn with 7 guage deck to mow about 5 acres per week.
looked at so many I'm somewhat confused and just want to get opinions on best deals or any issues I should be aware of.
Gravely xdz 148 M for $5900.
Gravely 148iM XDZ for $7200.
TOro Zmaster 74448 $6000
Ferris IS 1500z 48" for $6500
Dixie Chopper Classic 50" $8000
Scag Tiger Cub with Briggs 48" $6200
Scag Tiger Cub with Kohler 48" $7000

Have heard to stay away from BS motors, Leaning to Gravely or Toro but Ferris looks strong too and so does SCAG.
Opinions PLEASE!

 

[J_J]

I believe that anyone that owns a zero turn mower, think that theirs is the best, but in truth, there are a lot of good mowers out there. You will have to decide on the engine, type tires , width of cut, mechanical or electric deck lift. etc. I have used Dixie Choppers for about 18 years, and still have two 60 in cut mowers, plus Trac-Vac mounted on the back for leaf catching/removal. I purchased both of them at about 1/3 of new price. If you can find some used ones from a lawn service company, they usually keep up with the maintenance, and some of them get new mowers after about 1000 hrs. I have put about 2000 plus on them also. Now I have had to replace decks, engines, bearings, tires, etc. A home owner getting something like a Dixie Chopper, should last him the rest of their life. The wife and kids all take to this kind of mower, and helps make cutting the lawn, a pleasure. You can also put a ball on the back for hauling small trailers, log splitter, etc. If you get the chance, have the dealers bring those mowers out to your place and give them a good work out. If you don't feel qualified, have a friend that has one to help you judge the worth of the mower.

 

[tawilson]

I believe that anyone that owns a zero turn mower, think that theirs is the best

Also applies to tractors, trucks, chainsaws, etc.

 

[LRTX1]

Look into the Hustler brand. I do not own one, I have a Husqvarna(aka Yazoo Kees), and after operating a friends I wish I had a Huslter.

I do have a Kawaski engine on mine and it has been flawless.

 

[TedBell]

For 5 acres I would save up and go with a 60" mower. I mow 4.5 acres and would not consider something smaller.

Also try to go with a brand that is offered by a nearby quality dealer. The brands you list are quality brands, though I am not familar with the models. I have a Hustler that has proven to be a quality machine.

 

[HD Labs]

Leaning toward a SCAG due to dealership. Still going to look at a hustler sometime.
Any preferences over a Kawasaki or Kohler engine?

 

[MarkV]

It does up the price but with 5 acres on a weekly basis and in the South with a long growing season there is something to be said for a diesel powered mower when it come to longevity.

MarkV

 

[DK35vince]

I went with Hustler. But I also looked at Bob-Cat zero turns last year and they have some very nice, solid looking machines.

 

[oldnslo]

Leaning toward a SCAG due to dealership. Still going to look at a hustler sometime.
Any preferences over a Kawasaki or Kohler engine?

Kawasakis are good engines but the parts are pretty expensive. Deere has used them for years with good results.

Kohlers are also good engines. What you will find is that servicing them is a pain since the engine is usually buried in the frame.

Might want to look at what type of HST they on them. Some or all of them may have the throw away HST while others would have a more robust unit like most CUT.

Toro is probably made in Mexico now since they moved most if not all of there production facilities from Wisconsin. They have really gone down in quality after that move.

Scag was putting Cat (Perkins) diesels in some of there units. Not sure what size and how much this raised the price.

Like others have said, go with a dealer who services and stocks parts for what they sell.

Roy

 

[RickB]

Leaning toward a SCAG due to dealership. Still going to look at a hustler sometime.
Any preferences over a Kawasaki or Kohler engine?

If you know you have a good Scag dealer, that would seal it for me; good local dealer, great machine. Kohler engines are very good except for the Courage line, which is no better then OK. Kawasaki engines have a very good rep around here. If you really have 5 acres a week to do, I would also move up to at least a 60" machine.