zero turn mowers EXPENSIVE

[Industrial Toys]

The Chinese and Japanese work cultures are very different and not interchangeable. Some think China and Japan are similar places, just spelled differently. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Maybe not the place to post this, but it is related to how things "might" be manufactured in China, if only parts of them.

There are a bunch of vidoes in this series and they are astounding for a whole bunch of reasons.

Incredible Manufacturing and Processing Methods With Awesome Machines and Ingenious Tools - YouTube

BTW. This is what our highly paid, unionized and bubble wrapped workforce is competing against.

 

[BoylermanCT]

U6

Just curious how much you mow and how much time you saved. How much more was the commercial unit?

I mow 5 acres. 3 acres are broken up into 9 smaller areas with 40+ trees to mow around including 2 orchards with Apple, peach, plum and pear trees. 2 acres are wide open field. When I first started, it took me 5-6 hours with a 46” lawn tractor. I had to mow the field every 5 days or it would get too thick and tall for the lawn tractor and leave clumps everywhere. Then I upgraded to a 54” Hustler Raptor SD and it cut my time in half to 2.5 hours but still had to mow every 5-6 days. The 60” X-One cut my time down to 1 hour 45 minutes but this mower does not bog down and never clumps so I can mow less frequently and still get a nice looking lawn and field. In 5 years I logged 1000 hours on my lawn tractor. In 2 years I put 120 hours on the Raptor SD and have put 60 hours on my X-One in 2 years. Mowing is no longer a chore but something I enjoy.

I paid $2400 for my 46" Craftsman lawn tractor. The Raptor SD is a high end consumer model and was $3800 and the X-One was used and I paid $6800. New it was $10K with the upgrades that included a 31 hp Kawasaki engine and air ride seat.

 

[22R]

Bought a commercial Toro Zmaster 21 seasons ago. Under $300 in repairs (not counting batteries, belts and blades) Heavy spindles with cast iron housings. Often use it on small sticks, walnuts and tall weeds. Still going strong. Cost $7k at the time but I junked two mowers like the Husky before it only mowing grass on somewhat bumpy ground. They were also breaking frequently.

Spend more and don't look at Husky. Buy 1 good mower or 3 Husky types. I've found it's easy finding an excellent used car at a good price vs an excellent mower cheap.

To testify I bought a 2003 Exmark Lazer Z Commercial model brand new 17 years ago other than spindle bearings, Kohler main oil seals and the PTO switch it just keep going. I am over hauling the deck right now with new idler bearings, Spindle bearings and rust proofing the bottom but I can see it outlasting me. I gave 7K for it new. I also acquired a 1992 Kubota G1900 Garden Tractor last spring as a back up and love it but could never go back to using it for primary grass cutter after the ZTR.

22R

 

[riptides]

I want to be like you someday where I can just hang out with my mower deck.

To testify I bought a 2003 Exmark Lazer Z Commercial model brand new 17 years ago other than spindle bearings, Kohler main oil seals and the PTO switch it just keep going. I am over hauling the deck right now with new idler bearings, Spindle bearings and rust proofing the bottom but I can see it outlasting me. I gave 7K for it new. I also acquired a 1992 Kubota G1900 Garden Tractor last spring as a back up and love it but could never go back to using it for primary grass cutter after the ZTR.

22R

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[Maxify55]

In 2007 I bought a used Ferris 1000Z mower for $3500 w/400hrs on the clock.
In 2019 I sold it for $2500 & purchased a new Ferris IS2600Z (Yanmar diesel)
That's right. 12 yrs for $1000 mowing 7 acres in Florida.
The diesel is my last mower.
It's like mowing in your easy chair.

 

[Hay Dude]

In 2007 I bought a used Ferris 1000Z mower for $3500 w/400hrs on the clock.
In 2019 I sold it for $2500 & purchased a new Ferris IS2600Z (Yanmar diesel)
That's right. 12 yrs for $1000 mowing 7 acres in Florida.
The diesel is my last mower.
It's like mowing in your easy chair.

I think its the one mower Id take over Kubota ZD331.
A retired guy was selling a real beautiful Ferris Diesel for about 8000 on CL
It was sold in 4 hours.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Thx to all. I've said it before, this forum is priceless. Getting advice from someone knowledgeable with nothing to gain is the best!

A friend had a successful landscape business for 30:years, just retired.

He told me a bunch of things but, most important, wait till spring.

Bingo

 

[riptides]

...He told me a bunch of things but, most important, wait till spring.

Bingo

LOL. Well I would not buy a mower just to look at it over the winter.

I am a turn key and go sort of person.

 

[shooterdon]

Partially agree. I am a commercial user, but within the commercial user category, there are several philosophies.
One kind of owner (I would put myself in that category) like the BEST he can get. They are usually owner-operators. I believe Kubota, Ferris, Hustler, Grasshopper and a few others are in that category. Some commercial owners prefer a mix of commercial grade mower mixed with reliability and affordability. Particularly the ones who have hourly employees running those mowers. They know the employees are likely to not care as much and beat the mowers to death. They flip those mowers every 2-3 years and work with a dealer who gets them replacement new mowers regularly at discounted prices. I see a lot of ExMark and Hustler mowers run by the commercial crews with hourly employees. I rarely see a Ferris or Kubota run by an hourly employee mowing crew. I see a lot of Kubota, Ferris and Hoppers run by owner/operator crews.
I think Hustler makes mowers popular for O/O's or hourly employees.
Neither philosophy is bad and none of those mowers are a bad choice. I wouldnt disparage any of the brands mentioned. I simply am making an observation based on what I see in the lawn care business.

Interesting.

So the commercial mower built to take abuse are used by those who are careful and the more affordable mowers, that are not built to last, are used by people who will tear them up.

So, a "cheaper" mower ($5-6000?) used by people who do not care, lasts 2-3 years in commercial use. I assume that means about 25 hours a week for say 25 weeks in your area (625 hrs/year). 1250-1875 hours.

In my case, with 2 acres, I figure about 20-25 hours a year of use. A $5-6000 mower might last 60+ years???

I love seeing data that comes from those who do this for a living and run multiple machines. They have a far better history we can use to guide us. It "moderates" those who have $10-12k machines used 5 hours a week and rave about them to justify their choice.

Thanks for posting this. It has made my choice to "go cheaper" even more justified.

I tend to think like fried1765. At 70 years old, a $4000 mower will last forever...at least my forever. A $3000 mower may do the same! Even if I was 40 YO, a "residential" mower that lasts 20-25 years seems like a better way to go IMHO.

 

[shooterdon]

I mow 5 acres. 3 acres are broken up into 9 smaller areas with 40+ trees to mow around including 2 orchards with Apple, peach, plum and pear trees. 2 acres are wide open field. When I first started, it took me 5-6 hours with a 46” lawn tractor. I had to mow the field every 5 days or it would get too thick and tall for the lawn tractor and leave clumps everywhere. Then I upgraded to a 54” Hustler Raptor SD and it cut my time in half to 2.5 hours but still had to mow every 5-6 days. The 60” X-One cut my time down to 1 hour 45 minutes but this mower does not bog down and never clumps so I can mow less frequently and still get a nice looking lawn and field. In 5 years I logged 1000 hours on my lawn tractor. In 2 years I put 120 hours on the Raptor SD and have put 60 hours on my X-One in 2 years. Mowing is no longer a chore but something I enjoy.

I paid $2400 for my 46" Craftsman lawn tractor. The Raptor SD is a high end consumer model and was $3800 and the X-One was used and I paid $6800. New it was $10K with the upgrades that included a 31 hp Kawasaki engine and air ride seat.

Excellent information and thanks for responding. I have two acres with about two dozen trees, two patios, pond, waterfall to deal with. My 48" rider takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours to cut the lawn. It looks like a ZT like your Raptor will cut my time to about an hour or less and it is very affordable. No dealers in my area but I can narrow my choice to a consumer model.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I would agree a zero turn will cut your time in half from a lawn tractor. Hustler invested the zero turn mower and my experience with both the manufacturer and dealer in CT have been excellent. They have a dealer in your area in Gaylord MI.

 

[shooterdon]

I would agree a zero turn will cut your time in half from a lawn tractor. Hustler invested the zero turn mower and my experience with both the manufacturer and dealer in CT have been excellent. They have a dealer in your area in Gaylord MI.

They are like a TSC or Big Box store. No service and no spare parts.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Interesting.

So the commercial mower built to take abuse are used by those who are careful and the more affordable mowers, that are not built to last, are used by people who will tear them up.

So, a "cheaper" mower ($5-6000?) used by people who do not care, lasts 2-3 years in commercial use. I assume that means about 25 hours a week for say 25 weeks in your area (625 hrs/year). 1250-1875 hours.

In my case, with 2 acres, I figure about 20-25 hours a year of use. A $5-6000 mower might last 60+ years???

I love seeing data that comes from those who do this for a living and run multiple machines. They have a far better history we can use to guide us. It "moderates" those who have $10-12k machines used 5 hours a week and rave about them to justify their choice.

Thanks for posting this. It has made my choice to "go cheaper" even more justified.

I tend to think like fried1765. At 70 years old, a $4000 mower will last forever...at least my forever. A $3000 mower may do the same! Even if I was 40 YO, a "residential" mower that lasts 20-25 years seems like a better way to go IMHO.

The 3k mower is a YMMV kinda deal.......For those that have steep banks and long inclines those BB models with hydros that cannot get serviced may or may not last due to the strain on the hydros. If one has a fairly level residential type environment; then yeah no doubt a BB store machine will fit the bill.
the ZT2800/3100 hydro motors can be had in the 5k range and the fluid/filters can be serviced easily.
I'm in that same age group. Will a BB store machine hold up, for 10 to 20 years? Again it depends on the condition of the property, level little to no inclines, etc......but I'm still learning.....and have three more months to learn...so y'all keep it coming...!
Am I willing to roll the dice and hope it does. ??
all questions to ponder for the next three months then time to cough up loose change for a decision.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

I'm with you, I REALLY appreciate quality, and I'm willing to pay for it.

I have never cared for "get by" products, I'd rather own something that I enjoy using that also is made to last longer...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

We live in a great many different worlds and realities on this site. That is for sure.

Some people I think actually don't mind buying poor quality stuff. gives them the opportunity to buy something shiny and new that much sooner.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

Amen Brother... :drink:

 

[shooterdon]

I take my advise back since you seem to think it is all about lasting and price. You would never appreciate one of the more expensive machines that offer so much more than lasting and price for which I appreciate at my mature age and body with pain and less pain being big factors for which I'm willing to pay for since I've earned it.

Having a crippled up body puts a different rationale on selection. One that has nothing to do with how long a machine will do the job...it factors into how long the operator can do the job. Luckily, at 70, I am not at that stage yet. Also, with a relatively small flat area to mow, 2 acres, investing in a Cadillac mower seems silly.

If I ever get to the point I cannot endure an hour a week operating a mower, I have much bigger issues to deal with than getting grass cut.

The Country Clipper dealer offered to put in an upgraded seat for $350. This is on a $5k machine. Might be worth doing.

Btw, I used to have a Mercedes sedan. It was a wonderful car. I kept it for 20 years until I totaled it. It was a silly thing to buy,, but I drove a lot of miles and loved it. I look at high end ZT’s the same way. But I love cars a lot more than mowers. Most of us have just so many dollars to spend on stuff, so cost matters.

 

[Carl_NH]

I bought a Cub Cadet 1811 Hydro new in 1989, with a SB, 44" deck and plow for $2200 and that unit has 770 hours, with $4-500 in parts/maintenance over 31 years and it still runs/starts every time.

In 2010 got a new Ferris IS2000Z ZT with 25HP Kawasaki, for $7200 which has 360 hours in 10 years and very little cost other than blades and maintenance.

The Cub Cadet is my towing and mosquito spray rig with a mounted Stihl BP sprayer as I prefer not to lug 50LBS on my back anymore. The Ferris is the lawn machine and should easily last another 20 years with basic maintenance.

I prefer to buy good once, store it inside, and do regular maintenance, and they will last a long time.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm with you, I REALLY appreciate quality, and I'm willing to pay for it.

I have never cared for "get by" products, I'd rather own something that I enjoy using that also is made to last longer...

SR

I keep trying to talk myself into a Krone baler, which is the best, but thats a BIG pile of sheckles