ZT buying help

[ACDNate]

Ok so I've got 5 acres total. I'd guess 4.25acres of that will be mowed. Mostly level but a few odd ball slopes, nothing very dramatic. Minimal obstructions and trees.

So I went to the semi-local (30min drive) dealer that carries Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, Toro and Bad Boy mowers. I was underwhelmed with the Husqvarna lineup that I saw there. The Cub Cadet seemed heavier built than the Husqvarna but not spectacular.

The Bad Boy looked much sturdier. The salesman showed me a MZ 48 with Kawasaki motor, sticker price $3,899.

After doing some reading on BadBoy's website it seems like jumping up a level to the ZT line is a pretty significant difference in mowers, including dual hydro pumps, larger fuel capacity, electric deck lift, heavier deck etc etc etc.

So then comes the matter of cost. I found a sight that lists more specific MSRPs. Here's what I found.

MZ 48 with Kawasaki $3,899

ZT 50" with B&S $4,499

ZT 60" with Kohler $4,999

ZT 50" with Kawasaki $5,199

ZT 60" with Kawasaki $5,299

I had hoped to stay around $4k, but I'm seeing a lot of extra going tot he ZT. I had wanted a Kawasaki engine but that has been mosly based on ignorance. I've never been a fan of B&S motors, although I've never owned a B&S Pro motor. I've also heard tales of nightmares with the Kohler Courage engines. The Kawasaki engine is the one I've never heard the first negative on.

For those in the know, Is it worth the extra $700 to go from a B&S to a Kawasaki?

Am I woefully ignorant of the capabilities of the B&S?

Would it be silly to not spend the extra $100 for the 10" of extra cut width?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[ACDNate]

Hello? Anyone home? :laughing:

So I'm pretty certain I'm going to pass on the MZ model and go with a ZT. Also think I'm going to go with a 50" for a couple of reasons, primarily the 60" won't fit on the trailer I have. Not that I'll have to move it on a trailer much, but just in case.

That leaves me with the engine conundrum still. I'm sort of leaning to the B&S for cost savings. Seems like good maintenance can make the difference in that motor...

 

[rjohnson82]

Sounds like your making a good choice. I've never heard anything bad about the bad boy mowers. Both the briggs and kaw motors are good as long as you take care of em. It doesn't seem like you are using this mower commercially so maintenance shouldn't be too hard to keep up on. Ive got a riding mower that is about 18 years old that has a 14.5 hp briggs on it and it has never given me an ounce of trouble and runs like new.
I just purchased my first zero turn last week and I love it!! Its also my first Kawasaki motor too. ZT mowers are Sooooo much easier and I wish I couldve gotten one sooner!

 

[ACDNate]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I was just looking for a little feedback. It's not often I spend this type of money without having a pretty good grasp of what I'm getting. Ignorance in a purchase like this makes me a bit nervous.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Look around your area to see what the lawn services folks use. Not a perfect indicator, but it is something. Also, heavy duty spindles and blades are important. The, how easy is it to change the oil, filters, etc.

 

[ACDNate]

FOr the most part in my area I see Exmark Lazers and Kubotas, unfortunatly both are out of my budget.

 

[ACDNate]

So I called the local dealer this afternoon. No ZT's in stock but he has an order in for quite a few in the Kohler and Kawasaki motors. Said he doesn't typically order the B&S motor ZT's as the last one he did order sat for months and was hard to move. Said he could order one for me but couldn't give me a timeline on how long it would take to get. Also said he couldn't give a 100% timeline on the Kohler's or Kawasaki's in the ZT series, except that they are on order.

We talked pricing and he said he didn't have any wiggle room on the ZTs. If what he said about half of the upcoming order being sold already is true, I can't imagine he would wiggle on price.

So I called up the next closest dealer. Got basically the same story but this dealer added that the 2 B&S ZT's he sold both came back to the shop within 3 months with engine issues, nothing major but still. He claimed he wasn't ordering them anymore either. Also quoted the same prices as the more local dealer.

 

[ACDNate]

So to follow up, i decided on a BadBoy ZT50 with the Kawasaki Engine. Dealer out of state purchased so I could save $380 on not paying sales tax. Pick it up today. :thumbsup:

 

[rsewill]

So to follow up, i decided on a BadBoy ZT50 with the Kawasaki Engine. Dealer out of state purchased so I could save $380 on not paying sales tax. Pick it up today. :thumbsup:

Good choice! Enjoy!!

 

[ACDNate]

Got around to the first mow yesterday. Took about 2.5hrs to do roughly 4 of 5 acres. Remaining either wet holding water or stuff I gotta go through to make sure no large rocks etc.

INitial results pretty good. Of course I felt like I was learning to walk for the first half hour or so. I did manage to not plow into anything, which I take as a small victory.