ZTR Purchase

[femurphy77]

We are considering purchasing a ZTR mower. The only thing we know for sure is that we want a commercial grade unit. Beyond that we are thinking diesel powered. Anybody have any BTDT experiences, good or bad with any particular models? What should we look for? What should we look out for? We will be cutting 4 1/2 acres once it is delivered. Thanks for your insights!!

 

[Fletch]

We are considering purchasing a ZTR mower. The only thing we know for sure is that we want a commercial grade unit. Beyond that we are thinking diesel powered. Anybody have any BTDT experiences, good or bad with any particular models? What should we look for? What should we look out for? We will be cutting 4 1/2 acres once it is delivered. Thanks for your insights!!

I have a Scag. The thing is built like a tank and mows like a brush hog -- chops up little sticks like nobody's business, which is good for me cuz I ain't spending all day picking them up. I absolutely love it... the only problem is that I haven't figured out an easy way to get under it to remove/replace the blades and such. It's not shaped right to get up on my car ramps, so that's a puzzle I'm still working on.

 

[HandK]

Kuboto or John Deere, you will pay a little more they will last years beyond others and you will always be able to get parts!!

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Deere's commercial ZTR models are a newer endeavor for them. Always been a Deere fan but not in this instance. Skag, Dixie Chopper, and Exmark are all worth a look. I don't personally see the diesel as being an advantage with that amount of grass to cut. A water-cooled twin like a Kawasaki would serve you just as well - and this is coming from a diesel fan. If I was doing 10 acres I'd want diesel. I personally do not like the electric PTO - I've burned through on in a Deere and on a Cub Cadet. Dixie Chopper will alleviate you of that concern, and hey - they're built here in Indiana.

 

[IndyBeerman]

Dixie Chopper, they are tanks and bulit right here in Indiana.

Myself I have a Simplicity that is a residential model but of commerical quality. If I had a yard bigger than 1.2 would have gotten the Dixie.

Also I think Dixie Choppers have deck sizes up to 72 inches and also have diesel powered models. Heck I think they also have a propane power model!

 

[Fletch]

I have a big John Deere dealership just up the road from me, and nothing in their ZTR inventory compares with the Scag in terms of materials. I see a lot of thin metal and cheap-looking controls. Our Scag dealer is also a Kubota dealer, and both brands look truly heavy-duty. I've owned 2 JD mowers, but my next one will be another Scag or a Kubota.

 

[hornadylnl]

You might want to give Ariens a look. I don't know if they make anything that big or not. I've got a 40" zero turn that is really heavy duty and love it. My only complaint is that it is hard to start at 50 degrees or below. It will crank but not fast enough to fire. It is a 17 hp Kohler. It isn't an Ariens issue per se but a Kohler issue I believe. It could just be the starting system on this particular mower. I haven't really put much time into diagnosing the problem. When it's cold, I just give it a shot of either and it fires up. It's the best cutting mower I've ever had.

Another piece of advice I'd give is look for really wide front casters. Mine are kind of narrow and will eventually put grooves in my yard in the places that I go in the same direction all the time, especially around the edges of my yard. I try to change directions every week so it isn't too much of an issue for me.

 

[iamaclone45]

Take a look at the Ferris Industries ZTR. Not a really well known company but they make quality products. My parent's bought a Ferris ZTR a few years ago and with Ferris' suspension system you can run the ZTR at full throttle and the ride is smooth.

Seemed to be a really sold machine the few times I've mowed with it.

Ferris Industries Go The Extra Yard! - Commercial Mower Specialist - Independent Suspension Mowers

 

[Mr. Habib]

+1 for Ariens. I have one of their smaller ones and really like it. Since you specified commercial grade you should look at Gravely. They are the commercial grade of Ariens. They are made in the US and have been around since the 20's or 30's. I have a friend that has a Gravely that he bought new probably 30 years ago and it is a beast. It would probably survive mowing a mine field. Lots of home owners around here seem to have Dixie Choppers, none of the commercial guys that I see do. They mostly have Gravely, Skag, or Toro. The only one that I know personally test drove a Dixie and said that it was a waste time taking it off the trailer. He tried it for about 30 minutes and hated it.

 

[jaramia20]

 

[IndyBeerman]

Take a look at the Ferris Industries ZTR. Not a really well known company but they make quality products. My parent's bought a Ferris ZTR a few years ago and with Ferris' suspension system you can run the ZTR at full throttle and the ride is smooth.

Seemed to be a really sold machine the few times I've mowed with it.

Ferris Industries Go The Extra Yard! - Commercial Mower Specialist - Independent Suspension Mowers

Ferris is actually the commercial product of the Briggs and Straton mower line. Briggs also owns Simplicity and Snapper.

Ferris took the front suspension concept that Simplicity had on the front axle and put it on the rear also, now the higher end models of the Simplicity's have rear suspensions also.

I've had my Simplicity for 5 years and love it, wish they would have made a larger deck then. But if I had to due it all over again I'd go Dixie Chopper.

I bet I spent 5 months doing my own hands on at the time and would have bought a Dixie then but my wife was biotching about the money I spent to buy the Simplicity. My neighbor across the street has a Dixie now and is moving to a house with a smaller lot and we just might have a deal worked out to trade with a little cash thrown his way. His Dixie has a 60 inch deck and 24 hp motor and mine has a 44 inch with a 18hp motor so it would work out great.

Dixie Chopper also has the world's fastest mower, they mounted a Bell helicopter engine on it and mowed a entire High School football field during halftime of a game. Truly impressive!

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Lesco which is the same as a Cub Cadet Tank. I use mine for residential but it's a commercial model, so it has the fabricated deck, instead of the stamped steel, which I highly recommend. For 4 1/2 acres, I would think you would want a 60" or 72" deck. And finally, I am a fan of the Kawasaki engine. My

 

[Fletch]

For 4 1/2 acres, I would think you would want a 60" or 72" deck.

Buy the biggest deck you can afford. If you've got a choice, skimp on other features to get the bigger deck. You'll never regret it, in my experience.

 

[Tactical Dave]

Dixie is really nice but I am hearing their quality has been going down hill some. If you can find an older 60 inch model that is well taken care of jump on it.

They even have a 72 inch moddel, that sucker will make quick work of 4 acers.

Ferri's is know as pretty much the top of the line for commercial mower's.... Id only get one if you were going to cut crass for a living your the property is very bumpy just because it's not worth the money for anything else.

If your are just cutting that one property find a Scag, Dixie, whatever that is used but like 800 hour's or less and buy it.

The diesel engines will last longer but with just doing that one property even the gas engine will last a long time, for the cost and weight saving's I would get the gas. The 72's tend to drink the gas mrore but you are done faster. If the grass does not get out of control a lot you don't need the really big gas engine or the diesel... they are over kill unless the grass get's out of control. I ran a 72 inch Dixie once with 2 gas engines and that bad boy would cut threw reall think grass that was two feet long and folded over no problem......

I am also a fan of the Kawasaki engines. I would not worry about the deck construction unless you have a very bumpy property.

 

[MikeBear]

I've had a Dixon for over ten years. Until last fall I never had a problem. One of the hydro motors whet bad, but heck it's old. I rebuilt the motor and it is working just fine. I also agree, get the biggest deck you can. Mine is a 50" and I wish it was 100"

 

[Cemetery-man]

I have been using ZTR mowers commercially for over 19 years now. Our mowers run non-stop 6-7 hrs per day 5 days a week and are run HARD by operators that could care less how bad they treat them. For this reason I need mowers that can take enourmous abuse and yet remain dependable day after day with minimal maintenance and down-time.

Grasshopper mowers equipped with Kohler gas or diesel engines have held up really good but come with a high price tag. Cub Cadet wear out a little faster than most and develop "nagging" minor maint. issues often it seems. John Deere is a waste of money when it comes to their ZTR's, weaker frames, overpriced parts, came into the ZTR market late and still trying to catch up to the rest. Forget anything with a "Dane" name in it...... JUNK.

If I had to choose one brand of commercial ZTR mower I would probably go with a Hustler brand mower, with 61" deck and 23-25hp Kohler or Kawasaki engine. Built really, really good, oversized fuel tanks/tires, operator friendly controls/comfort, easy access maintence and an extremely fast mowing speed. They just don't seem to break down and can take the roughest use in the worst terrain. In my business, most mowers I have used need replaced every 3 years but the Hustler is now on it's 6th season and has only needed oil changes, fuel and blades and looks nearly as good as the day I purchased it. If your not catching your grass, then avoid rear discharge mowers for home use unless you enjoy raking wind-rowed grass clippings.

 

[Clay]

Exmark laser. Have two, built like tanks, run fast, cut smooth, and will eat anything. were the #1 selling commercial ztr at one time, but they dont build lower cost "home models" that im aware of.

 

[Fenway]

I have run Scag and Exmark ZTRs and a monster diesel Husqvarna ZTR. I don't think you can go wrong with a Scag or Exmark

 

[Bradsknives]

I mow 3 acres...I own a Scag Freedom model with a 19hp Kaw Engine...This will be my 3rd cutting season with it....It's a great mower. Before I bought it I looked at what the commerical lawn care companies were using...it was mostly Scag and Exmark.

 

[rudyman]

I have a WOODS 25 hp. 60 in. no problems .used it 8 yrs, belts and blades and oil changes . we mow about 2.5 acres. It has a kohler engine . Checked with a couple lawn care pros they said kaw or kohler engine the other stuff wears out faster.