ZTR Purchase

[1946]

Definitely gotta go with the Kawasaki engine. Mine's rated at 2000 hrs. before rebuild.
I'm mowing 5 acres for the last 15 years and have 872 hrs. on the clock.

 

[Stove]

I have a dixie chopper. Knock on wood, been flawless for 4 years. Mows about 8 acres weekly. Mine is a 60 inch, 27 horse, owned it about 4 years.

For a deck under mower, my choices would be dixie, or exmark.

For deck in front I would go with a grass hopper.

For engine, if you were commercial maybe diesel, though I rarely see commercial guys with diesels. I would stick to a gas motor, and that is hard for me to say with a fleet of diesel trucks and tractors.

 

[k12lts]

I really like my Exmark. Mine's a commercial model but they build a lower priced machine for home use, I think it's around $4,000.

Look for a welded steel deck, not a stamped steel one. The Exmark decks do a really good job of cutting and have good vacuum to pull the grass up for an even cut.

Mine's a 52" deck with a 23 HP Kawasaki engine.

 

[22lr]

Get a Diesel Dixie Chopper. 7.1 acres an hour and the ability to tow a solid ton or gear. http://dixiechopper.com/media2/pdf/DIESEL_TEARSHEET_2010.pdf


The obligatory picture of their OCC chopper.

These mowers are a great way to regain the man card you lost when you bought the Prius.

 

[Noland]

If you are dead set on a diesel, I would look at the Grasshopper with the Kubota engine.

Personally, I think it would take you a heck of a long time wear out a good gasser mowing 4.5 acres per week.

A nice thing about ZTR shopping is that there are so many good ones in the commercial class, IMO.

 

[wolfman]

If you are dead set on a diesel, I would look at the Grasshopper with the Kubota engine.

Personally, I think it would take you a heck of a long time wear out a good gasser mowing 4.5 acres per week.

A nice thing about ZTR shopping is that there are so many good ones in the commercial class, IMO.

And there are several attachments you can get for this unit, including a snow blower.

 

[bouncerclub]

Ive owned 2 Dixies, and John Deere. Ive demoed a Ferris I really felt that while both the JD and the Ferris had a more comfortable ride you just couldn't compare the speed. I had a 60 inch dixie and a 60inch JD at the same time and when we would do a large property Id say the Dixie was mowing 65-70 percent of it. For that size of a yard though Id probably go with a 60inch Dixie. A 70in would get it done faster I suppose BUT maintenance is going to cost you more, the unit its self is a lot more, and If you have any wooded area its even less trees you can get between.

I do agree with some of the others the desire to get a diesel is a waste of money for your size lot.

 

[Indy500]

My brother has a Dixie Chopper with a gas engine and he loves it.

 

[Digital_photog]

The dealer we get them from sells Dixon., Scag, Grasshopper and Hustler.
We had a Grasshopper for 20 years. It was used for both commercial mowing and our oun property. 4 years ago we sold it to a neighbor who had less mowing. Went back to the dealer and upgraded to a Hustler 60 inch with Kawasaki engine. It has been very good for us. The only problem was last year the electric clutch failed but was replaced on warranty. OF the 4 they sell I think Scag or Hustler are built the best. We really like the Hustler, they are worth a look.

 

[Bradsknives]

Whatever mower you decide to go with (assuming it's a four cycle engine) I would strongly suggest that after the break in period (usually 50 hours) that you change over to Opti-4 engine lubricant in place of the regular oil (usually SAE 30). Optic-4 is a synthetic oil and they (Interlube International, Inc.) will extend your warranty period on internal engine parts to twice that offered by the engine manufacture. I have a 19hp Kaw on my Scag and I called Kaw before I started using it and they highly recommended it. It does cost a little more than regular SAE oil but for what you pay for a good ZTR...it's worth it to protect your investment.

 

[bft131]

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

+1 for Ferris..We bought one for the fire department 3 years ago, and firefighters can break anything!! We have not broken this yet, other then oil changes and blade sharpening it is an awsome mower..And Ferris does make a diesel mower. A friend of mine mows South Montgomery School Corp. grounds with one..it is also a great mower..

 

[JustOneMore]

Get a Diesel Dixie Chopper. 7.1 acres an hour and the ability to tow a solid ton or gear. http://dixiechopper.com/media2/pdf/DIESEL_TEARSHEET_2010.pdf


The obligatory picture of their OCC chopper.

These mowers are a great way to regain the man card you lost when you bought the Prius.

Funny thing is that bike sits in the Greencastle airport, and i have heard you can paw all over it and even sit on it if you want.

 

[marv]

Country Clipper. Commercial grade, deck can be flipped out vertical for cleaning and maintainence, ONE hand control by joystick.

 

[Ogre]

My parents have been mowing with a Dixon. 3 acres for the last 17 years, with only regular maintenance.

 

[bigcraig]

I own a Dixie Chopper with a 50" deck. It is used by my father to cut both our lawns, combined about 2.5ac. I have had for about 6 years, zero issues.

If I had to mow more than 8ac, I would get a Kubota diesel with a 60+" deck, as a friend of mine does just that and the combination works very well for him.

 

[22lr]

Funny thing is that bike sits in the Greencastle airport, and i have heard you can paw all over it and even sit on it if you want.

I have done that, I offered $3000 cash on the spot but they wouldn't sell for some reason.........

 

[Fletch]

I have done that, I offered $3000 cash on the spot but they wouldn't sell for some reason.........

Probably because it's worth many times that.

 

[Grass Cutter]

We mow about 80+ lawns per week and use Exmark w/gas engines and Kubota w/diesel engines. My choice on what mower to use starts with a dealer that I can work with. There are many good mowers to chose from but coming up with a local dealer that can support what you purchase for me is the important factor. Exmarks cut the best in my opinon and have held up nice for us. We have one with original engine over 2500 hours. The Kubota diesels are great because there is less to fuss over with the engine. It just runs and runs, however the price tag can sting. You can purchase off road diesel fuel to help make the diesel save you even more in fuel cost over gas engine. What is important is the dealer that backs up whatever you decide to buy.

 

[Field King]

I mow on the side, here is a few that I use or know others to use that are high quality, Ferris, Scag, Dixie Chopper, Exmark, Bobcat, stay commercial for quality and look for dealer support close to home!

 

[femurphy77]

I haven't seen anything about Husqvarnas commercial series in this thread, any info on those? We've now looked at several different brands and the Husqvarnas appear to be the most solidly built. We're starting to lean heavily towards the Kawasaki engine based on what has been said here and what we've read in our research. We've pretty much narrowed to Husqvarna, Ferris, and Kubota, all gas engined. The only Ferris dealer I spoke with gave me the impression that he thought I was stupid, while it may be true I don't pay people to treat me that way so I may try another Ferris dealer, irregardless I won't be buying from him. I'm going to be taking advantage of the 0% interest that they have all offered and have been approved by all so it is now a matter of demo rides. We'll be deciding in the next two weeks. Thanks all for your input!