Simplicity or Gravely

[ZGuy]

I am in the final throws of selecting a ZTR, I am going between:

- Simplicity ZT18H $3850
* 18HP Kohler Command Single Cylinder
* Dual pumps and wheel motors
* 44" Stamped 12Ga
* Pivot front axle with anti-Scalp wheels on deck

- Gravely ZT1944 $3699
* 19HP Kohler Command Twin Cylinder
* IZT Dual Transmission drive
* 44" Fab Deck 12Ga with anti-scalp wheels
* Pivot or fixed front axle with anti-Scalp wheels on deck

- Gravely ZT1844XL $4099
* 18HP Kohler Courage Single Cylinder
* Dual pumps and wheel motors
* 44" Fab Deck 12Ga with anti-scalp wheels on deck
* Fixed front axle

It is a hard choice since they all have pros and cons. I am throwing this out to the group for input based on first or second hand experience.

Thank you as always.

[Restrorob]

I am in the final throws of selecting a ZTR, I am going between:

- Simplicity ZT18H $3850
* 18HP Kohler Command Single Cylinder
* Dual pumps and wheel motors
* 44" Stamped 12Ga
* Pivot front axle with anti-Scalp wheels on deck

- Gravely ZT1944 $3699
* 19HP Kohler Command Twin Cylinder
* IZT Dual Transmission drive
* 44" Fab Deck 12Ga with anti-scalp wheels
* Pivot or fixed front axle with anti-Scalp wheels on deck

- Gravely ZT1844XL $4099
* 18HP Kohler Courage Single Cylinder
* Dual pumps and wheel motors
* 44" Fab Deck 12Ga with anti-scalp wheels on deck
* Fixed front axle

It is a hard choice since they all have pros and cons. I am throwing this out to the group for input based on first or second hand experience.

Thank you as always.

I don't know much about the Simplicity, But working for a EX Gravley dealer If I were you I'd run fast and hard away from a Gravley. It took me eight years to talk the boss into canning their junk. They to date still don't have a blade spindle assembly that will hold up and they seemed to be belt eaters.
Wished I had a quarter for every spindle I rebuilt over the years. lol
We now sell Dixie Choppers and I mite have 2 or 3 a month come in and then only for standard service or tire repairs.
Just my 2 cents !

[Mowingman]

I am a Gravely dealer, and I can tell you that in the last 2 years, Gravely has made huge changes for the good, in their homeowner ZTR's. We had the option of selling both Gravely and simplicity. Well, the simplicity was not something we wanted our name associated with for the most part.
The twin cyl. Command makes the 1944 a great choice. The deck is very well built, and we have seen no problems with the spindles in any machine we have sold in the last 2 years. Of course, they are not as heavy as the spindles on a commercial machine, but we have seen no problems from them, or from any other parts on those new homeowner Gravelys. They are a pretty solid and dependable machine.

[nmurph]

if you have a hustler dealer nearby, i would take a look at a mini fastrak or fasttrak. you will love the elegance of their simple and durable engineering.

[Smalltimer1]

If you can't get a Simplicity, get a John Deere. Gravely is a fly-by-night brand, they don't sell well enough at dealers here to stay more than a year or so, and the parts also are not sold there anymore once the line is dropped.

[Grandview]

I would pick the Simplicity. Simplicity makes good machines. They are popular around here. It is a local company. They maintain their value very well. Their cut is the best in the industry. I have a customer who just purchased a Gravelly. He can not get it to cut even. He has had it back to the dealer several times.

[Mowingman]

Don't pay any attention to smalltimer1. He is all mouth and no facts. Gravely has been in business for over 50 years. Gravely/ ASriens is not "Fly By Night". Maybe some of their dealers are not the best, but all major manufacturers of ZTR's fight that battle.

[ZGuy]

Thank you all for your input, although the opinions are varied they are true expereiences and that is what I was looking for. A last minute entry has come into play; Yazoo/Kees 48".

Does anyone have viewes on Yazoo/Kees that may be of use?

Thank you.

[Smalltimer1]

Don't pay any attention to smalltimer1. He is all mouth and no facts. Gravely has been in business for over 50 years. Gravely/ ASriens is not "Fly By Night". Maybe some of their dealers are not the best, but all major manufacturers of ZTR's fight that battle.


Simplicity has been around since 1922, FACT. Where are your FACTS?

Simplicity has been making riding mowers since 1939, FACT.

Gravely was still playing with push plows at that time. In FACT, they didn't even have a ride-on until 1958.

Please watch your MOUTH before you spout off.

[Smalltimer1]

I would pick the Simplicity. Simplicity makes good machines. They are popular around here. It is a local company. They maintain their value very well. Their cut is the best in the industry. I have a customer who just purchased a Gravelly. He can not get it to cut even. He has had it back to the dealer several times.


The idea with the Simplicities is that they have a long series of flat rollers across the back of the deck, keeping it from scalping and also ensuring for a even cut and is a natural at striping, without the need for a kit depending on the type of grass. They are good mowers if you are looking to jump in.

My personal preference is JD, but Simplicity isn't that far behind on the list.

I have a 1965 AC Big Ten that was made by Simplicity and it is still going strong today. I use it almost every day.

[waffletown20]

I have the gravely 1844xl and I love it. It's worth the money and is very close to commercial. My dealer service is great and is way better than any exmark or hustler dealer around. My dealer is great. He loves what I'm doing as far as starting my own business. He took off a 100 bucks for a "student rate". He also said if I ever get stuck or stranded they'll come pick up the mower for free and fix it. And none of that waiting in line, he assured me I would get commercial service and get it back that day or the next. All of this for no charge! I haven't had any problems yet so we'll see how the service really is. I've only gotten the blades sharpened which he did on the spot and showed me how to do it. I doubt many other dealers are that friendly but I'm sure it just has to do with the local dealer. Watch out for people who talk without owning a machine. It's easy for someone to tell you their opinions on a mower they've never ridden. I demoed a simplicity and liked the suspension but it seemed sort of flimsy. It didn't feel like it could handle commercial use. I myself stay away with stamped decks which are in the cubs and simplicitys. I think Yazoo is a good mower but I don't know much about it. I haven't heard any bad things but I've never seen them on a services trailer. Hope this helps!

[dfischer]

I tend to heavy research before I buy things, and am involved in selecting a Z as well. I'm not really in love with any of your selections, but at the price point/size you're at the simplicity is the easy leader.

For residential use I'd prefer a stamped deck.

Dealer quality and qty goto Sim.

Rep for quality machines goto Simplicity.

Right now, as my rather ignorant leve of understanding, my list of machine quality goes:

[dfischer]

So here's the post I intended:

I tend to heavy research before I buy things, and am involved in selecting a Z as well. I'm not really in love with any of your selections, but at the price point/size you're at the simplicity is the easy leader.

I'm not really into starting a war w/others that love their "fill in the blank", so let me tell you the Sim pluses I see.

For residential use I'd prefer a stamped deck.

Dealer quality and qty goto Sim.

Rep for quality machines goto Simplicity.

Right now, at my rather ignorant level of understanding, my list of machine quality goes:

Deere
Hustler/Land Pride
Simplicity/snapper
Toro/Exmark

I think Ferris might fit somewhere in below the hustler, but am unsure about them right now. The rest I've determined to be viable for many, but don't represent quality to me.

44" ain't much, and the Simplicity is bit slow. I assume it's a smaller (relative) yard? Can you get by with a used tractor? I can't imagine not having my deere 265 around, and when I buy a Z. I'm keeping the 265 for the movings trailors, boats, side hill cutting, etc... and the rest.

Can you find a used 717?

Good luck,

dan

[Redneckn]

I think the Gravely and simplicity are both good mowers. After working on them both for some time, I would rather own a Gravely if I were going to own a ZTR. I have no need for one, so I own a regular riding tractor.

I think your money would be better spent on the gravely. But, if your gravely dealer sucks, then you won't get good service and the same could be said for any brand.
Back at the farm in Louisiana, the Gravely dealers there are great, there are no real established simplicity dealers. the Exmark dealers are a-holes. the Deere dealers are even worse. just my own observations mind you.

now you know what 1 displaced redneck in Texas thinks.

[Sitnduck]

Which at your price of 4k you are in the ballpark.
Research your market area for what is supported by dealers, find several units that will fit your need and start watching E-bay and local ads.
I was in the market for awhile and was looking to purchase new but kept an eye on E-bay and recently got lucky.
I was narrowed down to the Gravely PM44Z and the Exmark Lazer 44Z.
Both have pros and cons for me and I was leaning towards the Exmark since it was only 1k more and had great dealer support/better equipped etc., but still above my target budget of 5k or below.
Up popped a Gravely PM34Z (2005 with 77 hours) on E-bay. It was within my home state. Since my homework was done, I went after this unit quickly.
I payed the sellers asking price of $3100.
It seemed like a great deal compared to the near 6k I was going to spend.
Yes, the unit needs a little TLC since it has seen 4.5 months of outdoor trailer storage but the discount was quite good from the dealers 4500 price. It came with mulch kit, 2 new sets of blades and 1 set well used, and the utility trailer hitch. And a tax savings...
Yes, it was smaller then my target size deck but this is a quick and nimble commercial unit that will still speed my mowing time up and is a more simple design which should aid in my own self being able to maintain the unit.
Thanks to all the positive comments from PM34Z owners to help me narrow my decision base.
(And I also looked at several of those same homeowner units but for that price I felt the Gravely 34 and 44Z commercial were about 1k more for alot more mower.)
Good luck and I hope you the best in your search.