Help me select a ZTR: Turf Tiger, Z149, or Lazer Z HP?

[Geordon]

I am looking at getting a ZTR for my own use on a 1 acre lawn. Will consider doing a couple of neighbor's, if they are interested.
Here is what I am looking at:

Scag Turf Tiger 52" 22HP LC Kawasaki, 2000 model demo w/ 260hours. Runs great, tires and paint are quite worn. $5900.

Toro Z Master Z149 52" 19HP Kawasaki, 2001 model, new. $5950.

eXmark Lazer Z HP 52" 23HP Kawasaki, 2002 model, 0 hrs. $7000.

I started out looking at Scag, until I read this forum, then took a look at the Toro and eXmark. The Scag only has 8" wide tires, and a fairy bumpy ride, though I like the dealer, and this has a little larger frame.

I am not a big Toro man, but the price seems good for a new unit, and the dealer is the same as for the Scag. He also carries Simplicity, where I almost bought the Legacy 25HP 60" tractor.

I will shortly get to demo the eXmark, so can't speak for the ride and handling. The dealer is just as convenient for me and friendly, though I haven't done business with before (he also sells JD). They are a much bigger outfit, and appear to move a lot of units, so are less generous on the price breaks, even this close to snow at the end of the season.

BTW, I currently mow with a mid-80's Simplicity 7117 garden tractor w/ 48" deck.

So, the question is... How would my money best be spent between these 3 choices?

Thanks,

Geordon

[awm]

buddy all three are good you are in a position to demo . look at them hard . i can tell you the exmark is hard to beat ,but i gotta believe the scag and toro are good to . do search on this forum.
then make your decision.

[Esby]

I would stay away from that demo unit with 260 hours......you just never know how hard it was used, especially if most of the hours were put on it by people who didn't own it and didn't care about it. I own a 2001 Exmark 52"/23 Kaw and absolutly love it. Depending on your budget, I would go for the Exmark, it just cant be beat.

[Southern Lawns]

I'm running Exmark 23 Kawasaki 60". Great machine! Nuff said!

[kroll]

For $1100.00 Diff. buy the new Exmark
on 1 acre it should last for ever (almost)
The others are good machines but with new you know what you have & what has been done to it.
and a warranty just in case because things can happen to any machine

[Tony]

Buy from the dealer you like, The 52" Toro w/19 HP Kawasaki engine would be a great choice. It will have a great resale value or trade in allowance if you ever move or decide to trade. The price is a very good one so happy mowing. Tony

[Sammy]

Geordon, You dealing with D&G in Mason ?

[Geordon]

Thanks for the responses. Here is some additional information:

All machines are under full warranty.

Yes, the Exmark is from D&G in Mason (3 mi from my house). Been working with Jason and Bill. The other dealer is about 6 mi away :)

Adding to the mix: D&G is dropping off an Exmark Turf Tracer HP ECS 17HP Kawa 52" tomorrow for me to try out over the weekend. ($4300 for demo w/ warranty). The Z's are definately fun to drive, but I figured for this much money, I better cover all the bases and see if I can live with a Hydro walk behind.

And to top it off, a neighbor has a 1-1/2 year old Scag Tiger Cub 21HP Kawa 52" w/ 150 hrs on it for $6500/BO.

Thanks for the help,

Geordon

[65hoss]

Exmark Lazer HP can't be beat! Makes cutting fun. Factory reps are great and they are always willing to help when needed. They have their act together, why do you think Toro bought them and have them build their Z units. Can't beat them, buy them!

[dhicks]

Go for the eXmark. However coma if you have access to a Hustler dealer, you may want to try the Huster Super-Z. The Hustler is one sweet machine.

[HacMan91]

I love my lazer Hp 52" 23 Kaw. Have a friend with a Z master and he likes his, hadnt had any problems that I know of. I dont know about the turf tiger but what I have read here 75% of the members have had problems with theirs.

[bruces]

I have a 52" 19hp Kawasaki Toro (sounds just like what you are looking at and identical price). I've been very happy, should last forever on one acre.
From what I understand the Exmark and Toro are very close in design.
For home use the extra $1100 would be hard to justify to me, but from what I see on here you should be very happy with the Exmark also. Also, Toro doesn't have the bagging/vac system like Exmark.

[Shady Brook]

I have a 52 Tiger with a 23 LC Kaw. It does not multch well in my opinion. I think the Tiger is basically a tank, indestructable. I think you pay for all the steel on them. I am sure all the machines would do well for you just the same. I agree the demo units can be scary, they get punished, and usually not well maintained. I have bought other peoples problems that way before. I don't think the Tiger cub is much of a bargain, it is not that much less then new, and no warrentee. Have fun!
Jay

[Larry Davis]

On the Scag demo .......... Only 260 hours and you say the paint and tires are bad??? I would stay away from this unit and maybe that dealer as well!

[LawnSmith]

i wouldnt buy a demo either but......GO SCAG OR GO HOME!!!! i have 350 hours on my 61 Tiger w/ out a hint of problems.

[Flex-Deck]

Geordon- If you plan on mowing other properties, I would give serious consideration to future side hills etc. I like my JD 455's They are stable and maneuverable. I demo'd a Dixie Chopper Flatlander, and it is fast, and in fact you can use it to dry your hair in the morning.

[fivestarlawnken]

If money is not an isue go for the exmark or toro.But if only mowing one acre a w/b will do just fine.It will take you way under an hour to mow with w/b. ZTR shouldn't take more than 20 min to mow an acre.

[Geordon]

Here's are the mowing times of my demos, so far.

My current Sovereign GT 48": 1.5 hrs
Scag Turf Tiger 52": 30 - 35 min
eXmark Turf Tracer 52": 40 - 45 min

The tractor time is with 2 years practice, while the ZTR and w/b are with only 1 or 2 hours of practice, so I would expect their time to go down a little as I learn the "tricks".

The w/b worked very well, especially in turning back and circling trees and shrubs, but to get the speed, I really have to walk at a good clip. Had the ground speed set at 3.5 to 4 (out of 6), and at times, it felt the eXmark was going faster than I was. Mowing in late evening in 60 degree weather isn't bad, but I would definitely have to slow it down when it is 80 degrees in the middle of summer (I always mow in the evening, and try to get done before the dew and darkness set in).

I tried a belt-drive Scag w/ a velke at dealer in their yard, but it was a lot more work that the eXmark. It had lower mounted pistol grip versus the higher handled ECS, which as very nice, and I didn't like how the velke spun me around when making turns. I looked at the Toro T-bar on the ProLine, but didn't try it -- looked too hokey to me. From these tests, I would say if I go with a w/b, the eXmark Turf Tracer w/ ECS would be the definite choice. However, it still won't blow snow. I looked at a two-stage self-propelled snow thrower, which is an option to using the tractor, but then I would be walking all year.

I will be making another pass across the lawn tomorrow with the Turf Tracer, so will update you then.

Geordon

[odin]

Whatever you buy dont get yhe turf tiger
sorriest machine i ever owned

[1MajorTom]

Odin,

Taken from the posting guidelines. (* Opinions that slam a manufacturer or product must be
backed up with facts!)

How bout explaining why you didn't like your turf tiger. That would be much more helpful to the readers than just saying it was a sorry machine.

[odin]

It scalpes and cuts terrible gear box went out even with amsoil gear
lube wheel motors went out
all this with only 100 hrs
sorry i broke the rules i didnt read them carefully
please for give the oversite

[Shawn Burns]

I had a Toro 252 23 Kohler 52" deck, a good machine. I now have a hustler z , an awesome machine! As far as the w/b it's all in what you get used to. Ran a exmark for a couple of years and loved it, now have a toro and don't know how i lived w/ out it! The best advice advice i can give is if you are going to use a sulky spend the money and get a hydro!

[Geordon]

Shawn,

You stated you had the 23 HP Kohler engine. My dealer has the 52" with a 19HP Kawasaki, or 23HP Kohler for $300 more, or 23HP Kawa for $450 more than the 19HP. Is the Kawa worth $150 more than the Kohler? Or will the 19HP Kawa be sufficient for primarily dry or evening dew mowing on flat any moderate slopes? What if I want to tow a 4' 900# roller or 4' core aerator? Will the additional horsepower be necessary?

Thanks,

Geordon

[odin]

geordon


I have a 19 kaw on a 48 in exmark and it has plenty of power
but then again its only 48.Id go for the 23 kaw,kohler is good to
despite the bad rep here lately.you can never get enougt power

hope this helps a little

[Esby]

The Kaw is deffinately a better engine. This is my opinion, but I think they have alot less problems and more power per hourse power. It was worth the extra money for me, why not for you???

[odin]

I agree kawasaki is better but kohler are a good engine.
the old magnum 20 hp was a great engine for me
but you are right kaw is better and would go with it