Best ZTR for large residential use

[bhogan]

I have just acquired a property with 4.5 acres of grass. the yard is mostly wide open with some rolling hills. The previous owner used a commercial operator who used a combination of walk behinds and ZTRs. It seems as though every mfg. has jumped on the ZTR bandwagon, so finding the best ZTR for the money is confusing. Most dealers recommend the commercial line, but I'm wondering if you stay with the good mfg.s like, Deere, Cub, Bob Cat, Skagg, etc, that this line might be ok for a residential user. I know to stay away from the big home improvement stores.

Anyway, I need some advice on what to look for in a ZTR that will meet the needs of a large property, but not overkill. Any thoughts on the Country Clipper line? Looking at the commercial guys trailers, I only see Xmark, Deere, Skagg, Ferris, and some Toro.

[PEVO]

Have U looked into Hustlers? A 60" Z or better yet a 60" Super-Z w/a kohler 28efi? Yea these are higher-end commercial mowers...but a used one could be just the ticket. I happened upon a Super-Z 60 w/the kohler 28efi that had 1100+ hours on it(04) model...for $2750.00 I spent around 200.00 on new anti-scalp wheels, a couple of cans of paint,(hustler yellow...$14.50 a can!) a couple of new filters & i'm set for years of mowing. I mow 7+acres & i'm kicking myself for not buying one sooner. I used to cut this with a old dixion 42 in ztr & a old ford tractor w/a 5' shredder deck. Needless to say, i cut my mowing time by 2/3!!! Search this forum for some of my posts for pictures of this mower right after i painted it. Search for threads by PEVO

[dbear]

I bought a Dixie Chopper Silver Eagle LT2700-60D. My only complaint with it is I run out of grass to cut too soon!

When I first got mine back in June(?), my grass had not been cut for probably 3 weeks (read at least 12" tall in places). The DC was an absolute beast in that tall, wet grass. After I let dry, I hit it again a couple more times, and was left with very little I had to rake up.

Before I got mine, I had heard/read all the complaints and negative comments about DCs from a few different forums, and was initially not going to even entertain a second look at them. But fortunately for me, I not only looked again, but demoed and bought one. The truth prevailed.

In hindsight, I now believe most of these derogatory statements about DCs to be either extremely out-dated experiences, or out-and-out lies. In fact, when I posed just such a question (Due to every company's commitment to continuing improvement in product development, when does one's experience with a particular make/model no longer hold any vaildity?), I received no answers.

For me, the DC was easily the most bang for the buck. I had looked at most other makes' small frame, full hydro not IZT, 60", min 23hp, and had pretty much narrowed it down to a Scag Tiger Cub (yes, they do actually make a 23hp 60" Cub - a model my local dealer actually didn't know was offered), and the LT2700-60D. The Scag was $1500 more, had at least a two week leadtime, and was not, despite the manufacturer feeling otherwise, considered by the dealer to be a good combination (they tried to sell me a 48" floor model instead). The DC dealer had probably two of each LT, and I lost count all the Coatesvilles, in stock. Okay, let me get this straight: more HP for less money, and it's in stock. Hello! This is a no-brainer. I checked one out a Saturday, demoed on the dealer's lot and bought one on the following Thursday, mowing my lawn by 1:30 Friday afternoon, and grinning from ear-to-ear by 1:31. Come to think of it, I'm still grinning every time I mow the lawn.

Check one out for yourself. If you like it and the dealer, buy it; if you don't, go someplace else.

[Landude]

I bought a 52" County Clipper in July. Cutting two acres, it's a great machine.
Joystick control and the deck flips to the front to clean or change blades. Take em all for a ride and find one that fits you.

[PEVO]

You need to demo 2-3 different brands to get a "feel" for the handling & quickness response of the sticks. I demoed a dixie chopper & it was a cutting beast,...But with it's rear tractor thread tires & fast respone sticks, It would tear up my turf every time i turned + the deck would snag my chainlink fence & rip it to hell (it acted like the fence wasn't even there) But the cut was good. So i settled on a 15mph hustler instead.

[Stan MI]

I cut roughly 8 acres with a TORO and love it, (283L) 60" deck.

I agree with the other post that said to try and demo as many as possible. Even if you purchase the least expensive ZTR your still going to be spending a lot of money. Better get something your really comfortable with.

What ever you get, make sure you have good dealer support for it.

[WREBELMACHINE]

There are a lot of good machines out there! Local support is important! As far as country clipper I am impressed with them and in my area they are getting popular fast! I am seeing more cutters using them all the time and everyone seems real happy with them. I have demoed one and I was supprised and impressed with the machine! They are definetly built stronger than first impressions! Probably the best kept secret in the ztr buisness!

[PEVO]

This is what i bought to mow up to 10+ acres. I mow between 5-6 every two weeks(during the growing season) & the rest about once a month. This is a 04 model Hustler Super-Z 60" kohler 28efi with 1100hrs on it when i bought it. I spent $2750.00 for the mower & spent a extra 200+ bucks on all new anti-scalp wheels, touch-up paint, filters..etc. I me it was money well spent!

[THEoneandonlyLawnRanger]

This is what i bought to mow up to 10+ acres. I mow between 5-6 every two weeks(during the growing season) & the rest about once a month. This is a 04 model Hustler Super-Z 60" kohler 28efi with 1100hrs on it when i bought it. I spent $2750.00 for the mower & spent a extra 200+ bucks on all new anti-scalp wheels, touch-up paint, filters..etc. I me it was money well spent!

You got an awesome deal on that. It looks Brand New!

[Tadams]

How much are you looking to spend? Do you have to have new or would you settle for used?

[MONTE]

There are a lot of good machines on the marker! But I am seeing one that seems to stand out as far a best bang for the dollar! And that is Country Clipper! I like the flip up deck and on there premium models the deck articulates! I do not know about the joystick I have drove the twin stick and it is nice!

[TNRider]

I was searching last year for a good mower for my 1.5 acres, after much searching ended up with a Country Clipper Charger, 52". I have some pretty steep slopes in my yard, this unit handles them easily. Very low CG. I did not know if I would like the joystick control, now love it. It does take a little getting used to, like the first cutting day. :laugh:

[retrodog]

Check out http://www.badboymowers.com/ Their quality of build and sheer pricing can't be beat.

[RGM]

Exmark lazar 60'' 9 years of service lawns 1-5 acres!

[WREBELMACHINE]

That is one thing that really stands out about country clipper is they will take a hill like no other mower!

[lifetree]

You got an awesome deal on that. It looks Brand New!

Yes, it does look like it is very well taken care of !! 1,100 hours when you bought it ?? How long have you had it and how many hours are on the machine now ??

[PEVO]

Yes, it does look like it is very well taken care of !! 1,100 hours when you bought it ?? How long have you had it and how many hours are on the machine now ??

I bought it last summer. I racked up about 70 more hrs. since then(needless to say it no longer looks as quite as nice as these pics). As to the shape of the mower? I replaced all the anti-scalp wheels(out of 6 only two were left intact...more or less) There were a couple of bent out-of-line parts in the foot lift peddle area(took em off & bent them back). Wheel bearings on one front castor were bad & other than filters & two cans of paint+some new anti skid stick-on footpads...i was ready to go mowing. Yes this mower was worked hard everyday...but due to the robust construction of this Super-z, you can see it didn't take all that much to fix it up. As far as the motor goes, very little smoke...& plenty of power left in it. I was at the dealer prior to buying this unit & i looked at a couple of Super-Zs that were in for service & other than a bunch of paint missing(older models had paint issues) they looked fine. These two belonged to a local 5A isd & they were used & abused just about everyday. That really impressed me as the how much these mowers can take in everyday mowing by inexperienced workers for a large School District & still function.

[Capemay Eagle]

I have to give Hustler some props. I had a small problem with some blowout with my new bag unit on my MFT. I contacted Pj in the Hustler forum and he took care of everything, even sent me a few gifts. I was also contacted by a few other Hustler reps and dealers that wanted to help as well. So this goes a long way with me. You can be assured that once you buy a Hustler, the company does not take the money and run, they will back up their product as best as they can. I also belive that Hustler still offers the best warranty in the industry. Demo a Hustler before you make a decision, I think you will like what you see..

[bbahun]

I personaly am a fan of Ferris mowers, but my only suggestion is find a dealer that will take care of you and then buy a mower from him. Most ZTR mowers are competative when it comes to cut, warrenty, engines ect. the difference is the dealer behind the mower.