Rookie needs assistance with possible mower purchase/trade...

[jason9696]

Hey everyone, I have a question for ya
Right now I have a John Deere X500 with a 48" deck and a bagger. I have 6 accounts that I do in my "spare time" after my F/T job. My own lawn is about 3 acres that I mow. I find that I am spending too much time mowing, and I'm also getting aggravated at getting tossed around on my bumpy mower.
So, I'm looking at a Hustler Trimstar w/ a 48" deck and 17hp motor. I would be trading in my JD for $2800, because it has some cosmetic damage and the deck is tweaked a lil. They want $4399 for the Trimstar.
Out of pocket would be $1599
My questions
Does this sound like a good deal?
Will this speed up my mowing time considerably?
Should I just buy a suspension seat for my X500 and keep it? ($500)
I'm looking for some real critical opinions here, lemme have 'em...

[xtoyz]

I've got an X534 that scoots pretty good. How fast does the trimstar go?

A 48" ZTR would probably be better. Sit-down, quick, and same width. I'm assuming you're sticking with a 48" deck for accessibility with your current accounts?

[Captain cut-some-grass]

I had a JD stx46 and traded upto a gravely 17-44 the deck was smaller but it took off quite a bit of time and that gravely sucked I now have a ferris and It nocked my time in half. Is that hustler commercial grade? if not It may be more trouble than its worth.That gravely wasnt and it would not stand up to the pressuer By the time that mower had 88hrs it had been in the shop 6 times for bull crap problems (i.e.) welds breaking,forks bending, and a list of others

[jason9696]

Yes, I believe the Hustler is commercial grade, it looks pretty beefy.
Anyone else? Should I be looking at ZTR ride-ons too? What would even be in the 5-6 range that wouldn't rattle my teeth out?

[jason9696]

The only reason I'm looking at 48" is that is what the dealer had on the lot.

[DillonsLawnCare]

well, a walkbehind is always good to start out with. thats what i started out with. but the walkbehind, youll want to buy a sulky(the thing you ride on) or you'lll just kill yourself. i would go and get it. its only $1600 out of pocket which is not bad for a commercial grade hydro walkbehind.

[jason9696]

^ That's what I thought, I was going to look at those Proslides, or Hustler sells one too.