xmark

[danl]

I mow about 5 acres with a Poulan Pro 48" lawn tractor, it recently ate a push rod and bent one.
I am trying to convince my wife we need a ztr.
It takes about 4 or 5 hours every week.

How good is the homeowner 52" xmark. The local dealer has them for $4500.00 after a rebate. I think it may be a quest although I didn't ask him over the phone what the model was.

He just said it was a good machine and it was homeowner version.

I need to cut the mowing time down a bunch..

[Green King]

Not sure what part of MO. you are at but I am in southwest and exmark is not that popular at least commercialy! However it should be a decent machine! You should look around however! Were I am Country Clipper is strong as is Scag Encore and Dixie Chopper! Also I know Country Clipper and Encore have 0% for 36months available!

[trublu]

The ExMark should fit your needs (wants) very well. There are many good consumer grade mowers on the market and most are offering 0% financing.

Just make sure you have a good dealer backing you. Some dealers lean more towards the commerical cutter and have tendences to put the homeowner on the back burner.

Whatever Z you pick, your mowing time WILL be cut by at least half

[JimmyG123]

I bought the 48" Exmark Quest two weeks ago.
Mow about 3 acres with lots of trees and irregular areas (not square).

This is my first ZTR and first step up from basic home-owner riding tractor/mower.

The dealer I went to offered to let me take one home and try out on my lawn. Didn't even have to ask. He even let me use his trailer.

I was blown away!
I intended to just mow for about 15 minutes, but ended up mowing my whole yard.
(When I got back to the dealer, he asked me if I mowed my whole yard. When I smiled and admitted I did, he laughed and said everybody that takes one home to test always does.)
Really did a good job standing the grass up (fescue) and cutting it same length.
The speed and turning ability is incredible compared to my old standard rider.
Don't know if I will cut my time in half, but it will definitely come down drastically.
And it is a heckuva lot of fun to drive.
Thinking about extending the yard further into the pasture to give me more seat time!!

Took a little time to get used to the ZTR. If you're not careful you can spin a tire in one place and end up tearing the grass up which will leave a bare spot.
I have mowed three times and feel I am past those early mistakes.

But the fun factor hasn't worn off the ZTR.
Much easier to use than I expected.
I used to get off my old mower sore (I'm 50)...not now.
Very little effort to steer it.

The Exmark Quest impressed me with how well it was built.
Haven't ridden any of the commercial Exmarks, or other brands, but this machine feels very strurdy.
Has me happy with my choice.

My advice is to shop around your local dealers and look at different brands.
Try to make a list of the pluses and minuses for each.

And without a doubt, do a test drive.
At home on your yard if possible.

Test drive is an absolute must.
Try to get your wife on it.
If she's like my wife, after the initial rush of adrenaline, the big smile on her face will tell you she thinks it's time for a ZTR too!

[Lawn-Sharks]

I bought a 48" Quest, because i wanted a small ztr with a 48" deck thats why i didnt buy the Phazer's (small deck). I have had no! troubles with the Quest at all, it has plenty of power and a nice fabricated tri -vantage deck and i use it for commercial & resi work. Now its not the only mower i own but it keeps up with my bigger commercial mowers on dependability & quality of cut. Heck i've seen a few LCO's in my area using them also!

[WREBELMACHINE]

I have a buddy that bought an Encore Fusion with the 48" deck on it and loves it! They are priced good with a good warrantyh and good financing!

[MONTE]

For $4500 I would sure look around! There are a lot of machines to check out! Around here Dixie Chopper Encore Scag Hustler and Counntry clipper are the ones to look at!

[ffemt1271]

you can get a commercial grade exmark lazer ct for $400 more

[dura to the max]

look at the bad boy mowers. for about 5k you can get their low end commercial mowers. 60", 26hp, built solid. the one i mentioned is sold at TSC, but the TSC stores that sell them are required to have a certified BB mechanic in town. so you dont have to worry about parts/mechanic etc...

the exmark is a great mower, but at 4-5k on a mower that is going to have to last you years i would shop around and weigh my options.

[MONTE]

well there are no tsc stores here in this area and you are right shop around a little! Service after the sale is very important!

[captn]

For less money, go with the Hustler.

A demo is all you need.

Cap

[Green King]

What does hustler have for less money?