help on deciding.....

[jixxxer]

I tried posting this in the hustle forum but it wont work for some reason; unless it post at a later time. Well if anyone wants to chime in here feel free. I have a 1.5 acres lot with a house and a few trees. Im trying to decide between the hustler fastrak 19/48 (kawai) or the fastrak super duty 23/48 (kawai), Im concerned with cutting time and durability. The price difference is about $1350 bucks.

[kaferhaus]

You don't need a commercial mower. I'd save a ton of money and buy a lawn tractor or residential (homeowner) grade ZTR like the Toro.

What you're looking at (either one of them) is way overkill. But it's your wallet.

[jixxxer]

well I have a lawn tractor; a john deere and I hate it! Its slow and never did cut really well.

[sslopok]

It is not overkill to have a mower with commercial parts for home use. You will get way more hours out of a hustler than some box store tractor. Not to mention the time saved over the tractor. I mow around 3 at my place and bought a scag due to the fact that my 2002 j.d. 48 inch/20 horse tractor felt whopped out after 400 hours. Sold it for $500.
The 19 horse kaw should be fine for you.

[kaferhaus]

Obviously it's your money and JD's "lawn tractors" aint' what they used to be... no doubt about that.

I know folks that have the homeowner ZTR's that are very happy with them and if taken care of should last a decade or longer for home use.

The other thing is the commercial mowers are very heavy... be prepared to tear the crap out of your lawn the first dozen or so times you use one. Even the homeowner ZTR's will easily damage your lawn but not near as bad as a 1,000lb mower will. And forget cutting it when it's wet or the ground is the least bit soft because you'll rut the hell out of it.

I've been doing this over 20yrs and If I only had a few acres to do each cut there's no way I'd own a commercial ZTR for that job. I'd buy a big comfortable lawn tractor that gave the best cut. I own 9 ZTRs, I cut MY lawn with a lawn tractor. Yep it takes longer, but it's a slightly nicer cut and it will not rut my lawn, scalp near as easy or tear chunks out of it with the slightest lapse in concentration as a heavy ZTR will.

And FYI, the better lawn tractors out there WILL cut at least as good as a commercial ZTR and many will cut better. The commercial mowers are built for SPEED and durability while providing a good quality cut. Anyone tells you different is blowing smoke.

We use ZTR's because time = money. If it weren't for that, they'd be no reason to own one.

[Coastal Lawn Maintenance]

We use ZTR's because time = money. If it weren't for that, they'd be no reason to own one i have to agree with him why we use the ztr. i also cut my lawn with a lawn tractor. it a lot cheaper and don't have to deal with the weight of the mower. but if it was me with the two choices u gave us i would go with the 23 48

[jixxxer]

Just had an issue thrown in. A guy is selling a 2006 Mini Z 44" with 19hp kawai commerical unit. It has 200 hours, mulch kit and in excellent cond. Price is 5K firm.........???

[jixxxer]

bought a scag freedom z w/ 19hp kawasaki and love it!!!!!!

[puppypaws]

I tried posting this in the hustle forum but it wont work for some reason; unless it post at a later time. Well if anyone wants to chime in here feel free. I have a 1.5 acres lot with a house and a few trees. Im trying to decide between the hustler fastrak 19/48 (kawai) or the fastrak super duty 23/48 (kawai), Im concerned with cutting time and durability. The price difference is about $1350 bucks.

Get the 23/48 and it will last the rest of your life. They are not padding caskets with money, if you have it to spend, get what you want. I'll promise you will never regret it (unless you get a lemon), come back after you put it to use and tell us how happy the 23/48 has made you.

[sslopok]

Welcome to the Freedom Z club. It is pretty exclusive since only a few of us have them:). I bought the 52/26hp. I didn't want to have to buy a mower anytime soon. That is why I spent more now.
congrats on the purchase

[topsites]

Just had an issue thrown in. A guy is selling a 2006 Mini Z 44" with 19hp kawai commerical unit. It has 200 hours, mulch kit and in excellent cond. Price is 5K firm.........???

Excellent is almost new...
"Excellent" condition means that the machine looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning.
This machine has never had any paint or body work and is free of rust.
No paint chipping, no dulling, no scratches, remember, it LOOKS NEW!
The machine has a clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection.
The engine compartment is squeaky clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects.
The machine also has complete and verifiable service records.
Less than 5% of all used machines fall into this category.

You sure that machine is in excellent condition?
Good condition, 4 thousand.

Oh I get a little bit firm too now.

[sosaysmorvant]

Just had an issue thrown in. A guy is selling a 2006 Mini Z 44" with 19hp kawai commerical unit. It has 200 hours, mulch kit and in excellent cond. Price is 5K firm.........???

Is this the mower on Louisiana Sportsman? I offered the guy $3900 for it....willing to pay $4000 or $4100 tops, but he is firm on $4900. I don't think he will find anyone at that price. I've consulted a few people and everything points to about 4K. BTW, from the looks of the pictures, it is good condition, not excellent (as topsites suggested).

Jixxxer - did you demo a bunch of mowers? It looks like we are in the market for the same type mower. I did not consider the Freedom as many say it is a residential mower.

I do not NEED a mower today, so I plan on finding a good used "gem".....I HOPE!

[DavidR]

The other thing is the commercial mowers are very heavy... be prepared to tear the crap out of your lawn the first dozen or so times you use one. Even the homeowner ZTR's will easily damage your lawn but not near as bad as a 1,000lb mower will. And forget cutting it when it's wet or the ground is the least bit soft because you'll rut the hell out of it.

We use ZTR's because time = money. If it weren't for that, they'd be no reason to own one.

So are you saying that you knowingly provide your customers with an inferior cut and rut their turf? To me, your argument doesn't hold much water. I sure hope your customers don't see this post:dizzy:


For me, I purchased a Walker mower two years ago to do my yard, which is almost 2 acres. It has really paid huge dividends for me since I have now been tasked with mowing other family members yards due to health reasons. But I have to say, I have not had a problem with ruts in any of the yards I have done.
FWIW it used to take almost 3 hours to complete my lawn. This past weekend it took about an hour (of course taking my time and cleaning the mower)

As previously stated, either mower would easily do your job. It is always nice to have a bit extra hp though.