Looking to buy a commercial zero turn! Which one???

[brodas3]

Well, in the spring I intend to fire up a landscaping business. I have done this in the past, and with the state of the economy and lay-off's the is the best thing for me to do.

My dilemma - I am in the market for a GOOD zero turn. I have money to spend, but with all that is out there - who the hell can decide? Here is what I have narrowed down so far;

Exmark LazerZ - Reputable. I see more and more of these all the time. Far more than anything else, and most guys swear by em.

Ferris - Comfortable! By far. I like the suspension, the fans, and whats with the five lugs on these versus four on everything else? They say it's stronger, but I have NEVER heard of anyone snapping any off on a 4 lug.

Bobcat - Have been making heavy commercial equipment for years! We had a Bobcat skid-steer that we beat the living crap out of, and couldn't bust it if we tried. Trust me, I'd say we tried. I don't think their intended use was EVER wheelies. We did em!

Dixie Chopper - This is the first zero turn I ever remember hearing about. People loved em.

Hustler? Dixie Chopper? Country Clipper? Great Dane?

Air cooled or liquid cooled? 44", 52", 54", 60", and god damn 72"! How much horsepower? 1/4 " plated deck? greasable or sealed spindles? what the hell ones have bushings in the front wheel spindles and which have bearings?
Which is the best motor? Kawasaki? Kohler? B&S? Gas or diesel?

:cry:How frickin confusing!! :hammerhead:

I am going to start out mainly residential. I live in an area where most people are at an acre and more. I have a few I do that are just over three acres, and I'm using a Lowe's bought JD lt120 tractor for that. I have a 36" metro walk behind for those narrow gated back yards. BUT, need something a bit bigger and faster. The people I do with over 3 acres, it takes me about all damn day to do it with that confounded JD! Cruise is nice, but it takes forever!

Thanks to Vioxx/Merck - I have the money to spend. I will definitely be buying something VERY slightly used. With the way the economy is, Christmas coming up, end of the season, I am sure to get a hell of a deal on a used one. I have an Exmark that I have looked at. It's a year and a half old, privately used on an acre and a half residential property by the home owner. It has 118 hours on it, 60" deck, 23 hp air cooled Kohler engine, for $4600 "NEGOTIABLE".

I am sure to get a deal. Right now, he who has the cash, has the gold! But WHICH WAY TO GO? I appreciate any ones input. Thank you in advance.

Ken

[brodas3]

Is there some site that has done a side by side comparison of commercial grade zero turn mowers? I can't seem to find anything like it. Where is the "Car & Driver" of zero turns?

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Let me make it real easy for you. The dealer that treats you like you are somebody and has great service. No matter what kind of mower you get without service it is useless. Don't buy from a sorry dealer that is a little cheaper than a great dealer. You will regret it big time when it tears up!

Also a decent dealer will let you demo one (not in my area except driving around the parking lot).

Exmark, Toro, Scag to mention a few all make great mowers but I would never own another exmark or toro because of poor dealer support.

[brodas3]

I know this is going to sound dumb, but I just got rid of a "scag" :nono: in my divorce! Now, I'd consider buying one? :laughing: Just a little pun fun!

[brodas3]

All joking aside, I'm well inclined mechanically. Really all I will need a dealer for is parts. I can do most of the work to these myself. The Exmark I'm familiar with a bit. That's probably why I sound like I am leaning that way. I ask these questions because I DON'T want to be making a mistake I will spend all year regretting. If I am wrong about the Exmark, I am open minded and will look at something else. I've been to a few dealers, and the one I got along with the best was a Gravely dealer! Just a bit more to add to the confusion. I did find a Gravely 260Z with 252 hours on it in great shape on eBay for $3400. I don't want to start out with a brand new one off of a dealer floor (just to loose 25% of value in 10 seconds). Maybe later in the season I will consider it, but not to start out. Appreciating the input!

[QualityLawnCare4u]

All joking aside, I'm well inclined mechanically. Really all I will need a dealer for is parts. I can do most of the work to these myself. The Exmark I'm familiar with a bit. That's probably why I sound like I am leaning that way. I ask these questions because I DON'T want to be making a mistake I will spend all year regretting. If I am wrong about the Exmark, I am open minded and will look at something else. I've been to a few dealers, and the one I got along with the best was a Gravely dealer! Just a bit more to add to the confusion. I did find a Gravely 260Z with 252 hours on it in great shape on eBay for $3400. I don't want to start out with a brand new one off of a dealer floor (just to loose 25% of value in 10 seconds). Maybe later in the season I will consider it, but not to start out. Appreciating the input!

That is a very good price on a 260z if its not hot. I also no longer buy new, I try to find a low hour mower that someone else decided that lawn care was not for them. Have picked up some fine mowers for half price. And about the scag:laugh:Yeah, I've had me share or them also. The kind you don't bring home to meet mom.

[brodas3]

Ya, except I married this one! Mom hated her! :laugh: Shoulda been a clue!

I don't think it's hot. Although the person selling it only has "2" feedback from buying & this is their first "selling" item. Thats a little scarey with them. I like the deal on the exmark, just don't like the 23hp weak engine. It's only got 118 hours on it. New? there's no point in it. You can either buy one off of a guy that feels he "made a mistake" or buy one that somebody bought for their home and personal use. You know, the ones with the "Tim Allen" syndrome. "I have an acre of lawn, and I want to do it in 15 minutes!". Then suddenly they're cash poor and this is one of the first things to go. That's what I'm looking for. Maybe, I have to rely on the good deal guiding me. As I said this is a start up machine. I may replace it in 6-8 months.

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Ya, except I married this one! Mom hated her! :laugh: Shoulda been a clue!

I don't think it's hot. Although the person selling it only has "2" feedback from buying & this is their first "selling" item. Thats a little scarey with them. I like the deal on the exmark, just don't like the 23hp weak engine. It's only got 118 hours on it. New? there's no point in it. You can either buy one off of a guy that feels he "made a mistake" or buy one that somebody bought for their home and personal use. You know, the ones with the "Tim Allen" syndrome. "I have an acre of lawn, and I want to do it in 15 minutes!". Then suddenly they're cash poor and this is one of the first things to go. That's what I'm looking for. Maybe, I have to rely on the good deal guiding me. As I said this is a start up machine. I may replace it in 6-8 months.

just don't like the 23hp weak engine

You did not like the 23? Mine only has a 19 and has decent power even when bagging. It will bog down a little if bagging thick or wet grass though. Now without the bagger it will cut threw anything I throw at it and I have cut some waste high grass with it.

[brodas3]

just don't like the 23hp weak engine

You did not like the 23? Mine only has a 19 and has decent power even when bagging. It will bog down a little if bagging thick or wet grass though. Now without the bagger it will cut threw anything I throw at it and I have cut some waste high grass with it.


I guess I've been reading the exmark vs. hustler forum posts too much. Everyone there is saying more hp, more hp, more hp. The OP was talking about a 26 hp. From what I am reading there the Hustlers 21cc hydro pump needs more HP compared to exmarks 12cc pump. When the superZ's blades are on, with smaller HP, it loses wheel power. It also looks like the xr7's deck isn't as good as the exmark. There! One elimination. From what I read the exmark is better than the hustler.

[QualityLawnCare4u]

I guess I've been reading the exmark vs. hustler forum posts too much. Everyone there is saying more hp, more hp, more hp. The OP was talking about a 26 hp. From what I am reading there the Hustlers 21cc hydro pump needs more HP compared to exmarks 12cc pump. When the superZ's blades are on, with smaller HP, it loses wheel power. It also looks like the xr7's deck isn't as good as the exmark. There! One elimination. From what I read the exmark is better than the hustler.

"Everyone there is saying more hp"

:laugh:You have been watching to many tool time shows:laugh: There is no such thing to a man as to much power. I know both my mowers have 19 kaw and they are adaquate. However, when mulching or bagging would like a little more power but for just throwing a 23 would work find. As far as Hustler's we have a hardware store here that sells them. Don't think I have seen a handful of LCO's using them. Not popular here so I can't say anything about them even though a lot of folks on here like them.

[brodas3]

I see that & they get really offended if you don't. We're both in about the same area. Seems it's all the yankees up north that like em though. Not too many hustlers down here. I haven't seen one anyway. I should have also stated that I intend to mulch whenever possible.

[QualityLawnCare4u]

I see that & they get really offended if you don't. We're both in about the same area. Seems it's all the yankees up north that like em though. Not too many hustlers down here. I haven't seen one anyway. I should have also stated that I intend to mulch whenever possible.

I had a 737 deere with the 23 kaw, 60" deck and ran a mulch kit year round and it had very adaquate power no matter what I cut with it including bahai. I also ran a mulch kit on an exmark with a 27 kohler and could tell any difference than the 23 kaw. The worst I used was a Toro with a 52 inch turbo force deck and a 27 kohler and it would bog down and shake badly in short grass. The deck design makes a big difference (along with the air flow and baffle system).

[QualityLawnCare4u]

I see that & they get really offended if you don't. We're both in about the same area. Seems it's all the yankees up north that like em though. Not too many hustlers down here. I haven't seen one anyway. I should have also stated that I intend to mulch whenever possible.

"Seems it's all the yankees"

:laugh:Careful there, there are a lot of "northern" folks on here:laugh:
I would like to show some of the folks up north what bahai and good cooking is. I know the exmark triton deck had a lot of problems with cool norther grass but down here have not heard to many complaints on them. However, I will still stay away from the triton unless it has been updated.

[QualityLawnCare4u]

To be honest on the mower though my first choice would be an Exmark if I had a half way decent dealer that was not 40 miles away. My closest scag dealer is also 40 miles away so I am very limited on mower choices.

[brodas3]

Well, then I better say this.... No offense intended. I have one brother that moved to Detroit (YUCK), and one that moved to Orange County, CA. I smoke. So, I think I'm banned from CA.

So, big difference between the triton and the ultra cut?

[brodas3]

Here are my dealers. So, not too bad


TATER'S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR
2440 BISHOP RD
LEWISBURG, TN 37091
Phone:931/276-2748
Fax:931/276-2732
Email:tater@united.net

150

13.3 Miles
KELTONS
2870 OLD FORT PARKWAY
MURFREESBORO, TN 37128
Phone:615/893-5125
Fax:615/893-5125
Email:jason@keltonsinc.com

150

18.1 Miles
COLUMBIA KUBOTA
1120 RIVERSIDE DR
COLUMBIA, TN 38401
Phone:931/388-3362
Fax:931/388-2340


150

22.6 Miles

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Well, then I better say this.... No offense intended. I have one brother that moved to Detroit (YUCK), and one that moved to Orange County, CA. I smoke. So, I think I'm banned from CA.

So, big difference between the triton and the ultra cut?

I have owned both the ultra cut(this would be my first choice) and now have the tri advantage. Both leave a beautiful cut except for one thing. They do not cut bahai well. My deere beats anything hands down on bahai but does not leave the clean manicured look as the exmark. On st augustin, centipede and burmuda the exmark leaves a great cut. I have never tried the triton so I can't say, just have heard a lot of folks were not happy with them. I was jk about the yank thing, most folks have a decent since of humor on here. Well, most of em:laugh:

[brodas3]

Man, people on here are also sensitive to you taking advantage of end of season and economic times to buy one used. With times like these I can pick up a really good, slightly used ZTR at quite a bargain. This Mow N Gow individual seems to call it "stealing". What an ass. If I buy used, I also save the $6-700 I would have to pay at Tennessee's 9.5% sales tax rate! Everything points to buying used a great idea. I also read o a site that to start I shouldn't buy anything but used. What the hell is the problem with that? I'd judge that "Mow N Go" has a dealer affiliation. Why else would this person get nasty and antagonistic just because I intend to buy a used ZTR?