Best $5,000 ZTR ?

[Mr. Babalu]

Hi,

I have a budget of approximately $5,000 for a new ZTR mower. Whats the best bang for the buck?

I will only use this mower at my personal residence (1 1/2acres) which I cut twice a week during the growing season. I currently use a JD LX188 (48" deck) Lawn Tractor with a 17 HP Liquid cooled Kawasaki motor. Its about 13 years old and is starting to show its age. The motor; while being reliable has always seemed to be a little underpowered, has always been hard to start and blown a lot of smoke on cold start up.

Thanks in advance to all of the folks "in the know" about the current crop of ZTR mowers.

Looking forward to your opinions and suggestions, Thanks again!

Bob

[JimQ]

If you want to buy new, for $5000, it's hard to beat the BadBoy ZT.

If you look around, $5000 should buy you a nice used commercial eXmark Lazer, Scag Turf Tiger, or Hustler Super Z.

Find a local dealer that will treat you right and buy something they will support.

Q

[Mr. Babalu]

Jim Q,

Thanks for the help.

[shotgunshane]

Look at Gravely in that price range. If you buy now out of season you can find some really good deals below your limit.
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[WREBELMACHINE]

Bob cat countryclipper Big Dog etc.

[dtc0207]

husqvarna mz or exmark quest

[LarryF]

I'm not much for buying using Ebay, but there's a company called SLE that advertises there and it seems to have some very reasonable prices.

http://stores.ebay.com/Southern-Mower-Sales__W0QQ_fsubZ8329305

One of them is a 54" Husqvarna with a 24HP Kohler engine for about $4200, and a trailer is even included in that price. I'm like you in that I'm a homeowner, so a trailer isn't really needed, but I have one and found it really handy at times. Many times, in fact. But SLE has several other brands if for some reason you don't especially like Husqvarna. Good luck.

[TurnerLawnCare]

My uncle has about 1-2 acre and has a Scag Freedom Z with the 48 in. deck and 17 hours Kawi. He loves it. I've mowed his yard with it and it mows real good. smoot controls and new they're right at 5000. Good luck. T. L. C.

[topsites]

Not to burst anyone's bubble but it doesn't really matter because it's ultimately
going to boil down to what your local outdoor power equipment dealer carries or
likes to carry, unless you feel like driving 100's of miles out of your way ...

Every time that thing breaks down or it needs a part or something that you ain't got or if it's something
that you can't fix, you will need a dealer that supports your machine, preferably local.

Same goes for the warranty, you go ahead and get a Ztr shipped to you and I'm telling you,
GFL finding someone in your area that will honor this warranty, and then what happens?

The thing is there aren't but so many of these dealers, some of us are lucky to have one within a 50 mile radius,
others are a bit more fortunate but it still almost always boils down to 2-3 guys within a reasonable driving distance.

So my advice is to seek out your local dealer, pay them a visit, and ask them these questions.

[TurnerLawnCare]

Good advice topsites

[Mr. Babalu]

The Bobcat ZTRs seem to be very popular (many dealers) in my area. I am drifting that way. Maybe a Fastcat Pro 61. They appear to be just over $6000.

Thanks for the ideas!

[eatonpcat]

61" sounds a little large in my opinion....Sounds like you will be doing alot of trimming (Although I don't know what your property is like).

[Mr. Babalu]

61" sounds a little large in my opinion....Sounds like you will be doing alot of trimming (Although I don't know what your property is like).

Will the 61inch be hard to manuver or is it just overkill for a 1 1/2 acre lot? I do have to cut in around alot of planting beds etc.
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[eatonpcat]

Will the 61inch be hard to manuver or is it just overkill for a 1 1/2 acre lot? I do have to cut in around alot of planting beds etc.
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Just my opinion, and believe me... 75% of the posters on here know more than I do (and they will be happy to agree with me on this), but I think you are limiting your maneuverability with that large of a deck!!

[lifetree]

I recommend looking at the SnapperPRO S50x machine with 48" deck and Kawasaki 19 HP engine ... I think you can get a brand new machine for right around $ 5,000 !!

[DJL50]

I purchased a Toro 400 ZTR called an "Estate" I have 2 1/2 acres and use it only for home use. It has been perfect for my needs. It is a 52" and I would not go any bigger. If I run it full speed I can mow it in an hour. But run at a slower speed most often for a 1 1/2 hour time.
This is a low end commercial mower built for the home owner with a lot of grass to mow.
I was worried about spending the money at first. I have always used a lawn tractor. But after purchasing I would buy another in a flash. Money very well spent because it use to take me two evenings after work each week to mow. Now I'm done in 1.5 hrs.

This is a link to a new model that is close to the one I have. Mine has smaller back wheels and a smaller seat but looks to be the same in the other ways. It cost me $5,600 in 2006 or 2007.

http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/zmaster/z400/74449.html

[Mr. Babalu]

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[dtc0207]

go with Exmark Quest

[GravelyGuy]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=305330

That is as good as it gets:laugh: Your close to me also.

[SouthernRoots_Lawn&Garden]

I got my Troy built with a 54'' deck for 3100 after taxes and thats brand new i use it commercialy for a year now and its never let me down.

[Mr. Babalu]

eatonpcat, Thanks for the advice.

[WREBELMACHINE]

Saw a Big Dog 54" for $4500 this past weekend nice looking machine and has hustler backing it.

[Mr. Babalu]

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

Bobcats and Gravely appear to have good support in my area (Chicago suburbs). So.......I am concentrating on those brands. The closest Bad-Boy dealer appears to have closed down and I was not impressed with the local Hustler dealer.

My local dealers don't have there 2010 stock in yet (still snowing). So I haven't been able to check out the ZTRs up close yet. Still thinking Bobcat-Fast cat pro 48" 19hp FX. Kaw. or possibly Gravely Pro-Turn 148XDZ (48'deck) and it has a 23hp FX Kaw. The dealer and a landscaper friend have said that the Gravelys are a good mower and have nice controls.

I like the idea of more hp motor on the Gravely. Is the 19hp on the Bobcat sufficient?

Also is the "FX" Kawasaki motor the best on the KAW. power-plants?

I have seen some promos for the 200 series gravely ZTR series and it states that the newer 2010 models have been upgraded (less part count than older models etc.). Do these changes also carry over to the Gravely 100 series ZTRs ?

Thanks for all the help,

Bob

[JustDamon]

I am mowing approximately the same size lot as you along with taking care of my mom's yard and just purchased the Gravely 152XDZi. It also has the 23hp Kaw and was about $200 more than the 148. I went with the 52 because the deck sticks out a little further on the left side for trimming. Gravely also comes with a suspension seat which is very comfy. Good luck with your decision.

[rcslawncare]

I'm not much for buying using Ebay, but there's a company called SLE that advertises there and it seems to have some very reasonable prices.

http://stores.ebay.com/Southern-Mower-Sales__W0QQ_fsubZ8329305

One of them is a 54" Husqvarna with a 24HP Kohler engine for about $4200, and a trailer is even included in that price. I'm like you in that I'm a homeowner, so a trailer isn't really needed, but I have one and found it really handy at times. Many times, in fact. But SLE has several other brands if for some reason you don't especially like Husqvarna. Good luck.

SLE does have some great deals on Toros, If I ever bought another, Id make the trip down to pick one up!

[chad56]

Scag 48" Freedom Z w/26hp Briggs ELS $4,999 plus tax
Fab deck 3yr warranty
Hard to beat.

[MONTE]

Dealer here has the Fastcat PRO 48" 19hp kaw. for $4999.99 and that is the pro model. Also 19hp is plenty of engine for a 48" machine.

[M & MD Lawn]

if you want to buy new, for $5000, it's hard to beat the badboy zt.

If you look around, $5000 should buy you a nice used commercial exmark lazer, scag turf tiger, or hustler super z.

Find a local dealer that will treat you right and buy something they will support.

Q

i agree, i paid 5000 for my lazer and has been a great mower!

[Mr. Babalu]

Scag 48" Freedom Z w/26hp Briggs ELS $4,999 plus tax
Fab deck 3yr warranty
Hard to beat.

Any problems with the Briggs motor on this mower?

I did a search and there seem to be some complaints about durability and the air intake system sucking in dirt.

Thanks,

Bob

[WREBELMACHINE]

Monte is right the Bobcat fastcat PRO is your best choice with the kaw engine and it has the heavy air cleaner on it. Also has a 5yr warranty home use.

The fastcat rz model is a 26hp briggs with a 3 yr warranty.

[chad56]

Any problems with the Briggs motor on this mower?

I did a search and there seem to be some complaints about durability and the air intake system sucking in dirt.

Thanks,

Bob

I have not seen any problems and have been around several of these units. Also Cub Cadet has the Z-Force 48" with Kohler/kawasaki for $3999 the motor depens if you get the new steerable verison

[dfischer]

1) Local dealer
2) I've heard enough mixed on gravely to wonder
3) I use 60" on 3/4 acre (great buy), wish it was 54"
4) Do make sure you have lots of overhang (deck width to wheel track)
5) A great used mower is better then a marginal new.
6) Always heard good things about toro and hustler.
7) Deere.

[Mr. Babalu]

I found out that the best $5,000 mower for me was a $6,000 Gravely Pro-Turn 148. I just picked it up Saturday. Its awesome. Super heavy duty for the $. I looked at 5k mowers from Exmark and Scag, and chose to spend 1K more to step up to the Gravely. If your in the market for a smaller commercial ZTR, make sure you check out the Gravely.

The jury is still out on long range durability etc.

Regards,

Bob

[CincyWolf]

You have three options and any of the three could work for you. You need to weigh the alternatives and choose the best fit for you.

1) Go with a high quality residential grade or a lower end commercial. Run it until the wheels fall off and don't worry about future resell.

2) Get a used upper end commercial unit that may still have some residual value in a few years since you won't be putting many hours on it.

3) Buy a new commercial ztr with all the sought after pro features. You can get some great homeowner warranties such as 5 years on a Toro G3 and if you move or just decide it is overkill or you want to hire someone to cut your lawn you actually have an asset you can sell and with low hours if you take care of it you can get a lot of your money back. This option only makes sense if you can get a really good deal up front.

[eatonpcat]

Good luck with the Gravely!!