Zero turn mowers

[wireman36]

I'm in the market for zero turn mower for my 2.0 acre lawn. Mostly
flat with a gentle slope in the back yard - all grass no trees.
I've look at many models and have narrowed it down to two
models based on dealer location / reputation. I want a high
quality mower with a high quality cut, want to tow a small poly
trailer if needed and mount a JRCO electric broadcast spreader on
the front. Keeping in mind the mower, spare parts/blades, cart,
JRCO spreader and tax (+ wanting to stay within my budget)
these are my choices:

Toro Z100 with the Kawi 19hp engine (w/deluxe air filter assy.)
and a 52" deck $5,700.00 (2003 leftover)

Scag Tiger Cub with Honda 24hp engine and 52" deck $7,199.00
(2003 model)

Scag Tiger Cub with 19hp Kawi engine and a 48" deck for
$6,100.00 (2003 model)

I want the best machine for my dollars and could use some guidance from people with more experiance than me. Also interested in the performance of these machines with a 200 pound rider and possible bagger kit.

[SodKing]

I wouldn't buy a Skag if they paid me for the machine.

The Toro I have used and found acceptable.

My choice is a Bobcat 48 - 52' mower. We have owned a 48 for 4 years and have yet to have a breakdown. You should also look into Walker and Hustler for some of the finest cuts in the biz

[lahanko]

wireman36,

Toro's the one

http://www.erectsaweb.com/thunderridge/BarTires/image3.jpg

[mowerconsultant]

You need to look at the Hustler Mini Z.
44 or 52 inch decks, 19hp to 24hp in the Mini Z.
Optional tow hitch, easily mount a spreader to the front of the unit.
12 gallons of fuel capacity, excellent slope handling, heaviest frame in the industry, HD filter is standard, automatic parking brake...and so many more features.
Do a search here on LS and you will see, this machine could be a great choice for you.
Where are you located in Upstate Ny ? I live in Syracuse.
We are adding more dealers in Ny every week.
The distributor for Hustler in Ny is in Syracuse.

Here are some models to look at:

Hustler Mini Z, 19HP Kawasaki / 44", STD seat (23" tire). > 927228 $7,195
Hustler Mini Z, 19HP Kawasaki / 52", STD seat (23" tire). > 927236 $7,295
Hustler Mini Z, 23HP Kawasaki / 52", STD seat (23" tire). > 927244 $7,795

These prices are full MSRP, I am sure you can get a much better price than anything else your looking at.
There are a limited amount of last years models (20" tire) at some even better prices.
E-mail me @ hustlerturfequipment@msn.com
I would be glad to answer any and all questions you may have.
You may even be able to consider the FasTrak, which is a residential ZTR, built like the commercial units with a different drive system, get the unit priced down there for people with tighter budgets, or smaller properties (5 acres or less).
Let me know.

Pj

http://www.hustlerturfequipment.com/images/products/hmz-image1.jpg

[65hoss]

eXmark or Hustler. The best and most innovative 2 companies in the business. You can't go wrong with either of them.



I vote eXmark. I think mowerconsultant would agree. hahahaha

[BigDave]

I agree, as usual, with 65hoss.

Dave

[brentsawyer]

Another popularity contest, I mean high school election, no I mean mower selection question. Wireman1, absolutely no offense to you whatsoever, but IMO, selection of a mower should not be up others who have different needs and ideas of what a mower should be. For example, I have a Scag and like it, love it whatever, no problems. The same is true for most Z owners who take care of there equip. But for example, I hate my exmark dealer and wouldn't mow any customers lawn w/ a Bobcat after seeing a customers neighbor of mine mowed with one. Stupid that I say this, probably, but you have to decide for yourself what is more important as most LCO have stuck with a brand of mower for quite some time and like customers once they find something they like, we buy, shout it out it and stick with it.

And why we do this, we don't like to admit costly mistakes, expecially when they are as costly as Z's and our time which is what we sell.

[philbarb]

Check out Dixie Chopper!!!

[Eagle3Fan]

I'm in a similar position as wireman36. My choices are below:

Exmark ZCT - 18 hp/44"......$4999
Exmark ZCT - 18 hp/48"......$5250
Hustler MiniZ (demo w/ 90 hours) - ? hp/52".....$5400
Toro Z100 - 18 hp/44"......$5400

I also am mowing 2 acres and mine is mostly flat. Any suggestions?

The Toro dealer owns a Exmark dealership as well. He told me the Toro owns Exmark and the Z100 he is quoting is identical to the Exmark ZCT 18/44 except the Toro has the larger pumps and wheel motors. I think he also said the tires are larger on the Toro and it has the commercial muffler. Additionally, he promised that in two weeks at a local Ag show he'll have factory discounts that'll be the best prices he'll have all year. All

[65hoss]

Originally posted by Eagle3Fan
I'm in a similar position as wireman36. My choices are below:

Exmark ZCT - 18 hp/44"......$4999
Exmark ZCT - 18 hp/48"......$5250
Hustler MiniZ (demo w/ 90 hours) - ? hp/52".....$5400
Toro Z100 - 18 hp/44"......$5400

I also am mowing 2 acres and mine is mostly flat. Any suggestions?

The Toro dealer owns a Exmark dealership as well. He told me the Toro owns Exmark and the Z100 he is quoting is identical to the Exmark ZCT 18/44 except the Toro has the larger pumps and wheel motors. I think he also said the tires are larger on the Toro and it has the commercial muffler. Additionally, he promised that in two weeks at a local Ag show he'll have factory discounts that'll be the best prices he'll have all year. All

Toro bought eXmark in 1997. They operate as 2 seperate companies. Exmark does make the tractor part of the Z for Toro and Toro puts their deck on it. The Z100 and the ZCT will be similar but not the same. I can't remember about the tires and wheel motors, but I can tell you the decks are different. The eXmark has the Tri-Advantage deck on it. There is no comparison between the deck on the Toro z100 and the eXmark. The eXmark deck is hands down better.

[Eagle3Fan]

65hoss,

So when deciding between the Toro Z100 and the Exmark ZCT, would you choose the better deck or the heavier duty pumps and motors?

What do you think of the Hustler Mini-Z?

[65hoss]

The wheel motors are not a big deal. Mostly it is about ground speed in those two mowers. The wheel pumps and motors are more than either of these machines really need. The better deck gives the better cut. The wheel motors are good on both machines.

I have said this many times before and I still believe it. If I ever change brands I would go to Hustler. They have great machines and are heavy duty. The decks are strong like the eXmark decks, not the stamped decks on the toro. The guys at Hustler are top notch. They want to build top notch machines.

You can't go wrong with any of the above machines if its what you like or need. I think eXmark and Hustler have the best of all of it where the Toro is lacking in deck only. Some people disagree, but most I know that have both toro and exmark like the cut of the eXmark better. Especially the stamp deck Toros. The new Fabricated deck on the Toro larger mower should be right in line with the others. But its not an issue for homeowners.

[faithfulFrank]

I too am a homeowner who just bought an Exmark HP 52"....a leftover from last year with only 4 hours on it. I pretty much bought this for my 2.5 acres, but may do some work on the side with it...I have done some outside work for the past few years. Now with a good mower, I may take it to the next level.
I'm in Western N.Y., and my exmark dealer is the best. As good as the exmark is, I would have bought anything almost that my dealer sold...and I took good looks at Dixie Chopper, Ferris, J.D., etc.
Do not underestimate the importance of service with a good dealer. To top it off, his prices are good....his quotes on the new 2004's are lower then what I'm seeing some of you post for leftover 2003's....and no, I do not work for him or anything...I just know that in this day and age, my dealer is a rare blessing.

[Crapgame]

faithfulFrank,

My guess is that wireman is located somewhere around Orange County, as I got a quote identical to his at a dealer in Newburgh. Thought that it might have been a coincedence, however, the exact same 16 hours and the exact same $7200 price quote seems too much to be a fluke.

Now, I really like that dealer. I am extremely pleased with their service on the snowblower I bought there last fall, but, the prices on their mowers are very, very high. Their snowblower prices seemed much more competitive.

If you'd be so kind as to e-mail me some more details about your dealer, I'd be interested in determining if it was worth the trip for me to visit my old college stomping grounds and maybe pickup a 2004 Lazer ZHP later this spring.

Thanks for your help.

Paul

[faithfulFrank]

Paul,
I sent you a private message because the forum did not let me just e-mail you.
My e-mail address is fdangelo@mac.com
Please e-mail me if you do not get my message so I can reply to you.
Thanks! Frank.

[Kady Landscape]

Wireman36,

I own a 2002 Scag Tiger Cub w/a 23hp Kawasaki and found it to be a wonderful machine. Very easy to work on and comfortable. SodKing doesn't know what he's talking about. Personally, if you are thinking about a collection system you will be frustrated with a lesser hp machine. Good Luck

[Crapgame]

Frank,

Got your PM. I will be e-mailing you shortly with a whole bunch more questions. Thanks for your quick and very informative response.

Paul

[burnandreturn]

Before I would buy any mower I would check with some LCO's about the service reputation of the dealer. Support is one of the most important issues with me. If it's broke I want it fixed, not excuses! After I located a good dealer, I would buy something they sold, within reason.

[wireman36]

Originally posted by burnandreturn
Before I would buy any mower I would check with some LCO's about the service reputation of the dealer. Support is one of the most important issues with me. If it's broke I want it fixed, not excuses! After I located a good dealer, I would buy something they sold, within reason.

[wireman36]

thanks for the response. My dealer is in in Newburgh N.Y. and this guy has fixed every piece of equipment he has ever sold me
even when I've broken it, done something stupid or just did not
operate it properly. I may have spent more than some people on
my new Exmark HP but I never have to worry about the repairs.

[burnandreturn]

That dearler is worth spending a few extra bucks with then.
Lots of people buy let's say Dell computers. I don't. I have a local computer outfit build all my systems. Costs a little more but when I have a problem I don't have to play the runaround came, one call and he's on it.

[lahanko]

wireman36,
I'm in Sullivan County NY, near Ellenville.
What Dealer?

[wireman36]

Sherwood's Power Equipment - "Chip Sherwood" is the owner.
I had bought a rear engine Toro rider 9-10 years ago, was going
to fast and hit a metal pipe that was sticking up. I just about went over the steering wheel and broke the deck carrier welds.
Chip picked it up re-welded the deck carrier and returned the mower - no charge / no discussion. Been using him ever since....