My new ZTR under 5 grand

[Smitty58]

For anyone looking for a quality ztr without spending a fortune ,check these out. Picking one of these up today.
$4495+tax and a finance rate of 1.9% for 60 months.
www.simplicitymfg.com

[chevyman1]

piece of junk, don't do it!

[Smitty58]

chevyman- have you had one, or just claiming it junk because it isn't what you own? Please elaborate, before I sign on the dotted line.

[gogetter]

That's a homeowner model. How many lawns do you cut?

Remember, homeowner mowers are basically designed to cut one lawn a week. So although it may last a homeowner 10 years, you'd probably be lucky if it lasted you one year if it's used as your main mower.

For that money you could get a nice COMMERCIAL hydro walk behind mower with a sulky.

No way I'd spend that kind of money on a homeowner mower for commercial use.

[CamLand]

seems a bit small,is that being used for residential only?

[Smitty58]

Gogetter- it is a "homeowner" model ,but the only thing that is different on it is the deck and it doesn't have a kaw or kohler motor. It does have a b&s vanguard though. If you are not a full time guy it looks pretty good to me.

[Smitty58]

Camland - small? 50" deck 20hp is small?

[chevyman1]

listen to go-getter and get something else if you are planning on doing quite a few lawns per week. That's an ok machine for 2-3 a week use, but not for what we are talking about. Gogetter is right on dude, do some more research or go out and get a walkbehind made to run wide open all day

[Smitty58]

Ok, now you're making me paranoid. Would it be better to get a Exmark w/b hydro? I can get a 48" for around that price.

[ksland]

Do yourself a favor and buy a good Lazer Z or Hustler Z used for that price. A used Commercial ZTR will out last that model 5 to 1.

If you don't mow that many lawns why even spend that much to begin with? It will take you a long time to justify the initial cost.

[ksland]

If you want to go the Hydro Walk behind route, I bought a Husqvarna 48" Hydro with a 17hp Kawi for $3599

[65hoss]

Originally posted by Smitty58
For anyone looking for a quality ztr without spending a fortune ,check these out. Picking one of these up today.
$4495+tax and a finance rate of 1.9% for 60 months.
www.simplicitymfg.com

You don't even know about these mowers and you are posting about a "quality" machine. Yikes!!!

Spend the money on a good comm'l w/b or add some to it and get a real comm'l Z. Don't waste you money on something that is supposed to make you money.

[ElephantNest]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Ok, now you're making me paranoid. Would it be better to get a Exmark w/b hydro? I can get a 48" for around that price.

Yes

[win1free]

Nest,

Can you post a picture of your TTHP 36.

Troy

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Hello Smitty. I wanted to make a comment on this DONT!!! I went thru 3 homeowner mowers in 3 years before I learned my lesson. Last year this month I bought a John Deere 717 COMMERCIAL ztr for $5,900 and I have had zero problems with it. The other mowers no matter how much I took care of them wore slap out in a year. Had a Sabre that went thru 4 front ends, 2 engines, and 2 steering mech. in 1 year. The money I spent on these 3 mowers would have bought 1 good commercial ztr. Also the B and S engines are JUNK! Ive learned this the hard way. Tommorow a salesperson is bringing me a 737 JD with a 60 inch deck and a 23 Kaw. to look at for $6600. and to see what trade he will give me on my 133, if he gets down in the upper 5.s he might sell me one also at 5.9 fixed APR.If you are going to cut more than 2 yards a week go ahead and spend the extra 2 grand and get a decent commercial ztr. BTW Ithink the 717 that I gave 5900 for can be had for a little less now and I have had great service from it. Thers is only about 1500 difference in what your looking at and what I paid for mine. Once again please do yourself a favor and get a commercial ztr you will not be sorry!!! Good luck.

Danny
Quality Lawn Care

[QualityLawnCare4u]

BTW I forgot to add that mine has a 48 inch deck and a 19 kaw. Most folks here recommend a 60 ince deck but for my residentual yards the 48 is perfect for me. Done one today that has over 300 camilias in it and would just barely fit. I can mow,weedeat a 2 acre yard loaded with pines and azaleas in about 2 hours. You just have to decide what fits your needs and budget.
Danny

[ElephantNest]

Sure. Here y'a go. This thing will cut circles around that Simplicity.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Gogetter- it is a "homeowner" model ,but the only thing that is different on it is the deck and it doesn't have a kaw or kohler motor. It does have a b&s vanguard though. If you are not a full time guy it looks pretty good to me.

Errrrrrrrr, I'm sure it has IZT motor/pump combo hydro drives and not commerical separate pump and wheel motors. It's OK, but don't expect it to hold up like a commerical unit. It's also slower forward and reverse.
DP

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by ksland
If you want to go the Hydro Walk behind route, I bought a Husqvarna 48" Hydro with a 17hp Kawi for $3599

Same thing IZT combo drives and not commerical independent hydro drives.
DP

[Mataman]

you can get a commercial grade husqvarna 42in Z w/18 kaw for 5k.

[Smitty58]

Poorman - thanks, that is the kind of reply I was looking for. It seems some just want to slam ya if you don't buy "their" machine. No offense to anyone ,but this is only my 2nd year and although I have learned a lot ,I'm still learning. I picked it up last night to try it out. My dealer told me he would let me try it for a couple of days before signing off. I am considering getting a Exmark hydro w/b instead. After reading a bunch here that may be the better choice. I can't afford a comm. ztr right now. Thanks for all the good advice everyone ,again I'm learning. Thats what I love about this site.

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Hey Smitty, good luck in your decision.you have to make the decision thats best for your needs and income. My wife fussed at me for buying the cheaper mowers my first 3 years because they just did not hold up and Im a tightwad LOL when it comes to spending that kind of money! I wished I had bit the bullet and bought a commercial ztr my first year would have been better in the long run.

Dany Smith

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Poorman - thanks, that is the kind of reply I was looking for..

And there's part of your problem. You wanted an answer that "you liked" rather than the truth. As you said, this is your second year, which means you've got another 18 years before you learn what many of us have. To bad you've choosen to learn the "hard way".
Just so I can understand..... Why the heck don't you bother to care about listening to those of us that have 20 years of experience??? People wonder why guy's like me are sarcastic, or don't bother to post at all. It's because guy's like you with basically "no experience", don't give a horses behind about us that have 10/15/20 years experience and are "still in business".
DP
:blob2: :blob2:

[Doc Pete]

FWIW, Husky is new to the USA. They don't have a great customer service base or parts base, for that matter. Northern tool sells their stuff, which right there tells you how Husky will/may operate. It doesn't do any good to have a machine that parts are hard and/or impossible to get.
One reason Toro/exmark/scag are so popular is because they have dealers within about 20 minutes anywhere in the Country. When you're making $60/hour, if you have to wait for parts, you're out of business. As I continue to say, try listening to us old geezers.. we're not all A $ $ holes............ though, some may think. And, were aren't still in business after 20 years by accident.
DP

[jajwrigh]

junkity, junk, junk....don't buy homeowner mowers!!

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by jajwrigh
junkity, junk, junk....don't buy homeowner mowers!!

You need to realize if you have places like "Lowes" and "Northern Tool" selling Husky, customer support/parts ain't gonna easy to come by. Furthermore, authorized Husky Dealers, if they are any, will never give "full support" to a product that can be "low balled" by Lowes, Northern tool, and others like them.
DP

[gogetter]

Originally posted by Smitty58
It seems some just want to slam ya if you don't buy "their" machine.

Who's slamming you?!?! Dude, we're trying to HELP you. You've been on this site for a year, so you should have read it a thousand times already to pass on the homeowner stuff.

Pete nailed it, you wanted to hear what you wanted to hear. You weren't really looking for advice.

I think it would be fun and cool to run around on a ZTR too, but I can't afford a commercial one yet, so I use commercial wb's for now. I'm not gonna go out and buy a homeowner Z just so I can say "hey, I own a Z!".

Oh well, good luck. You'll probably need it.

[roadhawg3]

around here you can get a commercial Scag 48" ZTR for a around $5900. I wish I could afford one! thats really what I wanted, no doubt, But I went ahead and bought a "homeowners" 48" Z Husqurvana for around $2,700, it looks very similar to your simplicity. 17 hp B&S, but I dont mow maybe 3 or for yards a month. and yes, someone said B&S motors are junk, I have to agree. I am just hoping for the best.



1999 Ford F 150 4x4
1301 Yanmar tractor w/ 4' bush hog, 4' roto tiller, front end loader
Honda 21" WB
5x12 dump trailer

[robertyb]

Errrrrrrrr, I'm sure it has IZT motor/pump combo hydro drives and not commerical separate pump and wheel motors.

IS Independent Suspension with adjustable coil springs for a smooth, fast ride
Dual hydro pumps and wheel motors
Pivoting front axle follows contours of ground for better traction
Adjustable twin-lever controls for smooth and fast maneuvering
0-7 mph forward infinite speed range
6.5 gallon fuel tank for extended mowing time
7-position mower height-of-cut adjustment with transport lock
Commercial quality electric PTO clutch
Large, 20-inch drive tires provide a smooth ride and protect turf
Rugged casters with roller-bearings and 360° pivot for long life
Two-year limited warranty on machine and engine

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by robertyb
Errrrrrrrr, I'm sure it has IZT motor/pump combo hydro drives and not commerical separate pump and wheel motors.

IS Independent Suspension with adjustable coil springs for a smooth, fast ride
Dual hydro pumps and wheel motors
Pivoting front axle follows contours of ground for better traction
Adjustable twin-lever controls for smooth and fast maneuvering
0-7 mph forward infinite speed range
6.5 gallon fuel tank for extended mowing time
7-position mower height-of-cut adjustment with transport lock
Commercial quality electric PTO clutch
Large, 20-inch drive tires provide a smooth ride and protect turf
Rugged casters with roller-bearings and 360° pivot for long life
Two-year limited warranty on machine and engine

And a LAWN TRACTOR DECK:eek:

[robertyb]

Actually it is a 10 guage deck, rode one and it like to beat me to death. Just posted last post to show Doc Pete that it did have dual pumps, etc. It is definitely homeowner equipment only. I would gladly pay a couple thousand extra for quality equipment. Dealer priced that machine at $4,100.00 pre tax and a Grasshopper 220/52 or a Ferris IS1000/52 at $5,900.00 pre tax. If I decide to buy I will get the Grasshopper.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by robertyb
Actually it is a 10 guage deck, rode one and it like to beat me to death. Just posted last post to show Doc Pete that it did have dual pumps, etc. It is definitely homeowner equipment only. I would gladly pay a couple thousand extra for quality equipment. Dealer priced that machine at $4,100.00 pre tax and a Grasshopper 220/52 or a Ferris IS1000/52 at $5,900.00 pre tax. If I decide to buy I will get the Grasshopper.

Currently, the way things are, there's a lot of dual setups out there. It used to be basically just one type of pump and motor. Naturally, as you mention there are less expensive versions of almost everything now. Also, some are rebuildable, some are not.
Actually, I have a homeowner timecutter, it's more than $5,000 though with the blower unit and bagger, but I use it only about 20 times the whole year.
DP

[Smitty58]

Doc- whats the Husky talk about ,this isn't a husky. Did you look at the Simplicity or just assume that it's junk because it's not a commercial mower? I do value the pros opinions but sometimes it seems if someone goes against the norm. they are wrong. Why do we mow? To make money? This ztr will make money ,and maybe it won't last as long as a commercial ,then again maybe it will. Only time will tell. It's easy to get caught up in "keeping up with the jones" ,but that isn't always practical. Thanks for all the discussion in the end we do what think is best and hope for the best. Hopefully we make the right choices.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Doc- whats the Husky talk about ,this isn't a husky..
Sorry, someone started talking about a husky and price, and I ran with it.
DP

[ElephantNest]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Doc- whats the Husky talk about ,this isn't a husky. Did you look at the Simplicity or just assume that it's junk because it's not a commercial mower? I do value the pros opinions but sometimes it seems if someone goes against the norm. they are wrong. Why do we mow? To make money? This ztr will make money ,and maybe it won't last as long as a commercial ,then again maybe it will. Only time will tell. It's easy to get caught up in "keeping up with the jones" ,but that isn't always practical. Thanks for all the discussion in the end we do what think is best and hope for the best. Hopefully we make the right choices.


Last as long? Yeah, right.

If you "value the pro's opinions" so much, why don't you take it and buy a real commercial mower. If not, stop wasting your time, our time, and go buy that POS and be done with it. Learn the lesson yourself, we don't care. We tried to tell you......don't forget that.

[John Gamba]

Why ask if your NOT going to use an experienced opinion?? Please go and buy it. But if your looking for a CHEAP Comm rider look at gravelys 34Z.
John

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Why ask if your NOT going to use an experienced opinion?? Please go and buy it. But if your looking for a CHEAP Comm rider look at gravelys 34Z.
John

Its a ferris Z1000 With a simplicity Lawn tractor deck:p

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Its a ferris Z1000 With a simplicity Lawn tractor deck:p

Question:
Who owns what between Ferris, Simplicity, Derby and Gravely?
Thanks,
Pete

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by Doc Pete
Question:
Who owns what between Ferris, Simplicity, Derby and Gravely?
Thanks,
Pete

Simpicity owns Ferris, Giant vac and i think Snapper:eek: Is this what you are looking for??? Pete

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Simpicity owns Ferris, Giant vac and i think Snapper:eek: Is this what you are looking for??? Pete

Fine....And how does gravely fit in, and derby. Is Derby part of Simplicity or Ferris???
DP

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by Doc Pete
Fine....And how does gravely fit in, and derby. Is Derby part of Simplicity or Ferris???
DP

Pete
I think he is set on a rider??? Durby is simplicity with the ferris frame and the tractor deck. The only derby i have seen mow was last year and i felt so bad(This is an older guy) i Mowed up the clumps and cut the weeds with my lazer for him. He said he just got the mower and was going to bring it back.
If you are looking for a comm rider for around 4,000 dollars gravely makes a Z34.
John

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
If you are looking for a comm rider for around 4,000 dollars gravely makes a Z34.
John

I noticed one of the guy's mentioned you can get a commerical Husky rider for about $5,800. Interesting, I found out though the list on a Hustler mini Z is $7,100, you can get this full commerical unit (19hp 44") for under $6,000. Heck I'd go for the mini z in a heart beat instead of the Husky.
FWIW, I had a really long talk with Hustler about getting in the "real world" and begin "street pricing".
The problem arises because there are so many Exmark, etc. type dealers that first, you hear about their “buyable pricing” (not suggested list) and with all the dealers 15 minutes from each other they must be competitive.
However, because Hustler dealers are far and few between, notwithstanding that there are just fewer buyers, people think the list price is “the price”.
For this matter, many guy’s are losing out on very competitive pricing for Hustler’s compared to other machines, because they weigh the “list price of Hustlers” to the “bargain price of Exmark”.
DP

[CamLand]

Originally posted by Smitty58
Camland - small? 50" deck 20hp is small?

Yes...

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by Doc Pete
I noticed one of the guy's mentioned you can get a commerical Husky rider for about $5,800. Interesting, I found out though the list on a Hustler mini Z is $7,100, you can get this full commerical unit (19hp 44") for under $6,000. Heck I'd go for the mini z in a heart beat instead of the Husky.
FWIW, I had a really long talk with Hustler about getting in the "real world" and begin "street pricing".
The problem arises because there are so many Exmark, etc. type dealers that first, you hear about their “buyable pricing” (not suggested list) and with all the dealers 15 minutes from each other they must be competitive.
However, because Hustler dealers are far and few between, notwithstanding that there are just fewer buyers, people think the list price is “the price”.
For this matter, many guy’s are losing out on very competitive pricing for Hustler’s compared to other machines, because they weigh the “list price of Hustlers” to the “bargain price of Exmark”.
DP

Pete
You are talking 6,000 He is talking 4,000 Big difference.
John

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Pete
You are talking 6,000 He is talking 4,000 Big difference.
John

I really have started to drift a bit. :D I was talking about the commerical version at $5,800 and not the homeowner for $4,000.
DP

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by Doc Pete
I really have started to drift a bit. :D I was talking about the commerical version at $5,800 and not the homeowner for $4,000.
DP

Thats true:D But the gravely is commercial for 4200. It also fits threw a 36" gate!!
John

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Thats true:D But the gravely is commercial for 4200. It also fits threw a 36" gate!!
John

OK.... but you gotta wonder "where" are they cutting costs???? It's gotta be somewhere........
DP

[John Gamba]

Originally posted by Doc Pete
OK.... but you gotta wonder "where" are they cutting costs???? It's gotta be somewhere........
DP

Its a small deck and being small it has a small engine. Its half the size of a bigger rider at 8,000 so if its half then its 4200:eek:

[win1free]

Has anyone looked at the eXmark Lazer HP 44" 17hp or 20hp? Looks like it will fit thru 48" gates. Any comments on use or pricing?

Troy