The Green Industry's Resource Center

rhyno77 · #1 04-05-2011, 07:49 PM

I have been reading up and researching mowers for what seems like a year now, but I am ready to buy now. I have narrowed my choices down but can't pick the final mower.

Situation: I have 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre to mow, fairly level, but lots of obstacles. I know I want a ztr with 48-54" cut with either a honda or kawasaki engine. I also have a budget of 5000, but my wife thinks 4000 and I might be able to squeeze to six. Here is my list:

Hustler Sport
Hustler FasTrak
Scag Freedom Z
Exmark Quest(but it has a stamped deck)
Exmark Pioneer E-Series
Toro Titan

So what I need is your expertise what to go with or avoid. I have quality dealers for all the above within 45 min of my location. Can you help me narrow down my list. Thanks for the help!

saw n mow · #2 04-05-2011, 10:02 PM

From your list, all you need for your yard size is the Hustler Sport...what you want could be different

. I have a Bad Boy MZ48 (which is very similar to the Sport) and about a 1/2 acre of mowable grass...perfect for me.

Kevin

mdale · #3 04-06-2011, 12:14 AM

Hey, if your looking at Hustlers go to Riggs in Lafayette and talk to Max. I bought a fastrak sd off of him last fall and have nothing but good to say about Riggs.

Popeye77 · #4 04-06-2011, 10:37 AM

Fastrak has a 4ry warranty solid machine, my first choice except for the price would be the Freedom Z

luckyrxc · #5 04-19-2011, 02:24 PM

Last May I purchased a 42" Sport with the 17.5 Briggs. I put 20 hours on the clock last year with no issues. Well, just one. It didn't track straight off the showroom floor but the fix was a simple adjustment.
I can't play the ZTR comparison game but can tell you that I am really happy with this purchase and it is a pleasure to use.

Capemay Eagle · #6 04-19-2011, 04:12 PM

For a 1/2 to 3/4 acre all you need is a 42" Sport or MZ! Save yourself a ton of money!

Chevy z71 · #7 04-19-2011, 06:01 PM

Scag power.

rhyno77 · #8 04-23-2011, 06:22 AM

Thanks for all the replies! I was all set to go the Hustler route, but then my wife decided to voice her opinion. She wants me to go talk to our local John Deere dealer since the hustler dealer is a about 45 min away. I saw the JD Z445 is comparable to the fastrak and is similar in price. Do you guys have any thoughts or suggestions on JD? Thanks again!

luckyrxc · #9 04-23-2011, 10:38 AM

Good morning,
I made my purchase last may so the details are a bit foggy but I compared the Fasttrac to the 445 and the Sport to the 225/245. Again the details are foggy but if I recall correctly in every case the JD was more expensive than the Hustler. Both the yellow ones had welded decks and the JD's had stamped decks (although thick). Again, the details are fuzzy but that is as I remember it.

Also, my JD dealer is 20 miles away and the nearest Hustler dealer is 2 miles away.

Note that I drove 240 miles round trip to buy mine and saved over $600.

I have a short and pretty steep side hill in my yard. One reason I chose the Sport is it seems to have the lowest center of gravity of the ZTR's. Makes my hill safe and easy to mow. I would be extra cool on a FT, but I don't need it.

rhyno77 · #10 04-26-2011, 10:16 AM

The newest twist in my search for the best ztr for me brought me to exmark. I have a demo set up for today on a 2010 Quest with 48" deck (fabricated not the new stamped one) but it has a 22hp Briggs ELS that makes me leary of it. I am also looking at the 2011 Pioneer E Series with 48' deck and 22 kawasaki engine. Any words of wisdom for or against either of these machines? Thanks!