Residential 42" ZTM - brand selection - reliability

[kirk_2892]

Originally Posted by ewarren423

if you can up the $ a bit i'd say gravely zt xl
why?
zt2800 vs EZT transaxles
fabricated deck
kawasaki engine

That is a nice mower. Too pricy for me. Can't do it.

[Capemay Eagle]

Originally Posted by kirk_2892

Does anybody know if the Dixie Chopper Zee 1 has 3 blades or 2?

Should be 2

[Capemay Eagle]

If you wind up buying the Dixie Chopper, I would try and upgrade to the 2342. The 23hp engine has twin cylinders, certainly a bit of an upgrade. Did you test ride the Zee 1 yet?

[kirk_2892]

What about an Iron Eagle 2044? I Found a Dixie Chopper Iron Eagle 2044 for $3499, new, old stock. It is only 300 more than Zee 1 I was looking at. How would this model compare to the 2342, about the same price.

[Capemay Eagle]

Originally Posted by kirk_2892

What about an Iron Eagle 2044? I Found a Dixie Chopper Iron Eagle 2044 for $3499, new, old stock. It is only 300 more than Zee 1 I was looking at. How would this model compare to the 2342, about the same price.

Jump on it!! bigger deck (44"), better hydros (ZT-2800's) better engine (Kohler) and it even has a chute block. The Iron Eagle is a much beefier machine, thing is a tank. Might be a couple of years old, but certainly more commercial grade. For the money it is a big step above the other.

[kirk_2892]

Finally got a hold of my friend that has the commercial mower service. He says in our area, the only two commercial brands that have close service and repair are Dixie Chopper and Bob-Cat.

He has a used Fast Cat 48" which is a little larger than I wanted, but I think will work. It has 800 hours in it and he says he doesn't need it because it is too small for his contracts. He wants to sell it and get a bigger one to replace it. Asking $2500.

I looked up online and don't know if this is a Fast Cat Pro or a Fast Cat RZ. I will have to ask. It has the Kawasaki motor.

[Capemay Eagle]

Originally Posted by kirk_2892

Finally got a hold of my friend that has the commercial mower service. He says in our area, the only two commercial brands that have close service and repair are Dixie Chopper and Bob-Cat.

He has a used Fast Cat 48" which is a little larger than I wanted, but I think will work. It has 800 hours in it and he says he doesn't need it because it is too small for his contracts. He wants to sell it and get a bigger one to replace it. Asking $2500.

I looked up online and don't know if this is a Fast Cat Pro or a Fast Cat RZ. I will have to ask. It has the Kawasaki motor.

I myself don't like used equipment, but that is me. 800 hours is pretty low for a good commercial machine, but for the money, I still like that Iron Eagle you found. The only thing I can see wrong with it is that it looks to have a single cylinder engine, but for light residential use, it will be fine. I had the same engine on my first Hustler and it ran like a top. The Dixie looks to have a good bumper to bumper warranty also.

Now on the flip side, if it is the ProCat, then you might have yourself a decent machine. From the Specs, it looks like the ProCat is the only one with a 48" cut with a Kawasaki option, depending on the year. BobCats are good reliable machines and the guys that use them in the industry seem to love em. I would ride them both and see what fits your needs. You have to weigh the option of getting a brand new machine with a good warranty, or get the better commercial machine with some milage and the chance that things could go wrong. You can also save a few bucks at that. Good luck

[kirk_2892]

I think I am going to call the guy tomorrow and make sure on the model number. I am pretty sure about getting this one. I like the heavy duty build of this machine. I like the guy who is selling it. Have gone to church with him for 10 years and I trust him.

[Turf Commando]

Don't you see a trend here? Your going through mowers because your buying cheap ones. Hustler sport is my selection it's more durable then those throw away mowers you listed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kirk_2892]

Originally Posted by Turf Commando

Don't you see a trend here? Your going through mowers because your buying cheap ones. Hustler sport is my selection it's more durable then those throw away mowers you listed.
Posted via Mobile Device

Are you saying that the Bob-Cat Fast Cat Pro is a throwaway machine? From what I see in the specs, the Hustler Sport looks like a nice residential machine and the Fast Cat Pro is a professional machine. I know that the Toro we had before was a throwaway machine and the two cheapo mowers we have now are too. I have a 20 year old Snapper rider that never fails to start each spring. It doesn't need a lot of work, and just keeps going. It isn't fast and is really clunky to run.

If weight is any indication about how well something is built... and it does indicate how much steel is in there. Let's compare:

Cub Cadet RZ 50 KW - 527 lbs
John Deere Z245 - 590 lbs
Dixie Chopper Zee 1 (2348) - 550 lbs
Hustler Sport (48") 594 lbs
Bob Cat Fast Cat - 766 lbs
Hustler Fasttrak Super Duty 48" - 835 lbs
Dixie Chopper Iron Eagle 2344 - 845 lbs