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Encore Z34 OR Gravely 34Z????

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drkc27

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Deciding on the size was the easy part but on which one has been real difficult. I am an homeowner upgrading from a 21" toro to a 34" ZTR. Moved to a home with .5 acres and need the extra help due to a bad back.

I have a dealer selling the Encore for 3K with a 18hp Briggs. It comes in a 15hp Kawi too and some dealers I spoke to feel that the briggs is a piece of crap. No clue here.

The Gravely with 15hp kawi is a used one with just over 50hrs. I will go and demo one t'row. Again demoing a machine for 10 mins in a parking lot is obviously not the irght measure of a mower. hence I am here asking you gentlemen for advice.

So what are the major differences? Are they comparable? I think encore has higher ( 19000) blade tip speed.

HELP PLEASE!
 
#3 ·
I never had an experience with either machine but I can tell you all we run is Kawi's, they are smooth, powerfull and last quite a few years. I was looking at a 34" Gravley and it was also a demo with 19hrs on it, my dealer wanted 3800.00, whats your guy asking for it?
 
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#4 ·
I have not used one but there are several of the encore units around here. I have a good friend who has one for two years now. and loves the machine. He does around 100 residential yards weekly. and Has to my knowledge never had a breakdown. By the way he has the kawasaki engine.
 
#6 ·
imo the better buy is going to be the gravely they are built too last. and if you go for the encore please dont get the briggs they suck :angry: unless its a vanguard of course:weightlifter:
 
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#7 ·
So we are saying the Encore z-34 is a homeowner unit? I would say go with the kawasaki for sure but the Encore has better warranty than gravely! And at least here much better dealer and support! If you were looking at the larger prowler units I would say Encore hands down! But not sure on a 34" machine.
 
#8 ·
I own a Gravely 44z and I would run the kaw hands down over the b&s. I have never look at a Encore. right now I run 3 kaw 15,17,26lc the 17 has alot of power for the 44z. I don't like the front end washs out on hills. I use mine for a cemetery and trim mower and a few res. Great cheap back up ztr
 
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#9 ·
drkc27 said:
Deciding on the size was the easy part but on which one has been real difficult. I am an homeowner upgrading from a 21" toro to a 34" ZTR. Moved to a home with .5 acres and need the extra help due to a bad back.

I have a dealer selling the Encore for 3K with a 18hp Briggs. It comes in a 15hp Kawi too and some dealers I spoke to feel that the briggs is a piece of crap. No clue here.

The Gravely with 15hp kawi is a used one with just over 50hrs. I will go and demo one t'row. Again demoing a machine for 10 mins in a parking lot is obviously not the irght measure of a mower. hence I am here asking you gentlemen for advice.

So what are the major differences? Are they comparable? I think encore has higher ( 19000) blade tip speed.

HELP PLEASE!
Click to expand...
I've got the Kawi 19 on my ZTR and have to say it's a good engine so far. But it seems to me anything Kawasaki makes is good.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
The issue is that the Gravely is not sold by a Dealer. I did demo and it is the Gravely today and it was very responsive. The dealer quoted me $4600 out the door. The one with 50 hrs is considerably less. Man what do I do?

The Encore ofcourse is sold by a dealer and has the warranty but it is a briggs. Tried it too and it was OK. What do I do??

I guess my decision is finally going to hinge on which is a better built mower. Things a newbie like me noticed - Encore has more blade tip speed ( 19000 compared to 18000). I guess reliability is a question too. Aren't there anyone who actually uses or used an Encore on here????

Thanks for all your help.
 
#11 ·
you are only cutting one yard and you are the only one using the machine so it is not going to get beat up......i think 4600 is too much for a home owner cutting .5 maybe 4 times a month doing the growing season at most.....i would go with the 50hr unit regardless of the engine
 
#12 ·
Let me first say that I understand your dilemma. I too was looking at the encore z34 a couple of years ago, until I found the Gravely 34z, and I would have to say that you will not find a better, small, mid-mount z. It will run circles around the encore, and will last longer anyway so there is no need to worry about the warranty. I hope that this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, and I will help in any way that I can.
 
#14 ·
are you getting a warranty with the gravely? I would not think to much on blade speed. my 44 cut and discharges great
 
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#16 ·
I use and Encore Prowler and am totally sold on the machine! My buddy that has the Encore z-34 that I talked about earlier has just under 500hrs. I talked to him last night and he said he has only been broke down once and that was from mowing a manhole. Not the mowers fault. Replaced the spindle and kept running and is still running the original belts! I can't give a testimoney on the gravely because I have not seen anyone use any around here! But from what others are saying it sounds like a good machine.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Thank you all for all the help. I have committed to buying the Gravely and think am getting a pretty good deal for one with 42hrs -$2500. Is there anything I need to ask the seller for interms of original receipt of sale or service records or do I ask to talk to his dealer and ask about the machine???

Also to all the pros using the Gravely - does the fact that this mower has a fixed deck pose a problem?? I have read here about how a floating deck is way better than a fixed and how a fixed deck scalps lawns in uneven places - anybody experience this? What did you do to fix it??

Thanks in advance again.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thank you Lawn site members. I appreciate all the great advice and support given here. I have just purchased the Gravely 34Z for $2250 with 42hrs on it. Now I cannot wait to get my hands on the machine.

The mower is going to get to me with the fluids drained, is there anything I need to look for or do before I start her up?? The Gravely dealer nearest to me is 25miles away and was friendly but am not sure how he'd react now that I have purchased a used mower. Any thoughts on the 'to-do' list would be greatly appreciated.
 
#20 ·
drkc27 said:
Thank you Lawn site members. I appreciate all the great advice and support given here. I have just purchased the Gravely 34Z for $2250 with 42hrs on it. Now I cannot wait to get my hands on the machine.

The mower is going to get to me with the fluids drained, is there anything I need to look for or do before I start her up?? The Gravely dealer nearest to me is 25miles away and was friendly but am not sure how he'd react now that I have purchased a used mower. Any thoughts on the 'to-do' list would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Thats a great price. With that low of hours nothing needs to be done. We have had ours almost 2 years, they are great mowers.
 
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