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$3k Zero Turn Mower Budget: Hustler v Gravely v Cub Cadet v Toro for 2 acres in TN

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bhjm

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My wife and I are young new first-time homeowners. We had a home built and it just finished. It sits on just a tad under 2 acres. Our budget is $3k or under as this will be our first mower we have ever owned. We have a zero turn commercial grade mower at our family farm and we love the way it mows. My father has offered to give us an old Craftsman rider but I think going the zero turn route is better for the long term. We are in East Tennessee so our mowing months are a little longer then up North but nothing like they are in Florida. We would probably mow once a week.

So from what I've picked up on these threads so far is to stay away from Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears, etc.

With that said, I have a Gravely dealer right down the road from me. I also have a Toro & Cub Dealer about 15 min away. Every other dealer is an hour away. I really like the Hustler Raptor but knowing the dealer is so far away scares me. I did stop by the Gravely dealer and even though I'm not familiar with them they look like really nice mowers where-as the Cub looks pretty cheaply made.

So, given the choices, which would you go with?

Gravely ZT(50 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)
Toro TimeCutter(50 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)
Cub Cadet(50 inch deck, 24hp Kohler)
Hustler Raptor(52 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)

All your advice and input is helpful.

Thanks!
 
#6 ·
bhjm said:
Which dealer do you use? I'm an hour from Knoxville so if I needed it serviced thats a long haul. Hopefully that would never happen.
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Commercial Cutting in Maryville. You might go to Hustler's site and use their dealer locator if they have one. The guys are Commercial Cutting are first rate. Let me know if you have any questions about them and I will try to answer them for you.

Good luck.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
sjessen said:
Commercial Cutting in Maryville. You might go to Hustler's site and use their dealer locator if they have one. The guys are Commercial Cutting are first rate. Let me know if you have any questions about them and I will try to answer them for you.

Good luck.
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Thanks for that info. That's actually the dealer I had looked at if I decided on a Hustler. It's a good hours drive but we are in Knoxville a lot anyway and I happen to love Maryville. It's such a nice town.

Do you know if they will come down off MSRP on Hustlers? I'm just curious if I have any bargaining power before heading over there. And do you know much about the new Raptors besides them recommending them?

Thanks man!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#9 ·
I own 2 Toro Grandstands with 52" decks and 23 hp Kawasaki. I bought one 2 yrs ago and I liked it so much I bought a 2nd this past year. The only problem is they run about 7-8 grand but well worth it. I actually bought mine as brand new leftovers so I only paid 6k per, still over your budget, but I don't see how you'd get a good commercial new mower for 3k. I will add that I have also owned 2 Walker brand mowers over the years and I am much happier with the Toro GS. Good luck!
 
#11 ·
bhjm said:
Thanks for that info. That's actually the dealer I had looked at if I decided on a Hustler. It's a good hours drive but we are in Knoxville a lot anyway and I happen to love Maryville. It's such a nice town.

Do you know if they will come down off MSRP on Hustlers? I'm just curious if I have any bargaining power before heading over there. And do you know much about the new Raptors besides them recommending them?

Thanks man!
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Whatever they quote you is pretty much their price. I've never run Hustlers so cannot comment. They are good folk.
 
#13 ·
bhjm said:
My wife and I are young new first-time homeowners. We had a home built and it just finished. It sits on just a tad under 2 acres. Our budget is $3k or under as this will be our first mower we have ever owned. We have a zero turn commercial grade mower at our family farm and we love the way it mows. My father has offered to give us an old Craftsman rider but I think going the zero turn route is better for the long term. We are in East Tennessee so our mowing months are a little longer then up North but nothing like they are in Florida. We would probably mow once a week.

So from what I've picked up on these threads so far is to stay away from Lowe's, Home Depot, Sears, etc.

With that said, I have a Gravely dealer right down the road from me. I also have a Toro & Cub Dealer about 15 min away. Every other dealer is an hour away. I really like the Hustler Raptor but knowing the dealer is so far away scares me. I did stop by the Gravely dealer and even though I'm not familiar with them they look like really nice mowers where-as the Cub looks pretty cheaply made.

So, given the choices, which would you go with?

Gravely ZT(50 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)
Toro TimeCutter(50 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)
Cub Cadet(50 inch deck, 24hp Kohler)
Hustler Raptor(52 inch deck, 23hp Kawasaki)

All your advice and input is helpful.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I know what dealers you mentioned, but I'm sure you have a tractor supply nearby. I'd suggest doing what I did 5 years ago and go look at a Bad Boy MZ48. They are 3495.00. I have had mine for 5 cutting seasons now and for the money you cant beat them. Good luck from another Tennessean
 
#14 ·
My wife and I are in the exact same boat as you and I just can't pull the trigger. We have about 1.5 acres and it's mostly flat except the typical grading. What mower did you get?

I've been looking at these 3 b/t 48-52in.:
Toro Timecutter SS5000
Hustler Raptor
Gravely LT

I also looked at the Bad Boy and the dealer showed me a 2013 ZT Elite for $4,199 which looked like a beast, but it had a Kohler engine, which I've read weren't that great. Plus it's $1k more than I wanted to spend but it was mean looking in a good way.
 
#16 ·
Foothills Farmers Coop is a Husqvarna dealer not far from you. they have a Zero turn rz4824f, that comes with a 24 hp Kawasaki engine. fabricated 48 inch deck, 3 year on warranty. ok I would suggest at least checking it out, has many characteristics of commercial mower buy seems to be upper end residential mower. here is where it gets interesting the msrp on this model is 3699.95. through 4/30/2014 they are offering 0% financing for 48 months. I think you have to finance 3000.00 to get the 0%, but its still 0%.pay a little cash down get it to 3000.00 even and either pay off early or pay the 62.50 a month. negotiate price because that is the msrp. You may find this is the best way for you to get the most bang for the buck for the least, also on a payment that small have it direct withdrawn that avoids the finance company trying to adjust your rate up if it doesn't post on time.
 
#17 ·
pretty much all dealers currently offering 0% for 48 months now. I'd try to get a demo from each interested model and get the one you like best, dealer attitude is also important. Not sure if you have seen or would even consider but the Simplicity ZT2500 looks like pretty decent machine, front shock suspension also, around 3750.00. try as many as you can and go from there.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Marque said:
My wife and I are in the exact same boat as you and I just can't pull the trigger. We have about 1.5 acres and it's mostly flat except the typical grading. What mower did you get?

I've been looking at these 3 b/t 48-52in.:
Toro Timecutter SS5000
Hustler Raptor
Gravely LT

I also looked at the Bad Boy and the dealer showed me a 2013 ZT Elite for $4,199 which looked like a beast, but it had a Kohler engine, which I've read weren't that great. Plus it's $1k more than I wanted to spend but it was mean looking in a good way.
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We still havent pulled the trigger either. We are using my Dad's old mower for now until we decide. I really like the Gravely's. Someone local is selling a Gravely Zt 42 for $2,000 only 1 year old but I want a bigger deck then that. Our neighbor has a Toro and it looks pretty nice.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
crgstvrs said:
pretty much all dealers currently offering 0% for 48 months now. I'd try to get a demo from each interested model and get the one you like best, dealer attitude is also important. Not sure if you have seen or would even consider but the Simplicity ZT2500 looks like pretty decent machine, front shock suspension also, around 3750.00. try as many as you can and go from there.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Yeah they are all offering that financing. I can pay in cash but if i can get 0% might as well. I've been checking for gently used as well since I can get even bigger and better that way.
 
#20 ·
Well, I drove them all and went and bought a Toro MX5060 for $3,800 from a close Exmark/Toro dealer. I just felt that with a fab deck and servicable trannies I was getting the best bang for my buck. I did want to stay around $3k but I just wanted a fabbed deck (maybe it was just overkill or it just made me feel better). Since it was financed at 0% over 42 months the extra amount wasn't a deal breaker. Of course I have buyers remorse and wonder if I should have went Gravely or Hustler but I would have second guessed that buy as well.

I get it delivered this week so I'll update after I get a chance to mow with it.

Thx to everyone for the tips and advice that was given.
 
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