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Purchased a Gravely 44Z--My Thoughts and Comments

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ItalyEd

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
After much deliberation, I purchased a Gravely 44z this weekend. In fact, another Lawnsite guy went with me, and we both purchased one. Here are my thoughts after 6 hours of mowing this weekend:

1. The cut is fantastic and even. It gave my Texas yard a manicured, golf course cut;

2. The machine rides extremely well at about 6-7 miles per hour;

3. At full speed, 9 mph, the little bumps on my property are noticeable. But the cut quality is still super at full speed.

4. Manuvering on this thing is a piece of cake;

5. I now understand the importance of trim edge. I got a 44" deck and there's not much trim edge. Now that I've wacked my head on a few small branches, it makes sense. Next time, I'll just duck.

6. The Kawasaki 17hp engine is a MACHINE! Plenty of power and I think I have another 1-2 to go if I wanted.

7. Mowing my 4 acres has been cut from 5 hours to 2 1/2. I don't know how they calculate 4 acres per hour, but I don't see how. Sure, I have one acre that's totally empty, no trees, just straight away. I zipped through that in about 20 minutes flat. Incredible.

8. As I was cutting and enjoying the machine, i found myself daydreaming of owing a Gravely 260/272. Arrrr, Arrrr, Arrrrr....

9. Last, for those of you who have asked or read about the 44Z frame being narrow and sliding on inclines, it does. I have a normal ditch in my front yard, cutting sideways results in sliding. Going at it from a straight line is no problem at all.

10. We'll have to wait and see about the dependability, durability factor, but so far, so good!

Thanks for all your input.

ItalyEd
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Oh yea, one last thing....price. I got a price from a dealer in Waco, Texas that beat anything I've seen posted on this board. Call Travis or Curtis at Lanscape Supply. There's a reason they sold two on Saturday!
 
#5 ·
Congrats man! We just got a new 34Z for our gated yards. Today was its first day of use. This thing cuts like a dream. We mowed some slopes with it with out any problems. But I wouldnt dare try and do anything steep with it.
 
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#7 ·
Glad you like it Ed......

I've only got about 12 hours on mine...No problems to report.....still happy with it..

My buddy has the 34z with about 30 hours on it...No problems either..

Did you get the mulching kit with it..??

This afternoon....Only cut 4 today....

Image
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
FFEMT,

I didn't get the mulching kit but I ordered the mulching blades. I have 4 acres of Texas pasture/farm grass that looks really good when its cut low and the trimmings are minimized. I'll include a pic of the yard as soon as we get 1 good rain! LOL
 
#12 ·
Congratulations! My father has a 260z he bought early this spring and it's an awesome machine. Gravely builds a fine product.

How did things end up with the guy from Canada? I know you were looking at a used exMark and obviously you opted for the Gravely (good decision in my view!). Did you have concerns that caused you to change your mind?

Again, enjoy your new ride - it looks great.
 
#13 ·
I picked up the other 44Z with Ed.
BTW Ed is a straight up good ol boy from Texas. You would have to look for a while to find a nicer person.

Anyway at first I was not very impressed with the ride quality and the traction on slopes. I reduced the air pressure in the rear to 12 psi and 15 on the front. Much better ride and traction and improved control. It was at 20 on the rear and 25 on the front.

I am very happy with the Gravely and I am sure my kids will be mowing with it long after I am pushing up DaisyÂ’s. Cut quality is good and even with the stock blades. Just need to fabricate a OCDC and I will be rocking.

Take Care,
D
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Steve 1,

To know the whole story about the Exmark from Canada, read my thread about 1 week ago. In short, the mower and guy were a total scam. I was saved from a $4000 disaster by BigD above.

It turns out, Ebay tells me, the real culprit was not even the guy who purported to sell me the mower. His name, identity and history was hijacked by someone illegally. However, because money was not exchanged and the guys behind the scenes were not really Ebay users, Ebay cannot do anything to the seller.

Thanks for asking.

ItalyEd
 
#15 ·
Hey Ed,
How are those lights bud?
Can you mow the back 40 in the middle of the night or just transport the mower? Would you do the lights again in hindsight?

Do you wish you had picked up the 144 instead? I know you were eyeing the hydraulic lift deck pretty hard.

Finally, let some air out of those tires. Made a big difference on mine.

BTW I am working a lead on a guy that will make canopies we just need to figure out how to mount them.

Thanks
D
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
BigD,

I mowed perfectly the other night from 9pm-11:30 pm. The lights illuminated the yard, trees, everything. They work extremely well and even with the ride and terrain, kept everything well lit. As you will recall from being at my home, I was able to completely mow around my peach orchard without any problems.

For those of you wondering, I had the Gravely Dealer install the standard Gravely commercial lights for an extra $70.00
 
#17 ·
Originally posted by jestermg
144z no problems here either. Seems to be a great machine except for the one poster who may have a lemon.

IT is however a pretty rough ride. What tire pressure are you guys running in the fronts and backs?
Click to expand...
ya i do have a lemon thats for sure:mad:. The thing that worked best for me was dropping PSI to 12 and 15. If it cut clean and nice the machine would be rockin!! I just bought a gravely 36 WB and if my 144z had the cut of the 36 i would be on cloud 9:angel:

Trevor
 
#18 ·
ItalyEd - bigd_0457 and txlawnking

What up from your local WOLFMAN? - used to live in Waco BUT went Whacko (at Ted Nugent’s concert – yeah he played there around ’90) - my mom still does - but now I live in Victoria, Texas.

I have been researching ZTRs for a couple of months now - which brand, what combination, which size, trailers, etc about to go nuts!

The 34" Gravely first caught my eye about a month ago - I have thought very seriously about the Hustler 52 inch mini super-z for an all-around type of machine.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING REAL HARD on trying to get a 4.5. - 5.5 acre commercial account - and even have considered a 60 inch Kubota - but real tired of waiting for Store manager to make up his mind. As of today he has decided to have a meeting with current lawn service, after 2 months of stringing me along (even seeing and agreeing that current lawn service is not even close to fulfilling obligation) and having me critique their work!

So now I wonder if I should just get a 34" ZTR - concentrating on small residential and commercial accounts and then later also buy a 60 inch for the bigger stuff as I build up bigger accounts and more money later?

Do they cut as good as a WB?

Can’t remember – do they have separate pumps and motors?

Did yall compare to the NEW Hustler 36 inch? I KNOW hustler has intergrated units but I have heard people say the new ones on the Fastrak models are real good – being a lot better (bigger) also w/ the filter now?

WHAT DID YALL PAY FOR THE 34 inch?

Thanks for all your time and to everyone else's response to me as well!
This site definitely ROCKS!,
WOLFMAN / E.J. Schmidt
 
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