[Razorblades]

The community that I live in is getting ready to replace one of the mowers that is used to mow our city properties and community center. The current mower sizes are a 52”” and a 60” zero turn mower.

Looking at possibly going to a 72” zero turn instead of another 60” mower due to the fairly large amount of open ground at the community center. I estimate the acreage to be 6-8 acres And a 72” mower should save considerable time on the mowing time of it.

As of now, we are planning on buying from local dealers, of which there are two. One dealer sells Exmark and Hustler, the other sells Gravely. Leaning towards the Hustler Super Z if we go with a 72” but pretty wide open if we get another 60” mower?

The Exmark/ Hustler dealer says that the 72” model mower ( any brand) are not as reliable, tend to go through belts etc more frequently and are just more expensive to maintain over the life of the machine and there,s generally more downtime with them. I did remind him that these mowers are only used a couple of days a week at the most so downtime is not as big of an issue in this case, compared to a full time cutter that used them every day.

So I would like anyone’s opinion about this, especially if you have in the past or currently use both sizes in your business!

Thanks in advance!

 

[JLH52]

The community that I live in is getting ready to replace one of the mowers that is used to mow our city properties and community center. The current mower sizes are a 52”” and a 60” zero turn mower.

Looking at possibly going to a 72” zero turn instead of another 60” mower due to the fairly large amount of open ground at the community center. I estimate the acreage to be 6-8 acres And a 72” mower should save considerable time on the mowing time of it.

As of now, we are planning on buying from local dealers, of which there are two. One dealer sells Exmark and Hustler, the other sells Gravely. Leaning towards the Hustler Super Z if we go with a 72” but pretty wide open if we get another 60” mower?

The Exmark/ Hustler dealer says that the 72” model mower ( any brand) are not as reliable, tend to go through belts etc more frequently and are just more expensive to maintain over the life of the machine and there,s generally more downtime with them. I did remind him that these mowers are only used a couple of days a week at the most so downtime is not as big of an issue in this case, compared to a full time cutter that used them every day.

So I would like anyone’s opinion about this, especially if you have in the past or currently use both sizes in your business!

Thanks in advance!

I have a 2018 Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive 72“ / Vanguard 37 hp EFI. My previous Hustler was a 2005 Super Z 60”. I would never go back to a 60” after owning the 72”. I would say there is absolutely no difference in reliability if both mowers are properly maintained and serviced.

When available this year if possible, get a Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive 72” / 40 hp EFI/ETC with Oil Guard.

I would not put one ounce of faith in the statement made by the Exmark / Hustler dealer.

Quote:
The Exmark/ Hustler dealer says that the 72” model mower ( any brand) are not as reliable, tend to go through belts etc more frequently and are just more expensive to maintain over the life of the machine and there,s generally more downtime with them.
End Quote

 

[Ridin' Green]

Sounds like your dealer is either trying to move inventory he has in stock or simply can't get a 72 very quickly and is trying to steer you to a 60 in order to try to prevent you from going elsewhere and him losing a sale. If operated properly, meaning engaging the blades at the correct speed etc, there is no reason a 72" should be less reliable than a 60" or smaller.

 

[JLH52]

Sounds like your dealer is either trying to move inventory he has in stock or simply can't get a 72 very quickly and is trying to steer you to a 60 in order to try to prevent you from going elsewhere and him losing a sale. If operated properly, meaning engaging the blades at the correct speed etc, there is no reason a 72" should be less reliable than a 60" or smaller.

I don't see how any reputable dealer who has been in business for any length of time could make that statement.

 

[Razorblades]

I have a 2018 Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive 72“ / Vanguard 37 hp EFI. My previous Hustler was a 2005 Super Z 60”. I would never go back to a 60” after owning the 72”. I would say there is absolutely no difference in reliability if both mowers are properly maintained and serviced.

When available this year if possible, get a Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive 72” / 40 hp EFI/ETC with Oil Guard.

I would not put one ounce of faith in the statement made by the Exmark / Hustler dealer.

Quote:
The Exmark/ Hustler dealer says that the 72” model mower ( any brand) are not as reliable, tend to go through belts etc more frequently and are just more expensive to maintain over the life of the machine and there,s generally more downtime with them.
End Quote

Good to hear about the reliability part between the two!

If I was buying a 72” mower for myself, I would include the Hyperdrive model in the combo you mention but the city ( very small town) has a little tighter budget than that, unfortunatel.

 

[JLH52]

Good to hear about the reliability part between the two!

If I was buying a 72” mower for myself, I would include the Hyperdrive model in the combo you mention but the city ( very small town) has a little tighter budget than that, unfortunatel.

Maybe you can show them the advantages of the Hustler. My 2018 has 770 hrs. on it trouble free. When I purchased my mower the price difference in a 60” and 72” was only $400. Everything is identical except deck width. I know in the current market prices have escalated.

 

[Razorblades]

Sounds like your dealer is either trying to move inventory he has in stock or simply can't get a 72 very quickly and is trying to steer you to a 60 in order to try to prevent you from going elsewhere and him losing a sale. If operated properly, meaning engaging the blades at the correct speed etc, there is no reason a 72" should be less reliable than a 60" or smaller.

My thoughts also. He talks like he is having problems getting Exmark or Hustlers…at least the higher end models anyway. I know I haven’t read very much on these forums of 72” mowers being less reliable. I figure part of his reason for pushing the 60” mowers is because he doesn’t stock many parts for the 72” models because he doesn’t sell many/ if any 72” mowers.

 

[Razorblades]

I don't see how any reputable dealer who has been in business for any length of time could make that statement.

He has been in business for 20 years or more and sells a lot of mowers but not a lot of the highest end models.

 

[sidemouse]

I think it will be all right, the 72"

 

[rippinryno]

Your dealer is actually quite correct in my opinion.

Many of the 72" mowers are just 60" mowers with bigger decks. For example, you can get a hustler super z hyper drive in 60". That certainly means more work for the same machine that has to run a larger deck. This would explain what your dealer is referring too.

Id recommend a good 60" mower instead of the 72". 6-8 acres once or twice a week is fine for a 60".

 

[Prestigious1]

Once upon a time, Chevy put 454's in a Corvette and in a 3500 long bed dually 4X4...I had one for a tow rig for the 28' race trailer. There was no more of a reliability issue with the dually than in any other much less vigorous application. Stock 454's have been used in boats (very high load applications) for many years...and no reliability difference being in a 20' sport boat or a 37' cabin cruiser, but one had a much higher load on it and drank a lot more fuel!!

The difference between a 60" deck and 72" deck is nothing to be concerned about load wise on the engine, or for reliability. That said, do NOT get a 72" deck with a small engine....you want to make sure you have one big enough to do the job...anything big enough to handle a 60" will handle a 72" just fine.

 

[rippinryno]

Once upon a time, Chevy put 454's in a Corvette and in a 3500 long bed dually 4X4...I had one for a tow rig for the 28' race trailer. There was no more of a reliability issue with the dually than in any other much less vigorous application. Stock 454's have been used in boats (very high load applications) for many years...and no reliability difference being in a 20' sport boat or a 37' cabin cruiser, but one had a much higher load on it and drank a lot more fuel!!

The difference between a 60" deck and 72" deck is nothing to be concerned about load wise on the engine, or for reliability. That said, do NOT get a 72" deck with a small engine....you want to make sure you have one big enough to do the job...anything big enough to handle a 60" will handle a 72" just fine.

The engine is one thing, but stretched out and maxed out components are another. Talking about hydro's carrying more weight and losing rpm under load much much easier. There are a few over built 72" mowers, but there are many many more overbuilt 60" mowers.

I'm not saying that the 72's break on the regular, but I will say that in my experience, castors, spindles, belts, transmissions tend to need fixing earlier on.

 

[Prestigious1]

Not really...transmissions and outdrives are the same for all the applications for cars and boats, and none of them were overstressed. I don't believe they will be using inferior hydro's for a larger deck...I mean many years ago I saw some VERY large decks being powered by 18hp engines and much smaller hydro's...they didn't go as fast, but somehow they worked just fine!

 

[tundraman]

Gravely and Hustler and others have the horsepower and heavy duty hydros to handle the extra weight and deck size. Also 26 inch radial tires to spread the weight. The only thing that is a problem with the 72 0ver the 60 is that it scalps easier and tears up grass easier on turns. Saves me over an hour mowing each week so worth it to me.

 

[Brucey]

My understanding is some 72" decks have more reinforcement to avoid warping versus a 60" deck.

 

[rippinryno]

you gThey do scalp a bit more, causes spindle wear and deck wear and anti scalp wheel wear.

I've run both of these for years side by side and what I gathered was that the 72 wasn't built to handle like the 60" was. Plain and simple the 72 zero turn I was running was fine and would go a long time, but it did require more maintenance and it was running a little harder than the 60" with the same components.




I really hope prestigous isn't trying to argue that transmissions wear the same regardless of how much power you're throwing at it.

 

[Prestigious1]

Not at all...but if operating within their design parameters and not overloading them, lightly used or heavily used (within design parameters), one does not normally see any additional wear. A certain amount of abuse is factored in, but being stupid can kill anything, You can give some guys an anvil and a rubber mallet and in 30 minutes they'll have them both tore up.

As for adding more power to a transmission, again, it depends on the design parameters of the transmission. Case in point...the Allison automatic used in the big block 2500 & 3500HD's are/were the same unit used in the Duramax units that had far more torque. Those transmissions last quite well with both gas or diesel engines and installed in pickups or large straight trucks.

The Ram tranny behind the Cummins works well up to around the 700hp range. Then it starts to add up REAL quick! From there you're looking at $5,000+ and up...and the up part comes with increasing levels of power. And once you surpass the limits of the design, I certainly would never suggest the transmission will survive. But under normal conditions, wear rates for clutches/bands etc. is very similar.

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

Why stop there though? If 72s are overburdened 60s, aren't 60s overburdened 52s?

On one hand the logic of having the largest motor paired with the smallest deck makes sense.

On the other hand that can tend to turn into overkill.

On the other hand what seems like overkill to one, might seem just right to another.

 

[Prestigious1]

Did someone say overkill??

Nah...

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

Did someone say overkill??

View attachment 512367

Nah...

Clearly that looked reasonable to someone