Looking at a new Zero turn.
background: currently run a Cub Zforce 5o inch cut with a Kohler 23hp. 400+hrs. stamped deck. runs great but the rest of the mower seems to be deteriorating. The stamped deck is a downer. I had the mower worked into the deal when buying the house so I did not buy but it is 8 or 10 years old which is probably not a bad service for it. I currently mow about 2 or 3 of my 5 country weedy acres (probably more like 2).
I am looking at new mowers, but want to stick with local dealers due to warranty.
I talked to a dealer today that deals both Bob Cat and Big Dog mowers. Looking at the Bobcat CRZ 52in cut and the Big Dog R series with the 54" cut. Both Kawasaki engines. He recommended the Big Dog and priced it at $5300 but said he could do $4900. the BobCat at $4500 (quoted price not sure if he can do better). He recommended the Big Dog over the Bob Cat. but I am not sure I really "need" the extra size of the mower of the Big Dog for the extra price???? Am I being cheap here? I am sure the CRZ would be more than enough for me but dang the larger Big Dog would really be nice.
For example the "bigger features of the big dog are: 23hp Kawasaki vs the 21.5hp that comes on the Bob Cat. 54" cut vs 52". HG ZT 3100 hydraulic system vs. HG ZT 2800. Big dog has a floating 11 guage steel deck vs Bob Cat 10 guage non floating, linkage.
That said, I am still unsure due to there being not a ton of reviews out on them.
So with that background and price range (which I am happy with but don't want to pay more than %5K) what is the Bob Cat vs. Big Dog comparisons? I looked at the brochures and features seem to lean toward the Big Dog, but I really have no experience with either.
Locally we have dealers of Ariens, Cub, Hustler, Husgvarna(sp), and John Deere and used to have Gravely not sure if they still sell them. But I haven't looked into them yet.
OR
Do I continue to put $200-$400 per year into my Cub and keep it running until it won't anymore? what can I even expect to get for it if I sold it?
lots of questions....thanks all!
background: currently run a Cub Zforce 5o inch cut with a Kohler 23hp. 400+hrs. stamped deck. runs great but the rest of the mower seems to be deteriorating. The stamped deck is a downer. I had the mower worked into the deal when buying the house so I did not buy but it is 8 or 10 years old which is probably not a bad service for it. I currently mow about 2 or 3 of my 5 country weedy acres (probably more like 2).
I am looking at new mowers, but want to stick with local dealers due to warranty.
I talked to a dealer today that deals both Bob Cat and Big Dog mowers. Looking at the Bobcat CRZ 52in cut and the Big Dog R series with the 54" cut. Both Kawasaki engines. He recommended the Big Dog and priced it at $5300 but said he could do $4900. the BobCat at $4500 (quoted price not sure if he can do better). He recommended the Big Dog over the Bob Cat. but I am not sure I really "need" the extra size of the mower of the Big Dog for the extra price???? Am I being cheap here? I am sure the CRZ would be more than enough for me but dang the larger Big Dog would really be nice.
For example the "bigger features of the big dog are: 23hp Kawasaki vs the 21.5hp that comes on the Bob Cat. 54" cut vs 52". HG ZT 3100 hydraulic system vs. HG ZT 2800. Big dog has a floating 11 guage steel deck vs Bob Cat 10 guage non floating, linkage.
That said, I am still unsure due to there being not a ton of reviews out on them.
So with that background and price range (which I am happy with but don't want to pay more than %5K) what is the Bob Cat vs. Big Dog comparisons? I looked at the brochures and features seem to lean toward the Big Dog, but I really have no experience with either.
Locally we have dealers of Ariens, Cub, Hustler, Husgvarna(sp), and John Deere and used to have Gravely not sure if they still sell them. But I haven't looked into them yet.
OR
Do I continue to put $200-$400 per year into my Cub and keep it running until it won't anymore? what can I even expect to get for it if I sold it?
lots of questions....thanks all!