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Does anyone have any experience with bobcat zero turn mowers ? I'm wondering about the quality because I'm considering one for my business. Thanks

I don't have any experience with one, but from all the other things people have said about them, they seem good. I would get one!

Anybody else ?

I'm bumping this......maybe for recent responses.
Okay, I'm thinking about a Kubota, and a Gravely, Toro....then I read something about BobCat.
Anyone have one?
What interests me is that someone make a comment or two about the Donaldson Filter / Air Cleaner....and I have to admit that got my attention.
If anyone has anything to add about a BOBCAT ZTR - please post.
Trying to gather lots of information before this and next weekend when we check out some mowers - i want to decide by the end of May.
Thanks to this forum I've learned so much - think for a girl I even impressed my neighbor talking mowers! ...thanks to all of you!!!

fry said:

I'm bumping this......maybe for recent responses.
Okay, I'm thinking about a Kubota, and a Gravely, Toro....then I read something about BobCat.
Anyone have one?
What interests me is that someone make a comment or two about the Donaldson Filter / Air Cleaner....and I have to admit that got my attention.
If anyone has anything to add about a BOBCAT ZTR - please post.
Trying to gather lots of information before this and next weekend when we check out some mowers - i want to decide by the end of May.
Thanks to this forum I've learned so much - think for a girl I even impressed my neighbor talking mowers! ...thanks to all of you!!!

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Fry,
I've never compared or priced the Bobcat ZTR's but I've not heard any bad reviews about them(there was a user on these forums that bought one and seemed very pleased). Maybe they will chime in if they are still active on the forums. BTW, I changed my oil and cleaned up the Gravely this past weekend and I noticed that the Kawasaki FX691's air filter system had "Donaldson" stamped on it. Must be a high quality product for Kawasaki to use it on their Commercial series engines!!!!

P.S.
That user may have been on the sister Tractorbynet forum.....I've been looking, but all I can find is a comment that a Bobcat as described below was on his short list:
Bobcat FastCat Pro 61", Kaw FX 24hp, ZT-3400 trans, $6299

That sounds like a Commercial ZTR and it seems(best I can tell) that Bobcat makes at least two Residential ZTR models(CRZ & Fastrak RZ). Both seem to have the ZT-2800 trannies and I don't see any pricing on the website first look. Link below:

http://www.bobcatturf.com/mowers/zero-turn-riding/fastcat-rz

Thank you again DjDicetn.
You are so good!!...those are the two exact models that I had circled in the brochure!
I have the FastCat RZ with a KAW FR651V mower - 52 inch. I found prices somewhere on the web at $6,075, but on sale for $5,499. Limited 3-yr. / 300 hour warranty.
Bob-Cat CRZ 52" with a KAW FR651V mower. $ 5,090, but on sale for $ 4,699. Limited 3-yr. / 300 hour warranty.
Bob-Cat CRZ 48" with a KAW FR600V mower. $4,868, but on sale for $4,500. 699 Limited 3-yr. / 300 hour warranty.
**Somewhere I thought I saw where it states for the CRZ a 90 day commercial warranty - but don't see it in the brochure, so maybe it was on the website where I got the prices - some business i don't know where off hand. I learned ( i think) that anytime it has a commercial warranty - that is a good thing.
I've contacted the dealer I will be going to and she is getting the information for me.
I can't find the posts at the moment about the Donaldson products, but I know I have them somewhere.

That is pretty impressive that the FX series KAWASAKI engines are using Donaldson products....thank you for the imput.
Have a wonderful weekend,
fry

I see a few guys in our area that run them. Normally though when they replace mowers they buy Kubota's after they try the others. Kubota's are higher but you can normally finance one for 0 down and 0 interest. When you get a Kubota's commercial mower you have something that will last. They will take a licking and keep on ticking.

.......but I don't think the Kubota Kommander series is considered a commercial mower........should I be worried?
I'm hoping both Kubota's residential and commercial mowers have the same durablity.....if I decide to go with Kubota.

fry said:

.......but I don't think the Kubota Kommander series is considered a commercial mower........should I be worried?
I'm hoping both Kubota's residential and commercial mowers have the same durablity.....if I decide to go with Kubota.

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I wouldn't worry much on Kubota's build quality, as they and all the other popular big name players for this market are aware that folks are educating themselves before their purchase to be building garbage.

You should start your own thread, instead burying your questions in others threads. List your current contenders, wish list and a picture of that dang MW rider to satisfy my curiosity.:laughing:

fry said:

.......but I don't think the Kubota Kommander series is considered a commercial mower........should I be worried?
I'm hoping both Kubota's residential and commercial mowers have the same durablity.....if I decide to go with Kubota.

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Fry,
Please understand that(including my advice to you thus far) there is considerable controversy regarding "exactly" what is/what is not a "Commercial ZTR". As I see it on the Bobcat ZTR's you mentioned specifics for a clear indication of whether they are "Residential" or Commercial" grade is the Kawasaki engines in them(I still believe what the Kawasaki website says...FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty & FX=Commercial). Those ratings indicate durability and expected hours of the engine's "lifetime". To me, as far as advice on the Bobcat, those prices are pretty steep for getting a Kawa FR series engine, much less the deck gauges, trannies and other components. If you are interested in the "debate" about what constitutes a "Commercial ZTR" please read the thread below:

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/scag-forum/15203-freedom-z-commercial-mower-2.html#post106268

P.S.
To quote user RatRacer's take on the "Commercial ZTR debate" see the attached picture:0)

Thank you all - the comments and feedback are MUCH appreciated - and believe me I am doing my best to understand and listen!
I will post a pic of our Montgomery Ward rider soon - i got a giggle out of your comment.
But....it did make me think, hey, it has a B&S engine and we use the fire out of it.....and have been for the last 10 years or so....I consider it one fine machine!
I just feel sorry for my husband because it is soooooooo slow.

I didn't make a new thread, because I guess somehow I thought i was "conserving" some way....silly I know...

I did check out some mowers over the weekend - maybe I'll start a new thread later today....going to look at more mowers this weekend.

fry said:

Thank you all - the comments and feedback are MUCH appreciated - and believe me I am doing my best to understand and listen!
I will post a pic of our Montgomery Ward rider soon - i got a giggle out of your comment.
But....it did make me think, hey, it has a B&S engine and we use the fire out of it.....and have been for the last 10 years or so....I consider it one fine machine!
I just feel sorry for my husband because it is soooooooo slow.

I didn't make a new thread, because I guess somehow I thought i was "conserving" some way....silly I know...

I did check out some mowers over the weekend - maybe I'll start a new thread later today....going to look at more mowers this weekend.

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Fry,
The best mower engine(up until my current one) that I ever owned was a 16HP Briggs & Stratton Vanguard V-Twin. Me(and then my son) ran that thing for 19 years, changing the oil each spring and the oil & filter every other year and when the deck started falling apart around it that B & S was still running like day 1. My next-door-neighbor has a 15-yr-old Ariens ZTR with the exact same engine in it and it's still running like an Energizer Bunny!! BTW, you're not the first to hijack a thread(and won't be the last:0) You and your hubby are doing the right thing by educating yourself about ZTR's, looking at several for comparisons and taking your time before pulling the trigger. Like any of us that have bought one, these things are a huge dollar investment(even if we all don't have "lots of animals to care for":0)
Let us know if you come up with any more questions we can help clarify after you look at some more ZTR's!!!

I'm glad you got a giggle out of it.
I suggested it more our sakes, so we, and you, don't have to go back thru a miriad of strategically placed posts to get a clearer picture your (hubby's) needs and wants. I just don't want to be throwing a $7K Scag suggestion at you, when you already had said a $5K budget in a Toro thread. It feels more like I'm stalking you, than helping you, by where your posts seem to randomly pop up all willy-nilly:laughing: during your research.
It's easier for all, if it's in a Reader's Digest format (unlike DJ:wink, with all info in one spot.:thumbsup:

RatRacer said:

I'm glad you got a giggle out of it.
I suggested it more our sakes, so we, and you, don't have to go back thru a miriad of strategically placed posts to get a clearer picture your (hubby's) needs and wants. I just don't want to be throwing a $7K Scag suggestion at you, when you already had said a $5K budget in a Toro thread. It feels more like I'm stalking you, than helping you, by where your posts seem to randomly pop up all willy-nilly:laughing: during your research.
It's easier for all, if it's in a Reader's Digest format (unlike DJ:wink, with all info in one spot.:thumbsup:

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RatRacer,
Shouldn't you be spending your time training those racing rats instead of stalking user fry?.....I though I was the only one stalking her:0)
Was that "brief enough" for you(gaspppp:0)

djdicetn said:

RatRacer,
Shouldn't you be spending your time training those racing rats instead of stalking user fry?.....I though I was the only one stalking her:0)
Was that "brief enough" for you(gaspppp:0)

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Awesome, shortest post yet-:confused2:

Now, we just gotta fix that redundancy of addressing the person you're quoting thing. That should allow for an extra 2 sentences, easy.:laughing:

(see what I did? I didn't type your name because I'm replying to the direct quote that you addressed to me)

RatRacer said:

....

(see what I did? I didn't type your name because I'm replying to the direct quote that you addressed to me)

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It's magical...isn't it? :wink::laughing:

Ordered me a Fastcat Pro last week and it's being delivered Thursday. I chose the 942406H Model with the bigger tires (23" back and 13" front), ZT-3400's and a 52" deck. Needless to say, I can't wait to try it out as I have never driven a ZT.

For the time being, I'm going to keep my 268-H Toro Wheelhorse just in case ZT's aren't my cup of tea. I may just keep it anyway as a backup mower as it just keeps chugging along despite the abuse I heaped on it over the past 12 years.

Anyways, I'll post my thoughts on it after introducing it to it's new 3 acre home.

RatRacer said:

Awesome, shortest post yet-:confused2:

Now, we just gotta fix that redundancy of addressing the person you're quoting thing. That should allow for an extra 2 sentences, easy.:laughing:

(see what I did? I didn't type your name because I'm replying to the direct quote that you addressed to me)

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OK guys...I've worked inInformation Systems for 43 years where redundancy(backup systems and UPS) is a good thing. I'll try to do better from now on...OK:0)

Tracker II said:

Ordered me a Fastcat Pro last week and it's being delivered Thursday. I chose the 942406H Model with the bigger tires (23" back and 13" front), ZT-3400's and a 52" deck. Needless to say, I can't wait to try it out as I have never driven a ZT.

For the time being, I'm going to keep my 268-H Toro Wheelhorse just in case ZT's aren't my cup of tea. I may just keep it anyway as a backup mower as it just keeps chugging along despite the abuse I heaped on it over the past 12 years.

Anyways, I'll post my thoughts on it after introducing it to it's new 3 acre home.

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Your gonna love that Kawasaki FX691V engine and suspension seat!!! PLEASE post some pics....we wanna see it!!!! I've only seen one Bobcat ZTR around here in Middle TN but have heard good things about them. The features and description sounds a whole lot like my Gravely Pro-Turn 100XDZ(also a 52" with the same engine, trannies, tire sizes, double reinforced anti-scalp wheel brackets and suspension seat). I'm willing to bet you're gonna be really happy with that Fastcat Pro!!!
P.S.
My advice is to start out real slow(maybe 1/4 throttle) and drive it around for a while. Practice 180 degree turns(making sure you pull one control arm back and push the other forward). It'll take a while to get the feel of turning without leaving "divets" in the grass. I'll have to find where I posted about the day I brought my new ZTR home and give you a link to that thread(pretty funny to say the least). Enjoy!!!

djdicetn said:

Your gonna love that Kawasaki FX691V engine and suspension seat!!! PLEASE post some pics....we wanna see it!!!! I've only seen one Bobcat ZTR around here in Middle TN but have heard good things about them. The features and description sounds a whole lot like my Gravely Pro-Turn 100XDZ(also a 52" with the same engine, trannies, tire sizes, double reinforced anti-scalp wheel brackets and suspension seat). I'm willing to bet you're gonna be really happy with that Fastcat Pro!!!
P.S.
My advice is to start out real slow(maybe 1/4 throttle) and drive it around for a while. Practice 180 degree turns(making sure you pull one control arm back and push the other forward). It'll take a while to get the feel of turning without leaving "divets" in the grass. I'll have to find where I posted about the day I brought my new ZTR home and give you a link to that thread(pretty funny to say the least). Enjoy!!!

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Thanks much for your post as it not only puts my mind at ease but also gets me more excited. I actually would have preferred the Gravely with the same setup as red is my favorite color (I'm a born and bred St Louis Cards baseball fan). However, the Gravely dealer near me has no indoor space. Everything, including brand new machines, sit outside through rain, sleet, or hail - day in, day out. So I got my Bob-cat from the same dealer that I got my Wheel Horse from as they are great people with a nice shop.

Please find that thread and provide a link as I would like to read it. Thanks also for the beginner's advice.

Tracker II said:

Thanks much for your post as it not only puts my mind at ease but also gets me more excited. I actually would have preferred the Gravely with the same setup as red is my favorite color (I'm a born and bred St Louis Cards baseball fan). However, the Gravely dealer near me has no indoor space. Everything, including brand new machines, sit outside through rain, sleet, or hail - day in, day out. So I got my Bob-cat from the same dealer that I got my Wheel Horse from as they are great people with a nice shop.

Please find that thread and provide a link as I would like to read it. Thanks also for the beginner's advice.

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Hey Man-
Give us the whole orgasmic 1st timers report. It may not be a '63 split window or ZL1, but the whole appreciation and gratification review for the expenditure is sure worth sharing (to a point...). Donut vids are worth bonus points!:laughing:

Yah, it may not be a '63 split window, but it WAS six times more than I paid for my first car! (I still miss that '70 Super Beetle - bought it used for $1,000, put another 70,000 miles on it, and sold it for $1,000). Anyway, I will put in a report within the week as I have to mow today with the old mower.

You know, if you would have told me when I was younger that the major thrill of my summer would be getting a new mower, my first thought would be that it must be a pretty rotten summer. Good lord, I've become my father!

Tracker II said:

You know, if you would have told me when I was younger that the major thrill of my summer would be getting a new mower, my first thought would be that it must be a pretty rotten summer. Good lord, I've become my father!

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I don't think any truer words have ever been spoken:laughing:

You know, if you would have told me when I was younger that the major thrill of my summer would be getting a new mower, my first thought would be that it must be a pretty rotten summer. Good lord, I've become my father![/QUOTE]

Yes, I know EXACTLY what you mean! My first car was a 1970 Cutlass, best $350.00 I ever spent.......and now that I'm considering spending $5,000 on a MOWER....(just a few years later:smile...what a change!
Really wierd, isn't it?....turning into your parents.........feel the same way about music,do you?

On to my making my own thread.....

Tracker II said:

You know, if you would have told me when I was younger that the major thrill of my summer would be getting a new mower, my first thought would be that it must be a pretty rotten summer. Good lord, I've become my father!

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Lol! Ain't that the truth.
But you should see how we all act over on the air rifle (pellet guns) forums I frequent, we all become their sons again...:biggrin:

afoulk said:

I don't think any truer words have ever been spoken:laughing:

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You got that right!

fry said:

Yes, I know EXACTLY what you mean! My first car was a 1970 Cutlass, best $350.00 I ever spent.......and now that I'm considering spending $5,000 on a MOWER....(just a few years later:smile...what a change!
Really wierd, isn't it?....turning into your parents.........feel the same way about music,do you?

On to my making my own thread.....

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Yaaaay! MW pic, pics, pics........:thumbsup:

Tracker II said:

Thanks much for your post as it not only puts my mind at ease but also gets me more excited. I actually would have preferred the Gravely with the same setup as red is my favorite color (I'm a born and bred St Louis Cards baseball fan). However, the Gravely dealer near me has no indoor space. Everything, including brand new machines, sit outside through rain, sleet, or hail - day in, day out. So I got my Bob-cat from the same dealer that I got my Wheel Horse from as they are great people with a nice shop.

Please find that thread and provide a link as I would like to read it. Thanks also for the beginner's advice.

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Tracker II,
OK, you asked for it:0)
In the thread I am providing a link to below, you can read Post#21 for a very humorous(and long) "real life" story(at the expense of my pride) about my very first ride on my brand new $7,000 ZTR. Then you will understand why my advice to you was just like what my father-in-law gave me(and I didn't listen:0) Get you a cup of coffee(so you won't go to sleep) and read about "what not to do the first time on a ZTR":0)

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/mower-buying-pricing/12867-new-site-looking-buy-zero-turn-mower-3.html

djdicetn said:

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/mower-buying-pricing/12867-new-site-looking-buy-zero-turn-mower-3.html

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Ouch, I winced upon impact just reading your story. Thanks for the link as I will be sure to go slow and give everything a very wide berth. I'll probably use up a whole roll of string on the grass trimmer over the next month as I stay clear of everything, but it's better than having a story to tell, lol.

djdicetn said:

Tracker II,

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/mower-buying-pricing/12867-new-site-looking-buy-zero-turn-mower-3.html

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Wowsers! Sorry for the hit on your humility.
That was a bit more of a larger scale than what my wife went through when I took her on my test ride mission at the Big Dog dealer, and told her to give it a try. She hit a larger, more immovable object, at a slower speed.

Tracker II said:

Ouch, I winced upon impact just reading your story. Thanks for the link as I will be sure to go slow and give everything a very wide berth. I'll probably use up a whole roll of string on the grass trimmer over the next month as I stay clear of everything, but it's better than having a story to tell, lol.

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Yeah, I can laugh now, but I'm certain I was visibly shaken when my father-in-law looked up when everything finally stopped!!! And again I was glad I bought Commercial grade or I would have had a hard time explaining to a dealer what happened to the new Cub Cadet RZT I purchased from him an hour ago(I doubt if the damages would have been considered reparable under warranty:0)
Taught me a brand new respect for the machine that I haven't forgotten. But don't worry, after mowing a few hours with a ZTR it is a lot easier to have a feel for how much forward/rear motion of the lap bars affects the speed/direction of the ZTR. But I'm still pretty "careful" after that!!!

Okay, I mowed with my Fastcat Pro for the first time today, also my first time mowing with a ZT. All I can say is WOW, this thing truly is a beast! First of all, the noise, even with noise reduction headphones was almost overwhelming. The 24 hp Kaw with blades running sounded like what I would imagine a space shuttle sounding like lifting off. Then I started mowing and the bumpiness was a little more than I expected, especially with 23" tires. Being inexperienced, I then started jerking back and forth, left and right, trying to tame this monster. At this point, I started to wonder if I made a big mistake buying this machine.

Anyways, as the mowing progressed, I started to get a better feel for the mower and even started to enjoy it. When I finished, I pulled out my pocket watch and ... whaaa? I mowed the yard in 1 hour and 25 minutes? That's impossible I said to myself and kept staring at the fully wound watch. After all, it takes more than 2 1/2 hours on my Toro Wheel Horse 48" tractor. But it was true. For all my fumbling around with an unfamiliar mower, I still slashed my mowing time!

Anyways, I can't wait to mow again! The only negative is that I think I'm going to need inner foam earplugs in addition to the headphones as this thing just roars. But that's a small price to pay for a machine that is so much fun.

Tracker II said:

Okay, I mowed with my Fastcat Pro for the first time today, also my first time mowing with a ZT. All I can say is WOW, this thing truly is a beast! First of all, the noise, even with noise reduction headphones was almost overwhelming. The 24 hp Kaw with blades running sounded like what I would imagine a space shuttle sounding like lifting off. Then I started mowing and the bumpiness was a little more than I expected, especially with 23" tires. Being inexperienced, I then started jerking back and forth, left and right, trying to tame this monster. At this point, I started to wonder if I made a big mistake buying this machine.

Anyways, as the mowing progressed, I started to get a better feel for the mower and even started to enjoy it. When I finished, I pulled out my pocket watch and ... whaaa? I mowed the yard in 1 hour and 25 minutes? That's impossible I said to myself and kept staring at the fully wound watch. After all, it takes more than 2 1/2 hours on my Toro Wheel Horse 48" tractor. But it was true. For all my fumbling around with an unfamiliar mower, I still slashed my mowing time!

Anyways, I can't wait to mow again! The only negative is that I think I'm going to need inner foam earplugs in addition to the headphones as this thing just roars. But that's a small price to pay for a machine that is so much fun.

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I'm glad you're happy with your mower! :thumbsup: I haven't seen many Bobcat mowers so maybe you can post a picture of yours.

lawn mower fanatic said:

I'm glad you're happy with your mower! :thumbsup: I haven't seen many Bobcat mowers so maybe you can post a picture of yours.

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I'll see if I can get one up tomorrow.

One thing I forgot to add is that the grasss is so well clipped and disbursed that I will no longer have to rake the areas where the grass grows twice as fast. This is a huge time saver.

Tracker II said:

...

One thing I forgot to add is that the grasss is so well clipped and disbursed that I will no longer have to rake the areas where the grass grows twice as fast. This is a huge time saver.

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Yeah that is one comment I hear a lot when people switch to a zero-turn mower due to the fact it usually has a higher blade tip speed. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Why who is THAT handsome devil and what is he riding? Why I believe that's me on my new Bob-Cat Pro!

Tracker II said:

Why who is THAT handsome devil and what is he riding? Why I believe that's me on my new Bob-Cat Pro!

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Wow, nice rig.

Tracker II said:

Why who is THAT handsome devil and what is he riding? Why I believe that's me on my new Bob-Cat Pro!

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Wow....that looks great! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Tracker II said:

Why who is THAT handsome devil and what is he riding? Why I believe that's me on my new Bob-Cat Pro!

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That is indeed a very Commercial-looking ZTR!!! Does it have those "knobs" on the outside pulley cover on the other side too? I assume this allows you to easily removeve the covers to clean around the outside pulleys. I kinda wish my Gravely had those, but I just blow any debri when I clean the ZTR after mowing and since they are open on each side I can wipe anything the blower doesn't get. Still seems like it would be a nice feature.

Tracker II said:

Why who is THAT handsome devil and what is he riding? Why I believe that's me on my new Bob-Cat Pro!

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Very impressive. Thank you much for sharing.

Thanks guys. I had to do a rush job on the picture before my wife and son left town so I didn't really have time to clean if up after the first mowing or put the grass dispersal chute back on.

It really is more than I need for a bit less than 3 acres but I needed a new mower and since I've gone through hell the past 2 1/2 years thanks to a negligent driver, and decided to treat myself to something special with some of the settlement money.

Dang, why won't the grass grow faster!

edit: Ha Ha Ha, I just noticed your edit of my picture RatRacer! Oh man, I've got to print that out. Thanks buddy!

djdicetn said:

Does it have those "knobs" on the outside pulley cover on the other side too? I assume this allows you to easily removeve the covers to clean around the outside pulleys.

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Yah, knobs on both sides DJ. Give a half turn, flick with the finger a couple times and they're off for easy cleaning.

RatRacer said:

I wouldn't worry much on Kubota's build quality, as they and all the other popular big name players for this market are aware that folks are educating themselves before their purchase to be building garbage.

You should start your own thread, instead burying your questions in others threads. List your current contenders, wish list and a picture of that dang MW rider to satisfy my curiosity.:laughing:

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Here's a couple pictures :smile:

fry said:

Here's a couple pictures :smile:

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Alrighty. That one has surely paid for itself several times over.:thumbsup:

RatRacer said:

Alrighty. That one has surely paid for itself several times over.:thumbsup:

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Fry,

As eluded to by user RatRacer, you wondered how long your new ZTR will last.......take care of it just like you did that MW lawn tractor and the ZTR will most likely last 3 times longer than the MW did:0)

I admit I was very embarrassed to post the pictures - but I did.......I hate to say it, but didn't take care of it like we should have. Think it sat outside at someone's house for a while before we got it - it looked rough when we got it....and I'm sorry to say, we never took the best care of it. Yet, this new machine we are going to get, will get the best place in the garage and be tucked in every night.:smile:

This is decision week - WOW - I have learned ALOT from you all - Thank you!....and thank you for all being so kind. It seems for the amount of money that we are going to spend that they basically are all good machines. It will decide on personal preferences. We are going to go talk to three dealers again.....Ferris, Gravely and Kubota this coming week. Thank you all for posting prices, which helps very much.....and what we should look for and not look for....and the giggles. :laughing:

Without a doubt, the 0% financing helps a lot.....without it, I don't think that we would go $5,000 budget. I plan to put some down and finance about $3,000 - making my payments around $63 for 48 months and $84 a month for 36 months.....if we go with a Kubota. It's been almost a year since I quit smoking....can't believe i was spending around $75 or more a month for smoking!....yet, i'm "concerned" about spending that much for a WONDERFUL machine which will both cut the grass and be therapy.....love being outside and cutting grass - with my push mower I always feel like PACMAN! Us silly people. .....thank you for letting me think out loud!

I'm glad we could help with narrowing down the decision process.
Congrats on quitting. Did you quit cold turkey, or with the aid of pill, patch, or e-cig? I quit 4 years ago, after 30yrs, with the help of an e-cig. I still use it to quell the hand to mouth thing when enjoying an evening beverage(s).

I know you didn't ask me the question, but I'll butt in anyways and say that I've been on ecigs for 2 1/2 years. The money I'm saving will pay for my ZT and the after mowing beer to boot.

Get a good one Fry!

Hopefully, by Tuesday I will know what I traded my Marlboro Light 100s for!
I used Chantix for about 3 weeks - the doctor wanted me to be on it for 6 months! - I had terrible headaches with the Chantix.
Plus, about the same time, where I work my co-worker was off for about a month or more sick - leaving me there in an office alone = no time to go out and smoke.
My co-worker is much better now , but I credit her also for helping me quit smoking ....in a way.

I think it's between a Kubota Kommander, Ferris and a Gravely. Plan on going to the dealers, again, tomorrow with my check list!
I'm confident that alll three are good - just trying to decide if it's really necessary to spend the extra $1,000 for a more "commercial" type more ; the KAW FS engine.
Honestly, if the Kubota Kommander had a KAW engine, I think I would already have it....think that is the main concern we have with it.

fry said:

just trying to decide if it's really necessary to spend the extra $1,000 for a more "commercial" type more ; the KAW FS engine.

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Yah, it can be a tough decision. For me it was whether to spend an extra $700 for a nicer seat, bigger tires (front and back) and bigger trannies. In the end, I thought to myself, do I want to spend the next 10-20 years sitting on a machine that already cost me thousands of dollars and knowing that for only $700 more, I could have gotten a noticeably higher quality machine? I was also thinking that a higher quality machine will be worth more when I sell it (if taken care of), so I'm not really out the full amount of the incremental cost in the long run.

By golly it's true, it IS easier to spend other people's money! Good luck Fry. :smile:

MJlawncare said:

Does anyone have any experience with bobcat zero turn mowers ? I'm wondering about the quality because I'm considering one for my business. Thanks

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I have had a Bobcat ZTR 200 61" for 17 years. I Cut 2 acres regularly and have used the mower from time to time to pull/move a 5' x 10' trailer full of mulch, a 24' boat on a trailer, etc. Other than regular maintenance including belts, blades, oil and lube, the only two issues have been a carburetor that needed replacement and replacement of the front tires last year.
I find the Bobcat to be very well made and the 23 hp Kawasaki engine an excellent match.