Buying Advice WHICH Ariens ZTM??? Base Zoom or XL or MAX Zoom???

[hefner]

I have bumpy terrain 1.5 acre yard. I am going from a garden tractor to a ZTM. I'm leaning between these models from Home Depot:

1. Ariens Zoom 50 inch. $2,999 Engine: 23 HP Kohler Courage V-Twin
2. Ariens Zoom XL 54 inch. $3,999 Engine: 54 in. 24 hp Kawasaki FR V-Twin
3. Ariens Max Zoom 60 inch. $4,999 Engine: 25 HP Kohler Courage Pro V-Twin

I know that I probably don't really NEED the XL or Max, but like the idea of a better build machine. I don't mind spending a little more to get the best, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Any thoughts???

 

[KennyV]

If they have all three side by side... It should be easy to spot a $2k difference...
:smile:KennyV

 

[hefner]

yeah, looking online, so I'm not actually looking at them...

not a huge difference, mainly a difference in quality of the parts. I think I'm leaning toward the XL. Any other input?

Thx

 

[fogbullet]

The Max Zoom is by far the superior of the 3. It has a 1 year commercial warranty. That says a lot.

 

[hefner]

The Max Zoom is by far the superior of the 3. It has a 1 year commercial warranty. That says a lot.

... well, I was going to go with the Max 60, but then I ended up seeing that my shed door opening was not big enough to allow the 60 inch deck to fit. so I decided to go with the 54 inch XL. I'm sure it will be a good machine overall, but I hope I don't end up regretting it in the long run.. Maybe I shoulda just built a bigger shed...

 

[fogbullet]

The Max Zoom comes with a 48", 52" or 60"...your choice. But sounds like you've committed. I cut my 1.5 acres with a John Deere 48" Zero Turn powered by a 25HP Kawasaki. 1 hour max. At 54" you have plenty of cutting swath. You'll be fine.

 

[poloman]

I was looking at 60" decks with 27hp Kawasaki engines. I found a used machine with a 40" fabricated deck and a B&S 16hp engine. This was owned by someone who really cared for it. This Aliens performs so much better than I expected. Thrilled with the mower and saved a bunch of cash. I think you'll be happy.

 

[sdb]

I am also currently looking at a ZT, and all of the posts and places I have seen said to avoid the Kohler Courage engine. I apparently the economic version of their engine that was easy to mass produce but does not hold up well. I do not have any direct experience just what I have read online at almost every site. Just FYI.

Good Luck

 

[GGOSSLER]

SDB:

I purchased a 52" ZT/HD with Kawasakie engine, have about 25 hours on it now. To put it very simply,
I have never owned such a fine machine. Previously owned a JD 20 hp Water cooled Kawasakie, had it
ten years, with over 500 hours on it.

This new Gravely machine is a pleasure to use, took a few hours to become accustomed to the difference
in a ZT system, but cuts a beautiful yard.

 

[djdicetn]

SDB:

I purchased a 52" ZT/HD with Kawasakie engine, have about 25 hours on it now. To put it very simply,
I have never owned such a fine machine. Previously owned a JD 20 hp Water cooled Kawasakie, had it
ten years, with over 500 hours on it.

This new Gravely machine is a pleasure to use, took a few hours to become accustomed to the difference
in a ZT system, but cuts a beautiful yard.

GGOSLER,
So how many hours have you got on that Gravely now? I just bought a step up from the ZT HD(a 52" Pro-Turn 152 XDZ with the Kawasaki FX series engine) because I wanted an entry-level commercial model. These Gravely's are designed to mow 500 hours a year rather than the 10 years it took you to put that on your JD, so you'll be hard pressed to wear that puppy out in a lifetime. I agree with you...the Arien Company has made some fine ZTR's for years(my neighbor has a 48" he bought 15 years ago and it still cuts his yard like a golf course), but their acquisition of Gravely a few years ago added some top notch commercial quality machines to their product line. I have no doubt that my 6-yr-old grandson will be cutting his grass with my Gravely long after Grandpa is gone!!