Price does not bother me, but more convenience and reliability. My opinion is if price bothers me then I should stick with a big box lawn tractor or low priced zero turn at that point, but that is why I am looking around and researching until my eyes pop out. Thank you for all your advice and knowledge.
New Zero Turn Purchase - Toro Vs. Gravely
- Thread starter mbc230
- Start date
I guess the big selling point for Scag is the Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 Transaxle which is serviceable from what I am reading online. Is this statement true? I avoid big box like the plague and will always go to the dealer of purchase for my new lawn mower that I am thinking of buying.
Yes, the ZT2800 is serviceable. However, some have exterior expansion tanks and others don't. It depends on the mower manufacturer.
Most lower cost residential units use the EZT series hydros. They can be serviced however, there isn't a filter.
The Gravely ZTXL 42 also has the Hydro Gear ZT2800
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
Scag is at the top of zero turns, along with Ferris. A $6000 Scag is a residential mower and will fit your needs just fine. Remember, an EFI 61” commercial Scag is $17,000. Scag mowers are reliable and tough and it is hard to beat a Scag.
The lawn service price scenario was $60/cut at 4 cuts a month for 8 months or about $2000/year. Nobody only cuts grass once a month running a lawn service.
For my particular property, I calculated $41 per acre on a bi-weekly cut. I have 3 acres. $240×8=$1,920. It would like have been higher. It's closer to $100+ per acre now. That certainly adds up and can justify the purchase of a mower.
I have neighbors that FEEL like they live in the country. Might get cut once a season LOL.
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I just got back from the Bobcat and Scag Dealer. I looked at the Liberty Z 36" Scag and it is a wonderful mower and they did not have a 42" in stock (Is the 42" Scag the same as the 36") , but the issue with the Scag is the drive controls are too close to my body and in order to go into reverse I have to suck in my stomach as I am a big guy (6'3" and 280 lbs) and need to have some sort of re-location kit (Drive Controls and Seat or both) for the Scag. Does anyone know if they make a re-location kit for the Scag? The salesman in the store who was very helpful was trying to get me into the Gravely ZTHD and well I have been thinking about that one since I got home and it is just too big for me. I know they make a 44" deck, but the body is just so huge with the big tires on it. So, I am thinking that one is just not for me. I went to the Bobcat Dealer near me, and they did not have a ZT2000 in stock. So I am thinking about driving to their other dealer who does have one next week potentially to sit on it and see how it fits my massive statue. So right as of right now I am thinking it is between three mowers. Here are my final contenders Scag 42" (Pending a re-location kit for the drive Controls), Gravely ZT42, and The Bobcat ZT2000 (Pending I am able to see it and fit on it). These all three have the Kawasaki FR motor and the ZXT-2800 Hydro.
Now just for comparison's sake while looking at the Gravely ZT42 and comparing it to its Ariens Counterpart the EDGE42 it looks to be the same mower on paper when doing the comparison, so I am trying to justify the price hike for just name. The Ariens has the Briggs EXI2000 and the Gravely has the Kawasaki FR600V. The Gravely ZT42 is $4000.00 and the Ariens Edge 42 is $3400.00 and these are all from my local dealers. I guess the point I am trying to make is I feel the lawn mowers are the same minus the engine (Maybe the decks, but cannot find how the deck is made on the Ariens) so why should I consider the Gravely or an Ariens? I just have some reservations about these two brands and cannot quite figure it out. I was told by the salesman they are basically the same.
Now to conclude if I fit on the Bobcat ZT2000 I will more likely go with it, because all the controls and seats are adjustable and it has an armrest even whereas the Scag I just plainly does not fit me without a possible aftermarket kit for the seat and drive controls to re-position the seat. I hope this sums up my adventure of lawn mowing hunting so far.
Thank you all for the help with this project. It is getting close to being wrapped up for me.
Several in my area. Check facetrash marketplace. Perfect for his lawn size with durability/longevity to spare.
As far as the Gravely, I would spring for the ZTXL 42. It has the Hydro Gear ZT2800 transaxles.
There is some adjustment in the Scag handle bars.
There are handle bar extension kits available for the Scag. Ask the dealer.
Go back to the Scag dealer and press him on the handle bar adjustment. The only differences across the Liberty Z line are deck sizes and engine options. Look on their website.
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