Model Overload !!! Help Me Choose ZTR Mid Level

[quadzilla200]

We just bought a place with 2.5 acres and lots of trees so we are looking for our first ZTR. The ground is a little rough so I've decided to go for a mid level $3-4,500 model with Fab deck. I had no idea how many models there were, and the fact that the only ones on sale are the Craftsman is making it difficult to make a purchase. Information overload. I've narrowed it down to this list. Open to 48 or 54". Curious what others opinions are,
All the specs start running together. I don't know about the underpinnings (nuts and bolts). I figure that is where corners get cut by some manufacturers. I just don't know which ones.

1) Dixie Chopper Zee 2
2) Bad Boy ZT Elite
3) Gravely ZT XL
5) Big Dog Alpha MP
6) Craftsman Pro Series http://www.sears.com/craftsman-24.0...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 .
(There website doesn't give exact specs, like the others, so I'm not sure it is in the same class. With their 5% back on the Sears card I can get for $3333 right now on the 48", substantially cheaper than the others)

Any others I should take a look at as well?

 

[RDA.Lawns]

If it was me. I'd mark the craftsman off the list. From there I'd compare all other models see what best fit your needs . I have a favorite in your list bad boy .

 

[Carscw]

I will second the bad boy.
I been running toro for years and love them. But the past year they have made changes I do not like. I have spent a lot of time deciding what mower to replace my 4 Toro's with.
I have looked at everyone on your list but the craftsmen.
I cut foreclosed homes do I need a mower that can handle abuse. One day I cut nice manicured yards. The next day I might cut 4 foot tall weeds. The only mower that I believe will handle this for $5000 or under is a bad boy. They are built tough and give a great cut.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Much of a muchness in any price bracket.
If you do your own servicing look for one that is easy to work on, filters where you can access them, blower covers than can easily be removed and an oil drain that will not make you spend 20 minutes cleaning up and leave oil all over your belts.
Look for tensioning arms that have a provision for holding them off while you change belts.
If you can read or download & read the owners manual , Ignore the specifications page and read the maintenance schedule, make a list of the service parts and price them.

If you are going to have the mower serviced, google or gets the kids to facebook the local dealers and find one with a good service reputation and the least dissatisified customers.
Check if the pick up and if so how much they charge and what a scheduled service costs.
Look at the service area, buisy with lots of tecks is a good sign.

In both cases have a good look a your yard and measure the distance between obstacles, you need a deck that will go between them all and if trees, you need to allow for them growing and pushing up the ground around them.
Two or three extra passes on a ride on is not time at all comparred to walking 1/2 way down the yard with a walk behind or line trimmer.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I would weight the mowers in terms of local service. If it breaks, who is going to fix it. Don't know if you are shopping dealers or box stores. Buying from dealer will generally get you better service when it comes time for a repair. FYI, the Craftsman is a Cub Cadet Z painted black. Check out Scag and Hustler if you have dealers nearby.

 

[Carscw]

I would never use a shop that charged for transport to and from the shop.

And just some info that others mislead people on.
No matter where you buy the mower a shop will still fix it. Even if you buy a mower from the same dealer I use. If they are working on your mower when I bring mine in. They will stop working on yours and get mine done first. Why you ask ? Because you only buy one mower every 5 years. I buy 4 every 2 years.
So it really does not matter where you buy the mower.
Some more info. If you buy at Home Depot you can talk them down in price.

 

[quadzilla200]

I'm learning quickly how easy it is to go into dealers and say, "well, just another $1000 and I can go up another level" I've already done that twice really, so I'm trying to stick in this range. Part of me keeps thinking I should spend another $1000 and buy a light commercial Toro tan, Ferris IS600, Maverick, or Liberty. I think those are overkill, and not very different from their baby brothers below.


I drove a Scag Liberty today. I didn't know they made a residential mower in the 4-4,500 range. There sales lit on their website target all of their competition I think. My only concern is how lightweight it is compared to the others. The 48" weighs in at 610lbs and the 52" at 640lbs. I've read to have a smooth ride (and we do have a rough 2.5 acres), you need it to be over 700lbs. I can't figure out why these are so light. The specs make me think this is a heavy duty, frame etc. Are any of these know for a smoother ride. I have back issues, and that is one thing I can't spec out very easily.

The Craftsman Pro Series everyone seems to dislike weighs 800lbs. on the 48". How can there be such a difference? They are both fabricated decks, with the same engine and transmissions. That one is $1000 less than all of the others.

Gravely ZT XL= Nobody has one in stock.

I'm driving the Dixie Chopper Zee 2 tomorrow. The dealer, who is also the mechanic, swears up and down on them. He said he used to sell Bad Boy, but quit due to shortcuts they were taking on key components and so many maintenance issues. The guy at Scag today thought Bad Boy spent most of their money on advertising and said that was one of the few brands he wouldn't recommend. I'm not sure if that is the Magnum they are talking about, or all of them. They sure look good though and I think the seats are the most comfortable.


Do these guys negotiate on price or services? It is easy to do that on cars. That might help me make a decision since they are all (except the Craftsman) so similar in price. I hate the fact that I have to pay sales tax on these versus buying online. Riding around a parking lot or on a manicured lawn, I don't think I can tell a whole lot of difference in any of them.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I'm driving the Dixie Chopper Zee 2 tomorrow. The dealer, who is also the mechanic, swears up and down on them. He said he used to sell Bad Boy, but quit due to shortcuts they were taking on key components and so many maintenance issues. The guy at Scag today thought Bad Boy spent most of their money on advertising and said that was one of the few brands he wouldn't recommend. I'm not sure if that is the Magnum they are talking about, or all of them. They sure look good though and I think the seats are the most comfortable.

Which Is why I advise people to read the owners manuals, check the service schedule and do a price comparriason on a years worth of servicing.
look at the highest cut & the lowest cut.
ignore ground speeds as very few mowers will do a deceint cut at full speed and when it is all said & done you are going to spend more time trimming along the fence line & around obstacles than you will with your bum on the mower for 30 to 50 mows a year.

 

[7394]

Some Dealers will allow you to 'test' one at your home. That might be something to look into.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Dealers in my area would not budge much on price. Both SCAG dealers were $4400 for the Liberty. Only difference was a $50 vs $100 finance fee. Same thing with the Hustler dealers.

No realer around me offers free pickup for repairs. They would drop off a new machine for free, but pickups are $70-80 an hour.

I would be leary of the heavier machines (800 lbs) if the are running ZT2800 drives. You will want ZT3100's or higher on heavier machines.