Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 We have a Troybuilt Pony we bought about 5 years ago on clearance at Lowes. It has been a decent mower and the Briggs is still hanging in there. However, the deck and pulleys are SHOT. Its partially our fault but the design is bad too. Anyway, my wife thinks we are going to be able to limp by another year with it. Its not going to happen. The thing is shot. I am now looking at ZTR mowers. Im looking somewhere between $2k - $3k but as cheap as possible with out getting a pile of junk. My inlaws have one they bought 13 years ago for about $5k and it still runs but I cant shell that out right now! Anyway, ive seen a few locally in that price range but am really open to suggestions as I have no idea what makes a good ZTR. Im mowing about 1 - 1.5 acres with it and the yard has a TON of toys, swings, pool, etc. Thats why im loving the ZTR feature. Also, nothing over a 42" deck. So far in my price range ive looked at a... Toro (residential) Cub Cadet and a Troybuilt Im not crazy about the troybuilt. The mower we have has been ok but I wouldnt call it a great mower. Suggestions Por Favor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 I've gone through a number of mowers in my 15 years of owning a home. First thing I look at these days is the engine. Seems those little air cooled engines just don't hold up. First mower I bought was a Cub Cadet. It held up pretty good until I sold it to my brother because the deck on it was just a bit too small. That was back in the day when Cub made their own engines. I know Kubota makes a ZTR, but it's probably out of your price range. Might I suggest biting the bullet and getting a little diesel tractor with a decent deck and it will allow you to put a tiller on the back end someday to get your gardens/business up and going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Actually I have a 45hp Massey (3cy Perkins D) and a 6' commercial, shaft driven tiller. I pull a 6' Clark brushhog to mow my place. I'd put the tiller to good use if we can EVER get some dry weather! Im really needing a good mower. Our yard is 150'x150'. We also have a large "rec" area in front of our house with Mature Elm trees. When mowed it looks a lot like a park, very pretty. My wife refuses to let me mow it with the 6' rotary mower. She doesnt care for the tractor tires running over it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 ZTR are AWESOME! It will cut down on your weed eating time and mowing time. They are fast fast, you are always cutting grass with them no delays of backing up or turning around. Dad has had a Dixon for 12 years. Just last year we replaced the motor otherwise it has performed great. We mow about 8 to 10 hour every week during the summer with his and have every year for the past 12 years. I have no clue what the price of a new one is but they are worth the extra money if you can swing it. I know guys local that own Kubota and John Deere both seem to be great machines too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 i would look into an x-mark...own one and love it....look at the residential model....i have a lazer x 23 hp 48 in deck commerical...spent more but that thing is awesome...X-mark consentrates on ztr and nothing really else:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm23494 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Do not buy a mower from one the big box stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) Regardless of the name that is on the side of them they are built my MTD. I worked at Lowe's for a year selling them and I can't tell you how many we got back in a year because they were breaking due to poor crafstman ship. I would suggest spending a few extra bucks and getting something from a reputable dealer. Some good ZTR companies that I have worked with are Xmark, John Deere (the real ones), Ferris, and Scag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 You mentioned that the deck and pulleys are shot on your mower. I truly beleive that the box store type mowers are built to last about that long. That's where the better qualities of a commercial mower come into play. They are built with heavier components, especially the decks. They also have greasable bearings etc. It was'nt cheap compared to others at the time of purchase but I have an 15 yr old rear engine Snapper that is still going strong I use at the farm. Some other ZTR's that you might consider are Gravely, Hustler and Snapper. Several years ago I purchased a JD 717 and 757. They are John Deere's commercial line and are built really well and cut grass like a champ. Once you go with a ZTR you will never go back to a rider. There is no comparison in ease and speed of mowing. One thing for sure with any mower is to keep the deck. inside and out free of cut grass. Alot of time there is plemty of moisture in it and if left on causes alot of corrosion and problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 doubleA said: Once you go with a ZTR you will never go back to a rider. There is no comparison in ease and speed of mowing. One thing for sure with any mower is to keep the deck. inside and out free of cut grass. Alot of time there is plemty of moisture in it and if left on causes alot of corrosion and problems. Aint that the truth! Ive learned the same thing about my brush hog. The battery died a few years ago on the mower. We left it out a couple of weeks and it got rained on a couple of times. That alone was enough to rust the deck and workings. Since then our love for the mower has deminished and we have let it go down hill... Tis a pile of junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacherman Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Jeramie........trust me, go look into the Exmark brand. I have a commercial grade for my lawn business and love it. You won't regret it one bit. Call me if you have any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Jacobson makes a pretty good ZTR mower...use to always use it when mowing ball diamonds and in and around wooded areas ...I'd look into that or Toro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I've been in the lawn care biz for almost 10 years now. My suggestion is to find a good used, commercial grade Zero Turn. If you can find one with around 200-400 hours on it in your price range, get it. They are rated to last around 1500-2000 hours. If you're using it solely for home use, you'll never have to buy another mower. I run Wright mowers, but have had Exmarks in the past. Both great mowers, that have given me well over 1000 hours of use with only minor issues from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Of those 3 you mention the cub cadet would be my pick. Think a finish mower for the massey would be another option to look at. If you wanted to go out of your price range kubota is probably running 0 apr finance deals on their ztr's, might be worth checking out. I know kubota is running a 0 apr promo on small tractors, just got something in the mail from them the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Jeramie, it's February for cryin out loud, and you're thinking about lawnmowers?! Only had a cheap 12hp Rally with a POS Tecumseh (HATE tecumseh engines), 2 years ago the stupid thing started burning oil like crazy, took the engine out and tore it apart to find ripped valve seals, replaced those, lapped the valves and it was as good as new for all last year until the fall, started burning oil again. Not gonna tear the engine out again, dad says he's going to buy a new one in the spring. Might actually take the 10hp Briggs & Stratton out of my snowblower that has a blown up drive and put it in the lawn tractor, we don't have a very big yard so that's all it may need! Cub cadet is a very good lawn mower though, if you have a big lawn and will get your moneys worth out of it go with that brand! Haven't heard of the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 unioncountyslayer said: My suggestion is to find a good used, commercial grade Zero Turn. Definitely should go with a commercial mower. I've never seen a residential that looked like it would last. Of the three you mentioned, I'd go with the cub cadet. Definitely should look at a X mark, Kubota, John Deere, or Bush Hog brand though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Ive been diggin on Craigslist. There are several from $2k-$5k of the pro-mowers. Most have anywhere from 100 - 600 hrs. I may end up going that route as long as I can find the narrow deck width. The 52" would be nice in places and in others would probalby be too big. We actually have a 52" deck right now but I think I would gain by stepping down when I go to the zero turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Just in case you might want to think about a payment, kubota does have 0 apr right now http://www.kubota.com/finance/finance-promo.aspx on the z series, runs until the end of this month. No idea what prices these are going for http://www.kubota.com/f/products/ZD/index.cfm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Jeramie said: Ive been diggin on Craigslist. There are several from $2k-$5k of the pro-mowers. Most have anywhere from 100 - 600 hrs. I may end up going that route as long as I can find the narrow deck width. The 52" would be nice in places and in others would probalby be too big. We actually have a 52" deck right now but I think I would gain by stepping down when I go to the zero turn. Jeramie, I run mostly 52" mowers. I have a 48" and a 42" for backyards that are small or have gates that my 52's won't fit through. If you have an open yard, you'll appreciate the extra 10". Also, if you can find one with a Kawasaki engine, that would be my first choice. I run all Kawasaki's after having issues with Kohler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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