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Noob question on big-box ztrs

3K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  jerryh20 
#1 ·
Sorry if this is a bone head question but all my MTF time has been spent on the Kubota forums. Rented a ZTR a few days ago & it opened my eyes on these marvelous machines. The only ZTRs I'm at all familiar with are those sold by the big box stores. Are they any good? I have about 2-3 acres of tough Bahia grass plus ground that looks smooth but is kinda rough thanks to gopher damage. So, where do I go to look for machines that will hold up? Sorry if my question(s) are so vague .. I'm just starting the familiarization process. Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Well opinions will vary on these but they start at 2499 and I really wouldn't be comfortable with long term durability cutting 3 acres with one.
I would buy a used commercial grade one first. New they are at least 5-6 grand. Toro z masters and exmarks are good and I would jump on most scagg if price was fair and under 600 hrs or so.
 
#3 ·
Thanks, Toby. What you're saying makes good sense.
 
#5 ·
I don't have a lot of love for JD. They have an extreme following and lots of love from many. That was because they used to make "real good stuff".
They have had some designs I definitely do no appreciate or respect at all....even if they last a long time...
BUT the problem of late is you have to remember that there are different levels of John Deere now.
You can get there best. Let's hope it gives as good experience as the old ones did for many, and you can get there other stuff.
I don't know if you want to call it entry level or consumer grade. The old lawn or garden tractors were consumer grade and they were awesome.
Just don't automatically assume because it is painted green and yellow that it will be better than some other brand.
 
#6 ·
I mow with a commercial Encore Prowler Model #61K25A 61" cut about four acres of lawn / field grass. Even bushhogg with this mower in waist high grass on more than one occasion and mowed down blackberry thickets with it also.

I purchased the mower back in 2010 and have done all maintenance myself. I've only replaced the anti-scalp rollers this past month and purchased several new sets of blades for the machine over the years....Even the battery is still original, which has surprised me! The Kawasaki engine has been outstanding with only oil changes and air filter replacements. I have adjusted valves at set intervals.

The price was high @ $7500.00 back in 2010. Keep in mind I've cut my seat time in half. Even with my wife and I running two 42" Carftsman riders the Z-Turn beats them at 3/4 throttle. I know I would of worn out my two old riders and probably two more new big box mowers by now.

Buy the best you can afford, just weigh out the long term costs. :fing32:

Encore Link>>>Prowler Riding Mowers - Encore


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#8 · (Edited)
I'm beginning to see what y'all are talking about! The Encore machines look like really nice quality machines. For my relatively small-scale needs, the Fuzion 48 looks like a winner. On JD, yes, there's a dealer nearby. Just haven't explored that option yet. And yes on Kubota, too. There are two dealers fairly close by and I'll sure do some checking on them. I lean towards Kubota anyway (have a B2320) but have been afraid of their price tags.

On buying a used commercial, I guess that's an option but we're a fairly small community (~200,000i +/-) and used commercial stuff just doesn't seem to show up that much. But I guess if I don't get in a hurry ...

One more question: I had a perfectly good TroyBilt that I bought back before they got acquired by MTD or whoever. Built out of steel, not plastic. Problem is, the spindles on the mowing deck were sealed and when they went south, I couldn't find replacements any longer so kept the tractor as a sprayer tug & junked the deck. The question I'm slow getting to is: Should I try to find a ZTR with greasable spindles, or just not worry if they're sealed? Edit: Anything else I need to be on the lookout for?

Thanks, everybody, for weighing in with your experience. Sure helps rookies like me!
 
#9 ·
Should I try to find a ZTR with greasable spindles, or just not worry if they're sealed? Edit: Anything else I need to be on the lookout for?
You'll most likely have a hard time finding spindle bearings with grease zerks now days.

The main thing to remember is that water is the enemy of hot sealed bearings. The hot bearing will suck in the water as it cools, rusting out the bearings from within. Let the mower completely cool down before washing. Do not run the deck through standing water while mowing.

I don't use water to clean with. I take a leaf blower and blow the dirt, leaves and clippings off my mower. The underside of deck is scraped clean each time the blades are changed. After scraping I spray with a cheap aerosol can of cooking oil, seems to help with the next cleaning.

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#12 ·
I am fond of the separate pumps and wheel motors too. That has been the sign of a true commercial machine for years but now they are all migrating toward unitized hydro units on each side.
Scag has dominated the market around here for commercial for decades and for good reason. I also like Exmark, Toro, and Simplicity and Snapper might also have some with separate pumps.
 
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