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OT: Lawn Guys, upgrading Zero Turn

T-TownDawgg

T-TownDawgg

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2015
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Ruled out Exmark and Toro because of the Wuhan engines. Suspension seat a must. Prefer greasable iron spindles but not a deal-breaker, some say the sealed bearings last just as long if not longer, but I remain skeptical. 54-60 inch deck. Prefer Kawasaki over Kohler. Done some research and not yet a fan of EFI. Cut quality not as important as serviceability and reliability. Cutting about 2-3 acres.
I'm down to:

Deere 930
Ferris
Cub Cadet Pro-Z 554 or Pro Z 560
The new Bobcat ZT6100

Knowledgeable input appreciated.
 
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cowbell88

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2009
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I’ve ran a 930, heavy and would get stuck quickly. The shocks on the Ferris are seem like a great concept, but don’t know about durability. See a bunch of Bad Boys on trailers now. Must be something to them.
 
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Crazy Cotton

All-Conference
Aug 26, 2012
3,714
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I LOVE my Ferris. Build quality vs similarly priced machines was night and day. I have the IS7000. It is aluminum spindles, but they are greaseable and are larger axles than the others. Deck does a beautiful job of cutting. I got it for the rear suspension, I mow a couple of acres and was getting the crap beat out of me with the old mower. Best warranty as well. One piece Hydro vs hydro motor/pump, but that's the new standard for all but the high end commercial. Mine has the 3400 series pump with spin on filters and separate oil reservoir. I've had 0 issues in 5 years of ownership. I've got the huge Briggs engine, was a little cheaper than the Kawasaki and runs just fine, little loud. I think they make the Snapper commercial cutting series as well.
 
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Eleven Bravo

Junior
Aug 31, 2018
624
283
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I sold John Deere equipment for several years, but I have a Toro mower. I don’t know about “Wuhan” engines, but my Toro has a Kawasaki. Perhaps Toro has changed, but Kawasaki has been their basic power plant for years. The 930 John Deere is a nice mower, but is pretty pricy compared to others in its price range. JD uses several different engines in their mowers, namely the Kohler and the Kawasaki. I have owned and run a number of different mowers over the years and in my experience (as well as from input from numerous customers), the Kawasaki engine is damn near bulletproof compared to other offerings out there. I would definitely favor the Kawasaki engine regardless of the mower manufacturer, because the engine is a huge part of the deal. As far as the JD, you might want to check out the 915E as it could save you a few bucks. If your budget isn’t a consideration. The 930 would be the way to go with the JD. Whatever you buy, the dealership (parts, service) is a big consideration as well. In the case of JD, just bear in mind that their service department is going to charge you the same hourly rate for service as they charge the guy whose cotton picker they are working on. The JD dealer I worked for would routinely charge like $150 for an oil change on a zero-turn mower. You can buy a filter and a couple quarts of oil for that mower for $25, max. Just be careful-and remember the term “Kawasaki”. Just an opinion based upon lots of experience.
 
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garddog

Sophomore
Dec 10, 2008
793
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For 3 acres or less, you can drop down to the 3500 series on bobcat. Won't make 10 mins cut time difference on 3 acres and saves you 4k. It still comes with the commercial kawasaki motor.

Most of the mowers your looking at are for larger properties, or someone doing commercial cutting.

Also consider all pinch points in your yard, gates, etc. If you have to go get the push mower or trimmer the big decks don't save time.
 
ababyatemydingo

ababyatemydingo

All-Conference
Nov 27, 2008
3,857
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T-TownDawgg said:
Ruled out Exmark and Toro because of the Wuhan engines. Suspension seat a must. Prefer greasable iron spindles but not a deal-breaker, some say the sealed bearings last just as long if not longer, but I remain skeptical. 54-60 inch deck. Prefer Kawasaki over Kohler. Done some research and not yet a fan of EFI. Cut quality not as important as serviceability and reliability. Cutting about 2-3 acres.
I'm down to:

Deere 930
Ferris
Cub Cadet Pro-Z 554 or Pro Z 560
The new Bobcat ZT6100

Knowledgeable input appreciated.
Click to expand...


I bought a 60" Exmark Radius X last year, and absolutely LOVE that thing. The X series has the Kawasaki engine, Ultracut 4 deck, and the suspension seat. Has sealed bearings. Only one zerk on the whole thing to grease. The Exmark Ultracut 4 deck gives a super high quality cut. Smooth as it can be. Exmark will run a sale in April, with $1,000 off, and zero interest (if you need financing). I didn't do the financing, but bought mine last April and got $1,000 off. They run that sale every year.

Pro tip, though. Go with what you can get quality service on locally. Means more in the long run.
 
Jeffreauxdawg

Jeffreauxdawg

All-American
Dec 15, 2017
8,871
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fevans said:
Electric is the way to go. Save the planet and all that...**
Click to expand...

You jest... But in a few years electric will be the way to go. Cub cadet is rolling out a zero turn 42" with 2 acre mow capacity and 4 hour recharge this spring. I quit farting with gas weed eaters last year. 1.5 acres and 600' fence line. No problem on battery.

Everyone ***** on electric about being green... Yada yada. If you know squat about motors, electric is simple, durable, and powerful. Electric is the future because it's better, not because it's greener. So says the guy that cut concrete yesterday with a battery powered saw that blew away any gas powered handheld I have ever used.
 
R

Russ Wheeler

Redshirt
Aug 3, 2020
2,430
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Hustler RaptorZ representin’. Kawasaki engine. It’s the top level residential mower Hustler makes, and it has taken care of my 3 acres for 2 years without breaking a sweat.
 
chained1

chained1

Redshirt
Apr 4, 2014
108
11
18
I run a Deere but only mow around an acre. It's easy to service, I do it all myself. HELL NO to cub cadet, have known a few neighbors that had cubs and a couple of years I think I cut their yard more than they did.

I'd definitely look hard at Gravely, Ferris. If or when I get another I think I'll look first at Kubota. I do have a neighbor that has a Bush Hog and that thing is pretty badass
 
PBRME

PBRME

All-Conference
Feb 12, 2004
11,053
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Bought the same last year. Who knew cutting grass could be so much fun.
 
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MrKotter

Senior
Aug 22, 2012
923
610
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Out of what you listed, Ferris or Deere with Kawasaki or Briggs Vanguard. I looked at Deere and Ferris but went with Scag with the Velocity deck. To me, the cut was better and parts are easily available. Properly maintained greasable bearings will outlast the sealed. Upgrading the sealed bearings to SKF, Timken, etc will give you longer life but I'd go greasable every time if possible
 
1msucub

1msucub

Senior
Oct 3, 2004
2,156
691
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Of those choices only, Bobcat or Ferris hands-down. Kawasaki for sure.

If you haven't ruled out Bad Boy yet, give them a look if you have a dealer in the area.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
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My whole family runs Scags. We have a great dealer for service but rarely need him. They are as bulletproof of a mower that I have seen. I have a friend who is on his third X Mark since I bought my Scag and they weren’t the homeowner grade, they were the commercial mowers.
 
catvet

catvet

All-American
May 11, 2009
4,084
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Hustler Raptor. Kawasaki engine and very well made. Great equipment
 
T-TownDawgg

T-TownDawgg

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2015
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I have a Bad Boy dealer close, but I'm skeptical for several reasons:
Salesmen push them over their other lines like mad.
The amount of ridiculous accessories and the stupid pimped out wheels make me wonder if all that **** distracts you from build quality.
There were quite a few Bad Boy mowers behind the fence on trailers that looked like theyd been through a chop shop. Almost like owners brought them in to be fixed and the mechanics just gave up once they were in pieces. (Frame issue?)

The Bobcat is at the top of my list right now, followed by ferris. Real curious to hear from long term Ferris owners on their suspension system. The shocks seem to me like they should be mounted opposite from the way they come. Seems like dirt and debris will gather around the piston and bushing.
 
J

JML105

Redshirt
Sep 4, 2012
489
8
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Another one for the Green. I have a 930 for my 3+ acres and it performs flawlessly. It is a tank though.
 
G

garddog

Sophomore
Dec 10, 2008
793
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T-Town, your 3 acres, is it flat, hilly, any big banks? Make sure you check the elevation angles. Some are better than others for cutting banks.

Unless you are taking it in for all service, check to see how easy pulleys, belts, oil filter, oil drain, etc are for getting to them. Some units are horrible to service, while others are simple.

There are a lot of good units out there, but ease of maintenance and cost of blades and belts coupled with a commercial motor are the main things.

I spent 11 years selling and working on mowers.
 
M

Mr Todd French

Sophomore
Mar 3, 2008
317
136
43
We run Gravelys. 2 60’s, 2 52’s, 36 and a zero turn 21 push mower. I bought a 61 Scag but the difference in price wasn’t worth it to me. If you go low end commercial 60 with basically any of the major brands you should be fine as long as you change the oil. Change the air filter and keep up the maintenance on the thing. Most brands also have a homeowner mode the has the same deck as the commercial models. I know gravely does. Most commercial crews run them to death and you’d be surprised how little maintenance they get besides oil and air filter. I would buy from a small engine shop though and not a box store.
 
T-TownDawgg

T-TownDawgg

All-Conference
Nov 4, 2015
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About half is hilly with banks, the other half is flat but bumpy. Gradually dressing with sand to level, but gonna take some time. My current mower is light residential and slides around on banks quite a bit. That's why I'm looking more at commercial mowers, seems like heavier mowers dont slide around as much.

I do most all maintenance myself, so yes the access to engine and deck components are one of the first things I look at. The new Bobcat ZT6100 has a dual-swing pins the rear bumper is mounted on for quick swing-away for easy access, and battery access was a breeze. Flip up the seat and it was simple and uncluttered, reminded me of the Bad Boy. Ill give Bad Boy this: very simple and seemed like an easy machine to service and maintain.
The Ferris was a bit more crowded, especially under the seat.
 
G

garddog

Sophomore
Dec 10, 2008
793
100
28
All zturns slide, unless you buy the super commercial ones with dual rear wheels or Xtra wide tires. Sliding happens, just make sure of the angle the machine can operate at.

Or just spend 30k and get this!
"Ventrac Slope Mowing"

https://www.ventrac.com/solutions/slope
 
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MtPigsmore

Redshirt
Jun 29, 2019
49
6
8
Kubota 60" diesel. Buy once cry once......

7 yrs strong with only having to change the oil and re grease zerks. 5.5 acres
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
9,118
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I’m going to give you the best advice you are going to get in this thread. At the price of a good commercial zero turn mower you are making a long term investment, 10 or more years. Find a local mom and pop shop that has been in business for a while. That way you know that they will likely be there 5-7 years down the road when you need them. Buy whatever they recommend. Zero turn mowers are not some technologically advanced product. They all use one of a few motors, one of a few hydraulic drives, and all are basically the same design. Don’t get fixated on one color or one brand, it’s a tool. Buy your service.
 
K

kramer_192

Redshirt
Sep 15, 2012
78
9
8
Dawgbite nailed it.

They all use the same parts, just different colors.

Find the local dealer that has been there and you know will be there when you need them. Get the one they recommend. Get whatever features you want in a mower. I have a exmark I have had since 2009. Just put an updated suspension seat on it and it feels like a brand new machine.

I do all maintenance myself but buy everything from my local dealer I bought it from on 2009. I didn’t just pay for the machine, I paid for his knowledge and advice through the years.
 
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