"Tire kicking for the old girl"

[SS5150]

My Dad got himself a new CC Tank ZT when he retired in 2007. For years he mowed his acre, the family farm, and the Church grounds and cemetery, plus occasionally mowed the horse pastures for his older neighbor that lives across from him. It's been real good. My brother just went through the deck (a fab 60") last fall.

I agree with you wanting to stay local, and I think I'd trust your dealer's recommendation. We've done the same and it's done us well.

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by zippy1

As the thread title reads, "tire kicking" at this point. But if others have other brand recommendation, I'll listen and consider...

OK then I'm a big fan of front deck mower because they have the best ride and their deck are so easy to clean but none can by purchase for a reasonable price except the residential version of Husqvarna or Stiga (Only sold in Canada).

I found that link who may help you...Or maybe not Take the time to reed the comments down the page, pretty interesting stuff to learn from
http://todaysmower.com/best-resident...ro-turns-2014/

[john hall]

Well, if we are going to mention other brands....
I think every brand of ZTR is available within 30 miles of my house. Mowing grass for a living is a fairly common thing here. And as much as it pains me to say it, most of those guys are running Deeres--as in the upper 4 and 5 figure models from dealerships. I ran my cousins once and it is a nice machine, cuts fast. There must be a reason that Dixie, Scag, Ferris, Gravely, Cadet, Woods/Grasshopper don't all together have as many machines out there with the commercial cutters as Deere does.

Todd, have you asked her why a steering wheel? Better yet, has she ever used a ZTR? Do as you like, but if it were me, I'd find someone who would let her mow a while with a ZTR of any brand just to make sure she likes it. I'm certain you have friends/neighbors that have one.

I am curious as to how Cadet controls the hydros with a steering wheel. I worked on a Deere once that was built like a small lawn mower, but was a ZTR. The controls for the hydros were electric/vacuum combination if I remember right. Both of them went out, and boy was Deere proud of them--that was 15 years ago.

[zippy1]

Thanks for the imput guys. Everyone has some experience with something on here, that's why I thought I'd ask and get some opinions on ZTR's.
I checked the Bota, and it seems to be a good unit. My "local" dealer went out of business sometime this year. It's where we bought the L3400 from.
Anyway, found another Bota dealer that's only 35 miles away, and don't need to go to the big city to look. That's a plus. So I'll keep reading/researching, and go from there.
Talked with Nancy tonight, and she "thinks" she could learn to use the sticks if need be. So that opens the door a little further.

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by john hall

The controls for the hydros were electric/vacuum combination if I remember right. Both of them went out, and boy was Deere proud of them--that was 15 years ago.

Color of money John, color of money.

[mrmiller]

Todd, my wife and I bought a new Kubota z125s toward the end of 2016. She does the majority of the mowing and I mow a section that we previously rented to a tree removal company for storing their equipment. (Gets me some guaranteed seat time on the 1450) Anyway...my wife had never ran a zero turn prior to us buying ours enough to say so. She ran one around a little at the Kubota dealer is all. She absolutely loves the zero turn now that she has gotten fully comfortable with it. We like best of all that it has significantly reduced our mowing time. It has the 54" deck which is the largest for that model but I believe you can get a 48" as well. So far we have no major complaints and have over 90 hours on it. Hope this helps

[drcjv]

Todd this spring a I had a customer buy an Ariens Apex zero turn through my store. It looked like a very nice machine. I have a CC tank 50 that has been great for the past nine years. This spring I am going to get an apex. Might be worth looking at reviews are good and cheaper than the big brands.

[Alvy]

Charles looks like they’re made by Husquvarna. Any experience on those and do you sell this as well?

[drcjv]

Originally Posted by Alvy

Charles looks like they’re made by Husquvarna. Any experience on those and do you sell this as well?

Alvy I can and have sold a couple of the Husquvarna lawn tractors. I believe they are pretty well built. I have not heard any bad about them. I got to run the Apex around a little and was very impressed.

[zippy1]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Greatly appreciated.
Made a phone call Friday to the closest Bota dealer to see what they had left. They have a couple Z700's left, that they want gone before winter.
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/m...rn-mowers/z700
Ain't diggin the sealed bearings. No grease zerks to speak of.