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Due to shoulder issues I can longer pull start my 20+ year old 14hp Kawasaki Gravley. So I am thinking of a ZTR. I mow about 2.5 acres. Nothing to severe but the orchard is kinda rough in places. I am trying to stay under $5500. I have narrowed it down to either a Gravley ZT HD or a Kubota Kommander. My choices of the above are based on past experience with Gravley lawnmowers and Kubota tractors, dealer support for both has been excellent in this area.
arky
Last edited by arky65; 02/25/16.
There is a war on America and America is losing
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,560
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
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I have used one for years at the ranch here. Wore out a Troybilt RZT. Replaced it with a Bad Boy Magnum 54". It'll mow faster than I can run.
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,645 |
I bought a Hustler Fastrac 54" zero turn 3 - 4 years ago and it cut my mowing time from 4 1/2 hours to just over 2. AND its fun.
The deer hunter does not notice the mountains
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve" - Isoroku Yamamoto
There sure are a lot of America haters that want to live here...
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,114 |
My parent's have used Grasshopper mowers for about 30 years. You'll never get my dad to buy anything different. They've been awesome machines.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
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ALl mentioned so far are good machines but either are not sold in my area or have no have local shop support.
Locally my choices are limited to Badboy, Gravley, Hustler, Exmark, Kubota.
Thanks for your input.
There is a war on America and America is losing
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18,975
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18,975 |
around in these parts Exmark has a big following.
having a good local dealer figures in also
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,560
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,560 |
ALl mentioned so far are good machines but either are not sold in my area or have no have local shop support.
Locally my choices are limited to Badboy, Gravley, Hustler, Exmark, Kubota.
Thanks for your input. Got a Tractor Supply close by?
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Yes, we have 3 TS within 30 miles but when you buy from a box store, and you have a warranty or repair issue they can't help you. They will refer you to a authorized repair shop. And my experience has been if you did not by from them they are less than enthusiastic to help.
There is a war on America and America is losing
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,734
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,734 |
Research before you buy. Most manufacturers build to different quality levels. The Kohler engine on a Tractor Supply Bad Boy is not the the Kohler of the past. There are 2 basic transmissions on almost all cheaper machines. Most ztr's are the same mechanically, the frame and deck is the big difference. Avoid cable hung decks (Cub Cadet) the cables wear and break, chains are much better.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,858
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,858 |
The Farris ZTR has really good suspension for mowing over rough terrain. Lots of power, too.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Campfire Regular
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I have been researching for several months now and kicked tires and driven several different models. Customer service, how well made, ease of maintenance, and will it hold up for 10+ years are things I am looking at. Again that is why I have narrowed too, the two above. I put the gravley through some rough and sloped stuff to day on a test drive and it just feels better than the Kubota. It has larger tranny, kawasaki engine and much beefier deck, anti scalping wheels and brackets, and spindle mounts. Deck adjustment is much more solid than Kubota and others in this price range.
There is a war on America and America is losing
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Kawasaki engines are pretty danged hard to beat. I've got a liquid cooled one on my Toro Z master and its been awesome.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I wrote the check for the Gravley zt hd 54 they will deliver later this week. I'll post update in couple months after I have put it through some abuse.
Last edited by arky65; 02/29/16.
There is a war on America and America is losing
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