Spend my money - ZTR or walk behind

I want to say my toro only had a 15 HP motor with a 48" deck. I'm still thinking about the bad boy mower myself.

 

+1
My 19hp 48" never lacks for power unless I'm brush hogging. Two week growth in a thick yard, no problem.

 

I have pursued an alternate angle... put the word out to a friend who has a landscaping company and asked him to keep an eye out for a used machine.

I ran my neighbor's ZTR last night, done in under 30 minutes with a 42" deck. I think hydro is very desireable as I have plenty of obstacles (2! Swingsets plus plenty of random nooks) that require me to reverse. For $3k more I am tempted to just groan those dozen times, but a used machine would make this hurt less.


Thanks for all the help, it is much appreciated.

 

The nice thing about exmark is they have 0%, kinda sweeten the deal when I bought mine!

 

I got my Dixie Chopper because they also had 0% and a 5 year warranty when the mower wasn't being used commercially. But now I'm stuck with a payment for another 2 years, looking back I almost wish I had just paid cash for something used. Or just got a decent garden tractor with a belly mower. I mean, it sure is nice getting my mowing done in under an hour. But there's days I'd trade some extra time mowing for having a mower with a steering wheel, so I could drink a beer!!

 

I've got a line on a 200+ hour Gravely 144z with a bagger but its an '07. Guy wants $4k but willing to haggle a little it appears. If those are real hours this is intriguing. Pics looked like a clean machine.

The walk behind was my go to, except for those darn leaves. I can't mulch 3/4 of an acre when I have about 12 fairly large trees dropping leaves in my yard. Unless I can.... and I don't know the secret??

For about $500 more than a new W/B I could get that used commercial ZTR with low hours and the bagger.... its a no brainer right?

 

The way I mulch leaves is this. Multiple passes slowly blowing them all into a center pile. They will be almost dust at this point. One can then determine if he wants to drag pile off with a tarp, or start mulching in the opposite direction distributing them back to the lawn in an even manner.

Tarp can be dragged by a ztr or walk behind saving lots of energy on the operator.

I don't know jack about gravely ztr ,but I can tell you that machine, even with low hours, may have issues. If it's sat for years, seals can dry out, develop leaks, etc. Look carefully as hydro parts on these type of machines can quickly hit $1000 plus. If a pump goes, the wheel motor is normally replaced as well.

 

I will say the Bad Boy mowers at TSC are a lot of value for the money. The 60 inch cut is 5000, which would be overkill. I think the 48 is in the 3500 range. I have run one for 4 years now and no issues at all. I cut 2.5 acres weekly.

 

I counted the trees that I mow around in my yard today, ~90. That is just the trees (no bushes, ect.) that I actually mow around (most of the yard is bordered by woods). Not counting probably 40 more in the pasture, that I mow around every 2-3 weeks. Glad to have a zero turn.

 

What about the old hard hat beer holder. Two beers and a straw. Should have time to finish them and if you run out just up it to 22 Oz cans.

 

I bought the Gravely, the thing is a beast.

I think I did all right. Its a full commercial grade machine, independent hydros/ motors.

 

Congrats. Good looking machine, I never see Gravely's around here. I'd consider doing away with the weights, unless you're gonna hill climb with it. What size/hp is it?

 

44" 21hp

 

damm thing is just under 60" wide with that bagger. I can see a mulching kit in my near future with the bagger just being first cut in the spring and last in the fall gear.