Looking for advice/recommendations on ZTR's

Looking to buy a ztr, any advice is appreciated. I mow about 3 acres of our nine acres. Land is rough, old farm land, so durability is a high priority. Thanks for any and all advice!

My current mower:



Would like to keep the cost under 6K.

 

Buy the best mower you can afford.
Kawasaki and Honda engines are about the best.
Get a thick fabricated deck.
And least but certainly not least! Is a good hydro drive system. If it doesn't have a spin on oil filter and the capability to change the drive oil...walk...ahh, I mean run away...those sealed systems are NOT heavy duty!
If you keep your eyes peeled for a while you can find a good deal on a nice low hour commercial machine (something that was used by a homeowner with a large yard maybe) That's what I did, found a real nice 2006 Hustler Mini Z 52" (smaller version of a Super Z) with 375 hours on it for about half your price range...this was a couple years ago now...has 475 hours on it now...so much better built unit than the residential duty Toro I had before!
Ferris is a good one, Hustler, the Toro commercial stuff is good...there are others that can be named too, I'm sure.

 

Oh, the Ferris has suspension, so that would be gooder for your rough terrain. Toro has a suspended operators platform on some of the newer ones too...my buddy loves his!

 

I have a 60" Bad Boy about 10 years old now, zero issues. Commercial hydros the new ones are a lot nicer and still about $5,000. I mowed 2.5 acres a week with it. I would buy another one.
I agree a Ferris would be nice for the suspension but I think they are way expensive.

 

Yup, big bux new! But I have seen some killer deals on really nice used ones...low hour homeowner operated units. And fall is a good time to find deals on 'em. There are lots of "deals" on used ones in the spring, but they are often polished up (or not ) commercially operated units...have been run hard usually!

 

@benndatomu and ironpony , thanks for the responses. I like the Ferris, I will take a look. Thought about a lghtly used homeowner model, but my mechanic skillz are average at best!

 

I'd probably go for a used commercial grade over any homeowner line.
Kinda like this
2014 Scag Cheetah 72, 34hp efi $6900 obo

 

I'd want to get some input from bocefus78 on that 34hp Kohler.

 

I have my doubts that Dex wants to get rid of the Dixie Chopper. Thats one badazz mower!

 

Yup there ya go, just what I was talking about...allota mower for the money there!

 

Don't say that around Pallet Pete ...he might think its "corny"

 

All good choices and advice above. I have a Grasshopper commercial ztr, like it a lot and mow about 5 acres a week. Occasionally I will mow all 12 pasture acres too, and that uneven terrain is handled easily.
The local city works guys mow on Grasshopper mowers, too- and they have quite a bit to mow, both the parks and grounds but the center medians of the highways. The new price is high-dollar, but I see used ones in good shape for what you’re looking to spend. Happy hunting!

 

If ya wanna spend some money, buy a Ventrac! (gooder machines though!)
Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

 

I have been a member on Lawnsite for years...Haven't been on for quite a while though.

Nice mower, maybe a little more than I need.

 

I pretty much can't afford anything that Mad Dog owns!!