Zero turn shopping is a real mental drain.....

Yeah I bet they are now.
We just bought a Ventrac 4500 Pro, with diesel, 72" deck, duals, canopy, it was well north of 30k, I thought they were nuts for getting that big of a machine, a standard 4500 diesel 60" would have been just fine, but whatever, not my money, or my decision.

 

You'll quickly get used to it

 

^^ this is my experience and you don’t have to go as fast as it can

If throttle controls blades (does on mine) should be full speed

 

I get that but it is so darn responsive. I wish it had a high and low range, at least as far as handle movement required.
I feel like a sneeze could mow down the shrubs.

 

I've found some brand to have smoother controls than others...the Toro Timecutter I had previously actually had dampers on the controls, but it was a homeowner model too so...
I test drove a Snapper ZTR before I bought the Toro, and it had a single joystick control...now that was sketchy!

 

Less trimming if you buzz them off, silver lining to every sneeze.

 

Try starting out running at partial throttle, that'll take the edge off...some people say you have to run full throttle for the best cut, but I find with sharp blades that 2/3-3/4 throttle works just fine too. (Unless you are mowing hay maybe!)
And dealers always say to engage deck at full throttle too, I don't do that either. They always say it's to keep the engine from stalling, or to keep it from throwing the drive belt off, but I've never had either happen, on any machine...I have however seen a Ventrac toss it's drive belt over 100' away during a full throttle deck engagement (I was not operating, did get called to fix it though!)

 

Use your fingers to drive, not arms.

Edit: plant your elbows in the arm rests. Use wrists and fingers.

I was taught to engage the deck at as low of an rpm as possible without the engine stalling. Less wear and tear on the belt and clutch.

 

I was taught engaged at lower rpm for clutch also on mine about 3/4 them power up.. made sense

moles sand piles dull blades quickly..

 

I didn't try the armrest good idea. Was trying to gently hold but my jostling around made it like i was welding standing on a rubber ball..

 

It can get pretty herky jerky if you're just floating your arms and not used to it. I'll bet by the end of summer you'll be driving one handed.

 

I also engage blades at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle!

 

I was nervous too at first. I actually found it to be intuitive, and easy to get used to. After a short while, I started mowing in high range, zippin right along. You'll have a ball with it in no time...

 

Hmm... seems like we need an update from op... how'd the first mowing go Screwloose?

Do any mods yet?

 

Seems to be okay lotta fun. Can't use the armrests as I'm too girthy. Maybe I can make spacers. I'm not to good at going straight that's for sure!
Mower deck runs smooth at full throttle but picks up a vibration at 3/4 ish throttle. The idle on the engine sounds sweet. Surprised just how tight the tensioners keep the belts.

 

I was at our Bad Boy dealer yesterday, got a spindle rebuilt and belt replaced on our 2013 CZT. He had a Diesel Renegade with 61" deck for 17K...
If we hadn't just got a tractor...

 

Seems like a really good price. And the Bad Boy dealer still hasn't called me back!

 

I'm saying that their chances are slim at this point, amiright?!

 

Residential mowers have gone up about 300 dollars just from last year. Inflation and other fun stuff. Put those increases on a 15-20k mower and it's even more sizable.

 

Even lower end hustlers are very well built. Nearly bought a raptor XD 54" last year.