I think you are the right track with the Kawasaki engine and serviceable hydros. I have a 2008 52" Toro commercial mower with a 23 hp Kawa-1275 hours on it. Replaced the PTO clutch and the PTO switch-only repairs. The clutch was a poor design-the socket for the wiring wore out and it was not replaceable-the new ones are. I also have a 2017 Toro commercial with a 26 hp Kawa. That has a 60" deck and has been perfect for the 360 hours I've used it. I have been impressed with the Toro Titans I have looked at. My local saw shop sells Hustlers, and they look nice as well.
Horkn i got a Ferris because my yard is a old horse pasture and bumpy. I have a section called ol lumpy! uncle runs landscape company they swear by exmark I tried and used toro the cut was better BUT I wanted suspension on my yard
We bought a Ferris with a 61” deck in 2006. 25 hp Kawasaki. Mowed 3 acres with it for 7 years. Now mow a little over a acre. 450 hours + or - a few. I bought new belts for it 5 years ago. They are still hanging in the garage. I haven’t turned a wrench on it other than maintenance. It’s a good machine. My work has a 72” exmark with a diesel. It’s no slouch!! Exmarks deck design moves grass through the deck like nothing I’ve seen. My advise would be to demo some. ANY reputable dealer will demo their products if it’s of any count. Btw Ferris has 4 wheel independent suspension, HAUL ASH!!!!
We tried out a Ferris before buying the Hustler Diesel Z at work, it really didn't ride that much better than the HDZ, and we really didn't like all the complication/moving parts/wear points on the Ferris...I know they have a 5 year warranty on the suspension, but that is also right about the time it will be full on sloppy/worn out too! (We put 100-150 hrs/yr on 'em) We opted for the flex forks on the Diesel Z, that and the premium Grammar suspension seat on it make it ride really nice...much better than my rigid Mini-Z for sure! I haven't personally ran a Toro with the "My Ride" suspended operators platform, but my buddy has one on a very rough woods lot to mow, and he said its great.
That myride on the toro seems to work very well. The guy that mowed my lawn when I was replacing the engine in my garden tractor. Outside of one area, it's a pretty smooth lawn. So suspension isn't really needed. I think you can add suspension front wheels if you want, the 1 step lower priced and non serviceable hydro unit raptor has them.
brenndatomu bought my 6 years ago And less than 170 hours. Tried them all but my yard is an old farm fields and have run everything on it feller buncher, concrete truck excavators it’s not smooth! one thing I like about mine it it vaporizes dog piles so I only have to pick them up in spring!!
11 years ago I had 6 companies bring top end machines to my school to try out. Ferris, Deere, grasshopper, hustler, Dixon, & ExMark. Grasshopper bagger plugged quickly , but I was admittedly pushing it(along with all of them). Ended up happiest with ExMark & Ferris out of them all. ExMark has a local dealer, who is also the grasshopper dealer, and we are on our 4th I believe. I run em 3 years, about 900hours and trade. Bagger included. Like was said above, they’re all pretty good for home acreage mowing. ive got a 2005 Dixon 44”Mag that’s been great but I only mow my 1/2acre lot mostly.
I got a Hustler Fast Track with 54" deck and Kawi engine used (300 hours) 2 falls ago. Paid right around $3000 from a good dealer. Have just under 400 hours now. I mow 1 acer with it and my son mows about a acer lawn in the neighborhood. I have no complaints. Not sure if the Raptor has the bigger rear wheels, but I high suggest them. The smaller wheels tear up the turf a little bit on tight turns.
I bought a Bad-Boy ZT Elite two seasons back and very happy with it. It is nothing special but has been very good for my needs. A Scag as well as some others was way out of my price range for just my own lawn. No complaints at all. Cuts great easy to use and stripes it leaves are awesome. The landscaper that cuts the neighbors next door who runs a Deere was upset that it leaves a nicer looking cut than his machine does.
If you would consider used you should check out "Wisconsin surplus". Townships are contracting out mowing and send stuff here. The contacts given are pretty honest with regards to condition mainly because it's not their money.
My BIL just bought a Ferris. They are coming this week to either fix on site or pick it up. While he was mowing he found something that fell off of it and he has no idea where it came from, but in fairness, even if he did he’d probably have them out anyway. 1 acre isn’t much for an industrial strength zt. You plan to make some money with it?
We just bit the bullet the other day, going to pick up the new toy this afternoon. Bought a Bad Boy Maverick, 54" with the Kawasaki. Our yard was rough, but the other month the cows got in it while it was wet and now there's cow tacks everywhere. The in laws snapper that we had been using just beats the snot out of me. When i looked up zt with suspension, the only non high end one i could find was the Maverick. We'll see.... Of course its been so dry that I cut the yard over 2 weeks ago and it still doesnt need it....usually it needs it at least once every week or less.
OK, I know nothing about ZTR's.....but I've been seeing a lot of stuff about these Bad Boy mowers....are they any good? Home - Bad Boy Mowers They are completely made in the US. Who We Are - Bad Boy Mowers
JRHAWK9, the reviews I saw were mostly good (you know you usually always see a couple that make you question the product or poster). Talked to several people who had and like the bad boys. Ths suspension without the commercial price tag (granted this mower is more than I ever thought we would spend on a lawnmower) is one of the main things that sold me. I can tell you that it was very hard to get. I started calling dealers about back in mid April, and they all said they had mowers on order but didnt know when they would come in because components were hard for the manufacturer to get. The one I bought, the dealer didnt think he was going to get until mid June-July.
I will also say that I have been wanting a mower for several years but it wasn't in the cards. I was interested in an Arians, then was headed towards a Gravely. Like I said, the suspension led me to the BB Maverick. We shall see...
He's got bunches huh...not so around here. Bad Boy offers a veteran, military, first responder, EMT, fire fighter and lEO discount....don't know if that would be applicable to you. Edit...the Maverick was hard to find, I didnt ask about the other models. They made it sound like it was all models, and almost all mowers....
My yard is flat and the ZT Elite has no suspension. For my application this was / is fine. For the price it was hard to not go this route. It is really nicely built ans as I said has worked out perfect for me. Also has the Kawasaki Engine on it as well.
I'm actually not in the market for one, as we don't have much grass and our little L110 does just fine mowing the little grass, moss and whatever leafy weeds we have. LOL I was just curious as what others thought of them. The name just seems super cheesy to me and was curious as to how good/bad of a product it was.
