Best commercial zero turn for western NC

hunterdan

hunterdan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Morganton,NC
Looking to get a commercial grade zero turn. I've done some reading and from what I can tell a mower that's great up north might be lower on the list down south due to grass type, terrain, dewpoint...
So far I like the hustler, gravely and scag turf tiger. Also starting to look at Ferris due to seeing many locally.

I will continue to use my Husqvarna for home but want something for lawn business. Recommendations on brand, model and cutting width for an all around machine would be appreciated.
 
I'll give you a good vote for a Ferris. Me and a buddy both have one...several hundred hours between the two of us.
 
f the 3 you listed the Scag is in a different class in my opinion.
If money isnt an object it would be my choice.

The gravelys are built well but have some fit and finish and details concerns to me. My next dor neighbor has a commercial gravely ~48" zero turn. He cuts 3 yards per week. Its 3 ears old. 250 hours. Its on its 4th muffler, the key switch panel area ha to be replaced. and a couple other mini issues.

I think itll last forever as is. But nickel and dime him.

I hve been looking at hustler but no first hand experience. IMHO Scag is the class of the industry.
 
I know in my case of a yard that slopes I about killed myself trying to mow with a couple different brands before getting a Kubota 4x4 to mow with. Tried Dixie chopper, Toro, and a JD with no luck even when dry.
 
Scag, Toro, Exmark, Are the cream of the crop. The Ferris and Gravely are upgraded homeowner mowers.
 
R Q said:
The Ferris and Gravely are upgraded homeowner mowers.
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I know a few firefighters that have mowing services that would argue till blue in the face about the gravely pro series
 
Gravley's homeowner version is the new Ariens. I have an older Ariens but it's no commercial mower where the Gravley counterpart is much nicer.

Exmark is nice but parts seem to be terribly expensive.
 
Get a stand up or something with a velke. Toro and scag make good stuff. Zero turn sucks here.

Edit: And for the record, the mow and blow market here has got to be at the over saturation point.
 
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I have looked at the ones you mentioned, other than scag. Hustler, gravely, toro, ferris, wright, husky, and Spartan.

So far the Wright and Spartans look to be the nicest in my price range ($6-8k new). Im looking at engines, decks, and trans mostly.

My dad has a Hustler SuperZ 60" that he's used for about 8 years. He mowes about 8-10 acres a week. He had to put a new engine on it last yr, otherwise its been rock solid.

Im not in the business so my needs are a little different.

I would say a 48 or 52 would be the best for overall, but it depends on the yards you do. In the mtns a walk behind is king.

I drove the ferris and didn't buy into the susp. The one i tested wouldnt compress/cycle from me jumping on it. The spartan seem to absorb the shock better. Also had a number of "bells" which i could live without. The radial tires they use were nice and didn't seem to tear up the grass as much.
 
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My father in law uses a gas and diesel grasshopper. Aggricultural type tread all filled with glycol. I even have a large pull type grass catcher running water weighted tires.
When my zero snapper gets new shoes I will do the same.
Hills, slopes and greasy tall grass Agg tires really help.....just got to learn to turn right.
 
Scag turf tiger for the win here we run 3 of them if I were on the hills I would invest in some bar or atv tires to make er hold the slopes we also have 2 toro grandstands they are ok if you like standing up to mow 2 walk behind scags and 2 grasshopper front mounts the front mounts are kind of like a battle ship to get around slow and clumsy
 
Ron said:
I hve been looking at Hustler but no first hand experience.
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Hello teenage boy growing up in the 90s....:D

Sorry just couldn't let that go. Nothing useful to add here.
 
If you decide on Hustler, look at the Big Dog mowers as well. Same factory and most of the same parts and a longer warranty.
 
Thanks for the info. One thing I definitely want is a mower that can raise the deck. I just Put new mulch blades on my Husq RZ5426 and it's a bit of a hassle by yourself. The thought of raising the deck after each use and washing it out seems worth the extra dough
 
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Keep in mind parts and service, if you don't have a great service department and the parts are sky high you don't have much no of them are any good when they break down.
 
anvilrubi said:
Keep in mind parts and service, if you don't have a great service department and the parts are sky high you don't have much no of them are any good when they break down.
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For sure... that's what's got me leaning towards a gravely. They are cheaper, but there is an awesome dealer near the house.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
For sure... that's what's got me leaning towards a gravely. They are cheaper, but there is an awesome dealer near the house.
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We ended up getting a pro turn the dealership in Wilmington was about 700 dollars cheaper than the local store, they even delivered it to the shop no charge added 90 mile round trip.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
For sure... that's what's got me leaning towards a gravely. They are cheaper, but there is an awesome dealer near the house.
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The lack of service points on a Gravely are why they are cheaper. Those units are designed to be used until broken or worn out, then replace the entire part. There is not much you can "maintain" on them such as greasing and such.

To the OP, as has been mentioned, potentially stick with a standup rider like those made by Wright, or a John Deere QuikTrak if you're mowing hills and such. I like the option of a quick bailout instead of riding it out. With that thought in mind, how many commercial mowers have you REALLY seen with the ROPS in place like it should be AND the operator wearing the seatbelt? Having worked on both, I'd push the Wright over the JD, especially since Wright partnered with JD. How much do you want to pay for yellow vs. green and yellow? Also, having worked on both, be prepared to open your wallet if they need a transmission belt or a clutch. These models SUCK to work on! I'm playing devil's advocate, I know.

For me, overall ease of getting on and off a machine numerous times, low profile, equally distributed weight, cheaper cost, lower center of gravity, and taking up less room on the trailer, I'd choose the Wright or JD model any day over a mid-mount zero turn, regardless of maintenance cost. Since I work for a JD dealer, the popular models are the 648R and 652R. For further capability, you can get those with "Mulch on Demand, or MOD" decks. This utilizes electronically actuated baffles under the deck and discharge chute to go from standard mowing to mulching. Two features, one machine, and no real downtime to install or remove baffles. The only real downfall with these types of machines is the inability to place a large capacity collection system on them. The largest I've seen is roughly four cubic feet that mounts on the discharge side of the deck, versus 8-12 bushel capacity that a mid-mount mower may carry.

With all of that being said, the first and last mower I would ever buy is a Scag Turf Tiger. I appreciate a machine that is designed to be serviced, maintained, overbuilt, and outright performs. Split hydraulics, tapered roller bearing casters, wheel bearings, and spindles, and relief valves on the spindles so you don't blow out the seals from over-greasing. Cooling radiators on both engine and hydro oil. Designed to be maintained! Yes, I mentioned that twice.

Whatever you choose, don't rush into it or be gimmicked by fancy add-ons, overcomplicated designs, or long finance terms. Seriously, JD offers a 72 month option. If you're going to be commercially mowing five days a week, conservatively you'll have roughly 5,000 hours on a unit by the time you reach the amortization of the loan. That's at best two engines ($1500-2400 each), one deck ($700-1900 each), likely the same for hydro motors ($200-400 each side) and pumps ($150-300 per side). These are abused machines subjected to the worst conditions and they will all wear out even if they are maintained properly and timely.

Good luck in your ventures!
 
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