It is for our Rod and Gun Club. Mow 2 acres of lawn weekly, about 2+ hours. May -October. I am looking at Cub Cadet and Bad Boy at Tractor Supply and Cub Cadet at local Kubota dealer. We just can't afford a Kubota, Ferris, or Dixie Chopper. Cub Cadet run from $3400 to $7300. Haven't priced the Bad Boy yet. I used one of them 6-7 years ago and was not favorable impressed. Do we buy based on cost? The Cub Cadets I have priced have Kew. engines rather than Kholer. Any other recommendations? Family has owned Dixie Chopper and Toro. Toro is old, maybe 20 years and just keeps chugging along.
Not familiar with a finish mower to which you refer.
How rough is the terrain? I have rough terrain on my farm and a lower cost, stock ZT is an absolute joke. You need to spend some money to get into a comfortable seat if the machine is hard wired (rigid suspension/frame) like most. I bought a mid range Ferris thinking the springs would solve my problems and it had a very nice upgraded seat but the springs didn't do what I thought and the front rode better without those. Kept the rears and replaced the tires with ATV snow lugs, 2 ply 5 PSI max inflation pressure which were a marked improvement over OEM issue turfs.
The tiny front idler wheel tires are always needing to be aired....older the machine the worse it gets. Things like backing up cause the fronts to change directions and that puts strain on the sidewalls of the fronts inviting leaking. The more you air the fronts, the worse the ride especially if you try solid fronts that don't leak down....brutal.
Another problem is 3 blades. In the wetter months, the manufactured deck with its welded, right angle joined components just loves to cake up with grass and I have tried about all the tricks to prevent it unless not using the machine till later on in the summer when the plant moisture and environment are dryer. What works in the wetter conditions is the "stamped" 46" conventional, 2 blade riding mowers. The rounded corners and the absence of the center third blade work a lot better to prevent clogging and the conventional is softer riding and is all I use anymore this time of year.
Over the years (lots) I have spent lots of time, effort, and money to get this problem solved and what I said above is about the best I can do for now. Good luck.
How rough is the terrain? I have rough terrain on my farm and a lower cost, stock ZT is an absolute joke. You need to spend some money to get into a comfortable seat if the machine is hard wired (rigid suspension/frame) like most. I bought a mid range Ferris thinking the springs would solve my problems and it had a very nice upgraded seat but the springs didn't do what I thought and the front rode better without those. Kept the rears and replaced the tires with ATV snow lugs, 2 ply 5 PSI max inflation pressure which were a marked improvement over OEM issue turfs.
The tiny front idler wheel tires are always needing to be aired....older the machine the worse it gets. Things like backing up cause the fronts to change directions and that puts strain on the sidewalls of the fronts inviting leaking. The more you air the fronts, the worse the ride especially if you try solid fronts that don't leak down....brutal.
Another problem is 3 blades. In the wetter months, the manufactured deck with its welded, right angle joined components just loves to cake up with grass and I have tried about all the tricks to prevent it unless not using the machine till later on in the summer when the plant moisture and environment are dryer. What works in the wetter conditions is the "stamped" 46" conventional, 2 blade riding mowers. The rounded corners and the absence of the center third blade work a lot better to prevent clogging and the conventional is softer riding and is all I use anymore this time of year.
Over the years (lots) I have spent lots of time, effort, and money to get this problem solved and what I said above is about the best I can do for now. Good luck.
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Non-farmer
Well-known Member
I'll second that question. I mow three acres with a Ford 2N pulling an old-style (side discharge) 5' finish mower. My riding mower (33 tears old) blew its head gasket for the second time last year, and I said enough and bought a Scag with a 22 horse Kawi engine to trim around stuff. Paid 6 grand for it, I hope I never come to regret that,
But in any case, not in a thousand years would I mow the lawn with the Scag. It is a designated trimmer for spots you can't get the Ford into, and that's all it will ever be. I will continue to mow my lawn with the Ford. It takes about 45 minutes to do the three acres, and that leaves me maybe a half hour of work with the Scag. I don't understand why it takes you that long to mow 2 acres.
PS: Texasmark is right on the money. Unless you spend a fortune or are mowing golf course greens, you will quickly come to regret the ride of a ZTR when used on a large area. My advice is: don't.
As far as brand recommendations go- I got the Scag because a friend who mows school district lawns for a living told me to not even think about another brand. So far, I think his advice has been solid.
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
Another option: Keep your eyes open for a municipal auction. I bought this in late 2019 for $1300. The only "work needed" was correcting the miss-routed intake. My neighbor has a Cub Cadet and I had a Bad Boy. This is far superior to either.
hoghollow
Member
- Location
- Far Southwest Wisconsin
f1145 is commercial machein and a front mount. Most zero turns are mid mount no comparison between the two of them I had a front mount Dixon with kaw engine Ran that mower until plan wore out. Replaced it with JD commercial mid mount big mistake
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
My back and butt hurt just watching people bounce in their ZTRs.
I saw something I can't unsee. A woman in a 2 piece bouncing up and down
I was amazed how strong her 2 piece outfit was. I have a photographic memory too
and I can watch reruns.
There is a commercial landscaper who has a JD ZTR and he uses
these tires. He goes flying and no bouncing,
I saw something I can't unsee. A woman in a 2 piece bouncing up and down
I was amazed how strong her 2 piece outfit was. I have a photographic memory too
and I can watch reruns.
There is a commercial landscaper who has a JD ZTR and he uses
Hit a hidden piece of steel and broke a mower blade and tore the bearing housing out of the deck of the finish mower. Mower doesn't owe a anything, been using it for 20+ years. The old JD 420 tractor is getting older, charging system doesn't work and it needs a PTO brake. Power steering leaks, l hoped the tractor would out last me. I am the only one in the club who will put up with it's idiosyncrasies. It's time for new lawnmowing equipment. We are familiar with the zero turn and how rough they can ride. Have used them at home for 20 years. We use one of our cast offs to trim at the club now.
My only experience with Bad Boy is what I have now, but it is a Rogue with a Kawi and probably not comparable to what TS has out front for the middle of the road model. I'm cutting 4+ acres with some roadside ditches that most wouldn't want to cut with a zero turn and other places that are rough. I cut it all in a couple of hours and feel like I've been in the recliner all day. I would have gone with something cheaper, but when I bought it the mid priced ones were selling as soon as they came off the truck and I got a pretty good deal on it. I'm semi-retired and knew I could make some money with it as a backup, if needed, so not a hard decision.
My only other zero turn was a JD, but it was a consumer grade version, so not a good comparison. Had deck cables break back when I only used it to cut a small yard. Replacing them required taking it half apart. It rode ok, but seemed like it always needing adjusting. Mtc. is easier on the BB, except for one grease fitting. I've run across ditches and hit a low cut stump running at high speed that brought me to a stop, but no deck damage or adjustments needed.
I ran another brand or two during a short time county gig where there were lots of obstacles and rough country and hated them. Always broke or beat you to death. I'd try to find a dealer that will let you ride the models around that you are looking at.
My only other zero turn was a JD, but it was a consumer grade version, so not a good comparison. Had deck cables break back when I only used it to cut a small yard. Replacing them required taking it half apart. It rode ok, but seemed like it always needing adjusting. Mtc. is easier on the BB, except for one grease fitting. I've run across ditches and hit a low cut stump running at high speed that brought me to a stop, but no deck damage or adjustments needed.
I ran another brand or two during a short time county gig where there were lots of obstacles and rough country and hated them. Always broke or beat you to death. I'd try to find a dealer that will let you ride the models around that you are looking at.
Dingo3
Well-known Member
- Location
- Southern MD
I also have a zero turn. It is an older commercial one made by Encore. They have since been bought out so I don’t know much about the current ones. Mine is a mid cut 60 with a floating deck. I keep hearing all these complaints about rough ride but I’ve never had a problem. Comfy seat, huge tires rear and front, rides like a dream. No riding mower comes close. As far as a finish mower, they are great on wide open fields but can’t touch a zero when cutting around stuff and getting close and personable with a fence line. I have about 5 acres with lots of cut arounds, hard to get to areas and a few hills. Best mower I’ve ever owned, hope it lasts another 25 years.
I have had a $3400 Toro 2 blade 42'' for 3 years and love the zero turn ability to go thro ditches and mow moderate hillsides. Yes it rides a bit rough .
Aren't there any other brand dealers in your area?
I am no fan of Bad Boy mowers from Tractor Supply. We used to work on them at the 'other brand' dealership where I work. It was a hassle getting parts.
Don't buy the homeowner Cub Cadet either. After it gets about 2 years old you will have trouble keeping it out of the shop.
I can't say anything bad about Kawasaki engines. They hold up as good or better than Kohler engines. (Which has now become Rhelko for some reason.)
I am no fan of Bad Boy mowers from Tractor Supply. We used to work on them at the 'other brand' dealership where I work. It was a hassle getting parts.
Don't buy the homeowner Cub Cadet either. After it gets about 2 years old you will have trouble keeping it out of the shop.
I can't say anything bad about Kawasaki engines. They hold up as good or better than Kohler engines. (Which has now become Rhelko for some reason.)
I bought a Bad Boy about 8 years ago. Waited 'till Spring as they always go on sale. Been pretty happy with it but admit the first thing I did was sell the seat and replace it with a suspension seat made for a fork lift. Takes less that 1.5 hrs to do my 3.5 acres.
urbancase
Well-known Member
- Location
- Southeast Indiana
we just vote to replace our mowing machine at our gun club, we are getting a 54 inch cub cadet zero turn, apx $5000.00, i myself am looking at bad boys for a second mower for at home.
RobCons
Well-known Member
- Location
- Central Alabama
I have three ztr mowers. A JD, Kubota, and Toro. All of them are commercial mowers. The key to cutting rough ground is a good seat and having the tire pressure at recommended levels. I would not consider a Cub Cadet since I dont believe they have the quality they used to.
Hobo,NC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sanford, NC
A 3500 home owner special = low bidder got the contract they bate you with a fabricated deck everything else is a cheap as cheap can get BTDT you will have regret. All it will ever be is a P.I.T.A. with constant replacement of garbage parts. 6K is a step up less the whistles and bells and commercial drive train. It looks like you understand what the real deal is you will not beat the real deal buy once and be happy.
Well I thought that was the perfect solution so I added a set of those (same design theory but unknown mfgr.) to my front wheel tries...on tires. Got them used off ebay.....apparently the PO learned the same thing when he installed them and wanted to be rid of them and get at least some of his money back. A joke. Too stiff.
Probably in the rears with all the weight applied they work fine. Surely JD researched the design before going into production......but they make a lot of golf course smooth grass cutters so I can't say that design worked on their products. Never sat on one nor saw one in action.
I had a Kohler Courage single cylinder 20 hp and it vibrated itself to death....even cracked the main housing. Swore off the brand I had used and respected for many years. Looking for a 46" 2 blade conventional rider a few years ago and it had the Kohler 7000 series 22 HP V twin. Bought it and it is one of the finest engines I ever ran. I think Kohler had egg on their face with the Courage fiasco and needed to re-establish customer loyalty. They did for me with the 7000 series.
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