ZTR MOWER

[Anonymous-0]

I'm in the market for a 48" ZTR mower, and would appreciate suggestions of what to look for and what to avoid.
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Lumpy]

I'm partial to the Country Clipper. Very reliable, well built machine. Can have twin stick control levers OR a single joy-stick control. I went with the joy-stick and absolutely love it. Easy to run and it leaves your left hand free to wave at the nieghbors or drink your favorite beverage. Google them and see what you think.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Huztler. Made in Kansas, USA. Looked at em all; Grasshoper, JD, Torro, Excell, etc etc, the Huztler looks better. Exception might be the Scag, also looks very good. Tom

 

[bc]

Hustler is made by Excel in Hesston, KS. Grasshopper made by Grasshopper company in Moundridge, KS. About 5 miles apart. Area full of Dutch mennonites, Russian mennonites, holdermans, and a few amish.

 

[WGM]

Love my Dixie Chopper!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'll second that, Dixie is # 1. Hustler ain't too bad, stay away from gravely! Depends on where the closest dealer is, and the best deal you can make.

 

[smallbaleboy]

i have all the models of dixons in the shop if you want to test drive unit. funny thing is all of them out there pretty much all have the same inners just what color body do you want. what your price range. Ram units in that size have been very popular

 

[hoosier boy]

Got a Country Clipper mostly cause I liked the joy stick idea and it has worked fine, good not to have the handles in front of you and to have a free hand to move branches out of the way for trimming. My gripe is wet/moist grass really plugs it up then its a pain to clear out. This is my first ZTR, dont know if thats a problem with all of them.

 

[keh]

3rd vote for Dixie Chopper. Have one and like it.

Having a nearby,GOOD, dealer is important. Do comparison shopping also.

Onr way to tell the difference between a commercial duty mower and the rest of the herd is to look at floorboards. The best grades have a hinged floorboard that can be lifted for access to mower deck belts when they have to be replaced. Others are built lighter and so the floorboard is bolted in place to provide stiffness for the lighter frame.

KEH

 

[Lumpy]

hoosier boy, had the same problem. Went to the dealer and paid $20.00 extra for a set of "high lift" blades. Huge difference, but the only problem now is I MUST wear eye protection because those blade pick-up and spit out so much crap that it was getting in my eyes. I also run with the deflector tied up with a bungee. It throw the grass really far then, at least 5ft away before it lands!

 

[smallbaleboy]

put on a set of the 3n1 blades and that should help. speed of the deck is also important in that area as some run faster than others. deck depth also makes a difference in plugging or not.

 

[MPK]

Had a Grasshopper for 22 years and never even had to change a belt, only blades. Very heavy duty built machine. Mine is 52 inch with 18 HP Kohler.

 

[PJH]

I've had about eight years of trouble free service from my Grasshopper.

Paul

 

[hoosier boy]

Thanks for the suggestion of high lift blades. I have a small mower with them and bet they will do a good job on the big mower. Ive never been satisfied with the discharge on this mower so will be looking to get a set.

 

[hoosier boy]

Thanks for the suggestion of high lift blades. I have a small mower with them and bet they will do a good job on the big mower. Ive never been satisfied with the discharge on this mower so will be looking to get a set.