Zero Turn Mowers - Residential use

[mburnickas]

Originally Posted by Chris223

So these have aluminum axels eh? If you say so... And I'm pretty sure this guy is looking for a consumer mower, not a commercial. Regardless, Lowes sells some ****** mowers, I wont deny that, but the higher end models are not going to die within a week, or else they'd never sell. And I've never heard a complaint about em. My neighbor bought one of those "real" Deeres from a dealership and has had nothing but problems with it. Damn thing is always getting fixed. They're made with the consumer in mind. A person like yourself who sounds like someone who used this type of equipment daily, isn't exactly the greatest to recieve advice from. IDK about you, but being just an average person, I don't need a contractor telling me to go buy a $500 DeWalt drill when I'd only be using it once a month. See my point?

26-HP V-Twin Hydrostatic 54" Cut LA175 Lawn Tractor

22-HP V-Twin Hydrostatic 48" Cut LA145 Lawn Tractor

I would never buy a Deere simply because I still hold the opinions that they are over-hyped and overpriced. I just wish Ariens still made tractors. Our lawn tractor is an Ariens that my Dad bought before I was born, back around 1984... thing still runs awesome. And it gets put to some heavy usage, as we have to mow over 3 acres including hills. So long as we get it tuned up and the blades sharpened... she keeps runnin. Shame they don't make riding mowers anymore.

Those are cheap mowers at Lowes! LOL. Hell I paid over $3,000 for my Kubota lawn broom alone.
I had a small DEERE 455 (diesel) with 4 ft tiller, 54" mower (only 180 lbs) and a front end loader. At the time it was a good deal for $13,000. Now, I would never buy a deere. They nickle and dime you for everything.

But I agree with Brandon1 here. Buy it once man,. I did not want to spend $20,000 for a Kubota tractor but it WILL last thousands of hours. If I want to mowe I can, I want to use the backhoe I can, I want to move 30 yards of mulch I can, want to use the tiller, brush hog I can..Why limit yourself upfront (if you can afoord) if you do not have too? YMMV

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by mburnickas

I had a small DEERE 455 (diesel) with 4 ft tiller, 54" mower (only 180 lbs) and a front end loader. At the time it was a good deal for $13,000.

You can still get a deal like that. Maybe it's yalls location, but in our area, John Deere still has competative pricing and the ability to stand behind their product like no other. Deere makes quality stuff, thats why they have been in buisness AND #1 in the industry since 1837

[mburnickas]

I agree some DEERE is good stuff but their prices on their upper home owner stuff is over pimped.

I sold my DEERE and will never buy another. I will take my Kubota with more stuff and cheaper price. I say that when I got my 455 you had to pay more for a CAT 0 (too small) 3-pt hitch, more for a PTO etc.

I can get a BX with std pto CAT 1 hitch etc... The BX will killing JD and that is why they tried revamped the the smaller units a few years ago.

Deere's quality standards don't go very far. They crank out quite alot of substandard stuff. As of late most of their product is comming from other companies, other factories, and is simply painted green (not most of the Kubota linel outside Atlanta). Their biggest asset is not their product. Its their name {DEERE} and they way they've sold themselves to the American public. As a business, they should be commended for that. Its the reason they make the profits they do. The last two factories that Deere started up themselves where in Mexico and India right? I'm not knocking the product, just pointing out that Deere today is certianly not the tractor company from Illinios that it was years (or decades) ago.

Kubota outsells Deere nearly 3-1 in the CUT business. I got this from 2 dealers that sell both.

Not saying Deere is bad but their parts are over priced, nickle and dime ya for items that are std on others.

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by mburnickas

I agree some DEERE is good stuff but their prices on their upper home owner stuff is over pimped.

I sold my DEERE and will never buy another. I will take my Kubota with more stuff and cheaper price. I say that when I got my 455 you had to pay more for a CAT 0 (too small) 3-pt hitch, more for a PTO etc.

I can get a BX with std pto CAT 1 hitch etc... The BX will killing JD and that is why they tried revamped the the smaller units a few years ago.

Deere's quality standards don't go very far. They crank out quite alot of substandard stuff. As of late most of their product is comming from other companies, other factories, and is simply painted green (not most of the Kubota linel outside Atlanta). Their biggest asset is not their product. Its their name {DEERE} and they way they've sold themselves to the American public. As a business, they should be commended for that. Its the reason they make the profits they do. The last two factories that Deere started up themselves where in Mexico and India right? I'm not knocking the product, just pointing out that Deere today is certianly not the tractor company from Illinios that it was years (or decades) ago.

Kubota outsells Deere nearly 3-1 in the CUT business. I got this from 2 dealers that sell both.

Not saying Deere is bad but their parts are over priced, nickle and dime ya for items that are std on others.

Well everyone has their own opinion. I STRONGLY disagree with yours (my avatar backs that up lol), but everyone has the right to think what they want.

Back on topic

[mburnickas]

I agree! Just saying what I have gotten from dealers and just stating facts on it. Deere is not what it once was, hence the crap at HD.

PS. I live in Texas and the JD people are strang folk. LOL

Back back to the topic, you can buy a ZTR as I said before but you are buying a single use product. Thick long and hard here guy...

[jswift2000]

Originally Posted by Brandon1

I'm just saying buy it once and it will perform better, last longer, larger service intervals and easier use.

Originally Posted by mburnickas

you can buy a ZTR as I said before but you are buying a single use product. Thick long and hard here guy...

These are the best bits of advice given so far - spend it once on quality now and it will last 20+ years. If you only need a mower (no hauling, dumping, carting, etc), grab a ZTR - hands down. If you need advice on a ZTR, check out LawnSite.com™ - Lawn Care & Landscaping Business Forum Powered by Moose River Media - Powered by vBulletin - its a landscapers forum and mowers are discussed quite a bit.

Everyone likes their own brands - IMO Deere, Simplicity, Kubata, etc all make great prods. Find one that meets your needs and go from there. Also ask the dealer if you can demo one which will give you a good feel for the product and the service you will receive.

Good luck...

Jeff

[mburnickas]

One word here is be VERY careful on lawnsite. For me, the site is pimped more on certain products / people then head on. Example, look at the sprinkler section. It is all about, "ha nice job", or "we are the best" or "justification of there prices for installs". My point is take there word with a "house size" grain of salt.

It is an okay site but far from the best. Then again I know of 2 sites (this is one) that are the very best out there to debate things. Most are crap and mods attitudes distroy them (lexusownerclub, clublexus, Forddiesel, etc).