Expected Life Of Zero Turn Mower

Anonymous-0 · Jul 28, 2010

I have been looking for a used ZTR mower. I found an Ariens Zoom 2252 ZTR on Craigs list for $1550. It is about 7 years old with 500 hours. The motor is a BS OHV 22hp. It has a 52 inch cut. I think this unit is comparible to the heavy duty residential mowers that cost about $4,000 new. Not the Home Depot version. Is this worth it or is it like a car with 200,000 miles and anything could go at any time? Thanks for the help.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 28, 2010

Brother bought one with 1000 hrs that was doing commerical mowing. Has put an additional 150 hours with no problems. If it had decent care and wasn't overheated, wouldn't have a concern with buying it. Still generally better to have one with a radiator.

showcrop · Jul 28, 2010

I bought a used Ferris which is strictly commercial last fall. before buying it I talked to a landscaper friend who advised me that the commercial units easily go 2000 hours without significant problems. I don 't believe that the either the Ariens or the Briggs would be considered commercial.

jiminct · Jul 28, 2010

the main thing w/ some of the ztr mowers is the hyd pumps that run the wheels. i think on some of the non commercial ztrs they're not so great and only last about 1k hrs. i wouldn't hesitate getting a commercial unit as they should last longer and most if not all have rebuildable hydo pumps and trans.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 28, 2010

Probably would depend on how well they were maintained especially oil changes and frequency of greasing. Be sure to sit on a bunch of different ones before buying as they all sit different and some are more comfortable than others.

Foghorn Leghorn · Jul 28, 2010

Well, I have about $1,000 in a 1949 Allis C with a Woods 60" mower. I can tell you that the Allis will probably be around long after that ZTR has been recycled. While not as comfortable, I consider something like that a much better value.

fixerupper · Jul 28, 2010

A new 'heavy duty' 52" zero turn mower is going to cost a lot more than $4000. A new 700 series Grasshopper with a 52" deck is going to cost you somewhere in the $7000-$9000 range depending on a lot of things including how greedy the dealer is. We have a 2005 618
grasshopper with an 18 horse kohler and 575 hours and it hasn't given a hint of anything getting weak. Last year it blew the hydro belt and that's the only time I've laid a wrench on it except for normal maintenance. I think the deck is 52" but I can't check because dad's using it over on the other farm right now. It's been running 2-3 hours a day paractically every day since May. The only weakness that I can th ink if is the deck doesn't clean out fast enough in tall heavy grass. Jim

Phil in Pa · Jul 28, 2010

A dealer I talked to a few years ago when I was shopping for mine said the residential versions are built to last around 500 hours. (which is what I bought)

I figure after it hits that many hours, you can't complain about deck bearings and things like that.

I hope to double or triple those hours with proper care and maintenance, but with some things a life span is a life span and that's it.

keh · Jul 28, 2010

Word I get from a dealer's mechanic is that the Briggs need to have regular oil changes and be kept full of oil. The valve train dosen't like oil starvation.

Like the other post said, sit on a lot of them before you decide.

On the one you are looking at, check the deck for wear. Non commercial ones have thinner stamped decks. Look at decks on commercial ones which usually have thicker fabricated decks.

KEH

landlord7012 · Jul 28, 2010

Ariens buolds a good mower for the money but they are not commercial grade - Gravely is the commercial grade also built by Ariens.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 28, 2010

I bought a Grazer nine yrs. ago with 1050hr. found out the meter was broken so who knows? The Koler engine still runs well the deck is worn OUT, the hydro-moters still work well. Got a new one this year, couldn,t buy a Grazer or parts in Ky. Bought a Jazee pro wish I could afford an exmark.

Spook · Jul 28, 2010

I bought a Gravely zero turn about 5 years ago. Probably wouldn't buy another. Until I changed the blades, it didn't cut very well. Went to a high lift blade, and it works much better. Very weak dealer network, very weak factory support. I had to fix the problems myself, the dealer called the manufacturer, and got zero response. The dealer no longer sells these machines, says he had too many problems. I have it running now, but one other issue I won't be fixing is the deck design. The left front edge of the deck is square, and if come too close to a fence or other object, it catches on. Really should be rounded off there.

jm. · Jul 28, 2010

Kubota desiels run and perform pretty good up in the 3,000 hr range the next best thing is ex mark with the gas seem to go about 2500 hrs.. Would,t call anything with a B & S engine comercial but might be worth what you are paying.

CWL · Jul 28, 2010

Nobody can argue the quality of a woods belly mower on a tractor. Having said that, I have a John Deere zero turn mower that is a home owner unit with a 54" deck. It has a true hydrostatic drive system with a central pump and independant wheel motors. It will mow circles around our farmall H with a woods L59 belly mower in all but wide open spaces.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Jul 28, 2010

(quoted from post at 12:06:49 07/28/10) I bought a used Ferris which is strictly commercial last fall.......

howcrop, if your Ferris still has the 2 separate drive belts for the Hydros, do not be surprised if they break. They have had problems and are being replaced by a dual belt made in one piece.

Expected Life Of Zero Turn Mower

Anonymous-0

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showcrop

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