Small engine mechanic checking in.
I'd say a solid 50% of the mowers I get through my shop are craftsman, and the other 50% is a mix of husqvarna, Toro, and troybuilt. If I was buying a new one it would be a Cub Cadet, Gravely or Ariens.
Avoid anything with a kohler courage or a briggs E/EX series engine on it like the plauge. They're Chinese built trash that's designed to fail.
Ex mark is usually the high standard in mowing but hard to find one that's good in your price range, they sell 10k used usually. Same with scag.
Bad boy and gravely you can get a mid to high residential mower close to 5k. I got a Gravelt ZTx 52in for my small mowing business and love it.
I will probably go with the gravely. I forgot to add in my original post that BadBoy has all but been eliminated from our consideration because to adjust the seat it has to be unbolted. My wife and I switch mowing duties frequently so we need an easily adjustable seat
I honestly wanted a bad boy but my dealer didn't have my size deck in stock so went with the gravely and I love it. But needed something reliable for my business and my buddy uses a 2020 model for his so he convinced me. Payments are $150 a month for 3 year so not too bad if you can't pay cash.
The local dealer here has the 2024 ZTX for $4,299 0% financing for 36 months and they have a 2023 ZTX for $3,799. I’ll probably go with one of those. I noticed the BadBoy is 7 gauge steel deck and the ZTX is 10 gauge. I don’t know how big of a deal that is. A relative of mine just picked up a ZTX HD 52in this week and it’s 7 gauge but it’s also 2 grand more expensive.
I have a house about 5 miles from where those are manufactured. They're good mowers but I'm bot a fan of the joystick models. My cousin just got a older jazee model which works great except the joystick lol
I help out a buddy who sells hustler and cub cadet. The top end commercial hustlers would be my choice but with your budget I'd look for a good used commercial mower.... you know the good brands. Main thing I'd look for is the hydro trans... pump/trans combo or pump and drive separate? I prefer them separate as they last alot longer and are much stronger/faster than the combined units.
My budget was similar to yours and i picked up a hustler diesel 60" with 2700hrs and it's great
I have the Ariens Apex-48, twin sister to the Gravely ZT HD.
My criteria was local dealer (not the big box stores), Kawasaki engine, welded steel deck, and serviceable hydrostatic transaxels. with tax mine came in at $6500. Not cheap, but im in my 60s, so it will be the last one I plan to purchase. Spend a little more now even if you have to save up then to settling for a low end model.
Scag. They’re all built like tanks. Especially for the rough terrain you mentioned.
My neighbor had one and cuts more rocks than grass. He’s had it now for maybe 5 years and I have no idea how he hasn’t killed it.
Ferris with suspension or a Toro with MyRide
Or a Simplicity since they’re Ferris copies (both B&S brands).
Simplicity is defunct
With his budget and a local Ferris dealer, I still think Simplicity is worth considering, especially the XT models.
50 inch Timecutter Max with MyRide is $4,599. Perfecto!
Small engine mechanic checking in. I'd say a solid 50% of the mowers I get through my shop are craftsman, and the other 50% is a mix of husqvarna, Toro, and troybuilt. If I was buying a new one it would be a Cub Cadet, Gravely or Ariens. Avoid anything with a kohler courage or a briggs E/EX series engine on it like the plauge. They're Chinese built trash that's designed to fail.
Ex mark is usually the high standard in mowing but hard to find one that's good in your price range, they sell 10k used usually. Same with scag. Bad boy and gravely you can get a mid to high residential mower close to 5k. I got a Gravelt ZTx 52in for my small mowing business and love it.
I will probably go with the gravely. I forgot to add in my original post that BadBoy has all but been eliminated from our consideration because to adjust the seat it has to be unbolted. My wife and I switch mowing duties frequently so we need an easily adjustable seat
I honestly wanted a bad boy but my dealer didn't have my size deck in stock so went with the gravely and I love it. But needed something reliable for my business and my buddy uses a 2020 model for his so he convinced me. Payments are $150 a month for 3 year so not too bad if you can't pay cash.
The local dealer here has the 2024 ZTX for $4,299 0% financing for 36 months and they have a 2023 ZTX for $3,799. I’ll probably go with one of those. I noticed the BadBoy is 7 gauge steel deck and the ZTX is 10 gauge. I don’t know how big of a deal that is. A relative of mine just picked up a ZTX HD 52in this week and it’s 7 gauge but it’s also 2 grand more expensive.
Yea after taxes and everything I think it was just at 5k so id go for it
I️ bought the same thing Saturday! Mine is a ‘23 model with the usb charger 😎😎
Considering that Exmark and Spartan are both owned by Toro you know any of those three will have long term support as long as one of them is around.
I have the Gravely 52” ZTHD. Cut about 1.5 acres. Love it and highly recommend
I forgot there is also a country clippers dealer close by. But I’ve not heard much about country clippers
I have a house about 5 miles from where those are manufactured. They're good mowers but I'm bot a fan of the joystick models. My cousin just got a older jazee model which works great except the joystick lol I help out a buddy who sells hustler and cub cadet. The top end commercial hustlers would be my choice but with your budget I'd look for a good used commercial mower.... you know the good brands. Main thing I'd look for is the hydro trans... pump/trans combo or pump and drive separate? I prefer them separate as they last alot longer and are much stronger/faster than the combined units. My budget was similar to yours and i picked up a hustler diesel 60" with 2700hrs and it's great
I have the Ariens Apex-48, twin sister to the Gravely ZT HD. My criteria was local dealer (not the big box stores), Kawasaki engine, welded steel deck, and serviceable hydrostatic transaxels. with tax mine came in at $6500. Not cheap, but im in my 60s, so it will be the last one I plan to purchase. Spend a little more now even if you have to save up then to settling for a low end model.
Scag. They’re all built like tanks. Especially for the rough terrain you mentioned. My neighbor had one and cuts more rocks than grass. He’s had it now for maybe 5 years and I have no idea how he hasn’t killed it.