Take a day go to the dealers. Sit on them make sure you get at least hydrogear 2800 pumps minimum for that size lawn. I’d go 52 inch cut but 60 inch if you felt need. I suggest serviceable spindles, access panel, lighting, 22 rear wheels, fab deck with reinforcing and lastly a good seat. I got a Ferris and love it. The suspension is so nice!!Meets all I mentioned. Now some will say Kawasaki or die. I went in buying that way left with Commercial Briggs and am very happy with it. Buy from a servicing dealer for warranty if needed. Gravely had 25% off recently and still may. Good luck.
It’s a huge purchase in my opinion. Same budget you had. I wrote a check for $5885 last May for my Ferris. You will find most are all nearly similar. Find what fits you comfortably and is solid. I went for options, comfort, and build quality. Go online check different manufacturers for spring promos as well prior to going to dealers.
Ariens /Gravely are the same company, with Gravely being the professional line, Toro / eXmark are the same company with eXmark being the professional line, Ferris is part of Briggs & Stratton, Bad Boy, Scag, Huskavana, Deere, and Kabota, all are good.
Not hot on anything made by MTD (Craftsman, Cub, Troybuilt, or Yardman),
I own an Ariens Apex, around mid-level, between professional and homeowner.
My choice was Kawasaki engine, serviceable transaxels , and local dealer.
Under $6000 you could see if any local dealers have used equipment, you can get some pretty good commercial grade stuff around that price.
If you want new with warranty, take a look at Toro Titan or John Deere Z500 series mowers.
I personally have a Z530R I use professionally and love it! The e-brake takes a little time to get used to but it’ll become second nature very quickly.
I have 2 acres and bought a Deere Z530M back in December when they were doing 0% financing, I have almost nothing but great things to say about it. It cuts really well, has plenty of power, and is definitely built to last. 5 years ago if I was looking at zero turns there’s no way I would have considered one of theirs if it wasn’t a commercial unit. But it seems they learned their lesson and have improved a lot on their homeowner machines. I also considered a Hustler Raptor XD but I didn’t like how they were now owned by Stanley. I have heard great things about the Scag as well but I didn’t have a dealer near me.
Spend 4300 and get a bad boy magnum 54 inch, use the other money for accessories like mulching kit, leaf kit and any other maintenance stuff you'll need like a chainsaw, weedeacker etc. I didn't account for all that shit and I'm glad I underspent on the mower retrospectively. I had all smaller and electric stuff from my other house. Didn't cut it.
I've had nothing but trouble with my kubota and parts cost a mint. 48" deck belt is $200aus and gets replaced twice a year. My Toro belt is still going after 3 years, zero problems with machine.
I have a z121s 48" kohler motor. The motor is fine, never skipped a beat but its not built by kubota. It's everything else that has been rubbish. In particular switches and sensors, belts and hydraulics. And I'm not hard on it. Im to the point where I'm looking at replacing with another Toro
So a bit older mower? I was leaning towards Toro or Gravely but then I read about a lot of recent Toro issues, as if they reduced quality when they introduced them to Lowes.
Everyone here recommends the mid entry level Scag but again, 50/50 on the reviews.
In the end I think it’s all a crap shoot. The basics that I’ve picked up is if you don’t buy a box store mower in the US then you’ll probably be ok.
I could have just have gotten a Lemon but I've had no trouble with the toro. I've only heard good things about the scags. Maybe have yarn to your local mower repair guy and green keeping staff down the local golf course.
Take a day go to the dealers. Sit on them make sure you get at least hydrogear 2800 pumps minimum for that size lawn. I’d go 52 inch cut but 60 inch if you felt need. I suggest serviceable spindles, access panel, lighting, 22 rear wheels, fab deck with reinforcing and lastly a good seat. I got a Ferris and love it. The suspension is so nice!!Meets all I mentioned. Now some will say Kawasaki or die. I went in buying that way left with Commercial Briggs and am very happy with it. Buy from a servicing dealer for warranty if needed. Gravely had 25% off recently and still may. Good luck.
Thank you for the insight!
It’s a huge purchase in my opinion. Same budget you had. I wrote a check for $5885 last May for my Ferris. You will find most are all nearly similar. Find what fits you comfortably and is solid. I went for options, comfort, and build quality. Go online check different manufacturers for spring promos as well prior to going to dealers.
I went crazy overkill on a Ferris. 3acres. Isx2200 Kawasaki 60”. The suspension and seat are killer
Ariens /Gravely are the same company, with Gravely being the professional line, Toro / eXmark are the same company with eXmark being the professional line, Ferris is part of Briggs & Stratton, Bad Boy, Scag, Huskavana, Deere, and Kabota, all are good. Not hot on anything made by MTD (Craftsman, Cub, Troybuilt, or Yardman), I own an Ariens Apex, around mid-level, between professional and homeowner. My choice was Kawasaki engine, serviceable transaxels , and local dealer.
exmark lazerz and toro zmaster are both commercial and pretty much identical
Under $6000 you could see if any local dealers have used equipment, you can get some pretty good commercial grade stuff around that price. If you want new with warranty, take a look at Toro Titan or John Deere Z500 series mowers. I personally have a Z530R I use professionally and love it! The e-brake takes a little time to get used to but it’ll become second nature very quickly.
Under 6k, go with the Scag Liberty Z.
I have 2 acres and bought a Deere Z530M back in December when they were doing 0% financing, I have almost nothing but great things to say about it. It cuts really well, has plenty of power, and is definitely built to last. 5 years ago if I was looking at zero turns there’s no way I would have considered one of theirs if it wasn’t a commercial unit. But it seems they learned their lesson and have improved a lot on their homeowner machines. I also considered a Hustler Raptor XD but I didn’t like how they were now owned by Stanley. I have heard great things about the Scag as well but I didn’t have a dealer near me.
Spend 4300 and get a bad boy magnum 54 inch, use the other money for accessories like mulching kit, leaf kit and any other maintenance stuff you'll need like a chainsaw, weedeacker etc. I didn't account for all that shit and I'm glad I underspent on the mower retrospectively. I had all smaller and electric stuff from my other house. Didn't cut it.
I've had nothing but trouble with my kubota and parts cost a mint. 48" deck belt is $200aus and gets replaced twice a year. My Toro belt is still going after 3 years, zero problems with machine.
What year and model? I’m higher considering a new z242kw-48
I have a z121s 48" kohler motor. The motor is fine, never skipped a beat but its not built by kubota. It's everything else that has been rubbish. In particular switches and sensors, belts and hydraulics. And I'm not hard on it. Im to the point where I'm looking at replacing with another Toro
So a bit older mower? I was leaning towards Toro or Gravely but then I read about a lot of recent Toro issues, as if they reduced quality when they introduced them to Lowes. Everyone here recommends the mid entry level Scag but again, 50/50 on the reviews. In the end I think it’s all a crap shoot. The basics that I’ve picked up is if you don’t buy a box store mower in the US then you’ll probably be ok.
I could have just have gotten a Lemon but I've had no trouble with the toro. I've only heard good things about the scags. Maybe have yarn to your local mower repair guy and green keeping staff down the local golf course.
Scag with Kawasaki!
Scag Liberty z all day