If you go with a commercial quality used machine of durable construction, the specific choices are pretty forgiving as the "manufacturer" generally only manufactured the chassis. The mechanicals are sourced from other manufacturers. Kubota is the only one making their own driveline.Thinking about upgrading my life and getting into a zero turn mower. How many hours is too many? Brands to avoid? Just bite the bullet and buy a new one? Any advice is appreciated. My lawn is only a half acre so I don’t need anything commercial-size.
glad to hear it's going well.Just bought a Bad Boy MZ Magnum 48". I've got .6 of an acre.
Really liking it. My other choice was Hustler Raptor XD 48". Because the Hustler had serviceable hydros and the kawasaki engine I wanted. It was more than the Bad Boy by like $800 and I would have still gone with it.
However I went with the Bad Boy which was my second choice mostly because the Hustler dealer in the area didn't have a good reputation and I wasn't going to drop the extra $$ for the Hustler with a dealer I didn't trust. There are 2 Bad Boy dealers in my area and I went with the one with the better reputation and that also had a better price (though it seems most dealers all have the same pricing).
I'll also say that most of these places charge more a good bit more if you want to use their financing promotions (and not just the 2% or so for a card fee but in some cases significantly more). Seems only Kubota does their own financing and is really a same as cash kind of thing. So definitely ask about cash pricing and any financing fees, etc. The Bad Boy was several hundred $ cheaper cash price than the so called financing promo price, so I went the cash price route,
Some good discussion here where I was seeking some info: https://www.indianagunowners.com/threads/lawn-mowers.505218/page-2
My yard is 1.2, 1 acre of it mow able, and my old 44 did just fine. I mulched and did it routinely at a leisurely pace in 1 1/2 hours. If picked up the pace and mowed twice a week (my back yard grows extremely fast), I could do it in under a hour.What’s your budget? I agree you don’t need commercial size but commercial build is worth it for longevity of the machine.
I bought an Exmark Radius to mow an acre yard in Fishers. I’m happy with it and will only get rid of it when I upgrade to a Lazer Z.
There are so many ZTRs out there now and I think they have really improved in the non commercial level.
For a half acre I’d say get at least a 48”. Mow it at 4” and mow it often.
Back a few years ago Husqvarna use to make the Craftsman zero turns. Don't know if that's still the case or notAny experience good or bad with Husqvarna?