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> OT: ZTR Lawn mowers, Recommendations???
Doug Leggins
post May 18 2004, 10:48 AM
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Looking to buy a ZTR, Zero Turn Radius, lawn mower. I've been searching the web trying to get familiar with the brands and features. So far I'm leaning toward buying a Dixon based on price. And the fact that my brother has one that is 5 years old, has taken alot of abuse, and is still working well.

Any good/bad experience with a particular brand/model?

I've got about 2 acres to mow. Some hilly area and woodsline. And about 50 trees to cut around.

Any recommendations???

I'll get my 914 act together and post some progress pics soon.
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seanery
post May 18 2004, 10:59 AM
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Doug,

talk to Mark (Engman) I believe he helped design the first ZTR and is working on a new design.
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Pnambic
post May 18 2004, 11:17 AM
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I've used a Dixon and a bigger one (Grasshopper I think?) The Dixon was hardy and got the job done just fine. Went to the Grasshopper for the larger deck.

They're great for giving your yard that professional greenskeeper's striped look. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Pnambic
post May 18 2004, 11:20 AM
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The Cub Cadet lawn tractor I was using at my father-in-law's house two weeks ago caught on fire....that was exciting. <_<
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airsix
post May 18 2004, 11:56 AM
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QUOTE(Doug Leggins @ May 18 2004, 08:48 AM)
I've got about 2 acres to mow. Some hilly area and woodsline. And about 50 trees to cut around.

Any recommendations???

Wow. 2 acres? That's a lot of lawn! Suggestions? Yeah, how about some horses! That's not a lawn, that's what they call "pasture". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Good luck in your search for a good ZTR mower. They look like a good machine.

-Ben M.
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swood
post May 18 2004, 12:08 PM
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Dixie Chopper is a pretty good ride on mower.
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Levi
post May 18 2004, 12:27 PM
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QUOTE(airsix @ May 18 2004, 09:56 AM)
QUOTE(Doug Leggins @ May 18 2004, 08:48 AM)
I've got about 2 acres to mow. Some hilly area and woodsline. And about 50 trees to cut around.

Any recommendations???

Wow. 2 acres? That's a lot of lawn! Suggestions? Yeah, how about some horses! That's not a lawn, that's what they call "pasture". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Good luck in your search for a good ZTR mower. They look like a good machine.

-Ben M.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif)
How about 10 acres...this is what I use...not to good around trees tho... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif)


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Mueller
post May 18 2004, 12:34 PM
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I'm jealous....living in the 'burbs, my lawns are small enough for one of these:
(half of the neighborhood kids don't even know what it is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )


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buck toenges
post May 18 2004, 02:24 PM
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I have had a dixon for about 4 years now. It works pretty well. I have had more problems with service then anything else. The local company that sells them sucks! The ztr mowers tend to chew the turf with their rear wheels as you zero turn it. Here is a link that manufactures a reel type gang mower that fits behind a regular lawn tractor that cuts cleaner then your regular rotary type. They make it here in Fort Wayne. http://www.4apromow.com/
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Engman
post May 18 2004, 03:27 PM
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Yep - pretty much know ZTR's. 6 patents and 6-8 pending. First question is how much do you want to spend - A good new commercial unit is in the 6 - 7K range- but we can go down from there.

M
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swood
post May 18 2004, 03:52 PM
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Man, I never thought I'd never find an appropriate thread for this photo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


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cooltimes
post May 18 2004, 03:56 PM
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XMark is the one my son uses in his one man business. Make a big job small. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_rolli_1.gif)
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cooltimes
post May 18 2004, 04:00 PM
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For the curious. Yep. It's me. Cooley. Old user name didn't agree with a new email address. That was my 1st post so I couldn't show the XMark photo.
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aircooledboy
post May 18 2004, 04:03 PM
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Damn Levi. I thought my tractor was old. When mine was brand new (in 1968), yours was already really really old. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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Doug Leggins
post May 18 2004, 04:22 PM
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Thanks folks.

I thought that there was at least one resident expert in the club.

Mark - I've been looking at the Dixon Ram 44. It has 18 hp Briggs and a 44" cut path. Can also attach a snow blade. Best quote so far - $3499 + $375 for snow blade + $60 for wheel weights + $75 for tire chains = $4009.

Got anything in this range?

Do you take 914 parts in trade - LOL!!!
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Engman
post May 18 2004, 04:54 PM
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Dixon is an Ok mower - more suited to a homeowner than commercial use. One thing I do mot like about Dixon is their propietary hydraulic system - you only gonna get one from them. It's not that it is bad- just that they make it, service it etc - therefore they set the prices on replacement parts. I would encorage you to look at a 52" cut. Better cut, shorter cutting time. Watch out for setup charges. Call a couple of other dealers and get prices - if they are better let your local dealer know - in other word use it to leverage him to that price. You also want to know about a service manual/parts book - make sure you get one - latest trend is to leave it out. Some OEM's have them online and that is cool (especially if you need to know how they did something).

Here is my list of current top ZTR's on the market - these are all commercial -

Scag
Exmark
Great Dane / John Deere
Hustler
Ferris

No I did not mention Dixie Chopper - quality varies year to year (They changed the deck this year and messed up) and they do not meet the ANSI standards. The ones above all meet ANSI. (used to be on the board - have read and testified on injury accidents/lawsuits and its not pretty)

Hope this helps

M
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Doug Leggins
post May 18 2004, 05:06 PM
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Thanks Mark.

There are a couple of names on your list that I haven't looked at yet.

Still haven't seen one that looks like the one in your avatar. What is the brand of the mower in your avatar?
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Engman
post May 18 2004, 05:20 PM
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It's not yet released - sooooon , sooon. It is the Formula (model name) of the new company named Gizmow. This will be the first ZTR with a steering wheel (Deere tried this with the Spinsteer but they did not steer the front tires nor was it commercial). Yep you can zero turn and NOT tearup the grass unlike other ZTR's when you zero turn. It has three cams with all of the turning info programmed into them. Simple to use, faster than a regular ZTR cause we do not have to slow down to make a tear free turn, and it will be priced to compete with the other regular ZTR's (Yep my boss is taking a lower profit margin to get into the market). Only ZTR that you can zero turn with one hand. We have been testing/ refining over the winter and are just about ready to take it out to the distribuors to sell. This machine has all of the latest technology and refinements. I am sure that some of them (which are not patentable) will be copied by the others. Once you set a standard you are watched. If you are in the area let me know and I will take you for a ride.

M
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Rusty
post May 19 2004, 12:36 AM
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Cooley! You found your way over here! Welcome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

-Rusty (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)
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Pnambic
post May 19 2004, 08:26 AM
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QUOTE(Engman @ May 18 2004, 06:20 PM)
It's not yet released - sooooon , sooon. It is the Formula (model name) of the new company named Gizmow. This will be the first ZTR with a steering wheel (Deere tried this with the Spinsteer but they did not steer the front tires nor was it commercial). Yep you can zero turn and NOT tearup the grass unlike other ZTR's when you zero turn. It has three cams with all of the turning info programmed into them. Simple to use, faster than a regular ZTR cause we do not have to slow down to make a tear free turn, and it will be priced to compete with the other regular ZTR's (Yep my boss is taking a lower profit margin to get into the market). Only ZTR that you can zero turn with one hand. We have been testing/ refining over the winter and are just about ready to take it out to the distribuors to sell. This machine has all of the latest technology and refinements. I am sure that some of them (which are not patentable) will be copied by the others. Once you set a standard you are watched. If you are in the area let me know and I will take you for a ride.

M

But does it have a beer holder? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
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