There R between 12-18 quality ZTR brands to choose from
out there, but like the rest of us, U probably won't have
a big choice to select from due to the lack of good
dealers within a reasonable distance from Ur location...
Find out who the good dealers R in Ur area and buy one
of the quality mowers they sell... Slopes aren't really
a problem for ZTRs, I mow 13-15 degree slopes with my
ZTR all the time, and feel more comfortable doing it
than I do on my old GT..
Paul R...

Hi tnrider, welcome aboard. I bought a new ZTR a while back. I asked each of the local dealers to bring out a demo unit to try out on my property. Each & every one obliged me (although one dealer took a look at what I intended to do with it and he hauled it back without even unloading it - I had warned him, but...). I'd suggest that you try that route - you'll learn a lot in a hurry. Mid-mount ZTRs, with 25x12x12 rear tires will stick to big slopes (I have about 1000' feet of 3:1 slope roughly 8' to 9' tall). 23x10.5x12 rear tires are marginal on big slopes - smaller rear tires just won't cut. An oscillating front axle takes some of the bumps out if you mow pasture.

A water-cooled gas engine will outlast an air-cooled gas engine by roughly 1000 hours - a diesel will outlast a water-cooled gas by roughly a 1000 hours also.

Give some thought to how you might clean out the deck of a mid-mount; you'll do that quite a bit if you mow wet grass. One tip: if you have a lot of trouble slugging your deck, sharpen the blades. I've had what I thought were still reasonably sharp blades..slugged the deck...sharpened the blades and the problem went away. Keep in mind, though, that I mow a LOT of pasture grass that qquickly gets away from a guy this time of the year (with rainy weather).

Larry

tnrider,
Two things you need to look at. First, the Kubota ZG21 or ZD21 Gas or Diesel, it has a similar "tip up deck, like Country Clipper" although the deck on the botas appear to me, to be not as rugged as the Scag deck.
Second, the pure Commerical units (Charger and the Boss) on the Country Clippers have Hydrogear pumps and Parker Ross wheel motors, definitely not intergrated. That joystick control as me swaying between the Scag Tiger Cub and the Country Clipper Jazee Pro.
The Country Clippers are quite a bit less money than the Scag's. (my quotes is about $1,100 difference), I have looked at several others but thats my two of choice. I have test operated several brands in the past 2 yrs. I would have owned a Tiger Cub last year, was $300 apart with the price......... Then I came accross the Country Clipper and that got me re-valueing ....... So maybe this year!! or maybe not.

byg-this statement might get you in trouble here ; )

"A water-cooled gas engine will outlast an air-cooled gas engine by roughly 1000 hours"

Thanks for the clarification steve2ski! I got Country Clipper to email me a parts manual, It is for the Jazee Pro, so I did not know the next model up (Charger) had seperate pumps/motors. That will lead me to think Country Clipper again, but the Charger instead of the Pro, of course that means higher cost up front.

definitely not intergrated? what does that mean? Im looking at the Ferris IS1500... Is that a problem?

I did the same thing in 2000 and ended up with this mower. If you appreciate good design, made specifically for a given task, then take a look at this one....

Tom...

Here is a link that might be useful: A comparrison

Are you serious?? You're a mechanical design engineer, so apply your skills and education to help you decide. You have have the tools to do so. If a common sense approach is applied along with your skills, you'll do just fine. So get out to different dealers and do some hands on comparison. Find a dealer you like that has a good reputation. Get on and drive and operate them. Ask the dealers to bring them to your home to try on your lawn. Once you determine the ZTRs that are "well designed and built" pick the one you like and write a check and enjoy.

Posted by glero (My Page) on Thu, Apr 12, 07 at 21:44

Are you serious?? You're a mechanical design engineer, so apply your skills and education to help you decide.
--------------------------
Well, that is what I am starting to do, but since I am not in Knoxville yet, am doing some homework first to help narrow down the field. I have never owned a decent rider before, so studying up now. I will be visiting dealers as soon as I get in the home, but since Spring is here, the grass will need cutting very soon after move in, so I do not have a lot of time to waste. It would be stupid to wait, THEN start studying up on the available options. I plan to know a lot about the different options BEFORE I visit local dealers there. Some brands I may like are probably not even available within reasonable distance to the new home.

Since you started to "narrow down the field" do you know what brands are readily available from reputable dealers in Knoxville? I don't, but there should be a variety since it's a mid sized city and there's plenty grass to cut there. Yes, spring is here and the grass is growing but don't rush to purchase. Tell the real estate company that you need to have the grass cut for a couple weeks or a month until you get you're mower and you're settled in. If that doesn't happen, when you eventually purchase a $5K to 7K mower, trust me, it will cut your 1.4 acre of tall fescue and rye grass. Oh, and by the way, you're moving to Tennessee, so if it takes a while to get your lawn cut they won't call the lawn police on you. Relax, good luck, and enjoy the Volunteer State. It's a universe away from where you're moving.

Here is a link that might be useful: 25 or so dealers in Knoxville

Check out the new Scag Freedom Z(under $5000.00)and will last.

Check out the new Scag Freedom Z... I agree, in fact I am looking at the ferris IS1500 21/48, but I am also going to look at the SCAG Freedom Z

I am taking delivery today of a Scag Freedom Z (52" - 26hp B/S) I never been so excited to cut grass!
I have 4 acres in PA - had a Craftsman DLT2000 (48" - 20hp Kohler) I used it for the grass, hauling (logs, mulch, trashcans, etc...) and snow plowing. I have 800 hrs in 5 years. Kohler engine was great but it ate drive belts like candy and the deck was starting to go. I will repair some pulleys and replace the drive belt (again) and only use it for snow removal.
One note on the Scag, I bought mine new for $4,600 from a local Scag dealer. Most other dealers wouldn't budge from the $5,199 MSRP.
All you have to do is ask!

just found this fairly comprehensive list of ZTRs w/ price and general features:
http://www.hortmag.com/ope/charts/ztrmowers.asp

go with the country clipper pro, great engine and very simple machine the transmissions have filters now for longer life.about the best machine for the money.

Just a followup:

I did end up buying a Country Clipper Charger 52" mower, with single stick control. I have cut my 1.4 acres about 6 times now, and LOVE the mower! I did install the mulching kit, and get a very nice cut with no clumps of mulch on the lawn.

It took a couple of cuttings to get fully comfortable with the joystick, but I did not have any experience with any ZTR before, so no dual stick to "unlearn".

Congrats! Thanks for checking back, it is always interesting to find out how these threads turn out. What made you decide on the CCC (may help others with their decisions)?