New Mower Comming Soon!

17 years ago

I started out looking at Hustler Fast Tracks. The wife didn't like em! At the same dealership they sold Exmarks. SWMBO didn't like em! It must have been the dealer? Stopping and another Exmark dealer at another time she got to looking at the Quest. Oh Me! I didn't want one. So while buying a new deck for my Sabre by JD, I got to looking at the Z445. After a while they got to grow on me. There are a few things that really stand out on the 445. Good pumps and drive motors. And that big Kawasaki engine. And the 54-inch Edge High Capacity mower deck aren't too shabby.And 23 inch drive wheels. But kind of light at 700 lbs. But I was thinking about them for the price. Even the wife got to grooving the 445 some. She would never look at a Scag. I guess Scag meant money to her. In the mean time I was getting my Saber running with the new 46 inch deck. I've owned it since 1999. It's got a 16hp Vanguard that is one sweet engine. Been using Mobil 1 right after 50 hours. Changed out the oil in the K51 hydro with Mobil 1 about the same time. It's good for another 10 years. Mean while we were passing a Bad Boy dealer ship, so we went in. Well what do you know! The Wife fell in LOVE with the Bad Boy line up! She liked the size, weight, and the thickness of the deck. But I think she really like the power deck adjustment. But at the same time the local hardware store was trying sell her a 42 inch Husqvarna ztr!!! OH NO! I did my best not to let that happen. Well the rich sister in law had a lawn cutter mow the mother in law's lawn. He had a 42 inch Yazoo ztr. The wife just loved seeing the ztr float around the yard. That cutter lasted 2 mowing sessions before the wife and mother in law canned him. That was costing too much money! My mother in law is cheap. And the sister in law wants $10 in return for ever dollar she spends on you. So the wife started using my Sabre. Hey the lawn looked GOOD! But the ztr bug had bitten my wife. "That Darn Mower Of Your's Is Killing My Arms Trying To Turn It! That Guy With The Yazoo Made This Yard Look Easy To Cut!" Oh Well! It's better than that 28 inch Snapper rear engine rider you dad used before dying! She was hell bent we were going to go buy the Husqvarna ztr. So while shopping today we stopped at the Bad Boy dealer ship. The very first thig she saw was a last years model Husqvarna ztr for $1,900!! NO WAY! "We'll but this to cut mother's grass, and ours until we find the one we want." My thought were for your mother to buy that Husqvarna for her, and I'll get my Sabre back! But looking over there, there's the mower we need! The Bad Boy right over there! "Yep! You're right. Mother needs to get her own mower, and we'll get a Bad Boy!" Now That's What I'm Talking About!

Now it's what model? I'm wanting the Pup with the 30hp Kohler. I'd like to have the 60 inch deck. But the 52 inch deck may be a better choice.

The wife is leaning toward the ZT Series with the 27hp Kohler, and the deck dosen't matter to her.

I have 4 acres of grounds I try to cut. Mostly wild Bahia grass. Nasty stuff!

Is it worth $1,700 more for the Pup over the ZT? And whats the difference between the 52 inch deck to the 60 inch deck besides 8 inches?

Hell! I'm just glad we're getting a new mower!

mssurveyor

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Comments (7)

larso1
17 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Good read on your story, funny too. The buzz on the bad boys is pretty much all good from what I've read from LCO's. Well, you liked the idea of independent drive pumps and motors on the JD, and that is what you'll get with the Pup over the ZT. If I could swing it, that's what I'd pop for. But it is your money and you have to justify it to your SO. But man, 4 rough acres to mow....I'd get the Pup and be done with it. I have a JD Z425, but wouldn't recommend it for your field because of the lighter weight deck. Those Bad Boys look like beasts. Wait a minute....beasts....bad boys.....hmm, yah, now I'm seeing it. Happy shopping!
shadoan
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Those bad boys caught my attention also.Havent done any actual research on them yet though. Capital is not there so I'll let others research : ).Wonder where they are manufactored and availability of parts. I have a craftsman ZT 7000 ZTM and have to order the blades online ...Sheez.....Overall the badboys look like beast , very heavy duty mower decks, duel gas tanks and minimal electronics . 30 HP motor is awesome too.
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mickeynew
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I am considering the new Cub Cadet Z-Force S. It is a ZTR with a steering wheel. The big difference is rather than free turning caster front wheels, they are controled by tie rods. The biggest benefit is control on steep slopes. The 48" is on sale for $3999.
ewalk
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
BAD BOY DIESEL AND NEVER LOOK BACK LOL !
mssurveyor
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
This post kind of tripped me out! Back from the past! I still LOVE my Bad Boy! He's Manly! Parts are easy to get. Just call Bad Boy and the parts will be there the next businesses day or next.
rcmoser
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would consider something with a good suspension system (either in the seat or at the wheels) for a ruff yard. As others have said you won't be going much faster it your getting bet to death in the seat? As far as the JDZ445, I don't think it is in the same class of ZTR's as bad boys, exmarks, or hustler's IMO. Naturely they will be alittle more expensive with high dollar parts in them.

Usually the difference between 52" and 60" are one more blade, but they ususally are shorter and turn at a higher RPM. I would ask about deck spindle shaft speed, shorter and higher IMO is always better than longer and slower. If you willing to maintain the extra parts (belts, spindles, blades) from three blade vs. 4 blade system. if the 60" has and extra blade. if not then back to shorter vs longer vs blade tip speed IMO? to mow fast and still maintain a quailty cut higher blade tip speed is a must IMO

Guy next door to me has hustler, that thing sounds like a vacuum cleaner truck when the blades come up to speed.
mssurveyor
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think just about all 60" deck have 3 blades. I've looked at just about all brands of commercial mowers. They all seem to spin the blades at 18,000 to 19,000 fps. Pretty level field. I've owned the Bad Boy for a little over a year now. In all it's been a good mower. It mows my mother in law's St Augustine lawn much nicer than my Bahia Grass field I call a lawn. I been thinking of mowing speed for a year or more. I have a friend that owns a chicken farm in North Carolina. He mows the whole place with a tricked out Hustler Super Z. He and his wife mow at 12 mph. I may mow at 5 or 6 mph. My buddy has Flex Forks on the front end, a suspension seat, one fast mower, and smooth land with grass that cut easier than most. My land is rough, my mower doesn't have any suspension. And Bahia Grass is tough to cut, and it doesn't get out from under the deck easily. So I've come to the conclusion. The ticket to mowing fast is having a fast mower with suspension, flat smooth land, and grass that cuts easy.