New Bad Boy Zero-turn ZTR and Mowing Season

[cage2592]

Well, mowing season is finally coming here in Florida. I've been doing maintenance on the lawn equipment, ordering new chains for the saws, string for the weed eater, tires, etc... .

So I go out to start my 2007 Kubota ZD331 (Diesel 3cyl) Zero with 60" hydro deck, several weekends ago and it smoked, clanked and threw a rod. Its a beast and weights 1800lbs. Now this mower has been taken care of with grease, oil , hydro, filters blades (religiously) and just a few years ago replaced the plastics, tanks, complete wiring harness, starter, water pump, thermostat belts, hose etc... . Always been reliable with 5000+ mowing hours. Its was a sad day when it went down.

We discussed getting a REMAN which came in at about $5800 with shipping and core ($1000 return on core). I would have rather gone the reman route as it came with a 3yr, unlimited hour warr. . I only found one shof that would build and sell a pre-EPA Engine.
When looking at a new, engine, the price was $7000 and they would not sell me a pre-EPA engine. New dealers all required me to send in my old engine VIN and they are required to sell me a new TIER4 EPA engine and it must be registered with the EPA. I called several and they said they were all required by the same.

So we decided to go new. Looked at just about every brand of ZTR and weighed the options, cost, ride, warrantee, and dealer support. Eventually we settled on a 2022 Bad Boy Rebel, most options, 72" deck and Kawasaki FX1000 999cc gas engine.

Ill post pictures this weekend. I ordered rear wheel spacers that should be in today so I can put the larger and wider Kubota rear wheels and tires on.

 

[kmakar]

Ouch. That was a big bite. As I recall you've got a bit of acreage to mow. Did you use the Kubota to mow all of it, or just around the house and barn areas?

 

[Nashville Cat]

Wow, you bought a real beast. I love my Husqvarna MZ54 zero that has an entry-level commercial grade transmission.
I don't have a lot of hills and cut about 1.25 acres. Hope it will last me forever ?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-MZ54-24-HP-V-twin-Dual-Hydrostatic-54-in-Zero-turn-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000731352

 

[77cruiser]

I keep looking at these, they can be had with a joystick instead of the 2 levers.

Country Clipper Zero-Turn Mowers

Elevate your landscaping game with a mower from Country Clipper. Available in residential and commercial models, featuring zero-turn radius and easy-to-maneuver controls, cutting your mowing time in half.

www.countryclipper.com

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

NICE!!!

 

[cheveslakr]

I'd be a little po'ed about the entire thing.....making these high priced components obsolete is something we deal with constantly. Forced to either replace the entire thing or ante up for a conversion. Dad bought a Walker zero turn, 48 deck, 16hp Kohler in the late 90s. It worked flawlessly until 4 years ago when it was in my hands. The oil pump drive basically sheered it's keyway and the nobody offered parts to fix. A conversion engine was 4k away so I had my buddy machine a part, then I spent many hours retrofitting something that I had 50/50 confidence it'd hold. It's held for 2 years so far. Same mower is around 12k today. Makes sense to buy EXACTLY what you need and purchasing spare parts at that time knowing all too well it'll be unavailable in 10 years.
I'm going through this with a 20 yr old holley efi system right now, no parts are available, holley's answer is to sell me a $1200 conversion.

 

[cage2592]

Ouch. That was a big bite. As I recall you've got a bit of acreage to mow. Did you use the Kubota to mow all of it, or just around the house and barn areas?

The Kubota mowed on avg of 8 acres every two weeks for 3hrs each mow. About 5 acres of open field with the other 3 acres around houses barns and trees. The rest of the property is either wooded or requires the bushog once a month. JUL-SEP and if we get some rain, I may have to mow a few weeks in a row.

Wow, you bought a real beast. I love my Husqvarna MZ54 zero that has an entry-level commercial grade transmission.
I don't have a lot of hills and cut about 1.25 acres. Hope it will last me forever ?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-MZ54-24-HP-V-twin-Dual-Hydrostatic-54-in-Zero-turn-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000731352

I looked at all makes. I have to say I was impressed with the commercial entry Husky's for what you get at that price point. Now the Residentials, not so much. A friend of ours up the street has the residential I've used and it would obviously do ok in a neighborhood. But they live on 5 acres with lots of trees and that deck has taken a beating and I change blades and spindles for her. 3 yrs later and they are already looking at a commercial. The rest of the mower has held up good.

You know as well as I that 75% is all in how you take care of it. The rest of course are parts that you sometimes cant help. My Husky Trimmers, and Saws have lasted a long time with some beating.

I keep looking at these, they can be had with a joystick instead of the 2 levers.

Country Clipper Zero-Turn Mowers

Elevate your landscaping game with a mower from Country Clipper. Available in residential and commercial models, featuring zero-turn radius and easy-to-maneuver controls, cutting your mowing time in half.

www.countryclipper.com

That's different and first I've seen that. Cant say I've heard of them. And out of Iowa. Have you used them or own one? And If so, what did you like/dislike? From having tractors, I learned a long time ago that its not just about the brand and quality. Its about the Service, and warrantee provided AFTER the sale.

For me my thoughts of the Bad Boy:
PRO:
-Good engine choices at all levels.
-Engine is smooth
-Cut is fantastic.
-Super thick deck.
-Front end is a thick I-beam
-Front Tire fork thickness.
-Thick frame where most panels are modular or replaceable.
-Fully adjustable handles that have mid articulation.
-Handle sensitivity and speed can be adjusted, by linkages.
-Adjustable foot rest
-Ease of maintenance as all items are easy to get to.
-Great Price Point as compared to similarly outfitted manuf. (still made me angry to pay the cash though)
-The $100 for the suspension seat !
-Came with expensive blades. Though not difficult to change but It was nice not getting cheap thin blades. I will switch to my G6 blades after these.
-This unit came with many options (im sure figured in the price) but was still cheaper than competitors.
-Warrantee
-Place where I bought it also sells Gravely, but is a well thought of Dealer ben around a long time, repair, that can get parts quickly if needed.

Cons:
-Not Diesel. I hope there is diesel type life longevity in this gas engine.
-Deck lift is foot manual. My Kubota is Hydro. Though they do sell an electric lift kit. Has had issues and is slow. I go around lots of obstacles and roots.
-Your knee may hit the steer lever when pushing the deck lift. They now give an extension for this with your purchase.
-Good heavy deck is great but not if you have to lift it by foot a hundred times.
-The Kawi Engine at 3600rpm full throttle is loud.
-Exhaust is made louder as the tips are inside the engine cage. Bought tip extensions for the exhaust to reach about an inch past the cage. Helped on noise reverberation inside chassis.
-There brand of tires are bad. (Or I should say for me) great if you don't want to rip up your lawn or new to how to steer a ZTR. The tires are not aggressive enough for the power it has. This is why I'm switching to my Kubota tires. More aggressive, more floatation, more grip.

I'm sure there will be more over the next few weeks.

There are a few reasons I went for the lesser Rebel vs Rogue (next model up). They are pretty close with minor differences and not necessarily for the better in my opinion.

 

[cage2592]

I'd be a little po'ed about the entire thing.....making these high priced components obsolete is something we deal with constantly. Forced to either replace the entire thing or ante up for a conversion. Dad bought a Walker zero turn, 48 deck, 16hp Kohler in the late 90s. It worked flawlessly until 4 years ago when it was in my hands. The oil pump drive basically sheered it's keyway and the nobody offered parts to fix. A conversion engine was 4k away so I had my buddy machine a part, then I spent many hours retrofitting something that I had 50/50 confidence it'd hold. It's held for 2 years so far. Same mower is around 12k today. Makes sense to buy EXACTLY what you need and purchasing spare parts at that time knowing all too well it'll be unavailable in 10 years.
I'm going through this with a 20 yr old holley efi system right now, no parts are available, holley's answer is to sell me a $1200 conversion.

Glad its working out for you though. Yes its like cars these days. Make it for a few years then change everything for a new model and discontinue everything on the last. I swear this is the new tactic to make you buy another. parts are hard to get and outrageously priced to for the price just below a whole new unit. I struggled with this when deciding to leave the Kubota. The times of make something great and continue to produce is not the model anymore.

 

[cage2592]

Pro:
-USB ports (LOL)

Con:
-Cant lift the deck under feet access with the deck lift foot peg. It is a quick takeoff though.
-No maintenance (so they say) deck spindles. I cant imagine those spinning at 18,000 rpm for years and not needing grease. I would rather have had the zerk fittings on them. We are all use to maintaining cars. What's the big deal in grease fittings. especially in commercial mowers. I WANT to maintain this .

 

[kmakar]

Pro:
-USB ports (LOL)

Con:
-Cant lift the deck under feet access with the deck lift foot peg. It is a quick takeoff though.
-No maintenance (so they say) deck spindles. I cant imagine those spinning at 18,000 rpm for years and not needing grease. I would rather have had the zerk fittings on them. We are all use to maintaining cars. What's the big deal in grease fittings. especially in commercial mowers. I WANT to maintain this .

No zerks on the spindles? What's the warranty on them?

I grease the snot out of my spindles (3) on my 50" deck at the beginning of every season and my ZTM is like a 2004 I think (although I converted mine to electric). The spindles do have some play, but as long as they are spinning and not growling, I'll consider them still working.

 

[77cruiser]

That's different and first I've seen that. Cant say I've heard of them. And out of Iowa. Have you used them or own one? And If so, what did you like/dislike? From having tractors, I learned a long time ago that its not just about the brand and quality. Its about the Service, and warrantee provided AFTER the sale.

Never tired one or know of anybody that has one. The nearest dealer is 110 miles away, & I just haven't taken the time to go check them out.
As if I'm real busy.

 

[Nashville Cat]

My #1 concern is a strong transmission. I think 90% of zero turns being scrapped is the trans wears out.

 

[cage2592]

I would agree. This is also one of the features I looked at when deciding. This new one is a ZT-4400. They look to have a good rating, reviews and parts support. Other things I hope I don't miss on my old Kubota is the water cooled diesel, oil cooler, and hydro cooler. Kubota has a single hydro dive unit. This new one has a left and right hydro.

I've been thinking if I should plumb in a hydro cooler with electric fan and temp gauge. Thoughts?

 

[77cruiser]

I should have added, they sell Hustler & Gravley here. Tied a Hustler but wasn't crazy about it. Probably hang on to the JD X485.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I got the entry level ZT-3100. Should last a long time if you don't have a lot of hills :

 

[cage2592]

I should have added, they sell Hustler & Gravley here. Tied a Hustler but wasn't crazy about it. Probably hang on to the JD X485.

My Uncle up the street has a JD720 I think) and I've used it before. We looked at the JD's as they are next to the place we got the BB. My issues with them was JD doesn't sell a 72" deck and not as tall (deck) and the largest engine is 25hp. It didn't look as beefy either. But they also have the ZT trans. My Uncle has had his JD about 5yrs with about 1500hrs and it still looks brand new and hasn't needed one thing. Runs and starts immediately. They would have been in the running if looking for a smaller zero. What GREEN paint usually brings for overpriced items, I was surprised the price was decent.

I wasn't impressed with the Hustler either. The exterior parts looked cheap, not as thick, and was a crazy price. They have a big and dedicated following. EDIT: Hustler did have an amazing warrantee though.

Out of every one I looked at I would have said the Gravely had the most good point for me. The real downside for me was the crazy price (about $4K higher) with less options. You have to really want one of those !

I also looked at SCAG, Bushog, eXmark, Husky, Cub, Toro, Bobcat, and Spartan

 

[cage2592]

The old KUBOTER (in my Ginger Billy Voice).



The New Zero:


The new rear 3" spacers came this morning to put the old Kubota wheels on the back of the new mower. The Old ones from the Kubota have a deeper BS and couldn't fit on the back of the new mower.


New Mower without:


New Mower with:


New Mower with old Kubota wheels mounted:


The older Kubota tires are 2" wider, 2 " Taller and more of a floatation tire. Lots of grip. I ended up with the tire 1" from the deck.

 

[kmakar]

Those Kubota tires are pretty beefy. Ginger Billy makes me laugh every time I watch him. Lisa and I enjoy his videos.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

The Satoh just mowed 1 1/2 acres of field grass that hasn't been cut in over a year, I did it with the finish mower, the old diesel powered through. I didn't set the mower low, I need to work the grass down.

I am going to get the old Cub Cadet going for yard mowing and the tiller fires up for potato and onion row digging.

 

[cage2592]

The Satoh just mowed 1 1/2 acres of field grass that hasn't been cut in over a year, I did it with the finish mower, the old diesel powered through. I didn't set the mower low, I need to work the grass down.

I am going to get the old Cub Cadet going for yard mowing and the tiller fires up for potato and onion row digging.

I'm hoping I don't miss my Diesel.

I don't know about y'all, but I actually look forward to getting out and getting on the lawn. Especially what you are doing. Cutting in some new or old ground. Though I do like the ZTRs, I actually miss mowing with my old International/Cub Cadet 682 with 50" deck. Now its just used for pulling the yard tools and small dump trailer.