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Just to help me understand, are the dump valves used to put the unit in neutral so you can push/tow the machine without damaging the hydros?

 

Yes sir. And I just edited my post after re-reading the attached paragraph from the manual. I might not have actually released the valves at all . . .

 

I was thinking this.^

 

My Ariens ZT drives with those silly levers in any position. It just gets harder or easier to push.

 

After posting I realized that I had pulled the levers out, but neglected to slide them inward. In a few days when I have to mow the Rye grass again I'll try pulling them out AND sliding inward, just to see if that disengages the hydraulics completely.

 

Hi, I am thinking about buying a used ZT, I have never used a ZT before and only know what youtube videos show about them. I am a auto mechanic so not clueless about engines/machines. Do you all habe any input for particular things to keep in mind and check carefully when shopping for used?
I only cut 8-10 yards, none very big so I am only looking for a 36-48 range.
Thanks

 

Used commercial units are better than new consumer rated versions. They are also much heavier. The wire harnesses are much better build with high quality safety switches that are bolted or screwed to the frame.

Most of the wearable parts on commercial machines are easy to replace and are to find.

Hydro systems on commercial units are not difficult to repair vs consumer units are remove/replace at a higher expense.

The most common size for commercial units is 60". 54"and 48" are not as common, but can be found with some patience.

I'm a Toro/Exmark fan. I've been rebuilding around 5 machines per year. I might have to put $300 in parts in a machine to make it good as new.

The deck size really should only be considered if you have access issues. If you can get the machine thru the gate, then the unit is not too big. They are so easy to turn, you will soon forget how wide the unit is.

I'll think of some other things and report in later.

 

I took a quick look on the Facebook market place for the New Orleans are.

If this was for sale near me, I'd jump all over it. Tossing in another engine is easy on these machines.

 

Good to know that commercial units are easier to repair, storage area I would use is 6x6 feet, I am also a toro fan but have not seen many in good condition for a cheap enough price, any brands that are particularly troublesome to stay away from? I know its counter productive but price is important since this is just something I do in my spare time for about one more year before I move to another state and dont intent to bring the ZT with me so I want to make sure I can recoup money spent on ZT along with making decent profit, I figure I dont want to drop more then 3 months profit(current profit average is $600/month), I do figure I will sell the ZT before I move so that will help recoup part of the cost. I did messaged that seller on FB.

 

I wish I had more experience with other brands. I only have hands on for Toro/Exmark. Toro and Exmark are the same company, just different factory locations.

Lots of their parts are interchangeable.

I do like it that sourcing parts is easy. Their diagrams are free on the internet. Copy the part number and paste it to Amazon/eBay search bar.

Even when I need to go to a dealer, I've found parts are not that pricy. The dealers seem to be pretty common around me.

My favorite version is the Toro 500 series. These are the easiest to work on because they are powered with horizontal shaft engines. With that said, I believe the industry is all vertical shaft engines now. There are a few less parts, so cheaper to make.

 

Ok Toro seller says the 50 inch mower with the bad engine is Kawasaki FH641V-DS19 engine and the good engine is Kawasaki FH580V, and I noticed at least one front wheel is missing from the 50 inch mower. I dont have enough room to do a motor swap between the two at my house.
Same price but not as high of grade is one, its got a Kawasaki FR691V engine, I see some people complaining about EZT issues, but I dont have any knowledge basis for what different transmission types are and what makes one better then the other, any input would be appreciated, the EZT doesnt look to hard to remove and drain/refill with new oil at least once a year.

 

That would probably serve you for the time being.

Like you said, you selling when you move, might as well get in and out on the cheap.

How old is that unit? They sell pretty cheap around here.

 

And its sold.

 

Maybe this one?

 

I don't know anything about those.

 

I don't either... but I do see them on some of the lawn service trailers sometimes. Gravely and another brand.. Dixie Chopper.

 

Ok here are the ones I have narrowed down to, anyone feel free to give opinions.
They are all around the same distance away. I probably wont bother with the two which are 42 inch as they are only 12 inches wider then my current mower but its nice they will fit in my trailer so I dont have to bother with a $60 Uhaul trailer like I will for the larger ones, it wont matter once I get it home though.
I like the Gravely 50 inch $1495 most. I really like the 52 inch Snapper but it is out of my budget, I offered $1600 but I doubt it will be accepted.

 

I don't know if you're really in the "city" or not. But depending on what you're cutting, 12" larger than what you have can make a big difference timewise... without being TOO big. I went from a 28" Snapper rider to my 36" Scag this past Fall. The extra 8" as well as the faster cutting speed make a big difference. OTOH there are places my Snapper could cut that the Scag won't fit. So I still need my Honda self-propelled and my weed eater. I'm in a subdivision on the Northshore, so much larger than a city-sized yard... but not acreage. Plus.. if you have to cut across a slope, the zero turn can be difficult-to-impossible to use in that area.

 

The John Deere is the only one that has any commercial DNA in it.

The rest are consumer version mowers.

My vote is the Deere.

I have rehabbed one similar a few years back. They are built pretty robust.

 

Yeah Im in NOLA so no slopes what so ever, currently I cut 6 houses and 2 empty lots. I went from a 21 Honda to a 30 inch Toro Timemaster a few months ago which was a huge improvement but if I could use a 50 inch for the 2 large yards without fences and 2 empty lots that would cut down on lots of time. I will keep the 21 and 30 inch since they fit certain back yards well.

Thank you I will go for the John Deere then.