Z Turn Mowers

[cover2]

My old John Deere Z425, after 12 seasons, is ready for the pasture. Bought it brand new and kept it serviced, but it was cutting our 2-1/2 acres, the church yard and my son had another couple of yards he cut from time to time. Lately it was breaking down after each cutting.

The local John Deere place was high as a cat’s back, so I started looking around. Decided against another JD. Ex-Mark makes a fine machine, but they are proud of them. I never really considered a used mower, but my neighbor at the lake passed away and his estate was selling his two Z Turns, a 52 in. Ex-Mark and a 52 in. Gravely. Both were clean and in good shape.

The Ex-Mark was 5 years old and had ~500 hrs. The Gravely was 3 years old and had ~150 hrs. The asking prices were $4500 and $2500 respectively. I wasn’t really familiar with the Gravely, but the price and hours were appealing. I got to give them both a test cut. Both were neck in neck, but the Gravely felt a lot more sturdy, so I bit.

Just off of the limited info, did I get a good machine? Also, Gravely offers “self-sharpening” blades. Anybody familiar and would they be worth about $25 each? Following is a photo...

 

[Gatorhunter]

I’ve got those blades on my new gravely. I’ve only got about 10 hours on them so far but I’m cutting tough Bahia and they are working pretty good. Supposedly I can get 50 hours out of them so we will see.

I like my new gravely but my older exmark that I still have will cut circles around it. I ride the exmark and my wife rides the gravely.

 

[Detroitgator]

I love my Gravely on squirrel ranch

 

[bradgator2]

Neighbor has a Gravely. I've borrowed it before and it's pretty damn nice. I dont think his is better than my Scag though. I am on year 10 on my Scag and the damn thing is still as good as new. I am on 5 acres of bahia and sand. I've screwed around with blades before... it's WAY easier and more convenient for me just to replace all 3 every year.

My other neighbor just bought the top end Scag. $13,000. Damn thing is ridiculously awesome.

Anyway, I think $2500 was a good buy.

 

[Detroitgator]

Neighbor has a Gravely. I've borrowed it before and it's pretty damn nice. I dont think his is better than my Scag though. I am on year 10 on my Scag and the damn thing is still as good as new. I am on 5 acres of bahia and sand. I've screwed around with blades before... it's WAY easier and more convenient for me just to replace all 3 every year.

My other neighbor just bought the top end Scag. $13,000. Damn thing is ridiculously awesome.

Anyway, I think $2500 was a good buy.

Yeah, for my Gravely, every March, the shop where I bought it runs a "tune up special" where they replace the blades, fluids, adjust the tracking.... Other than put gas in it, that's the only thing I do to it each year for heavy use at squirrel ranch... about 15 acres of bumpy assed ground and thick f'n grass, I run over anything smaller than about 1/2" in diameter... probably cut about 8-10 times/per year between those March servicings. Also, a LOT of those cutting involve where I have to overlap each "run" by about half cuz grass is so thick, so it's like double cutting (or 1.5 cutting, or whatever the fuk the math is!). I only ever have the throttle at "full rabbit"... it's like a ferrari compared to the tractor.

 

[bradgator2]

Yeah, for my Gravely, every March, the shop where I bought it runs a "tune up special" where they replace the blades, fluids, adjust the tracking.... Other than put gas in it, that's the only thing I do to it each year for heavy use at squirrel ranch... about 15 acres of bumpy assed ground and thick f'n grass, I run over anything smaller than about 1/2" in diameter... probably cut about 8-10 times/per year between those March servicings. Also, a LOT of those cutting involve where I have to overlap each "run" by about half cuz grass is so thick, so it's like double cutting (or 1.5 cutting, or whatever the fuk the math is!). I only ever have the throttle at "full rabbit"... it's like a ferrari compared to the tractor.

Exactly, I do the exact same service setup.

I have also found that removing the plastic chute thingy makes a MASSIVE difference. Just let the grass blow out like 10 feet. You'll never have "grass clump" in your yard again and will help with the overlap. Just have to be a little more careful where you point it. And dry/windy days can kinda suck.

So many sexual innuendos in that paragraph

 

[AlexDaGator]

In a couple of years I'll have a fully automatic one kidpower mower.

Can't wait!

Alex.

 

[flg8rfan]

In a couple of years I'll have a fully automatic one kidpower mower.

Can't wait!

Alex.

I thought that as well when I was young and foolish. 3 kids later, I still have to

 

[Detroitgator]

In a couple of years I'll have a fully automatic one kidpower mower.

Can't wait!

Alex.

That was MY dad!!!! "Why do I need a dishwasher/snowblower... i have THREE!"

 

[Detroitgator]

I thought that as well when I was young and foolish. 3 kids later, I still have to

Not my dad... sadly, he was correct, he had THREE! ;)

 

[Concrete Helmet]

Oh, I thought Z turn was the new politically correct term for Mexican.....Here's my lawnmower...

 

[MJMGator]

Oh, I thought Z turn was the new politically correct term for Mexican.....Here's my lawnmower...

Mine’s Caucasian if you can see through the tattoos.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

My last one was a redneck with an inbred midget partner(no not Urg but they looked alike )
The new ones are made up of 1 older Black guy who is the foreman, 2 Mexicans and every week a new white guy

 

[Bushmaster]

I was going to suggest you buy the Ex Mark and I would buy the Gravely.

Late again!!

I had a client that sold Gravely. He swore by them. They are a step between commercial and residential with a commercial lean. You got one hell of a deal on that machine because I would be willing to drive down there and back at that price.

I have a Husky and it has served me well for 10+ years. The engine is what matters most on these things. Pulleys, belts and blades can get replaced rather easily.

 

[Detroitgator]

I was going to suggest you buy the Ex Mark and I would buy the Gravely.

Late again!!

I had a client that sold Gravely. He swore by them. They are a step between commercial and residential with a commercial lean. You got one hell of a deal on that machine because I would be willing to drive down there and back at that price.

I have a Husky and it has served me well for 10+ years. The engine is what matters most on these things. Pulleys, belts and blades can get replaced rather easily.

Exactly why I bought Gravely... and they do have a line that is more commercial than not, I got that.

 

[jeeping8r]

Installed a customers new seats into his TJ.... Whoops not everyone knows Jeeps, 03 Jeep and he gave his old yazoo/kees Zturn. Had to put a fuel pump, belts and blades on it but it cuts like hell.

His neighbor bought a full tilt Kubota diesel Zturn with 72" deck ...... 22K for that puppy

 

[cover2]

Installed a customers new seats into his TJ.... Whoops not everyone knows Jeeps, 03 Jeep and he gave his old yazoo/kees Zturn. Had to put a fuel pump, belts and blades on it but it cuts like hell.

His neighbor bought a full tilt Kubota diesel Zturn with 72" deck ...... 22K for that puppy

I can’t imagine paying that kind of money for a mower. I guess he had a big, flat yard. 52” is about all I want for a yard with any contour.

 

[bradgator2]

I have a 61” inch deck, which I think is perfect. I used my neighbors once and they a 72 inch. Damn thing was like driving an aircraft carrier.

New guy built this shockingly large home directly across the street. He bought a $26,000 zturn.... with an enclosed cab with AC Looks just as ridiculous as it sounds.

I asked him, “Do you realize how many years of lawn service you could have paid for with the cost of that?”

Some name I have never heard of. It’ll be hard not to laugh when the AC breaks and then he has to mow in a sweat box.

 

[jeeping8r]

The 72" zturn owner has 10 acres of orange groves, still overkill but if you have the means and desire go for it

 

[g8tr72]

I've got 6 acres and a 60" SCAG. I've used several different brands but none compare to this thing. Never used a Gravely though.