zero turn mowers

Hustler Raptor, recommend buying from a smaller local dealer as well and not a big box store.

My raptor sd is good but has had issues...

Spartan is very good bang for the buck but they start at 4K so that may be more than you want to spend

Just bout a 54” Big Dog Stout yesterday, it’s a beast!

I have an Ariens.
Seems to be ok, but I have nothing to compare it to, for it's the only ZTR I've had.
Purchased at Lowe's

What kind of issues have you had with your Hustler SD? What size and which engine do you have? I picked up a used Hustler SD 48” with 25hp Kohler yesterday that someone had traded in at a dealer. Cut yard for first time with it. Was like a kid with a new toy......

Bad Boy

I have a 54" spartan. Very heavy duty and quality mower for the price.

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Why? Bring something other than rumors and hearsay.

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Service for one.....once you leave the big box store, you are on your own if you have problems.

The person setting up the unit does not pay
as much attention to detail as they maybe an assembler one day and cashier the next. Lowering air in tires, making sure the deck is level, checking fluids, make sure battery is charged, and test the unit to see if the PTO works by engaging the blades.

Not left out in the weather to get fuel separation which causes other problems.
Unit not faided out, battery is charged, and if something does happen immediately dealer usually jumps on it quickly.

Dealers usually get Service bulletins that let dealers check for issues before we put them on the floor or deliver them to the customer.

Service after the sale your unit may get sent to a guy that works out of his backyard which means weeks to months if they have to order parts. I been paid by mfg’s to pick up units from these small guys sitting in a shop for 3 months waiting for a transmission repair that I had the parts instock.

A shop with people that sell the units, stock parts, and use to servicing the unit for repairs that are correct the first time along with quicker turn around.

If a dealer services big box units he always services his customers first.

Better financing plans versus a credit card.
When I had my shops I had 8 lenders to handle people of all credit scores. My worst scores had better rates than the 0% people had after that period was over and they had a balance left on a big box credit card.

Free delivery and pickup usually within a service area.

Yes, I done this for years and PDI John Deere units back to when they were Scott’s In Home Depot and then first L100 series.

I can tell you stories of stolen parts, water in fuel tanks caused the block and piston to corrode together, battery’s not charged, no books, lost keys, recon units sold as new then customer find out it is a recon, etc.