re: Help me pick a Zero Turn

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do you suggest that going commercial is the ONLY reasonable choice?

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Depends on your mowing requirements for sure. I had 2 mowers from Lowes/HD, one from 2000-2004, and one from 2005-2011. The 1st I paid about $900 and it was starting to fall apart after 4 years of weekly use on my acre. The 2nd is still running, I paid $1400 for it new, but I have probably spent around $1k on repairs for various things.
In 2011 I bought a used commerical SnapperPro Zero turn for $1800 with 195 hours on it. Had it now 5 years, and only regular maintenance.

The difference in a residential vs commercial is worth the extra money to me. I bought used though.

I got a 48" cut Kubota commander two years ago. Cuts 2 1/2 acres a week fast, and comfortable. Paid closer to $5K for it. It's their "residential model".
No complaints at all, solid zero turn mower.

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Gravely mowers...

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That's what I had before I got forced into the retirin' & dyin' home...

Looks like they are one of the bigger dealers in the area, eh?

You are wrong my friend please learn who makes what.
I sell all these brands between 4 stores and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
I also toured the plants and been to the dealer events.

Husqvarna makes Husqvarna and Poulan
Ariens typically similar Gravely

MTD makes Troy-Bilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, yard machine, MTD gold
People beat them up but they make some decent stuff and they got the low end card also. Not many companies can do both well. I like their snow blowers along with Ariens.

JD makes John Deere

Hustler I use to carry them and since they downgraded some of their line for Lowes I can get better quality in other brands. MTD and Husqvarna offer units with similar if not better quality, more margin, at similar suggested retail prices.

I been to the MTD Plant in Martin,TN they make low end stuff and some nice high end stuff. The people that beat them up may be using a unit they build. Not many mfg's left.

I believe JD might still be made in Martinsville, TN

I keep the MTD gold which is a line to capture the guy that wants something less expensive and is cutting residential grass. I sell 40 of these a year at one location to older guys, people limited on money cutting a small area, and women that wants a simple rider.

Cub cadet XT 1 & XT 2 with the EFI engines and husqvarna riders I do keep to give customers a choice that are cutting an acre or less.
I carry a few cub XT3's for guys that want the drive shaft and put small attachments on them. In the Midwest in hilly areas I still get a lot more rider than zero turns demand.

I dropped hustler due to I see serious service issues coming in the next year or two.

Bad boy dropped due to had issues getting paid on warranty work and customers getting mad at my service advisor when I will not release the mower without approval to get paid for the work. It is an ok mower at the price point there is a lot better zero turns.

I have been looking at Dixie chopper but I can get a better unit in a cub cadet challenger.

I got out of selling to commercial guys profit margins are small and they destroy equipment.

Being in business as a partner I have to manage capital, parts, plus give customers what they want. You cannot sell every line. Biggest thing is matching the customer with the correct size riding, zero turn, or walk behind mower.

Yes, we get special financing offers if we buy or stock so much from a mfg.
I offer a few different companies to give customers choices.

Kubota and don't look back.