I know it isn't motoring per se and that Farming or somewhere is probably the correct category for my query, but I tend to know and trust the opinions and experiences of the regular contributors to this category more than the others.
I'm in the market for a zero turn mower, tired of spending dosh on trying to keep other people's cast offs (second hand mowers) in running order.
I had my heart set on a King Cat Panther, but stumbled on the mowers in the link below that appear to have similar features for almost half the price of the King Cat. Have checked all of the reviews etc that I can find via google on the Bad Boys and most appear to be favourable. Does anyone know anybody that either has, or has had a Bad Boy MZ series, and whether their experiences with the mowers have been good or bad.
Whatever you do dont buy an MTD zero turn. I had one and it used to cost $200 in belts everytime I mowed my lawn. I eventualy got a refund on it and brought a Walker Zero turn which has been amazing. I have heard good things about the Kingcat but cant comment on the badoy. Having owned a walker I doubt I will ever be convinced to buy anything different. Have a look at what the mowing contractors use and talk with them for opinions
mantagsi,
Sep 16, 10:21am
Have used Walkers myself and have been quite happy :) If you are going to buy one (regardless of brand), either get a new one, or if you have to get second hand, dont compromise - make sure it is in top condition. You will just get annoyed and broke otherwise
therafter1,
Sep 16, 10:37am
Don't worry, MTD, Cub Cadet (disposable mowers) and all of the like have been eyeballed and eliminated . basically if it has a pressed steel deck (or pressed steel anywhere for that matter) it isn't considered.
therafter1,
Sep 16, 10:37am
Yep, I like the look of the Walkers, but it seems strange that Bad Boy are doing a ZTM that is similar in all respects to both the Walkers and the King Cats for considerably less dosh . yes, I know you get what you pay for, but I also know that because something is a lot cheaper it doesn't necessarily mean it is half as good. Both Walker and King Cat have very good reputations that go back a long way and it is possible that a considerable portion of the price is in the name only.
In the spec sheet for the Bad Boys it specifies the power source as Briggs and Stratton, the ones being sold over here are powered by a 23HP Kawasaki V twin.
jason18,
Sep 16, 10:41am
Dad got a 18.5 or something JD mower. Damn it goes good!
therafter1,
Sep 16, 10:47am
Most go good when they are new, I want it to go good for a long time.
I have looked at the JD's and their reviews, and some of them are not very favourable long term.
I will be mowing about 1.5 acres.
granada,
Sep 16, 10:53am
Agreed , my neighbour has a John Expensive and its always being fixed. He thought he got a bargain but its his worst nightmare.
NZTools,
Sep 16, 12:34pm
I've got 3 john deeres here, ranging from 10hp to 23hp, and 20 years old to 4 years old respectively, none of them give any trouble other than general maintainance and servicing. My only complaint, is like a lot of american designed mowers, they are not designed to mow low, The belt/pulley angles are quite bad on their lowest settings.
skiff1,
Sep 16, 1:33pm
Walker, kubota awesome
albundy,
Sep 16, 4:32pm
We have had 2 huskys and a castle garden, but now have a Hustler zero turn. Best mower we have had in our landscaping business, esp with the mulching kit option.Built tough from the states, and cheaper than the walker.http://hustlermowers.co.nz/
stevo2,
Sep 16, 5:11pm
As you have just said, "You get what you pay for". You can also buy a chainsaw that "looks just like a Stilh" out of China and you can buy a Lifan petrol engine that is a basic copy of a Honda for a lot less dosh but wont last like a Honda. Highly recommend a Walker.
alistacamel,
Sep 17, 6:55pm
you could look at Toro, they're expensive to buy, but good. There are also Victa, Ferris, and Simplicity (all Briggs and Stratton brands), but I'm still partial to Toro.
therafter1,
Sep 22, 3:15pm
Bit the bullet and bought the Bad Boy MZ4800, that's the one with the 48inch deck and 26 horse Kawasaki V-twin. Not a lot to it so hopefully not a lot should go wrong with it, really pleased with the grass cut finish, no shortage of power, really really easy to get used to and you don't have to worry about not being able to cut the grass too short as it will scalp if you are silly enough to lower the deck right down. Weaselled him down from $8449,00 to $7992,00.
The final decision was made after talking to a guy that worked at an outfit called Power Farming and he said they had problems with the Briggs and Stratton motors in the early days, but other than that he compared them to a Walker and said that they are just as good.
Time will be the test.
hekylnjekyl,
Sep 22, 4:15pm
Walkerfor a fine cut and kubota for a rough cut I used both on an almost daily basis for 6 1/2 years and had no issues at all
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