ZTR Choices

L.C.Gray

Member
After using a well worn Cub with a Woods 59 to mow the place for the last 10 years I've decided to finally replace it with some new equipment.

I've looked at about every ZTR on the market and really like the features and build of one I'd never heard of, Country Clipper. They're just not many in my part of the country so they're an unknown to me. The two features that I like most about them is the flip out deck for easy blade servicing and the joystick control.

The Deeres kinda have the best price point on a HD residential unit and the Kubotas are nice but way too high.I don't think Deere's are quite what they used to be. I know any machine is only as good as it's parts and service support, and green and orange would be there for a long time to come. I've had Snapper commercial ZTRs before and had some issues with them.I have dealers in town for Deere, Kubota, Hustler, Grasshopper, Gravely, Snapper, Bush Hog and Country Clipper.

Anyone here using a Country Clipper? Any issues with the machine, parts or service?
 
Been looking at this myself.

I have a friend who has a Country Clipper and he seems to like it. As you no doubt know they are made by Shivvers which is and was a drying bin company. Sold under the Snapper name as well as a couple others in years past.

For me there is only one dealer in the area and as he nears retirement I don't see anyone taking over his business.

I have pretty well decided on Grasshopper when I pull the trigger this winter. Three active local dealers and look to be a pretty good machine.

Quite frankly gonna steer away from Deere. You either have a Ag dealer for service or box store for no service at all. The ag dealer will do good on parts but any repair work or advice isn't gonna be as good as a dedicated small engine shop.

JM2CW

jt
 
I saw those country clippers too and was wondering the same thing. A guy near me sells them. I guess most just don't worry about cleaning out their deck ?
I don't know what engine choices they offer, but I have some Kawasaki on my Deere's and really like those engines. I think I'd steer clear of todays Briggs and Kohler.
 
There have been discussions on here about the Deeres in the big box stores- apparently they are a "cheapie", lightly-built version so they can compete on price. So not only no service from place of purchase, but the Deere dealers will give you the cold shoulder because you didn't buy from them, and they don't like working on the inferior machines.
 
From my personal experience, it seems like the welded decks last better than the stamped decks. The deck has been the weak link in the mowers that I've owned.

A guy in our church bought a Swisher, and it was a disaster. That's the only brand that I know for sure that I wouldn't own.

I've had a Grasshopper for 10 plus years. Big rough yard, and I'm still happy with it. Good local dealer (a factor with any brand). I've only owned one ZTR, so I can't offer a true comparison with any other brand. Good luck with your new mower.
 
It all depends on how much you are going to mow, the lay of your land and how much money you want to spend, but I personally don't think you will beat the Bad Boy for $4995.00 sold at Tractor Supply. There are a lot more expensive mowers with less features. I love mine.
 
Good points made below here.

The Scag is good, but pricey......break the bank with it. The Bad boy is good, a guy I work with wants one real bad.....but....%$5k and he is broke.

I have a new cub cadet walk behind. 33" cut, 10HP briggs motor. $ 1,300 was a good price.
 
I bought one of those last spring and am pretty happy with it also. Seemed to be the most bang for the buck.
 
I looked at a lot of brands. I ended up buying a very pricey X-Mark Lazer, X series. It is one of the nicest machines I have ever operated. Looked at several different brands. Bobcat was a nice machine. Deere had one of the smoothest operating machines. Good sound to the engine and nice operation. The country clipper model you mention was one I considered but I did not think I would like the joystick. Do not remember what they were but there were other features that were highly desirable. Think they related to maintenance...possibly getting to the deck. Was a nice machine.
 
Stay away from the box stores. Made that mistake a few years ago on a Toro zero turn. Good price, but the bearings/spindles, and the Kohler engine was pure china junk (litterally falling apart even with very good care and maintenance). Went to extreme, and loaded it up and traded it for a Gravely. Welded heavy deck, commercial Kawasaki engine, and so far very happy with it, but I paid over $4500 on it which as far as I am concerned is far too much for a lawnmower, but as I found out you can spend 2-3000 for cheaply made junk. Wish I had done this long ago as I have thrown that much away over the years trying to save a few $$. The model I bought is not a full commercial machine, but is a heavy duty model with nearly everything the same with exception for the ROPS, better seat, and a few items I could not justify the extra $1000 on. Engine, deck, and most everything else is same as the more expensive commercial machine that was sitting along side.
Gravely ZTR
 
See if you can borrow someones ZTR. You may not want to get rid of your cub. I know people with dixies, bad boys, buntons, JD, they all say the same thing when I ask them about the ride, "RUFF".
 
(quoted from post at 06:55:27 10/03/14) After using a well worn Cub with a Woods 59 to mow the place for the last 10 years I've decided to finally replace it with some new equipment.

I've looked at about every ZTR on the market and really like the features and build of one I'd never heard of, Country Clipper. They're just not many in my part of the country so they're an unknown to me. The two features that I like most about them is the flip out deck for easy blade servicing and the joystick control.

The Deeres kinda have the best price point on a HD residential unit and the Kubotas are nice but way too high.I don't think Deere's are quite what they used to be. I know any machine is only as good as it's parts and service support, and green and orange would be there for a long time to come. I've had Snapper commercial ZTRs before and had some issues with them.I have dealers in town for Deere, Kubota, Hustler, Grasshopper, Gravely, Snapper, Bush Hog and Country Clipper.

Anyone here using a Country Clipper? Any issues with the machine, parts or service?

I just recently bought a new Country Clipper. The big selling point was the flip up deck AND the joystick steering. The second thing I liked about it is the fact that it is built in Corydon, Iowa, by the same folks that build the "Shivvers" grain handling equipment. Kinda figured if they know how to build that kind of stuff, they probably know how to build ZTR mowers as well. I'm still getting acquainted with mine, but so far, I am very satisfied.
 
Yeah, when I went across town from end to end looking, I kept right on going past Wally and TSC. The biggies make deals with the manufacturers to shave the unit cost at the price of quality to appeal to the price point is the sole priority folks.
 
I think my next ZTR will be an Exmark.. My Encore has been a good mower but, it's time to move on.. The township I used to work at had an Exmark.. They couldn't kill it..
 
I like that deck design on the Country Clipper. I'd never heard of the brand before now.

I bought a Ferris IS 700Z in May, and I've been delighted with it. I have 30 hours on it, and so far no complaints. The suspension on the Ferris is what sold me on it, and it is very well-built. I would not hesitate to buy another Ferris.
 
I have owned a Wheel Horse C175 for many years and I also have a Gravely G16. They both have hundreds of hours and I have taken good care of them.
Since my wife has trouble with these large mowers with rear baggers, I have thought seriously about buying a Walker because of it's compact design and ease of emptying the clippings and the front mounted flipping deck.
One thing that keeps me from buying, a used one, is that it seems that many of these have had the engine worked on or replaced, even with low hours.
I am well aware that proper maintenance is critical on any machine but I am concerned that, due to the design, the engines may be overheating. I also consider them over priced.
Anybody have any opinions?
 

I have a Gravely 260Z 60" deck Kawasaki 25HP engine... I brought it in 01 are 02 it has been trouble free. I mow about 3 acres with it once a week 35 weeks out of the year. It takes me 55 min to knock out the yard that's get'er done... It is very good on fuel 8)... It has a suspension seat that's a plus... It took me over 3 hr to mow it with a lawn tractor and at least 3 gal of gas. I could ware out the best lawn tractor in 10 years.

The bad, tho my yard looks good its ruff as ell to mow with a Z turn.. Most of my yard is in a bottom my Z turn is to heavy for it when it rains allot... A 60" deck on ZT will never mow as nice as a smaller deck are a lawn tractor... When I am done with my 55 min carnival ride I am cooked its all I want... I work at home so try and do my thing on company time near the end of the day
:D
 
I would recommend you drive mow/your yard with a Country clipper before you buy one. Most good dealers have late models trade-ins you can try to see if you like them.

The reason I am saying this is the joystick control. My BIL has one and he loves it. I have used it a few times and I HATE IT!!!!! On rougher ground it is harder to hold a line and on side hills it is no fun either. I like the lap bar style controls much better. Much more like driving a skid steer loader.

I also have wrist troubles. The lap bar style does not seem to bother them but the joystick one does.

The flip up deck feature is getting more common on many brands.

Also dealership support is important in your area. So make sure you have more than a single dealer within comfortable drive distance.

Resale is not much of an issue unless your going to trade every few years. A good quality mower will last for decades so the resale is not that high after that amount of time.

Parts should not be an issue with a quality product. As long as you have that local dealer.
I do not want to wait a week for parts to come.
 
I have about 500 hours on my Country Clipper and I love it. I can't lift the 60 inch deck by hand so I do it with a chain hoist and I clean the deck each time I mow. I like the joy stick and some of my 5 1/2 acre lawn is quite steep. You wouldn't mow it with a cub, I know as I have one. If I was going to trade mowers tomorrow it would be another 60 inch Country Clipper.
 
where you at come test drive a unit. been moving alot of the dx 100 series dixon units. what color do you want to sit on because 97% of all units out there are equipped with the same working components as far as engines and drive trannies. i handle.dixon,country clipper,husqvarna, and will be taking on ferris,gravely,simplicity and couple other colors. have special cash prices now from 200to2000 dollars off due to shop remodel. the deck flip up is never as easy feature as advertised unless you get the electric lift option. let me know if can help located in southeast ia.
 
My next door neighbor has a 60" Country Clipper with joystick for maybe 11 years and he loves it. Has a Kawasaki engine and says he needs to keep the fuel filter changed and strains all his fuel, had problems at first until he figured it out. He loves it, it has a ton of hours on it. We have many Clipper dealers here in mid Michigan.
 
I have a Country Clipper and really like the joystick control. Only thing I'd do different is buy a bigger one next time instead of the 52" I have now.
 

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