Ask your local Toro dealer instead of spending thousands extra on random speculation

Nearest Toro servicing dealer to me is just under an hour away . Not as convenient vs less than 5 miles away . But I get your point .

I can't help with Big Boy vs Exmark. If you are only considering those brands you can ignore the rest of the post.
Ever consider a front mount ZTR? I had a Grasshopper for 20 years and just replaced it with another Grasshopper two seasons ago. They are spendy, but bullet proof and I love the front mounted deck for trimming and getting in tight places.

Can't help with those mowers, but if you are spending $7K, take look at Ferris mowers. There's a dealer in Buford, GA.

This is just a little bit more $, but quit a bit more mower. Porsche vs. Ford type of thing.

https://sleequipment.com/ferris-5901911-is600-52-zero-turn-mower-23-hp-kawasaki.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw852XBhC6ARIsAJsFPN2l4w XlamTPkzDN0gMS8yngTupqtO_Wh2kSEk71LOdPGj5WT2mFz_4a Au01EALw_wcB

Unfortunately Buford is an hour away . That Ferris has a smaller Kawi engine than the BB . But it has a 4" bigger deck . Same Hydro Gear 3200 drives . Ferris has shock absorber suspension . To me not worth the additional 1k.

I went to Home Depot today to look over their selection of Toro and John Deere . None of them had serviceable hydro units and to me that is a show stopper . Still trying to figure out what to do .

Just a thought but...ZT’s are not so good on hills/slopes. It’s why so many come with roll bars. Very easy for a front wheel to be in the air while the back spins as you slide sideways when turning. A traditional front engine rider may be a better choice. No servos for you to worry about and better on slopes.

But I have to admit...the ZT is more fun to use. I’d never had one before this exmark and look forward to using it. But I have very little grade to deal with. The one slope area had me slide into the pine straw the first time I used it though.

One other thought...if you are locked on a ZT, with 1.5 acres to cut, odds are a residential mower at half the price you’re considering will last many many years. And if a servo were to croak, the almost $4k you’ll save up front will more than cover a cost you may never have to spend. I’m sure you thought about that already. Let us know what you decide.

I am slowly thinking a lawn or garden tractor may be a better fit for my situation . Plus my wife surprised me the other day when she said she may be interested in mowing the lawn . I do NOT want her learning on a zero turn . Both of my JD diesel garden tractors have hand controlled hydrostatic trans and power steering , but I don't think she can master the hand control . But a modern foot operated hydro would be much easier to learn on .

I am researching JD X500 series . A step up from the X300 series and a step down from the X700 series . I think the X300 series is too light duty for my lawn . Quick research says a X570/X580 is a good fit . The 580 has power steering and hydraulic deck lift vs the 570 is manual on both .

Another solution is to get off my lazy a$$ and get one of my diesels performing again . One of them is overheating so I have to pull the rad and get it flushed and checked out by a rad shop . It may need a waterpump and thermostat . The other one out of the blue started running like crap . It may need replacement lines/filters/pumps . These would be great winter projects but I am tired of winter projects :D

What is the deal with that? Are all the HD buyers getting screwed then? They must be selling 10x the volume of the local tractor store so how bad could it be? Is this like CVT tranny fears?

The big difference is in the drive units. Bad boy gets consumer and Exmark typically uses professional grade.

If you can't change the fluid easily, you do not want it if you have any real mowing to do.

I had innumerable problems with bad boy after about a year. Had to completely remove the drive unit and turn upside down to drain it. IIRC it was 50wt and cheap, but mowing 4+ acres just wore the fluid out in a season or so and then it would just sit there.

check into the Toro My Ride line of mowers.

full suspension floating deck make it a VERY comfy ride over bumps and ruts.

I just picked up the 60" model and it's a beast.

This is what I have learned via internet research . Basically ALL residential/consumer zero turns have sealed non-serviceable hydro drives . In my opinion that is crap , no offense to anyone that owns one . Then there is high end consumer or entry level commercial. These will have Hydro Gear 2800/3100/3200 serviceable units with external spin on oil filters . Built MUCH heavier but it comes at a cost $$$ . But in theory many more years/hours of service life IF taken care of . That's what I think I know :D

Does anybody make the right mower for you? If so, how far away are they? How often does it need to go to the shop? How would you take it there?

Today I went in a completely different direction . I went to a Kubota dealer and have a verbal deal on a BX1880 SCUT . I provided them with pics of my two JD's with a description of both for trade in purposes . I am waiting to hear their offer .

If their offer is decent on the trades then it's a done deal . If the trade in value is too low I will probably still buy the Kubota and sell the JD's on my own . Should know today/tomorrow .

The Kubota is similar to what I have now but with 4wd and a Cat 1 hitch . I know for a fact it can handle my yard with no issues and I can add a loader if I ever need that capability .

Perfect.

I have two MF CG2300 that are both twenty years old. You're done.

The only problem is the PTO: You will find attachments:D

Wrong place to look at those.
Find a local JD dealer for the real stuff.

Hawk thanks for that . My yard is 99 % the way I want it so I don't Invision adding any front or rear attachments . That could change of course but I think a heavy duty lawn mowing machine is all I need . Can always rent something if needed.

I am done with the JD dealer . A month ago they accidentally ran one of my tractors through my duallys driver side quarter panel 😡 . Damaged the tractor and truck . They gave me a new hood for the tractor but are dicking around on the repair of my truck . That has cost them my future business .

^^^ Not good at all...

I'm just saying that the Home Depot JD's are not the same as the ones from the JD dealer.

Where is Cabman??? He could explain it better than I can...lol

You are 100 % correct.

I have a Kubota ZT commercial diesel powered beast that is horrible in wet conditions, banked or ditch lines.

My wife and I have both got it stuck.

Great, amazing on specific terrains. My wife loves it. Fun to watch her mow her eight acres. Zoom zoom.

You will, if the deal works out, never need another mower...water cooled diesel powered mowers last forever. I have over 2k on each my 2300s and the 4 wheel drive is, as you know, the best. Never stuck.