We have a 3 acre yard on our small farmette...and have a Dixon XTR mower. LOVE IT! For years we had borrowed a relative's "other" riding mower(s), and they're just so slow...putzing along...the plus to that one is that you can add the attachments to it, unlike our Dixon. But...the zero-turn is fun to drive, fast, and no, no iced tea. I mow with my ipod, and even the levers got in the way of the cord for the headphones, I learned to keep the cord under my shirt. I've also used it for moving around bags of mulch or dirt, just throw 'em on top of it (where my feet go) and off we go. We also have a small 2 wheel yard wagon that we can hook up to the back of it, and it's got the power to pull that around. I use my lawn mower to clean my chicken coop, just hauling the wagon around. Another plus, my hubby is very knowledgeable on this stuff, so he can work on it himself. In fact, we bought this Dixon, non working, on Craigslist, and he replaced some parts, tuned it up, and we've been using it for years. I do 99.9% of the lawn mowing (hubby knows better than to take that therapy time away from me!), and I don't ever want to mow with anything else! We do not have a flat back yard, it's very hilly, lots of rock walls, curves, etc...but it handles it well. And we have a LOT of "stuff" to mow around....shrubs, trees, rock walls, sandbox, etc....it gets right up there. Love it. Angie

as a commerical lawn business owner i can give you a little input.... you never did say weather you want a rider ztr or a walk behind ztr... i have had alot of equipment and we abuse it i dont baby my equipment... as fas as a rider .. i would go with a grasshopper or a excel... i have both of these and never ever have had any major problems ... just rember you have to do is maintain them... as far a walk behind ztr... i use a snapper for my personal lawn and use them for my business.... i have also owned ransome/bocat 's ... and both have not given me any grief .... you also need to consider lot size ...before buying any equipment ... and always always $$$$$$$$ is the end factor... most dealers will let you try out the equipment b4 buying... and never be pressured into buying ... do your home work.. if need be call the factory they will be glad to help you with any questions...

Jim, please post the model number and serial number of your mower. Also please post the engine model number and other numbers from the engine itself. Your problem might be caused by something in the tractor chassis wiring, or it could be specific to the engine you have. Without some identifying numbers, we can't check our sources for info on anything. Also, let's be perfectly clear on what you mean when you use the word "crank". Do you mean you turn the key and absolutely nothing happens? No noise, engine does not spin? Or do you mean the engine spins but it will not catch on and run by itself?

I've seen the bigger diesel Bad Boy zero turns at a local agricultural show. I thought they looked as well made as any other make I've seen. Servicing seems really simple, with opening, hinged side and rear panels. They use a Caterpillar engine (which is really a Japan-designed Perkins) and top quality hydraulics. Prices for Bad Boys are very competitive here for a machine of this quality - only about two-thirds the price of a Scag or Ferris.