Bad Boy mowers
#21
Its a 2004 and looks almost new, new seat, hood,powder coated deck, new bumpers ect, Im going to repower it latter on, the issue is finding an engine the the correct bolt pattern and crank size for the clutch is the issue
#23
Registered
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 315
Likes: 88
From: SE Virginia/NH
I have a Bad Boy ZT Elite 54". I love it and they aren't a light duty Lowes/Depot JD or Cub Cadet special. They're much more rugged and Made in the USA.
I had one major issue in the last eight years, but it wasn't the mower's fault. I had to park it in a temporary shelter for a little while and a mouse had built a nest that I couldn't see. It caused an upper crank oil seal to pop up leaking oil and starved the crank. It's a really bad design and common for Kohler apparently. By the time I got it across the yard to my garage it ended up seizing. From the time I noticed a problem to the time I shut it off was about 45 seconds. The Kohler wasn't rebuildable due to not using bushings. I found another brand new engine and installed it for $800 which is 1/2 what they're going for now. Other than that the motor never gave me a problem and the new one hasn't since I installed it.
I'd definitely buy one again. Like was mentioned, my model isn't commercial. The blades are slower than commercial. Since I bought it I put a mulching kit on and a roller for the lines. I probably wouldn't buy the roller again unless I was mowing a flat lawn with no contours.
Here are some pics of the seized engine. Someone will probably say I ran it too long after the start or they could have rebuilt it. The answer would be no on both accounts... It really took nothing for this to happen.
I also included a couple pics of the hydros on mine. Not a single problem and I'm sure you can tell I mow a lot. I have ten acres. Had ten in Michigan before I moved to. I bought it in 2014.





I had one major issue in the last eight years, but it wasn't the mower's fault. I had to park it in a temporary shelter for a little while and a mouse had built a nest that I couldn't see. It caused an upper crank oil seal to pop up leaking oil and starved the crank. It's a really bad design and common for Kohler apparently. By the time I got it across the yard to my garage it ended up seizing. From the time I noticed a problem to the time I shut it off was about 45 seconds. The Kohler wasn't rebuildable due to not using bushings. I found another brand new engine and installed it for $800 which is 1/2 what they're going for now. Other than that the motor never gave me a problem and the new one hasn't since I installed it.
I'd definitely buy one again. Like was mentioned, my model isn't commercial. The blades are slower than commercial. Since I bought it I put a mulching kit on and a roller for the lines. I probably wouldn't buy the roller again unless I was mowing a flat lawn with no contours.
Here are some pics of the seized engine. Someone will probably say I ran it too long after the start or they could have rebuilt it. The answer would be no on both accounts... It really took nothing for this to happen.
I also included a couple pics of the hydros on mine. Not a single problem and I'm sure you can tell I mow a lot. I have ten acres. Had ten in Michigan before I moved to. I bought it in 2014.





Last edited by HawkX66; 05-21-2021 at 11:54 AM.
#24

Went to a local JD dealer to see a couple used tractors ( no warranty ) so I ordered a new one 4 year 500 hr warranty, should be here in a couple weeks, thanks for the input guys
Speedy
Last edited by F-2 Speedy; 05-22-2021 at 09:02 AM.
#25
Registered

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 372
From: Palos, Illinois
I cut about 6 acres with my Scag Turf Tiger, with the Kawasaki liquid cooled eng. and it runs great. One important thing to look at for longevity is the ground you cut on. In my case I have quite a few hills, some fairly steep, which is rough on any mower. If you are cutting flat ground and are not looking for speed most of the zero turns will work for you. If the conditions are like mine I would suggest looking for a used commercial mower like others have suggested. You will quickly trash anything else.
#28
Registered
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 315
Likes: 88
From: SE Virginia/NH
Good luck with it. Hope it works out well for you.
#29
Registered

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,598
Likes: 1,167
From: taxachusetts
scag super z 62",,have had it since 1997,has over 4k hours.cuts close to 40k sq/ft every 4 days.motor blew(kohler) up 2yrs ago(replacd w/ brigs 25hp(have a 24hp honda as back up now) and had to replace bearing in one of the hydro drives(no longer available,,but easy to fix),,plus a couple of mandrels and belts.
good luck w/ the JD,,
good luck w/ the JD,,




