I have a Bad Boy 42" and a Hustler 60" for two different properties. I mow about 2 1/2 acres with the Bad boy and have never had an issue. Just got the Hustler and it is a workhorse for sure. I mow about 5 acres with it and it really gets after it and a smoother ride for me than the Bad Boy. I think I paid about $2500 new for the Bad Boy about 4-5 years ago, used Hustler was $6000 with 100 hours on it, new would have been about double that.

My 2 cents... We have a bad boy at church and the controls are VERY sloppy. Can't mow a straight line if you tried. I have a hustler that I love. Again my 2 cents but whatever you get I would want something with a kawasaki engine.
Good luck.

Could you make a recommendation on a better blade or do you just run the hustler ones?

Most of them use the same controls and motors...you just need to figure out which engine you want to run and start comparing features. I have a 42" Ariens with the Kaw engine I bought from 4Brothers that BigPig mentioned above. I almost went with a Skag with the serviceable transmissions versus the sealed ones...I just couldn't justify the extra grand for a 1/2 acre lot.

If you have steep banks...the zero turns SUCK! Hindsight being 20/20, I would've likely been better off with a small lawn tractor with a tight turning radius. If the front wheels get pointed down hill, it is likely going to the bottom or will slide to get it turned sideways. Mine is flat dangerous in the bar ditch in front of the house.

They can and will reduce your cutting time though. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Excel high lift. On my 48" the 3 blade set the number is 759757. Don't remember the number on my 54" Still the sand eats away the tips of the blade. I go thru 2-3 sets a season.

Honestly you are right about this Judd when I had the less expensive one but now the bigger one handles slopes alright.
Maybe it is just that it is so much bigger and heavier I'm not sure but I have no problem mowing the bar ditch in front of my place or around my tank where I couldn't go before on the smaller Husqvarna machine.

Wifeypoo prefers Ex-Marks.

I can say that the zero turns are not a great fit for loose sand either. My old sears riding mower did better about traction in sand, but when your not stuck the zero turn is much faster.

Yup
Exactly right

Wider tires absolutely help this out to redchevy.

Not good in soupy gumbo mud either.

you mow in soupy gumbo mud? mite be the operator.

Scag mower blades are supposed to be some of the hardest out there. IF you get their "heavy duty, heat hardened" blades... they may not work on a hustler due to the center bolt pattern... not sure.

I’m the king of getting them stuck, bar ditch, hill, dry, wet, it really doesn’t matter. My unit is heavy, I think 1200 pounds without me. It’s pathetic excuse for tires leave a lot to be desired.

I actually broke a blade that was too hard when I hit a stump. Not bent in the least. Snapped.

That ain’t the only thing you’re the king of getting stuck with…what are we going to name the mower? Beached dolphin?

I just bought a SCAG Tiger Cat II, it’s awesome.

hahaha

Which machine do you have BigPig?
I believe my 61" Cheetah is a little over 1600 lbs without both tanks full of fuel.
It does have really big, wide back tires and I've not had any problem getting it stuck the 3 years I've had it unlike my previous smaller, lighter machine. lol

Hell of a machine dragonuv!
They will eat some grass up!

I was in the same boat. Ended up mowing 5 acres total. I bought a 48" cut Kubota Commerical, ZG222 with the gas v twin. Other than replacing the front pneumatic tires with semi-pneumatic flat proof tires, it has been a great machine. Built like a small tractor and easy to service.

I guess Nothing Runs like a Deere is out.

Sliding sideways down the gently sloping hill trying to finish in the light sprinkles before the heavy rain comes in.

Toro Z-master 3000. I think it has 23x10.5 rear tires but they are a pathetic excuse for something that works in the grass/dirt

It sure makes it exciting though

Well your post count and BS replies are definately in the running...

And sometimes you find yourself mowing things that 3 beers ago was a bad idea.