Gravely ZT HD Zero Turn Mower

Gravely ZT HD Zero Turn Mower
After 10 hours of run time here are my thought on the zero turm mower.
My reasons for choosing Gravely
1. Local Dealer is close by
2. Parts are readily available
3. Models remain unchanged for long periods
a. This relates to parts availability
4. Quality construction
5. Few complains
6. Long periods between scheduled service & maintenance
7. Neighbors & work colleagues have them
Engine Manufactures
Briggs & Stratton,
Kohler,
Toro,
Honda,
Yamaha, formally Suzuki,
Kawasaki,
LCT,
Subaru Robin,
MTA,
Tecumseh,
Zero Turn Manufacturers
Gravely, Ariens, Dixie Chopper, ExMark,
MTD, Big Dog, Kubota, Husqvarna ,
Troy-Bilt , John Deere, Grasshopper, Spartan,
Wright Manufacturing, Bad Boy, Altoz,
Bob Cat, Country Clipper, Scag, Simplicity,
Cub Cadet, Rich Manufacturing, Lastec,
B&H Jazzer, IS (Farris), J&R Tractor, and many others …

[@bartcornelius7717]

Driving is like pushing a shopping cart. That how it was explained to me when I bought my first zero turn.

[@neighborhoodlawncaremainte9847]

Thank you for the relaxed, candid, educational review.

[@goldenbrown9447]

Great review!;Looks like the Ariens Apex and Graveley HD are pretty close to being identical except for the name and color. A few cosmetic differences. Same engine choices and same drive units (3100). Just picked up the Apex 60 inch through Home Depot on sale for $4799 with free white glove service (assembled and ready to go) delivered to my door. I believe they are both built in the same Wisconsin plant. I chose the Kolher, the Kawasaki was $100 more. These are an awesome super heavy duty mower. Definitely could be used for commercial mowing I believe. Mine is for my own 2 acres.

[@doomman700]

3100 hydro is the entry level commercial trans.

[@michelletransgirl]

ariens owns gravely the zt hd is the same as the ariens apex. I purchased one in 2018 ariens apex got 207 hrs. on it trouble free. I mow large estates been in this buss. since 1980. had every comm. mower made over the years. the ariens apex is a beast. and yes I am a female with a large mechanical back ground. so I am not stupid. do the maintance the mower will go 3000 hrs.

[@colemankamryn]

Just picked up a 2020 LTHD 60. Loving it so far. The hydro belt broke at 2.8 hours of use. The dealer is picking it up tomorrow to check belt alignment and replacing the belt.

[@gavinblack7154]

Damn that quick

[@YukonHawk1]

I like the way the deck cover flips up. I'm looking at the XL model for this coming season. Great review

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you

[@jmac55100]

Thanks for the info, just purchased the 60". Just a thought...couldn't help notice you were not wearing a dust mask when mowing, something I'm advising all my friends to do. I mowed for years without one in very dry summers and it can certainly damage your lungs over time and has left me with a hacking dry cough.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for your comment. I concur with your comment about wearing a dust mask.

[@kennethrichardson8311]

To remove the rear engine guard just loosen the two finger grip bolts either side and the whole guard lifts up, The additional two bolts referred to in this video are rubber grommets that do not need removing.....FYI

[@philerrup9948]

I bought my zthd back in 2012. The only problems i've had is when i had the left rear wheel off and when reinstalling the lug nuts were real tight wrenching them on. So i put my air wrench on it and stripped the lug bolt in the hub. For a very strange reason gravely, gravely dealer and online parts sources do not want to give you the part number. You'll find every other part number for every thing except the hub. That's not the gravely part number but the hydrogear part number. Also just last week the pto bolt came loose, fell out and the pto fell to the ground! Looking at it gravely used never seize on the bolt. I put red thread lock on so i should be good for decade or so.

[@DoubleDaneLife]

Best video out there as far as info on the gravely HD, thanks

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

I appreciate that!

[@davidazinger5639]

good pick !! Gravely is rich man's Airens !

[@greggreen6636]

Ive got the 48, ive also got an older proturn 252, and a zt 2040. For maneuverability, cut quality, stability, and responsiveness, i prefer my hd48. For me the 48” is perfect balance for cut with and power for lawns i mow

[@fuelediowa]

I prefer the 52. It gives a better cut then the 60. I absolutely love mine! Enjoy

[@sterlingslawncare8028]

That is surprising. I had a demo HD-52 and didn't think it cut as well as my HD 60. Either way-they both cut amazingly well. Much better than my X738! Almost 10 hours on it already this week.

[@fuelediowa]

@@sterlingslawncare8028 it may be my ruff and uneven yard or type of grass?

[@sterlingslawncare8028]

Fueled Iowa I’m not sure. But I think they both mow great compared to the x738 Deere. My mowing time went from about 4.5 hrs to 2.25 hrs or so. Loving it

[@pilotop6851]

I like as wide a deck as possible for trimming. Its the extension out the side that helps get close to things or under things without the tire hitting them. Going around a tree for example.

[@artbrown1096]

Bought my HDZT this Spring. Love it. Mine is a 48", which is perfect for handling around my garden boxes and trees. The quality of the cut is as you said, beautiful....... Divots are an issue with any zero turn. The secret is to make sure that you have both rear wheels moving when you are turning. There are many KZbin videos on proper zero turn "turns." My dealer recommending that I change the oil the first time between 5-10 hours, which I did. Kawasaki recommends every 100 hours, but I'll probably change it at the start of the season next year, which will be a lot less than 100 hours. I'm very pleased with the quality of my Gravely.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I agree completely.

[@pilotop6851]

The Gravely manual defers to the Kawasaki manual for oil change intervals. The Kawasaki manual says 25 hours for first engine oil change, and 100 hours after that. The Hydrostat is similar (early initial change and extended hours after that)

[@michelletransgirl]

paid 5210 out the door. the brand is personal preference. bought mine at lowes. there service is great here in Connecticut. hold the hills great 3100 comm. hydro gear transmissions. 15 degrees in the manuall

[@lyn74149]

They sell a hitch that mounts to the back to tow things with

[@toddh6234]

You were/are confused... Steering is the same as motorcycle, bike, shopping cart etc. To go left- pull the left bar to the rear & push the right forward. Do the opposite to go right. The easiest way that I know to how explain reverse movement is: that if you wish to turn right or left while moving in reverse, look over your right shoulder and pull the right lap bar closest to you to go right, to go left in reverse the left lap bar gets pulled closest to you. In your video you are demonstrating the opposite of what you are saying.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

I do not think so. I have been riding since 1974 and yes I am that old. Push on the left handle bar when you are upright and going straight and see if you go left or right.

[@toddh6234]

@@A_Renaissance_Man You are agreeing with me and don't even realize it.... Push both lap bars forward to start moving forward. Make a left turn by pulling the left lap bar towards you while keeping the right lap bar pushed forward. Make a right turn by pulling the right bar towards you while the left bar pushed forward. @ around 13:14 you describe a left turn, pause it and look at your arm position, if you push the left lap bar or bike handle forward you will turn to the right.

[@sleepy399]

@@A_Renaissance_Man I am with you David, I do not think Todd has ever ridden a motorcycle. it is called counter steering, traveling in a straight line if you push the left handle forward the bike will lean left and go left. just my 2 cents worth..

[@shanedavid7853]

Thanks for the video. You’ve got some really helpful stuff covered. Did you happen to have a bagger system? If so do you have a video on the removal process. I need a mower that can be changed quickly from a catcher lawn or a mulch lawn.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for your nice comment. I do not have a bagger for the Grizzly Zero Turn. Sometimes I will use a bagger on my self propelled mower and dump the cuttings on bare spots, but that is it for bagging.

[@kvboyd]

Airens is the parent company of gravely.

[@cortneywebb1677]

Great review! Any problems yet? I just bought the exact same mower HD 52” was hard to bite that bullet... first thing I ever bought new... good thing is I got it on a dealer Facebook sale trying to get rid of the 19 models so I have $4900 for it and it is being delivered tomorrow

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

No problems so far. Nothing has broken or needed repair. Blade costs have dropped to $10-$12 each and I can run them a full season and then change them out verses sharpening and reusing. Gas and oil is cheap and funny thing is I use less gas with this mower than what I had prevously. I try to keep the underdeck clean by spraying three or four times a season. Transmission oil needs to be topped off once a year or so. Good Luck with your experience, mine has been very good.

[@cortneywebb1677]

David Prokity Thank you for your input I plan to take really good care of it. I also was thinking about replacing blades at the end of each grass season. I plan to only run non ethanol fuel in it as well just to keep it at its best. Thank you for your reply.

[@albertmcfry6322]

I had a cub cadet,it literally fell apart on me in five years,never again lol!

[@benvarepa8304]

How has the gravely held up till now?? Nice video!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

47 hours on the clock. So far so good. Had a rough engine at mid throttle and fixed that by cleaning the carbutator. Thank you for asking.

[@fuelediowa]

There is a hitch available. And the thing you pointed out when talking about the rops is the tie down points for transport.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you

[@pilotop6851]

Yea there's an install video for the hitch its around $50 on ebay. kzbin.info/www/bejne/maHMiZqloZughLs

[@PJ-il3nh]

Fueled Iowa I thought ROPS is where the roll bar is installed at.

[@fuelediowa]

@@PJ-il3nh I always understood ROPS to stand for Roll Over Protection System. So including every aspect of it. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@dirtbikeguy8993]

do yourself a favor and bump the playback speed up to 1.5x

[@michelletransgirl]

I hope you are using ethonal shield in the gas. ethonal attracts water ethonal shield eliminates it. the apex is comm. mine has a comm. warrenty. don't think about how to steer it do it by feel. I have 14 yrs. experience on zero turns.8mph. forward 4 mph reverce. 832 pounds of quality zero turn.

[@evatto33]

Hi Dave, nice review. Follow up question... Since the original posting have you experienced any of the "deck noise" commonly associated with Gravely?

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for asking. With 16.7 hours on the clock and this season just starting I have not had any issues including the deck noise issue. I have been watching that closely and I do not see anything out of place or wearing. Also I cut at 4 inches so the deck rarely hits anything like low stumps and small rocks.

[@evatto33]

I figured with the new season starting you probably hadn't added a significant amount of hours, but I wanted to ask regardless. I also cut at 4" and believe the deck height to be main culprit of said issue. Cheers to a good season on the new ride. Thanks again for the video and response.

[@troyeager8877]

I have the at HD 60. I will never do without again. I have five acres and it took 6 hours off my 7 and a half hour job. I want to re work the oil drain line to. Yes it is easier after removing the side engine guard.

[@pilotop6851]

Troy the clamp on the hose is an "open clamp", you can push the hose sideways out of it and then pull the hose out towards you to drain. No need to remove the engine guard. The clamp was pretty tight I had to bend it open a little

[@someparts]

Were you using scissors?

[@troyeager8877]

A 46 inch cub cadet rider.

[@davidkeeton6716]

@@troyeager8877 Yes, even in 6th gear my Craftsman DLT3000 was slower that the ZTHD52. Also blade speed on the Craftsman was too slow to cut in 6th with any kind of cut quality.

[@royalmac1011]

Great review, Would you still recommend ?

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a nice comment. So far with 14 hours, I still am very happy with this purchase.

[@michaelmiller6843]

Nice review.

[@almoreno8506]

Thanks for the review, how much land are you mowing with this zero turn? I am in the market for one and have 5 acres to mow

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The mower cuts just under 2 acres.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

When you buy from a big box store you normally don’t get a local service shop. I was told you have to have someone come to pick it up from God knows where.

[@cortneywebb1677]

T, Skipwadoo that’s the main reason I got the gravely over the Ariens... figured it be better to have the place where I purchase it also know how to work on it if the need arises. Plus I only live 5 miles from the dealer.

[@garyteague4480]

Great job

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you

[@strengthchain]

great review!

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

Nice 👍

[@tskipwadoo3447]

Offset wheels are due to the weight on the right side.

[@MrBrix3]

Why not get a piece of PVC pipe and funnel the oil to a different location, away from the mower! Thanks for the video...

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for taking the time to suggest your good idea.

[@michaelmiller6843]

At what speed do you have the throttle when you engage the PTO? I have to have mine at 3/4 speed, otherwise the engine stalls.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

My throttle is always on 'full open'. I did have to adjust the choke cable as that cable was not installed correctly from the factory. Maybe your throttle cable needs to be adjusted. Could be that or something else. Hard to say without looking at it.

[@davidkeeton6716]

Owners manual says to engage and disengage the blades at full throttle. Mine definitely seems to prefer that. At a lower engine speed the motor struggles or just doesn't feel right when disengaging the blades.

[@royalway12]

Is that that the same mower as the Areins Apex?

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Sorry. I honestly do not know the differance, I would have to compare the specifications on each of them. I do know Ariens is less expensive and there is a reason for that and it is not greed it has to do with material build. Things like lesser hardware and deck thickness would be the first place I would look. Engines and transmission would also be a way to lower the price point.

[@dankollars4501]

im pretty sure this is the exact same mower as the ariens apex mower

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Could be. The dealer, who also sells Ariens and Excel, pointed out hardware grades and creature comforts that were not present on the Ariens.

[@cliftt]

@@A_Renaissance_Man Difference between Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

[@Honda1k]

It is I have the Ariens Apex 52 only difference is a gravely comes with seat isolators.

[@martyvanderford5218]

Thanks so much for your video!!! I bought Zt52hd in July 2018 l really like the mower ! But it did not come with the baffling kit around the front deck . All of the new one have it ! The part # is 48 in 79218800 52 in 79218900 baffle kit / this will help keep dirt and grass from blowing up on your feet and mine cut much better!!! Hope this helps

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a good comment

[@pilotop6851]

How many machine hours should I get out of a tank of fuel? No fuel gauge!

[@davidkeeton6716]

I have found that I get around 2 hours.

[@mowingman816]

I rarely see gravely mowers where I'm at... I see lots of wright...john deere... and grasshopper mower but rarely gravely

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

There are at least two dealers here. They carry other brands as well. The Gravely dealer I bought from also carries Excel but not Ariens mowers. However, they carry Ariens snow blowers.

[@timcallahan1055]

Did you mention the cost? Just curious

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The price was not mentioned because of the seeming endless combination of deck sizes, engines and as time goes by, inflation makes the actual out-of-pocket insufficient (IMO).

[@wufirefighter1]

The 52 is $5300 at my dealer

[@PJ-il3nh]

$5399/60". Plus tax....I had the suspension seat put on for $400 more . Plus the hitch for $40, installed. just brought it home today 17 Aug 20.

[@PJ-il3nh]

We are on over 3 acres. Neighbor has the same on near 7 acres.

[@johnbiernacki2367]

They make a tow hitch that bolts on it.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you for taking the time time to make this great comment. I have been unable to find the tow hitches.

[@PVHIII44]

NEVER go 2 years without changing your oil..js

[@doomman700]

Ariens Apex is a similar model as the zt hd.

[@doomman700]

The HD has the heavy commercial spindle, the ZT XL does not, the XL has the 2800 trans not the 3100(which is a better unit)

[@hogman2524]

Old video, I know, but Funny to hear you say the Ariens was not robust as the Gravely HD, Ariens OWNS Gravely, The Ariens Apex is the EXACT same mower as the Gravely HD, just different paint, !! I own an Apex 60, My cousin has the Gravely, NO difference at ALL!!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The owner of our Ariens, Gravely dealership explained the differances to me and I was relaying that information. Ariens is a cheaper version of Gravely in the Zero Turn Mower department. There are hardly any cosmetic differances but, hardware, engine, tranmission, and features are quite substantual. Don't take my word for it, go to your mower dealer and ask. The dealer doesn't even have to be a Gravely dealer to hear what they have to say about Ariens Zero Turn Mowers.

[@hogman2524]

@@A_Renaissance_Man You have been fed a line Of BS sir, I researched them completely, The Apex 60 and Gravely HD 60 have the same exact Frame, Deck thickness, 10 gauge, Same exact transmissions Hydrogear 3100s , Both have the same FR730 Kawasaki engine, they both run 8 mph, they both weigh exactly the same, they use the EXACT same blades!, and belts! they have the same warranty 4yrs or 500 hours, the ONLY diff in those two models is paint and marketing, these dealers just like car dealers will lie to you like a dog,

[@Honda1k]

@@hogman2524 only difference between the Gravely and the Ariens is the gravely comes with seat isolators. An a better hour meter.

[@hogman2524]

@@Honda1k The 2021 gravely models do have it, , I just added that kit to my Ariens , it did not help as much as I thought :)

[@Honda1k]

@@hogman2524 I was wondering if it was worth the upgrade. I was going to buy the gravely but went to Lowes they had a Apex in stock. Gave me a great deal $3200 plus tax so Ariens it was. Funny thing is people have this misconception about buying mowers from big box store that they have to be put together. It might be different for different manufacturers but the Apex was already put together I seen it come out the crate.

[@michelletransgirl]

do u know why kawi. motors arebetter on gas. vented carbs. ariens is as good as gravely toldu ariens owns gravely. they sella hitch for that machine 65 bucks. you can to up to 500 lbs. you should check the air filter every time u use the mower. are u using it home owner. or comm. I havethe kohler 7000 motor. chews a little more fuel. go to lowes they bought out craftsman. they are selling air cleaners that are 25 dollars for 4.74 cents. did you know that u can adjust the pitch and height of the deck. mine was off by quarter of an inch.3in. was actually 2 3/4 in. this machinecuts 3 acres an hour. same for the apex 52. you can mow 40 degree inclines one u master the mower. the thing u said u didn't know what it is its called rops. 500 dollars for the roll cage. they also makea bagger system 1400 dollars all said and done. the offset is to let u get closer on one side of the machine. sorry to be long winded. but don't put down ariens.

[@billwhiteathome2080]

Get a sock for your air filter

[@michelletransgirl]

one other thing I hope u are using synthetic oil that what they come with from the factory. little more costly 12 .dollars a quart take 64oz, with filter. how come u didn't givethe specs. in your video. bet u didn't read the operators manual. lol lollmao. most people don't. and I have extra belts and springs for the machine. wich is a wise choise better to have them than waiting 10 days or more that u cant use the machine. good luck with your mower.

[@elouis2040]

When do you change your oil on gravely hd 52 zero turn mower?

[@michelletransgirl]

price point ????? go buy an exmart of this quality 7000 dollars or more.

[@wufirefighter1]

The 52 is about $5300

[@michelletransgirl]

ariens and gravely made in the same factory. maid in theU.S.A. BUYING this machine at lowes is 400 dollars cheaper that at the dealer. but u are the pro. buy a cub cadet. its made by mtd. china. still a good cutting machine, have a friend who swears bythem. he uses them for comm.use. than trades them in every 2 years.now that I gave u an education and I didn't charge u for that. lol lol lol lol. I should do a video but iamall ready a star. the u 1 is ample for this mower, I allways wash my machine after a days use. I am a pro. 40yrs. do this comm. buss. oh I have 2 motor cycles. just got a 82 kawi. kz 750 for free. 23 000. miles from one of my customers. his dad passed away so he gave to me. I am done here. u can comment if u like. its ok.

[@MrBrix3]

You surely do laugh a lot..........are you ok?