Toro Timecutter; what to look out for?

JF in MI

Well-known Member
I have the chance to buy a Timecutter ZX440 zero turn from a deceased relative"s estate for cheap or next to nothing (maybe even free). I"ve been looking for something with a 60" deck but can"t afford one. This one is only 44" and I don"t think I can adapt a 60" deck to it because it only has a Kohler Command 490 (17 HP single). I"m cutting over 3.5 acres now with a 46" MTD made tractor with a 18 HP Briggs twin and it takes me 7 hours on a good day. I"m thinking at worst I can get the wife on one and me on the other to cut the time in half. The reviews I"ve read say they are not bad except for hills. My property is pancake flat so I"m not worried about that part. Anything nasty I should look for?

Jim
 
Try using Google and insert "toro timecutter - problems" and then read.

Truthfully speaking, every mower out there will have problems. Some of those problems are acceptable because they are to be expected with any mechanical device.

Keep in mind that there are also idiots out there who happily go online to bytch about anything they own that does not provide perfection. Most of these people are the ones who never read an Operators Manual, change the oil or grease any fittings.

Toro has a reputation for making good products because they cater to the golf courses and works departments of towns and cities. Since you say that you are getting this machine for nothing or next to nothing, I don't see a downside for you.

It will cut grass 50 percent faster than your MTD will. You are 100 percent correct that a modern 17 HP engine will struggle to keep a 60 inch deck spinning at proper speed so you can keep the ground speed up as high as your butt will allow.

I suggest that you look at the hour meter if it has one and ask if the PO kept a service record to show what was done and when. Try to get the Op Manual and then do a complete service to it so you have a fresh bench mark to work from . If it does not have an hour meter, then go buy one and install it.

Would you want to own a car that did not have a working odometer? Same thing. Sharpen the blades. Happy mowing
 
you say you can't afford one 60" what price are you talking cause i have sold several new 54" units under 3000.00. i hav couple 60 'usedfor half that.
 
I can't much argue a down side except the PIA in trailering it from CT to MI (yes, I know, you'll cry me a river). It would be nice but I doubt it would cut 50% faster than the tractor I have now since I've almost been pitched off numerous times cutting at full forward speed (even my neighbors noted my 'break neck speed cutting'). Anything faster and I'd need a roll cage and fire suit. As far as maintainence, it belonged to my MIL's 2nd husband who was a total idiot when it came to anything mechanical. He just used stuff until it broke then bought a new one. I think this one runs OK because I don't think it is too old.
 
JF, I sold Dixon ztr's for 10 years, I sold one in particular to a man who had a Wheel Horse unit with a 50" deck, it took him 8 hrs to mow his yard with it, I sold him a 60" Dixon commercial unit as that was what they had at the time in the deck size he wanted, he now cuts it in just over 2 hrs, the ztrs units are at least 50% faster like Tom says, the speed is not the main factor, you can keep the deck mowing all the time where with a tractor you are turning backing up ect and that really affects mow time, I have not been around a Toro unit but from looking at them they are a 'ok" unit in the ztr's, not in line with the Dixon upper units I used to sell but since Husqvarna bought them they have been built in my opinion to a much less quality than when I sold them, they still are good just not what I call a real quality unit like before, they like most others in the consumer line have a basic hydro unit instead of the separate pump and wheel motor units I liked, from the price you will get it for I would say it will speed up things for you a lot and yes running two will really help good luck
cnt
 
you need to update yourself on the dixon line now days they are better than they were in your day as far as i am concerned. the pump and wheel motors also are no longer used. very good move.
 
If it has the Command engine on it, it probably still has the welded frame. It probably is about 10 years old.

The Command engine is a very good engine. Needs 10w30 oil to keep the hydraulic lifters happy. One of the best engines Kohler ever made.
I work on several older Toro timecutters in a year"s time and the only major thing to look for is deck rot (rust).
 
sorry to argue with you but those hydro they have now are cheaper built units by far than the pump/wheel motor units and are not nearly as responsive either I have both and I MUCH prefer the pump wheel units, look at a higher quality built unit they all use the pump/wheel units not that box store hydro unit like all of them have now, glad you like them and really glad you are having good luck with them, I sold 50 or better Kodiak units in my day most all have 1000-1500hrs or more now still running strong, the cheaper hydro units are not running near the hours and have all lost speed to a point, still running but you can really feel the wear that the Kodiak units do not show at all, I am sorry if you do not like my opinion on this, I have looked at the new ones they are not built any where near as well as what I sold, Dixon is not a premium line any more like they was then, very sad as I thought they had close to the #1 unit then
 

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