Shopping for a new lawnmower (Toro?)

Probably would have helped to get this on a more tractor related forum like this one (its on tool talk). Anyway, I've got a Huskee Supreme (MTD) 23 hp 46 inch deck that is getting tired. Think I'm losing a deck spindle on it and its just one thing after another fixing it. I'm leaning toward a zero turn. I'm just tired of cutting for an hour and a half every week plus trimming. We have 2.5 acres or so (not the biggest yard for a zero turn I know). I like the looks of the Toro Timecutters. I see two 42 inch models that do not seem overly fancy (we don't need a commercial unit): one with a 22 hp Kohler (SS4235, 74625) and the other with a 21.5 hp Kawasaki (SS4260, 74626). I've been around Kawasaki and Kohler motors both at work and like the Kawasaki a little more but they both seem good. Any opinions on these? Or am I crazy to consider a zero turn on this size lawn? I know Toro is not Scag but I'd rather avoid MTD and John Deere. Bobcat and Ferris both make nice mowers but they cost too.

Let's see you have 2.5 acres of Grass, right? It takes 2.5 hours to cut with a 46 inch deck and you think a smaller 42 inch will cut faster? If you really want to cut your cutting time get a bigger deck! And you will find a "commerical" mower will last longer. Actually I don't think there is such a thing as a "commercial" mower, as we remember them, anymore.
I have about that much grass and used to cut with a 48 inch retired EXMARK walk behind mower. Yes it was retired from a lawn mowing company. It starts today on the second pull and has never given me any trouble, it's just not the prettiest thing around. And the first time I mowed with it I thought I was going to die cause it didn't slow down when I got tired--DUH.
Then trated up to a retired 72 inch zero turn EXMARK. It was retired from a much bigger private operation then mine, not a golf course either. I do believe that it was never greased because I am slowly finding all the worn out bearings and replacing them and I've had it about 6 years. Takes about 1.5 hours to mow.
So I suggest you look at EXMARK, DIXIE CUTTER and a couple of others. Maybe a 60 inch deck these are very popular and easy to handle.

We us our 140 with 59" belly mower, Lot better than sitting on a riding mower. You didn't say if you are a tractor owner or not, If so maybe a 3 pt finish mower deck would help you?

A neighbor of my retired co-worker has a Farmall Super C with a finish mower and has about 3 acres to mow. His lawn looks like a golf course. Hal

I have about 3 acres of lawn to mow also. I have a 3 year old John Deere 670 zero turn mower, with a 54" deck. Takes me pretty close to 3 hours to mow, with all the trees, humps and buildings to go around. I used to have an old Marty J, and it was twice the mower that this John Deere is. The John Deere is a mid deck, the old one was a front deck. The old one, you rode over the "big" tires, the new one in the middle. The old one would flex and follow the terrain, the new one will pick a tire up, and get stuck. The old one was a 60" deck, and worn out. It would take me all day to mow, if I didn't have to go after parts. I did like the front deck for maneuverability, but the John Deere mows faster, and is never broke down.

(quoted from post at 07:07:58 07/18/13) A neighbor of my retired co-worker has a Farmall Super C with a finish mower and has about 3 acres to mow. His lawn looks like a golf course. Hal

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I have an AC 160 pull type mower and it does just as good a job as a rider; it's impressive.

EXCELL HUSTLER Good as they get.alot tuffer than the new John Deere.

Find an older JD F725 unit. I still see some for sale in good shape and they are old so they are pretty cheap now. I have one and it is really built good !

I mow my 3acre lot in 45minutes with my 11'5" Land Pride and 6206 Deutz I have it for several other mowing jobs otherwise I would use my 60" Cushman with 40Hp Yanmar diesel (known as the Home Improvment mower)modified.

First, I went to a zero turn and cut my lawn mowing tome from 3 hours to 1 1/4 hours. The second one will cause the argument. With the exception of Kubota and some other high end mowers, EVERY RIDING MOWER IN THE USA IS BUILT BY MTD!!!.they might be built to specific specs for their customers, but cub cadet, john deere and almost all others are built by mtd. Look at the same size and horse power ones carefully and you will see that they are all alike except for paint. Pick the model, options engine you want then hit the dealers to find the best deal on that one. you pay a lot for the green paint.
It's the same with compact tractors, IH massy John Deere. cub cadet, Bobcat are all built by Yanmar. all are identical except for the paint, sheet metal and gadges. Look closely and you will see the identical casting numbers on the axels and blocks. simply pick the model you want, then find the dealer with the best deal.

Hustler or Scag 0 turn. Looked at them all; these 2 are the best IMHO. Tom

I agree with VADave
I cut mine with a retired/brought back from the dead Encore 48" walk behind. Landscaper friend gave it to me - he took it in trade on a debt, didn't run, sat in his barn for a couple years. I put about $400 into it (really only needed about $200 to get it running, but did the other just to get it all back to like new). I cut around 2.5 to 3 acres of hills and trees. Took me a few years to get smart and buy the wheels to go behind it.
If you're not set on new, there are some great deals out there for used professional equipment that may outlast you.
When I walk past the newer residential models at the stores, it's amazing to see the difference in materials and construction. I have hit more than a few hidden lawn gremlins (think large rocks or deep holes placed by kids and dogs) in high gear that have stopped this mower immediately - about throw you over the handlebars. Not a crack or dent.
My only wish is that is was a 60" deck...

Good Luck

Tony

personally, i think that box store riding mowers are ok if used for their intended purpose, to cut lawns. problems arise when the owners attempt to use them as brush hogs or discs(cropping the grass way to short). for me, 2.5 acres is a lot of grass for a 42 inch mower, regardless of zero turn or tractor style. for this i would consider at least a 54 or 60 inch. These sizes in zero turn gives you a lot of flexiability in mowing around flower beds, trees or close up spaces as well. as to brand, i purchased a cub cadet 54 inch zero turn from home depot 5 years ago and experience zero problems. i mow approx. 1+ acres in varying configurations 4-5 times a month during the mowing season. good maintenance and keeping the engine compartment clean is essential to longevity. for my larger areas i use a 6 ft. tractor mounted woods finishing mower.

Well you sure "KNOW" not much. John Deere has its own factories that built all of their lawn tractors including the box models. The better mowers are built in Horicon Wi. the cheaper ones are built in Greenville SC. The older JD compact mowers where built by Yanmar. Starting in the mid 1990s JD built a factory at Augusta, GA. That factory builds 90% of the JD US sold compacts tractors now. There are some econmy models built in MExico and India. The engines are Yanmar built in Ca in a factory jointly owned between JD and Yanmar. Up until a few years ago there where a few economy models that where still built by Yanmar, The JD 770/970,790/990,then the 2305. All of the 4000 series where built by JD at Augusta.

The only thing I know of that JD had built by MTD was the walk behind snow blowers sold under the Frontier name a few years ago.

On our 01 JD 4600 the front axle says Spicer. I know the engine is Yanmar, but the rest of it?

Why do so many people think MTD makes every lawn tractor sold in the USA ?

either the kohler or kawasaki engines give good service. keep up on the oil and filter changes and they will run a long time. once you get used to the ztr mower, its pretty nice. they generally do not like side mowing on inclines. if your lawn is uneven, you may be better off with the smaller deck. it will scalp any knolls a lot less. the ztr mowers do excell at trimming around trees and bushes, and on an open flat long you can really rip along. i have a hustler with a 72 in deck, it can mow at about 7 mph. i dont mow that fast, back and kidneys cant handle that.

Thats actually a HOMELITE assembly plant in Greer, not Greenville, although the address may be Greenville.

Cutting time is about speed and maneuverability more than width. If a yard has a lot of stuff to mow around the ZTR is tremendously faster. My experience is that going to a ZTR cut mowing time in half. I was using a 6 foot 3ph finish mower and found that the time savers were not having to hook up the mower and not having to back up and turn so much. The ZTR I got was a 44 inch Dixie Chopper. Happy with 44 inch because it goes in some spaces I couldn't get to with a large mower. Re MTD making all mowers, Dixie Chopper claims to be made by their own family owned factory.

Tests for a good ZTR: Welded, not stamped deck, except for the better grades of JD mowers. The JD dealer says JD has heavy dut stamping machines that can stamp the decks out of heavy gauge steel. Also, the floorboard should hinge up for easy access to the blade belts for easier replacement. Cheaper box store models have the floorboard fastened to the frame for more stiffness, whereas the better models put enough steel in the frame to provide stiffness.

The better models of Kohler engines are the Command series.

KEH

You'll be happy with those I believe. Pretty sound units for a homeowner. I use Toro and Exmark commercial Z's. Used ones are coming down in price, I bought 3 72" Exmark Z's at a sale, 2 gassers and 1 with a Kubota all with under 900 hours for $15,000. That diesel combo is awesome. Uses 2/3's the fuel or less than my Kohlers.

Suggest looking at Commercial Grade Zero Turn mowers - they will cut faster with faster blade speed than residential mowers, be built better to last longer, and are ever so much more manueverable than garden tractor style mowers.

We mow approx 4 acres which is mostly flat with a couple of small rolling hills but has lots of trees, bushes, and other obstructions. We thought we were in TALL COTTON when we bought our first MTD 20Hp Garden tractor w/ Hydrostatic trans and 46" deck and when we'd get done in approx 5 hours!

Approx 7 years ago bought a low hour EXMARK Lazer HP 20HP/48" deck - could mow in 3 hours.
Now also have another EXMARK with 23HP and 52" deck - still very maneuverable between trees but the extra width on LH side is much easier to trim around obstables.

I think SCAG, EXMARK, DIXIE CHOPPER, KUBOTA, all make good Commercial grade machines. I also think TORO is now owned by EXMARK.

Yes, they cost more initially, but a combination of the faster blade speed and maneuverability make the job get done a lot faster. And, thus wear & tear on the mower per mowing season.

If really cost restricted, I'd look at the Cub Cadet Zero turn at TSC.

All machines will need service and parts sometime - do you have a good dealer of a specific brand nearby?

Hustlers smallest model the raptor. Its a beast . Best mower ive ever used .

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend for a LAWN MOWER! To me the zero turn models seem pretty high priced.

Over the years I have had 3 MTD made lawn tractors and overall, I have been satisfied with their service. I mow between 1 and 2 acres, but only half of that is ever watered.

My current unit is a Troy-Bilt 22 hp Kohler powered with a 46 inch mower deck and my first hydrostatic drive. I really like the hydrostatic drive feature and hope that will be durable in the long term. The mower works just fine.

On the other hand, THE GRASS CATCHER IS THE WORST PIECE OF CRAP I HAVE EVER TRIED TO USE!!! I believe the design is really poor: it plugs up VERY quickly if there is the slightest bit of moisture or if the grass I cut off is more than about 1/2 inch long. And after only 2 years, the thin plastic part that attaches to the mower deck is cracking and will need to be replaced.

My other lawn tractors used the old design of grass catcher, which is a bit larger and has a single piece grass tube. Those grass catchers worked much better. If there was heavy grass, or if the grass was really wet, they might plug up. But nothing like the new design, which might plug up in 20 or 30 feet. Unfortunately the old design of grass catcher will not fit the late deck, as the connecting piece is shaped very different. My old grass catchers were still in good, servicible shape after many years. The new one will need a connector part next year.

So my advice would be: if picking up the grass trimmings is a priority for you, you might want to look for something besides an MTD machine, since their new grass catcher DOES NOT WORK well. On the other hand my experience with the MTD machines has been OK, and they cost much less than the PREMIUM machines. Good luck!!!

I certainly can recommend my zero turn, a Bad Boy ZT 60" with 26 Hp briggs & stratton. Owned it 6 years, mows about 3 acres every week. zero repairs. Bought new at Tractor Supply.

If it quit tommorrow it has paid for itself.

A zero turn will cut your mowing time in half.

Bought a Toro 'Z Master' about 6 or 7 years ago- the only trouble with it has been ethanol related carb trouble. Kohler 18 horse engine, $108 for a new carb. Mows about three acres a week, and it does a nice job.

Mid 90"s here today but had to mow anyway 3-4 acres. A new Deere x750 with the deep 60 inch deck and the diesel sips the fuel. Only 20 hrs on it and it"s a mowing machine and very comfortable. Haven"t removed the drive over deck yet but I don"t think I"ll miss crawling beneath it like our old one.

Love my Dixie Chopper. Eight years of mowing and zero problems!!

(quoted from post at 01:03:37 07/18/13) Probably would have helped to get this on a more tractor related forum like this one (its on tool talk). Anyway, I've got a Huskee Supreme (MTD) 23 hp 46 inch deck that is getting tired. Think I'm losing a deck spindle on it and its just one thing after another fixing it. I'm leaning toward a zero turn. I'm just tired of cutting for an hour and a half every week plus trimming. We have 2.5 acres or so (not the biggest yard for a zero turn I know). I like the looks of the Toro Timecutters. I see two 42 inch models that do not seem overly fancy (we don't need a commercial unit): one with a 22 hp Kohler (SS4235, 74625) and the other with a 21.5 hp Kawasaki (SS4260, 74626). I've been around Kawasaki and Kohler motors both at work and like the Kawasaki a little more but they both seem good. Any opinions on these? Or am I crazy to consider a zero turn on this size lawn? I know Toro is not Scag but I'd rather avoid MTD and John Deere. Bobcat and Ferris both make nice mowers but they cost too.

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OK to clear things up. Most Zero Turns will allow you to mow a faster ground speeds and save a lot of time by reducing turns and the need to back up.

US makers.

Toro: Based in Bloomington MN.

MTD: Based in Valley City OH.

AYP: Based in Orangeburg, SC is owned by Husqvarna.

JD: As someone else posted made in GA.

Rick