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I belong to an RC airplane club. We have a flying field that is a large (2 1/2 acres), flat rectangular shape with no obstacles. For 40 years we have been paying mowing service companies. All that we have to show for that is receipts and grass clippings. We don’t have a paved runway so we’ll trimmed grass is essential for takeoffs and landings.
We recently obtained a secure location (20’ shipping container) to store equipment away from thieves and vandals. We will mow it ourselves
1) the users of the equipment may change from week to week.
2) we will mow the whole area once a week and a landing strip (about 1/4 of it) area twice a week
3) we are assuming that a zero turn will be the best choice to get the job done efficiently. Are we correct?
4) if we want to get it mowed in 45 minutes, what size deck do we need?
5) we want to get equipment that will last at least 10 years.
6) All the used equipment that I’ve seen appears worn out.

I’ve looked at several models and brands and it is very confusing.Exmark, Toro, Deere, Simplicity, Cub, Gravely, Hustler and others. Residential or Contractor level machines?

I recommend you purchase the best model you can afford, high end residential or low end commercial. I would not get a deck larger than 60”, as you will have multiple operators, think learning curve. Stick to the major known brands. I would stay away from anything MTD, Cub, Simplicity etc. Make sure you buy from a dealership, as you will have multiple operators, mistakes happen. Make sure you explain what and how the unit will be used. Why, because a dealer will see dollar signs with a large number of individuals seeing and using his equipment. Will probably get you a better deal. Make sure you check the warranty, as you don’t want to be classified as a commercial user, which will shorten the warranty period. May current recommended brands are Toro/Exmark, Ariens/Gravely, John Deere and Kubota. Hope this helps.

There is not a lot of inventory currently available but mowing season is 4 months away.
Yesterday I was offered
a new Exmark Quest E 50 for $3650 + tax.
A new Toro SS5000 for $2800 + tax,.(new old stock)
A new Toro My Ride model 75755 $4000 + tax
A new Deere Z365 R (48") deck for $3500 + tax

Do any of these stand out as a "Deal"

Cornfield said:

There is not a lot of inventory currently available but mowing season is 4 months away.
Yesterday I was offered
a new Exmark Quest E 50 for $3650 + tax.
A new Toro SS5000 for $2800 + tax,.(new old stock)
A new Toro My Ride model 75755 $4000 + tax
A new Deere Z365 R (48") deck for $3500 + tax

Do any of these stand out as a "Deal"

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Not really. Those are all entry level residential mowers. See if you can locate an Ariens Apex 60. Buy from a servicing dealer. DO NOT buy from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and those type places. The reason being is you will have to take it to an authorized service location for any warranty work.

Ariens is a brand with no dealers near me.

What about an Exmark Radius E or Toro Titan?

Toro SS5000—-NO, will not last with multiple operators. Exmark or Toro Titan would work, personally prefer the Titan. MyRide is good, but if the only if the ground is rough, otherwise over kill. Should easily complete 2.5 acres in an hour with a 50” deck, after the operators have completed the learning curve. Unless you have a dealership trying to clear inventory I would wait til next spring for spring discounts.

Keep looking till springtime like Rivets suggested and in the meantime... I would educate myself as much as possible and considering your situation with different users and etc...I would lean towards John Deere line. Buy from a dealer, not a big box store.

The dealers that I’ve been talking to have low inventory and claim their allocations in Spring will be reduced.

Cornfield said:

What about an Exmark Radius E or Toro Titan?

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A Toro Titan 60” would be a good choice. The Exmark Radius E is another good choice. For 2.5 acres, I wouldn’t go smaller than a 52”. 54” mowers do not have a lot of blade options. So, that might limit you to OEM blades.
No Ariens dealers? What about Gravely? The Gravely ZT HD is basically the same as the Ariens Apex.

And you 'might' want to let others know.... Before the Key goes in, the oil stick should come out, to check oil level.

I think there is also one other thing to think about...what you are willing to spend up front for a good mower to do the job. For the brands mentioned to do the job you stated they will all start around $5000 and go up from there. One other to put on the list is Husqvarna. I just purchased their high end residential, low end commercial model. 61' I believe and gave $5200+tax. I was given a option on warrenty. Commercial: Unlimited hours- 1 year....Residential: 3 year-750 hrs. I did a quick calculation---no way Ill put 750 hrs in a year duh! So I took the Residential.

Big Dog Alpha MP and Alpha MPX are good mowers. Starting at $4099 to $5299. High end consumer mowers. If you want to go commercial step up to the Stout.

Gravely, Husqvarna and Big Dog are not well represented in my area. Toro and Exmark appear to have many dealers here that could service it.

Cornfield said:

Gravely, Husqvarna and Big Dog are not well represented in my area. Toro and Exmark appear to have many dealers here that could service it.

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When people ask me what the best mower is I tell them one they can buy locally and get parts and service for. If you go 50 miles and buy one then you have to go that same 50 miles to get parts and service. Good luck I am sure Toro and Exmark make a mower that will suit your needs.

Another idea is to do the research (like what you are doing now). Decide what brand and model you want and go to your closest dealer that carries that brand. Stand firm on what you want and ask him to order it. It is the off season so you have time to wait for it. It is the off season so they need the sales. And if you have to remind them that you will be a long term customer if they do. It seems that a lot of dealers with younger employees and sales staff seem to forget that.

Any Hustler dealers? If so, look at the Hustler Raptor XDX.

Is “My Ride” really worth $1000 in this instance? We won’t be using it all day. The field is flat but not necessarily smooth.

Right now I’m also investigating used pro level equipment. I remember my father’s admonition “Never buy a used taxicab. If it isn’t making money for the cab company, it will cost you money.”

hlw49 said:

If you go 50 miles and buy one then you have to go that same 50 miles to get parts and service.

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Service - yes
But parts for any of my equipment I order online. I never go to a dealer for parts.

My recommendation is to purchase one with Solid front tires, pivoting (from Centre) front axle and a very comfortable and adjustable seat. Get or attach a small trailer hitch for yard wagons etc.

Cornfield said:

I belong to an RC airplane club. We have a flying field that is a large (2 1/2 acres), flat rectangular shape with no obstacles. For 40 years we have been paying mowing service companies. All that we have to show for that is receipts and grass clippings. We don’t have a paved runway so we’ll trimmed grass is essential for takeoffs and landings.
We recently obtained a secure location (20’ shipping container) to store equipment away from thieves and vandals. We will mow it ourselves
1) the users of the equipment may change from week to week.
2) we will mow the whole area once a week and a landing strip (about 1/4 of it) area twice a week
3) we are assuming that a zero turn will be the best choice to get the job done efficiently. Are we correct?
4) if we want to get it mowed in 45 minutes, what size deck do we need?
5) we want to get equipment that will last at least 10 years.
6) All the used equipment that I’ve seen appears worn out.

I’ve looked at several models and brands and it is very confusing.Exmark, Toro, Deere, Simplicity, Cub, Gravely, Hustler and others. Residential or Contractor level machines?

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Hello, I agree with people who recommended to get the best you can afford and to get one from a dealer who is some what close to you who has a good rep.60 inch deck is good. At 71 i would want a zero turn that has the best ride and the best hydro. I ordered 2 Hustler Super z Hyperdrive with 60 inch deck, flex forks and look into rear tweel tires. I have owned many zero turns and the Hustler is the best for their hydraulics which you can steer easily and has the best response. There are many good zero turns. Get the best seat.
You need to ask the dealers near you if they will let you demo one on your property. Best to to you. Mike

This is just “for what it’s worth.” I have a small ranch in the Texas Hill Country and was mowing myself silly trying to keep pastures looking good while rotating animals on and off them. My wife decided that I needed something other than a tractor and three point mower to do the job and I eventually landed a John Deere zero turn ZTrak-997R diesel mower with a 72” deck. It’s amazing how much faster I can keep the smaller (2-3 acre) pastures mowed. Literally cuts the mowing time in half. The diesel is a beast and it will last quite a long time with a modest level of decent care. This mower was about $20k, but it is a lifetime investment for me and well worth it. However, I don’t know what your budget may be for a mower that will belong to a club. I will say though that I highly recommend getting the largest mowing deck you can find. The 72” deck on the JD is no more difficult to use than a 48” deck, but it’s a heckuva lot faster. I assume that fences and other obstacles are at a minimum on the property, especially given its use. The curing height adjustment on this mower is very quick and easy to use so when you’re cutting the runway you can keep it cut closer than the surrounding areas. Other posters have said to be sure your ability to get it serviced locally is not impeded by an excessive drive and I agree wholeheartedly. However, I’ve had minimal service requirements and usually just order any parts, filters, etc. that I need online.

Given that the diesel motor gets great mileage, qualifies for off road “red” diesel fuel (no tax) and lasts for a lifetime (or even two) I wouldn’t be hesitant to buy a decent looking 2nd hand one if I could find one. I did see one on Craigslist a few months ago that looked pretty decent for $7k so keep your eyes open. You never know why someone may be selling a good mower. They’re not all mowers that have been used commercially.

My suggestion after owning a Hustler Raptor XD 60-inch for 6 completely trouble-free years is that mower or a step up in the Hustler line to the Hustler Raptor XDX. These models with Kawasaki engines are great.

John Deere has the best Warantee , Dealer network , and parts stream in the business . An entry grade commercial unit with a 54" deck will easily take care of your needs ! Most of the commercial Z-Tracs are 3000 Hr. machines (life span) . So if you can find a used one with 1,000 Hrs. or less on it , don't be afraid to buy it , if it has been properly maintained ! The 900 series machines are rugged workhorses , I have a 925A (bought new 2012) that I have 1600 Hrs. on , and have yet to have any serious problems with it .

For your information, a 6 foot deck travelling at 4 MPH will cover 2.88 acres at full efficiency. That is brisk walking speed.

Definitely a 72" if it is wide open space with few trees and few tight alleys. Badboy and Spartan are producing some great machines with 72" decks. If you want the best ride, get a Ferris. Hands down the best ride quality. A 72" is not hard at all to manage. It's as easy as a 60" and you get an extra foot of cutting power. I have over 1000 hours of 72" Zero Turn time (2003 Ferris IS4000z). I learned on the 72". Everything smaller feels like and toy and inadequate.

I bought a used bad boy with a 60” deck at an estate sale, used (or abused) it for a number of years, still have it. Got a new eXmark radius last winter, has larger tires than the bad boy and is much faster. They are pretty easy to work on, so I don’t sweat the dealer support (all dealers are an hour away), parts I find on line. I use the mower to cut some pretty rough stuff, briars, saplings etc on less than perfect ground. Both the bad boy & eXmark have held up well.

Cornfield said:

I belong to an RC airplane club. We have a flying field that is a large (2 1/2 acres), flat rectangular shape with no obstacles. For 40 years we have been paying mowing service companies. All that we have to show for that is receipts and grass clippings. We don’t have a paved runway so we’ll trimmed grass is essential for takeoffs and landings.
We recently obtained a secure location (20’ shipping container) to store equipment away from thieves and vandals. We will mow it ourselves
1) the users of the equipment may change from week to week.
2) we will mow the whole area once a week and a landing strip (about 1/4 of it) area twice a week
3) we are assuming that a zero turn will be the best choice to get the job done efficiently. Are we correct?
4) if we want to get it mowed in 45 minutes, what size deck do we need?
5) we want to get equipment that will last at least 10 years.
6) All the used equipment that I’ve seen appears worn out.

I’ve looked at several models and brands and it is very confusing.Exmark, Toro, Deere, Simplicity, Cub, Gravely, Hustler and others. Residential or Contractor level machines?

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Highly recommend the American made Bad Boy brand.

Hustler makes a good zero turn, didn't see it mentioned, John Deere does too both if bought through a dealer will steer you right.

CaptFerd said:

Highly recommend the American made Bad Boy brand.

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I didn’t even think to mention Bad Boy. A Bad Boy Maverick 60 would work well.

Ferris

Have you considered robotic mowers? We can help you determine which one would work, tonys@autolawnoforlando.com

I think we’ll get the Exmark Radius 60”. It should fit inside our container shed and get around our few obstacles with ease. They offer 0% interest for 42 months

Here's my 2 cents: I mow about 130 yards a week. My fleet is a Hustler Super Z HD 60", Hustler Super Z 72" (both 1000cc Kaw), Big Dog Diablo MP 60" 850cc Kaw (same as Super Z) and Hustler Fastrack SD 48" 691cc Kaw. So obviously I prefer Hustler. However for your application I'd probably go with a 60" Bad Boy, Spartan or Exmark / Toro. Here's why. You don't need to pay upwards of $15K to get a really good mower that will last for years cutting an hour or two per week. That's about 70-80 hours per year. That's 700-800 over 10 years. Get an entry level commercial mower with a Kaw FX series, Kohler Command or Vanguard Commercial grade and do regular maintenance you will be happy for many years. What I would NOT do is pay an extra $2K - $3K for a Deere or Kubota. Just not worth it. Same engine, same Hydro-gear pumps and motors, different color paint and and name recognition. Nearly all commercial mowers have very good warranties on the mower and deck. Green / yellow or orange paint seems to be very expensive. One other thing, consider a used unit from a reputable dealer. I know a dealer that takes in 20 to 30 lightly used Hustlers per year. Usually less than 300 hours and under $10K. Something to consider.

Now I see that Toro also offers 0% for 42 months.
Exmark Radius or Toro?

Don't really see need for a zero turn since the property is clear of any trees or objects.

I would recommend going with the Toro, personal preference. As with any thread which asks “ What should I buy” you will get a multitude of recommendations depending on personal experience, but I always say, don’t go by what you read. Taking in what you read, go with your gut feeling. You will kick yourself if something does go wrong, ”Say my gut told me to go with XXXX, but this was liked by more people so I went with it”. No matter what you purchase, go with the dealer you have the most trust in, because down the road your experience with them will tell you whether you made the right decision.

Cornfield said:

What about an Exmark Radius E or Toro Titan?

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I bought an Exmark Radius E for my 2+ acres at the end of last season and couldn't be happier.

For a quality commercial unit look at Grasshopper. My 1995 61" front mount lasted 24 years with minimal repairs (clutch). Still had original deck belt. I replaced with a used 2005 with 725 hours. Should be the last one I need.

What’s the difference between Radius E and S and Toro Atlas My Ride 60”? Price differences as well as features.

The Exmark Radius E 60 is very similar to the Toro Titan Max 60. These two are upper end residential or estate mowers. The Exmark Radius S moves up one class with Hydro-Gear ZT3400 hyrdro. The Radius S could be considered an entry level commercial mower.
You can compare the mower specifications on their websites.

Cornfield, those are questions you should be asking your dealer, because as they answer them you’ll be coming up with more questions.

It looks like a Titan Max at $6300 is the winner. A similar Exmark is $700 more.

Now club members are objecting to the expense. They want a $2000 used mower. They think a used commercial mower with 1000-2000 miles would be a good deal.
I see a lot in that price range by people saying “I just upgraded, nothing wrong with it”. I bought and sold used cars in a previous life and don’t trust anyone “upgrading” a professional model. I think they are expecting the mower will have serious downtime in the coming season and are getting rid of it for that reason.
I did run across a 2017 Radius X with 120 hours. No warranty. The owner wants $5500 which is probably fair but outside the clubs new budget. The current owner says “I just wanted to upgrade so I have a new one”. That line still smells fishy.

Cornfield said:

Now club members are objecting to the expense. They want a $2000 used mower. They think a used commercial mower with 1000-2000 miles would be a good deal.
I see a lot in that price range by people saying “I just upgraded, nothing wrong with it”. I bought and sold used cars in a previous life and don’t trust anyone “upgrading” a professional model. I think they are expecting the mower will have serious downtime in the coming season and are getting rid of it for that reason.

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You didn’t see that coming, did you? Just being sarcastic. I really don’t have any good advice for that. You may wind up back at square 1. Meaning that your club may still be paying a yard service to do your mowing.

Time to start over, with one change! I would tell the club they need a new person in charge of procuring this piece of equipment. I can tell you’ve put in a lot of time and effort, with little appreciation shown. Print out this thread and hand it and all other material you have put together to the person who objected to your research the loudest. Let them know how you feel about someone else’s used equipment, and if they haven’t found anything by March, you’ll think about going renewing your search.

We meet once a month and have an active chat system between meetings. I suspect that a few of us will make healthy donations and that we will have an acceptable solution by February-March when the local shops start getting stock.

Rivets said:

Time to start over, with one change! I would tell the club they need a new person in charge of procuring this piece of equipment. I can tell you’ve put in a lot of time and effort, with little appreciation shown. Print out this thread and hand it and all other material you have put together to the person who objected to your research the loudest. Let them know how you feel about someone else’s used equipment, and if they haven’t found anything by March, you’ll think about going renewing your search.

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I’m too old to get offended by their objections. A sales manager once told me that objections were really requests for more information.

I’ve found in the organizations that I’ve been involved in those who cry the loudest are those who do the least work. Making them in charge of doing some work has been a solution for me. They learn quickly that if you oppose something, by putting in the effort showing why you oppose, makes them a more valuable member of the organization. If they decline to help, good organizations realize that listening to them is fruitless.

Club members are warming to the idea of a Toro Max. Apparently, Toro recommends using their "All Season Fuel" which appears very pricy. I’ve used regular gas in my home Deere tractor, Ariens Snow Blower and my generator adding Stabil in the Off seasons, when they won’t be used for several months.
What fuels and additives are you guys using in the Toro motors

LawnWizard said:

Here's my 2 cents: I mow about 130 yards a week. My fleet is a Hustler Super Z HD 60", Hustler Super Z 72" (both 1000cc Kaw), Big Dog Diablo MP 60" 850cc Kaw (same as Super Z) and Hustler Fastrack SD 48" 691cc Kaw. So obviously I prefer Hustler. However for your application I'd probably go with a 60" Bad Boy, Spartan or Exmark / Toro. Here's why. You don't need to pay upwards of $15K to get a really good mower that will last for years cutting an hour or two per week. That's about 70-80 hours per year. That's 700-800 over 10 years. Get an entry level commercial mower with a Kaw FX series, Kohler Command or Vanguard Commercial grade and do regular maintenance you will be happy for many years. What I would NOT do is pay an extra $2K - $3K for a Deere or Kubota. Just not worth it. Same engine, same Hydro-gear pumps and motors, different color paint and and name recognition. Nearly all commercial mowers have very good warranties on the mower and deck. Green / yellow or orange paint seems to be very expensive. One other thing, consider a used unit from a reputable dealer. I know a dealer that takes in 20 to 30 lightly used Hustlers per year. Usually less than 300 hours and under $10K. Something to consider.

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I know someone with a lawn care business, bought new equipment each year, took an IRS section 179 depreciation on it, sold it out the back door for cash at the end of the season. Took good care of his equipment, got a nice mower that way.

I just ordered a new Toro Titan 75306. It isn’t the Max and it doesn’t have My Ride. It does have the Kohler 26 hp motor and the 10 gauge deck. We will probably use it about 3 hours a week during the Spring and 1.5/ week the rest of the season. We have a 4-5 month Winter when it will be in storage.
We are hoping to get 10+ years out of it.

With proper maintenance you should easily be able to get ten years.

Now the big question is: Can the dealer deliver a new unit to me by March First? The dealer says that Toro production is way down. If the dealer can't get me one, I may end up at Home Depot.

The dealer hasn't been allocated the one that I want. He said they have got that one with the $1000 My Ride. I decided to upgrade to the Max Havoc https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/riding-mowers/titan-max-76602 which will be massive overkill for our needs. He has it in stock and is giving me a decent price.
Go big or go home.

Cornfield said:

The dealer hasn't been allocated the one that I want. He said they have got that one with the $1000 My Ride. I decided to upgrade to the Max Havoc https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/riding-mowers/titan-max-76602 which will be massive overkill for our needs. He has it in stock and is giving me a decent price.
Go big or go home.

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That's one awesome machine you are choosing. Typically a larger, beefier machine will disappoint you far less often than a cheaper entry level style machine. The added benefits of dealer support makes it very attractive if you can agree on a price. From what I am seeing in my industry..........Consumer items will cost 15-25% more in 2022 due to the Covid situation, plus the supply chain shortages plus the new freight costs. Picking up a in-stock unit is likely going to be a better deal than waiting for new inventory. My Simplicity ZT now lists for $1,000 more than it did in August. Good luck.

Cornfield said:

The dealer hasn't been allocated the one that I want. He said they have got that one with the $1000 My Ride. I decided to upgrade to the Max Havoc https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/riding-mowers/titan-max-76602 which will be massive overkill for our needs. He has it in stock and is giving me a decent price.
Go big or go home.

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Not overkill at all.
Congratulations

Cornfield said:

I belong to an RC airplane club. We have a flying field that is a large (2 1/2 acres), flat rectangular shape with no obstacles. For 40 years we have been paying mowing service companies. All that we have to show for that is receipts and grass clippings. We don’t have a paved runway so we’ll trimmed grass is essential for takeoffs and landings.
We recently obtained a secure location (20’ shipping container) to store equipment away from thieves and vandals. We will mow it ourselves
1) the users of the equipment may change from week to week.
2) we will mow the whole area once a week and a landing strip (about 1/4 of it) area twice a week
3) we are assuming that a zero turn will be the best choice to get the job done efficiently. Are we correct?
4) if we want to get it mowed in 45 minutes, what size deck do we need?
5) we want to get equipment that will last at least 10 years.
6) All the used equipment that I’ve seen appears worn out.

I’ve looked at several models and brands and it is very confusing.Exmark, Toro, Deere, Simplicity, Cub, Gravely, Hustler and others. Residential or Contractor level machines?

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I also fly RC aircraft and I purchased a 48" Husky for $4600.00 in 2018, have been mowing a little over 2 1/2 acres with it with no problems other than replacing the blades twice in almost four years. Blades are cheaper than John Deere, last longer and are easy to change. I am still using the original fan belts, have never had to replace them yet. I also have replaced the battery one time. Very comfortable to use and very well made. A very good friend purchased a John Deere zero turn and all it has done is cost him money since he bought it. When one of the transmissions messed up he took the transmission out and took it to the Deere dealer and they told him they do not repair the transmissions, they just replace them. So he brought it to me and I repaired it in one weekend, but it was difficult getting it back together, had to disassemble twice and reassemble it before I got it right. I've owned a Dixie Chopper before the Husky and the Dixie Chopper was fast, fast, fast but it's not how fast you can cut, it's how you cut fast. A lesson well learned. Get a Husky if you want value for your money.

Shoesole said:

I also fly RC aircraft and I purchased a 48" Husky for $4600.00 in 2018, have been mowing a little over 2 1/2 acres with it with no problems other than replacing the blades twice in almost four years. Blades are cheaper than John Deere, last longer and are easy to change. I am still using the original fan belts, have never had to replace them yet. I also have replaced the battery one time. Very comfortable to use and very well made. A very good friend purchased a John Deere zero turn and all it has done is cost him money since he bought it. When one of the transmissions messed up he took the transmission out and took it to the Deere dealer and they told him they do not repair the transmissions, they just replace them. So he brought it to me and I repaired it in one weekend, but it was difficult getting it back together, had to disassemble twice and reassemble it before I got it right. I've owned a Dixie Chopper before the Husky and the Dixie Chopper was fast, fast, fast but it's not how fast you can cut, it's how you cut fast. A lesson well learned. Get a Husky if you want value for your money.

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We have already decided on the Toro. Toro has several servicing dealers in our area.I think the one we are getting will do the job nicely.
I have John Deere equipment at home and have not been 100% satisfied with my latest JD mower. I loved my STX38 and wish that I had kept that for home use but it is long gone.

I’m paying off the Toro today and it will de delivered in the next two weeks. We are going to have a team of 5 guys operating it. What’s the best way to train the team?

The first thing I would do is ask the dealer is, “when they deliver the unit, would they be willing to give your operators a demonstration of how to use the unit”. If you are picking it up, do they have a demo area for the demonstration? A good dealer will work with you. The one thing I tell new buyers, during a demo, is grab the sticks way inside so your thumbs are touching. By doing this you will know what your hands are doing as you watch ahead of you especially while turning, not watching your sticks. Second, I tell them is to never make a turn with one wheel stopped. This will cause ruts and be the biggest part of the learning curve. Third, sit down with a couple of the operators (all if possible) and type up a check list of things which must be done before and after each mowing. If all operators have input, they are more likely to take ownership and follow through on what to do. Don’t forget to include when normal maintenance needs to be done. Just a suggestion, (HAVE THE DEALER INSTALL AN HOUR METER ON THE UNIT IF IT DOESN’T HAVE ONE). That way it will be easier to know when maintenance needs to be done. I’ve found a logbook by the unit works best, but remember it needs to be used regularly. Your operators need to decide when and how to use it. Your dealer would probably help you put this together. Laminate this checklist and post it where it will be easily seen, over the fuel cans. Fourth, try to do your practice session if possible with all operators there at one time. That way they can bounce their experience off each other and learn from each other. Fifth, select one or two operators (no more than two) who are in charge of the unit, They are the member to go to if questions arise, repairs, working with the dealer, making sure fuel and lubes are available, etc. REMEMBER, there is a learning curve, some long some short. Mistakes happen and start slow. Don’t engage PTO until you are comfortable driving. I hope this is what you are looking for and Good Luck with the members who will disagree with the decision, I suggest you get at least one become an operator.

PS: At the bottom of your check list add the following statement. THE MORE WE FOLLOW THIS LIST, THE LONGER TO UNIT WILL LAST”

I stopped in the shop today to arrange for delivery next week. The salesman told me “Oops, I checked the warehouse and it turns out that it’s not the Havoc but a Titan Max. I’m feeling conned.

Please check your receipt and tell us the exact model number you ordered.

They are refunding $300 so I’m satisfied. I believe that only difference is the color scheme.

Cornfield said:

They are refunding $300 so I’m satisfied. I believe that only difference is the color scheme.

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Good deal. The technical specifications are the same.

The dealer delivered our Toro Titan Max and very patiently demonstrated how to use it to our 6 man mowing team. He told me that the store has zero remaining consumer machines in stock. This looks like it will give us years of use.
I’m going to give Russo Power Equipment in Naperville, IL a 5 star review.

Nice to hear about a dealer who has the customer first in mind. Good luck in your purchase.

We’ve had our Max for 2 months and are extremely pleased with it. The first time we used it, there was an oil leak. The dealer picked it up, repaired and returned it. No problem since then.