Big box store ZT's worth the money?

[lawn mower fanatic]

I found this one. How would you all rate this mower with the assumption that everything works? What about the price, high, low, avg?

Toro Zero Turn 60"

What I think's funny is the title says Toro Z-Master (which it is) but the profile says Lazer Z (Exmark). They are pretty much identical mowers, anyway. It has a fair amount of hours, but that mower is a great commercial mower. Assumming everything looks/works good..it's definitely one to think about. I think the price is fair... compare it to these:

http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&Manu=TORO&MDLGrp=Z+MASTER

 

[edd]

toro timecutter will do what you want....can get them at home depot or a dealer....bought mine from a dealer because it was same price and he did warranty work for the toros that home depot sells.....said if i bought from him it would get looked at first....very good mower

 

[Ric]

Thanks guys this is pretty much what I was thinking. I looked last week at the lowes ZT s and non of them look durable. My Husqvarna in 5th gear I doubt it is even hitting 5 mph now. It is 7 years old and. Has been a good durable mower but cut quality has always been so so. Even with the deck at the highest setting, deck wheels set correctly and tires full of air, I have always had issues with it cutting too low on the outside of turns or missing thin tall sprigs of grass.

Is there a good site to compare the better quality ZT s and rank them?


Thanks
Wade

You said you have had issues with your mower cutting to low, something to keep in mind when you decide to buy is that most of the home owner version mowers cutting height setting range from like 1" to 3.5" or maybe 4" in height, most commercial mowers can mower up to the 5" range and give you a little more adjustment to play with if that would make a difference to you in making your decision.

 

[gamecock66]

You said you have had issues with your mower cutting to low, something to keep in mind when you decide to buy is that most of the home owner version mowers cutting height setting range from like 1" to 3.5" or maybe 4" in height, most commercial mowers can mower up to the 5" range and give you a little more adjustment to play with if that would make a difference to you in making your decision.

So this is the same model and quality? Toro TimeCutter SS5060 50 in. 23HP Kawasaki V-Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed-74632 at The Home Depot . The only reason I was looking at the box store is the amount of time you have at 0% and since I already have an HD card I would not have to open up another credit account which I don't want to do.

If I can get a better quality used ZT for 2500 or less then that is the ways would probably go. But if this is quality enough then it may be an option even if from a box store.

Wade

 

[djdicetn]

So this is the same model and quality? Toro TimeCutter SS5060 50 in. 23HP Kawasaki V-Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed-74632 at The Home Depot . The only reason I was looking at the box store is the amount of time you have at 0% and since I already have an HD card I would not have to open up another credit account which I don't want to do.

If I can get a better quality used ZT for 2500 or less then that is the ways would probably go. But if this is quality enough then it may be an option even if from a box store.

Wade

If you buy a ZTR at Home Depot, etc. for $2,500 with your mowing requirements you need to consider it a five year at best($500/year) investment as it has been pointed out that a majority of these are light residential disposable mowers. If you go to a dealer for a reputable brand and up the budget a bit you will find something that if well maintained will last you twice(or three times) that long. With ZTR's........the saying that you get what you pay for rings very true when it comes to quality/durability. A big box ZTR that will last is a gamble.

 

[Grassbandit]

For 2500 bucks i'd recommend a Gravely ZT. It's priced about 2700 but a 200 dollar difference cant hurt considering the quality and durability of the machine.
Hopefully, there's a dealer nearby enough that you can get one from.

 

[txzrider]

I used a low end residential for 15 years and was very happy with it, however I used it less than 50 hours a year if that... you are talking about much more useage and given what I learned, it was so useful I used it much more that I thought I would. I cut neighbors lawns when they had back problems, I used it to tow a cart to carry mulch... etc... the max I would look at a light duty ztr is about an acre. Any more and all the things that wear on the mower need to be heaver. Better hydros( by the way I could not find what kind of drives were on that 5060 , probably etz's) better spindles, I do like the kawasaki tho! good luck with your choice. I almost bought that toro (actually its little brother the 4260). For my purposes it would have been fine, yours ... only time will tell.

 

[gamecock66]

Thanks all for the input. I cut my grass yesterday and once again it looks "ok" but still not what I would like. My Husq has been a great mower that I have beat up on for 7 years. I think it is starting to show its age. I will check a few dealers around here and keep an eye on craigslist.


Thanks,
Wade

 

[txzrider]

fwiw, I bought my Country clipper off cl with only 27 hours and about a $1500 savings.

 

[djdicetn]

fwiw, I bought my Country clipper off cl with only 27 hours and about a $1500 savings.

So I'm curious.....had you paid MSRP for that Country Clipper new would it not have been a $4K(or close to that) ZTR??? My opinion is you need to approach the $4K price range on Residential ZTR's to get anything that will hold up.