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Buying advice for a new mower
#1
N
ncage30
N
ncage30
Hi everyone, we are buying a new house. Its now time for me to upgrade my push mower 
. I't has about a 1/2 acre of land with many obstacles. Its on the flat side except for a small section in the front yard which slopes downwards. So i'm thinking on buying a low end (residential) z-turn type mower. I'm looking for 2-3k price range. Locally i pretty much have lowes. I have a Home Depot about 45 minutes away that will deliver for free too. I prefer to buy from lowes just in case there are issues since my store is local but willing to maybe buy from Home Depot. I'm guessing for the amount of property i have a 42-in deck will be fine. I've been looking at the toro mustangs @ lowes. For the 2-3k residential mower are most of the build almost the same? I know many of the brands are all owned my MTD. On the low end does engine choice make that much difference? The mustangs @ lowes all have briggs or kohler engines. If i want a Kawasaki @ lowes i'll have to go with the Hustler Raptor (which i've never heard of before). Now if i'm willing to go to Home Depot they do have the timecutter series that have kawaski engines but then again if i have issues i'm going to get better service locally. Anything other than engine choice i should look at in the price range i'm looking at?
I'm not trying to be rude but please don't anyone reply and say i need a commercial 5-8k mower because i don't and i can't afford that much for a mower. To be honest with you i don't trust buying a used commercial mower when you don't know anything about it. For someone who has a lawn mowing buisness thats a pretty good idea but i don't and don't ever plan to.
Anyways, i probably wont' be buying until spring but i'm doing my research early.
thanks....
. I't has about a 1/2 acre of land with many obstacles. Its on the flat side except for a small section in the front yard which slopes downwards. So i'm thinking on buying a low end (residential) z-turn type mower. I'm looking for 2-3k price range. Locally i pretty much have lowes. I have a Home Depot about 45 minutes away that will deliver for free too. I prefer to buy from lowes just in case there are issues since my store is local but willing to maybe buy from Home Depot. I'm guessing for the amount of property i have a 42-in deck will be fine. I've been looking at the toro mustangs @ lowes. For the 2-3k residential mower are most of the build almost the same? I know many of the brands are all owned my MTD. On the low end does engine choice make that much difference? The mustangs @ lowes all have briggs or kohler engines. If i want a Kawasaki @ lowes i'll have to go with the Hustler Raptor (which i've never heard of before). Now if i'm willing to go to Home Depot they do have the timecutter series that have kawaski engines but then again if i have issues i'm going to get better service locally. Anything other than engine choice i should look at in the price range i'm looking at?I'm not trying to be rude but please don't anyone reply and say i need a commercial 5-8k mower because i don't and i can't afford that much for a mower. To be honest with you i don't trust buying a used commercial mower when you don't know anything about it. For someone who has a lawn mowing buisness thats a pretty good idea but i don't and don't ever plan to.
Anyways, i probably wont' be buying until spring but i'm doing my research early.
thanks....
#2
7394
7394
#3
S
Shughes717
The hustler raptor is a very good mower. I agree that you don't need a commercial mower for 1/2 acre. The drawback to buying from a big box store is they can't do repairs if needed. Some local dealers won't even work on mowers purchased from a big box store. You may be able to get a good deal from a local dealer on a residential mower if you decide to purchase this time of year.
S
Shughes717
Hi everyone, we are buying a new house. Its now time for me to upgrade my push mower
I'm not trying to be rude but please don't anyone reply and say i need a commercial 5-8k mower because i don't and i can't afford that much for a mower. To be honest with you i don't trust buying a used commercial mower when you don't know anything about it. For someone who has a lawn mowing buisness thats a pretty good idea but i don't and don't ever plan to.
Anyways, i probably wont' be buying until spring but i'm doing my research early.
thanks....
The hustler raptor is a very good mower. I agree that you don't need a commercial mower for 1/2 acre. The drawback to buying from a big box store is they can't do repairs if needed. Some local dealers won't even work on mowers purchased from a big box store. You may be able to get a good deal from a local dealer on a residential mower if you decide to purchase this time of year.
#4
Ric
You say you have about a 1/2 acre of land with many obstacles. There are other options available besides a ZTR. If you don't mind walking you could go to the Toro Timemaster 30" for like 1K which you can buy at HD or if you want to step up to the Toro Turf-Master 30" and it's full commercial for around $1700. Another option would be a Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor like the LTX 1042 for around 2K and it comes with a professional grade 18hp Kawasaki v-twin which can be purchased at HD. Personally I wouldn't buy a mower from either lowes or HD, I'd buy from the nearest dealer and have them and there service dept available to me. They service what they sell the others lowes and HD don't.
Ric
Hi everyone, we are buying a new house. Its now time for me to upgrade my push mower
I'm not trying to be rude but please don't anyone reply and say i need a commercial 5-8k mower because i don't and i can't afford that much for a mower. To be honest with you i don't trust buying a used commercial mower when you don't know anything about it. For someone who has a lawn mowing buisness thats a pretty good idea but i don't and don't ever plan to.
Anyways, i probably wont' be buying until spring but i'm doing my research early.
thanks....
You say you have about a 1/2 acre of land with many obstacles. There are other options available besides a ZTR. If you don't mind walking you could go to the Toro Timemaster 30" for like 1K which you can buy at HD or if you want to step up to the Toro Turf-Master 30" and it's full commercial for around $1700. Another option would be a Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor like the LTX 1042 for around 2K and it comes with a professional grade 18hp Kawasaki v-twin which can be purchased at HD. Personally I wouldn't buy a mower from either lowes or HD, I'd buy from the nearest dealer and have them and there service dept available to me. They service what they sell the others lowes and HD don't.
#5
exotion
Sounds like you live in the middle of nowhere.
If you ask lowes or homedepot sales rep you can try it out. Just about every z in that price range is the same. You get differences like ride comfort and color. I agree with ric a 30" would do nicely there for you
exotion
Hi everyone, we are buying a new house. Its now time for me to upgrade my push mower
I'm not trying to be rude but please don't anyone reply and say i need a commercial 5-8k mower because i don't and i can't afford that much for a mower. To be honest with you i don't trust buying a used commercial mower when you don't know anything about it. For someone who has a lawn mowing buisness thats a pretty good idea but i don't and don't ever plan to.
Anyways, i probably wont' be buying until spring but i'm doing my research early.
thanks....
Sounds like you live in the middle of nowhere.
If you ask lowes or homedepot sales rep you can try it out. Just about every z in that price range is the same. You get differences like ride comfort and color. I agree with ric a 30" would do nicely there for you
#6
Bill Martin
Bill Martin
#8
7394
Bill- I agree about taking great care of my machines.. I wax mine. But I don't like hitting it with water regularly, too many sensors & etc imo. I blow it off & wipe it down.
I agree 100%.. My Dealer said they would cover my battery & belts for 1 Year, the book says only 90 days..(just an example).
Buddy
7394
Bill- I agree about taking great care of my machines.. I wax mine.
But I don't like hitting it with water regularly, too many sensors & etc imo. I blow it off & wipe it down. I agree 100%.. My Dealer said they would cover my battery & belts for 1 Year, the book says only 90 days..(just an example).
Buddy
#9
exotion
Gotta keep it pretty, you got a good dealer there!
exotion
Bill- I agree about taking great care of my machines.. I wax mine.
I agree 100%.. My Dealer said they would cover my battery & belts for 1 Year, the book says only 90 days..(just an example).
Buddy
Gotta keep it pretty, you got a good dealer there!
#10
7394
7394
#13
N
ncage30
N
ncage30
Local Dealers
Unforunately the only local dealer i really have that works on lawn equipment is a place called BigR. They only Z-Turn i've ever seen is an extremely expensive Ferris 5100Z. I could ask them how much they could order a toro mustang for. They don't carry hustler. THe closest local dealer for Hustler is 40 minutes away and with the name "Heubner Tire" i don't think it gives me a good fealing that they know that much about mowers. They have a picture on their homepage but nothing else. All their specials and prices are just for tires.
I don't have a truck so distance is a big factor. Maybe i could buy an extended warranty and it would make up for the fact because they have to pick up the mower for the extended warranty.
Unforunately the only local dealer i really have that works on lawn equipment is a place called BigR. They only Z-Turn i've ever seen is an extremely expensive Ferris 5100Z. I could ask them how much they could order a toro mustang for. They don't carry hustler. THe closest local dealer for Hustler is 40 minutes away and with the name "Heubner Tire" i don't think it gives me a good fealing that they know that much about mowers. They have a picture on their homepage but nothing else. All their specials and prices are just for tires
.I don't have a truck so distance is a big factor. Maybe i could buy an extended warranty and it would make up for the fact because they have to pick up the mower for the extended warranty.
#15
Ric
Ric
Re: Local Dealers
Just FYI Toro doesn't make a mustang mower. It's made by Troy-Bilt and owned by MTD that's why there sold at Lowes.
Unforunately the only local dealer i really have that works on lawn equipment is a place called BigR. They only Z-Turn i've ever seen is an extremely expensive Ferris 5100Z. I could ask them how much they could order a toro mustang for. They don't carry hustler. THe closest local dealer for Hustler is 40 minutes away and with the name "Heubner Tire" i don't think it gives me a good fealing that they know that much about mowers. They have a picture on their homepage but nothing else. All their specials and prices are just for tires
I don't have a truck so distance is a big factor. Maybe i could buy an extended warranty and it would make up for the fact because they have to pick up the mower for the extended warranty.
Just FYI Toro doesn't make a mustang mower. It's made by Troy-Bilt and owned by MTD that's why there sold at Lowes.
#16
N
ncage30
N
ncage30
Re: Local Dealers
Sorry your right i was using the name interchangeably. I stand corrected
Sorry your right i was using the name interchangeably. I stand corrected
#17
Ric
Ric
#19
7394
7394
#20
exotion
exotion
#21
7394
7394
#23
Ric
Ric
#25
Ric
Ric
Re: i think i made my decision
The Hustler is better built and I didn't just look at pictures If you look at both mowers Motor wise, cutting heights, drives and how much gas they hold there equal but beyond that the toro has a stamped deck the hustler is a 11 ga fabricated, the frame on the hustler is larger it's a 3.25 x 1.5. the hustler's spindles are all sealed bearing the toro you have to grease. The front end is or are sealed bearings on the hustler and its wheels are commercial duty steel roller bearings and it has a three year warranty with no limit on hours and for the price it's definitely the better mower.
As far as the complaints you read online I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to those, the raptor came out and when it did it was just like a lot of other new mowers it had it's share of problems but don't kid yourself or listen to others because Hustler will back that mower..
Now don't get me wrong because if you look at my signature you'll see I'm a big believer in Toro and everything I mow with is red and I think there the best you can buy commercially which covers about 80% or better of there sales, but there residential stuff leaves a lot to be desired IMO.
The Hustler is better built and I didn't just look at pictures
If you look at both mowers Motor wise, cutting heights, drives and how much gas they hold there equal but beyond that the toro has a stamped deck the hustler is a 11 ga fabricated, the frame on the hustler is larger it's a 3.25 x 1.5. the hustler's spindles are all sealed bearing the toro you have to grease. The front end is or are sealed bearings on the hustler and its wheels are commercial duty steel roller bearings and it has a three year warranty with no limit on hours and for the price it's definitely the better mower. As far as the complaints you read online I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to those, the raptor came out and when it did it was just like a lot of other new mowers it had it's share of problems but don't kid yourself or listen to others because Hustler will back that mower..
Now don't get me wrong because if you look at my signature you'll see I'm a big believer in Toro and everything I mow with is red and I think there the best you can buy commercially which covers about 80% or better of there sales, but there residential stuff leaves a lot to be desired IMO.
#27
N
ncage30
N
ncage30
Re: i think i made my decision
I appreciate the help. I called the hustler dealer that is about 45 minutes away. He actually was very helpful and explained how everything will be setup for me from the get go. He said with big box boys your own your own to set it up correctly. He said the MSRP at $2,999 but said he would be willing to come down. The only thing i didn't like was he told me that during the rental period there would be a $50 fee for pickup because hustler doesn't reimburse them for this (you would think if you bought it from them then they would eat it but nope).
The other hustler dealer wanted above msrp (3200)
The Hustler is better built and I didn't just look at pictures
As far as the complaints you read online I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to those, the raptor came out and when it did it was just like a lot of other new mowers it had it's share of problems but don't kid yourself or listen to others because Hustler will back that mower..
Now don't get me wrong because if you look at my signature you'll see I'm a big believer in Toro and everything I mow with is red and I think there the best you can buy commercially which covers about 80% or better of there sales, but there residential stuff leaves a lot to be desired IMO.
I appreciate the help. I called the hustler dealer that is about 45 minutes away. He actually was very helpful and explained how everything will be setup for me from the get go. He said with big box boys your own your own to set it up correctly. He said the MSRP at $2,999 but said he would be willing to come down. The only thing i didn't like was he told me that during the rental period there would be a $50 fee for pickup because hustler doesn't reimburse them for this (you would think if you bought it from them then they would eat it but nope).
The other hustler dealer wanted above msrp (3200)
#28
Ric
Ric
#30
N
ncage30
N
ncage30
Re: i think i made my decision
52. I really don't need the 52 but for the price difference between the 52 & 42 why not get the 52. Sorry that was a typo. I meant during the warranty period (don't ask me how i mistyped it as rental )
52. I really don't need the 52 but for the price difference between the 52 & 42 why not get the 52. Sorry that was a typo. I meant during the warranty period (don't ask me how i mistyped it as rental
)
#31
7394
7394
#32
Ric
Ric
#33
7394
7394