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I checked out the new exmark 30inch mower today. Initial thoughts were good. motor sounds good and when the blades are engaged it sounds like its spinning real real agressive, for 170lbs feels nice, built solid, height adjustment is ideal and comes with bag, mulch plug and side discharge, throttle on the engine probably so it doesnt get hit by trees bushes etc. Price is $1,799.99 I have not seen the toro yet but i like the toro better on paper due to the way the self propelled handlebar set up is on the toro. I think the only thing I wasnt crazy about was the quality of cables looks cheep and the way the self propelled bail and bbc bail felt kinda cheep but thats about all i can complain about really. I did see that those are assembled in mexico for what its worth as the sticker indicated on it. Would like to see the toro next and I really wonder if people will buy these for 1800 instead of say honda and toro and exmark 21s that are 11-1400 bucks like why not spend a little more for the 30inch. Only thought to that is that most people dont even want to spend 1100 for a commercial 21 because they are cheep and would buy 2 garbage machines for 500 a piece and get 2 crap machines instead of 1 good one that will last for years. It should be interesting to see in a couple years if the 30inch mowers take off?

Thanks for the first-time review! Hopefully it sells better than the Metro 26. But the price IS very high!

lawn mower fanatic said:

Thanks for the first-time review! Hopefully it sells better than the Metro 26. But the price IS very high!

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I am really interested to see if Honda makes one in a 30inch but can they keep the price in check. I know they can make one to blow the others out of the water with there eyes closed but keep the price in check might be a challange. Think about it, 30in, larger fuel tank, steel deck, hydro trans, bbc, steel wheels, already have motorcycle quality cables and smoothness. Only Time will tell.

dfbrown said:

I am really interested to see if Honda makes one in a 30inch but can they keep the price in check. I know they can make one to blow the others out of the water with there eyes closed but keep the price in check might be a challange. Think about it, 30in, larger fuel tank, steel deck, hydro trans, bbc, steel wheels, already have motorcycle quality cables and smoothness. Only Time will tell.

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Yeah it would probably be double the price of the Exmark & Toro!

What did they do different this time? I looked at the toro time master non-commercial unit last year for $999. Now they are offering a commercial 30". Must be better components?

BHLC said:

What did they do different this time? I looked at the toro time master non-commercial unit last year for $999. Now they are offering a commercial 30". Must be better components?

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A lot is different, including how the Timemaster is residential and the Turfmaster is commercial.

Timemaster: Toro | TimeMaster
Turfmaster: http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Pages/turfmaster/lce_13_490-8520_30commcl_ss_notag.pdf

BHLC said:

What did they do different this time? I looked at the toro time master non-commercial unit last year for $999. Now they are offering a commercial 30". Must be better components?

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The differences between the two are, The Turfmaster has a Kawasaki engine with a blade tip speed of 18000, cutting heights of 1.5 to 5" and a 1 gal gas capacity. The Timemaster has a Briggs with a 1quart gas capacity and a cutting height of 4.25" and as far as blade tip speed I'd have to do some research but I'm guessing some where around 15 maybe 16000. There Heavy duty 21" commercial has a Honda engine, cutting height of 4.5 with a blade tip speed of like 17000.

Those are some big changes. How about the wheels? The timemaster had cheap plastic wheels, I'm hoping they put heavier wheels on. I am also still weary of the timed blades too. It does look like a good machine though. Thanks for the info Ric.

BHLC said:

Those are some big changes. How about the wheels? The timemaster had cheap plastic wheels, I'm hoping they put heavier wheels on. I am also still weary of the timed blades too. It does look like a good machine though. Thanks for the info Ric.

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Yes, I feel the same way about timed blades. I would be afraid I would accidentally scalp an area and then the blades would hit each other. But then again I have never used timed blades. The Billy Goat HomePro 34 did NOT have timed blades, but sometimes there would be a little strip of uncut grass in the middle when you turned.

I had a Cub Cadet wide area walk behind that had timed blades, I didn't keep it long enough to find out how they'd do.

BHLC said:

How about the wheels? The timemaster had cheap plastic wheels, I'm hoping they put heavier wheels on.

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And about the wheels, see this info:

Turfmaster Wheels: "COMMERCIAL-GRADE WHEELS. Tough co-polymer wheels feature precision ball bearings for long life with less downtime and lower replacement costs." Toro | TurfMaster Commercial 30" Walk-Behind Mower Landing Page


I can't find any details about the Timemaster's wheels, though.

BHLC said:

Those are some big changes. How about the wheels? The timemaster had cheap plastic wheels, I'm hoping they put heavier wheels on. I am also still weary of the timed blades too. It does look like a good machine though. Thanks for the info Ric.

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I don't see where the timed blades are a big deal. They should infact give you a better cut by far because they overlap. Removal and installation should be a breeze, all you have to do is the same thing you do with any other blade when removing and installing them although they recommend using a torque wrench to 60lbs torque. Just remember when you install them they need to be mounted perpendicular forming an Inverted T and when you're through mounting them rotate the blades and make sure they don't touch and your downtown. :thumbsup:

lawn mower fanatic said:

And about the wheels, see this info:

Turfmaster Wheels: "COMMERCIAL-GRADE WHEELS. Tough co-polymer wheels feature precision ball bearings for long life with less downtime and lower replacement costs." Toro | TurfMaster Commercial 30" Walk-Behind Mower Landing Page

I can't find any details about the Timemaster's wheels, though.

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I'm going to call the dealer down town and talk to him about the Turf-Master tomorrow, I hope he has one because I'd like to see the machine. My problem is that if he has one I know I'll bring it home.

Ric said:

My problem is that if he has one I know I'll bring it home.

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Haha yeah I would do that, too!

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the price of the turf master? ???

K-Pro-Mowing said:

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the price of the turf master? ???

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It is in the neighborhood of $1700-$1800.

K-Pro-Mowing said:

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the price of the turf master? ???

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I made some phone calls this morning to four different lawn mower shops. They all told me the same thing and that was the Turf Master lists for $1999 and so does the Exmark. Out of the four places only one had a 30" and it's the Exmark and the sales person said he could do $1799 may a little cheaper. I got the same price offer from my dealer on the Turf Master and to no surprise the reason they offered for not having it on the floor was the cost involved. They said you want I'll order it and can have it in a couple of days.

Welcome to LawnMowerForum!

I moved your thread to the Exmark forum. :smile:

Ric said:

They said you want I'll order it and can have it in a couple of days.

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So......you going to buy it?? :wink:

lawn mower fanatic said:

So......you going to buy it?? :wink:

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No I want to see it first, I told the dealer I wouldn't commit to a purchase without looking at one first. I think he will probably order one in anyway. If the weather goes as predicted I'm going to look at the Exmark tomorrow. The dealer to the North of me has one on the floor. If the the weather stays like it was today though I have to do a clean up to do in the morning for a new client I just took on today, that's two this week and I have a possibility for another. It's that time of year.

lawn mower fanatic said:

And about the wheels, see this info:

Turfmaster Wheels: "COMMERCIAL-GRADE WHEELS. Tough co-polymer wheels feature precision ball bearings for long life with less downtime and lower replacement costs." Toro | TurfMaster Commercial 30" Walk-Behind Mower Landing Page
<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12531"/>

I can't find any details about the Timemaster's wheels, though.

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Hi LMF. I need advice. My Exmark Pioneer is 11 hours old and a whole patch of paint has come off of the cutting deck. About 2" x 3". Should I contact the dealer? What should I do? Heeelp!! It looks awful and it's practically new!

Bomba said:

Hi LMF. I need advice. My Exmark Pioneer is 11 hours old and a whole patch of paint has come off of the cutting deck. About 2" x 3". Should I contact the dealer? What should I do? Heeelp!! It looks awful and it's practically new!

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Yes I would contact the dealer. They should be able to match the color and either paint it or give you some paint. Good luck and let us know what you do. :smile:

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yes I would contact the dealer. They should be able to match the color and either paint it or give you some paint. Good luck and let us know what you do. :smile:

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Thanks FANATIC. I am so ticked off about it! I know it's just a bit of paint, and that after a few more dinks and scratches the newness will wear off. But, the paint came off in one piece like a flake. After paying over $7,000 for the mower I did not expect this!

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yes I would contact the dealer. They should be able to match the color and either paint it or give you some paint. Good luck and let us know what you do. :smile:

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This is the paint that came off my new Exmark!

Bomba said:

Thanks FANATIC. I am so ticked off about it! I know it's just a bit of paint, and that after a few more dinks and scratches the newness will wear off. But, the paint came off in one piece like a flake. After paying over $7,000 for the mower I did not expect this!

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Bomba said:

View attachment 12557

This is the paint that came off my new Exmark!

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Yeah I would not expect that either after so few hours of operation! Is it a location of the deck that you bump against stuff a lot? :confused2:

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yes I would contact the dealer. They should be able to match the color and either paint it or give you some paint. Good luck and let us know what you do. :smile:

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Bomba said:

View attachment 12557

This is the paint that came off my new Exmark!

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I don't know if they will do anything about that or not, I agree they should. Do you have any paint bubbling any where else on the deck or mower?

Ric said:

I don't know if they will do anything about that or not, I agree they should. Do you have any paint bubbling any where else on the deck or mower?

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No where else is the paint bubbling or otherwise. I've had the deck in the up position for at least 6 of the 11 hours because I bought it last August and the grass stopped growing. I'm not happy.

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yeah I would not expect that either after so few hours of operation! Is it a location of the deck that you bump against stuff a lot? :confused2:

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My lot is level and very few obstacles. It's like the paint did not set right during the manufacture process. Also, this mower was outside in the elements at the dealer. I don't know how long it was sitting out there either. But, I do like my dealer. He's a nice guy and seems like he cares about his customers.

Bomba said:

My lot is level and very few obstacles. It's like the paint did not set right during the manufacture process. Also, this mower was outside in the elements at the dealer. I don't know how long it was sitting out there either. But, I do like my dealer. He's a nice guy and seems like he cares about his customers.

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Yeah, I never like it when dealers or big-box stores have their mowers in the elements! :frown:

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yeah, I never like it when dealers or big-box stores have their mowers in the elements! :frown:

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After 11 hours on my Pioneer I've noticed that my hydro oil is extremely low, at least I cannot see it. The reservoir is below where I can see. So I filled it up to the max full line. I then see it bubbling slowly (engine cold) so I figure it's gonna settle in a minute or two. Came back the next day and again there is no oil in the bottom of the little "tank". WTF??! I haven't even turned the engine on during this time! This new exmark is driving me crazy!

Bomba said:

After 11 hours on my Pioneer I've noticed that my hydro oil is extremely low, at least I cannot see it. The reservoir is below where I can see. So I filled it up to the max full line. I then see it bubbling slowly (engine cold) so I figure it's gonna settle in a minute or two. Came back the next day and again there is no oil in the bottom of the little "tank". WTF??! I haven't even turned the engine on during this time! This new exmark is driving me crazy!

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I had the CC 44" ZTR do that right after I purchased it like maybe it got passed up at the factory. I did what you did and filled the reservoir and it went back down so I filled ti back to the full mark where it said to run it and it bubbled a couple of more times and stopped and it was fine after that. It just seemed as though they didn't get it completely full at the factory.

Ric said:

I had the CC 44" ZTR do that right after I purchased it like maybe it got passed up at the factory. I did what you did and filled the reservoir and it went back down so I filled ti back to the full mark where it said to run it and it bubbled a couple of more times and stopped and it was fine after that. It just seemed as though they didn't get it completely full at the factory.

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I am so very relieved to hear that RIC! I hope that's what it is. It has me worried. I had a really hard job getting the oil filter off recently. It was on so tight I had to use a chain wrench.

Bomba said:

I am so very relieved to hear that RIC! I hope that's what it is. It has me worried. I had a really hard job getting the oil filter off recently. It was on so tight I had to use a chain wrench.

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All I can say is that worked with my CC 44". I would keep an eye on it though just to make sure it wasn't going away. Have you had it parked somewhere where you could see if there were any leaks. When I run into those oil filters that are that tight I generally use a hammer and a good size screw driver.:smile:

Here is the new video of the Exmark Commercial 30:

And here is the only video I found of a professional contractor using one of the 30" mowers. This video is of the Toro Turfmaster:

K-Pro-Mowing said:

I am wondering if anyone can tell me the price of the turf master? ???

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MSRP on the Turf Master is $1999.00 Sale Price is $1799.00 same with the Exmark 30" and yes we brought the Turfmaster Home yesterday. Price was $1800 OTD. Didn't get to use it much when I got to the house but used it on a clients lawn today. Has a sweet cut and is about twice as fast as the conventional 21". The variable speed drive is nice and can be fast enough that you can't keep up with the mower unless you're on a dead run. The wheel height adjustments are super. The Kawasaki FJ 180V motor doesn't lack for power either considering the mower weighs 167lbs I really think and I hope this doesn't offend anyone but I think it has more power than either the 190cc Honda or the Briggs engines I've been running with no problem. If you're considering buying the Toro Turfmaster or the Exmark Commercial 30" I don't believe you'll go wrong with either and either are well worth the money. :thumbsup:

Ric said:

MSRP on the Turf Master is $1999.00 Sale Price is $1799.00 same with the Exmark 30" and yes we brought the Turfmaster Home yesterday. Price was $1800 OTD. Didn't get to use it much when I got to the house but used it on a clients lawn today. Has a sweet cut and is about twice as fast as the conventional 21". The variable speed drive is nice and can be fast enough that you can't keep up with the mower unless you're on a dead run. The wheel height adjustments are super. The Kawasaki FJ 180V motor doesn't lack for power either considering the mower weighs 167lbs I really think and I hope this doesn't offend anyone but I think it has more power than either the 190cc Honda or the Briggs engines I've been running with no problem. If you're considering buying the Toro Turfmaster or the Exmark Commercial 30" I don't believe you'll go wrong with either and either are well worth the money. :thumbsup:

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Very cool I checked one out today I am really liken the way it looks :thumbsup:

K-Pro-Mowing said:

Very cool I checked one out today I am really liken the way it looks :thumbsup:

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I done three clients lawns with the Turfmaster today and it has a sweet cut, really nice. Now that you checked out the Exmark Today, do you think it's worth the money?

Ric said:

I done three clients lawns with the Turfmaster today and it has a sweet cut, really nice. Now that you checked out the Exmark Today, do you think it's worth the money?

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I also looked at the EXMARK to it was almost the same and if it is saving you time and it cuts nice for you then yes i would say its worth it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Ric said:

All I can say is that worked with my CC 44". I would keep an eye on it though just to make sure it wasn't going away. Have you had it parked somewhere where you could see if there were any leaks. When I run into those oil filters that are that tight I generally use a hammer and a good size screw driver.:smile:

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Yes Rick, it was not leaking fluid. You fixed my problem. I kept putting Hydro oil in until it reached the full line and stayed there. It's stayed there since then. Thanks again. I guess they didn't fill it up on the assembly line.

dfbrown said:

I checked out the new exmark 30inch mower today. Initial thoughts were good. motor sounds good and when the blades are engaged it sounds like its spinning real real agressive, for 170lbs feels nice, built solid, height adjustment is ideal and comes with bag, mulch plug and side discharge, throttle on the engine probably so it doesnt get hit by trees bushes etc. Price is $1,799.99 I have not seen the toro yet but i like the toro better on paper due to the way the self propelled handlebar set up is on the toro. I think the only thing I wasnt crazy about was the quality of cables looks cheep and the way the self propelled bail and bbc bail felt kinda cheep but thats about all i can complain about really. I did see that those are assembled in mexico for what its worth as the sticker indicated on it. Would like to see the toro next and I really wonder if people will buy these for 1800 instead of say honda and toro and exmark 21s that are 11-1400 bucks like why not spend a little more for the 30inch. Only thought to that is that most people dont even want to spend 1100 for a commercial 21 because they are cheep and would buy 2 garbage machines for 500 a piece and get 2 crap machines instead of 1 good one that will last for years. It should be interesting to see in a couple years if the 30inch mowers take off?

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I've been using the new Exmark Commercial 30 lawn mower in Phoenix for over a month. I thought the $1800.00 price was reasonable considering the price of a decent quality commercial 36-inch walk-behind mower is approx. $3500.00. Since we haven't had measurable rain in Phoenix for over two months and most of my bermuda lawns are dry and slow growing, I haven't had a chance to fully test the mower's capabilities. Despite this, I'm extremely inpressed with this new machine. The motor is very quiet, the blades don't bog down when mowing through thick or tall grass, and the two 15 inch blades chop everything down to very fine particles when I use the mulching plug. Although, it is a heavier machine than the average 21 inch mower and it takes a little more effort to physically turn the mower around when mowing. I have used a Ferris commercial 36 inch walk-behind mower on my larger properties for the past 15 years with much satisfaction. The new commercial 30 is just as efficient, maybe better. I like having the catcher in the rear as apposed to the side of the deck. I don't have to constantly remove the catcher to maneuver the mower through narrow gates. I've saved money by using the mulching plug, as apposed the catcher, in hauling and landfill fees. The 6HP motor also saves money by using a lot less fuel than the Ferris. Overall, and again, I'm impressed!!! The true test will be longevity. I beat the hell out of my Ferris mowers and they never gave me a single problem. Hopefully, in time, the Commercial 30 will preform as well (or better) as my Ferris.