Brucebotti
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
- Threads
- 31
- Messages
- 297
First of all....thank you to everyone for their advice.
These are the units that I looked at:
- Ariens Zoom XL 48 @ $3899. Loved it except for the Kohler Courage
- Gravely ZT XL 48 @ $4399 ($4199 on website). It is basically the same as the Ariens, but with Kawasaki motor. Dealer will not budge on price. Not sure if Kawi is worth $500.
- Toro Mx5060 @ $3999 ($4199 on webste). Very nice unit except that the 50" deck leaves only 2-3" clearance to get my shed.
- Exmark Quest 50 @ $4299. Basically a slightly upgraded Toro MX5060. Same clearance issue as Toro.
I finally settled on the Toro MX5060. I originally was going with the Exmark, but after a lot of research, it is nearly identical with the Toro. The owner's manuals are nearly identical. I looked up tons of part #'s and they were 99% the same. I purchased the Toro for $3829 with free delivery and no sales tax. Service is not a big deal for me. I have a full shop of tools and never bring my vehicles in for anything other than warantee work. I have a backup mower, so if there is any warantee work to be done, I can wait it out. When I get a new snowblower this year, I will definitely go to a dealer. The grass you can let grow, but the snow needs to be taken care of right away.
I went with the Toro because it met my three must-have items: a Kawasaki motor; at least a Zt-2800 hydro unit; and a fabricated/welded deck. The reviews I read were primarily favorable. It will be delivered next Wednesday and I am really getting excited. It is not the greatest unit, but I feel that with proper maintenance it should be the last mower I need for my 1 acre lot (I'm now 63 years old). I was already well over budget, so I'm happy with my "high end residential - low end commercial mower".
Thanks again for your help,
Bruce
These are the units that I looked at:
- Ariens Zoom XL 48 @ $3899. Loved it except for the Kohler Courage
- Gravely ZT XL 48 @ $4399 ($4199 on website). It is basically the same as the Ariens, but with Kawasaki motor. Dealer will not budge on price. Not sure if Kawi is worth $500.
- Toro Mx5060 @ $3999 ($4199 on webste). Very nice unit except that the 50" deck leaves only 2-3" clearance to get my shed.
- Exmark Quest 50 @ $4299. Basically a slightly upgraded Toro MX5060. Same clearance issue as Toro.
I finally settled on the Toro MX5060. I originally was going with the Exmark, but after a lot of research, it is nearly identical with the Toro. The owner's manuals are nearly identical. I looked up tons of part #'s and they were 99% the same. I purchased the Toro for $3829 with free delivery and no sales tax. Service is not a big deal for me. I have a full shop of tools and never bring my vehicles in for anything other than warantee work. I have a backup mower, so if there is any warantee work to be done, I can wait it out. When I get a new snowblower this year, I will definitely go to a dealer. The grass you can let grow, but the snow needs to be taken care of right away.
I went with the Toro because it met my three must-have items: a Kawasaki motor; at least a Zt-2800 hydro unit; and a fabricated/welded deck. The reviews I read were primarily favorable. It will be delivered next Wednesday and I am really getting excited. It is not the greatest unit, but I feel that with proper maintenance it should be the last mower I need for my 1 acre lot (I'm now 63 years old). I was already well over budget, so I'm happy with my "high end residential - low end commercial mower".
Thanks again for your help,
Bruce
