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Need Advice on A Mower Purchase

#1

BillH2

BillH2

I find myself with newly acquired 1.5 Acres of lawn to mow and I need the appropriate mower. The lawn is flat and fairly open, (3 trees). I have decided on a zero turn model with the idea of using it around the house also. Here is what I have looked at so far:

A Hustler Fastrak 60"

A John Deere Z445 48"

Going to look at Toro today, I am leaning towards the John Deere but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Bill


#2

davbell22602

davbell22602

What buying a Bad Boy mower from dealer or Tractor Supply?


#3

BillH2

BillH2

What buying a Bad Boy mower from dealer or Tractor Supply?

There is limited dealer availability in this area, no Tractor Supply stores in Washington State.


#4

exotion

exotion

There is limited dealer availability in this area, no Tractor Supply stores in Washington State.

Welcome to my hell lol


#5

R

Rivets

I would recommend a Toro Timecutter, if you are looking at something to ride on.


#6

BillH2

BillH2

It looks like the Toro MX5060 is going to be the choice.
Thanks
Bill


#7

B

Brucebotti

It looks like the Toro MX5060 is going to be the choice.
Thanks
Bill

Bill,
I bought this exact mower last Spring and I absolutely love it. I think its a great residential mower with quite a few professional features like the welded deck, Kawasaki motor, and serviceable hydro units. If you search "mx5060" you can see my review / comments on it.
Take care,
Bruce


#8

clpolcar

clpolcar

I was going to buy the toro titan but got a better deal on a ferris. Loved the titan tho. But between your 2 choices I would go with the hustler because it built better and has a welded deck.


#9

R

redfish9

Its all about how close the parts are for repairs,and believe me there will be repairs!


#10

BillH2

BillH2

I was going to buy the toro titan but got a better deal on a ferris. Loved the titan tho. But between your 2 choices I would go with the hustler because it built better and has a welded deck.

I was told by the Toro salesman that the MX5060 also had a welded deck. Not having a welded deck would be a deal breaker.


#11

BillH2

BillH2

I pulled the trigger on the Toro. Delivered yesterday, made my first test run last night. (Cold and almost dark, but I just had to test it).
First time with a 0-turn, definitely a learning curve.


#12

clpolcar

clpolcar

I was going to get that one. Hope you enjoy. I just to bought my first zero turn too. All new learning experience. Good luck


#13

B

Brucebotti

I pulled the trigger on the Toro. Delivered yesterday, made my first test run last night. (Cold and almost dark, but I just had to test it).
First time with a 0-turn, definitely a learning curve.

Which Toro did you end up going with? It is indeed a learning experience. Thank God for the dual speed range. It saved me from a lot of collateral damage during the learning process.....:laughing:
Bruce


#14

BillH2

BillH2

Which Toro did you end up going with? It is indeed a learning experience. Thank God for the dual speed range. It saved me from a lot of collateral damage during the learning process.....:laughing:
Bruce

I ended up with the MX5060. The only reason I actually mowed with it is the approximately 1 acre part of the lawn is absolutely flat with (I thought) nothing to hit. I was about half way through when I came up to an irrigation riser that had the cover off of it. I managed to avoid it but I can tell you, compared to the Craftsman mowers that we used for the last 40 years, the Toro is a whole lot faster. What used to take about one hour with the Craftsman now takes about 35 minutes.


#15

exotion

exotion

I ended up with the MX5060. The only reason I actually mowed with it is the approximately 1 acre part of the lawn is absolutely flat with (I thought) nothing to hit. I was about half way through when I came up to an irrigation riser that had the cover off of it. I managed to avoid it but I can tell you, compared to the Craftsman mowers that we used for the last 40 years, the Toro is a whole lot faster. What used to take about one hour with the Craftsman now takes about 35 minutes.

It'll only get faster with practice :)


#16

Mike88se

Mike88se

Which Toro did you end up going with? It is indeed a learning experience. Thank God for the dual speed range. It saved me from a lot of collateral damage during the learning process.....:laughing:
Bruce
lol.. I can relate. I test drove a Gravely z34 and ran into a car :ashamed:


#17

B

Brucebotti

I ended up with the MX5060. The only reason I actually mowed with it is the approximately 1 acre part of the lawn is absolutely flat with (I thought) nothing to hit. I was about half way through when I came up to an irrigation riser that had the cover off of it. I managed to avoid it but I can tell you, compared to the Craftsman mowers that we used for the last 40 years, the Toro is a whole lot faster. What used to take about one hour with the Craftsman now takes about 35 minutes.

I also have had Sears and then Craftsman for the past nearly forty years. Even in low range, the MX5060 seemed too fast. Now after 30 hours, I am much better and use it in high range exclusively. My lawn is similar in size and now it is so quick to mow. The big difference is instead of dreading to mow the lawn, I actually look forward to it:smile:

Best of luck with it and keep us posted!
Bruce


#18

BillH2

BillH2

So, after doing some price checking and finding that all of the local Toro dealers were selling this mower at the same price, I committed to the purchase. Mower delivered, 1st test mowing done etc. This would usually have been the end of my research but for "one more thing;" I was wondering how much this unit weighed as the weight wasn't listed in the Toro propaganda book I had been given. While browsing around various sites the next day, I came across a Toro ad that said the mower was on sale at $3799, not the $3999 I had paid about 18 hours previous! I called the dealer and related the $200 difference in price, he said he was unaware of this, and $3999 was the correct price. I said I was looking at a web page from the Toro site that said otherwise. His reply was "I don't care about any Internet stuff" This could have deteriorated into a very bad discussion as there were a number of things on the tip of my tongue, wanting my refund with as little drama as possible, I kept my cool, (my wife was astounded). I wasn't about to take no for an answer, he said to send him the ad. I was going to print out the page and hand deliver it to him but apparently his son, (who is computer literate) found it. He called me back and refunded the difference. He blamed it on Toro corporate reps not keeping him updated.

I guess that the only thing that matters is I got the difference refunded. I just have to wonder how many other people paid an extra $200 for their mowers. (I know of at least one).


#19

W

woc710

Stay away from JD.I purchased the z655 ,suppose to be rated the number 1 zero turn but I found out that money buys ratings.Quality is horrible so is support from the company rep.The only thing that I can do is to put the word out


#20

BillH2

BillH2

Stay away from JD.I purchased the z655 ,suppose to be rated the number 1 zero turn but I found out that money buys ratings.Quality is horrible so is support from the company rep.The only thing that I can do is to put the word out

Got a quote from the local JD dealer. In the end I went with the Toro. After three sessions I find that I am getting used to the speed. Mowing lawn at 7 MPH sounds like no big deal, until you actually get on one. This morning my nephew was mowing their side with a Craftsman, approx. the same cutting width but not a 0 turn. Their part of the lawn is same length but 40 feet narrower than mine. He started mowing about a half hour before I started, I was finished well before he was, took me 40 minutes.


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