Toro 74243 (Z557) Value?

[RanchKing95]

Hello all,

I've been reading these forums a lot since getting an actual lawn and finally registered so I could ask a question.
I have about 3 acres to mow and had been looking at a ZTR for awhile and out of the blue a neighbor's friend was selling this 2005 Toro 74243 for $3500. Is it a good deal?

It's got 300 hours on the clock, 52" deck, runs like a sewing machine, and has a new clutch. The fellow is selling it because he's moved back into the city and has a small yard now.
Based on my username you can probably tell I was using a small MTD Ranch King from 1995. I got that mower for free to get me through the first year of country life, but now I need to think about moving up.
The gentleman selling it let me take it home and cut my grass with it and cuts fine, runs fine, and I haven't experienced any issues with it. In fact, it "cut" my mowing time from 2.5 hours to just over 1 hour. That alone makes me think it's worth it.

Pictures of the mower:

 

[clpolcar]

Its got low hours, in good condition, looks clean. Was it maintained good? Oil changed regularly? Is so I'd pull the cash out ASAP and have a new mower myself

 

[Shughes717]

The toro zmaster series mowers are excellent machines, and 300 hours is nothing to a commercial mower like that. However, it is a 10 year old machine. There are a lot of things to consider. Have you checked the drives for leaks after mowing with it? Is the engine using oil? Is there any slack in the pulley bearings, or spindle bearings? Will all of the zerks take grease? If it was properly maintained and you can answer those ?s then you will not find a new mower of that quality for anywhere near that price. A friend purchased a 2008 54" john Deere 820A with between 400 and 500 hours on it last year for $4k, and it runs great. The 820A is a comparable mower to the toro you are looking at.