Toro Timeaster vs. World Lawn Walk Behind vs HD Tractor

[Rugby1]

My property is just under 2 acres with 3/4 to cut and using a lawn service. I would like to do myself now and in the market for new equipment. My yard has some slopes and other areas that are relatively flat. Budgeting in the $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 range.

This seems to be common question for readers. The Toro seems pricey ($974.00) for what looks like an oversized mower. It will do the job though...World lawn I know is Chinese, but commercial grade and heavy with a fabricated deck. A tractor may have some stability issues, may need to trim slopes and not sure of mulching and maneuverability of tractor. I will be able to haul things with it and it seems to be the most 'bang for the buck". I already have a snow blower.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

 

[Rivets]

World lawn? Do you have a servicing dealer in your area? If not, definitely stay away. Unless you plan on using the tractor for many other things, I would recommend the Toro TimeMaster. Cast aluminum deck, quality Briggs engine, proven drive system, you can bag, Side discharge or mulch. Personnal Pace, means it will adjust to anyone's foot speed.

 

[Ric]

Go with what Rivets is telling you, go with the Timemaster, it's the best out of the three IMO. I run the Turfmaster I guess it's the timemasters big brother and it's a great mower.

 

[Rugby1]

World lawn? Do you have a servicing dealer in your area? If not, definitely stay away. Unless you plan on using the tractor for many other things, I would recommend the Toro TimeMaster. Cast aluminum deck, quality Briggs engine, proven drive system, you can bag, Side discharge or mulch. Personnal Pace, means it will adjust to anyone's foot speed.

Yes. I have a servicing dealer for World Lawn a few miles away. I just look at the Toro 30' and think it should cost like $600-$700 instead of 1K. A HD JD tractor or Cub Cadet or even the World Lawn seems like more 'bank for your buck' and 42" to 33" of deck respectively. Not that I am valuing these in pure machine weight.....Do you think the TimeMaster is priced fairly? Seems this niche 30" twin blade WBs is ripe for some competition. Sell it at $699 and I wouldn't have started the thread

 

[Ric]

If you think the Timemaster is over priced, a HD JD tractor or Cub Cadet your cost on one of those is going to $1800 to $2000. I don't believe myself that the Timemaster is over priced, if it's anything like the Turfmaster it would be well worth the money. You said your budget is $1000 to $1500, I purchased my Turfmaster for $1682 just something you may want to think about.

 

[Briana]

Welcome to LawnWorld!

I moved your thread to the Mower Buying & Pricing forum. :smile:

 

[countrydoctor]

I bought the Timemaster 30" Toro a few weeks ago. The first one I bought had problems with the blade drive not turning off and a clatter in the drive mechanism particularly under load. Returned it and got a replacement--no problems this time and mows beautifully my 1 acre lawn-- hills and plenty of angles, obstructions and odd shapes. what was described initially in this thread definitely is not normal, but the manual warns of the problem.

On the Buying guide side:
this mower gives very professional appearance to lawn.. Unlike any 22" (Had upper level Toros in the past. Even with side shoot open, the cuttings are smaller and the powerful blow spreads them so I don't have rake or bag even in damp conditions. Like any mower wet grass clumps under deck. Very happy with the cut.

Speed: VERY fast. full out cutting. it takes a trot to keep up, so I walk fast now. it used to take at least an hour and half to cut a dry lawn. Now only 3/4 of an hour due to larger swath AND the increased speed. Speed control is very responsive and allows leisurely pace if I wish. Damn near does a wheeley if I punch it. I like the rear wheel drive. Well balanced to avoid rocks and suddenly discovered obstructions.

Only issue so far is the mower engagement really strains the engine as it kicks in. Once up to speed (quite loud high speed ) it does not bog down or slow down on hills or thick grass (I don't have Zoysa or similar) Some say it must be underpowered, but doesn't show signs of it.

If things change over time I will report. as of now, well worth the extra $ Reliability has yet to be established.