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Hello all, I will introduce myself ... Timm From Wisconsin, age 54, and mow acre and half with close to 50 oak trees. I am going to bite the bullet soon. I have checked out John Deere, Hustler, Kubota and now Toro. It come down to either the Hustler Rapter SD 48 or the Toro TimeCutter MX50.

I checked out the Timecutter MX5060 and feel that it would be a great machine and would cover all my needs but then I seen the new 2014 Titan ZX series and its got everything on it that makes it the perfect choice and it looks like it would last forever. I was thinking the Titan ZX4800 and the salesman was telling me they sell more of the ZX5400 version for the fact that its easer to get closer to trees with the 54 vs the 48 just because it sticks out farther so you don't have to hug the tree so close with the 48in.

Any comments from the people that own the 48 inch deck? Is it hard to get close to trees/poles?

Moneywise ... the MX5060 is 3799, ZX4800 is 4699 and the ZX5400 is 4899 ... 1100 bucks difference between the MX50 and the ZX54. Are the differences in the two worth the extra money? HELP!!!

Unless you are one who just wants to get the job done as fast as possible, I would stick with the MX5060. The other units are good, but for the price, you are not getting that much more.

I have had the MX5060 for a year and I love it. It gives a great cut and is plenty fast for me and my 1 acre lot. I was attracted to it because of the Toro name, the great reviews, the Kawasaki motor, the welde / fabricated deck, and the serviceable hydro units.

Good luck in your search!

Bruce

RCCola45 said:

Hello all, I will introduce myself ... Timm From Wisconsin, age 54, and mow acre and half with close to 50 oak trees. I am going to bite the bullet soon. I have checked out John Deere, Hustler, Kubota and now Toro. It come down to either the Hustler Rapter SD 48 or the Toro TimeCutter MX50.

I checked out the Timecutter MX5060 and feel that it would be a great machine and would cover all my needs but then I seen the new 2014 Titan ZX series and its got everything on it that makes it the perfect choice and it looks like it would last forever. I was thinking the Titan ZX4800 and the salesman was telling me they sell more of the ZX5400 version for the fact that its easer to get closer to trees with the 54 vs the 48 just because it sticks out farther so you don't have to hug the tree so close with the 48in.

Any comments from the people that own the 48 inch deck? Is it hard to get close to trees/poles?

Moneywise ... the MX5060 is 3799, ZX4800 is 4699 and the ZX5400 is 4899 ... 1100 bucks difference between the MX50 and the ZX54. Are the differences in the two worth the extra money? HELP!!!

Click to expand...

The MX5060 is your best deal, but IMHO the Titan ZX is well worth the extra money. Can't speculate on the 48" vs. 54" deck in regard to cutting around trees but I would think the $200 difference would also be worth the upgrade(48" would take care of 1.5 acres fine). I looked at the Titans and was very impressed with the build & commercial grade components for that price on a high-end Residential ZTR!!!

As far as cutting close to trees, he is right it would be easier on the 54 over the 44. But it's not as hard as you think to do it. I had to buy a 42 because of the door to my shed. I can cut around anything but you have to watch so as not to hang up on the rear of the mower. It just takes practice and watching out where your going and where you are while doing it. I have three poles 2 are 4X4's and one a utility pole and they are not a problem except the 4X4 which have a large 100' hose real on them. This can hang up the operator.

RCCola45 said:

Hello all, I will introduce myself ... Timm From Wisconsin, age 54, and mow acre and half with close to 50 oak trees. I am going to bite the bullet soon. I have checked out John Deere, Hustler, Kubota and now Toro. It come down to either the Hustler Rapter SD 48 or the Toro TimeCutter MX50.

I checked out the Timecutter MX5060 and feel that it would be a great machine and would cover all my needs but then I seen the new 2014 Titan ZX series and its got everything on it that makes it the perfect choice and it looks like it would last forever. I was thinking the Titan ZX4800 and the salesman was telling me they sell more of the ZX5400 version for the fact that its easer to get closer to trees with the 54 vs the 48 just because it sticks out farther so you don't have to hug the tree so close with the 48in.

Any comments from the people that own the 48 inch deck? Is it hard to get close to trees/poles?

Moneywise ... the MX5060 is 3799, ZX4800 is 4699 and the ZX5400 is 4899 ... 1100 bucks difference between the MX50 and the ZX54. Are the differences in the two worth the extra money? HELP!!!

Click to expand...

You may have some confusion between the MX models. Your pricing almost suggests that. You may be comparing Timecutter MX's to Titan MX's. So be sure. The Titan comes with the commercial grade 3100 (instead of the 2800's) Hydrodrives, ROPS, bigger wheels/tires and larger gas tank among a few other things like commercial warranty. Then the Titan "MX's" also come with the nicer suspension seats (well worth the money alone) and an additional year/100 hours more warranty (4 year/400 hours). There seems to be about a $600 difference between at Titan ZX and its MX counterpart. The seat and warranty are about most of that difference in the two Titan lines. You can buy the seat for about $300 - $350 I think. But you'll get nothing for the old one.

But any Titan is going to be more than a Timecutter series. And in this order...

In ranking from lower grade to higher they go.... Timecutter SS then Timecutter MX (here is the confusion I think) then they go up to Titan ZX then Titan MX. So they use the ZX and MX in two lines. Could lead to confusion. Lots of differences between the Timecutter line and Titan line. Lots of big differences. The Titans also get commercial warranty coverage as well.

He is right I think. You want the 54 for the closer trim. Can you do it with the other one? Sure... but it will be better to use the 54. I just bought (a month ago) a Titan MX5400 and its a superb cutting machine. Typically this one is running around $5700 now days. Highly recommend it.

cphilip said:

You may have some confusion between the MX models. Your pricing almost suggests that. You may be comparing Timecutter MX's to Titan MX's. So be sure. The Titan is the one that comes with the commercial grade 3100 Hydrodrives and the nicer fabricated decks among a few other things. Then the Titan MX's also come with the nicer suspension seats (well worth the money alone) and an additional year/100 hours more warranty (4 year/400 hours). There seems to be about a $600 difference between at Titan ZX and its MX counterpart. The seat and warranty are about most of that difference in the two Titan lines. You can buy the seat for about $300 - $350 I think. But you'll get nothing for the old one.

But any Titan is going to be more than a Timecutter series. And in this order...

In ranking from lower grade to higher they go.... Timecutter SS then Timecutter MX (here is the confusion I think) then they go up to Titan ZX then Titan MX. So they use the ZX and MX in two lines. Could lead to confusion. Lots of differences between the Timecutter line and Titan line. Lots of big differences. The Titans also get commercial warranty coverage as well.

He is right I think. You want the 54 for the closer trim. Can you do it with the other one? Sure... but it will be better to use the 54. I just bought (a month ago) a Titan MX5400 and its a superb cutting machine. Typically this one is running around $5700 now days. Highly recommend it.

Click to expand...

Thanks for yours and everyone else's response. I understand the Timecutter coming in both the SS and MX models but the one I am getting delivered this week is the 2014 Toro Titan ZX5400 model ... $4899 plus 220 for mulch kit. I just got back from checking out the Titan ZX4800 and I am going to spend the extra 200 bucks to get the 54 inch deck. Toro has there spring sale going on so they are knocking 300 bucks off the original price.

I am hoping that the 3-5 springs that are on the seat will be good enough. If not, I see on ebay they sell the suspension seat part that attaches under the seat for 149 ... suppose to be universal so not sure about that.

Like I said, thanks to all that hooked me up with your valuable information. Timm

RCCola45 said:

Thanks for yours and everyone else's response. I understand the Timecutter coming in both the SS and MX models but the one I am getting delivered this week is the 2014 Toro Titan ZX5400 model ... $4899 plus 220 for mulch kit. I just got back from checking out the Titan ZX4800 and I am going to spend the extra 200 bucks to get the 54 inch deck. Toro has there spring sale going on so they are knocking 300 bucks off the original price.

I am hoping that the 3-5 springs that are on the seat will be good enough. If not, I see on ebay they sell the suspension seat part that attaches under the seat for 149 ... suppose to be universal so not sure about that.

Like I said, thanks to all that hooked me up with your valuable information. Timm

Click to expand...

Yep... that sounds like the right price range. You'll love the mower. I can not recommend the seat on the MX highly enough so I hope you can mimic or repeat that if you need too. Its the pro type of floating suspension (hydraulic?) seat and if you ever sit in one you'll not get up. Sit on one and see... or better yet.. DON'T sit on one... you'll be hooked. I was perfectly fine with all the seats until I sat in this one. And I was hooked. My acreage I am cutting is rough. Farm land and such. And I'm getting too old for that beating. Its a god send. Good luck with your Titan.

In Australia we have the Toro Titan MX5480 and that is an brilliant machine
In my opinion Toro took a good machine in the ZX series and made is so much nicer to use with the anti vibration seats and larger rear tyres
If anyone is interested in seeing the Australian spec machine this is the link to my site TORO TITAN RIDE ON MOWER | Best range and price and have the MX video on there also

djdicetn said:

The MX5060 is your best deal, but IMHO the Titan ZX is well worth the extra money. Can't speculate on the 48" vs. 54" deck in regard to cutting around trees but I would think the $200 difference would also be worth the upgrade(48" would take care of 1.5 acres fine). I looked at the Titans and was very impressed with the build & commercial grade components for that price on a high-end Residential ZTR!!!

Click to expand...

Well, I got the Titan ZX, this is going to take some getting used to ... that is for sure. First time on zero turn, just taking it slow and trying to make sure I get that zero turn part down. I am going to have to do some tree trimming or going to leave the ROPS down. I ended up getting the 54 inch cut.

Only thing I took out today was wife's bird feeder but I got it standing up straight before she noticed anything.

Only one bird feeder? Superb handling there RC.

You know the only complaint I have about these Titans is the type of folding ROPS they used on some of them. I see some of them with the nicer Commercial easy fold ROPS pictured and some like yours and mine with the bolts through it. And they want to charge a small fortune for their "Easy fold" pin kit after the fact. Word to the wise is that almost any Hardware or Tractor supply store has a generous cheap supply of 1/2 inch diameter pins with various latch and safety retainer wire and clips that can easily do the job. I think the two I bought were about $2 each. I wish they had just stepped up to the plate and consistently or continued using the Easy Fold ROPS on all the Titans.

I know.... petty minor thing but about my only complaint.

I would also like to see them offer a better Air filter system for the FR engine as well. I wonder if the FS engines filter will simply plug right in? It at least has a prefilter. It looks identical to the FR except it has a foam prefilter surrounding it. Anyone know?

cphilip said:

Only one bird feeder? Superb handling there RC.

You know the only complaint I have about these Titans is the type of folding ROPS they used on some of them. I see some of them with the nicer Commercial easy fold ROPS pictured and some like yours and mine with the bolts through it. And they want to charge a small fortune for their "Easy fold" pin kit after the fact. Word to the wise is that almost any Hardware or Tractor supply store has a generous cheap supply of 1/2 inch diameter pins with various latch and safety retainer wire and clips that can easily do the job. I think the two I bought were about $2 each. I wish they had just stepped up to the plate and consistently or continued using the Easy Fold ROPS on all the Titans.

I know.... petty minor thing but about my only complaint.

I would also like to see them offer a better Air filter system for the FR engine as well. I wonder if the FS engines filter will simply plug right in? It at least has a prefilter. It looks identical to the FR except it has a foam prefilter surrounding it. Anyone know?

Click to expand...

I was planning on getting some type of safety pin/bolt for that from Maynard's. Only have been on it to mow twice now. Only thing that has bothered me so far was the location of the parking brake ... if I want to leave the motor run ... then while getting off machine ... my shirt has caught the handle there and turned off the parking brake in turn ... engine dies.

Not sure about the extra air filter ... I know what your talking about ... not sure if having the two carbs instead of the one that is on the FS model would make any difference or not ... don't think it would but I don't know.

RCCola45 said:

I was planning on getting some type of safety pin/bolt for that from Maynard's. Only have been on it to mow twice now. Only thing that has bothered me so far was the location of the parking brake ... if I want to leave the motor run ... then while getting off machine ... my shirt has caught the handle there and turned off the parking brake in turn ... engine dies.

Not sure about the extra air filter ... I know what your talking about ... not sure if having the two carbs instead of the one that is on the FS model would make any difference or not ... don't think it would but I don't know.

Click to expand...

My shorts have actually caught that lever a couple times too. So I know what you mean. That and the continual forgetting to put it on or take it off. But I hope that's more of a learning curve. It could be in a better place. I liked my Hustler's system of incorporating it into the levers and automatic a little better.

I would say that air filter maintenance will be important for the life of this motor. It would be wise to attend to that often from what I am seeing. I'll ask the dealer if there is a pre-filter available. If not, I'll get online and see about quantity savings on some so I can change often. As dusty as it gets I seriously doubt one will make a season. I know that K&N makes a filter for these but I question the whole theory of those. They are only efficient once dirty.

Well, 3rd time out mowing and I think I am in love. I am finally getting the hang of this zero turn thing. In a couple more hours ... I will do the initial engine oil change, going to run the SAE30 for 50 hours then switch to synthetic grade.

I removed the mulch kit and blades and replaced them with the OEM standard blades for the 3rd time out and I like the cut much better then using the mulch blades. Dealer said I might want to leave all that installed but it was not giving me the quality of cut that I was looking for.

Not sure about the ROP system, I might end up removing that just cause of all the trees that I have that hang down and hit it although having it down part way is not bothering anything either.

Is there any other mods or things I should think about that you pro's out there are doing that might makes things last longer or make it easer for me. Timm