Considering a Toro ZTR. They seem to have a few different grades. Frome the basic up to the Titan. Probably going with a 50" for just under $4000.
Opinions?
Opinions?
Considering purchasing a Toro Zero Turn
- Thread starter Donald
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Men can be be very opinionated and biased on brands. I think Toro owns Exmark which use to own the commercial market, maybe still does.
When I'm zero turn shopping the one feature I look for is a model with serviceable hst's with filters... My 2014 JD Z255 has non serviceable (without a huge amount of effort) Hydrostat EZT's. I still have less than 200 hours on it and haven't had any issues with them, but is something I'd look for if shopping for a new mower. I have heard the newer EZT's are serviceable, but don't know for sure. My mower has a briggs and has been fine, but kawasaki would be my preferred option if shopping new.
Does the Toro have a fabricated deck? Overall I'm sure it'd be just fine for residential use. I have over 2 acres now and still put less than 50hrs a year on my 48in mower, but I don't have leaves to mulch in the winter so really just use it during growing season.
Does the Toro have a fabricated deck? Overall I'm sure it'd be just fine for residential use. I have over 2 acres now and still put less than 50hrs a year on my 48in mower, but I don't have leaves to mulch in the winter so really just use it during growing season.
I don't have any experience with the specific product, but I do have some recent Toro service experience. From that, I will say - strongly consider the reputation and repair capabilities of the dealer you buy from. The ability and willingness of your dealer to get things fixed in a timely manner are the only thing standing between you and a broken mower. The Toro mothership can't/won't help.
10 years ago, I went through this rabbit hole.
My ultimate decision was to go with one where the servicing dealer was most accessible just in case. I got a good one and didn't need to utilize them for service at all.
My ultimate decision was to go with one where the servicing dealer was most accessible just in case. I got a good one and didn't need to utilize them for service at all.
I just remember them using some offshore re-branded engine several years ago when I looked at a local store. Not certain if they do that to all of them? Biggest thing I look for is how reliable are parts. That's where companies like John Deere are hugely successful with market share. Will parts be available in 10 years? You may not need it for that long but that's what drives my decisions. A local repair location can be a good backup. You getting one with suspension?
Send you a PM if you're interested.
It would be worth your time to check out the ZT offerings from Ariens with the Kawasaki engines if the dealer service network is available in your area.
52" Ariens IKON Zero Turn
52" Ariens IKON Zero Turn
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I keep seeing the Bad Boy brand show up more often. I always liked the ventrac mowers but don't know if the offer zero turn.
I'm so happy that I settled on Ferris back in 2014 when I bought mine. The suspension being on shocks and the suspended seat really help my back out...but those will be twice the price you're talking about today.
If there is a dealer around you that carries serval brands they may bring you some to try. I was lucky enough to have a local dealer who brought me three different manufacturer mowers to try out on my property.
If there is a dealer around you that carries serval brands they may bring you some to try. I was lucky enough to have a local dealer who brought me three different manufacturer mowers to try out on my property.
I recently picked up a Toro Timecutter 50”, only 60 hours, nearly new. Fabbed deck, MyRide suspension seat, ZT-2800 serviceable transmissions. Paid $3500 so basically top dollar, but condition is everything.
I have 1.5 acres so I wanted the MyRide suspension platform. I would have preferred a Kawasaki engine, the “Toro “Commercial” engine is just a Loncin but its decent.
Very happy with my purchase.
I have 1.5 acres so I wanted the MyRide suspension platform. I would have preferred a Kawasaki engine, the “Toro “Commercial” engine is just a Loncin but its decent.
Very happy with my purchase.
I've had a Cub Cadet RZT50 for 12 years with only 1 minor non-maintenance issue. But every time I go to Lowes I linger out front where they have the Ariens zero turns. They look very well put together for the price.
Bad Boy sells factory-direct to dealers. Cutting out the middleman / distributor likely saves them (and potentially the consumer) a few bucks. I think they make a good product
I thought about getting a zero turn, but decided to cut down a bunch of trees in the yard instead to make a regular riding mower work better. Making the yard less hospitable to ticks was another reason though.
I've sold & serviced Toro and they are good machine for the money ... BUT I've found parts prices are often high compared to Deere. Personally I would consider Deere but in your area Toro might make more sense based on the dealers.
Another reason I would consider Deere (again based on what the dealers are like in your area) is that the mower decks are probably the best in the business. "Fab decks" are great but I don't think anyone can do a properly formed deck like Deere does for the money. A chainsaw is only as good as the bar & chain, cars - wheels / tires / suspension and a mower is only as good as the deck.
Having said that, don't neglect your deck! Keep it clean & dry, lube the bearings, etc.
Having said that, don't neglect your deck! Keep it clean & dry, lube the bearings, etc.
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- Dec 20, 2022
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Most of the zero turns that you’d probably look at will have nearly the same hydros and engine. I think the only one who uses different hydros may be Spartan. Hustler/Spartan/Bad Boy have fabricated decks that will last a lot longer than the rest.
I’m not a fan of Rehlko engines but I do like Kawasaki/Briggs. I would definitely shy away from Toros with their Toro branded engine. I don’t think parts will be available long term.
If you’re willing to go used, finding a higher end entry level commercial with heavier duty hydros, deck, and spindles will be worth your while.
I’m not a fan of Rehlko engines but I do like Kawasaki/Briggs. I would definitely shy away from Toros with their Toro branded engine. I don’t think parts will be available long term.
If you’re willing to go used, finding a higher end entry level commercial with heavier duty hydros, deck, and spindles will be worth your while.
For that price, that sounds like a consumer-grade model from a big-box store. Yeah ? If it is, I'd suggest going to an actual Toro dealer, one that also services them, as they tend to sell 'better' grades that the big-box stores don't have access to. Will likely cost more though.
Toro Titan is a step up, very similar to lower end Exmark and the Spartan line up. Spartan and Bad Boy were the same company before Toro acquired Spartan. They're all good, for value hard to beat the Toro titan with my ride and the Kawasaki engine.
The ones I saw at Lowe’s the other day were impressive for the money. Kawi engines, heavy, farbricated decks, large seats. They did have hydrogear integrated units, but they were like $4500 for a 52”. If you want professional, independent wheel motors, you’re going to pay a lot more than that.
