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My cub cadet cuts way better than the deere I had before. And I would avoid JD just because of their policy of locking customers out of their own machines (which may not apply to small mowers, but still.).
Considering purchasing a Toro Zero Turn
- Thread starter Donald
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My cub cadet cuts way better than the deere I had before. And I would avoid JD just because of their policy of locking customers out of their own machines (which may not apply to small mowers, but still.).
Agree on the right-to-repair / lockout issue but then I wouldn't be able to buy any car on the market either.
As far as cut goes, Deere is as good as the best (who ever that is) but all the cut issues I've see have been lack of maintenance, improper setup, damage / rust or just plain "too-cheap-for-the-job" equipment.
Same here!
On the Chickanic channel she mentioned that kohler was bought out and is now "Rehlko ".
The only advice I can give is to look the unit over for quality. Pay attention to the thickness of the metal on the decks and such as well as the welds. The HD and Lowes models are thin and cheap. I purchased a BAD BOY zero turn (54") in 2018 and it has been perfect in everyway and handles abuse well. I only have done oil, filter and spark plugs yearly and did the belts once so far so I am happy. I mow 5 acres with it and run Mobil 1 5w30 in the Kohler motor. Give them a look!
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We had an F-910 (?) and it was terrible design from day one. If the grass was short it was fine, but the second you got into "does this need a cut" territory it would clump up when shooting out the side. Wet grass, forget it.
That was "back in the day". More recently I had a 300 series with a water cooled kawasaki and it wasn't better than my cub cadet, the deck certainly weighed less though admittedly it was easier to take off with the quick disconnect.
Some of the massey's have a really good design too, they drag the back of the deck on rollers (supported by chains) so it's hugging the terrain rather than moving up and down from your mower.
I never see any pro guys using deere where I live. Random farmers, yes, along with their tractors and combines etc so it makes sense there.
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Yep, shuffled around the letters a bit. I think they make pretty good large scale generators and okay small engines, just not as good as B&S or Kawasaki IMO.
I have this exact zero turn mower with the Kawasaki FR691V engine. I’ve had it new since 2023 and have had zero issues. I was able to use my veteran discount at Lowe’s where I bought it and saved taxes and then some. I’ve been very happy with this mower.
Edit: unless it has been redesigned in the last three years, the oil drain plug is pretty inconvenient on this mower. I got on Amazon and ordered the rubber hose attachment that lets me drain straight into a fill pan that I put underneath the mower.
I have a 13 year old Ariens zoom 34. For all intents and purposes it has been a good mower. I’m only a homeowner but have had regular stints taking care of other’s lawns where I didn’t know about roots and snags. The deck can’t take many snags before it’s ruined, so it’s on its 4th deck. Aside from that, it’s been terrific. I really like the smaller size because it stores well and it’s easy to ramp up into the bed of the pickup. When it wears out I’m not sure what I’ll do.
It gives a decent cut, is easy of gas, but can’t cut dandelions worth a flip. Those and clover take 2-3 passes based on how they lay down under the deck.
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Hot Take - "Fab Decks" are worse than formed decks. What is the weakest part of a welded assembly? The welds heat affected zone.
I think fab decks have taken off becuase of the low capital cost to produce them vs. Formed deck. When in reality the Formed deck is stronger. The fab decks look beefy and are cheap to produce.
I assume a Formed deck gives a better cut and discharge becuase of the complex profile and no hard corners.
TLDR - I wouldn't seek out a fab deck.
I think fab decks have taken off becuase of the low capital cost to produce them vs. Formed deck. When in reality the Formed deck is stronger. The fab decks look beefy and are cheap to produce.
I assume a Formed deck gives a better cut and discharge becuase of the complex profile and no hard corners.
TLDR - I wouldn't seek out a fab deck.
I would look at how much you are cutting at a time. I have a timecutter 50 inch from 2013. I would not want to cut more than an acre and a 1/2 at a time with it. The hydros in mine are not serviceable i don't know about the new ones. If you are cutting 2 acres plus i would seriously consider a model with hydros that you can change the fluid in. Entry level commercial. The most expensive part of these machines to replace are the hydrostatic drives.
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Is the Toro Titan the entry level commercial?
IDK about the fab decks on box store mowers but there is no commercial ZTR that has a stamped deck and the fab decks don't have corners on the inside, they have baffles to lift the grass and direct the cuttings to the chute.
I have a 2000 model Wright Stander 36" with a fab deck, not a dent or rust hole in it. Show me a 26 year old stamped deck that is steel and I'll show you rust holes.
I’m not sure how much grass you are cutting but if it’s only an acre or two and not too rough a big box mower is probably fine. Any more than that and I’d go with a commercial mower, à la Ferris or Exmark.
I have a 2018 Ferris walk behind that I love. Tough, EFI, 28 horsepower and heavy. I’ve changed the oil in it and sharpened blades, that’s it. It holds 5 quarts of oil too.
I have a 2018 Ferris walk behind that I love. Tough, EFI, 28 horsepower and heavy. I’ve changed the oil in it and sharpened blades, that’s it. It holds 5 quarts of oil too.
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John Deere Commercial decks are stamped.
https://www.deere.com/en/landscaping-grounds-care/7-iron-mower/
Comparing my JD Z530R with my father’s Toro Titan MyRide, they are both good mowers in about the same price range. It would be tough call. I think the JD handles slopes better and gets better traction (maybe due to slightly larger rear wheels, but less aggressive tread). The Toro rides better, but the JD doesn’t ride badly. Since I am fortunate to not have back issues, my vote is for the JD for improved slope handling and traction.
Didn't know that, maybe that is why I've never seen a deere mower on a commercial lawn trailer.
I actually saw a 36 (?) year old stamped deck yesterday and it looked great!
In truth, any deck will last if you take care of it but a well formed deck will minimize grass build up and turbulence (and noise). Nothing comes for free but manufacturing technology is always improving. A better deck CAN be made but you need to make a profit, right?
So pretty easy to determine stamped vs fabricated desks when looking at both types.
Most of the Toro models seem to have an oval opening (in the frame) over top of what looks like a fill plug for hydrostatic drive on each side so that would indicate a serviceable hydrostatic drive?
The Toro MyRide models are pretty comfy!
Most of the Toro models seem to have an oval opening (in the frame) over top of what looks like a fill plug for hydrostatic drive on each side so that would indicate a serviceable hydrostatic drive?
The Toro MyRide models are pretty comfy!
