any toro groundsmaster fans on here?

[MultiMow]

Thanks, yep, very happy with the way they work and the power of the diesel engine. Only using one for mowing now, the first one has the loader on it, so that leaves two parts machines

Several years ago I read about the 88" Triflex rear discharge deck, it has two fold up wings. It was made from 1988 to 1994. I finally found one last October and put it on the 4WD unit.
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I never bothered to ask you, how you like that deck (88" batwing).

I finally replaced the PTO drive belt on my 325... a WORLD of difference. Even with the Recycler mulching deck, I recently mowed a 5 acre plot that was horribly overgrown with broom sage.

Speaking of the Recycler... do you know where I can find a new set of baffles? Mine are worn so thin, even thick grass will bend them into the blade path... and I'm tired of sharpening/wasting blades at $70 per set.

 

[MultiMow]

i hope to build a project out of a bigger toro soon,i def.want 4x4 maybe 5000 series .but old enough to cut and build.probably won't even need the mower decks . Would be fun to have a big bat wing mower

I have a Toro 455D that would be a great donor for the project. The deck is shot, but everything else works fine (aside from the brakes, which I never use because of the hydro trans).

The engine runs like a top. I don't know if it was replaced before I bough it, or what... but it fires up on first turn and has never smoked, not even at startup.

I'm assuming you're familiar with the unit, but here's some specs:

-55hp Peugeot 4cyl
-4wd
-126" trifold deck
-Electric PTO clutch (not sure on locking torque, but I've never heard one slip)
-two speed HST (I think the speeds are 8 and 14mph)

This thing runs quieter than my 325.

I bought it to fix up and attach a flail mower, but I don't have the time. I've decided to purchase a Grasshopper 930 with a a flail mower instead.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[MultiMow]

For you ground master guys , what speed does that front pto turn , I have a line for a blower off one and wanted to put on my 3 point hitch . Matt

PTO speed is 1800rpm on standard 325D models... but some models came with a "high blade tip speed" option, which changed the PTO pulley sizes. These ran a bit higher (not sure exactly what speed, though).

Your best bet is to visit Harbor Freight or some other discount tool warehouse. Buy yourself an "optical tachometer", also known as a "visual tachometer", "light tachometer" or "belt speed tachometer".

If you've ever noticed, nearly all belts have a section painted white. It's a timing mark that is read by these handheld tachometers. You can check shaft speeds with the same device, by painting a broad white mark on the shaft.

I bought mine at Harbor Freight for around $30, and it comes in handy a LOT.

 

[MultiMow]

A few years ago we considered a 455D, looks like a real good machine.

I am sure it is very heavy for its size, that helps to get it stuck. Also turf tires don't do well in mud.

Pictures are welcome and encouraged.

You're right.

My 455 is about 1500 to 1800lbs heavier than the 325D.

Used the same car hauler trailer to get them both.... and let me tell ya, there is a WORLD of difference. As I was inspecting the 455, a guy was trying to sell me his 580D. Given the 580 is another ton heavier (6,000lbs +), I'm glad I didn't get it.

 

[MultiMow]

Wow, the beast from the east!

I sure like the front deck design, there are a lot of companies making them. I wonder who was the first?

I have seen some Groundsmaster 72 models for sale, from the early 1970's

I'm fairly certain the first commercial front deck was a Bolens or US (can't remember if it was US Tractor or US Mower).

I've also seen a couple Brown brand front mowers, but they were articulated.

Snapper had a couple old models, which I don't know if they were commercial or consumer... either way, they didn't last long.

Howard Price has also been around for while.

I believe John Deere was the first to mass market consumer grade front mowers. Their F series 2wd mowers have been around since the 70s... but the early ones weren't called the "F-series" (different nomenclature, same product).

Can't forget the Iseki, Hustler, Olathe Toro (Hesston), Ventrac, Ford and New Holland CM and MC series.

One of my personal favorites is a hard find. The Kubota FZ 2400. It was (to my knowledge) the only true 4wd Zero Turn ever made. The rear axle was very narrow, and hydraulically driven. It sat beneath a rear turntable built into an unusually long chassis, which featured midship engine and mechanicals, and a Z'd rear section that curves over top of the rear axle.

I wanted one desperately, as I have some steep slopes, and the FZ had the lowest CG of any 4wd front mower. They didn't sell well. The design doesn't allow for a lot of airflow... so they were plagued with hydraulic/cooling issues in the commercial market (12hr summer day mowing sessions aren't easy). Another issue was the tailswing of the unit in a zero turn maneuver. It was hard to justify the tighter turn radius, when operators were slamming the tail into every tree or fence corner.

Sorry. Enough of my non-Toro post

 

[Xfaxman]

I never bothered to ask you, how you like that deck (88" batwing).

I liked it, it was about all the 325D could handle power wise. The 328D would handle it easily.

This is what I did with it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...master-fans-here-post4121322.html#post4121322

Speaking of the Recycler... do you know where I can find a new set of baffles? ------------------------

Are they shown by part number in the parts list?

 

[Xfaxman]

-------------------------------


I sure like the front deck design, there are a lot of companies making them. I wonder who was the first?


I have seen some Groundsmaster 72 models for sale, from the early 1970's

I'm fairly certain the first commercial front deck was a Bolens or US (can't remember if it was US Tractor or US Mower).

I've also seen a couple Brown brand front mowers, but they were articulated.

Snapper had a couple old models, which I don't know if they were commercial or consumer... either way, they didn't last long.

Howard Price has also been around for while.

I believe John Deere was the first to mass market consumer grade front mowers. Their F series 2wd mowers have been around since the 70s... but the early ones weren't called the "F-series" (different nomenclature, same product).

Can't forget the Iseki, Hustler, Olathe Toro (Hesston), Ventrac, Ford and New Holland CM and MC series.

-----------------------

This is what I found for TORO:

From 1919 an out front fairway mower.

From 1940, the 76" Professional.

 

[Creamer]

Grasshopper started in 1969 with a front deck but I think Yazoo was ahead of them - this shows them around 1945. Yazoo Master Mower / YR Commercial Rider – History | Musschoot.com

 

[jrsavoie]

If nobody else is interested in this mower I am.

I am putting in 16 acres of pollinator and trees that I need to mow a few times a year.

I have a Toro 455D that would be a great donor for the project. The deck is shot, but everything else works fine (aside from the brakes, which I never use because of the hydro trans).

The engine runs like a top. I don't know if it was replaced before I bough it, or what... but it fires up on first turn and has never smoked, not even at startup.

I'm assuming you're familiar with the unit, but here's some specs:

-55hp Peugeot 4cyl
-4wd
-126" trifold deck
-Electric PTO clutch (not sure on locking torque, but I've never heard one slip)
-two speed HST (I think the speeds are 8 and 14mph)

This thing runs quieter than my 325.

I bought it to fix up and attach a flail mower, but I don't have the time. I've decided to purchase a Grasshopper 930 with a a flail mower instead.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[MultiMow]

If nobody else is interested in this mower I am.

I am putting in 16 acres of pollinator and trees that I need to mow a few times a year.

I have $3400 invested. Servicable units of similar hours usually go for around $7-8k.

$2900 and it's yours.