New ZTR mower

[radman]

Just received a new Toro Z Master 100 zero turn radius mower. Mowed about 3 hours today. I mowed around over 400 seedlings, bushes and mature trees. Made so many turns so quickly, I could feel myself getting dizzy. Many people have said how good a ZTR mows but this is the first for me. I have mowed with push mowers and tractors with MMM and 3pt mowers, but never a ZTR. There is no comparison. A ZTR will easily out mow the others in terms of time, ease, speed, manuverabilty and probably comfort. Mine has a 52" deck and 23hp Kawasaki motor. Holds 12 gallons of fuel and can travel just under 10 mph. Takes a little time to get used to stick-type steering. Dealer says once people get used to them they can mow a full speed unless the turf is too rough. Got a great deal on price. Dealer sold it about $100 over his cost. He had to begin making payments on it soon and it is the end of the mowing season and didn't want to be stuck with it. I had been looking at a used JD 425 all wheel steer but this beats it hands down for mowing ability.
The Toro Z Master has the same frame and mechanicals as Ex-Mark but different decks. (Toro bought Ex-Mark a few years ago). I may have to fight the wife over who gets to mow!

 

[kbarrett]

Radman,

Congrats on the new ZTR. You may never go back to a non-ZTR again. I have an older (1996) EX-Mark Turf Ranger with almost 1600 hours on it, still runs like a champ. It has cut my mowing time by 2/3rds.

 

[Molerj]

[censored], I thought when I spent 12k for the CUT with the 72" mmm I would be all set. Now
you're telling me I have to cough up another 8-10 grand for a ZTR! That is the exact
reason I have been declining the opportunity to try one, I know if I did I would have to
have one.

 

[radman]

ZTR's are relatively expensive. I had considered buying a used JD 425 with all wheel steer for $5500. Instead went with a new Toro for just slightly more. List for the Toro was $8800. I also considered a 72 or 84" 3pt mower for my Kub 3710 but instead went this route. I was afraid a 3710 may be too harsh on my yard and would have taken longer to mow. The Toro is commercial quality and will out last me. Toro does also make a homeowner model called the Timecutter which comes in 48 and 52" sizes for under $5000.

 

[Rick572]

I agree with everything that has been said. I just purchased a Dixie Chopper ZTR because my other mower finally bit the dust. I had been looking for a commercial grade ZTR and found somewhat of a deal on a Dixie. I was spending about 10 hours mowing about 6 acres using a craftsman and a 8n w/shredder. With the Dixie I can do the whole thing in about three hours and I'm still learning to operate it. And the quality of the cut is much better. Its also fun to mow.

Rick

 

[kbarrett]

If you get an opportunity to frequent any auctions, you might have the good fortune of picking up a Commerical ZTR. That is how mine was obtained. About $2100 out the door!

With 22HP and a 60" out front deck that I can alter the angle of attack with, there really isn't much I can't mow down. However, the blades need to be sharpened frequently.

I did have to replace the tires, but I find that working on Exmark is pretty easy and straightforward.

 

[radman]

Excellent price on your ZTR. When you say you can "alter the angle of attack", do you raise the front edge of the mower? My current Toro Z Master is the commercial line and same as Ex Mark chassis except different deck. Dealer thought Ex Mark still has a heavier and maybe better deck. He said when Toro bought Ex Mark, one of the stipulations was the Toro name couldn't use Ex Marks deck or bagging system. He said the Toro deck is good but the bagging system is suboptimal.

 

[rmorgan]

I've been thinking hard about either the new Toro Timecutter "prosumer"model or the Hustler Fastrak. Seems they're uniformly $3k less than the commercial models, and at least on the Fastrak, primary difference is the predicted longevity of the hydro heads (I know, that's no small matter). Also, what experience do folks have on hills with ZTRs, either commercial or, even better, Fastrak/Timecutter?

 

[hwp]

I don't have any experience with a ZTR but I have found that the centre of gravity on my F2400 is low enough that it will will slide rather than roll on steep side hills. What really gets scary is having a wheel on the low side drop into a hole while on a sidehill. I use 4wd more on sidehills than anywhere else. My machine came with a cab which I take off in the summer so I decided to put a ROPS on it but even so, the pucker factor kicks in.

 

[radman]

I don't have any significant hills on my yard, but I have heard people say ZTR's can have difficultly holding on a slope. They will slide sideways. The center of gravitiy is low and I beleive it would be difficult to tip one. Some people do put fluid in the rear tires to help hold better on slopes. Toro does make a ROPS if needed. I was planning originally getting a Toro Timecutter but then found a Z100 for not much more.

 

[kbarrett]

The Turf Ranger has an "out front" deck with an electric lift. This feature is primarily designed for "hopping" curbs in suburbia. However, it does allow you to cut into the really, really tall stuff in several swipes (each successive swipe the angle is lowered etc. etc.).

The Turf Ranger is still being manufactured by Exmark, but it is an older ZTR design (two drive wheels with a rear steerer). It is popular with some because it does allow you to get under trees and bushes fairly well. However, at 6.3MPH it is quite a bit slower than the new Laser line (similar to yours) but fast enough for me.

 

[Nuru]

molerj, same here, I have developed different techniques to speed up my CUT, and now I got it down to an art where my 4100 hydro, can cut more lawn in the same time as mt GT225. I added about 3000 more feet of lawn and then upgraded to a 4100. Same set of obstacles and additioally one big rock. initially it took me longer but as I got more familiar with the 4100, I was able to get bettr at it. But I know for lawn cutting with obstacles (trees, mulch and flower beds, rocks, ...etc), the ZTR is better.