Should i buy a toro?

[flyingdutch16]

Hey guys,

i have been looking at a toro. I found the time cutter Z.
Built for the Pro in You - Toro TimeCutter Z4200 Zero Turn Lawn Mowers - Riding Lawn Mower

Now my question is how many acres can it mow in 1 hour?

 

[Diamondpilot]

That class of mower is not meant for acres a hour. It is meant to mow your 1-2 acre place once a week.

A neighbor down the road bought a Cub Cadet similar to that one. The are mowing 6 acres a week. 2 axles broke, 2 new spindles this year, new transmission, numerous breaks in the cheap stamped steel deck that I have welded, a few belts. Anyway they have spent $2000 in repairs in the 3 years of owning a $3000 mower.

If you are planning on doing a lot of mowing, more than just your own yard, get a commercial unit like Ferris or Scag, even if its used.

Chris

 

[flyingdutch16]

well, all im gonna moy is 4 lawns which are mostly 1 to 2 acres.. so maybe this husqvarna is better
RZ4619 - Zero turn mowers

 

[tsteahr]

What makes you think the Husky is any different from the Toro? They are both home owner machines. I think Diamondpiolet is correct. If you are mowing 4 lawns for a total of around 6 acres on a ongoing basis (say weekly), odds are no homeowner machine is going to hold together.

 

[flyingdutch16]

okay i guess you guys are right, but keep in mind im 15 and have only so much to spend.

 

[Diamondpilot]

well, all im gonna moy is 4 lawns which are mostly 1 to 2 acres.. so maybe this husqvarna is better
RZ4619 - Zero turn mowers

Again, its a Home Owner Version. It will not hold up to 8 hours per week like you are talking. Get a commercial unit.

I love that you are 15 and getting off your AXX and doing something. The problem is these mower's will not hold up. Talk to you folks about financing a good used or even new commercial ZTR in the 60" cut range that will last you to college. Many have zero percent financing right now. It will pay for itself quickly and you will have something to sell when you are done with it. Your $2500 down payment will cover a good portion of the mower.

Trust me, my friend mows commercially and he started with a Dixon. It cost him $800 the second year for the clutch alone. He then went to commercial units and now uses a Ferris 3100. You can get a Ferris 500 with a 61" deck for around $6000. He charges $1 a minute so at $60 a hour and lets say 6 hours per week you will pay it off in no time. I have done all his maintenance for 6 years now so I know my way around these mowers. Each of his get about 10 hours per week use.

http://www.ferrisindustries.com/pages/mower.php?product_id=23

Good rule of thumb is if its sold at Lowes or Home Depot it will not hold up for anything other than a Home Owner use. The one exception to that is BADBOY mowers which sell the low end unit at TSC. It runs about $4600 but is 3 times the mower that the Toro or Husky you are looking at. Look at the features like suspension, fully welded decks not stamped, grease-able spindles, non sealed transmissions so you can change the fluid which is needed for high use like you plan, ect.


Chris

 

[flyingdutch16]

Again, its a Home Owner Version. It will not hold up to 8 hours per week like you are talking. Get a commercial unit.

I love that you are 15 and getting off your AXX and doing something. The problem is these mower's will not hold. Talk to you folks about financing a good used or even new commercial ZTR in the 60" cut range that will last you to college. It will pay for itself quickly and you will have something to sell when you are done with it. Your $2500 down payment will cover a good portion of the mower.

Trust me, my friend mows commercially and he started with a Dixon. It cost him $800 the second year for the clutch alone. He then went to commercial units and now uses a Ferris 3100. You can get a Ferris 500 with a 61" deck for around $6000. He charges $1 a minute so at $60 a hour and lets say 6 hours per week you will pay it off in no time.


Chris

Iknow youre right and all, but i cut the lawns for 35 a cut... so that might be a small problem

 

[flyingdutch16]

do you guys know a good site where they have used mowers in the philapdelphia area?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Iknow youre right and all, but i cut the lawns for 35 a cut... so that might be a small problem

You are working too cheap. That can be good and bad if you can get more business. Around here $1 a minute is the standard. With a good commercial ZTR in the 60" class 5 acres a hour can be done. My yard is 3 acres minus the house, drive, and barn and we do it in 40 minutes.

Here is the BADBOY I spoke of. Its a good starter unit.

Bad Boy 60 in. Zero-Turn Mower - 4457259 | Tractor Supply Company

I would check Craigs list and Ebay for used mowers. Also mower shops. Toro and Husky does make some good stuff but its going to be int the $6000 range. Look for brands like Scag, Ferris, Exmark, Dixi Chopper, Grass Hopper, ect.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

How would a John Deere Z445 be for starting out? It is a residential mower but I think it may be better built than many.

Its slightly better due to it having a Kawaski engine over the Briggs and the 54" deck but that is about it. $1000 of the price is the JD name. It still has the cheap junk trannys and the cheap stamped steel deck.

Chris