What is a good zero turn mower?

[Matt0285]

I am a small business owner and i hav about 15 residential lawns, but i want to expand and begin to do some commericial lawns. So i need a bigger lawn mower and i was looking at a 2004 toro time cutter 16-42Z zero-turn mower i found one for sale for $1850 and i was wondering if that was a good deal for the price anyways. There are lots of pics that show every angle of the mower and it looks like it is in very good condition. He says that is probably has less then 30 hours of use b/c it was a trade in on one of his other mowers he sold. Is this a good mower, or does it have problems? Any feedback or sugestions would be great.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[riches139]

I use Cub Cadet.
Not sure on Toro's.
Try www.Lawnsite.com

 

[Gatorboy]

If you are looking for a "good" ZTR, then you need to be looking at and above the $4000 level. If you are going to be in business cutting grass, then you will need a commercial mower. Brands to look at are Scag, Dixie Chopper, Exmark, Lesco, to name a few.

 

[JJT]

I love my Kubota ZD21. It's great on fuel, gives a great cut and it's at least 3 times faster than my old 44" rider. It's a commercial mower with a very heavy fabricated 60" deck.

 

[Matt0285]

So it that toro lawn mower a good deal? or should i look for a different brand or style?

 

[Gatorboy]

I looked up some photos of that Toro model -- it looks to me like the type Home Depot would sell. To me that means, "Stay away".

Don't take my word for it, for I have no experience with this model -- but brand new is about $2765. This is not a commerical mower. The mowers I am suggesting (in my last post) are in the $6000-7500 range.

If you want a forum that is geared toward the lawn care business -- visit The Lawn Cafe.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is this a good mower )</font>

I don't know, but I sure hope so, since I just bought a timecutter 14-38Z. I like it, but I figure I've only put about 5 or 6 hours on it (no hour meter). They are, of course, in their homeowner line instead of their commercial line.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( wondering if that was a good deal for the price anyways )</font>

According to toro.com the retail price is $3,199 so I'd say that's a good price if it's as low hours and good condition as you think. I don't know how much the dealers discount them from that retail price, but my dealer priced mine at $200 under the retail price of $2,899 shown on the web site, and he wouldn't go any lower. He did throw in free delivery to start with and told me if it needed any warranty service, free pickup and delivery would be included. And he happened to have a Dixon cover on hand that he gave me.

 

[Nasty135]

Matt, Can you speak with the one who is selling and find out why its being sold? Just to see why after 30 hrs. on it they weren't pleased with it.
I would also if in business for myself being looking for a commerical unit as mentioned above Jazee,Hustler,Gravely also come to mind...Good luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Birdhunter1]

I'm guessing that most of the lawns you are talking about are not too big. If it were me I would shy away from the Toro ZTR and look for a small commercial grade mower. My dad just bought a 52" cut ZTR marketed by bobcat, I don't remember exactly who makes it (it might be grasshopper) but it is a small commercial grade and is well suited for yards hwere there is alot to mow around or uneven/hilly areas. He paid in the neighborhood of $4000-$4500. Scag, Ex-Mark, Cub Cadet, Grasshopper, Gravely and Dixon are all good brands I would look at.

 

[GrayBeard]

I just bought a Dixon Ram 44 several weeks ago.
So far, It's been great and has a lot of features that much more expensive machines have.
It serves my needs well.
I'll probably be selling my RMF.
GrayBeard

 

[SkyPup]

Our Kubota ZD-21 with 60" deck is awesome,

 

[Bird]

I'd certainly agree with the other guys about buying a "commercial" mower, if you have enough businss and are going to use it great deal. But there's a lot of difference in paying $1,850 for that Toro and paying $4k to $10 for a really good commercial unit. And if you buy that Toro and later decide it isn't the right machine, I would think (don't know for sure) that you could sell it and recover a good percentage of what you paid for it.

We're currently living in a mobile home park with very small yards, so I figure my buying the Toro I just bought borders on insanity (and my wife was insisting that I do it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), but yesterday morning I mowed 5 lawns; took nearly an hour (including one coffee break), but it's been taking well over 2 hours with a walk behind mower to do 4, and when I finished yesterday, I wasn't even tired, like I've been with the walk behind. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[bczoom]

I agree with everyones thoughts about moving up to a commercial mower.

I would recommend also looking at Country Clipper. They've made mowers for Snapper, Dixon, Brush Hog... for about 20 years but have just started selling under their own name.

I picked this one (the Charger) over the Scag, Kubota and others due to price and several features.
Stand-up deck for easy cleaning
Pivoting front axle
Articulating deck
and (the feature I really like) is the joystick control. There's less fatigue on the arms and (for me), a natural transition from using the FEL.

 

[fishman]

I agree with Bird on this one, at least the part about there being a big difference between an $1850 mower and a $7k mower. If it is in decent shape, you could buy it and not be out too much money if your commercial venture went south. Surely any ZTR that works would be worth a good portion of that $1850. As you build clients, then look at upgrading your mower to a commercial unit. It would only take a year or two for you to decide if doing commercial stuff is feasible or not, so the unit wouldn't have to last too long.

But hey, if your finances permit it, going with the best quality tool is never a bad choice.

 

[Matt0285]

I want to expand and get some businesses. I went to my toro/john deere dealership and he said i should try to get the properties to mow before i get the mower. Is this a good idea if so how do i go about getting commericial lawns or businesses to mow for? Any info would be great.
I think you all have me convinced about going commericial, but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used? I am not the best mechanicaly, i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work.

thanks
Matt

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( try to get the properties to mow before i get the mower )</font>

I'm sure that's a good idea, but not sure how you'll go about it. If you get a property to mow and they want it mowed right away, it may not give you much time to shop for a mower.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work )</font>

Another thing I like about the Toro is that I downloaded the complete 106 page service manual free for my mower.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I think you all have me convinced about going commericial, but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used? I am not the best mechanicaly, i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work. </font>

Have you visited the Lawn Cafe yet? You will find people "in the business" there, and will probably get alot of good suggestions from them.

Buying a used mower is a good idea, especially if it has low hours. Have you considered a 48" walk-behind? They will do an excellent job and cost considerably less than a ZTR. I have a 48" Scag, and love it.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used?)</font>

Matt,
Although I don't have any commercial needs for my ZTR, many have given me advice to be cautious buying used. Reason being that many ZTR's have been commercially used and abused and have been traded. I'd look for something with low hours or somehow knowing its history. You can get a good, new commercial ZTR for $5-6K or so. Not a high-end Scag, Kubota or anything like that, but something you can use hard for at least a few years without any problems.