Cub Cadet or Toro

[brbry]

I'm looking at zero turn mowers under $3,000 so that eliminates all the better commercial mowers. I'm trying to decide between the Cub Cadet RZT50or the Toro Timecutter SS5000. I'd appreciate any input you may have. I can get either one for $2700. I've been reading about transmission problems on the Cub Cadet but haven't found anything on the Toro. They may have the same transmission, I don't know.

 

[Oldtrout]

I have a older Toro Z turn, not sure the model but will check later today, I wanted to get a new one, the motor a B&S is getting a bit long in the tooth,so i decided to buy a new one looked at Toro,and one like i now have appeared not to have the quality as the older one does. I than looked at the Ariens,Zoom 42, it seems to be better constructed,ie deck is attached at 6 points not 3 like the Toro. The price I paid was appox 2700, about the same as toro.
May be worth a look ....just my 2 cents.

 

[Bird]

I used to have a Toro 38" ZTR and really liked it, but sold it and went back to a walk behind because I needed to get through some 36" gates. Last year, Toro came out with the SS3200 that fits through those gates, so that's what I have now.

I'd go with the Toro over the Cub Cadet because I have a good Toro dealer nearby, but of course I don't know or can't say that one is a better machine than the other.

 

[Domush]

I'll say Toro will support their equipment far longer. overall Toro puts a lot of thought into their designs. They do require regular maintenance, as some parts are meant to wear out so the more expensive parts will not. I'd highly recommend either a Toro or, if you can find a used one, a z-master. I'm certified in almost all of the brands and have worked on and overhauled well over a thousand of them, so I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about in this subject.

With all of the ztr models, upkeep is very important as things spin much faster and bearings wear out more often. If you are the DIY type I'd implore you to bring it in for service for the first couple of years and keep track of what is replaced. Those parts over a two year span are the same parts you will be replacing every two years.. Forever. Ztr mowers aren't like simple mowers, so let the service place dig in at first. The money spent on service will be much lower than the repair cost of just one spindle or impeller.

Enjoy your ztr

 

[Bird]

Domush, I intend to do just as you said.:laughing: Of course, the Toro has a 3 year warranty, also. So when Lowe's had a sale on trailers, I prepared for the future. Incidentally, that bagging kit is expensive, but it really works great.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

For the last 5 yrs, the low end comsumer products carrying the Toro brand have been built by MTD, same Co as owns/builds Cub Cadet. As such, I'd not expect to find and differences other than cosmetics between the brands from similar priced models.

The commercial grade Toro's are still built by Toro.

 

[brbry]

According to the websites I've visited MTD does not make any Toros. I got a good deal on a Cub Cadet RZT50 with 69 hours on it. It made the zero turns to the right but went wide on turns to the left. I found out the previous owner only had the mower about 3 weeks. 69 hours in 3 weeks? It will take me a long time to put 69 hours on a mower, especially a faster zero turn and I live in Texas where we even mow a little in the winter. I really liked the way it handled but considering all I've read about the transmission problems and no warrenty, I returned it. I ended up buying a Husqvarna. It's the one my wife wanted in the first place. If the wife is happy, everybody's happy.

 

[Bird]

According to the websites I've visited MTD does not make any Toros.

Yeah, I knew that Cub Cadet has been owned/built by MTD for many years, but I never heard of MTD having anything to do with Toro.

 

[jimrs]

I just bought a new Toro 4235 or something like that. I had been checking for the last few years on the Toro's. Toro builds Toro, and Exmark there is very little difference in the two except price. The Local Toro dealer told me the only difference is price. I doubt that but the difference is small. I don't pickup my Toro until this Saturday.

Bird I like the look of your little Toro sounds like a perfect size for getting it through gates. But with the rear bagger on it will it fit? That rear bagger sure is big and wide will it go through the gates?

I got the mulch kit and did not order the rear bagger even though I have one for my old deere lawn tractor. It was used about 4 or 5 times in the last 3 years. I don't know if I will need one or not but they are expensive.

 

[rsewill]

Toro has a plant in Windom, MN. They have an open lot where they store trailers loaded with mowers. If you're ever bobtailing through town... ;-)