Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers

   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #1  

Will_C

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
1,773
Location
Upstate N.Y.
Tractor
Kubota L3560, Toro 52" and 60" ZTRs, Kubota RTV 900
I have been contemplating buying a ZTR mower for a while. I am a Kubota guy (have a BX 2200) and have been considering a ZG. I have a good friend who sells Toro. He just let me know that he has sold a couple of Z master mowers, but can get a better deal if he orders 5. He quoted great prices on any model I choose.
Does anyone have one of these? What are your experiences with the machine? Likes/ Dislikes? Advice/
Thanks,
Will
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #2  
I've got a Toro Z449 with a 19 HP Kawasaki and a 52" Turboforce deck. The Turboforce deck is very well built item and is extremely durable. The kawasaki engine has alot of power, I am not sure what other options are available as we bought this one used. We had a valve issue on the engine this year that was what the dealer called a freak thing, a valve spring broke and then bent the pushrod which caused a dead cylinder. Got it fixed and it's a brute again. The only other issue was a spindle bearing went bad, didn't notice it till we changed the belt and found one that was not turning very well. The t-force deck has a high quality cut and disperses clippings good in any condition I have operated it, which is everything short of pouring down or horizantal rain.

Those are the only issues we have had with it since we bought it last spring, I think we have put abot 80-100 hours on it. I know some commercial guys that use Toro's and they love them. I am not familiar at all with the other deck Toro offers or other engines but any Honda, kawasaki or Kohler engine they have are commercial grade engines designed for lots of usage. I am not a Briggs fan so I will not recommend them but they will at least run, I'd just rahter have a Honda, kawasaki or Kohler.
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #3  
I have a 4 year old toro z master, commercial series. Toro owns Ex-mark which is nearly the identical mower. Haven't had any problems other than the ones that were my fault- bent blade, left key on and killed the battery (more than once). I just use it on my place and sometimes on the farm. I have about 200 hours on the machine. 52" cut, 27 hp kawasaki engine. I have the stamped deck. Now they put the welded deck on them. The welded deck is probably more heavy duty and preferred by the "mowing purists". At the time when I bought mine, an 18 hp motor was available but I believe that is a little underpowered in heavy mowing. The 27 hp motor is probably overkill but I bought mine at the end of the season and it was all that was left. Paid $5100 which I thought was a very good price at the time. Dealer told me it was $100 over his cost. I put slime in the front tires because of so many thorns and slow leaks. No problems since put in the slime. Back tires have never been an issue. The 27 hp motor does enjoy the fuel.
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #4  
My 52" deck and 19 hp has never felt like it was underpowered, except when it was running on a dead cylinder, then it was overpowered but still cut well. I had ten lawns I was maintaining last year plus mine (mine is 1 1/4 acres) so it got used alot.
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #5  
Birdhunter1 said:
My 52" deck and 19 hp has never felt like it was underpowered, except when it was running on a dead cylinder, then it was overpowered but still cut well. I had ten lawns I was maintaining last year plus mine (mine is 1 1/4 acres) so it got used alot.
I borrowed my friends new z master with 18-19 hp engine and 52" cut but slightly lighter frame and smaller wheels. In normal mowing conditions there are no significant differences. When mowing up a hill and slightly tall grass, his certainly had a noticeable lug on the engine. The 18-19 can certainly do it but it is noticeable. I think the 20+ hp size is more ideal IMHO. I have hit 2 different objects with mine at full throttle and killed the engine. I bent the blade both time, once on a 2x6 and once with a piece of pipe. Straightened the blade back and went on. I can mow at nearly full travel speed in tall grass if I want. However the blades can't cut it well enough without skipping. With 27 hp, there is lots of power, probably too much for my deck size.
With z turning mowers, it comes down to 1. hydraulic pumps, 1 vs 2 and commercial vs noncommercial 2.frame construction and strength, motor hp and brand 3. some will say the deck and cut but that may be more subjective. Most manufactures use the same concepts in design with some variations. It is not rocket science.
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #6  
A 20 + hp will overpower it (nothing wrong with that) but I have never noticed the mower lacking power on hills or in thick grass
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #7  
Toro makes a nice mower. I think there are nicer out there, but it is pretty solid and good for the price. Just make sure you choose the engine wisely. Also, get the best wheel motors and pump offered in the size you want. Those items are important also.

John M
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #8  
I sure see a lot of them being used by the commercial operators and city departments around here. Of course my personal experience was limited to the smallest Toro ZTR, but I was very pleased with it.
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thanks for the responses.
John M., I had the same thoughts about wheel motors and pumps. I see from the Toro catalog that there is a difference between models. I know there are other good mowers, but these are the best prices I have found on comparable machines. If I could afford it, I would buy a ZD Kubota and not look back.

Bird, my brother has had one like yours for 5 years with nothng but good luck.

I am considering a 52" deck with a 23hp Kawi or a 60" deck with a 28hp Kawi.

Will
 
   / Toro Commercail ZTR Mowers #10  
I had to make the same choice about 2 months ago,my dealer sells both toro and kubota ZTR,s he told me to trust him and go with the kubota ZD326 pro model,no regrets yet.coobie
 

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