Toro to replace my lemon

[cokeman]

Hey everyone. Last summer I bought a Toro GT. I have had a few problems with it. About a month ago I took it to my dealer to resolve a hard starting problem and it is still there. Seems the compression release is not working. Toro said the parts are on back order. This machine only has 14 hours on it.

My dealer convinced Toro to let me pick a new a new machine of equal value.
I picked a Time Cutter zero turn with a Briggs engine. I'm supposed to pick it up next week. The Kohler Courage in the GT has been a nightmare. I'm posting this to give Toro a plug. It's not their fault the engine went bad but they sure stepped up by replacing my machine. Got a great dealer too. I'm sure that helped also.

Dean

 

[chrisjbell]

I've got a Kohler engine in my JD LX255. I had to replace the ignition module on it after it got in to a habit of just dying periodically on me. The parts replacement wasn't so bad, but figuring it out took some doing. B&S engines are much more better, IMHO...

We run a lot of Toro equipment at work. Good stuff, gets a lot of abuse and keeps on going.

 

[cokeman]

B&S engines are much more better, IMHO...

We run a lot of Toro equipment at work. Good stuff, gets a lot of abuse and keeps on going.

I agree. I have had several pieces of equipment with Briggs engines with zero breakdowns. As far as the Toro comment ---- that's why I bought one. My beef is with Kohler and I'm confident the new Toro/Briggs will be fine.

Dean

 

[thatguy]

Im glad your dealer stepped up to the plate and got you taken care of..

let us know how you like the zero-turn..

Brian

 

[Fordlords]

The Kohler Command has been about as bulletproof as a small air cooled engine can get. These Courage things though, since being introduced last year as Kohler's economy engine, seem to be very trouble prone. I thought there might be a reason Deere chose the Briggs Intek for their 100 series LT's- they had been burned by new engine models from Kohler in the past, and they figured they would let the other tractor makers test the waters.

-Fordlords-

 

[slowrev]

I like Briggs engines, I just am sure to get the ones with cast iron sleeve in em.
Ben

 

[Fordlords]

The commercial rated Briggs Vanguard is an excellent small engine, one of the best out there. Unfortunately you don't see it on too many makes of tractors anymore. I've never been much of a lover of Briggs less expensive lines, but have to say that if I were looking for something in the economy range, at this time I think I would pick the Briggs Intek over the Kohler Courage. The Courage hasn't exactly been impressive and that will hurt Kohler's reputation.

It's become the Wal-Mart type philosophy that every manufacturer has to make a cheaped down version of their products to satisfy some higher ups at the companies they are supplying to. My question is why would a company risk damaging their reputation to do this? To make a quick buck now and say goodbye selling off their future to China? Or do they think everything is just so disposable now that nobody will notice their products suck?

-Fordlords-

 

[Big Al]

I read a very good article about Snapper about why they parted ways with Wal-Mart and it was for the very reasons you state. Very interesting.

 

[Big Al]

Here is the article:

The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart

Very well-written and a good look inside Snapper's business decisions.

 

[LBrown59]

I agree. I have had several pieces of equipment with Briggs engines with zero breakdowns. As far as the Toro comment ---- that's why I bought one. My beef is with Kohler and I'm confident the new Toro/Briggs will be fine.

Dean

I have an MTD with a BS twin Cyl that's never ran rite since it was new.

 

[pekabu]

Here is the article:

The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart

Very well-written and a good look inside Snapper's business decisions.

Thanks for posting that link. I enjoyed reading it.

 

[Gerald]

Read how Snapper got it's start.
SNAPPER.com | Why Snapper | Our History
William R. Smith was my uncle. He would have said NO to Wal-Mart too.
Gerald

 

[froggy]

Excellent article. Thanks for the link.

 

[cokeman]

I have an MTD with a BS twin Cyl that's never ran rite since it was new.

That is unfortunate. Could nobody fix this thing?

Getting back to my original post, here is the deal. It's been a busy week. I looked at the Toro Z380 zero turn and was not impressed. It just looked like it was made for a big box store. My salesman said to take it for a spin and when he came back a few minutes later I was looking at the Kubota lawn tractors again. I ended up taking home a T1570. It's just a little machine but very impressive. 15 hp Kohler but not a Courage. 40 inch cut. Smooth and quiet. Typical Kubota. The only thing I didn't like was the uncomfortable seat and the dealer switched that with an upgraded seat from the next model up.
I'm very happy with this dealer. Cost to me = zero. New machine with a new warranty. I'm going to cut the grass tomorrow. It's pretty long.

Dean

 

[clemsonfor]

My uncle has a toro zt, not sure of size model or weather engine is kholor or briggs (thinking Kholer though). He had hard starting from day one and finially after complaing the dealer did a valve job grinding or something and he said it was much better. Then he was just loosing power gradually and took it to the guy that works on his stuff, he found a burned out muffler, that was obviousm, but his other probles, the valve or rocker was loose and flopping around once he tightened that it would run and then could hear a blowby noise or exhaust leak, then put his hand on the head and felt the leak. Had a blown head gasket, replaced that and now still cuts with it. But to me for the money he spent on that thing and the age of it i dont know 3-5 years old? That is a lot of trouble out of it, cheaply made seems about right to me.