Z Master or Laser Z?

[qualpro]

I have been quoted $6875.00 for Toro z200 62&quot; 25 HP with heavy duty canister air filter. And $7186.00 for Exmark Z 60&quot; 25 HP with heavy duty canister air filter. Both from the same dealer. I will be using for personal use only I have about 7 acers to mow, very sandy, East Texas. I have test drived both, It seemed the Toro was blowing grass all over me.<br>Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.<p>Thanks<p>David

[walkerrider]

I would go with the Exmark. I like the deck much more than the toro deck. Other than that I don't think there is a lot of difference. Both owned by the same parent and the engines are the same(?) right. Check to see if the hydro are both the same. All being equal I would pay a little more for the exmark deck. Probably would benefit you when or if you decide to sell at some point and buy a Walker. Better ask for the seatbelt option on the Exmark it flies.

[Evan528]

i own the toro mentioned. it is the axact machine as the exmark but witht a toro deck. i have used the lazer z and the quality of cut is not as good as my toro, thats why i went with the toro. the toro disperces the clipping more efficiently and cuts much better in wet grass....dosnt clump at all. the toro deck is a stamped deck but is reinforced heavily all the way around. thoses are the same decks toro mowers have been using for years with great success! GO WITH THE TORO!

[columbiaplower]

have u looked into the lazer z with a 72 in deck? seems like a better choice for 7 acers.<br>i have a 52in lazer hp love it.hope this helps,<br> -nick<p>

[MOW ED]

Columbia - what do you have a repeater? :}<br>

[walkerrider]

take it easy on the kid Mow Ed. He can't help it that he stuuuuuuters

[cutntrim]

Up here Toro offers 24 month payments with 0% financing and your taxes up front. Exmark doen't. That's why we went with Toro. All things being equal we would have gone Exmark, I prefer the welded deck over the stamped. As for &quot;blowing grass all over you&quot; I've noticed no difference between any of the riders I've used, it's the condition of the ground to be cut, height of grass, and the speed and direction of the wind that causes such a problem.<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>www.cutntrim.com

[grasscapeinc]

Iv'e used or owned just about every brand.<br>Go with the Toro over the Exmark<br>No deck can equal the clipping dispersal of the Toro SFS deck. Period.<br>

[lawrence stone]

The 62&quot; toro deck is welded not stamped like the 52 and 44.

[DMC300]

THEY ARE BOTH AWSOME MACHINES,I GOT MY EXMARK FOR LESS THAT'S WHY I CHOSE IT.GO WITH THE LEAST EXPENSIVE.YOU'LL NEVER PUT ENOUGH HOURS ON IT TO SEE A DIFFERENCE.<p>----------<br>DON<br>LIANNES' MOWING

[Keith]

You won't go wrong with either.<br>

[qualpro]

Thanks for your comments.<br>I do have a couple of concerns: Toro has greasable spindles, with my sandy soil I worry about “grease worms” shortening their life. I liked the cut the Exmark did on wet grass better than the Toro on dry, but I don’t know what the condition of the blades was. Also the dry verses wet grass probably explains the “blow out”, but I later heard that the Toro had a problem with “blow out”. Are any of you guys seeing this in the field?<p>Thanks<p>David<p><br>

[Lazer]

I own both of them.<p>All things being equal I would get the Exmark. $300 more for the Exmark? Probably still get it. The Toro does cut nicer in wet grass, but being that you only have 1- 7 acre site: how often will you mow it when it's wet?

[grasscapeinc]

In all actuallity you are looking at the wrong mower. I know Z's are nice ,but you don't need one for what yousay. They are a specialized machine designed for intricate detail, and speed, and quality. You could get a top of the line John Deere Garden tractor for that kind of money. Then you can put attachments on it, etc, etc. Spend the left over cash on a hot tub.

[Eric ELM]

The top of the line John Deere Garden Tractors listed for $12,000 10 years ago. I paid $10,000 for my 430 diesel and I know you can get a nice ZTR for a lot less money than that.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[dhicks]

I just took delivery of a Toro Z-255 this week and I'm highly impressed with the cut the Toro deck provides. It was a tough choice to make b/w the Lazer-Z and the Toro. Which ever machine you get, you'll be pleased. <p>----------<br>--Disneyland on the Potomac<br>

[qualpro]

Thanks for your thoughts.<br>I do think I am going to get the Exmark and retire my 7 year old Lows 14/42 special.<br>Grasscapeinc the reason I am looking at the ZTRs is for their speed and quality. I take great pride in the way my lawn looks. I have 7 acres with lots of trees and bedding areas, I also have two kids with one on the way and don’t want to spend all of my weekend taking care of my yard. I think it is the right machine for me.<p>David<p>

[cjcland]

if you get a ztr i think you will find your 2 kids fighting over who gets to mow the lawn:)<p>----------<br>CJC Landscape Management<br>Winter Haven, Florida

[jrblawncare]

Qualpro,I like your way of thinking....I love mine got it this spring.Most of all have fun and be safe,Seeee Yaaaa<p>----------<br>John <br>

[Grassboy]

If you aren't very experianced w/ comm. mowers, mainly how to use them then I would advise you be very careful at first. Read the post on mowing bluppers for the whole story on what I did with my 2 day old 48&quot; Exmark z hp. Basically I became overconfident and slid into a ditch edge and fell 9 ft. It was a fun ride but I wouldn't do it again if I had a choice!

[grasscapeinc]

I see your angle. If you are only mowing your yard, and good quality ZTR will provide you with what you want. People like us(contractors) are usually the only ones who see the difference in machines.