Drive up lifts such as on Toro

[Mid Rivers]

I am interested in the drive on jack that is on the Toro mowers. Is Exmark going to offer this? What about a retro-fit for older mowers?

Thanks:blob3:

[Runner]

A buddy of mine has this on his 60" Toro Z, and he is really disappointed in it. In the first place, it doesn't even work on cement, like on his shop floor, and when the mower IS up, it doesn't really lift it high enough to really work efficiently. He just uses his junglejack.

[Vibe Ray]

Yes, I was very curious about this as well. What's goin's on with the drive up jack stand? Could you explain it in a little more detail? Is it removable? Could it also be possible to install two on a mower for ultimate safety? (One on each side).

[eXmark]

Dear Mid-Rivers,

Never say never but at this point we are not spending engineering resources on a jack stand alternative. We have heard a lot of mixed signals about the true usefullness of this product and would like to get a better feel from the market.

From what I understand the Toro jackstand is a permanent attachment that is not intended to go on and off.

As a manufacturer, I would like to hear the opinions of Lawnsite members on if this is something worth considering. Rephrased is this a feature you are willing to pay for? (Maybe $100 to the cost of our Lazer Z's?) We are very sensitive to adding to the retail price......the benefit has to be greater than the retail price increase to win you guys over...

I look forward to hearing from other Lawnsite Members

Regards,

Exmark

[Kent Lawns]

It's a joke and a gimmick.

We have 2 new Toro's this year and have removed them already.

The only thing it's useful for is to serve as a bumper when on the trailer.

The post by Runner is right on.

They MIGHT work if:
1.) A rubber foot was attached to the bottom to grab on concrete. (Which will get gummed up with grass anyway)

2.) It acutally lifted high enough to change the blades or scrape the deck.

Whoever engineered that must be on the same team that re-did the (now useless) 52" Toro WB and they should be re-assigned. (To Encore perhaps)

If I were eXmark, I might direct my efforts to making the WHOLE deck flip like some (inferior) competitors.

[Vibe Ray]

Now that would be so awesome!!! A flip up deck on a Lazer!!!That does sound like a much better idea!

[65hoss]

I'm not real sure I would be interested in it. Its just way to easy to use the gate on the trailer as the jackstand. I would suggest you continue putting R&D money into quality and future developments and not worry about something this trivial.

[Grasshog]

I'm behind 65Hoss all the way.

[HOWARD JONES]

I own a Toro Z255, jack works fine even on concrete, true it's more satisfactory for skinny guys. I think its best feature is it is ready for use in field if you get something wrapped around blades. It has a good locking plate for safety and can be removed by pulling one pin. eXmark rep: $100? it is pretty simple device - I think $50 is more like it. Different subject - I read that Toro now owns eXmark - true? How similar are the product lines? Looks to me like the low end (Kohler) Z models are almost identical, whereas the upper end goes more upscale with eXmark, such as the diesels, etc.

[EJK2352]

All I have to do if I need to service the deck on my Exmark is to
drive up my trailer ramp on the far left or right, and I can do anything that needs done ( i.e. scrape, change blades,check for
damage, etc. etc.),and I don't have this big ugly hunk of metal
between my caster wheels. ED

[little green guy]

I agree, It's just as easy to drive up the trailer ramp and when i'm changing the blades at the shop I just use a floor jack and through a jack stand under there just to be safe.

[brucec32]

I used to use the trailer ramp too, until I noticed that the weight of the mower on the wire mesh of my trailer (actually a very well built one) was cracking the spot welds, looseing it to the point where I eventually had to pay to have it rewelded. I just use drive-on automotive wheel ramps to change blades now, although you can change them by just raising the deck to max height, if you're willing to get dirty on the ground and can reach far enough.

[Tony]

I sell both Exmark and Toro Z's. My customers always ask when buying a mower how easy it is to sharpen the blades. The Toro Z stand may not be perfect but it helps sell lawnmowers. You should at least consider it as an option. Keep building great mowers for us to sell in North Carolina.

[RB]

I also hate that jackstand. Doesn't lift enough to do any good; rattles like crazy; and actually gets in the way when you get off the mower. It was a waste of $200.

The jungle jack works best and that can be put behind a seat or in the box of an IPac or tied somewhere on the trailer.

Exmark, please don't waste your time designing a jack -- borrow the design from jungle jack and paint it red and throw some Exmark logos on it.

Ron