Groundsmaster 220 w/62" deck

[lawrence stone]

The owner of a golf couse yesterday offered me a 220 w/20 hp gas w/62&quot; deck with 1200 hours for<br>$3500. I have use for this machine at a school district job and have a container on<br>site for storage.<p>Anyone have an opinion why I should NOT buy<br>this machine?

[thelawnguy]

Do you know why the golf course wants to get rid of it? <p>Bill

[Charles]

Just my opinion. lets say you could buy a new one for 7000$. 1200 hours is probably half the life of the mower and at 3500$ you are paying half the price. No deal there. try to get it for 2500$ then if it is in good shape you would be gettin a deal. Also 20hp gas is not much Hp for pushing a 62&quot; deck.

[Lazer]

A new one is $11,000.00<p>It's a very good buy lawrence.<p>I don't know if I'd want one of those or a new Z for 6,000, but that's up to you.

[turfquip]

<br>That sounds like a decent deal Mr. Stone<p>Especially since you have an immediate need for the unit and will have very limited transportation expenses related to it. <p>That'll make two 62's in your fleet.....awesome baby...<p>One thing to be careful about - test out the machine for at least 20 minutes(specifically the hydraulics). Any deficiencies in the hydraulics should show up within this time frame.<p>Good luck..<p>Ed

[Charles]

Oops:) I was just guessing on the price. Well then if it is liquid cool the engine will last much longer. Then it is a good deal. If not then the engine may last only 3000 hours. From experience I had one last 2600 hrs. $11000 sounds like alot of money for a 20 hp to begin with it must have central air and radio. I go with Lazer buy a new lazor with a warrenty

[lawrence stone]

The owner of the golf course has this gas job<br>left (20 hp Onan) and wants to buy a new oil bruner to add to the two other 72&quot; mow units 4WD models. <p>He is a motorcycle and dragster (car) drag racer and he always keeps his stuff clean and<br>in good working order.<p>He will hold the unit until July so I can pay<br>for the unit in cash.<p>It seams to be a perfect mower for the school<br>district job. I am just doing the athletic fields this season but there is another 35 acres of just plain turf I want to include in next years contract<br>at this location. Since all the districts schools and fields are at this one a location<br>a big groundsmaster at that price has to be<br>a winning combo.

[thelawnguy]

In my area, the distributor who handles Onan is not the most reliable, and you may have to wait longer for parts than if it were a different manufacturer but if that isnt a concern for you, IMO it sounds like a decent deal.<p>Bill

[Bill c]

I think it would be a good deal.We bought a new 52 inch groundsmaster and it was 6,400.That 20 horse also has plenty of power

[Charles]

The 62&quot; is 4600$ more than the 52&quot;. Sounds like a big jump to me. 10&quot; is alot more deck to add to a 20 hp gas. You can buy a 3 cylinder Kubota deisel belly more for 10,500$ new. What makes the Groundmaster 62&quot; run 11000$? Just curious they don't sell them around here that I know of.

[Lazer]

lawrence,<p>Those 220's are great for aerating. The deck comes off fairly easily and you can mount a $1000.00 48-60&quot; aerator. (Millcreek, etc.)<p>It's really the fastest was to aerate.

[MJM Landscaping Inc]

Ive got a Kubota 18hp diesel, 60&quot; cut with about 1000 hrs for sale.$5000.00. Great condition i just dont use it anymore.<br>Mark A Musolf

[jeffclc]

Just some things to think abou7t concerning leaving equipment on site.<p>Is the machine going to sit for days without being used while you service other accounts?<p>What if you lose the contract after one year?<p>Insurance costs with a machine stored off site?<p>Increased possibility of vandalism/theft?<p>Ability to perform maintenance/repairs in the field?<p>Would you be better off with a smaller machine that you could transport, and use on other properties?<p>Just some things to think about.<br>

[lawrence stone]

Jeff wrote:<p>&gt;Is the machine going to sit for days without being used while you service other accounts?<p>Yes I was going to use two deticated machines<br>for that job. It is about a 50 min drive from<br>my home. I want to be able to drive my car to<br>that site taking some milage off my truck.<p>&gt;What if you lose the contract after one year?<p>I am sure Ed at tufrquip could find a new home for a $3500 toro 220.<p>&gt;Insurance costs with a machine stored off site?<br>Insurance costs on a $3500 machine? You must <br>be kidding.<p>Increased possibility of vandalism/theft?<p>Am going to have a rental 20ft container to<br>be dropped on site. With a cell phone it<br>becomes a &quot;branch&quot; office.<p>Ability to perform maintenance/repairs in the field?<p>Over 20 years ago I spent two years in <br>the Auto Tech thingy at the PA Institute Of<br>Technology. <p>Would you be better off with a smaller machine that you could transport, and use on other properties?<p>I already have a 62' toro walk behind. By<br>buying the groundsmaster it frees that 62&quot;<br>WB to become a full time road warrior.<p>Plus the groundsmaster is a better choice to<br>push around ground pounding attachments like<br>tine rakes, aerators etc.<br>

[Alpine Landsc Maint]

Is the deck a side discharge or the recycler?<br>I work for a Parks Dept. fulltime and we have a 325 w/72&quot; Recycler. I like Toro and think the cut is very good. Recycler mulches leaves <br>great also. As for why this type of mower cost more, the main tracor unit is bigger than most ztr's total size.

[Finecut]

Why lay out all that money and only have one road warrior? Save the cost of additional office space and on site rental. No need to spend all those big dollars and lose your competitive edge. Toro Pro Line 62&quot; Hydro walk behind with Jungle Wheels - $1000.00/636-978-9517 Why stress your pocket book? This will also be much easier on your back.

[accuratelawn]

Sounds like a good deal. More productive than the walk behind.<br>Remember your letter/bid to the school district saying you use classic toro walk behinds with less compaction etc.<br>