2009 Trimstar 54"/19 or 54"/23 with Electric Start

[browng]

I want some opinions...everyone has them. The new 2009 Trimstar 54" has two options; 1) 19hp no electric start 2) 23hp with electric start. The 23hp version is $1,000 more than the 19hp version which does not have the electric start. Is it worth it to pay $1,000 more for the larger engine and electric start? Is the 23hp engine overkill for a 54" walk behind? I'm curious as to what others are thinking about these two mowers, I'm leaning towards the larger engine and electric start but I'm having an internal struggle between my wants and needs. Please express your opinions.

[djagusch]

For your yard 54" 19HP is more than enough. I'm guessing some of your neighbors are using a 21" push mower!

[browng]

You're right! Actually I used my Toro 21" push mower (what a great mower, it is 17 yrs old and sat for the last year without being run and started on the first pull) on it yesterday (not the hill part) and it took me 2 hours, it reminded me why I orginally bought the Super Duty. I hope Hustler hurries up and gets the new Trimstars out, I don't have 2 hours a week to spend cutting grass.

[blackandgold]

If you have lots of hills and are planning on using a Sulky, you will appreciate higher hp. If you are walking, the 19hp Kaw will do just fine.

Customers always want more power, but it comes with more $. Still waiting for a 30hp Walk or 50 hp Z......ha ha ha....funny though, some people would be all over 'em regardless of the cost----not sure how many, though. 5 sales a year for a model won't keep the lights on. :)

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Thanks blackandgold. I don't have a lot of hills just one big hill. I have been trying to research sulkies and have not been able to come to any conclusions on whether or not I could use a sulky on my hill. Having never used a large walk behind mower much less one with a sulky is it unrealistic to think I could ride a sulky on a hill 210' across and 40' down with approximately a 23 degree grade? If it would be possible which type would work best; single wheel, double wheel, or double swivel wheels (I am not considering the slide version due to the amount of concrete I mow around).

[blackandgold]

Go with a 2 wheel sulky over the single wheel. I like the bull rider from Trimmer Trap.

FYI, just got my in the new TrimStar-- a 19\54. One word, SWEET!
This is the first one to hit our distributor ship. More to follow in the upcoming weeks.

[browng]

I think there are both fixed wheel and swivell wheel Bull Rider models, will one work better than the other on a hill or is it just a matter of preference.