Opinions on two walk behinds

[JCRENSHAW]

Hello
This is my first post here (or on any forum actually) so i thought i would
ask for a little help.
I just bought a house six weeks ago with a back yard of .08 acre and i
have pushed it 3 times with a 21" push mower and have decided that i just
dont want to do it anymore. So for the past several weeks i have been to
3 or 4 dealers and looking online and thats when i came across this site.
The two mowers in question are a 36" Wright Velke gear drive with a fixed deck and pistol grips and the other is a 40" Toro gear drive with floating
deck and T-bar controls. Both with 15hp Kawasaki engines.
The Wright dealer quoted me $3000.00 out the door....that includes the
mower, a sulky and tax !
The Toro dealer quoted me $3900.00 + tax. I know the Toro has a larger
floating deck but is it worth another grand ? The Wright dealer is 20 miles
from my house, the Toro dealer is 2 miles from home, Both dealers were
extremely helpful and i would feel good buying from either. I have read here
that some people dont like pistol grips and i could understand that if i were
mowing 10 hours a day, this mower will only be used at my home for 2 hours
a week. I sell GM & Toyota parts for a living. Sorry for being so long winded.
Thanks in advance.
Jc

[Valk]

.08 acres is less than ~3500 sq ft. Personally, I think I'd stick with a 21 & save the cash...or hire someone!

If you meant .8 acres ~35,000...then proceed with the Wright and save the nearly $1200 after tax. If they were the same price I'd go with the Toro. Though, I don't think you'd be sorry if you bought the Toro instead.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Valk
Sorry, its .8 acre, i actually love to cut grass but this back yard is twice the
size of my entire yard at my old house. Again, thanks for the reply.

[Cummins343]

I'd go with the wright. Thats what I run are wrights. Best mowers in the world in my opinion. Built like a tank but not nearly as heavy as the rest of the competition. If you wanna mow your yard..........then you better mow it the WRIGHT way!:):usflag:

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks fordpowerstrokin
I was leaning toward the Wright solely based on price and the fact
that the Wright dealer told me that since i was only cutting my grass
it would be the last mower i probably ever buy unless i wanted another
style mower. I was really eyeing a 36" Stander that he had on the floor
right beside the Velke but i think it may be just a little overkill. BUT he
did quote me what i thought was a reasonable deal...

[Cummins343]

Thanks fordpowerstrokin
I was leaning toward the Wright solely based on price and the fact
that the Wright dealer told me that since i was only cutting my grass
it would be the last mower i probably ever buy unless i wanted another
style mower. I was really eyeing a 36" Stander that he had on the floor
right beside the Velke but i think it may be just a little overkill. BUT he
did quote me what i thought was a reasonable deal...No problem. I think your Velke WB will do just fine for the job. The Standers are pretty fast though..lol. I bought a new 36'' stander at the begining of the season for $5500 out the door. It was worth every penny. I barely pull my 48" off the trailer anymore. I love wrights. Built to last.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks again fordpowerstrokin.
I take it you really like Wright products...do you think i should also consider
a dual hydro Velke or will the belt drive be plenty enough for my needs ?
Jc

[Cummins343]

Thanks again fordpowerstrokin.
I take it you really like Wright products...do you think i should also consider
a dual hydro Velke or will the belt drive be plenty enough for my needs ?
JcHydro walk behinds are great for wet grass because they don't have a drive belt. With belt drives if your mowing grass thats wet the belt tends to slip on the pulley so you lose traction.

[Lawn Man Dave]

To save you some money I would ask about for the last model and a price on it. It is like car's, when the new stuff come sin the dealers will work with you more on the price of last year's model. It may save you $500 or so...

Everyone has their opinion's on what mower is the best, I think Ferris makes the best when it comes to cut quality.

You can't go wrong with any of the big name brand's though...

Even Bunton's do a pretty good job and have plenty of speed.

I would ask to demo each at the dealer (on site) and see what one you like the best before you buy...

[unkownfl]

Why not look at slightly used mowers. Have you tried craigslist? I bought my 36 stander on there for 3000 with only 96 hours. I have seen a lot of less then 100 hour belt drives for 1500.

[unkownfl]

This dealer is in your area and has the exmark for 3000 great mower and cut quality. I love the wrights too but I have only been on a stander.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/1527536643.html
This guy has a toro with 10 hrs 3000obo
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bfs/1520271721.html
900 for this bobcat
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/grd/1501954590.html

you get the idea.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks unfownfl
I have actually spoke to Jason @ Interstate, very nice guy who has made
several follow up calls. All the walk behinds shown on craigslist are just too
big for me, i have two 44" gates to go through. That Toro looks like a great
deal. The 40" Toro in my original post is about as large as i can go but thanks
again for the links.
Jc

[Cleve]

Maybe I'll add another twist to this story.
I have a Toro 36" walk behind with the T-bar steering. Have had this unit since the early 90s. I also have a Walker diesel and a Bushog zeroturn. Of course along with these I have a couple Honda hydrostatic 21" units and other small mowers.
My favorite unit is the Toro with the T-bar. You mentioned you like to cut the lawn and I honestly believe the Toro gives as good a cut as the Walker and is super easy to use. Whenever possible I always use the Toro on my home lawn. Not bad exercise walking behind this. Most times I just have one hand on the T-bar.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Cleve
The Toro dealer 2 miles from my house said i would love the T-bar controls
compared to a pistol grip, and they were probably not going to get any more
pistol grip walk behinds at that store. That 40" Toro did look great !
Jc

[Cleve]

By the way, one additional item.
If I had it to do over again I would have gotten the Toro with electric start.
Very little repair problems over the years (in fact, none that required a dealer), but wish it had a starter. Maybe I'm just getting too old.

[ponyexpress976]

Take em for a spin. I had a t-bar toro, belt drive that I ran commercially for 5 years. Replaced belts twice but I ran that thing hard. Had a sulky but never used it (Im at 280lbs and lots of hills I didn't want to replace belts weekly) If your property is flat the belt drive will be fine. Tell the dealers about each other and get them to bid against each other. Craigslist is a good idea only if you know what you are looking for/want.

[JCRENSHAW]

Cleve, thanks for the advice on the electric start, something to consider.
ponyexpress976, i weight 200lbs, do you think either mower with the 15hp kaw. would
have a problem pulling me on a sulky ? My yard is very smooth with a little slope.
thanks,
Jc

[ponyexpress976]

It will pull you just fine as mine would have pulled me and 3 friends up the side of a building....I never used the sulky because on a belt drive it drastically shortens the life of the belts and for my model they were like 90 bucks each. Mowing one yard once a week this will probably be the last mower you'll have to buy. I was using mine for 6-7hrs a day at least 3 days a week. I wanted to keep expenses down and production up...got a little exercise in as well so I saved on a gym membership.

[Kustom Kutz]

Hello
This is my first post here (or on any forum actually) so i thought i would
ask for a little help.
I just bought a house six weeks ago with a back yard of .08 acre and i
have pushed it 3 times with a 21" push mower and have decided that i just
dont want to do it anymore. So for the past several weeks i have been to
3 or 4 dealers and looking online and thats when i came across this site.
The two mowers in question are a 36" Wright Velke gear drive with a fixed deck and pistol grips and the other is a 40" Toro gear drive with floating
deck and T-bar controls. Both with 15hp Kawasaki engines.
The Wright dealer quoted me $3000.00 out the door....that includes the
mower, a sulky and tax !
The Toro dealer quoted me $3900.00 + tax. I know the Toro has a larger
floating deck but is it worth another grand ? The Wright dealer is 20 miles
from my house, the Toro dealer is 2 miles from home, Both dealers were
extremely helpfu Wright Velke l and i would feel good buying from either. I have read here
that some people dont like pistol grips and i could understand that if i were
mowing 10 hours a day, this mower will only be used at my home for 2 hours
a week. I sell GM & Toyota parts for a living. Sorry for being so long winded.
Thanks in advance.
Jc

I have a 36" Wright Velke with a sulky that I use and it is a great mower. Being a homeowner that mower would last you 20 years if you did the maintanence. Mowing 0.8 acres you'll be doing good to put 2 hours on it during the summer. Buy it with a sulky. It'll make it alot smopother to operate and easier to use.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks ponyexpress976
Thats good to hear about the pulling power. The Wright dealer told me that mowing 1-2
times a week and probably never in the rain, the belts would dry rot before i ever
wore them out !
Jc

[Kustom Kutz]

Thanks ponyexpress976
Thats good to hear about the pulling power. The Wright dealer told me that mowing 1-2
times a week and probably never in the rain, the belts would dry rot before i ever
wore them out !
Jc

That is the only thing that wil be bad about wearing out on the mower and it will be worse if you have a sulky behind it. If you don't mow wet grass and don't put the mower in a bind pulling you there won't be an issues. Happy mowing.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Kustom Kutz
I'm really leaning towards the Wright ! BUT i'm going to throw something new into the mix ! As i stated, as much as i like to mow my wife likes to mow more ! There was a thread i was reading here a couple of weeks ago where the guy posting said DO NOT get
a walk behind because a wife will not use it ? any truth to that ? My wife is trying to convince me we dont need this large of a mower and just use our 21" Husqvarna.

[ponyexpress976]

Do we really "need" a lot of the stuff we have? Tell her that you don't really need the husky 21" and hand her a pair of scissors. Think of all the money you'll save on gas!!!!! If you don't mind spending all day cutting keep what you have. If you decide on the wright or the toro beware of one side effect...since the mowing time will go down and nothing angers a married female more than an idle hubby on the wekend your "Honey Do" list will grow exponentially!*trucewhiteflag*

[JCRENSHAW]

Comments well taken !!
Thanks 976.

[Kustom Kutz]

This is how you handle the wifey. Tell her that a new walk behind will be a invesment. Yall recently purchased a new home and this mower will be something yall will be able to use for a long time to come... or yall can buy a new push mower every other year. In the long run it will save yall money bc you'll be able to mow your lawn in the same amount of time a service does. As for the wifey driving it that depends on whether she is the type of girl that does stuff like that. If she never cut the grass before than no she probably won't use the walk behind. My little sister is 22years old, 4'11" and she rides walk behinds. My daughter is 8 and she has been riding 60" ZTR for about 2 summers in my parents yard (5 acres)

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Kustom Kutz
Sounds like you have some tough little ladies in your crew ! As i stated earlier i have looked at a 36" Wright stander but what if i were to switch gears and consider a ztr (something my wife may use?) Probably still going to go with the Wright walk behind.
The only small (36") ztr i have looked at is the Bob-Cat Fastcat. But i know there is a ton
of options in the ztr market. Thanks again, sorry for dragging this out....

[Kustom Kutz]

Thanks Kustom Kutz
Sounds like you have some tough little ladies in your crew ! As i stated earlier i have looked at a 36" Wright stander but what if i were to switch gears and consider a ztr (something my wife may use?) Probably still going to go with the Wright walk behind.
The only small (36") ztr i have looked at is the Bob-Cat Fastcat. But i know there is a ton
of options in the ztr market. Thanks again, sorry for dragging this out....Its not that the my girls are tough as much everybody in my family owns lawn services/landscaping companies. Its just what we all do.. and we're all very successfiul. I was looking at a Wright stander and I had 2 problems. 1. Its overpriced 5k is to much for any 36" 2. Narrow mowers normally are top heavy bc of lack of stance which defeats the purpose of a stander.. hillsides. You have to rememberthat you backyard is 0.8 acres. A ZTR is a little bit pricey for a homeowner to use for a little backyard unless you are like old and cripple. Just about every company that makes walk behinds has a line for ZTR's. All of you good commercial ones will start out at around 5k and go as high as 12k. Something to think about is a commercial mower going to a homeowner is kinda a retirement. Find you somebody that has a mower with around 700 hrs on it. Make sure it has been taken care of and it will still last you a long time. Look at how they take care of all of their stuff. If everything they have is junk then the mower will more than likely be junk. If you came to my house to by a used whatever you would see that i take care of all of my stuff. Where are you from?

[MarcSmith]

Have you considered some of the small lawn and garden tractors... Yeah not as cool as ztr or as slick as a walk behind, but they are much more versatile in that you can add other implement and tools which you cant do with some of the WB and Ztrs.

A homeowner quality peice of equipment will last you a long long time if you take care of it. My neighbor has a 32" murray tractor that gotta be at least 15 years old. I've known them 7 years and its needed a battery and a carb clean in those 7 years...

keep in mind that you should be looking at string trimmers and blowers as well...

[Kustom Kutz]

I will buy Walmart brand sugar, but if it comes down to paying $1000 for a Murray or $2000 go quality. I can take a poulan or whatever knockoff brand you may choose chainsaw and run it to pieces. A Stihl saw will run til you turn it off IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT. Mowers are the same way. Murray is a disposable mower.

[MarcSmith]

kustom. I'm not advocating buying a murray...but there are some HO brands that are good quality brands.... Heck I've got a scott/ariens/home depot 21" mower. had it for 7 years. use it weekly during the growing season here... starts every time. would I use it in a commercial application.....NO...

would I spend a few grand on a nice JD or Cub, or Toro...over a few grand on a commercial WB...Yes in a heart beat. more versatility....for a home owner application...

of course if I had my druthers i'd find a nice used 36" walker GHS and rebuild it...:)

[JCRENSHAW]

Kustom Kutz
Just moved back to Gastonia, NC. -20 miles from Charlotte. You're right, ztr's are going
to be too pricey for what i need.
MarcSmith, i understand what you're saying about a Murray, wal-mart, big box piece of
equipment but i also know you get what you pay for. I already have stihl trimmer & blower. The good thing about this new house is there is going to be very few leaves
to deal with compared to my old house in Charlotte. With a mower like the Velke i can
just cut or mulch them. The old house, me and my wife could get 4 to 5 loads on a
12x16 tarp every weekend !
Jc

[JCRENSHAW]

Just contacted a seller about a Bob-Cat 36" belt drive with 2hrs. on it for
$2400.00. Sounds like a great deal just curious how the Bob-Cat compares
to the Wright or the Toro ?
Thanks,
Jc

[Kustom Kutz]

Just contacted a seller about a Bob-Cat 36" belt drive with 2hrs. on it for
$2400.00. Sounds like a great deal just curious how the Bob-Cat compares
to the Wright or the Toro ?
Thanks,
JcBobcat is a good mower. I used to have a 52". I bought it used with a ton of hours, used it for about 2 years and sold it runnunig like a champ. It's all what you prefer. Some people like buntons, some like dixie chopper and some like toro. It has alot to do with supply. Me.. I like Dixie Choppers, but they don't sell them where I live. I have to go see my parents in Jacksonville to buy them. As long as you buy commercial you are going to be happy. There is a 52" hydro Lesco on Craigslist in Jacksonville, Fla for $900

[ponyexpress976]

When it's time for leaves...whatever mower you decide on...and some here may balk at this but here goes...get some gator style blades for the mower. Contrary to popular belief the fins on gator blades do not re-cut clippings/leaves. They redirect air flow causing the clippings/leaves to be cut multiple times shredding them down to much smaller pieces.

[Kustom Kutz]

When it's time for leaves...whatever mower you decide on...and some here may balk at this but here goes...get some gator style blades for the mower. Contrary to popular belief the fins on gator blades do not re-cut clippings/leaves. They redirect air flow causing the clippings/leaves to be cut multiple times shredding them down to much smaller pieces. I agree with quality. I run Gator blades in the summer no matter what. I don't mulch up alot of leaves. If I have a nture area to put them in I'll mulch them up, but if its a good customer I try to pick them up.

[ponyexpress976]

Yeah I do the same for my good paying customers. My own lawn and people I haven't dropped yet because they always have an excuse for the bill being payed late...mulch em up. Crenshaw, these blades will save your back and a ton of blisters racking if you plan on mulching leaves in the fall.

[Kustom Kutz]

Have you looked into a 36" Gravely walk behind. Great mower. I paid $2160 for my wright 2 weeks ago. It was a floor model. Buy a used mower, a demo or a 09 model. It will save you some money

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks guys for all of your advice.
The man with the Bob-Cat says its only been used twice, and actually has 1.5 hours
on it and it would pass as a new unit at a dealership ! If its as nice as he says, is
$2400.00 a good deal ?

[punt66]

if i were in your shoes i wouldnt spend that much money on a mower. You can get a new lawn tractor for 1k.

[Kustom Kutz]

Thanks guys for all of your advice.
The man with the Bob-Cat says its only been used twice, and actually has 1.5 hours
on it and it would pass as a new unit at a dealership ! If its as nice as he says, is
$2400.00 a good deal ?Call a bobcat dealer and see how much they cost new and figure tax. Is the savings worth loosing your warranty (which you'll never use being a homeowner) I'd try to find a used one for around $1000-$1500 bucks if it were me.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Kustom Kutz
Just had a Bob-Cat dealer quote me 2800.00 + tax. I would jump on 2160.00 for a Wright ! The dealer who quoted me 3000.00 out the door said he had 9 units in stock, all 2009 models. Sounds like you got a great deal.
Jc

[Kustom Kutz]

Thanks Kustom Kutz
Just had a Bob-Cat dealer quote me 2800.00 + tax. I would jump on 2160.00 for a Wright ! The dealer who quoted me 3000.00 out the door said he had 9 units in stock, all 2009 models. Sounds like you got a great deal.
Jc

They retail for $2599 and a sulky I guess that about right. I'll deliver mine to you for 3000! jk.. not really. Its never cut a blade of grass.

[JCRENSHAW]

Sorry for reviving this seven month old thread, but i'm at
the point that i really need to buy a mower.
Same two models !
40" Toro belt drive T-bar 15 hp Kawasaki with floating deck. Its a
leftover 2009 model for $3600.00. Dealer said he was able to only
get two of them at a discounted price. I have checked 3 dealers
in Charlotte area and prices ranged from $4200 to $ 4550.
The Toro is a modeo 30076.
Today i looked again at the 36" Wright Velke belt drive, fixed deck
15 hp Kawasaki pistol grip.
Wright dealer quoted me $2600.00
Thousand Dollar difference really has me leaning toward the Wright !
Remember, this mower will only be used at my house so i dont think
the fixed deck will be an issue, but i did do a parking lot demo and
really liked the T-bar ! The only real negative about the Wright is that
the dealer is 20 miles away, Toro dealer is 2 miles away ! Sorry for asking
basically the same question again. Just wondering how many of you
would spent the extra $1000.00 on the Toro ?
Thanks again
Johnny

[Cleve]

Just my opinion, but I would go the extra to get what I wanted.
Even though it is just for your use only it still should be something that you will be happy with.
My Toro T-bar is already 20 years old but I still like to use it. Something about being able to walk along with one hand on the T-bar is O.K.
And the cut quality is about as good as you can get.

[mulching fool]

My 2 cents. I was in the same boat as you, tired of pushing a nice 21" around a big yard. Love to walk, love my lawn, love being envy of the neighborhood with the prettiest lawn. I too shopped all winter. Stick with me it's worth it. Choked on prices of great machines and listening to just save your money and hire it done and go to the "big Box stores"... Then a revelation, Craigs List! Yes searched for 2 weeks 200 mile radius from my home on Craigs List. Yes it paid off, I now proudly own and mow with a 2002 Ferris 32" Hydrocut (looks new!), 13 hp Kawa, bagger attachment, 350 hours, never off the guys private property, couple extra filters, couple extra blades....$700! Plus cost of a trailer from U-Haul $18 and a tank of gas $45. GO LOOK ON CRAIGS LIST, you'll be surprised.
Good luck!
PS I'm in central NY.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Cleve, thats kinda the way i've been thinking also.
And Mulching fool, i have been looking everyday. There is a
40" Toro just like the new one i have been looking at 60 miles
outside of Charlotte for $2500.00. Called the owner and he says
around 50 hours ? (cant remember, less than 100 hrs.) But for
that kind of money why not get the new Wright for $2600 ?
Thanks guys
Johnny

[LarryF]

It doesn't look like Better Outdoor Products has been mentioned yet. I have a single drive BOP and think highly of it, and I'd guess the duallys are even superior.

http://www.betteroutdoorproducts.com?page=VideoQuickDually_H.htm

Maybe you would do well to check them out before you take the plunge.

[LKCLawnService]

Id go for the Toro, aminly because I do not like pistol grips, like the t Bars, commando grips. good luck

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Larry, i have been to Betters website several times. I'm sure
one of their mowers would work great for me. I'll check into them
a little more.
LKC, I assume you make a living mowing ? How much a pain would it
be using pistols on my lawn 1 to 2 times a week ? I tried the Toro in
the dealers parking lot....really easy to use. Did'nt try the Wright
but it did feel like it would wear your arms out just trying it out and
playing with it in the showroom. Remember i have NEVER used a
walkbehind before.
Thanks guys
Johnny

[Cleve]

Tried the grips before I purchased the T-bar 20 years ago. Way better using the T-bar. Never looked back after that. Grips are O.K. if your are going straight for a distance but if you have lots of turns and short maneuvering the T-bar will be best.

[JCRENSHAW]

Thanks Cleve.......again. really appreciate all of your comments. One last
Question.
The Toro turbo force deck has 3-blades, the Wright has 2-blades. Will
there be a noticeable difference in cut quality ? I know there is a 4"
difference in deck sizes, but will a 3-blade cut better than a 2-blade ?
Johnny