In search of the perfect ZTR?

[trimmer]

I have recently purchased a Toro Z-Master 44&quot; 17hp with the recycler kit. It has 56hrs on it and I am not to happy with it. It is to hard to back up and go forward the steering levers are stiff. When turning it dosen't cut a little strip. The deck blows out a ton of grass all over you, you look like a big grass clump when you get done. I will have to double cut lawns that are thick. What I am in search for is the perfect mower I have looked at the walker it is very easy to manuver and with the one inch overlap on the blades it could solve my prolem but I think I would rather have a mid-mount. I have heard a lot about dixie choppers and there mulch to side discharge would be great I haven't ever really looked at them real close though maybe I should but they look bulky. Well any way I am looking into another mower and what I would like to know is what you like and some of the features you like about it any help would be greatly appreciated. <p>Exquisite Lawn Services<br>Central Floridia<br>Where the grass is tough!

[Richard Martin]

I have finally found what may be the perfect ZTR for me. It is a used (117 hrs.) Dixie Chopper XW2200-60 for $4k. The local Dixie dealer had to repo it and all they want is what is owed on it. Is this a good deal or what?

[mowerman90]

Trimmer, I'm a Grasshopper man but before you give up on the Toro have your dealer (it's still under warranty) check the engine rpm and the belt tension on that deck. A buddy of mine had the same problem and found that the engine was set 300 rpm too slow. Got it adjusted and the problem was solved.

[Barkleymut]

Richard, if that mower is truly only $4000 then I would buy it in a second. Check it over or get an independant mechanic to check it over. We all know you get what you pay for and most dealers don't just pass up on another $1500 that they could make. Don't believe their stories, check that Dixie out good.

[AB Lawn Care]

Trimmer-What type of lawns do you cut?Residential or Commercial?Let me know that would help us give you an idea of what mower would be good for you!<p><p>----------<br>from:Adam<br>AB Lawn Care

[accuratelawn]

Try taking off the mulch kit. With tall heavy grass, good results hard to get with a mulch kit.<br>Have it checked out by your dealer. Like a previous post said engine speed might be off.<br>As for the strip of grass not getting cut.... Does this happen when you turn around?<br>If so, you just need to go a litle farther before to begin your turn. <br>You invested alot in your new mower, but give up on it $$$$$$$$$

[trimmer]

I cut all residential I need a 48-52&quot; cut I cut st.augustine and bahia here in floridia and that stuff is tough to cut I would something that has a little softer steering levers on the toro you really have to pull and push and I don't like that, that is the biggest thing.<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: trimmer

[trimmer]

I cut all residential I need a 44-52&quot; cut I cut st.augustine and bahia here in floridia and that stuff is tough to cut I would something that has a little softer steering levers on the toro you really have to pull and push and I don't like that, that is the biggest thing.

[Jerrys Lawn Service]

Trimmer, we run Scag Turf Tigers with 25hp.<br>Scag has a new advantage deck that is made<br>just for the type grasses your cutting.

[John DiMartino]

Trimmer,I bought a new Dixie Chopper xw2500 this year and I feel a little like you right now.I love the machine,but it also burys me in grass clippings,they shoot right out the front of the deck and in your face,covering you from top to bottom,and it is very bulky for a 60&quot; machine.My head gaskets just went(surprise),and I wish it werent such a scalper,it also doesnt have any deck overhang at all,so you need to hand trim alot more than Im used to.the deck doesnt lift over 4&quot; so it hangs up on my trailer ramp,and cant jump curbs.I do not regret my purchase,but Id wont buy another one unless they improve them a bit.I feel an outfront mower is worth the trailer space it takes up,considering its benifits+ease of deck servicing.<p>----------<br>John D<br>

[trimmer]

Jerry,<p>I was at the dealer where I buy my 2-cycle equipment and he sells scags he had a 22hp liquid cooled turf tiger with the advantage deck I sat on it and played around but I did not drive I should have asked to he wasn't that busy today. What do think of yours, does it blow grass out of the front of the deck and how does it cut, does it ride smooth. How does it do on hills.

[stick]

I own a scag 52' tiger,i cut the same stuff you do in florida, bahai and fortam. Tiger is great, very good pumps, fast and very tuff.Yes, go with the 23 kaw. liquid cooled, very good motor, got 2500 hours on mine and compresion is down 3 psi form factory specs. Put some x-marks blades on it, striat blades don't seem to cut very fast as the mower wants to go.Got no problems with grass throwing out the front. Make sure that you get one with 24' tires, sticks very well to banks.If you want to ride one, come on down to my house and try it, i live in south west florida.Hope this helps you out.<br>

[trimmer]

I should have looked at the tiger when I was shopping the dealer I have been going to for about eight years sells scag but I didn't even consider them I should have taken a good look at them.

[lawrence stone]

Take the stupid recycler kit off and side discharge. Make an operator discharge control<br>thingy to keep the clippings out of the landscaped beds.<p>44&quot; toros do a great job if set up right.<br>Try using hi lift blades and sharpen them daily. But use the stock low lift blades if<br>drought conditions prevail.<p>Adjust the front of the deck 1/4-1/2&quot; lower than the rear if possible.<br>

[grasscapeinc]

Stone is right. I have had my share of commercial toros, and didn't really like them. But, the 44&quot; cut toro deck , has always been a good one.

[Eric ELM]

John DiMartino: You told me you found out why the clippings were coming out the front. You said one of your double blades had spun and both were together. If it's still doing this, you can either move the adjustable piece on the front of the deck down till it stops blowing out or take off the double blades. That deck will raise up to 5&quot; if adjusted right. I have a 95 and a 2001 that both are adjusted to go up to 5&quot;, so I'm sure yours can be too. I'm not sure if yours is a 1999 or a 2000, but that deck has all sorts of adjustments. If you don't know how to adjust the deck, have your dealer adjust it when you get your head gaskets replaced. That machine will jump 8&quot; curbs if you back up them at an angle and you don't have to fly over them either. <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>The Grass is always Greener on the other side of my competitors fence

[Eric ELM]

Trimmer: If your having problems with levers, try out the new DC's with VTC. They don't even have springs on the levers now, so you can push them with your little fingers. It sure made it easier for me since I have a very bad shoulder. I haven't operated a Toro, but I have tried some that had like a shock absorber on them and I found them very hard to operate. I felt like I had worked out in a gym. <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>The Grass is always Greener on the other side of my competitors fence

[Jerrys Lawn Service]

Trimmer, We love our 61 inch 25hp TT it's<br>fast but turns out great job and cuts just<br>about anywhere as long as your cutting at<br>3 inches or above.no breakdowns so far!<br>Good luck!

[gene gls]

trimmer: If you are interested in a mid-mount check out Hustler's short cut,upper cut model with the bac-vac unit.I looked at one at one of the trade shows.I run a Walker GHS unit and I am impressed with some of the features on the upper cut.It has less parts to wear out in the vac unit. The vac unit unhooks very easy for rear discharge,just to list a couple features. I love the closed deck with rear discharge,trim cut on either side in either direction with out spraying grass clippings all over where you don't want them. I hope to demo one this season.