The Green Industry's Resource Center

Skidpad · #81 05-21-2011, 03:38 PM

Saw n mow: yes, I am a Bobcat owner (8 days ago!)

Popeye77: thanks for the link; I may have to try some.
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Capemay Eagle · #82 05-21-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southpaw23

Wow, I guess I should have waded through the information and numerous posts here because there is a ton of info regarding ZTR mowers in my price range. I really wanted something along the lines of a 54" deck (or close to it) but not at the cost of compromising build quality and cut performance.
I'll look into the ones you mentioned.

You can also peek at the Bobcat Fastcat RZ!

southpaw23 · #83 05-21-2011, 09:28 PM

I'm going to check out a Hustler Sport on Monday. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into the Bobcat as well.

Capemay Eagle · #84 05-21-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southpaw23

I'm going to check out a Hustler Sport on Monday. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into the Bobcat as well.

Quite a few engine you can get on that Sport! I would look into the Honda or the Kawasaki FR engines, but if you want to save a few bucks, the Briggs will serve you well! The Sport is available with the 54" deck as you have mentioned you were interested in! But I don't think the Honda is available in the 54" deck configuration!

Sport Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=5NjiGqBk0ZM

RJGiants75 · #85 05-25-2011, 11:55 AM

I'm on a limited budget and was curious on what you guys thought about the Toro Timecutter ZTR's. My local dealer has the one that HD sells (Kohler engine) but also has the one with the Kawasaki engine for not much more. Thoughts?

Capemay Eagle · #86 05-25-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJGiants75

I'm on a limited budget and was curious on what you guys thought about the Toro Timecutter ZTR's. My local dealer has the one that HD sells (Kohler engine) but also has the one with the Kawasaki engine for not much more. Thoughts?

What is your budget and what kind of acreage are you cutting?
You can get into a Badboy MZ series for about $2999 maybe the same money for the Hustler sport! And these machines are both built very well. This would be with the Briggs engine, but I feel the Briggs engines in these machines are doing pretty well. Maybe Saw & Mow can pop in here and fill you in on the MZ and the Briggs engine!

As far as the timecutter, there are people on the board here that own them and like them, Toro is a great name in the green industry, Toro commercial mowers and top notch and can maybe be said as one of the best industry! I don't feel the same about their residential mowers, but they will do the job and if you can get the Kawi engine, by all means get it! It is probably the FR engine, same as the Badboy MZ and Sport. There are more options out there for a little more money. When it comes to a ZTR purchase and few hundred more can really go along way. There are many things to consider, such as transmissions, frame build and the deck! A fabricated welded deck is certainly much better and will last a much longer time than a stamped deck. I am sure a few MZ and Sport owners will stop in here and assist you with any questions!

ce750jockey · #87 05-25-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJGiants75

I'm on a limited budget and was curious on what you guys thought about the Toro Timecutter ZTR's. My local dealer has the one that HD sells (Kohler engine) but also has the one with the Kawasaki engine for not much more. Thoughts?

I just took delivery of a Toro Timecutter today. I got the 42" with the 22HP Kawasaki engine. I used it today on my lawn that hasn't been cut in 2 weeks with all the rain here in Cleveland. My grass was 10" high. The mower cut through it with absolutely NO problems. Get the bigger engine, like I did. You won't regret it.

BUT, I'm an amateur, and I did learn a lesson about using these things....be careful if your lawn is soggy and marshy. I got stuck when I allowed the tires to spin and the tread to fill up with mud. I left ruts and learned you better plan your turns accordingly, or you're gonna be sorry. You don't want to be going over the same spots two or three times when you make your turns. That's where I got into trouble.

But, as far as the actual machine, it seems well built, handles like a dream, and has plenty of power to make quick work of very tall, wet grass. Now, I've only used it once, but I actually had fun cutting the grass...and drinking beer at the same time. Hmm...maybe that's why I got stuck!

Hope this helps.

Skidpad · #88 05-26-2011, 12:07 AM

^^^^ Excellent - congratulations! Ya know, you really let us all down when you got a brand-new mower stuck and didn't post a picture of it for us to see

Enjoy...

ce750jockey · #89 05-26-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skidpad

^^^^ Excellent - congratulations! Ya know, you really let us all down when you got a brand-new mower stuck and didn't post a picture of it for us to see

Enjoy...

I can post the muddy ruts I created during my "adventure"! Would that do?

saw n mow · #90 05-26-2011, 09:19 AM

To add to Capemay's questions of acreage and budget, is your yard fairly smooth or fairly rough? I ask this because I have been mowing a neighbors country yard that 'something' (Possum or Armadillo) has been rooting up part of the already fairly rough yard. With my Bad Boy MZ48 I have to slow down quite a bit for the rough ride. 20" (or bigger) drive tires would probably smooth out the ride (or getting a ZTR with some sort of suspension. Other than 'wanting' bigger drive wheels for what I am mowing...I really like my MZ. I had to 'reclaim' this same yard, and it should have been bushhogged in some areas...but I put my deck on it's highest setting and went after it. The 26hp Pro Briggs did awesome.

The Briggs can be a little cold natured when trying to start it if it's been sitting for quite a while. I can engage the 48" deck with the throttle at barely an idle. The mower is very well built with it's fabbed deck and 2"x2" frame. As was already mentioned the Hustler Sport is built just as well. I believe it has extras such as a cup holder and a designated spot for an optional hour meter. I chose the MZ over the Sport because it fit me better...sat a little higher, better for my long legs.

On paper (and looked at some in person), I shopped other mowers in the general price range and to me these 2 mowers were the most mower for my money.

Here's some pics and comments on my mower:

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...highlight=mz48

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...48#post3785111

Kevin