Hello,<p>you mentioned the 580, and yes, costs will be high. Just demoed a 455 and yes, it was a great machine, very efficient. Would love to own it. Only problem is the 45k price tag. I can't imagine what a 580 would cost, especially new. Probably in the 55k plus range. For this, you could get 6 choppers, always have a spare if one breaks down (maybe even two spares,) and still have great productivity.<p>A tricky subject that needs to have the numbers ran through. For instance, I think gorrel said he can mow 40-45 acres in 5 ours, with 3 machines. Thats 15 man hours total. <p>With the 580, I'd imagine you could probably do the same job in the same time, but with only one machine. The labor savings here could be very signifigant.<p>One thing, though, is that all areas may not be able to be cut, and the quality of cut may be a issue. If you don't have to have "stripes" (which I'd imagine you don't) and have the park look like wrigly field, then I think a big mower may be just the thing. <p>The 455 I did had a very nice cut. I doesn't stripe per say, but it leaves a very nice finish. I ran it for a day, and figured out this. We have (2) 72" 25 hp diesel groundmasters that take 3.5 days to cut our fields. With the 455, I figured I could do it in about 2 days only (bigger motor, faster mowing) with the same quality. Thats a comparison of 16 man hours to 56 man hours.<p>A big difference. Theres no way the smaller machines can compete with this savings in labor. Also, one machine can be cheaper to maintain than two, another cost savings. <p>I would have to say go with the bigger machine, especially for parks, where I imagine the grass just has to be cut, and not "striped". Also, I always say the less labor you need to depend on the better. <p>And by the way, the 455 was very maneuvable. In fact, better than our smaller machines . And with the fold up wings, it can do the tighter areas too. A great machine I thought. Not familiar with 580 though. It looks nice, but also a little bit too "mechanically" complicated with those fold down wings. <p>My suggesting is to get a demo. Only real way to see how the big mower will work for you and your jobs. Toro will gladly drop one off at one of your parks for a day to try out (they better at least for the potential bucks they will make off the sale). I think real world testing is the best start in deciding.<p><p>steveair<p><br><font size="1">Edited by: steveair<p><br><font size="1">Edited by: steveair<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: steveair