Jack D. would be pleased.

[MASTERMOWER]

MM has placed his 52" SFS Toro Hydro on the crap list. The hydro system is nice, but the deck and quality of cut leave A LOT to be desired! Besides, the mower itself has over 2000 hours on it (bout 100 on a new engine).

Mowing tall grass in heavy dew is no problem, but when you add a bagger to the deck things go up 5hi+ creek real fast. I plan on purchasing some qualified machine late summer/fall.

Please provide recommendations. I'm open to anything. Dunno if I'd want a ZTR or another WB, but whatever must sport a hydrostat system. Would need a larger deck size (over 48"). I primarly let the grass fly out the deck, but I do also bag clippings on a few lawns.

Dealers around here: Exmark, Toro, Snapper, Grasshopper, Hustler, Walker, John Deere, Dixon, Dixie.

[jrservices]

[Scaper-S2k]

Your bagger is probably installed wrong.

[GeorgiaLandscaper]

If your going to go with a wb then there is no other way then Exmark. No other company can get close to competing with the ECS system.

[MASTERMOWER]

Your bagger is probably installed wrong.

This isn't the first Toro I've owned. I've had a 44" SFS before.....same deal.....I'm just tired of it. My 36" Exmark's bagging abilities put Toro to shame!

I will likely go with some Exmark mower to replace the Toro.

[Hydro DRIVE®]

In order to bag with a Toro you need to install a baffle.

It's Toro part# 55-9931 for 44" and 55-9930 for 52".

When bagging the baffle is moved 2 3/4" from the front so the clippings are therefore forced rearward to the back of the basket.

This is all explained in detail by getting the installation instructions and parts catalog for Toro bagger model 30128.

[MASTERMOWER]

In order to bag with a Toro you need to install a baffle.

It's Toro part# 55-9931 for 44" and 55-9930 for 52".

When bagging the baffle is moved 2 3/4" from the front so the clippings are therefore forced rearward to the back of the basket.

This is all explained in detail by getting the installation instructions and parts catalog for Toro bagger model 30128.

I think it has the baffle?? I'll check, I bought it used...who knows. Prior to my ownership it was used by some other company who did quite a lot of bagging.

Still though....I'm just wanting a new mower at some point later in the year. This machine has a tad over 2000 hours. Anything could happen to it at any point now. When I rebuilt it I added a new engine, new blade clutch, new t-bar setup, and new front wheel assemblies at about 1,925 hours. I think the mower sits with 2,05? hours now.

[Scaper-S2k]

I have seen quite a few bags installed wrong on the 44". Matter of fact, when I bought one, the dealer installed it for free. This was many years ago/

Well, it was not in the correct position and had to be moved up just a bit. The flow of the grass should not hit side of the bagger before it goes in. Look at you bagger, if it has grass build up on that plate, it's in the wrong position.

[MASTERMOWER]

The mower bags dry grass just fine. It's the wet grass it can't handle.

Also it's not one of those cloth baggers, rather a hunky steel one.

[Scaper-S2k]

Yes, I figured it was the steel one. And it will do better when dry.

I would still wager that it is not postioned exactly right. You should be able to tell just by looking at the 'grass print' on the bagger plate. If you have any grass sticking to that thing, it means it's not coming out and going directly into the bag.

[MASTERMOWER]

Mer?

I should just a picture to clear up any confusion.

[Scaper-S2k]

Yeh, probably!!!!

[njnewbie]

Exmark Turf Tracer HP is the best walk-behind on the market. Great deck, very powerful, great controls, easy maintenance, perfect quality of cut. I just bought the 36" and it mows great.

It's not cheap, the 36 set me back $4800 (it's probably cheaper in your area). I think the 48 is around $5500. But if you think about it, $800-900 more (compared to Toro, etc) is chump change in light of the long-term benefits.

I've used Ferris, Toro, Bobcat, Snapper hydro walk-behinds and this one beats them all.

[MASTERMOWER]

Anyone have experience running the Exmark Turf Tracer and also the Turf Tracer HP?

I'm curious if the added benefits of the 'more superior' Turf Tracer are worth paying for. (better deck, larger tires, faster ground speed, more HP)

[jrservices]