Toro ZTR

[Greener Side]

I recently attended an expo in my state. When I walked in I notice the Toro ZTR next to the Exmark. They are almost identical. I talk to the rep he said that basically everything from the controls back are the same. Does anyone use the Toro ZTR? How does it perform?

[Scaper-S2k]

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I have the Toro, it does just fine. They are the same machine, the difference is basically the decks. Exmark style decks will stripe a lawn better. Toro style decks will disperse clippings better, even wet. People may try and argue that fact, but it is true and I have used them side by side on the same lawn. Looking at the very front of the decks will show you that Exmark makes more suction with the angle and depth, while the Toro has a smoother flowing design.

Depends on what you are looking for in a mower. Personally, I want a machine that can cut through thicker grass and disperse the clippings, not just a solid stripe. Both are great, but for different reasons.

<<Don't Fear the Green!>>

[Zack]

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Exmark tri-vantage deck will also mulch much better than the Toro SFS deck and leave a better cut because of the lift. The Exmark Ultra Cut deck is deeper than the Tri-vantage, disperses clippings nearly as well as the SFS, mulches better and leaves a far superior cut.

[gmcarn]

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I JUST GOT THE TORO ZTR LAST FRIDAY. CAN'T WAIT TO PUT IT TO THE TEST ON MONDAY. DO YOU USE A MULCH KIT?
WAS TOLD THAT TORO AND EXMARK ARE ALMOST THE SAME. TORO HAS A LOWER PRICE.

[gmcarn]

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LOOK UP TORO ON THE NET AND GO TO THE CONTRACTOR FINANCING SECTION. THEY HAVE NO INTEREST AND NO PAYMENTS UNTIL SUMMER OF 2003. THE JUNE/JULY OFFER IS OVER, BUT, THEY HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS.

[Scaper-S2k]

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"Far superior cut"?? Nothing out there has a FAR superior cut. They are all very close, regardless of someone being brand loyal. It depends on whether you want a very defined stripe (exmark), or better dispersing of clippings in all conditions (Toro). Of course, someone here that advocates the Exmark says stripes ruin the natural look of a lawn, so go figure!

<<Don't Fear the Green!>>

[odin]

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we have a zmaster 149 52 inch 19 horse kaw and a 153 23 horse kohler they stripe as good as our exmark and distribute the clippings good.

Exmark is better at chopping the clippings up and the deck is fabracated the toro is stamped.

Both are excellent mowers

Veteran 502nd inf co.d 1st bn 101st airbourne 1969-72

[Zack]

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
"Far superior cut"?? Nothing out there has a FAR superior cut. They are all very close, regardless of someone being brand loyal. It depends on whether you want a very defined stripe (exmark), or better dispersing of clippings in all conditions (Toro). Of course, someone here that advocates the Exmark says stripes ruin the natural look of a lawn, so go figure!

&lt;&lt;Don't Fear the Green!&gt;&gt;
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Scrubber, I run Toros in the spring because as you say they handle the heavy growth well, especially with doubles. The Exmark deck, is far superior for mulching and leaves a better cut, especially if using an OCDC without mulch chamber baffles. The SFS deck has no front baffle and therefore does not provide the same quality lift and cut as the Exmark.

[Scaper-S2k]

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FAR superior? No. Superior at stripes? Yes, even that, not FAR superior.

A ZTR would be FAR superior to a 1930's reel push mower. But these days, neither brand is FAR superior.

As I said, it depends on what the buyer wants out of a mower.

&lt;&lt;Don't Fear the Green!&gt;&gt;

[gmcarn]

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PUT MY NEW TORO ZTR TO WORK TODAY. HAVE ONE CUSTOMER WHO ALWAYS COMPLAINES ABOUT SOMETHING EVERY TIME I CUT HIS GRASS. TODAY WAS VERY DIFFERENT. HE COULDN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH HE LIKED THE CUT THE TORO MADE. EVEN SAID TO MAKE SURE I USE HIM AS A REFERENCE ANY TIME I NEED TOO. GREAT MOWER AND REALLY SAVES ME A LOT OF TIME.

[rkbrown]

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Good to hear, gmcarn. I hope you get many happy and productive hours out of your Toro.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

[Bryan]

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I do know that my ExMark is superior to my Scag Turf Tiger at least as far as the cut and dispersement goes.

I would almost say Far superior.

It sounds like the ExMark and toro cut very similar, so either would be a good choice.

I thought Zack's guy's only used push mowers?

Green is good !!

Edited by - Bryan on Aug 08 2002 02:15:33 AM