36" walk behind experts!

[mariner]

I'm ready to buy. By the weekend I'd like to be working with the new mower. I'm considering scag,exmark,bobcat,toro. Which one is the better of them and why. I don't think I can get a hydro right now unless someone knows where on line to get one shipped for around 3000.00. What is it about the Toro and mulching? Is it true you can't mulch with it. Can't you just buy mulching blades for it? I think I do prefer the pistol grip to the exmark handles. All opinions appreciated.

[Scaper-S2k]

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They are all decent mowers. You need to demo them. Personally, I would stay away from Bobcat and Scag because of pistol grips. Your hands will thank you each day....and no where near the worry of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in your future. Scag makes a great ZTR though.

The Toro is a VERY easy mower to learn and use. The controls can not be duplicated for their ease. That's a fact. Hills are cake with a Toro T-bar for controlling. While sitting on level ground, letting off the controls doesn't cause the mower to run away. And, it's the only w/b mower I know of that can be controlled by one hand if needed....even on hills.

People can talk and talk about ease of use for their brand.....but either way you slice it, they are glorified pistol grips. Toro has the patented T-bar. If mulching is a necessity, go with the 44", not the 36". The 44" is a great all around mower size anyway, and what we use more of.

Go demo both. That's the only way you will know for sure.

What size lawns do you have?

[Zack.]

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If you're getting a hydro the ECS has a distinct advantage for performing Z-turns.

Even on the lowly belt drives ECS straight tracks better because it doesn't rely on operator pressure & fine trims more precisely.

I demoed a Hustler with the motorcycle grips & they are definately not glorified pistol grips.

[mariner]

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I have an older bobcat right now with pistol grip and I gotta say they are very comfortable to me.
What about Ferris? Also, what is the difference between a sigle hydro and a dual hydro drive besides price?

[Scaper-S2k]

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So the Hustler is your brand Zack?? Again, read.

Mariner, if you are use to pistols, give yourself a good solid day to accustom yourself with the T-bar during a demo. Let the T-bar do the work. Zacks "tracking" comment is actually a minus and plus for Toro. See, as you know, on pistols, when one side is adjusted different, it won't track straight at all!! But on a T-bar, that doesn't come into play. You simply push one side forward a hair more than the other. Keeping straight is easier.

When you demo the Toro, the T-bar when pushed forward should be about 2" away from the stationary bar and your fingers should be able to sort of hold that stationary bar. Some people (maybe Zack) grab the T-bar like bike handles and that is incorrect. Also, I hope you demo the older style model. They have a new style that can be bought that gives the front end a heavy feeling. Not sure how much I like that.

I hope all goes well with your decision. I have to ask....if you are comfortable with the Bobcat, and like it, why not get another one??

[Zack.]

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There is a toolless manual tracking device that can be adjusted on the fly on Toro & eXmark mowers so Mr. Skapers presumption is bogus.

If necessary you can alo adjust tracking with slight pressure on the ECS handle. much more precisely than you can with the T-bar.

[Scaper-S2k]

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Okay, now he's stretching it.

I quit, I won't lie to make my point, I only tell it like it is. I realize it is rediculous to argue with someone that will lie to prove their point. I won't stoop that low. Don't get the Toro, be like Zack.....he's got it together (taht's sarcastic by the way)...go check all his other posts....you'll see.

Can't wait to see the shiny new Exmark.

[Zack.]

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Whose lying?

You said you "simply push one side a hair more than the other" to straight track. You could do exactly the same with an ECS grip, with a slight squeeze if the machine was not adjusted properly. The reason you are finding it necessary to make that fine adjustment on the T-bar is because the operator must apply pressure to straight track, while with ECS you do not. If the machine is not adjusted properly, you will have alot more difficulty doing the manual adjust while applying pressure, than with the ECS.

Funny when I demoed the Hustler with H-bar steering I voiced my concerns about the T-bar to the Hustler rep because their system is set up somewhat similar, in that you have to apply pressure to move. The Hustler rep said they are modyfying the H-bar so you can straight track without pressure because this was one of the complaints they hear from alot of guys about the T-bar & their H-bar system.

If you're going hydro, the T-bar does not Z-turn nearly as easily as ECS or as H-bar for that matter since you have independent wheel control with both the latter systems.

The T-bar is good for girls & rookies because it takes almost no effort to steer & is quickly learned. For the serious lawncutter, however, there are better options.

[Scaper-S2k]

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You can't push a "grip" handle. You must squeeze it constantly to track it properly.

Well, at least you admit that the T-bar is "takes almost no effort to steer & is quickly learned".

Now how you can put that down is beyond me. I guess "serious" cutters only use the harder to operate equipment??

Get real. You talk in circles...and maybe other things too.

[Greenman]

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mariner-have you checked out emark.com? They can give you exact prices, i'm sure. If you can't do any good on their website, email me, I can help.

[Greenman]

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When I release the ECS handles, mine WB goes straight, if on a flat surface. If its on a slight horizontal incline, I just barely squeeze the handle to make it go straight. To stop, just squeeze both handles. Simple.

[Zack.]

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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Scaper-S2k</i>
<br />You can't push a "grip" handle. You must squeeze it constantly to track it properly.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">


As I said with the ECS you apply NO pressure to straight track.

If the machine is tracking right or left you apply SLIGHT pressure on either ECS grip to correct.

You will make more adjustments with the T-bar because the tracking relies on operator pressure which occasionally needs minor pressure adjustments to correct while mowing.

I have put thousands of hrs on the T-bars & close to 1000 on ECS & there are benefits to each system but the ECS holds a distinct edge IMO.


With the hydros the edge for ECS is greater still.

[Scaper-S2k]

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So what I said IS correct then.

Wow, you have put thousands of hours on both machines!! Huh, what like 4000??? Wow, at your proclaimed 10 minute lawns at 6 minutes per cut...that's like???????

<font size="6"><font color="red">40,000 LAWNS!!!!</font id="red"></font id="size6">

You da man.....

YOU....DA....MAN!!!

Thank you, please have a nice day.



I'm done with this topic, I proved my point, as has Stone in the other thread about the 36" mowers.


I don't care what mower you use. Chew it off for all I care! Done with this topic.

[Zack.]

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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Scaper-S2k</i>
<br />You can't push a "grip" handle. You must squeeze it constantly to track it properly.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

No you apply no pressure to straight track. Either way, ECS, or T-bar you're applying slight pressure to adjust.

If it makes you feel better Toro owns eXmark so you can have some satifaction knowing the better current production eXmark WB's have Toro ties.