Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Well, I am planning on getting a Toro just wondering what you all think of them. I am planning on getting this one as I need it for my services but can't afford a 1000 dollar commercial unit. Don't want OHV either as I have had problems with a B&S Intek engine cause of it lol.

Toro Mower

Hi Termy,

Can you estimate how many hours you figure you'll run a mower over the course of a cutting season? With that information some forum members might be able to give you a better idea of whether a high end residential mower or a commercial unit would be more suitable of an investment.

Termy,

The most important thing is just start! It would be nice to have a commercial unit but it's more important to just get going. Buy what you can afford and start your work, after you get some accounts and make some bucks you can get more refined on your equipment. Best of luck to you!

I got a Crapman, 6.6 or some chit people who lived in my house before me left behind.  Never changed the oil or plug for years, tortured the hell outa it.  Starts on a 1/2 pull everytime, w/ stale azz gas to boot. Last year I took pitty on it, and changed it's oil and plug, lol there was on like 4 tablespoons in there.  It's a B&S engine.   The think is just insane.  

I've got a 4 y/o toro pp mower as well, and like it alot.  Granted since i got the tractor it's been relegated to trimming, but its a good mower, cuts real nice, and i haven't had a problem with it.

Thanks guys for your replies. I knew Toro's were great mowers because my dad had a LT from the 80's but I was just a little kid then and did not really know the spacifics. For instance, I did not know that if you ran toro's without changing oil or doing any maintanance on it at all that it would still last a long time! Good stories you guys...

Marshall, I totaly agree with you on that one! You don't have to buy something that is out of your range just to have it. That is the secret to success!

Term , That is what I'm doing in my business just working my way up. I'm wanting to buy a new mower now. goodluck

Hi T-20...

As asked... expected hours of use per season ?
Cost of this Toro?
Yard sizes?
Will this be the only mower used... or just for trimming/tight spots?


For me... if your kinda' just starting out mowing for $$$...
I'd get  one or two used mowers for cheap... cheap... cheap...
Burn 'em out... throw away... until as recommended... got enough accounts to justify a new (newer) commercial machine(s)...

It takes a lotta'  mowin' $$$ / time to buy a few-hundred-dollar mower...

Think big... start small... and inexpensive...

Dave...

I am on my second 10+ year old Toro. I tend to take pretty good care of all my OPE but I think they both served me well.  That is no guarantee however that the Toro you buy today is of the same quality. If I had to buy a new mower today I would probably look for features as well as quality.

To answer your questions I would like to start off by saying that I am not just starting my buisness. I have done lawn care for many years but I have allways had a crappy mower. My last mower was the Scotts mower that I reviewed here at abbysguide.

For the amount of accounts that I have right now, I think I am looking at 400 hours per year. I may get more accounts maybe not, it all depends. I do know what features I want in a mower and I know what brand I want to buy from. I wanted to make sure though that none of you fine people have had problems with Toro's! For my service, I want a mower that is dependable, will start everytime, and only require basic maintanance. Toro's seem to have that and more. According to Toro's website, they have a 5 year GTS warentee!

I really like Snapper mowers too, but, today they are not built aswell as they used to be and Snapper does not have a 5 year guranteed to start warentee.

Watch that warranty Termy, look for a "professional use" clause.  I know all my ope has said clause in it, and the guarantees of the equipment(all of them) are dramatically reduced when the equipment is used for professional use.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if that 5 year gts turns into 30 days for pro use.  If it were me and i had the $$$ i'd prob go with the snapper over the toro for your use because they do seem to be built a bit heavier, and you can get a couple of them with kawasaki engines.  they also offer a model that is a walk behind with casters on the front- good for a guy that has to go around stuff all day.

Looking at the snapper site, you could even go with a pro trim mower, and get your choice of honda or kawa powerplants.