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

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.

Terminator,

I have a Toro Personal Pace that is starting it's 5th year now. Other than oil changes, air filters, and plugs, I have never had a problem with the unit. Yesterday, I pulled it out of the shed, added gas, 1 pull and started right up. I've owned mowers for 31 years and this is my favorite for ease of use. Only using as a homeowner I can't comment how well it would hold up with commercial use.

I have read some people didn't like how it handled, and some said they had difficulty with hills. My property is quite flat so I don't know how true that statement is about hills. Why don't you go to a dealer and try one out and see if your comfortable with it and question the dealer about the bad performance on hills.

well if you do the math,Termy is doing more mowing in one season than most of us do in 25 or 30 years.which is only 25 or 30 accounts.

thats a lot of mowing.

termy...my advice to you is push one around a yard without  it running and get a feel for it.

next see how much trouble it is to put on the back of your pickup or trailer alone..the actual mowing ability is one thing but you also handle this thing a lot and that is where problems can arise.

next is how about the dealer,whats he gonna do for you.

you probably do most of your own maintenence and are quite good at it by now,but if you have a problem that is beyond your abilities then is he going to put you at the front of the line or make you wait untill everything else in the shop is done.

i beleive that the guy making his living with a piece of equipment should always be helped out as soon as possible

lots of times i will take apart a new machine to get a part so i can get a pro back to work...thats the way it should be,but you might want to check this.

oh yes one more thing,buy the best you can afford but dont starve to do it.

later chris  

Not quite 30 yet there. I have 16 accounts. But, some of those I do allot of mowing. Right now, I just need a mower that will last long enough for me to afford a commercial unit. In this case, from reading all your good informative replies, I am sticking with the Toro.

Hi T-20...

With 16 accounts and lotsa'  mowin'...  how about a wider cut machine ? ...36"... 48"... ?

= less time... = can do more accounts in same time... = more $$$...

A good condition commercial walk behing might be the ticket... ?

My youngest son... at 14-15... started mowing for $$$ with a 22"er...

At 16... he bought a new 48" Exmark hydro... (loan by Dad)... had it paid off in 1st year + $$$ to spend !

Time = $$$

Hope U do well !

Dave...

Thanks Dave! I will take that under consideration. I am glad your youngest son is doing well in his buisness. I will do the best that I can till I can get a rider.