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Thanks for the sound advice. I will try your “hack” this week on my 30-40 year old 3/8 ratchet. I still remember when they were made in the next town over from me on Craftsman Way in East Windsor, CT. Not sure if they manufactured the whole line there, but I know they made sockets and...

I was disappointed when I went to Lowes a few days ago to exchange an old ratchet that broke. The employee at the Courtesy desk said of course we will, as long as it’s the same model number. Obviously none of their model numbers even remotely matched.

I just saw this on an email that I received from Surplus Center. They have new / surplus ZT2200 Transaxles for $599 for a set. I've never priced these, but it does seem like a good price. I have purchased from them in the past with good results. Hope this helps someone. Bruce...

Good Morning, I searched but couldn't find an answer. My question is, when you purchase new blades, do you sharpen them before installing? Thanks, Bruce

I have a 2013 Toro MX5060 with the 23hp Kawasaki motor. Changing the oil is always a disaster. The supplied plastic hose doe little to alleviate the problem. Is there anything like the oil changing aid shown below that will fit the Kawasaki FR691V motor? Or, does anyone know the thread of the...

I have a 2013 Toro MX5060 with the 23hp Kawasaki motor. Changing the oil is always a disaster. The supplied plastic hose doe little to alleviate the problem. Is there anything like the oil changing aid shown below that will fit the Kawasaki motor? Thanks in advance! Bruce...

While trying to help a fellow LMF member with a Toro SS issue, I stumbled across this Toro 2011-2013 Time Cutter SS/MX/ZS Service Manual. I had been looking for something like this for a few years, but had only been able to find a service manual for the engine and the hydro drives. It is...

I have had the MX5060 for a little over a year and I absolutely love it. I have religiously followed the maintenance schedule. Actually I do oil changes and lubrication much more often than the recommended intervals. My only concern is the front wheel uprights. I can lube the wheel itself...

I wasn't sure where to post this, but here go's. I always have done my own mowing, seeding, fertilizing, etc. I still intend to do my own mowing, but need a little help with the fertilizing. The growing season is when I am the busiest at work. It seems like I never have the time when the...

I just got an interesting catalog in the mail yesterday from The Surplus Center. I haven't bought anything from them in awhile, but they do have all kinds of intersting stuff from motors to hydraulic cylinders/drives to pulleys/sprockets. You'll love it, especially if you are a tinkerer. They...

I have a question for you experts. This May I purchased a new Toro MX5060 with the ZT-2800. Being anal, I decided to change the oil / filters on the Hydro Drives. Everything went smoothly (except for one really stubborn oil filter), until I went to purge the units. Even with the hydros...

I was always told to drain the carb (close the gas valve and run until it stalls), prior to storage. I believe most manufacturers recommend this. However, when I was looking around on the Stabil site, they recommend keeping the carb fuel bowl filled. What they say seems to make sense, so now...

The last few years I have begun to use Stabil (red) in my small engined equipment. I have a pretty large container of it that I have had for a few years. I was just wondering, does Stabil itself have a shelf life? Thanks, Bruce

I just purchased a set of Gator blades for my Toro MX5060 and I am having second thoughts. With the help of a vendor, we matched one up. I just got them and the blades seem extremely heavy. I'll take one off the mower to compare. The Oregon website says that the blade is .164" thick, but I...

I always like to be prepared, so I am looking to buy an extra set of blades for my newToro MX5060. Would you recommend sticking with the OEM blade? If not, what would your recommendation be? Will use of other than OEM blades void the warrantee? Thanks, Bruce

I was looking for a service manual for my FR691V Kawasaki engine. I found this on ebay for $9. I just received it yesterday. It is very comprehensive and covers several engines. It was well worth the $9. Service Shop Kawasaki FR651V FR691V FR730V FS651V FS691V FS730V Repair Manual | eBay...

When you level your mower decks, how do you get an accurate measurement from the blad tip to the ground? It's not too bad on the side with the chute, but the other side is nearly impossible to measure. Once I have it level, I'm thinking of cutting a block as a guide to use for future...

Does anyone know if there are service manuals available for any of the Toro ZTR's? Thanks, Bruce

Has anyone switched to a K&N (or similar) style air filter? I was looking at one for my Kawasaki FR691V. They are about twice the price of the OEM filter, but will last forever. I have used them on several autos, and also on my Sears SS12, and then on my just retired Craftsman mower. I have...

Sorry about my ZTR ignorance. I just purchased a Toro MX5060. This is my first ZTR, and to make a U-turn I push one handle forward and the opposite one I pull all the way back. This in effect has one of the hydros going from full sped forward, to full speed reverse. Is this safe for the hydro...

Hi, I recently purchased a new Toro MX5060 ZTR. I have decided to sell my Craftsman Garden Tractor. The model # is 917.273070. It is powered by a Kohler (Command Pro I believe) 22 hp twin with a six speed transaxle. I have owned it since new (2001) and it has about 500 hours on it. It runs...

Hello All, Thanks again for all your help in my purchase of a Toro MX5060 ZTR. I do have a few maintenance questions. -Should I use Kawasaki OEM oil filters, or is a brand like Sten (made by Wix I believe) okay? Would the use of other than OEM void the warrantee? -If I only change the oil...

I have been lurking on this site for quite awhile. I picked up a tremendous amount of advice and information from the great folks on this site. I finally settled on the Toro MX5060, and thought that I would share my feelings. Keep in mind, that while I am old, I am new to ZTR mowers. This...

I saw this in a circular that came from my local Harbor Freight Store. It is on sale for the month of June for $79.99. I don't think that you can use the 20% off coupons, because it is probably considered a jack. The rating for it is not great. Most of the bad ratings are due to it being on...

I have seen a post that addresses this recently, but for the life of me I can't locate it after an exhaustive search. My new Toro MX5060 ZTR with the 2800 hydro units pulls to the left slightly, and also "creeps" slightly when the controls are in neutral. I won't even touch it until I get a...

I will begetting my New Toro MX5060 delivered on Wednesday and I have a few questions. I would post this in the Toro Forum, but they are general questions pertaining to the Kawasaki twin motor and the Z-2800 transaxles. 1. The owners manual says to use either some special Toro Hydro Oil or...

First of all....thank you to everyone for their advice. These are the units that I looked at: - Ariens Zoom XL 48 @ $3899. Loved it except for the Kohler Courage - Gravely ZT XL 48 @ $4399 ($4199 on website). It is basically the same as the Ariens, but with Kawasaki motor. Dealer will not budge...

I am looking at mower / ZTR lifts. I read all the previous threads that I could find. I received an ad yesterday from Tractor Supply and the have the Prolift T-5300 on sale for $129. If I google this model, it only shows up as being available at Tractor Supply only. It has a 300# capacity...

I am still looking for my first ZTR. My question is, where are the Kawasaki Residential and Kohler Courage engines made? I am asking because on the snow blowere forum that I frequent, they claim that for 2013, all snow blower engines will be made in China. Thanks, Bruce

I was looking at the above ZTR, and it now comes with a Kohler Courage motor. The manual I downloaded shows a Kawasaki motor on all the Zoom XL's. do you know what year they stopped installing the Kawasaki? Thanks, Bruce

I had been looking at tractors and ZTR's to replace my Craftsman GT. I was leaning towards a tractor, but to get something better than what I have, brought me into ZTR territory. My criteria are: 48" cut; fabricated deck; Serviceable drives (ZT2800 or higher); under $4,000 and a local dealer...

I see that most folks here recommend fabricated decks. I see that they are generally thicker and stronger, but what other benefits do they have? Do they actually give a better cut? I have only had stamped decks on the only two lawn tractors that I have ever owned. They both have been fine...

I'm a newbie here that has been lurking, learning, and searching. I have a question, but I don't want to start a firestorm. Would Garden Tractors and ZTR's of equal quality give an equal cut quality. I know that the ZTR is likely faster and more maneuverable, but is the actual cut quality...