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We live in Virginia and have a house on a full half acre. Are there any really good mowers wider than the typical 21 inch mowers?
I would love to own a commercial 36 inch mower but find it different to spend $3K for a Toro, Gravley or Xmark.

Also think spending $2600 or so on a Zero turn might get me a low end machine that might have lots of mechanical problems.

Any suggestions? Thanks

I have a Husqvarna 46" zero turn, z246. That would be more than sufficient for half acre. If you wanted to go walk behind route, look at cub cadet 33" walk behind. Tractor supply sells them.

If you are still wanting to push mow, you can look at the Toro Time Master 30" mower as well. If you want to save some time, you can go with any 42" rider or ztr. A rider will be in the 1500-2000 range and a ztr in the 2200-2700 range.

cruzenmike said:

If you are still wanting to push mow, you can look at the Toro Time Master 30" mower as well. If you want to save some time, you can go with any 42" rider or ztr. A rider will be in the 1500-2000 range and a ztr in the 2200-2700 range.

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The Toro and Cub Cadet 30 inch mowers appear to have bad reviews. The belt is always falling off the CC and many owners complain the Toro is underpowered.

Regarding the Zero turns, I am wondering how relevant able they are in the less than $3K price range? I see not so good reviews but the Husky appears to have less issues. Thanks

Rickcin said:

The Toro and Cub Cadet 30 inch mowers appear to have bad reviews. The belt is always falling off the CC and many owners complain the Toro is underpowered.

Regarding the Zero turns, I am wondering how relevant able they are in the less than $3K price range? I see not so good reviews but the Husky appears to have less issues. Thanks

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Bigger engine now being fitted on the Toro so we will see how it goes this year.

pugaltitude said:

Bigger engine now being fitted on the Toro so we will see how it goes this year.

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I was going to say this as well. The new model 21199 has an engine with 10 ft/lbs tq which should help with it being "under-powered" as many had stated with the old model. As for the riders in the $3k range, you can get a top of the line box store model of a traditional rider, or a bottom of the line dealer model. For example, when John Deere had their sale last fall, I could get a X320 for a hundred less than a D170. Obviously the D170 has bigger tires/wheels, more powerful engine and a larger deck, but the X320 had a more robust frame and drivetrain.

You might want to look at a Sarlo BigMo. https://www.sarlomower.com/collections/hydro-drive/products/big-mo. They also have a 34" model coming out for a few hundred more $$.

I've read too many horror stories about the Toro TimeMaster's weak engine, clogging deck and transmission troubles to ever consider buying one.

I have used a cub cadet 33", it cuts very nice but it lacks power steering you get with a commercial unit. If you have a lot of turns you will be muscling it around a bit.

Rickcin said:

The Toro and Cub Cadet 30 inch mowers appear to have bad reviews. The belt is always falling off the CC and many owners complain the Toro is underpowered.

Regarding the Zero turns, I am wondering how relevant able they are in the less than $3K price range? I see not so good reviews but the Husky appears to have less issues. Thanks

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If your looking to buy commercial then you don't want the Toro TimeMaster mower. If you want the commercial get ther Toro Turf Master mower or the Exmark 30" there basically the same mower, both made by Toro. I've run the TurfMaster for almost 4 years in the business and it's been a great mower and for $1700 you can't beat the machine. They come with the Kawasaki FJ 180V KAI 179cc commercial engine. I think or as I remember it's a 7hp engine and it's a forever motor if you give it the maintenance it deserves. I mite add I've never had a belt issue, change them one time since I've owned the mower.

https://www.toro.com/turfmaster/

play the video.

GoPappy said:

You might want to look at a Sarlo BigMo. https://www.sarlomower.com/collections/hydro-drive/products/big-mo. They also have a 34" model coming out for a few hundred more $$.

I've read too many horror stories about the Toro TimeMaster's weak engine, clogging deck and transmission troubles to ever consider buying one.

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Very interesting, I never knew this mower company existed but I would be inclined to only buy a mower that could be locally serviced and one that I could confirm reviews before considering a purchase. Thanks for the info!!

Ric said:

If your looking to buy commercial then you don't want the Toro TimeMaster mower. If you want the commercial get ther Toro Turf Master mower or the Exmark 30" there basically the same mower, both made by Toro. I've run the TurfMaster for almost 4 years in the business and it's been a great mower and for $1700 you can't beat the machine. They come with the Kawasaki FJ 180V KAI 179cc commercial engine. I think or as I remember it's a 7hp engine and it's a forever motor if you give it the maintenance it deserves. I mite add I've never had a belt issue, change them one time since I've owned the mower.

https://www.toro.com/turfmaster/

play the video.

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Thanks for the info, I will definitely take a look. Just want a quality mower that will last and I have looked into the eXmark 30 inch and keep reading reviews that the quality of cut is horrible and it somehow leaves some grass uncut. Comparing any of these 30 mowers to a 21 inch Honda leaves me to wonder why no other manufacturer can produce a mower close to that standard? I have an 1/2 lot and if I cannot find a reasonably good 30 inch mower, I will suck up the extra time in cutting the lawn with a 21 inch Honda. I would love to have a 36 inch EXmark or Gravley commercial mower but having trouble with a $3200 price tag!

Thanks for the info on the Toro and I will start looking at them

Rickcin said:

Thanks for the info, I will definitely take a look. Just want a quality mower that will last and I have looked into the eXmark 30 inch and keep reading reviews that the quality of cut is horrible and it somehow leaves some grass uncut. Comparing any of these 30 mowers to a 21 inch Honda leaves me to wonder why no other manufacturer can produce a mower close to that standard? I have an 1/2 lot and if I cannot find a reasonably good 30 inch mower, I will suck up the extra time in cutting the lawn with a 21 inch Honda. I would love to have a 36 inch EXmark or Gravley commercial mower but having trouble with a $3200 price tag!

Thanks for the info on the Toro and I will start looking at them

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The Cut quality on the Turf Master 30" is the best I've seen with any push mower. I leave the chute closed and don't discharge and it has the prettiest cut I've ever had with a push mower and that includes the Honda's and I've run three of those over the years before the TM. I think the reason you don't see company's or other manufacturers not producing a 30" is because like you, the homeowner isn't willing to spend $1700 plus on a push mower and even if they were willing, using a push mower like the Turf-Master that comes in at 170 lbs isn't for everyone. For myself, in business time is money and the TM saves me time and increases productivity over the 21". If your stuck on the 21" I'd look at again the Toro 21" commercial mower, it also comes with the Kawasaki FJ 180V KAI 179cc commercial engine Kawasaki engine and the Honda commercial engine. The last time I looked they were some place close to $1200 and they are an excellent choice.