Thread: Toro or Kawasaki Powered Zero Turn Mower

Before you think of buying anything Toro have a very close look at their spare parts prices and availability.

I nearly got caught on this hook a couple of years ago trying to source a simple ignition coil for a second hand Toro ride on mower. No 'non genuine' spares available as Toro had the market all stitched up and the Toro spares were eye watering expensive in Australia and US agents were 'unwilling' or precluded from selling overseas.

Better IMO to buy from a less 'aggressive' company.

The John Deere ride on mower I bought over 20 years ago with Kawasaki engine and transmission is still going strong and its had a hard though well maintained life. BTW John Deere spare parts prices are much, much cheaper and more readily available in Australia than Toro parts.

Deano

I would opt for the Kwaka engine.
Most of our small motors here are all Honda and they always seem to start first pull and run trouble free
and I am sure a Kwaka engine would serve you much the same.

Cheers, Mick.

My folks own a macadamia plantation- they use a toro zero turn as one of their mini harvesters. The toro uses a Kubota engine. they also have 2 other mowers and a bobcat running similar kubota engines. As far as reliability, they haven’t had any issues, and the machines get a rough workout running 10-12 hrs days for weeks on end.
Don’t have much info on the cutting decks as their deck was removed for the harvester adaption.
Might be worth a call to some suppliers in orchard/plantation area rearts etc. they are near Lismore and use a place called ongmac trading. Hope it helps.
Josh

Hello All,

Thanks for the replies.

Funny thing about the Toro is that a couple of years ago they had an option of a 42 inch deck or a 50 inch deck - both were powered by a Kawasaki motor. This year the bog standard SS and the Industrial MX in the 42 are both fitted with "Toro" motors. It is not until the 50 inch mower that they have a Kawasaki motor fitted. Makes you wonder why a difference of 8 inches means the Toro motor is not used any more?

I have had a lend of a friend's one or two year old Toro 42 inch. It is the model that came fitted with the Kawasaki motor. I have used the Toro for a couple of days mowing long grass; in the meantime I have been reading reviews. I then checked out my local Hustler dealer on Friday. The Hustler Raptor 42 inch does come with a Kawasaki motor fitted as standard.

As a comparison between the Toro I have been using and the Hustler - it is easy to see that the Hustler has a more robust frame. Dearer too of course. The Raptor SD has a transfer case that is not sealed, so it actually be serviced. The lower model Raptor has a sealed transfer case and is not serviceable. Looks like I will be saving my pennies until the end of this month to get up to matching the cost of the Hustler Raptor SD. Damn mower will be dearer to buy than my current daily driver Commodore was!

Kind Regards
Lionel

A mate runs a lawn mower business - he uses Hustlers.

If you go the Toro, go the Kwaka. I used one in a commercial application for several years and it was great, but Toro parts are expensive.

The Hustler is the go IMO - more robust and there's a reason a LOT of professionals and councils, contractors, etc use them.

Hello Homestar, Crash, Mick88, DeanoH & JR1

Thank you for all your replies - much appreciated.

Yes Hustler will be the one that I will aim for - the SD. The SD is the more industrial version of the two styles in 42 inch cut. It is more accessible for servicing. It will just take a bit longer to meet the cost.

All the grass has been cut for now anyway, using a friend's Toro 42 inch deck with a Kawasaki engine fitted to it - so getting control of the grass was the first priority; and it has been tucked away. The grass was long and the Kawasaki engine powered through it.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by DeanoH

The John Deere ride on mower I bought over 20 years ago with Kawasaki engine and transmission is still going strong and its had a hard though well maintained life. BTW John Deere spare parts prices are much, much cheaper and more readily available in Australia than Toro parts.

Deano

I agree. My John Deere has the 25hp Kwaka with a 54" deck and things are rough here! In the last 6 or 7 years it hasn't had or needed anything other than the standard off the shelf DIY JD service kit which is not expensive and contains everything.