Bad boy MX series or toro Titan?

[cpenn481]

So I'm new to all this and am looking into buying a good mid to high end residential mower. My mind isn't ready to fork out the 8-10 grand for a commercial ztr just yet. Any way I demoed a Bad Boy MX4200 today and would really like to look at a Toro Titan. I will say the Bad boy was surely a bad boy! I really liked the construction of it. They had a cub cadet high end residential sitting next to it and it wasn't anywhere near as solidly built. Anyway any info you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated. I did see Cheesee's video last night of him cutting a lawn with his Timecutter. I would be really interested in knowing how well that machine has held up to the abuse of a lawn care business as well. Thanks again guys.

[LawnBoy0311]

Lawn care business tips

I have a timecutter too. I was in the same boat you are...it made sense money wise to spend a few grand than shell out that kind of money for a commercial ztr. I also work a full time job, so it was more so testing the waters before jumping in...because my full time job dictates when I can cut. When I bought my mower, it had a 3 year warranty. It says its void after commercial use...just make friends with the dealer...mine knows what I really do with it. I've hit some nasty stuff with it, but its held out just fine. The deck is a thin steel, just be mindful of that. I bought it back in June and its already paid for itself. I have the 42", and its perfect for what I use it for. The only thing I don't like is the front wheels squeak like crazy. Enough to give you one heck of a headache. I just bought a grease gun and keep it lubed up and it works fine. Some might call me a moron for buying a residential mower, but I wanted something on the cheaper side, and new. I'd rather spend the cash buying new than some other companies beat up mower with high hours and constant repairs. If mine made it through next year, or even the year after, I'd say it was well worth it. But ask me then and I'll let you know!

[cpenn481]

Thanks for the info Lawn boy. out of curiosity how many hours you think you put on it in a week? Also what would you say the averagew size yard you cut with it is? I find it interesting that you say it has paid for itself already. what did you use before? I noticed to my amazement while looking at the photo section how many folks were using that mower. Perhaps I dont need to count it out just yet.

[LawnBoy0311]

Originally Posted by cpenn481

Thanks for the info Lawn boy. out of curiosity how many hours you think you put on it in a week? Also what would you say the averagew size yard you cut with it is? I find it interesting that you say it has paid for itself already. what did you use before? I noticed to my amazement while looking at the photo section how many folks were using that mower. Perhaps I dont need to count it out just yet.

Hours a week I'd have to say about 10 to 15. The largest I cut is 1 1/2 acres, the average is a little less than a 1/3 acre. Before that, I used a toro self prop. mower. I was doing mostly townhouses, then bought the bigger mower when I got bigger houses. It's paid for itself because the average yard cost for my customers is $57, and some customers are a bit on the lower side. For now, this mower has done fine, and gives me the chance to save up for a commercial ztr.

I wouldn't count out timecutters just yet. I had no idea how many others on here had them, I read the reviews before I bought it. I heard nothing but good things about them.

[cpenn481]

That's great info, especially on the pricing. Our area is mostly rural and suburban. average rural yard is 2-3 acres most suburb yards here are 1/2 to an full acre leaning more towards the full acre side of things. My mom and dad live out in Houston and their house is on a postage stamp 1/4 acre and house and garage take up most of that. They pay 35 a week for theirs.

[LawnBoy0311]

Every area is so different, thats why it gets me when people ask how much any of us would quote. It would be impossible to tell. The cost of living in my area is very high (7th in the country). Where as maybe in yours it could be lower, or higher!

This year has been nuts seeing all the new companies come and go. I see a lot on craigslist too...guys trying to start out, but bought the biggest, best equipment they could and realized they couldn't make payments. In fact, I just found a repo auction today on a lawncare owner.

Keep your costs low and buy more equipment as you grow.

[cpenn481]

Yea I imagine the cost of living where I am is fairly low compared to most. That said like everywhere else thats relative. My moms house in Houston is alot nicer than mine but she gave 30 grand less for it. Down here its a tough balance of what you can charge as to what the market can stand.

[cpenn481]

Originally Posted by LawnBoy0311

Hours a week I'd have to say about 10 to 15. The largest I cut is 1 1/2 acres, the average is a little less than a 1/3 acre. Before that, I used a toro self prop. mower. I was doing mostly townhouses, then bought the bigger mower when I got bigger houses. It's paid for itself because the average yard cost for my customers is $57, and some customers are a bit on the lower side. For now, this mower has done fine, and gives me the chance to save up for a commercial ztr.

I wouldn't count out timecutters just yet. I had no idea how many others on here had them, I read the reviews before I bought it. I heard nothing but good things about them.

Ok Mr lawnboy after much study and agonizing I finally broke down and bought the toro timecutter ss5000 yesterday. Going to pick it up this am. I really wanted the badboy mx because of its welded deck but found I would have a hard time getting it serviced in my area. I angled toward the toro 4235 but then at the store it was sitting next to the 5000 and the difference in beefyness was obvious. We dont have many gates to get through sso the bigger deck isnt really a problem just yet. We have a old snapper rider for the few back yards with gate access and those yards are all small anyway. The hope is it will last us two or three years till we see where this project leads. Like you I didnt realize until I got to really paying attention just how many folks were using timecutters. I think that speaks volumes about the machine by itself. Thanks for the input and wish us luck.

[LawnBoy0311]

Congrats on the new purchase!!!! That bigger deck will do numbers for you. I wanted the bigger deck, but a lot of my yards have fences where I can just barely squeak by.


My buddy, whos a mechanic, came over and went overmy mower after this past year. He says it held up really well for what I was using it for. He was pretty impressed with it for being a residential mower.

Let me know what you think and good luck!

[Steve]

Congratulations on your new purchase! I look forwards to hearing your review.