JD 8800 performance Cancel The title field is required!

1. Richard Staughton

   

   0 posts
   
   12/6/2012 12:12 PM

   Considering the purchase of this unit for roughs next year but concerned with engine size vs. Jac AR-522 and Toro 4500. We have some pretty good slopes and hills in North Georgia and wondering how this unit performs. Thanks for any input.
   
   
   
   
   Richard Staughton CGCS
   
   Golf Superintendent/General Manager
   
   Towne Lake Hills GC
   
   1003 Towne Lake Hills E
   
   Woodstock, Ga 30189
   
   770 592-9969 ext 25 (office)
   
   770 592-0964 (golf maint)
   
   770 926-4021 (fax)
   
   richard.staughton@hmsgolf.com

   
   
   
   
2. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   12/7/2012 11:12 AM

   I have two units but we are relatively flat. Just finished our 4th season with them and I'm very pleased with performance. Only real negative I have on them is the non-greasable rollers that will get worn fast and bearings needing replacing. Great machine though.

   
   
   
   
3. McKee Mike J

   
   12/7/2012 1:12 PM

   I have had one of these units in Southern West Virginia for two seasons and will never buy another one. Decks are too small and leaves windrows of uncut grass on any slopes. As Justin mentioned, getting grease to the roller bearings is a job. Lots of other small issues that never were a problem with our Toro 4500.
   As far as the engine goes, it has plenty of power for my hills, but it doesn't cut the grass!
   
   It does well on flat ground but any hill is an issue...great for a football field, I guess.
   
   Just my opinion, but the 4500 is night and day a far superior machine.
   
   Good luck!

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   12/7/2012 3:12 PM

   If it has the same engine as the 1600T's expect to burn a lot of fuel. We have the 1600 and will regularly burn 2.3+ gallons of diesel per hour.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Fleegel Timothy

   
   12/9/2012 10:12 PM

   I had one on the course I was at in central WA. Almost 800ft of elevation and never had a problem unless it was VERY wet. Replaced an AR-5 with it. It was our ONLY rough unit and never had an issue. Those front plastic rollers weren't the greatest and it did burn a lot of fuel. I'd buy it again.

   
   
   
   
6. Richard Staughton

   

   0 posts
   
   12/10/2012 10:12 AM

   We are headed to the equipment auction in south georgia on Wed and might consider an 8800 to replace a tractor pulled Locke mower that mows the flat areas. We would still have to look at the Jac or Toro in the spring to replace our current 3500 and 4500 units which were purchased in 2004. Thanks for the help!
   
   Richard