Rough Mowers Cancel The title field is required!

1. Chad Shafer

   

   2 posts
   
   9/2/2014 5:09 PM

   I am looking to Purchase a new rough mower in 2015. We currently have two (2) Toro 4700 rough units. Just curious what other guys are using and what you think about them. The price of some of these rough units is crazy. Any suggestions or comments would be great. Thanks

   
   
   
   
2. Jeffrey Whitmire

   

   0 posts
   
   9/2/2014 7:09 PM

   Chad,
   
   We are using a Toro 4700 and 3280 for our fescue roughs (shaded areas) and 5-gang ground driven reel mower for our bermudagrass. We used to use the 4700 for the bermudagrass, but the gang gives us a better cut and is more economical to operate.

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   9/3/2014 8:09 AM

   We run four Spartan and Reelmaster ground-driven reel mowers. These aren't the ones with the hydraulic lift frame....no sir ree Bob, we drag them things from hole to hole. We complement these with Toro Sidewinder reel mowers as trim mowers. All 'Mudagrass.

   
   
   
   
4. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   9/3/2014 10:09 AM

   4700 and 4500 Toro units are the best in my opinion. I run Deere 8800's currently, and as with all equipment, keep up with the preventive maintenance and you will be fine.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
5. Randall Boudinot

   

   4 posts
   
   9/3/2014 11:09 AM

   Chad, We run two Lastec 721 pull behinds. I have used Toro 580D's, Jacobsen 5111 and John Deere 1600's in the past. I don't think you can beat the quality of cut from the Lastec's. Randy Boudinot Walnut Grove Country Club Dayton, Ohio

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   9/3/2014 12:09 PM

   We currently run a JD 1600, cut is ok, the thing is a huge fuel hog. Always uses about 2.3 gallons of fuel per hour, a little more in the spring time. When we get our old 5111 out as a back up, we will use at the most 1.8 gallons per hour.
   
   We have had some other mechanical issues as well. We have 2700 hours and have replace a deck motor, need to replace a steering cylinder, switches to raise and lower decks, deck coil, the switches have been on all 3 units. Another unit had rear axle bearings and shafts go out. (This might be lack of following maintenance logs). Grass will build up pretty quickly under the one side's deck pullys.
   
   I would much prefer a new 5111 or 311, probably would like the Toro's better as well.
   
   We are mowing fescues, with bermuda mixed in. I would love to dig the old blitzer units out, I donl't think our mechanic would be happy though.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. Dru Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   9/3/2014 12:09 PM

   419 @ 1.5"-2". We have a ton of pine roots to deal with and a very undulated course. We use a ProFlex 120 Made in Canada. Very easy to maintain. Only belts, blades and pulleys. $20K for this unit but you will need a 40+hp tractor to use it. We love ours!. What used to take us 7-8 days to mow with a JD 8800 now takes us 2 days. Excellent maneuverability and NO scalping on slopes.

   
   
   
   
8. Wahlin Scott B

   
   9/3/2014 12:09 PM

   As an equipment salesman once told me, "If we had to buy the equipment we'd all be mowing with pull-gangs and Nationals."

   
   
   
   
9. Tony Feheregyhazi

   

   7 posts
   
   9/3/2014 1:09 PM

   I agree with Dru, the ProFLex is a great unit for big areas. Creates alot turbulence under the decks which lifts the grass before cut. Only clumps in extreme conditions and with Galaxy tires on the tractor the unit has a very light foot print. Only draw back is it ties up a tractor.
   
   Tony Feheregyhazi
   Bridges Golf Coourse
   Winnipeg, Canada

   
   
   
   
10. David Pitkins

    

    0 posts
    
    9/3/2014 1:09 PM

    I agree with the proflex, the 4500 is awesome but you can buy a tractor and proflex for 20000 less and it will probably last a lot longer. My 4500 has 6400 hours on it and still runs but I had to but a couple grand into keeping it going. Have also run Ar-522s from jacobsen and they're ok. But when I replace it will be tractor and proflex with a 3500 or similar size for trim areas

    
    
    
    
11. Chris Wiedenmeyer

    

    0 posts
    
    9/3/2014 4:09 PM

    We currently have a 4700 and an 8800. Both new last season. The 4700 is our second one. Ford 4700 had 7500 hours on it when the motor blew up. Both mow grass but, IMO, have issues. I am not a fan of the rollers. They work great on uneven terrain, but seem to cause some compaction around the greens and tees. Also rollers tend to be where the money is spent each season on bearings, shafts, etc.
    
    With our old 4700, 2002, I always said I would never purchase another one. The new version has a lot of the bugs worked out. Also after having one for 10 years the "wear" points showed themselves and are now watched a lot closer.
    
    I like the jake 5111, but it tends to scalp at 2" where the john deere and toro don't.

    
    
    
    
12. Douglas Eggert

    

    1 posts
    
    9/3/2014 7:09 PM

    I'm running a Toro 4000 10' rotary mower at 2.5" on Ky bluegrass. Mows 55 acres rough twice weekly. Nimble enough to use on tee banks and green banks. Mine is a 2008 with 3200 hours. Minimal maintenance breakdowns.
    
    I'd buy it again and again.

    
    
    
    
13. Craig Moore

    

    0 posts
    
    9/10/2014 2:09 PM

    36 holes
    We have a 721 Pull behind Lastec and Sidewinder on one course and a 4520 Zero Turn Lastec and Sidewinder on the other course. I would not change a thing. All great machines.