Toro vs Deere Cancel The title field is required!

1. Stephen Okula

   

   3 posts
   
   2/11/2015 3:02 AM

   I'm looking at new equipment purchases. Since I've been at my present course, we've had mainly Toro, but previously I had good experiences with John Deere. At my present time and place, comparable Deere machines look to be about 20% cheaper on the purchase price than their Red Iron counterparts.
   
   Could anyone tell me how they would compare performance and running costs of the following pieces?
   
   Fairway mower
   Toro 5610-D4R vs Deere diesel 7500A E
   
   Greens aerator
   Toro Pro Core 648 vs Deere Aercore 800
   
   Sand trap rake
   Toro Sand Pro 5040 vs Deere 1200A sand trap rake.
   
   I appreciate any comments, thanks.

   
   
   
   
2. Michael Rogers

   

   2 posts
   
   2/11/2015 6:02 AM

   Hi Steve,
   
   We bought Toro 2 green triplexes, 2 workman, a 5610, 4500, 3500, 2 2100 flex, sand pro, Pro core 640, a 5800 sprayer about 2 1/2 years ago.
   
   The Toro equipment burn a lot of diesel, get stuck in wetter areas, slide a lot because of weight.
   
   We had a JD 8800 that cut circles around the 4500 burning little juice and climbing anywhere.
   We still have a 10 year old JD Green Triplex that keeps up with the newer Toro.
   
   The 640 works well, we are solid tining greens right now. The Sand Pro is good. The 2100´s leave are greens like US Open hand-mowing 5 times per week at 3mm.
   
   Toro equipment is like a Mack truck and solid, depends what suits you.
   
   Another price factor is that the Toro machines come stripped. No groomers, no lights, no tines, no flex seat, most everything is extra so it adds a few more grand on each machine.
   
   I would check out Jacobsen as well. I will not recommend buying all one brand again to club
   
   Good luck MIchael
   
   Marbella Golf Country Club

   
   
   
   
3. Frank McQuiggan

   

   2 posts
   
   2/11/2015 6:02 AM

   Stephen,
   
   I have the 7500E fairway machines and other than a very few minor problems (which were handled under warranty) I am very happy with this machine. I have seen the set-up of the 7500A and I like the control system that it has, leaves nothing but steering to the operator really if you set it up completely. Speeds, turning speeds, everything handled by the controller.
   
   As far as the Aerator I do like the Toro 648 better than the Deere 800. I have had less problems with using the 648 over the 800 over the years.
   
   With the bunker rakes the 1200 is good but the rakes just seem to be too light to me leaving a lot of rippling in the bunkers over time. The 5040 is a bit heavier and does a better job but with a slight modification you can make the 1200 work just as well.
   
   From a maintenance perspective all of the machines are easy to work on, The 1200 is a bit tricky when changing the oil but a little angle iron makes the oil change easy enough, (filter stuck back a little over top of the frame).
   
   If you can mix and match I would go for the best machine to fit your needs and budget. Have you demo'd any of these machines on your course? That would be a the best start and then look at the after sale service from each one. No machine is going to stay perfect so there will be warranty work to be done which color gives the best service in your area is a major concern for me. Like I said I haven't had to may problems but those that I could not get fixed right away myself and were covered by warranty I had great service. Little warranty things I can get my dealer to send me the part I replace it and then send back the old part to him, larger jobs they would send the mobile tech to me and it normally only took a few days so not much down time.

   
   
   
   
4. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   2/11/2015 6:02 AM

   I run Deere right now, and have for a number of years, we lease our fairways mowers. For longevity, and that your purchasing them, every piece that you listed I would go with Toro. I have had Toro bunker rakes with over 5000hrs on them and still doing a great job. I have had Toro 6700 and 5410 units with over 4000hrs. Not saying you cannot get that out of a 7500E, but those electric components are very expensive when the unit starts to age. The cut on Deere is great, but the Toro cut is great too, it's all in the setup. For a guy who leases Deere, if I were buying outright I'd go Toro for the long haul. If you're talking large trucksters, you wont beat the Deere Pro Gator diesel. You wont find a better aerator than the 648. I know the new Deere is comparable, but the 648 has a proven track record. I will also add that the last two lease packages that I have been involved with putting together, we did spec out all three brands, you had to specify all your options. Our deere package is just nearing the two-year end mark, and we have every option they offer, and in our book/lease binder it list everything we wanted, and we paid for it, just as with any company. The 4500 and 4700 units are the beast of the industry. Just my thoughts and opinion.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
5. Keith Fellenstein

   

   0 posts
   
   2/11/2015 11:02 AM

   With very few exceptions, I just don't think there is that much difference in performance from one color to another (the TORO 648 is one that comes to mind). My decision is based more on cost and cost to operate/maintain. I don't have enough time with our new Deere fleet to make a good comparison, but can say part of the reason we moved away from Jacobsen was the cost to operate/maintain. The TORO pieces we've had in the past held up well, but the upfront cost was more than I could manage. Since we lease and turn over the most used pieces regularly, it made sense to go Deere. I haven't been disappointed in the least. If anything, pleasantly surprised at the quality of cut, productivity, and ease of maintenance for multiple pieces. My mechanic (a 30 plus year veteran in the industry) is very pleased as well.

   
   
   
   
6. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   2/11/2015 12:02 PM

   We've had our 7500E for 2 seasons now and I'm very happy with them. No issues and great cut. Only problem my guys complain of is the baskets, not sure if they've been redone for that A series. I traded my 2007 800 Aercore when we switch to the 648's. I believe the 648's have been proven to be one of the best items to the turf industry in a long time. The new Deere looks to be similar to the 648 but doesn't have the proven track record yet. We have a 5040 and 2 1200A. 1200A we have bare bones, just rake attachment on back with finishing rakes. We've been very happy with their performance of the 2 years. Machines move quick. I know someone mentioned a in a previous post about wavy sand, we've not seen that issue. We do rake in a circle pattern starting at far end and working to entrance point, feel this helps keep that down. Longer passes with increased speed we saw some wavy sand. Use our 5040 with cultivator to loosen up sand from time to time.
   
   Hope this helps,
   Justin

   
   
   
   
7. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   2/11/2015 3:02 PM

   Stephen Okula, CGCS said: I'm looking at new equipment purchases. Since I've been at my present course, we've had mainly Toro, but previously I had good experiences with John Deere. At my present time and place, comparable Deere machines look to be about 20% cheaper on the purchase price than their Red Iron counterparts.
   
   Could anyone tell me how they would compare performance and running costs of the following pieces?
   
   Fairway mower
   Toro 5610-D4R vs Deere diesel 7500A E
   
   Greens aerator
   Toro Pro Core 648 vs Deere Aercore 800
   
   Sand trap rake
   Toro Sand Pro 5040 vs Deere 1200A sand trap rake.
   
   I appreciate any comments, thanks.

   
   
   Fairway I could go both ways, ProCore over JD but 150%, Sand Rake TORO for sure. All that said service is still #1 reason for any item. We are now 80% red 15% Green and 5% other. Toro parts and service is good.
   
   Keith
   Zama Golf

   
   
   
   
8. Douglas Eggert

   

   1 posts
   
   2/11/2015 6:02 PM

   I guess I have the "Trifecta".... I have bought the 2008 newJD 7500 about 6 years ago, bought it off a state purchasing contract site unseen... It replaced a 1995 Toro 5300 D, it'll mow circles around it. I'd buy it again, no major problems. It and a JD 3215A can circle mow 25 acres of freeways in 2:45...
   
   The Procore 648, also a 2008 replaced a Ryan GA30. Demo'do the Aercore 800, the Procore runs circles around the 800. Core 3.5 acres of greens in 8 hours. I have the core collector, 4 sets of tine holders. I do everything except freeways with it. This from a guy who also has the Aercore 1500.
   
   I also have the Toro 5040, 2.5 years old 1400 hours, 71 bunkers 5-7 days a week. It replaced a Smithco, which superseded a Toro 5000, which I have kept to plow up bunkers. The 5000 will outpush the 5040 any day of the week. Had a few issues with tires and steering knuckles, but that is now under control. Given current options for sand, I'd buy another 5040. Our Parks dept uses a JD 1200 for baseball fields(16) 3 times per week, no major issues.

   
   
   
   
9. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   2/16/2015 1:02 PM

   Douglas Eggert said: I guess I have the "Trifecta".... I have bought the 2008 newJD 7500 about 6 years ago, bought it off a state purchasing contract site unseen... It replaced a 1995 Toro 5300 D, it'll mow circles around it. I'd buy it again, no major problems. It and a JD 3215A can circle mow 25 acres of freeways in 2:45...
   
   The Procore 648, also a 2008 replaced a Ryan GA30. Demo'do the Aercore 800, the Procore runs circles around the 800. Core 3.5 acres of greens in 8 hours. I have the core collector, 4 sets of tine holders. I do everything except freeways with it. This from a guy who also has the Aercore 1500.
   
   I also have the Toro 5040, 2.5 years old 1400 hours, 71 bunkers 5-7 days a week. It replaced a Smithco, which superseded a Toro 5000, which I have kept to plow up bunkers. The 5000 will outpush the 5040 any day of the week. Had a few issues with tires and steering knuckles, but that is now under control. Given current options for sand, I'd buy another 5040. Our Parks dept uses a JD 1200 for baseball fields(16) 3 times per week, no major issues.

   
   Never known anyone to cut the freeways? although Ive seen grass on the edges of the shoulders Ive never seen it on the freeway. maybe its different in your part of the country!

   
   
   
   
10. Douglas Eggert

    

    1 posts
    
    2/16/2015 8:02 PM

    8-9 minute tee times...hence freeways...