Flex 2100 and JD 220-E Cancel The title field is required!

1. Verdun Scott M

   
   5/8/2013 8:05 AM

   I was just wondering what experiences people have had with these new mowers from Toro and Deere, hoping to hear from folks who have been using them for a season or so. We are looking to purchase new machines to replace our original Flex 21's and I've had both machines out for demo for the past week. I know what I have observed on the golf course and I'm curious if anyone has had any mechanical issues, mowing issues etc... as I want to ensure as best that I can that I am making the best long term decision for the club.
   
   Thanks for your input,
   
   Scott

   
   
   
   
2. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   5/9/2013 5:05 AM

   I've run the 220E for awhile and love them. I think they are easy to service and grind, and produce a great quality of cut. You can also set your reel speed, and if you back-lap it has the back-lap feature built into the machine. I ran the Flex 21 prior to making the change and have been very pleased with the performance of these units. I like the fact that it has a true floating head by being able to move 360 degrees. All in all both are great machines, but I like the Deere. Just my opinion;)
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
3. Verdun Scott M

   
   5/9/2013 7:05 AM

   Henry,
   
   Our mechanic here told me that there would be up to 30 minutes more of daily service (after cutting) on the Deere due to grease fittings and needing to purge water from certain locations etcetera. Do you find that it takes more time on daily set-up? He also said that it's a 3 or 4 year machine tops. I certainly am no mechanic but I can get my way around the shop and I just don't see it, I've had the machine up on the lift and while the cutting head isn't as robust as the DPA cutting unit on the Flex 21 or 2100 I just don't see those issues that he is claiming.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Scott

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   5/9/2013 8:05 AM

   Would the flex 2100 have the same housing and seal set up as the Toro DPA units? We were able to go 4 years or about 1500 hours without changing bearings and seals, and the grease was so clean we might have been able to go even longer. I do know the DPA heads on our 3150 have no grease fittings, just the front basket roller.
   
   I know different animals, but was wondering if it was similar to the DPA reels.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Verdun Scott M

   
   5/9/2013 11:05 AM

   Mel,
   
   Minor changes I believe but yes basically the same DPA cutting unit, no grease fittings etc.
   
   Scott

   
   
   
   
6. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   5/12/2013 7:05 PM

   I adjust the 2500e / 220e reels just as fast if not faster then the flex 21. We do 10 greens mower daily in 60 minutes or less. If it takes longer the 5 to 6 minutes to set then its time to grind. We face with the bedknife buddy, set quality of cut and check the HOC and park. I see no issues as he claims. We grind greens reel about every two weeks due to topdressing and we grease then. I prefer to run greens units a bit on the dryer side so we don't end up with grease on our greens. I grease the rollers with one pump of grease per month and when we grind I put one pump in the sealed bearing side and two pumps in the motor side. Also pack grease into the splines. I have units out there with three years on them and never changed a roller bearing or reel bearing yet, As for being a 3 or 4 year machine, I doubt that the case at all as my former club is in their forth season and they are running as good as the day they received them.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
7. Verdun Scott M

   
   5/15/2013 12:05 PM

   Thank you all for your input and for your experiences Henry. We are in a Toro dominated area with great Toro distribution which has dominated for the past decade or more and I think he just doesn't want to deal with anyone but that distributor. The 220-E was my preference based on quality of cut and lack of scalp tendency, by the end of the day today I hope to have permission to order 5 Deere 180-E's as we do have some impressive slopes I think they will provide the best of all worlds.
   
   All the best,
   
   Scott