[Klayfish]

OK, this just didn't work out as I had hoped.... :fing20: Long story short, I've got about 3.5 acres of land. In need of a new mower. I convinced myself to cough up the extra dough to buy a zero turn.

I had what I thought was a great deal on a Toro Z4200 from Home Depot. It was a leftover model, got it for a steal. Turns out it has an electrical problem, so it's going back tomorrow, and I'm at square one.

Can anyone give me advice between these mowers?

Toro Z5000 w/21hp Kohler engine
White 50" ZTR w/22hp Briggs&Straton V twin
Craftsman 50" ZTR w/26hp Briggs&Straton Vtwin

All similar priced

Or....alternatively, any ideas what could be wrong with my Z4200? The battery goes dead after a day or two. And the battery is brand new, we bought a brand new one after the one in it was dead and not taking a charge.

Steve

 

[D-Dogg]

Did you measure the charging voltage?

Check the fuses?

 

[Rodney in VA]

:bump9:

 

[oldandred]

sounds like home depot has a problem not you.How long have you had the o
ne you have now ?
But then again thats a big box store all they want to do is sell the heck with the service end

 

[shadow1961]

If it was really a steal then stick to your guns and get them to fix it. I don't know a lot about zero turns but know some folks who've had good luck with Ex-Marks.:Welcome1: :goodl:

 

[Teddy da Bear]

Just because you have a "new" battery does not mean it is a "good" new
battery. You should take it and have it tested. Like an autoparts store.

 

[Klayfish]

Thanks. Let me try to clarify some. I had to write the post quickly last night, so I didn't get much time. The tractor was a left over from last season. I got it for $1500. I just bought it 5 days ago. I'm still not clear on the full details, as the store manager was relatively new to that store and wasn't there when the tractor was brought in last year. It apparently had been sold last Sept and was immediately returned to the store. It apparently had an electrical problem then. It was sent back to Toro for repair and by time Home Depot got it back, it was winter. So it sat until now. When my wife bought it, the battery that had been in it was dead, but that was the original battery. Home Depot took it to their tool area where it was jump started, then a new battery (which they did test while it was there) was installed. So we know the new battery was good...at least when we bought it 5 days ago.

I'd love to have it fixed, as the price was great. We have 25 more days to return it to Home Depot for a full refund, and it's got 2 years and change on the warranty from Toro. I just don't want to live with a headache, and hope that they can fix it quickly. Is the electrical system really complicated on these things???

Anyone have thoughts on those other tractors I mentioned?

 

[Teddy da Bear]

I for one do not believe that "home depot" has the ability to test
a battery under load like an autoparts store does. I believe it
requires specialized equipment. And I do realize this is a less likely
scenario....but it has happened twice to me.

 

[D-Dogg]

I agree with shadow1961, in that you should give them a week to fix it for good or take it back. Sometimes a deal too good to be true really is.

As far as the rest of the mowers on your list, the reviews seem to be consistent with box store purchased mowers in that price range. It's awesome to it's the biggest piece of junk on earth. Looks like you limited your shopping to Sears, TSC and HD. There are more machines out there and some are at real dealerships with real service departments.

Go get a Z225 at the JD dealer so you will at least have a dealership with qualified people working on it. Not claiming it's any better, but you will have service.

 

[oldandred]

home depot couldnt check oil in there own mowers much less check a mower out every thing the get back goes back to werever it came from for service
so it dont matter if it was five years ago and you got it and let them fix it.
and dont take no for a answer I could tell a story about a generaitor i got from them a few years ago but to make a long story short they payed me $500.00 for there mistake and screw ups
dont let them fool you make them fix it
And no dont mess with it then they will void the warranty

 

[Wheel Horsin Around]

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I was reluctant to purchase a mower from Home Depot. I had seen their service when they tried repeatedly to fix my father-in-laws snow blower. After that I knew it was worth spending a bit extra to buy from a reputable dealer.
I bought my toro gt2100 from a toro dealer in November, it was a leftover. I brought it home and put it in my shed. A couple of months later I went to start it and it didn't start. The dealer came to my house, checked it out and installed a new battery. Didn't cost me a dime and I didn't have to waste time bringing it to the dealer. Can't get that service from Home Depot.

So you have to determine what if you want to have a cheap mower and poor service or pay a bit more for a good mower and service you can count on.

 

[shadow1961]

:ditto: :ditto:

I agree with shadow1961, in that you should give them a week to fix it for good or take it back. Sometimes a deal too good to be true really is.

As far as the rest of the mowers on your list, the reviews seem to be consistent with box store purchased mowers in that price range. It's awesome to it's the biggest piece of junk on earth. Looks like you limited your shopping to Sears, TSC and HD. There are more machines out there and some are at real dealerships with real service departments.

Go get a Z225 at the JD dealer so you will at least have a dealership with qualified people working on it. Not claiming it's any better, but you will have service.

 

[CraftHorse]

Since it still has a warranty from Tor, why not find a local Toro Dealer and have it fixed correctly under warranty.

 

[Wheel Horsin Around]

Since it still has a warranty from Tor, why not find a local Toro Dealer and have it fixed correctly under warranty.

Damit stop thinking so much.

Sounds like a good idea to me.