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Toro GM1600 Decision

3K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  HoosierLawnGnome 
#1 ·
Help me decide on which one to purchase.

2005 - light kit, wheels, catcher, fully serviced ready to mow - $1800-$2000
2007 - light kit, wheels, catcher, fully serviced ready to mow - $2500
2013 - wheels, catcher, fully serviced ready to mow - $2500 + ~$400 shipping

or spend about $500 on one (older model not sure on year)that's been sitting for years and don't know anything about it?
 
#5 ·
I just purchased a 2011 toro Greensmaster 1600 in March with transport wheels, lights and basket 2700 hours for $975 plus shipping
Ready to mow. The prices your dealer has seem high and I believe you can get a better deal elsewhere. I am very much a person that needs to put my hands on the product before I buy. But I would not hesitate to buy another mower and have it shipped. It does add to the cost. These mowers are built solid and last a long time. I have spoke to many mechanics and they say the Kawasaki motor doesn't fail
Good luck, be patient, it took me a year to find a 1600. my local dealer wanted $3500 plus
 
#9 ·
Yeah at those prices, I would definitely pay the extra to get the 2013. Lot less time for it to be jacked around and not taken care of vs the others. With that being said... I would keep an eye on the Weeks auctions. I know one just ended yesterday, but there will be more. And you could get a much better price, although it may require a little cost in getting it in tip top shape. I paid right at $600 for mine (JD260SL) at the February auction, after fees and tax. Then maybe $200ish to get it in ready to mow shape, including a reel grind. It's hard being patient to find the right mower at the right price, but it can be done...
 
#10 ·
I've always wondered if it's common to pay $1k-2k for a reel mower online. It seems like there are a couple sellers on ebay that source used greensmowers, go through them and then sell them in this price range. Just seems like a lot of money for a 10-15 year old piece of equipment.
 
#14 ·
If you can buy one from a top tier course in the area directly that's your best bet. Just like buying a used car you know if that guy took care of it nor not once you feel him out.

If you've ever talked with the supers at different courses you know they are all different. The guy they hired at the par 3 is different than the guy at Augusta. Same for mechanics.
 
#15 ·
HoosierLawnGnome said:
If you can buy one from a top tier course in the area directly that's your best bet. Just like buying a used car you know if that guy took care of it nor not once you feel him out.

If you've ever talked with the supers at different courses you know they are all different. The guy they hired at the par 3 is different than the guy at Augusta. Same for mechanics.
You never know, the guy maintaining 20 year-old greensmowers (practically antiques in that application) at your local course might have a leg up on guys wiping down brand-new OEM sponsored equipment at Augusta. Same with the supers, having a limited technology set, budget, and natural soil ("push-up") greens commands creative agronomy to achieve acceptable results. Augusta is the big sandbox with all the latest tech AND toys. As long as the sun rises in the east, they're going to look and play phenomenal.

Bear with me as I watch golf on TV from an entirely alternative perspective. When I see them running 12 fairwair mowers 2-3x a day during tournament play, cutting them in a single pass in a matter of minutes, I'm not thinking to myself, "That's so impressive that they get the same aftercut appearance from 60 cutting units!" It more along the lines of "F$&@ Me! Who DOES that?" :lol: Augusta, that's who!
 
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