[dwells97]

I am in the market for a reel mower. I've never owned on before but since I've renovated my yard to Zorro Zoysia, I want to achieve that low cut look.

I've looked around and narrowed my mowers down to Toro Greenmaster 1000 or JD 220e. I see lots of members have these brands and was looking for insight on what people thought of these. It looks like from the forum reads, they are dependable and pretty easy to maintain. Parts seem plentiful for both. Ultimate goal is to get HOC at 0.5 inches which both are capable of doing.

If there are other mower suggestions, I would be happy to hear them. Going to try and pull trigger in next 7-10 days.

Thanks in advance

 

[g-man]

Both are great. It comes down to controls location, and groomer options in my opinion. The 220e has the advantage of being able to slow down the reel speed to more closely make the foc match the hoc.

 

[Ware]

I have owned both a GM1000 and a 220E (although I currently run a GM1600). I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, but I am somewhat partial to the Toro's. It could be because that's what I started with though (think iPhone vs Android).

I think the GM1000 will mow slightly closer to obstructions - the 220E has the electric reel motor on one side and a counterweight on the other side that adds some width. The 220E is also a slightly longer machine (front to back). Neither are bad - just different. The 220E has some attractive features that the Toro does not have.

Given your truncated buying window, I would probably recommend focusing more on the overall condition of the mowers you are choosing from. That could have a greater influence on your overall satisfaction.

 

[J_nick]

I wouldn't rule out the other models from JD either eg: B, C, SL models.

 

[Rockinar]

I have a JD180 SL. I like it. One of my main complaints is the transport wheel axles, they catch on everything and dont allow you to mow close to fence lines and such. You will be mowing along the fence, then suddenly......"Left turn Clyde!!!"

 

[viva_oldtrafford]

A lot of quality turf equipment available on this link:

http://www.turfnet.com/classifieds/category/12-walk-greensmower/?sort_key=date_added&sort_order=desc

 

[Greendoc]

I have a JD180 SL. I like it. One of my main complaints is the transport wheel axles, they catch on everything and dont allow you to mow close to fence lines and such. You will be mowing along the fence, then suddenly......"Left turn Clyde!!!"

I normally do not want to be near fences or other hard objects anyway. Seems that is where all of the rocks, nails and screws in the grass are. I relief and backlap mowers on the side. Typical story is that someone was mowing right up to a fence or walkway when they hit something.

The last 8-10" near a fence, etc is what a LB is for.

 

[gatormac2112]

@dwells97

Is your yard flat or is there any slope to it? If it has any slope at all the 280 pound JD 220E was a bear to get up the slope. My yard has a slight slope and it was slipping to the point I was having to push it up the yard.

That's primarily why I got rid of it. Otherwise it's a great machine.

 

[g-man]

I go up slopes without a problem on the 220E.

 

[Greendoc]

Roller drive greens mowers have a problem mowing Zoysia on grades if the grass is ever allowed to be above 1". At a low HOC, the mower works as designed. At a high HOC, there is not enough traction.

 

[dwells97]

Sorry for late reply. Was seeing mom for Mother's day.

Thanks for all the replies. This is the most helpful forum I've been apart of in quite some time.

I have found good condition models of both mowers so that is not an issue. I did look at the other JD models and for the price on the models I've found, the 220e seemed like a better mower with the features it has. And one I found does come with transport wheels which I will need to go from garage to front yard. Part of my driveway is gravel. I wan to toget a roller drive model as my yard is not completely level and this would help with this issue until I can get it totally level.

My yard is flat. There is no slope. There are no fences or obstacles to maneuver around so that should not be an issue.I will have to cut around some beds I made to encompass the trees in my front yard. I made sure to get the roots in the bed so they would not be a problem mowing.

 

[dwells97]

@gatormac2112

How do you like the Swardman mower? I had considered this but probably not going to happen for me.

 

[gatormac2112]

I go up slopes without a problem on the 220E.

Good to know. That wasn't my experience though.

 

[gatormac2112]

Roller drive greens mowers have a problem mowing Zoysia on grades if the grass is ever allowed to be above 1". At a low HOC, the mower works as designed. At a high HOC, there is not enough traction.

That's probably it then, I was at about 1.25 inch on my only mow with the JD.

 

[gatormac2112]

How do you like the Swardman mower? I had considered this but probably not going to happen for me.

I have had more problems with it than anyone in the world I believe, you can read about my experience here https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2822

I do love it though, but until I get a uninterrupted season with it under my belt the jury is still out.

 

[Greendoc]

Roller drive greens mowers have a problem mowing Zoysia on grades if the grass is ever allowed to be above 1". At a low HOC, the mower works as designed. At a high HOC, there is not enough traction.

That's probably it then, I was at about 1.25 inch on my only mow with the JD.

People in Hawaii do not know the meaning of flat. Ground that is naturally flat must be turned into steep grades due to the hazard of flooding. I can mow most lawns provided my HOC is 0.5" or lower. The lower I am mowing the better it handles the grade.

 

[Colonel K0rn]

FWIW, @ryanknorr just uploaded a video of his interaction and impressions with his Swardman. @GrassDaddy has been using his as well.

 

[dwells97]

Thanks for the video.

I checked out @gatormac2112 post on his Swardman experience. That has been an ordeal. Hope it now smooths out for you

 

[gatormac2112]

Thanks for the video.

I checked out post on his Swardman experience. That has been an ordeal. Hope it now smooths out for you

Thanks!

 

[MasterMech]

I wouldn't rule out models from Jacobsen either. Parts are just as easy and the machines are just as good as both Deere and Toro. The name doesn't sound as familiar to homeowners because Jacobsen doesn't do residential equipment.

220e is different in several ways over a fixed-head traditional greensmower like the GM1000. Has the floating head and hybrid electric drive system. Check into the possible heights of cut possible with the 220e. Some of the floating head mowers max out at .500".

Keep in mind that many greens mowers are not setup to give their best quality of cut at .500". 11-blade reels and tournament bed knives are the norm and are better suited for heights under .200". They will work at .500" but will be very picky about how much grass gets cut off at a time and may leave a few "stragglers" depending on conditions. If you happen to spot a machine setup as a "tee mower", "collar mower" or "tees and approaches", it will have cutting gear more appropriate to the heights we maintain our lawns at. These machines typically have 7-8 blade reels and thicker bedknives.