[Ral1121]

Ok looking at getting one of these two mowers. I understand a lot of the pros and cons of each. i believe they are pretty equal as far as design with the main difference being the JD with the electric motor for the reel.

Toro flex 21
I am leaning towards the flex 21 but the only thing holding me back is I believe the Kawasaki fe120 is no longer produced. I am going to be buying from an auction and what if I end up having to repower? I will have to find a different motor that hopefully fits. This is really the only negative in my eyes. Also I could not find it but what is the max height of cut with out the kit installed.

JD 220e
The Honda motor is readily available and relatively cheap if I have to replace. My concern on it is the electric motor component. To me it is one extra thing that could possibly go wrong.

I am really leaning towards the toro. The fe120 motor is the only snag for me right now. Am I overthinking it. Is it relatively simple to repower with say a Honda gx engine? Maybe someone can ease my mind about this. I will be bidding in the weeks auction that is going on right now. I understand I can get a great deal but I also run a risk of getting something that I a, going to have to put a bit of work into hence why my question about the motor.

 

[Alan]

The Toro HOC range is: 1/16"-19/64"
pdfstream.manualsonline.com/f/f9f42c01-efbd-4228-b55f-a5cc9d454a3a.pdf

I think the JD may go up close to an inch. I haven't Googled it.

 

[Jacob_S]

220e will cut higher than an inch, around 1.25 if i remember correctly. I am currently running mine at 1" with room to go up if need be. When I bid on my 220 I was really wanting a Toro GM1600, but got out bid on the one I was bidding on. I said screw it and bid on this 220e and glad I did, this thing is a beast.

 

[Ral1121]

The Toro HOC range is: 1/16"-19/64"
pdfstream.manualsonline.com/f/f9f42c01-efbd-4228-b55f-a5cc9d454a3a.pdf

I think the JD may go up close to an inch. I haven't Googled it.

Dang that is a lot lower on the toro than I thought. Just barely over a quarter inch. I thought it was closer to .5 inches. If I put new brackets on it will the groomer still be usable? It is a 2008 model if that makes a difference. Maybe someone who has one with a groomer can weigh in? @Redtenchu @Colonel K0rn

 

[Ral1121]

220e will cut higher than an inch, around 1.25 if i remember correctly. I am currently running mine at 1" with room to go up if need be. When I bid on my 220 I was really wanting a Toro GM1600, but got out bid on the one I was bidding on. I said screw it and bid on this 220e and glad I did, this thing is a beast.

You ever worry about the electric reel drive motor going out? I looked it up and it is just under $500 to replace. That really is the only concern of mine when it comes to the 220e

 

[Alan]

Yeah, I don't know, I was just reading the specs on the .pdf. I like the short footprint of the Toro, the JD to me seems long(front to back). I have never used either and I have never seen the Toro in person, but I have seen the JD...FWIW(not much...lol)

 

[Jacob_S]

Not really, I mean I'm sure it will at some point then it will be dig in all corners of the web to find the least expensive replacement.
Also not sure if the flex does this but the 220e has onboard backlap ability with the flip of a switch.

 

[Redtenchu]

You'll need to know the model # of the Flex for the max HOC, some newer models max at .295 inches (7.5 mm), older models max at .5 inches 12.7mm. I love my Flex, but if I had a choice.... I'd buy the JD 220E everytime.

 

[Ral1121]

You'll need to know the model # of the Flex for the max HOC, some newer models max at .295 inches (7.5 mm), older models max at .5 inches 12.7mm. I love my Flex, but if I had a choice.... I'd buy the JD 220E everytime.

What makes the 220e better in your eyes? Is it just the ability to match hoc with the clip rate?

Also here is the model number. Not sure where I would find the info on max height of cut

04022-280000913

 

[g-man]

Motor power is not that important on a reel. Its very different than a rotatory.

 

[UGADawg]

The Toro HOC range is: 1/16"-19/64"
pdfstream.manualsonline.com/f/f9f42c01-efbd-4228-b55f-a5cc9d454a3a.pdf

I think the JD may go up close to an inch. I haven't Googled it.

Dang that is a lot lower on the toro than I thought. Just barely over a quarter inch. I thought it was closer to .5 inches. If I put new brackets on it will the groomer still be usable? It is a 2008 model if that makes a difference. Maybe someone who has one with a groomer can weigh in? @Redtenchu @Colonel K0rn

All of the Flex21 mowers at the weeks auction look like they go up to .5". Only 2 of the listed flex21s will accept a high hoc bracket as the groomers are not compatible with the bracket. The listed hoc in the manuals is based off of the micro cut bedknife.

Lot#:
4202 cutting unit (don't quote me on this)
30028 - Looks to be the best out of the lots
30029 - its a little dirty but i wouldn't let that stop you from bidding on it.
30032A - might need a replacement reel

4200 cutting unit (don't quote me on this)
30030 - reel is really rusty
30031 - will accept High HOC kit but reel is really rusty
30215 - serial number is scratched off but i think this might be a much older unit
30215A - serial number is scratched off but i think this might be a much older unit, and it is missing the front roller

 

[Redtenchu]

What makes the 220e better in your eyes? Is it just the ability to match hoc with the clip rate?

On board backlapping.
Clip rate adjustment.
Max HOC above 1inch.

Everything else is about the same, but the 3 things listed above would tip the pendulum for me.

 

[Redtenchu]

Also here is the model number. Not sure where I would find the info on max height of cut

04022-280000913

Max HOC is .50 inches... .75 inches with optional brackets.

https://www.scribd.com/document/57829235/Toro-GM-Flex-18-21-Specs#

 

[Ral1121]

@UGADawg @Redtenchu

How sure are yall about the .5 cut height.

Reason I ask is because when I look in the owner's manual for that model number 04022, it shows it as 19/64. Look at page 7-2 of the service manual.

https://issuu.com/negimachi/docs/06149sl

Is there somewhere else you are finding this info?

 

[Ral1121]

Sorry if you feel like I am bugging y'all about this. I just want to make sure I get this right if I go the flex 21 route and don't end up with an expensive mistake

 

[Redtenchu]

Sorry if you feel like I am bugging y'all about this. I just want to make sure I get this right if I go the flex 21 route and don't end up with an expensive mistake

You could always choose the 220E and not miss any sleep.

 

[Ral1121]

Sorry if you feel like I am bugging y'all about this. I just want to make sure I get this right if I go the flex 21 route and don't end up with an expensive mistake

You could always choose the 220E and not miss any sleep.

True I am really starting to lean that way unless I can find out for sure. Just seems there is conflicting info coming from Toro published manuals.

 

[MasterMech]

Ok looking at getting one of these two mowers. I understand a lot of the pros and cons of each. i believe they are pretty equal as far as design with the main difference being the JD with the electric motor for the reel.

Toro flex 21
I am leaning towards the flex 21 but the only thing holding me back is I believe the Kawasaki fe120 is no longer produced. I am going to be buying from an auction and what if I end up having to repower? I will have to find a different motor that hopefully fits. This is really the only negative in my eyes. Also I could not find it but what is the max height of cut with out the kit installed.

JD 220e
The Honda motor is readily available and relatively cheap if I have to replace. My concern on it is the electric motor component. To me it is one extra thing that could possibly go wrong.

I am really leaning towards the toro. The fe120 motor is the only snag for me right now. Am I overthinking it. Is it relatively simple to repower with say a Honda gx engine? Maybe someone can ease my mind about this. I will be bidding in the weeks auction that is going on right now. I understand I can get a great deal but I also run a risk of getting something that I a, going to have to put a bit of work into hence why my question about the motor.

If you are worried about ease of service and replacement part cost, why not a fixed head mower? There are herds of Toro GM1000/1600s, Deere 220/260SLs, or Jacobsen GK522/526s out there with excellent OEM and aftermarket parts support. They cost less to acquire, and don't require an electrical engineering/software engineering background to troubleshoot. I very highly doubt that a floating head mower will make such a significant difference in your lawns appearance that your neighbors will go and trade in their now inadequate fixed-head greensmowers. :lol:

 

[Ral1121]

@MasterMech

I have thought about that but these are the best mowers being sold at auction right now. Where else can I find mowers for a few hundred?

Maybe you can answer this question too

I would like one with a groomer. My thinking is the groomer would prevent the need of verticutting. Is this true?

 

[Ware]

...My thinking is the groomer would prevent the need of verticutting. Is this true?

No.