Which WH would suit me best?

[darren 49]

I'm on the lookout for a stablemate to my 312-8, which I'm currently using to keep about 1.5 acres of grass out the back in check. It's doing sterling work with a 42" RD or 48" SD deck

Where it's not doing so well is around the front and side of the house. These bits are fiddly and the 312-8 starts to show it's size. This is where ideally, it's partner would come in.

I'd like to stay Toro/WH, oldish/second-hand, with a 30-36" deck and a bagger (because I never get to cut as often as I'd like). Because I'm inherantly lazy, it needs to be a ride-on rather than a walk-behind mower as there's still a bit of ground to cover even though it's fiddly.

I've been thinking a 212-5 perhaps or a 11-32? They can both run baggers and with the smaller decks, would fit through gaps that I'm scraping through with the 42"

I'm pretty sure the 212-5 is about the same footprint as the 312-8. Is the 11-32 type machine any smaller? I've never seen either of these in the flesh or next to the c-xxx or 300 models to know how they compare.

If anyone has any suggestions or can provide any comparisons, I'd be keen to hear.

Cheers!

Darren

[Ken B 3,189]

Without seeing your property it is hard to recommend something. I do see quite a bit of Toro/Wheelhorse rear engine riders on C/L usually dirt cheap They often have baggers on them. The decks are often 30-32 inches on them.

[jay in nc 210]

heres what you asked for the 518 has a 48 in sd deck & is great on the big lawn. the 12-38 has a single 38 in blade sd. deck & is handy for around the gardens. i also have an a-81 rear engine rider that does real well at that same job. both mowers turn tightly. but i prefeer the a-81 Jay

[jay in nc 210]

sorry, the small one IS a 12- 32 not a 12-38 it has a 32 in cut. Jay

[Foozerush 40]

I have a 8-25 and a 416-8. I been using the 8-25 for trimming around property and the 416 for the brunt of the mowing, don't have a bagger for it, its a mulcher,but I got it off CL for dirt cheap, needed carb cleaned and I did usual tune-up and she runs great... It is solid built, turns on a dime. I call it my Go-Kart!! I seen them listed on CL in my area from 75-325, most of them with the bagger. Good luck in your decision to get another horse to play/work with!!!

[darren 49]

Thanks all, I suspected RS would come up trumps!

Jay/Foozerush, thanks so much for that side-by-side comparison, it's really useful to see the size compairson and especially to hear the thumbs up for the rear-engine rider; that's another I'd started considering. :thumbs:

[Don1977 605]

The problem with rear engine riders is that extra distance behind you. When to try to mow close around something you can hit it with the rear wheel. I can mow closer around things with my C-120 and 48" deck than I can with a RER.

[darren 49]

Thanks Don - that kind of info is invaluable.

In a perfect world, the square-hood Lawn Ranger would probably be my favourite choice; I love it's little square stance and the deck-size is right, given that it's SD, I'd imagine a smallish bagger could be made to fit it. I'll keep my eyes peeled in any case and see which models crop up.

I've also been eyeing the Murray 12/30 mower. It sports a decent size engine given the deck, and they come with a bagger. With their metallic burgundy paintwork, they have a curious 80's attraction. Ultimately though, it's not a !