Toro Grandstand Stand-on Mower Review

Toro Grandstand Stand-on Mower Review

This review covers the Toro Grandstand Stand-On Mower Model 74558 19 HP* Kawasaki® KAI with 48″ TURBO FORCE® deck, Toro Grandstand Stand-On Mower Model 74559 19 HP* Kawasaki® KAI with 52″ TURBO FORCE® deck, Toro Grandstand Stand-On Mower Model 74568 23 HP* Kawasaki® with 48″ TURBO FORCE® deck, Toro Grandstand Stand-On Mower Model 74569 23 HP* Kawasaki® with 52″ TURBO FORCE® deck

Update Feb 9, 2009:  Joe From Eau Claire Lawn Equipment spent some time with me today going over the 48 inch and 52 inch Toro Grandstands.  I am going to add a few more posts  that review the operator’s platform, the deck, the tires, the controls, and a few other features.  After you read this article, click on the links at the end to read more:

General

Landscapers are slow to change.  Not matter what the idea is it seems to take years before a product becomes popular enough to be picked up by the large mower manufactures.  Stand-on mowers are no exception and it has taken over ten years for the big manufactures to finally start producing innovative stand-on mowers.

 The hot product from Toro this year is their new stand-on mower the Grandstand®.  

 (All photos are from the Toro website.) 

Specs

Kawasaki® KAI 19 hp or FJ 23 hp Engine,

Air-Cooled Cooling System

Dual element Air Filter

7-gauge 48″ or 52″ TURBO FORCE® with bull-nose bumper Cutting Deck

Cast iron Spindle Housing

Greasable ball bearings Spindle Bearings

1/4″ thick heat-treated steel Blades

Rubber Discharge Chute

8.0 mph forward Ground Speed

Pumps and wheel motors Hydraulic Drive System, Premium synthetic Hydraulic Fluid

20″ x 10″-8″ Drive Tires, 11″ x 4″-5″ flat-free semi-pneumatic Caster Tires

Fuel Capacity Gasoline – 6.8 gallons

What I Like:

Operator Platform Position.  The current crop of stand-ons have three basic positions where the operator  stands in relation to the fulcrum point of the machine.  (See Effects On Operator Position poster from Wright Mfg.)  I personally like the rear operator platform position on the Grandstand.  Standing behind the rear wheels is the most effective position for me.  Yes…… directly in-line with the turning axis is the most comfortable because you are not spinning outside the axis, but I prefer a little interia in my turns.  It seems to help me judge my turns better.  I am able to watch my rear tires easier so I don’t divot the lawns as much. (let the inside wheel stop and grind a hole in the turf)

Most of stand-on mowers have the operator’s feet between the drive motors.  I normally stand with my feet wide apart so to me the Super-Surfer, Quik-Trak , and Stander all feel constraining.  The Grandstand solves this problem with the operator platform behind the rear wheels.   It allows the driver to have more flexibility where he puts his feet.  The curved sides of the platform also helps the operator when mowing on slopes. (Now if it only had fenders that you could use like a bar rail!)

I like the fact that the operators ankles are nowhere near the drive motors.  On the original standons I always had sore ankles at the end of the day from them rubbing on the drive motors.  The heat generated by the motors on the older units could be really uncomfortable on your ankles and having the drive tucked out of the way on the Grandstand solves this problem.

One feature I liked on the original Great Dane surfer was the ability to raise the operator step and use it as a walk-behind.  The new Grandstand also allows you to raise the operator’s platform to get in those really tight areas to mow humps and depressions you normally would have to string trim or use a push mower on.  Raising the platform is also a great way to save space on your trailer. 

I have spent so much time operating stand-on mowers that I could go on for pages about how operator comfort is the key to this type of machine and all the subtle differences between the current group of stand-ons.  Stand-ons are by far the most productive commercial mowers available today but there is a large difference in quality, operator comfort, dependability, and overall satisfaction with the different manufactures.  The Toro Grandstand is a well designed, well thought out mower and your crews will be fighting for who gets to use them.

Tires. I like the large diameter, wide rear tires with flat surfaced treads.  The 20″ x 10″-8″ tires allow you to pivot on the rear wheels without digging  into the turf and gives you better traction in the wet, sandy and rough spots.  Flat-free front casters save you the aggravation of front caster flats.

Deck.  Toro’s TURBO FORCE decks deliver unsurpassed strength, a superior cut, and increased productivity in extreme mowing conditions. Equipped with a patented adjustable discharge baffle, TURBO FORCE decks can be fine-tuned in order to conquer changing turf conditions.  I especially like the front underskirt that reduces blow-back.  If you have ever mowed in dry, dusty conditions you know how important this is for operator comfort.  The rubber discharge chute should last much longer than the traditional metal ones.

What I Would Like Changed:

Only comes with Kawasaki engines.  Would like to see a Kohler option.

Only comes in 48 and 52 inch deck sizes.  I would like to see a 60 inch, 29 hp, 11 mph option

The rubber mat on the operator platform may become slippery in wet, muddy mowing conditions.  The mat may also wear out and have to be replaced.  You may want to give your crew a stiff brush to clean the mat if they get it full of mud and gravel.

With stand-ons it is a lot easier to stop and pick up trash so I would like to see an optional trash basket. 

Warranty:

 5-year or 1,200-hour limited warranty with limited lifetime frame warranty. (2-year commercial engine warranty) *See your Toro dealer for complete warranty details.

Summary & Where To Buy:

You may buy your new mower here.  New Toro Mowers.  Wise Equipment offers great prices with free or minimal shipping costs.   If  Wise Equipment does not have a Grandstand listed in their store email them and they assist you in getting the unit you want.  

I am not jumping on the hype of a new mower.  I really like this new machine and all of the solutions to problems the older stand-on mowers have.  If you need to replace a mower this year or you are seriously looking to improve the productivity of your crews this mower should be on your short list.

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