What is the difference between Gravely and Toro mowers?
- Gravely mowers are known for their high quality and dependability. The company strives to create innovative tools that make lawn care a breeze.
- Toro is known for its high-end commercial ergonomic lawn equipment. Toro mowers are designed for high use with a large variety of options.
Today, we take a closer look at the mowing race between Gravely vs Toro. We explain the differences between these brands and discuss which is a better choice.
In particular, we examine their build quality, blade design, cutting performance, maintenance, and price.
Let’s get started.
Gravely vs Toro Quick Table Comparison
| Factors | Gravely | Toro |
|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | Focuses mostly on durability | Focuses on ergonomic design |
| Blade Design | Uses a regular steel blade | Standard mulch high-lift blade |
| Cutting Deck | Decks are robust and made of steel | Decks are made of aluminum |
| Engine | Uses Kohler, Kawasaki FS and FX series, and Yamaha MX-V EFI engines | Uses Toro V-twin, Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler engines |
| Fuel Efficiency | Less fuel-efficient but more eco-friendly | More fuel-efficient |
| Price | Expensive | Comparatively less expensive than Gravely |
| Warranty | 2-5 years warranty (with conditions) | 1-3 years warranty (with conditions) |
About the Brands
Based in the suburb of Bloomington in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Toro stands out for its versatile and user-friendly products.
The company dates back to 1914, when it was initially formed as the Toro Motor Company, focusing on tractor engines. It expanded its lineup by stepping into the push mower market in 1948.
Today, Toro’s portfolio is diverse, encompassing irrigation systems, both commercial and residential lawn mowers, snow blowers, portable trimmers, leaf blowers, and more.
Image source: https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/riding-mowers
Several states away in Brillion, Wisconsin, sits another renowned company: Gravely. With a reputation for efficiency, reliability, and innovation, Gravely has been creating helpful tools since its inception.
Benjamin Franklin Gravely founded the company in 1922 with the help of investors. After selling his share in Gravely Tractor in 1940, Ben Gravely watched as Studebaker took ownership of his company in 1960, renaming it Studebaker-Worthington.
In a significant shift, AriensCo, based in the town of Brillion, acquired Gravely in 1982. Now serving as the commercial lawn division of AriensCo, Gravely operates exclusively through authorized dealers.
Gravely continues to produce an array of motorized lawn and garden equipment. Its product range includes walk-behind mowers and zero-turn mowers designed to meet the demands of both professionals and homeowners.
Gravely has built a strong reputation around its durable and professional-grade equipment. Its focus on innovation ensures the company keeps up with the latest technology in the lawn care industry.
This dedication to quality and advancement has resulted in a loyal customer base that trusts Gravely for their landscaping needs.
Image source: https://www.gravely.com/en-us/
Toro vs Gravely — Build Quality
Gravely mowers are some of the most durable on the market. They’re designed for professional landscapers, not homeowners with just one lawn to cut.
Toro‘s premium mowers feature twin blades and ergonomic decks for superior mulching and trimming. Their impressive mulching capabilities make them stand out, as traditional Gravely’s cannot be set up to include that function.
Toro mowers are best suited for homeowners with small to mid-sized lawns. Conversely, Gravely mowers are true commercial machines.
Toro mowers are usually smaller than Gravely models, requiring less storage space.
Gravely mowers require plenty of open space in order to spin around, whereas those made by Toro can handle corners and tight spaces with ease.
Toro mowers come with a compressor mounted on the front that keeps tire pressure at optimum levels for navigating hills and other outdoor obstacles.
Gravely mowers require self-inflating tires as opposed to pneumatic ones.
They are also more difficult to transport due to the compressor, whereas Toro mowers have a designated hitch on the mower’s back that affixes it securely to any full-sized truck or van.
Toro vs Gravely Zero-Turn Mowers — Blade Design
Toro zero-turn mowers come with standard mulch blades, and decks are made of aluminum.
These mowers also come equipped with more advanced safety features than Gravely mowers, such as a rollover protection system that automatically shuts down the engine.
Gravely zero-turn mowers don’t offer these more advanced safety features. And they have a steel blade that’s fully enclosed with a strengthened steel deck.
Toro has been making a lot of progress in the mower business.
At the same time, Gravely puts a ton of effort into their specially designed engine, refined deck, and better operational efficiency.
Gravely ZT vs Toro Timecutter — Cutting Performance
Before purchasing a zero-turn lawn mower, examining its cutting ability is crucial. The degree of the cut, the number of blades on the reel, forward speed, and rotational speed are just a few things to think about.
Comparing Gravely ZT HD 52 vs Toro Timecutter HD, both machines’ decks use the “floating deck” technology. It means that each blade touches the lawn independently of the machine’s orientation, which results in a very even cut.
However, these mowers use different blades for this purpose.
Toro decided to go with high-lift blades that “flip” grass clippings toward the rear part of the deck. The idea behind this is that the clippings will be “tumbled” and, therefore, chopped into smaller pieces, which results in better mulching.
Gravely ZT HD 52 has regular blades that cut grass by action/reaction. As such, they rely on shearing force to cut. In other words, the deck has a hole in it for each blade. The cover is bolted to the deck and moves when the blades spin.
The hole/cover system tends to collect clippings inside, which eventually makes your lawn “patchy.”
Maintenance Difference Between a Toro and Gravely Mower
Gravely mowers are well-known in the field of lawn care for their toughness and endurance. For example, their steel decks distribute weight more evenly than Toro’s when cutting steep inclines.
When it comes to variety and support, Toro takes the lead. They offer a wide range of models, ensuring customers can find the perfect mower for their needs. In addition, Toro is known for providing excellent customer service.
Gravely shines when we look at warranty periods. They offer longer warranties, giving their customers extra confidence and protection for their purchase.
When performing routine maintenance on a Toro or Gravely, you will notice that both companies offer comparable replacement parts.
Price Differences
Comparing the price of Gravely vs Toro commercials, they are both expensive. Gravely may cost you around 200 extra bucks for a one-year extra warranty service.
If you’re budget-conscious and value long-term reliability, Gravely could be the way to go. However, if you prefer the latest features and dedicated customer service, Toro might be the brand for you.
Which Brand Is the Better Choice?
Both Gravely and Toro offer top-notch mowers suitable for keeping your yard looking pristine.
While Toro might be a better choice if you’re looking for a machine for mowing a small lawn in front of your home, Gravely could be a better fit for business use.
Choosing between Gravely and Toro can be tricky. A good starting point is to check out local dealers.
Find a dealer with a strong reputation for service and support.
Going with a dealer near you has its benefits. If something goes wrong or a part breaks, you’ll want quick help. Being close means you can get replacement parts faster, reducing downtime for your mower.
The right dealer can make all the difference in keeping your mower running smoothly for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do Gravely zero-turns cost?
Gravely zero-turn mower prices start from $3,599.00. And if you are looking for a commercial zero-turn mower, you can fix your budget up to $14,499.00.
How long will a Gravely zero-turn last?
Gravely zero-turn mower comes with a 2-year warranty service. But if you can maintain it properly, it can serve you for a lifetime.
Are Toro zero-turn engines good?
Toro engines are manufactured in China. In the early days, there were some complaints against these engines. But, since then, the company has made an effort to improve the situation.
Now, their engines are much better than their previous models. And we’ve found almost no complaints from homeowners in recent years.
How long does a Toro zero-turn last?
On average, a Toro zero-turn mower can last between 8 to 10 years with proper care and regular maintenance.
For those who use their mower more frequently or on rougher terrain, the life expectancy might be on the lower end of that range. Conversely, if you use your Toro mower less often and keep it in excellent condition, it could last much longer.
Are Gravely mowers worth the money?
Gravely mowers are an excellent investment. They’re strong, long-lasting, and can mow just about any surface. They offer a wide range of mowers, ranging from walk-behinds to heavy-duty zero-turns. The pricing is fair, and the ROI is reasonable as well.
Was it helpful?
Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country! Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.