If you've been weighing the pros and cons of owning a  Toro Titan 75305 (54" deck, 26 HP Kohler engine)  versus a  John Deere Z535M (54" deck, 25 HP engine) , you're in the right place. Lawn enthusiasts and homeowners who want pro results know the real test happens on tough, overgrown grass—like thick Bahia that's been left to grow wild for weeks. This hands-on comparison gets into cut quality, handling, grass dispersion, and what matters most for your yard.

The Toro Titan brings some real muscle to the table. Designed for serious residential use, it features:

• 54" deep fabricated deck with Iron Forge construction
• 26 HP Kohler engine
• Sturdy, large spindles for tough cutting conditions
• Beefy wheels and robust chassis for stability
• Wide discharge chute for improved grass spread
• Priced around $5,899

Toro claims this Titan is ready for heavy mowing jobs and loaded with features for comfort and precision. For a closer look at this mower’s specs and reviews, check out the Toro Titan 54" Zero Turn Mower product page .

There’s no hiding from real-world challenges here. This yard stretches about an acre and a half, layered in thick, 11-inch-tall Bahia grass that hadn’t seen a mower in two weeks of sticky summer growth. That’s the kind of turf that pushes any mower to its limits, especially cutting it all the way down to 3.5 inches—a good bit lower than typical. The point? Push both mowers hard and see what their decks, engines, and design are made of.

o see which mower earned its stripes, these key factors were evaluated:

1. Cut quality: Is the finished lawn smooth and even?
2. Handling and control: How easy is each mower to steer and maneuver in tall grass?
3. Grass dispersion: Do clippings scatter evenly or clump up?
4. Deck design and performance: Toro’s Iron Forge deck vs. John Deere’s axle deck.

Why do these details matter? Because a mower’s worth comes down to how it cuts, how much work you need to do after, and how comfortable you’ll be cutting even when grass gets out of hand.

Starting with sharp blades, the Toro Titan tackled the tall Bahia grass and made an impression.

“Titan did a great job. I’m pretty impressed with how it did.”

Despite the challenge, it cut evenly and left a good finish, but as expected with super-tall grass, some clippings lay on top. Under typical conditions, this would call for a double cut to clear the heavy blanket—but the Titan managed the thick blades and height without bogging down.

The John Deere held its own at first, slicing through the Bahia and catching all those “crow’s feet” seed heads—something not every mower handles well.

• Pros: Clean cut, didn’t miss major trouble spots, and the mower felt steady
• Cons: Had to back off and use less of the deck in some swathes to keep the cut smooth and avoid overloading

Where the Deere started to fall back was in how it spread clippings: it tended to throw grass in uneven piles or clumps, rather than a thin blanket.

• Toro: Dispersion is even, laying a thin mulch layer across the lawn. After a pass, the Toro left the grass mostly dispersed and ready to settle down out of sight.

• John Deere: Tosses clippings to the side, often in noticeable clumps and rows. Overgrown or damp grass led to visible piles, which would require you to mow a second (or even third) time, or spend time raking.

Even dispersion means less work later and prevents issues like burning the grass beneath clumps. The clumping risk and stripe effect on the Deere may spoil that lush finished look, especially after extensive cuts on overgrown turf.

“The steering on this felt really nice… I felt in control.”

The Toro scored points with its responsive steering and stable ride in rough, thick patches. Big wheels and well-designed controls help it stay solid over uneven turf. The John Deere provided good handling but felt less steady and required careful control and deck adjustment to avoid bogging down.

Toro Iron Forge Deck: Fabricated for toughness, high air volume, and strong suction—great for lifting and cutting heavy grass, while also tossing clippings far and wide.

John Deere Axle Deck: Stamped design, reliable but less aggressive at processing heavy loads. While it did cut well, it just couldn’t match the Toro’s even clipping spread under stress.

Both mowers use strong engines, but the Toro’s 26 HP Kohler offered a bit more punch compared to the John Deere’s 25 HP . That single extra horsepower was just enough to keep the blades spinning fast, even when forced through tall, thick grass. As a result, the Toro kept pace and didn’t slow down, helping its deck keep up with the demanding cut.

Engine Specs:

• Toro Titan: 26 HP Kohler
• John Deere: 25 HP

More horsepower makes a difference when the grass is extra tall or especially tough.

• Old John Deere Z535M: About $4,500 in 2020
• Toro Titan 54” (current): $5,899
• New John Deere Z535M: About $6,600 loaded with upgrades

While the older John Deere offers great value, today’s version costs about as much as a new Toro. Based on this test, the Toro justifies the extra investment with better cut quality and less post-mow cleanup. However, the John Deere still gives a lot for the money if you’re fine with extra cleanup or double passes.

1. Toro Titan:

   • Pros: Even cut, effective dispersion, strong performance
   • Cons: Higher initial cost

2. John Deere Z535M:

   • Pros: Clean cut, good on weeds, lower historic price
   • Cons: Clumps clippings, more double cutting needed

The test yard was split—dense up front, thinner around the sides. Both mowers performed best where the grass wasn’t as heavy. In thick Bahia, the Toro pulled ahead on cut quality and grass spreading. For thin or average turf, either mower will leave a clean finish and require less extra work.

Thicker turf: Toro outperforms Thinner turf: Both are equal

The Toro left behind a handful of tough, stick-like weeds that the John Deere sliced clean. If your yard has a lot of coarse weeds or unusual plants, the Deere’s deck design may matter. It’s worth thinking about what you mow most often before choosing.

• Both mowers cut thick grass without missing a beat
• Toro left a smooth, striped appearance with fewer clumps
• John Deere cut well but left stripes of clippings that needed cleaning up
• The extra work with the John Deere adds time and effort

When grass is overgrown, a double cut—two passes, changing direction—is often needed. With the John Deere, you’d likely have to double or triple cut to spread clumps and get an even look. The Toro often achieved the same finish with just one extra pass.

Double cutting process:

1. Mow in one direction, lower deck
2. Go over the clippings crosswise or rerun the same lines
3. Watch for patches and give a quick final sweep if needed (Toro less often)

Toro’s extra power, well-designed deck, and tougher construction mean a better experience in thick grass. John Deere is easier on the budget and gets the job done but just doesn’t match on labor-saving features.

Dealer support can be a deciding factor for owners. If your local Toro dealer is more reliable for parts and service, leaning toward the Titan makes sense. The same goes for John Deere—support and advice from a good local dealer makes any mower easier to live with.

Before tackling any big job:

• Sharpen the blades
• Check deck level
• Make sure tires are inflated evenly
• Clean out the deck after each mow

Keeping up with these simple tasks will keep either mower cutting clean and smooth throughout the season.

Both the Toro Titan 54" and John Deere Z535M are strong choices for residential yards. If your grass grows thick and fast, the Toro’s deck design and dispersion set it apart, saving you time and sweat. On lighter-duty lawns, the John Deere handles the basics with ease, especially for the budget-minded.

No matter what you pick, invest in regular maintenance, choose a mower dealer you trust, and join the conversation to help others find the right ride for their yard. Happy mowing!

Links to Main Street Mower

• Shop online: Main Street Mower
• YouTube: Main Street Mower on YouTube
• Facebook: Main Street Mower on Facebook
• Instagram: Main Street Mower on Instagram
• TikTok: Main Street Mower on TikTok