How does the Defender Fit into the TORO Zero Turn Line?
Spartan is owned by Toro, and the Defender shares the same core bones as the Toro Titan & Titan Max. It uses the same blade spindles, blades, deck belt, hydro belt, ignition switch, pto switch, and many other components as the Toro models. Feature wise, the Defender is positioned between the Titan & Titan Max. Unlike the Titan Max which only comes in a 60" width, the Defender comes in 48", 54" & 60" models. Most of the Toro models are offered with just one engine choice, sometimes Kohler, sometimes Kawasaki, where as all of the Defender models are offered with a Kawasaki engine. The seat support pan is inverted to sit lower on the Defender which makes it more ideal to be fitted with a Suspension Seat.
The Defender may be an ideal choice to meet the desired criteria of shoppers looking for:
54" Titan with a Kawasaki Engine
Toro doesn't currently make a 54" Titan with a Kawasaki engine, but the DEFENDER which is made on the same core frame as the TITAN, and is offered with a Kawasaki engine in 48" 54" and 60" models. It also has a ROPS bar and is priced similarly to the Titan. With Spartan being a Toro Company, contrasting these models is somewhat like comparing a GMC to a Chevy, with many of the same components yet different styling.
48" Titan MAX / 54" Tian MAX
Toro has never made a 48" or 54" Titan MAX, but the DEFENDER is an extremely similar design that shares many of the same components and bones as the TITAN MAX. With Spartan being a Toro Company, contrasting these models is somewhat like comparing a GMC to a Chevy, with many of the same components yet different styling.
60" Titan MAX with a Kawasaki Engine
Toro has never made a Titan MAX powered by a Kawasaki engine, but the Kawasaki powered DEFENDER is an extremely similar design that shares many of the same components and bones as the TITAN MAX and is available in 48", 54" and 60" widths. With Spartan being a Toro Company, contrasting these models is somewhat like comparing GMC models to Chevy models, with a lot in common except for styling.
Titan Havoc Edition / Titan MAX Havoc Edition
Toro Havoc editions are models where the red frame and deck are painted black, making the entire mower mostly black, which gives it a completely different look. Toro no longer makes a Titan Max Havoc Edition, and has never made a Titan Havoc Edition. For those who are looking for this masculine Havoc Edition look, in a mid-grade / Titan level machine, the Gun Metal Grey DEFENDER zero turns may it the bill.
