Just saw my first $80,000 lawnmower

[WinterDeere]

The point is, “I couldn’t use this or make money with it, so that must mean no one else can, therefore it scares me and I must ridicule it”.

I think that’s an unfair assessment. Seems to me the OP was asking a question, confused that they couldn’t make sense of the numbers for their own case, and wondering what scenario would make them fit. It didn’t sound like ridicule to me.

KennyG supplied some good numbers, but I’m sure cases will vary by terrain and region.

 

[walnutman]

The 96" is $54k
The 144" is $83k

The OP says "It's an Exmark Lazer Z 37hp diesel. No fancy cab with AC. Looks more or less like any other zero-turn I've seen."

Yea well maybe except for the MASSIVE hydraulic lift, articulating deck And the drivetrain that supports it.

The 144" model is 43.5 hp, not 37hp as the OP stated and is rated at close to 12 acres an hour.

PTO Engagement:
Integrated wet clutch system in transmission, connected to right angle gearbox on deck via drive shaft.

These are things only the high dollar units of any brand come with.

Exmark Lazer Z Diesel Mower | Model LZS86TDYM12RW0

Lazer Z Diesel with 43.5 HP** Yanmar 3TNV86CT Diesel Engine and 144" UltraCut Rear Discharge Deck

www.exmark.com

 

[zzvyb6]

Don't golf courses use reel type mowers for most or all of their work?

A regular rotary mower might find use around the clubhouse, I guess... but I'd not think they'd be wanting to make that a big line item in their capital equipment budget.

Reel mowers are only used on the 'green's. Fairways use batwing type JD rotaries around here. I just attended an auction and bid on a few used ones.

Corunna Hills Golf Course Liquidation

Inspection Dates: Monday, July 14 from 11am-1pm Monday, July 21 from 3-5pm Load Out: Wednesday, July 23 from 10am-2pm Sale Manager: Neil Sheridan 517-749-7616

bids.sheridanauctionservice.com

 

[KennyG]

I went thru the specs on that Exmark. Besides the 43 HP diesel, it has a curb weight of 3250 lbs. Compare that to a box store zero turn. It's a serious machine.

 

[zzvyb6]

Your 75 h.p. tractor will be selling for $240,000 the way our money is depreciating. My grandparents told me what a loaf of bread cost in the late $20's.

 

[mcandrew]

Reel mowers are only used on the 'green's. Fairways use batwing type JD rotaries around here. I just attended an auction and bid on a few used ones.

Corunna Hills Golf Course Liquidation

Inspection Dates: Monday, July 14 from 11am-1pm Monday, July 21 from 3-5pm Load Out: Wednesday, July 23 from 10am-2pm Sale Manager: Neil Sheridan 517-749-7616

bids.sheridanauctionservice.com

Depends, I think. When I worked mowing at a GC, All fairways, greens, tees, fringe were all reel mowers. We had giant units of like 9 gang reel mowers that we pulled with farm tractos for rough mostly. We had some rotary mowers for trimming, and bad terrain. This was in the early 90s, so things may be different now. I think I've seen mowers like this used for rough these days. Maybe fairways too, but the reels cut so much nicer, and don't get the dead edge on the grass blades, thar rotary mowers do. The downside of the reel mowers is they hate tall grass, and stemmy weeds.

 

[Fixastuff]

I think this mower is for people with municipal contracts. Mowing city parks, schools grounds and peewee football field type stuff.

 

[walnutman]

I think this mower is for people with municipal contracts. Mowing city parks, schools grounds and peewee football field type stuff.

In otherwords this whole thread was a waste of our time.

 

[KennyG]

In otherwords this whole thread was a waste of our time.

I'm sure it was of great value to all the members contemplating spending $80,000 for a mower.

 

[Dftodd]

5 year warranty. Don't see any exclusion for commercial use so those guys would benefit I'd guess from beating it to the ground.

Most commercial warranties i've come across were 2 year, 2000hr bumper to bumper, and 3yr 3,000hr emmisions.

I wonder what the 5yr warranty encompasses.

 

[WinterDeere]

I'm sure it was of great value to all the members contemplating spending $80,000 for a mower.

I think some interesting things came up, in the course of it. Hey... you stuck around for 13 pages, too!

 

[Fixastuff]

Has any one else bought two yet?

 

[deezler]

I thought this was a joke, but sure enough. $85.5k, yowza

Exmark Lazer Z Diesel LZS86TDYM12RW0 144 In. Zero Turn Mower

Exmark Lazer Z Diesel LZS86TDYM12RW0 144 In. Zero Turn Mower. Shop now at Russo Power Equipment!

russopower.com

 

[walnutman]

48K views · 457 reactions | Meanest mini tractor | Whistlindiesel

Meanest mini tractor.

www.facebook.com

 

[RayIN]

I see it only comes with a Kawasaki gas guzzling motor. Needs a diesel. Main reason why I traded mine in for the Kubota diesel front mount was the gas guzzling Kawasaki. 5 gallons of gas per mow wasn't a cheap date and neither was the overall maintenance. I'd buy the Ex-Mark if I had the need in a minute. I don't and I'm seeing prices in the low 60's here, not 73.

That is for the man or woman that just hit the lotto or is inherently rich with money to burn.

For a lot less you can get a fully equipped John Deere or Kubota front mount mower with bagger and all weather air conditioned cab for under 35 with a diesel engine, plus the JD and the Kubota accept a lot of implements designed for them. You can get snow plows or power brooms, snow blowers or buckets or other stuff as well and a climate controlled cab with all amenities as well and it's 4wd to boot.

Like I said, if I had a use, I'd buy one but not for the asking price. For me, it would be a write off anyway but I'd still never pay list for one. All that stuff has big wiggle room.

I'd like to see anyone mowing at 11MPH and stay in the seat. They'd have to have their kidney Dr. on speed-dial.

 

[WinterDeere]

I'd like to see anyone mowing at 11MPH and stay in the seat. They'd have to have their kidney Dr. on speed-dial.

Huh??? The top speed of my ZTR is right around 11 mph (10.6 mph, IIRC), and I've been mowing 4 acres at that speed every 3 - 7 days, for 15 years. I slow down for driveway crossings and a few tree surface roots, but other than that, it's levers full-forward 100% of the time.

The funny thing is that if I exceed maybe 4 mph on my CUT on the same terrain, it feels like i'm going to break something. You'd think the larger tires should make higher speed more practical, but extended weight (loader + 3-point ballast) turn a CUT into a bucking bronco. The ZTR has all weight low and centered between the axles.

 

[Yander]

The most profitable lawn care people I know cut for the city and the school system. I’m sure this machine would be a money maker for them.

Yep, if you calculate the return on an investment like this, with commercial mowing being your livelihood, it would be no different than a farmer dropping $700k on a combine. It's all about the return.

 

[Hay Dude]

I thought this was a joke, but sure enough. $85.5k, yowza

Exmark Lazer Z Diesel LZS86TDYM12RW0 144 In. Zero Turn Mower

Exmark Lazer Z Diesel LZS86TDYM12RW0 144 In. Zero Turn Mower. Shop now at Russo Power Equipment!

russopower.com

There’s a guy in my community running one of them. I figure if I have (2) ZD-331-72’s I can still mow as fast as him, and I invested less than 1/2 of what he did. Plus I can mow smaller areas or softer ground.

Yep, if you calculate the return on an investment like this, with commercial mowing being your livelihood, it would be no different than a farmer dropping $700k on a combine. It's all about the return.

This is correct. While everyone is poking fun at the “$80,000 mower”, other than rich guys buying them, this is just a business investment. As long as the math works, and it makes the owner money, its a proper purchase.

Its also a tremendous 1-year write off.