SkyPup
Elite Member
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- Dec 3, 2003
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- North Central, Florida
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- Kubota L-39 GST TLB, Kubota L3130GST, Massey 1030 HST, Kubota ZD-21 ProDecK, Two Euro VW TDIs
Our Kubota ZD-21 with 60" deck is awesome,
What is a good zero turn mower?
- Thread starter Matt0285
- Start date
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Bird
Rest in Peace
I'd certainly agree with the other guys about buying a "commercial" mower, if you have enough businss and are going to use it great deal. But there's a lot of difference in paying $1,850 for that Toro and paying $4k to $10 for a really good commercial unit. And if you buy that Toro and later decide it isn't the right machine, I would think (don't know for sure) that you could sell it and recover a good percentage of what you paid for it.
We're currently living in a mobile home park with very small yards, so I figure my buying the Toro I just bought borders on insanity (and my wife was insisting that I do it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), but yesterday morning I mowed 5 lawns; took nearly an hour (including one coffee break), but it's been taking well over 2 hours with a walk behind mower to do 4, and when I finished yesterday, I wasn't even tired, like I've been with the walk behind. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
We're currently living in a mobile home park with very small yards, so I figure my buying the Toro I just bought borders on insanity (and my wife was insisting that I do it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), but yesterday morning I mowed 5 lawns; took nearly an hour (including one coffee break), but it's been taking well over 2 hours with a walk behind mower to do 4, and when I finished yesterday, I wasn't even tired, like I've been with the walk behind. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I agree with everyones thoughts about moving up to a commercial mower.
I would recommend also looking at Country Clipper. They've made mowers for Snapper, Dixon, Brush Hog... for about 20 years but have just started selling under their own name.
I picked this one (the Charger) over the Scag, Kubota and others due to price and several features.
Stand-up deck for easy cleaning
Pivoting front axle
Articulating deck
and (the feature I really like) is the joystick control. There's less fatigue on the arms and (for me), a natural transition from using the FEL.
I would recommend also looking at Country Clipper. They've made mowers for Snapper, Dixon, Brush Hog... for about 20 years but have just started selling under their own name.
I picked this one (the Charger) over the Scag, Kubota and others due to price and several features.
Stand-up deck for easy cleaning
Pivoting front axle
Articulating deck
and (the feature I really like) is the joystick control. There's less fatigue on the arms and (for me), a natural transition from using the FEL.
fishman
Veteran Member
I agree with Bird on this one, at least the part about there being a big difference between an $1850 mower and a $7k mower. If it is in decent shape, you could buy it and not be out too much money if your commercial venture went south. Surely any ZTR that works would be worth a good portion of that $1850. As you build clients, then look at upgrading your mower to a commercial unit. It would only take a year or two for you to decide if doing commercial stuff is feasible or not, so the unit wouldn't have to last too long.
But hey, if your finances permit it, going with the best quality tool is never a bad choice.
But hey, if your finances permit it, going with the best quality tool is never a bad choice.
I want to expand and get some businesses. I went to my toro/john deere dealership and he said i should try to get the properties to mow before i get the mower. Is this a good idea if so how do i go about getting commericial lawns or businesses to mow for? Any info would be great.
I think you all have me convinced about going commericial, but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used? I am not the best mechanicaly, i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work.
thanks
Matt
I think you all have me convinced about going commericial, but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used? I am not the best mechanicaly, i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work.
thanks
Matt
Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( try to get the properties to mow before i get the mower )</font>
I'm sure that's a good idea, but not sure how you'll go about it. If you get a property to mow and they want it mowed right away, it may not give you much time to shop for a mower.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work )</font>
Another thing I like about the Toro is that I downloaded the complete 106 page service manual free for my mower.
I'm sure that's a good idea, but not sure how you'll go about it. If you get a property to mow and they want it mowed right away, it may not give you much time to shop for a mower.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work )</font>
Another thing I like about the Toro is that I downloaded the complete 106 page service manual free for my mower.
Gatorboy
Elite Member
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<font color="blue"> I think you all have me convinced about going commericial, but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used? I am not the best mechanicaly, i can do the basics and some but not the real repair work. </font>
Have you visited the Lawn Cafe yet? You will find people "in the business" there, and will probably get alot of good suggestions from them.
Buying a used mower is a good idea, especially if it has low hours. Have you considered a 48" walk-behind? They will do an excellent job and cost considerably less than a ZTR. I have a 48" Scag, and love it.
Have you visited the Lawn Cafe yet? You will find people "in the business" there, and will probably get alot of good suggestions from them.
Buying a used mower is a good idea, especially if it has low hours. Have you considered a 48" walk-behind? They will do an excellent job and cost considerably less than a ZTR. I have a 48" Scag, and love it.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but is is better to buy a new commercial mower or go with the used?)</font>
Matt,
Although I don't have any commercial needs for my ZTR, many have given me advice to be cautious buying used. Reason being that many ZTR's have been commercially used and abused and have been traded. I'd look for something with low hours or somehow knowing its history. You can get a good, new commercial ZTR for $5-6K or so. Not a high-end Scag, Kubota or anything like that, but something you can use hard for at least a few years without any problems.
Matt,
Although I don't have any commercial needs for my ZTR, many have given me advice to be cautious buying used. Reason being that many ZTR's have been commercially used and abused and have been traded. I'd look for something with low hours or somehow knowing its history. You can get a good, new commercial ZTR for $5-6K or so. Not a high-end Scag, Kubota or anything like that, but something you can use hard for at least a few years without any problems.