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Advice On A Sub $3000 Zero Turn Mower
#1
H
Hayslawncare
H
Hayslawncare
Hello everyone its great to be on the forum!!!!
Ok so im trying to start my own lawn care service for my high school job, I got a good amount of yards right now and im using a push mower
........ So im now looking to buy a great Sub $3000 Zero Turn Mower.
I have been looking at the Hustler Raptor 42in (Since it has a fabricated deck instead of a stamped).
But i want to know if this is the right mower for me, because i have light slopes to mow and for absolute must!!!! fit in a 50in wide gate.
Thanks,
Randall
Ok so im trying to start my own lawn care service for my high school job, I got a good amount of yards right now and im using a push mower
........ So im now looking to buy a great Sub $3000 Zero Turn Mower.I have been looking at the Hustler Raptor 42in (Since it has a fabricated deck instead of a stamped).
But i want to know if this is the right mower for me, because i have light slopes to mow and for absolute must!!!! fit in a 50in wide gate.
Thanks,
Randall
#2
Ric
When you say a good amount of yards right now, how many are we talking about and have you taken the appropriate steps for a business?
Ric
Hello everyone its great to be on the forum!!!!
Ok so im trying to start my own lawn care service for my high school job, I got a good amount of yards right now and im using a push mower
I have been looking at the Hustler Raptor 42in (Since it has a fabricated deck instead of a stamped).
But i want to know if this is the right mower for me, because i have light slopes to mow and for absolute must!!!! fit in a 50in wide gate.
Thanks,
Randall
When you say a good amount of yards right now, how many are we talking about and have you taken the appropriate steps for a business?
#3
H
Hayslawncare
H
Hayslawncare
I have 10 yards as of the moment and a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA. I been hearing alot of talk about Toro, Is that better than a Hustler?
#4
Ric
Which one is better is basically an opinion. I prefer The Toro as far as the commercial mower goes but I don't like there Residential units until you get to their Titan models. What does your local dealer sell? You said sub $3000 ztr which will be a residential unit and really isn't going to do what you need or want to do. To do what you want you need to go with at least the 2800 drives, the EZT was designed to be used by a single home owner, for a single lawn once a week. Have you thought about buying a used commercial ztr off of Craigslist.
Ric
I have 10 yards as of the moment and a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA. I been hearing a lot of talk about Toro, Is that better than a Hustler?
Which one is better is basically an opinion. I prefer The Toro as far as the commercial mower goes but I don't like there Residential units until you get to their Titan models. What does your local dealer sell? You said sub $3000 ztr which will be a residential unit and really isn't going to do what you need or want to do. To do what you want you need to go with at least the 2800 drives, the EZT was designed to be used by a single home owner, for a single lawn once a week. Have you thought about buying a used commercial ztr off of Craigslist.
#5
S
Shughes717
Ric is very experienced in commercial mowing, but I disagree a little here. You are mowing 10 lawns, not 50. The raptor is a low end ztr mower, but should handle a few small lawns a week. The raptor won't last as many years as a commercial mower, but you should get a few years out of it. That should be enough time to see if you are going to grow your business and choose that as your career path. You can upgrade later if you continue your business. I don't know how large the lawns are, but if you are push mowing them now I assume they are small lawns. As long as the slopes are slight the raptor should be ok. If the slopes are too steep for the raptor then you can push mow the slopes.
S
Shughes717
I have 10 yards as of the moment and a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA. I been hearing alot of talk about Toro, Is that better than a Hustler?
Ric is very experienced in commercial mowing, but I disagree a little here. You are mowing 10 lawns, not 50. The raptor is a low end ztr mower, but should handle a few small lawns a week. The raptor won't last as many years as a commercial mower, but you should get a few years out of it. That should be enough time to see if you are going to grow your business and choose that as your career path. You can upgrade later if you continue your business. I don't know how large the lawns are, but if you are push mowing them now I assume they are small lawns. As long as the slopes are slight the raptor should be ok. If the slopes are too steep for the raptor then you can push mow the slopes.
#6
J
Jack17
J
Jack17
You should be able to find something 36+ inch walk-behind commercial ZT for around 3K. Have you considered walk behind ZTRs? Some of those things are sweet like...Gravely Pro-Walk for about 3.2K.
#7
H
Hayslawncare
H
Hayslawncare
Thank You All for the responses.
I been on a site called Mower Direct and I kinda like the Toro Timecutter SS4250, But is it better in cut quality and over all design. It says it riveted instead on bolted like the Hustler, wouldn't they come loose over time? And would it be worth it to even look at Husqvarna....And this Mower Direct seems like a weird place, they don't even have Scag:laughing:
Thanks,
Randall
I been on a site called Mower Direct and I kinda like the Toro Timecutter SS4250, But is it better in cut quality and over all design. It says it riveted instead on bolted like the Hustler, wouldn't they come loose over time? And would it be worth it to even look at Husqvarna....And this Mower Direct seems like a weird place, they don't even have Scag:laughing:
Thanks,
Randall
#8
Ric
Using residential equipment ( that Raptor ) to do Commercial work is a recipe for failure. 10 Lawns a week is 40 lawns a month on a mower designed to be used 4 times a month. All it does is lead to constant breakdowns, No service which leads to unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace your butt. In the end you go broke and end up with a mower that has very little resale value, you'll be lucky if you get half the money you've invested in the mower. If your going to do commercial work you need a commercial mower that was designed to do it.
Ric
Ric is very experienced in commercial mowing, but I disagree a little here. You are mowing 10 lawns, not 50. The raptor is a low end ztr mower, but should handle a few small lawns a week. The raptor won't last as many years as a commercial mower, but you should get a few years out of it. That should be enough time to see if you are going to grow your business and choose that as your career path. You can upgrade later if you continue your business. I don't know how large the lawns are, but if you are push mowing them now I assume they are small lawns. As long as the slopes are slight the raptor should be ok. If the slopes are too steep for the raptor then you can push mow the slopes.
Using residential equipment ( that Raptor ) to do Commercial work is a recipe for failure. 10 Lawns a week is 40 lawns a month on a mower designed to be used 4 times a month. All it does is lead to constant breakdowns, No service which leads to unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace your butt. In the end you go broke and end up with a mower that has very little resale value, you'll be lucky if you get half the money you've invested in the mower. If your going to do commercial work you need a commercial mower that was designed to do it.
#9
S
Shughes717
The op still has push mowers as back ups. I am guessing that the lawns are small enough that the op won't spend more that 20 to 30 minutes per lawn. Even at 30 minutes a lawn that's only 5 hours a week. Any mower should handle 20 hours of mowing a month. That's 100 hours in a mowing season. Are you saying that a raptor isn't designed to last 100 hours? I have personally put 250 hours on a $1600 lawn tractor with no major mechanical issues. That mower is still running and has close to 400 hours on it now. The op can more than pay for a raptor the first year. No need to invest in a commercial mower until he decides if that's what he wants to do with his career.
S
Shughes717
Using residential equipment ( that Raptor ) to do Commercial work is a recipe for failure. 10 Lawns a week is 40 lawns a month on a mower designed to be used 4 times a month. All it does is lead to constant breakdowns, No service which leads to unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace your butt. In the end you go broke and end up with a mower that has very little resale value, you'll be lucky if you get half the money you've invested in the mower.
The op still has push mowers as back ups. I am guessing that the lawns are small enough that the op won't spend more that 20 to 30 minutes per lawn. Even at 30 minutes a lawn that's only 5 hours a week. Any mower should handle 20 hours of mowing a month. That's 100 hours in a mowing season. Are you saying that a raptor isn't designed to last 100 hours? I have personally put 250 hours on a $1600 lawn tractor with no major mechanical issues. That mower is still running and has close to 400 hours on it now. The op can more than pay for a raptor the first year. No need to invest in a commercial mower until he decides if that's what he wants to do with his career.
#10
S
Shughes717
All of your low end residential ztr mowers are going to be similar in specs. As mentioned earlier any advice you get about the best mower will just be an opinion. Go with the mower you like best.
S
Shughes717
Thank You All for the responses.
I been on a site called Mower Direct and I kinda like the Toro Timecutter SS4250, But is it better in cut quality and over all design. It says it riveted instead on bolted like the Hustler, wouldn't they come loose over time? And would it be worth it to even look at Husqvarna....And this Mower Direct seems like a weird place, they don't even have Scag:laughing:
Thanks,
Randall
All of your low end residential ztr mowers are going to be similar in specs. As mentioned earlier any advice you get about the best mower will just be an opinion. Go with the mower you like best.
#11
Ric
No the raptor is designed to be used for maybe 25 hrs a year, that's about what the normal homeowner would use time wise for a normal sized lawn. The problem comes in when his ten lawns turn into 15 or maybe 20 then what happens when his raptor goes boom and you lose a drive and he is stuck with all 20 lawns and a 21" push mower as back up and it's 90 to 100 degrees outside, what happens then. You end up with unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace you.
Aside from that the mower is just to slow for commercial work with a 16.600 FPM BTS. Best way he can go is a used commercial and run it for a couple of years, save his money and if he decides to keep the business then buy the new Commercial to add to the one you all ready have. Use the new commercial and keep the old for back up.
Ric
The op still has push mowers as back ups. I am guessing that the lawns are small enough that the op won't spend more that 20 to 30 minutes per lawn. Even at 30 minutes a lawn that's only 5 hours a week. Any mower should handle 20 hours of mowing a month. That's 100 hours in a mowing season. Are you saying that a raptor isn't designed to last 100 hours? I have personally put 250 hours on a $1600 lawn tractor with no major mechanical issues. That mower is still running and has close to 400 hours on it now. The op can more than pay for a raptor the first year. No need to invest in a commercial mower until he decides if that's what he wants to do with his career.
No the raptor is designed to be used for maybe 25 hrs a year, that's about what the normal homeowner would use time wise for a normal sized lawn. The problem comes in when his ten lawns turn into 15 or maybe 20 then what happens when his raptor goes boom and you lose a drive and he is stuck with all 20 lawns and a 21" push mower as back up and it's 90 to 100 degrees outside, what happens then. You end up with unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace you.
Aside from that the mower is just to slow for commercial work with a 16.600 FPM BTS. Best way he can go is a used commercial and run it for a couple of years, save his money and if he decides to keep the business then buy the new Commercial to add to the one you all ready have. Use the new commercial and keep the old for back up.
#12
Ric
Liking a mower has nothing to do with it. If your in business you go with the mower that has the highest rate of productivity. In Business Time is Money.
Ric
All of your low end residential ztr mowers are going to be similar in specs. As mentioned earlier any advice you get about the best mower will just be an opinion. Go with the mower you like best.
Liking a mower has nothing to do with it. If your in business you go with the mower that has the highest rate of productivity. In Business Time is Money.
#13
S
Shughes717
I agree, but the op is asking about which ztr under $3k is best. They are all comparable, so he should go with the one he likes best. The consumer should like the mower he/she purchases.
S
Shughes717
Liking a mower has nothing to do with it. If your in business you go with the mower that has the highest rate of productivity. In Business Time is Money.
I agree, but the op is asking about which ztr under $3k is best. They are all comparable, so he should go with the one he likes best. The consumer should like the mower he/she purchases.
#14
S
Shughes717
You are recommending the op to purchase a commercial mower for 10 lawns and assuming he will continue his business and acquire too many lawns to keep up with. This young person said he was looking for a mower for his high school job. Didn't say he wanted to start a major lawn care operation. He has a back up mower. You are assuming that a raptor won't last very long. Have you ever ran one to see how many hours you can get out of it? I seriously doubt residential mowers are only designed to last 3 or 4 years of small lawn residential use before needing to be replaced. A raptor should last 300 hours easily. The bts is sufficient to leave a good cut. Its much faster than a residential lawn tractor. He wouldn't be able to mow 9 mph, but it will still mow twice as fast as he is currently mowing with his push mower.
S
Shughes717
No the raptor is designed to be used for maybe 25 hrs a year, that's about what the normal homeowner would use time wise for a normal sized lawn. The problem comes in when his ten lawns turn into 15 or maybe 20 then what happens when his raptor goes boom and you lose a drive and he is stuck with all 20 lawns and a 21" push mower as back up and it's 90 to 100 degrees outside, what happens then. You end up with unhappy clients that will drop you in a heart beat and hire some other service to replace you.
Aside from that the mower is just to slow for commercial work with a 16.600 FPM BTS. Best way he can go is a used commercial and run it for a couple of years, save his money and if he decides to keep the business then buy the new Commercial to add to the one you all ready have. Use the new commercial and keep the old for back up.
You are recommending the op to purchase a commercial mower for 10 lawns and assuming he will continue his business and acquire too many lawns to keep up with. This young person said he was looking for a mower for his high school job. Didn't say he wanted to start a major lawn care operation. He has a back up mower. You are assuming that a raptor won't last very long. Have you ever ran one to see how many hours you can get out of it? I seriously doubt residential mowers are only designed to last 3 or 4 years of small lawn residential use before needing to be replaced. A raptor should last 300 hours easily. The bts is sufficient to leave a good cut. Its much faster than a residential lawn tractor. He wouldn't be able to mow 9 mph, but it will still mow twice as fast as he is currently mowing with his push mower.
#15
Ric
He has a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA, and he wants to throw away $3000 on a mower, yes I would assume he is looking for more than a summer job. The raptor was designed for a home owner for using once a week and if used that way can last 10 maybe 15 years. It's not designed for 40 lawns and maybe more a month. Yes he has 10 lawns and he sees how easy it is to make a couple of hundred dollars a week so he says I can do more so he adds more clients, its more money a week so he says this is great will just add a few more and the next thing you know the kid is in over his head and doesn't have a mower that will handle the job. A used commercial is the way to go if you don't have the money for a new commercial, the Raptor isn't for business.
Ric
You are recommending the op to purchase a commercial mower for 10 lawns and assuming he will continue his business and acquire too many lawns to keep up with. This young person said he was looking for a mower for his high school job. Didn't say he wanted to start a major lawn care operation. He has a back up mower. You are assuming that a raptor won't last very long. Have you ever ran one to see how many hours you can get out of it? I seriously doubt residential mowers are only designed to last 3 or 4 years of small lawn residential use before needing to be replaced. A raptor should last 300 hours easily. The bts is sufficient to leave a good cut. Its much faster than a residential lawn tractor. He wouldn't be able to mow 9 mph, but it will still mow twice as fast as he is currently mowing with his push mower.
He has a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA, and he wants to throw away $3000 on a mower, yes I would assume he is looking for more than a summer job. The raptor was designed for a home owner for using once a week and if used that way can last 10 maybe 15 years. It's not designed for 40 lawns and maybe more a month. Yes he has 10 lawns and he sees how easy it is to make a couple of hundred dollars a week so he says I can do more so he adds more clients, its more money a week so he says this is great will just add a few more and the next thing you know the kid is in over his head and doesn't have a mower that will handle the job. A used commercial is the way to go if you don't have the money for a new commercial, the Raptor isn't for business.
#16
S
Shughes717
If he wants a mower that can handle 10 to 15 small lawns a week then the raptor will do the job for three to four seasons easily. The op knows how many lawns he will be mowing. I am answering his question, not speculating that he will be mowing 50 lawns before seasons end. I think he would have mentioned that he was wanting to gain 30 or 40 lawns by year's end if that was his intention. I will leave it at that.
S
Shughes717
He has a closed trailer with mu number on it and a DBA, and he wants to throw away $3000 on a mower, yes I would assume he is looking for more than a summer job. The raptor was designed for a home owner for using once a week and if used that way can last 10 maybe 15 years. It's not designed for 40 lawns and maybe more a month. Yes he has 10 lawns and he sees how easy it is to make a couple of hundred dollars a week so he says I can do more so he adds more clients, its more money a week so he says this is great will just add a few more and the next thing you know the kid is in over his head and doesn't have a mower that will handle the job. A used commercial is the way to go if you don't have the money for a new commercial, the Raptor isn't for business.
If he wants a mower that can handle 10 to 15 small lawns a week then the raptor will do the job for three to four seasons easily. The op knows how many lawns he will be mowing. I am answering his question, not speculating that he will be mowing 50 lawns before seasons end. I think he would have mentioned that he was wanting to gain 30 or 40 lawns by year's end if that was his intention. I will leave it at that.
#17
Ric
Nobody said anything about him mowing 50 lawns by the end of season. He will undoubtedly add lawns through out the season, that's a given . If he stays at 10 to 15 lawns that's between 40 and 60 lawn cuts per month and that Raptor wont hold up to that. 10x4=40x6 months=240 cuts per season on a mower that's designed for 24 cuts, great odds.
Ric
If he wants a mower that can handle 10 to 15 small lawns a week then the raptor will do the job for three to four seasons easily. The op knows how many lawns he will be mowing. I am answering his question, not speculating that he will be mowing 50 lawns before seasons end. I think he would have mentioned that he was wanting to gain 30 or 40 lawns by year's end if that was his intention. I will leave it at that.
Nobody said anything about him mowing 50 lawns by the end of season. He will undoubtedly add lawns through out the season, that's a given . If he stays at 10 to 15 lawns that's between 40 and 60 lawn cuts per month and that Raptor wont hold up to that. 10x4=40x6 months=240 cuts per season on a mower that's designed for 24 cuts, great odds.
#18
S
Shughes717
I don't measure what a mower can do by cuts on a lawn. That is dumb. I measure it by hours on the machine. 240 cuts a season at an average of 30 minutes per cut is 120 hours. And yes a raptor should handle that easily. Granted you won't get 10 years out of it using it like that, but you should get 3 to 4.
S
Shughes717
Nobody said anything about him mowing 50 lawns by the end of season. He will undoubtedly add lawns through out the season, that's a given . If he stays at 10 to 15 lawns that's between 40 and 60 lawn cuts per month and that Raptor wont hold up to that. 10x4=40x6 months=240 cuts per season on a mower that's designed for 24 cuts, great odds.
I don't measure what a mower can do by cuts on a lawn. That is dumb. I measure it by hours on the machine. 240 cuts a season at an average of 30 minutes per cut is 120 hours. And yes a raptor should handle that easily. Granted you won't get 10 years out of it using it like that, but you should get 3 to 4.
#19
Ric
Your going to put 120 hrs on a mower designed to be used for 16 to 20 hrs a season by a homeowner and expect it to last :laughing: That would be like taking a knife to a gunfight.
Ric
I don't measure what a mower can do by cuts on a lawn. That is dumb. I measure it by hours on the machine. 240 cuts a season at an average of 30 minutes per cut is 120 hours. And yes a raptor should handle that easily. Granted you won't get 10 years out of it using it like that, but you should get 3 to 4.
Your going to put 120 hrs on a mower designed to be used for 16 to 20 hrs a season by a homeowner and expect it to last :laughing: That would be like taking a knife to a gunfight.
#20
S
Shughes717
It is nuts to think that the raptor can't be used for more than 20 hours a year. if the mower is designed to last around 400 hours what difference does it make whether it takes 3 years or 10? Just giving an average. Not saying a raptor won't last longer. Your logic makes no sense. Gauging what a mower can handle by how many cuts a year it does is ignorant. If the lawn is 10,000 square feet you won't put 20 minutes on the machine per cut. If the lawn is over an acre you will put 2 hours per cut or more on it. Manufacturers don't design mowers to only mow 20 hours a year. Sure, commercial mowers are built heavier so they can last several years of commercial use and thousands of hours run time, but your arguement that the raptor can't handle 10 to 15 small lawns a year because it would be cutting 240 lawns a year is rediculous. Mowers are measured by hours on the machine. When you purchase a used mower you don't ask how many lawn cuts its done. You ask how many hours are on the machine.
S
Shughes717
Your going to put 120 hrs on a mower designed to be used for 16 to 20 hrs a season by a homeowner and expect it to last :laughing: That would be like taking a knife to a gunfight.
It is nuts to think that the raptor can't be used for more than 20 hours a year. if the mower is designed to last around 400 hours what difference does it make whether it takes 3 years or 10? Just giving an average. Not saying a raptor won't last longer. Your logic makes no sense. Gauging what a mower can handle by how many cuts a year it does is ignorant. If the lawn is 10,000 square feet you won't put 20 minutes on the machine per cut. If the lawn is over an acre you will put 2 hours per cut or more on it. Manufacturers don't design mowers to only mow 20 hours a year. Sure, commercial mowers are built heavier so they can last several years of commercial use and thousands of hours run time, but your arguement that the raptor can't handle 10 to 15 small lawns a year because it would be cutting 240 lawns a year is rediculous. Mowers are measured by hours on the machine. When you purchase a used mower you don't ask how many lawn cuts its done. You ask how many hours are on the machine.
#21
C
Conn0r33
C
Conn0r33
I saw Ric and others talking about if you should go with commercial equipment or not. Commercial is always the best option if you can afford it. It will last at least three times longer than a residential unit.
I'm my experience with residential equipment used commercially which I have been doing for 7 years because I started my business extremely young. Actually even four years ago you couldnt really call it a business. But In those 7 years I have been through at least 4 mowers. They are Toro residential push mower but they have a commercial deck on them. That's not that great because everything else breaks. I could be wrong but I know there is at least one commercial part on it but it is a residential unit just a bit higher end $599.99
So if you are going with a residential mower you will maybe get two years out of it if used commercially. The first year you should be fine you might have one thing break but I'd guess that you would be fine. Second year lots of stuff breaks and eventually you will just get rid of it either because it broke down and it can't be used any longer or all the repairs get to be such a headache you will want a new one.
Also to keep in mind when buying a residential mower it will have a RESIDENTIAL warrenty on it so by using it commercially I doubt there is a dealer out there who would fix it for free if it breaks under warrenty because it's been used commercially im guessing that it won't be covered at least that's how it's been in my experience.
Also Toro is great those push mowers I talked about have been amazing considering that they are residential units used commercially. The only thing that has broken on them is the self propel cables snap and just need replaced or something. I've had one wheel break off. And a bolt in the handle bar come out. But that's it. I consider that amazing considering that im putting on about 320hrs on them. And eventually I need to get rid of them. One of them i got for 2014 it will probably have 320 hours in it by the end of the season and this is its second year. And the other is in its third year. I had two older toro push mowers with B&S engines on them but those quit pretty quickly I can't remember why I had to get rid of those.
But I'm going to upgrade to commercial because even though it only has small repairs it still sets me behind and its a total headace to be without a mower or both. I'd just rather have a reliable commercial mower
But for those toro SR4s I estimate that I will get two years out of them with several very minor repairs but that's it. The one I have that's in its third year im guessing that it will break down sometime this year but I could be wrong the Toros I have are Toro's newer model and they seem like they are buit well so I might get more years out of them but I don't count on it. Because I think depending on how many hours you put on in a year it will very. But generally id say Avg. two years
I'm my experience with residential equipment used commercially which I have been doing for 7 years because I started my business extremely young. Actually even four years ago you couldnt really call it a business. But In those 7 years I have been through at least 4 mowers. They are Toro residential push mower but they have a commercial deck on them. That's not that great because everything else breaks. I could be wrong but I know there is at least one commercial part on it but it is a residential unit just a bit higher end $599.99
So if you are going with a residential mower you will maybe get two years out of it if used commercially. The first year you should be fine you might have one thing break but I'd guess that you would be fine. Second year lots of stuff breaks and eventually you will just get rid of it either because it broke down and it can't be used any longer or all the repairs get to be such a headache you will want a new one.
Also to keep in mind when buying a residential mower it will have a RESIDENTIAL warrenty on it so by using it commercially I doubt there is a dealer out there who would fix it for free if it breaks under warrenty because it's been used commercially im guessing that it won't be covered at least that's how it's been in my experience.
Also Toro is great those push mowers I talked about have been amazing considering that they are residential units used commercially. The only thing that has broken on them is the self propel cables snap and just need replaced or something. I've had one wheel break off. And a bolt in the handle bar come out. But that's it. I consider that amazing considering that im putting on about 320hrs on them. And eventually I need to get rid of them. One of them i got for 2014 it will probably have 320 hours in it by the end of the season and this is its second year. And the other is in its third year. I had two older toro push mowers with B&S engines on them but those quit pretty quickly I can't remember why I had to get rid of those.
But I'm going to upgrade to commercial because even though it only has small repairs it still sets me behind and its a total headace to be without a mower or both. I'd just rather have a reliable commercial mower
But for those toro SR4s I estimate that I will get two years out of them with several very minor repairs but that's it. The one I have that's in its third year im guessing that it will break down sometime this year but I could be wrong the Toros I have are Toro's newer model and they seem like they are buit well so I might get more years out of them but I don't count on it. Because I think depending on how many hours you put on in a year it will very. But generally id say Avg. two years
#22
S
Shughes717
If someone is going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and choosing it as their career path then I totally agree that he/she should invest in commercial equipment. However, the op suggested that he needed a sub $3k ztr mower for a highschool job mowing 10 small lawns. If that's all the op will be mowing then the raptor will suit his needs fine. Those mowers are designed for residential use, but even residential mowers will last 400 to 500 hours without any major issues if properly maintained. Even if the op adds 5 more lawns or so the raptor should handle the work load for 3 seasons or so. If the op wants to grow his business and intends to keep it past high school, then he should look into a low end commercial mower.
S
Shughes717
I saw Ric and others talking about if you should go with commercial equipment or not. Commercial is always the best option if you can afford it. It will last at least three times longer than a residential unit.
I'm my experience with residential equipment used commercially which I have been doing for 7 years because I started my business extremely young. Actually even four years ago you couldnt really call it a business. But In those 7 years I have been through at least 4 mowers. They are Toro residential push mower but they have a commercial deck on them. That's not that great because everything else breaks. I could be wrong but I know there is at least one commercial part on it but it is a residential unit just a bit higher end $599.99
So if you are going with a residential mower you will maybe get two years out of it if used commercially. The first year you should be fine you might have one thing break but I'd guess that you would be fine. Second year lots of stuff breaks and eventually you will just get rid of it either because it broke down and it can't be used any longer or all the repairs get to be such a headache you will want a new one.
Also to keep in mind when buying a residential mower it will have a RESIDENTIAL warrenty on it so by using it commercially I doubt there is a dealer out there who would fix it for free if it breaks under warrenty because it's been used commercially im guessing that it won't be covered at least that's how it's been in my experience.
Also Toro is great those push mowers I talked about have been amazing considering that they are residential units used commercially. The only thing that has broken on them is the self propel cables snap and just need replaced or something. I've had one wheel break off. And a bolt in the handle bar come out. But that's it. I consider that amazing considering that im putting on about 320hrs on them. And eventually I need to get rid of them. One of them i got for 2014 it will probably have 320 hours in it by the end of the season and this is its second year. And the other is in its third year. I had two older toro push mowers with B&S engines on them but those quit pretty quickly I can't remember why I had to get rid of those.
But I'm going to upgrade to commercial because even though it only has small repairs it still sets me behind and its a total headace to be without a mower or both. I'd just rather have a reliable commercial mower
But for those toro SR4s I estimate that I will get two years out of them with several very minor repairs but that's it. The one I have that's in its third year im guessing that it will break down sometime this year but I could be wrong the Toros I have are Toro's newer model and they seem like they are buit well so I might get more years out of them but I don't count on it. Because I think depending on how many hours you put on in a year it will very. But generally id say Avg. two years
If someone is going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and choosing it as their career path then I totally agree that he/she should invest in commercial equipment. However, the op suggested that he needed a sub $3k ztr mower for a highschool job mowing 10 small lawns. If that's all the op will be mowing then the raptor will suit his needs fine. Those mowers are designed for residential use, but even residential mowers will last 400 to 500 hours without any major issues if properly maintained. Even if the op adds 5 more lawns or so the raptor should handle the work load for 3 seasons or so. If the op wants to grow his business and intends to keep it past high school, then he should look into a low end commercial mower.
#23
C
Conn0r33
C
Conn0r33
I agree. But IMO I think maybe a used commercial mower in his price range might be better. But the residential mower would be fine considering he's still getting started.If someone is going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and choosing it as their career path then I totally agree that he/she should invest in commercial equipment. However, the op suggested that he needed a sub $3k ztr mower for a highschool job mowing 10 small lawns. If that's all the op will be mowing then the raptor will suit his needs fine. Those mowers are designed for residential use, but even residential mowers will last 400 to 500 hours without any major issues if properly maintained. Even if the op adds 5 more lawns or so the raptor should handle the work load for 3 seasons or so. If the op wants to grow his business and intends to keep it past high school, then he should look into a low end commercial mower.
#24
Ric
Well he can buy the residential but he's throwing away his money when he needs it for the business. I would assume that this is just not a summer job thing for a kid on summer vacation. I mean after all the kid has gone to the trouble of getting or has a closed trailer and has gone to the trouble of getting his DBA and is looking for or to spend $3000 on a ztr mower, right off hand I'd guess he's going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and has chosen his career path. A good used commercial is money well spent and something he could use for back up and not lose his butt on if he wanted to sell it.
Ric
I agree. But IMO I think maybe a used commercial mower in his price range might be better. But the residential mower would be fine considering he's still getting started.
Well he can buy the residential but he's throwing away his money when he needs it for the business. I would assume that this is just not a summer job thing for a kid on summer vacation. I mean after all the kid has gone to the trouble of getting or has a closed trailer and has gone to the trouble of getting his DBA and is looking for or to spend $3000 on a ztr mower, right off hand I'd guess he's going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and has chosen his career path. A good used commercial is money well spent and something he could use for back up and not lose his butt on if he wanted to sell it.
#25
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Shughes717
That's all speculation. If you read his first post. It said I'm looking for a sub $3k mower for a high school job. He also said he was mowing 10 lawns. He didn't ask for speculation about his future plans. He asked if the raptor would handle that job, and it will. If the op wants to post again and explain his intentions then that will clear things up. I don't disagree with you at all if the op is looking to actually choose this as his career path and grow his business. I just answer the op's question and try not to speculate on what their future plans are.
S
Shughes717
Well he can buy the residential but he's throwing away his money when he needs it for the business. I would assume that this is just not a summer job thing for a kid on summer vacation. I mean after all the kid has gone to the trouble of getting or has a closed trailer and has gone to the trouble of getting his DBA and is looking for or to spend $3000 on a ztr mower, right off hand I'd guess he's going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and has chosen his career path. A good used commercial is money well spent and something he could use for back up and not lose his butt on if he wanted to sell it.
That's all speculation. If you read his first post. It said I'm looking for a sub $3k mower for a high school job. He also said he was mowing 10 lawns. He didn't ask for speculation about his future plans. He asked if the raptor would handle that job, and it will. If the op wants to post again and explain his intentions then that will clear things up. I don't disagree with you at all if the op is looking to actually choose this as his career path and grow his business. I just answer the op's question and try not to speculate on what their future plans are.
#26
PVHIII
I happen to agree with Rick...I have owned a Raptor and I would hate to know that I had to cut 10 yards a week with that thing..would be a good way to get discouraged... JS
PVHIII
Ric is very experienced in commercial mowing, but I disagree a little here. You are mowing 10 lawns, not 50. The raptor is a low end ztr mower, but should handle a few small lawns a week. The raptor won't last as many years as a commercial mower, but you should get a few years out of it. That should be enough time to see if you are going to grow your business and choose that as your career path. You can upgrade later if you continue your business. I don't know how large the lawns are, but if you are push mowing them now I assume they are small lawns. As long as the slopes are slight the raptor should be ok. If the slopes are too steep for the raptor then you can push mow the slopes.
I happen to agree with Rick...I have owned a Raptor and I would hate to know that I had to cut 10 yards a week with that thing..would be a good way to get discouraged... JS
#27
PVHIII
PVHIII
No...I'm afraid that Raptor won't handle "that job"That's all speculation. If you read his first post. It said I'm looking for a sub $3k mower for a high school job. He also said he was mowing 10 lawns. He didn't ask for speculation about his future plans. He asked if the raptor would handle that job, and it will. If the op wants to post again and explain his intentions then that will clear things up. I don't disagree with you at all if the op is looking to actually choose this as his career path and grow his business. I just answer the op's question and try not to speculate on what their future plans are.
#28
PVHIII
PVHIII
Ric...quiet frankly...I don't think some of us are capable of thinking ahead..;-)Well he can buy the residential but he's throwing away his money when he needs it for the business. I would assume that this is just not a summer job thing for a kid on summer vacation. I mean after all the kid has gone to the trouble of getting or has a closed trailer and has gone to the trouble of getting his DBA and is looking for or to spend $3000 on a ztr mower, right off hand I'd guess he's going to start a commercial mowing business with the intention of growing and has chosen his career path. A good used commercial is money well spent and something he could use for back up and not lose his butt on if he wanted to sell it.
#29
S
shiftsuper175607
The trouble with the "good used" commercial mower is what is the definition of good and how will he know it is good?
The seller is selling it for a reason. That reason may be he has been having regular problems.
Or, it may be getting ready to have problems...is this kid mechanically inclined? A used mower will have a lot of worn parts to replace as time goes on too.
It's a tough call. At least with new, he know everything is working.
S
shiftsuper175607
I agree. But IMO I think maybe a used commercial mower in his price range might be better. But the residential mower would be fine considering he's still getting started.
The trouble with the "good used" commercial mower is what is the definition of good and how will he know it is good?
The seller is selling it for a reason. That reason may be he has been having regular problems.
Or, it may be getting ready to have problems...is this kid mechanically inclined? A used mower will have a lot of worn parts to replace as time goes on too.
It's a tough call. At least with new, he know everything is working.
#30
S
Shughes717
How much do you cut with your raptor?
S
Shughes717
No...I'm afraid that Raptor won't handle "that job"
How much do you cut with your raptor?
#31
Ric
Maybe you should look at those pictures on the Raptor SD cut quality-any recommendations thread, My clients would really like that out come on there lawns and that's the SD
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustl...quality-any-recommendations-9.html#post209569
Ric
How much do you cut with your raptor?
Maybe you should look at those pictures on the Raptor SD cut quality-any recommendations thread, My clients would really like that out come on there lawns and that's the SD
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustl...quality-any-recommendations-9.html#post209569
#32
S
Shughes717
You suggest the raptor to people on this site all the time. there are some negative reviews on every brand on this site. There are also several good reviews from raptor owners on this site.
S
Shughes717
Maybe you should look at those pictures on the Raptor SD cut quality-any recommendations thread, My clients would really like that out come on there lawns and that's the SD
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustl...quality-any-recommendations-9.html#post209569
You suggest the raptor to people on this site all the time. there are some negative reviews on every brand on this site. There are also several good reviews from raptor owners on this site.
#33
PVHIII
Not very much and I don't own one anymore my mom in law does and it's actually stored in the same barn as My Fast Trak SD ...I maintain it and sometimes I'll now with it when I can get her to use mine because it's more comfortable for her to use..so you might as well say I own it..so that would mean I own one and at one time I owned two...speaking from EXPERIENCE...the main problem with the Raptor is the deck is too shallow which causes several more problems... that basically sums it up right there...and to the OP planning on mowing ten yards a week with one...you've been warned...and to answer your question less than Acre of flat well maintained lawn.
PVHIII
How much do you cut with your raptor?
Not very much and I don't own one anymore my mom in law does and it's actually stored in the same barn as My Fast Trak SD ...I maintain it and sometimes I'll now with it when I can get her to use mine because it's more comfortable for her to use..so you might as well say I own it..so that would mean I own one and at one time I owned two...speaking from EXPERIENCE...the main problem with the Raptor is the deck is too shallow which causes several more problems... that basically sums it up right there...and to the OP planning on mowing ten yards a week with one...you've been warned...and to answer your question less than Acre of flat well maintained lawn.
#34
PVHIII
PVHIII
I'd be willing to make a large wager... if I could prove it that is...that most of those "rave" reviews on them are first time ZT owners fresh off their lawn tractor and it's just great to them no matter what....JMO though.. who knows??? ;-)You suggest the raptor to people on this site all the time. there are some negative reviews on every brand on this site. There are also several good reviews from raptor owners on this site.
#35
S
Shughes717
Not everyone can afford to spend more than $3k on a mower. The raptor is as good a mower as you will get for that price. No it's not nearly the mower the Fastrack sd is. The fastrack sd is a low end commercial mower that comes with a price tag that most likely excedes a high school kid's credit limit.
S
Shughes717
I'd be willing to make a large wager... if I could prove it that is...that most of those "rave" reviews on them are first time ZT owners fresh off their lawn tractor and it's just great to them no matter what....JMO though.. who knows??? ;-)
Not everyone can afford to spend more than $3k on a mower. The raptor is as good a mower as you will get for that price. No it's not nearly the mower the Fastrack sd is. The fastrack sd is a low end commercial mower that comes with a price tag that most likely excedes a high school kid's credit limit.
#36
PVHIII
PVHIII
Sorry bud....wrong again...there are other mowers in that price range that would serve him much better.Not everyone can afford to spend more than $3k on a mower. The raptor is as good a mower as you will get for that price. No it's not nearly the mower the Fastrack sd is. The fastrack sd is a low end commercial mower that comes with a price tag that most likely excedes a high school kid's credit limit.
#37
Ric
Did you look at the pictures in the link above ? You want to use the mower for a Business and that's the SD. Yes I suggest the Raptor all the time... to a homeowner with a half acre or less of property for there personal use and for what it is designed for (a once a week mowing) but not for a business. PVHlll is right the mower and the decks aren't made for commercial work.
Ric
Maybe you should look at those pictures on the Raptor SD cut quality-any recommendations thread, My clients would really like that out come on there lawns and that's the SD
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustl...quality-any-recommendations-9.html#post209569
You suggest the raptor to people on this site all the time. there are some negative reviews on every brand on this site. There are also several good reviews from raptor owners on this site.
Did you look at the pictures in the link above ? You want to use the mower for a Business and that's the SD. Yes I suggest the Raptor all the time... to a homeowner with a half acre or less of property for there personal use and for what it is designed for (a once a week mowing) but not for a business. PVHlll is right the mower and the decks aren't made for commercial work.
#38
PVHIII
For some reason....he didn't hear the part about me owning two of'm...just the part about my FT...strange ;-)...and I don't recall trying to sell anyone on a FTSD...again strange;-)
PVHIII
Did you look at the pictures in the link above ? You want to use the mower for a Business and that's the SD. Yes I suggest the Raptor all the time... to a homeowner with a half acre or less of property for there personal use and for what it is designed for (a once a week mowing) but not for a business. PVHlll is right the mower and the decks aren't made for commercial work.
For some reason....he didn't hear the part about me owning two of'm...just the part about my FT...strange ;-)...and I don't recall trying to sell anyone on a FTSD...again strange;-)
#39
PVHIII
PVHIII
My question to the OP is his many of those lawns could be push mowed?...he more than likely..at this stage of the game..should be lookin for a tractor style mower until he can bank some of that profit and purchase him a low end commercial ZT or good used full commercial unit with 500 or less hours on it...JMO though ;-)
#40
PVHIII
LOL!...thanks for clearin that up for us...Ric..I guess you didn't tell him about your psychic abilities... LMAO!
PVHIII
That's all speculation. If you read his first post. It said I'm looking for a sub $3k mower for a high school job. He also said he was mowing 10 lawns. He didn't ask for speculation about his future plans. He asked if the raptor would handle that job, and it will. If the op wants to post again and explain his intentions then that will clear things up. I don't disagree with you at all if the op is looking to actually choose this as his career path and grow his business. I just answer the op's question and try not to speculate on what their future plans are.
LOL!...thanks for clearin that up for us...Ric..I guess you didn't tell him about your psychic abilities... LMAO!
#41
S
Shughes717
That op on that thread is having some trouble, but there are other owners out there who aren't having any trouble with their mowers. There is another thread on this site about several other brand mowers having this same problem. There are many reasons why a mower streaks a lawn. Hopefully that op will figure out the problem with his mower, but you can't tell me that a mower with a 54" deck is only designed to cut a half acre. secondly, if the op is push mowing lawns now then he is mowing lawns smaller than a half acre, and I'm sure the push mowers he is using have shallow decks that are not nearly as heavy as a commercial ztr mower deck. Mowers are not built to only run 30 minutes a week. I don't see your logic that a raptor will mow the first half acre fine, but will tomahawk the rest. If t will mow a half acre well then why won't it mow the rest?
There is a limit to how many hours you can get out of a machine. If you run a mower every day you will usually get more hours out of the machine than you will by putting 20 hours a season on it and storing it for half a year. You will probably only get 3 to 4 years out of it instead of the 10 to 15 years you will get out of it for personal use, but it will handle the job. When I was young I worked for a man who used residential murray 42" lawn tractors for a small lawn care business. I had to mow the town's ball park (3 baseball fields), while he and my brother mowed the cemetery. It had to be around 8 and 10 acres between the two places. We started at 7 am and usually didn't finish until around 2 pm. We mowed the park and the cemetery with those mowers for 2 seasons. Have you ever mowed anything like that with a residential mower? The raptor has a better engine, deck, and a much faster bts than those mowers did. You will never get me to believe that a raptor can't handle 20 hours a month.
S
Shughes717
Did you look at the pictures in the link above ? You want to use the mower for a Business and that's the SD. Yes I suggest the Raptor all the time... to a homeowner with a half acre or less of property for there personal use and for what it is designed for (a once a week mowing) but not for a business. PVHlll is right the mower and the decks aren't made for commercial work.
That op on that thread is having some trouble, but there are other owners out there who aren't having any trouble with their mowers. There is another thread on this site about several other brand mowers having this same problem. There are many reasons why a mower streaks a lawn. Hopefully that op will figure out the problem with his mower, but you can't tell me that a mower with a 54" deck is only designed to cut a half acre. secondly, if the op is push mowing lawns now then he is mowing lawns smaller than a half acre, and I'm sure the push mowers he is using have shallow decks that are not nearly as heavy as a commercial ztr mower deck. Mowers are not built to only run 30 minutes a week. I don't see your logic that a raptor will mow the first half acre fine, but will tomahawk the rest. If t will mow a half acre well then why won't it mow the rest?
There is a limit to how many hours you can get out of a machine. If you run a mower every day you will usually get more hours out of the machine than you will by putting 20 hours a season on it and storing it for half a year. You will probably only get 3 to 4 years out of it instead of the 10 to 15 years you will get out of it for personal use, but it will handle the job. When I was young I worked for a man who used residential murray 42" lawn tractors for a small lawn care business. I had to mow the town's ball park (3 baseball fields), while he and my brother mowed the cemetery. It had to be around 8 and 10 acres between the two places. We started at 7 am and usually didn't finish until around 2 pm. We mowed the park and the cemetery with those mowers for 2 seasons. Have you ever mowed anything like that with a residential mower? The raptor has a better engine, deck, and a much faster bts than those mowers did. You will never get me to believe that a raptor can't handle 20 hours a month.
#42
S
Shughes717
The op was asking about a ztr mower for under $3k. A lawn tractor will be slower and won't suit his needs any better.
S
Shughes717
My question to the OP is his many of those lawns could be push mowed?...he more than likely..at this stage of the game..should be lookin for a tractor style mower until he can bank some of that profit and purchase him a low end commercial ZT or good used full commercial unit with 500 or less hours on it...JMO though ;-)
The op was asking about a ztr mower for under $3k. A lawn tractor will be slower and won't suit his needs any better.
#43
S
Shughes717
This post make no sense... What are you talking about? Ric didn't clear anything up. I was asking the op to post again and explain his intentions. If he does intend to continue this as his career, then maybe he should invest in commercial equipment. If he is just doing this as a highschool job then there would be no need to buy a $5k mower.
S
Shughes717
LOL!...thanks for clearin that up for us...Ric..I guess you didn't tell him about your psychic abilities... LMAO!
This post make no sense... What are you talking about? Ric didn't clear anything up. I was asking the op to post again and explain his intentions. If he does intend to continue this as his career, then maybe he should invest in commercial equipment. If he is just doing this as a highschool job then there would be no need to buy a $5k mower.
#44
Ric
:laughing: Tell me how is a tractor with a 46 through 54" deck going to be slower than a push mower and they can be purchased for under 2K
Ric
The op was asking about a ztr mower for under $3k. A lawn tractor will be slower and won't suit his needs any better.
:laughing: Tell me how is a tractor with a 46 through 54" deck going to be slower than a push mower and they can be purchased for under 2K
#45
S
Shughes717
I never said a lawn tractor was slower than push mowing. Said it was slower than a ztr and wouldn't suit the op's needs any better than a ztr. The bts of a $2k lawn tractor is also slower than the raptor. I think we can agree that the raptor is a much better mower than a $2k lawn tractor. The deck on a $2k lawn tractor are not as sturdy, and the engine options offered on a $2k lt are not nearly as good as the fr series Kawi on the raptor.
S
Shughes717
:laughing: Tell me how is a tractor with a 46 through 54" deck going to be slower than a push mower and they can be purchased for under 2K
I never said a lawn tractor was slower than push mowing. Said it was slower than a ztr and wouldn't suit the op's needs any better than a ztr. The bts of a $2k lawn tractor is also slower than the raptor. I think we can agree that the raptor is a much better mower than a $2k lawn tractor. The deck on a $2k lawn tractor are not as sturdy, and the engine options offered on a $2k lt are not nearly as good as the fr series Kawi on the raptor.
#46
Ric
You can get the Cub Cadet XT2 series46" cut for $2499 with a fab deck your choice of the Kawasaki FR or the Professional grade Kohler courage or 7000 Pro series Kohler and Believe The XTI series has the same engine options and there under 2K and personally I'd rather have the CC. Both the tractors have comparable running speeds as the raptor 5.5 on the cc and 6.5 on the raptor. Not all that different. You can also buy either of the tractors at HD also and both are in the price range the OP is looking for.
Ric
I never said a lawn tractor was slower than push mowing. Said it was slower than a ztr and wouldn't suit the op's needs any better than a ztr. The bts of a $2k lawn tractor is also slower than the raptor. I think we can agree that the raptor is a much better mower than a $2k lawn tractor. The deck on a $2k lawn tractor are not as sturdy, and the engine options offered on a $2k lt are not nearly as good as the fr series Kawi on the raptor.
You can get the Cub Cadet XT2 series46" cut for $2499 with a fab deck your choice of the Kawasaki FR or the Professional grade Kohler courage or 7000 Pro series Kohler and Believe The XTI series has the same engine options and there under 2K and personally I'd rather have the CC. Both the tractors have comparable running speeds as the raptor 5.5 on the cc and 6.5 on the raptor. Not all that different. You can also buy either of the tractors at HD also and both are in the price range the OP is looking for.
#47
S
Shughes717
Ztr mowers are much more maneuverable than tractors. a ztr will mow much faster.
S
Shughes717
You can get the Cub Cadet XT2 series46" cut for $2499 with a fab deck your choice of the Kawasaki FR or the Professional grade Kohler courage or 7000 Pro series Kohler and Believe The XTI series has the same engine options and there under 2K and personally I'd rather have the CC. Both the tractors have comparable running speeds as the raptor 5.5 on the cc and 6.5 on the raptor. Not all that different. You can also buy either of the tractors at HD also and both are in the price range the OP is looking for.
Ztr mowers are much more maneuverable than tractors. a ztr will mow much faster.
#48
S
Shughes717
I'm not getting personal with you. We are each allowed to have our opinions. Has Ric ever used one for his business? I don't think so. You have obviously based your opinion on a bad experience with a raptor. Not everyone is going to have a positive experience with a new mower. If they have a problem then their opinion will be that all of them are junk. I have however used residential mowers to mow large areas for 30 years. The smallest lawn I have ever had to mow was the one acre lawn that I had at my old home.
You have no idea what my back ground is. I grew up mowing my parent's 5 acre lawn, and my grand parent's 3 acre lawn. I have used everything from a rer snapper to commercial zero turn mowers. I don't think Ric mows anything that big. I have also worked for lawn businesses during the summer in my youth once the cotton crops were planted and sprayed. As I mentioned in an earlier post I worked for a man who used 2 42" murray residential mowers to mow a local ball park (consisting of 3 ball fields), and a fairly large cemetery. If low end residential mowers can handle properties that size then the raptor should handle 10 small lawns with ease. Just because we don't agree it doesn't mean that we should get into insulting one another.
S
Shughes717
WOW...we didn't know that...you must be some kind of mowimg genius... What doesn't make any sense is you debating the capabilities of a ZT with a lawn pro (Ric) and someone who's owned two of those same ZT mowers... I think the OP even as young as he is will be smart enough to figure out who knows what they're talking about and with all due respect you don't ;-)
I'm not getting personal with you. We are each allowed to have our opinions. Has Ric ever used one for his business? I don't think so. You have obviously based your opinion on a bad experience with a raptor. Not everyone is going to have a positive experience with a new mower. If they have a problem then their opinion will be that all of them are junk. I have however used residential mowers to mow large areas for 30 years. The smallest lawn I have ever had to mow was the one acre lawn that I had at my old home.
You have no idea what my back ground is. I grew up mowing my parent's 5 acre lawn, and my grand parent's 3 acre lawn. I have used everything from a rer snapper to commercial zero turn mowers. I don't think Ric mows anything that big. I have also worked for lawn businesses during the summer in my youth once the cotton crops were planted and sprayed. As I mentioned in an earlier post I worked for a man who used 2 42" murray residential mowers to mow a local ball park (consisting of 3 ball fields), and a fairly large cemetery. If low end residential mowers can handle properties that size then the raptor should handle 10 small lawns with ease. Just because we don't agree it doesn't mean that we should get into insulting one another.
#49
PVHIII
...and for what your doin a solid stamped deck would be fine and probably discharge better...when the deck packs up is when your cut quality suffers..as long as you keep it clean it will deliver a nice cut so keep the scraper handy.
PVHIII
My dealer would advise you that the Raptor is not made for that...he has sold them for many years...he would rather not sell you the mower than to have you in there complaining when it doesn't hold up/preform ...it's almost a stretch to say the Raptor is good residential mower because of the deck clogging issues...the deck is solid but the mounting brackets aren't they will bend easier than you think trust me....compare how the deck is mounted to how competition mounts theirs such as the Husky or John Deere parked right next to it at Lowe'sHello everyone its great to be on the forum!!!!
Ok so im trying to start my own lawn care service for my high school job, I got a good amount of yards right now and im using a push mower
I have been looking at the Hustler Raptor 42in (Since it has a fabricated deck instead of a stamped).
But i want to know if this is the right mower for me, because i have light slopes to mow and for absolute must!!!! fit in a 50in wide gate.
Thanks,
Randall
...and for what your doin a solid stamped deck would be fine and probably discharge better...when the deck packs up is when your cut quality suffers..as long as you keep it clean it will deliver a nice cut so keep the scraper handy.
#50
PVHIII
I apologize if you took that personal like I did when "someone" said my post "didn't make sense"...let's not get to PC here...were talkin about lawn mowers for gods sake... I have owned TWO of'm not ONE..neither were worth the $3000 paid for them...deck performance ruins the mower...and this is JMO..and this actually pains me to say because I'm a "Hustler guy"...so to speak and I don't have any complaints on my FTSD.
PVHIII
I'm not getting personal with you. We are each allowed to have our opinions. Has Ric ever used one for his business? I don't think so. You have obviously based your opinion on a bad experience with a raptor. Not everyone is going to have a positive experience with a new mower. If they have a problem then their opinion will be that all of them are junk. I have however used residential mowers to mow large areas for 30 years. The smallest lawn I have ever had to mow was the one acre lawn that I had at my old home.
You have no idea what my back ground is. I grew up mowing my parent's 5 acre lawn, and my grand parent's 3 acre lawn. I have used everything from a rer snapper to commercial zero turn mowers. I don't think Ric mows anything that big. I have also worked for lawn businesses during the summer in my youth once the cotton crops were planted and sprayed. As I mentioned in an earlier post I worked for a man who used 2 42" murray residential mowers to mow a local ball park (consisting of 3 ball fields), and a fairly large cemetery. If low end residential mowers can handle properties that size then the raptor should handle 10 small lawns with ease. Just because we don't agree it doesn't mean that we should get into insulting one another.
I apologize if you took that personal like I did when "someone" said my post "didn't make sense"...let's not get to PC here...were talkin about lawn mowers for gods sake... I have owned TWO of'm not ONE..neither were worth the $3000 paid for them...deck performance ruins the mower...and this is JMO..and this actually pains me to say because I'm a "Hustler guy"...so to speak and I don't have any complaints on my FTSD.
#51
PVHIII
PVHIII
Finally we agree on something...a Raptor "SHOULD" be able to handle that ;-)I'm not getting personal with you. We are each allowed to have our opinions. Has Ric ever used one for his business? I don't think so. You have obviously based your opinion on a bad experience with a raptor. Not everyone is going to have a positive experience with a new mower. If they have a problem then their opinion will be that all of them are junk. I have however used residential mowers to mow large areas for 30 years. The smallest lawn I have ever had to mow was the one acre lawn that I had at my old home.
You have no idea what my back ground is. I grew up mowing my parent's 5 acre lawn, and my grand parent's 3 acre lawn. I have used everything from a rer snapper to commercial zero turn mowers. I don't think Ric mows anything that big. I have also worked for lawn businesses during the summer in my youth once the cotton crops were planted and sprayed. As I mentioned in an earlier post I worked for a man who used 2 42" murray residential mowers to mow a local ball park (consisting of 3 ball fields), and a fairly large cemetery. If low end residential mowers can handle properties that size then the raptor should handle 10 small lawns with ease. Just because we don't agree it doesn't mean that we should get into insulting one another.
#52
S
Shughes717
I didn't mean for you to take my comment personal. I didn't understand your post because you copied one of mine and said Ric cleared something up. I understand that you are not a fan of the raptor. Every brand and model mower has its haters and supporters. I have always tried to maintain an impartial point of view towards mowers and companies.
The main complaints I have seen and read concerning the raptor was the recall from last year and that owners had to purchase a heat shield separately to prevent the exhaust from burning the turf when sitting at idle. Every brand will sell a lemon now and then. I also never said you were pushing the fastrack sd on the op. I was just pointing out that you are making an un fair comparison to the two. The fastrack is a commercial mower and is going to perform much better. If I had a raptor and a fastrack sd sitting in the barn side by side then the raptor would be collecting cob webs and dust from lack of use.
We have to remember that the op is a kid who said he was mowing lawns as a highschool job. We can't speculate as to his future plans. If he doesn't want to continue mowing lawns past highschool then he doesn't need a commercial mower. If he goes off to college he wont need the mower anymore either. If he is looking for a mower that will get him through 2 or 3 years of mowing while he is in highschool without having to spend $5k then the raptor will suit his needs. I am not suggesting that he purchase one for the purpose of starting a major lawn care business. That would be foolish.
S
Shughes717
I apologize if you took that personal like I did when "someone" said my post "didn't make sense"...let's not get to PC here...were talkin about lawn mowers for gods sake... I have owned TWO of'm not ONE..neither were worth the $3000 paid for them...deck performance ruins the mower...and this is JMO
I didn't mean for you to take my comment personal. I didn't understand your post because you copied one of mine and said Ric cleared something up. I understand that you are not a fan of the raptor. Every brand and model mower has its haters and supporters. I have always tried to maintain an impartial point of view towards mowers and companies.
The main complaints I have seen and read concerning the raptor was the recall from last year and that owners had to purchase a heat shield separately to prevent the exhaust from burning the turf when sitting at idle. Every brand will sell a lemon now and then. I also never said you were pushing the fastrack sd on the op. I was just pointing out that you are making an un fair comparison to the two. The fastrack is a commercial mower and is going to perform much better. If I had a raptor and a fastrack sd sitting in the barn side by side then the raptor would be collecting cob webs and dust from lack of use.
We have to remember that the op is a kid who said he was mowing lawns as a highschool job. We can't speculate as to his future plans. If he doesn't want to continue mowing lawns past highschool then he doesn't need a commercial mower. If he goes off to college he wont need the mower anymore either. If he is looking for a mower that will get him through 2 or 3 years of mowing while he is in highschool without having to spend $5k then the raptor will suit his needs. I am not suggesting that he purchase one for the purpose of starting a major lawn care business. That would be foolish.
#53
Ric
Ya know I've gave this response considerable thought and if I said what I'd like to say.....Well lets just say I wouldn't be as apologetic as PVHlll so you'll have to excuse me while I take the appropriate steps.
Ric
I'm not getting personal with you. We are each allowed to have our opinions. Has Ric ever used one for his business? I don't think so. You have obviously based your opinion on a bad experience with a raptor. Not everyone is going to have a positive experience with a new mower. If they have a problem then their opinion will be that all of them are junk. I have however used residential mowers to mow large areas for 30 years. The smallest lawn I have ever had to mow was the one acre lawn that I had at my old home.
You have no idea what my back ground is. I grew up mowing my parent's 5 acre lawn, and my grand parent's 3 acre lawn. I have used everything from a rer snapper to commercial zero turn mowers. I don't think Ric mows anything that big. I have also worked for lawn businesses during the summer in my youth once the cotton crops were planted and sprayed. As I mentioned in an earlier post I worked for a man who used 2 42" murray residential mowers to mow a local ball park (consisting of 3 ball fields), and a fairly large cemetery. If low end residential mowers can handle properties that size then the raptor should handle 10 small lawns with ease. Just because we don't agree it doesn't mean that we should get into insulting one another.
Ya know I've gave this response considerable thought and if I said what I'd like to say.....Well lets just say I wouldn't be as apologetic as PVHlll so you'll have to excuse me while I take the appropriate steps.
#54
PVHIII
I never even came close to comparing the FT to the Raptor... I simply stated I owned one as was/am totally satisfied with it...how you came to that conclusion I have no idea... maybe you should go back and read the post again.... Secondly.. I am considering the young mans age...a mistake is a mistake no matter what your age is...and for him to go spend his money on Raptor would be a mistake... Again this coming from a "Hustler Guy"...who's owned TWO.
PVHIII
I didn't mean for you to take my comment personal. I didn't understand your post because you copied one of mine and said Ric cleared something up. I understand that you are not a fan of the raptor. Every brand and model mower has its haters and supporters. I have always tried to maintain an impartial point of view towards mowers and companies.
The main complaints I have seen and read concerning the raptor was the recall from last year and that owners had to purchase a heat shield separately to prevent the exhaust from burning the turf when sitting at idle. Every brand will sell a lemon now and then. I also never said you were pushing the fastrack sd on the op. I was just pointing out that you are making an un fair comparison to the two. The fastrack is a commercial mower and is going to perform much better. If I had a raptor and a fastrack sd sitting in the barn side by side then the raptor would be collecting cob webs and dust from lack of use.
We have to remember that the op is a kid who said he was mowing lawns as a highschool job. We can't speculate as to his future plans. If he doesn't want to continue mowing lawns past highschool then he doesn't need a commercial mower. If he goes off to college he wont need the mower anymore either. If he is looking for a mower that will get him through 2 or 3 years of mowing while he is in highschool without having to spend $5k then the raptor will suit his needs. I am not suggesting that he purchase one for the purpose of starting a major lawn care business. That would be foolish.
I never even came close to comparing the FT to the Raptor... I simply stated I owned one as was/am totally satisfied with it...how you came to that conclusion I have no idea... maybe you should go back and read the post again.... Secondly.. I am considering the young mans age...a mistake is a mistake no matter what your age is...and for him to go spend his money on Raptor would be a mistake... Again this coming from a "Hustler Guy"...who's owned TWO.
#55
S
Shughes717
As you know I try not to get personal with other members by name calling. You can take whatever steps you feel are necessary concerning this matter. I'm not going to complain one way or the other. We are having a discussion about a subject that we disagree on. I'm not the one saying another member doesn't know what they are talking about. You and I have disagreed numerous times in the past, but I have always felt our debates were respectful. I didn't personally attack anyone on this thread. I pointed out that the post didn't make sense to me. I did not mean to offend, however posting that I don't know anything and the sarcastic reply about my post on the ztr mower being faster and more maneuverable than a lt was clearly meant as a personal attack. I'm cool with it no matter how you decide.
S
Shughes717
Ya know I've gave this response considerable thought and if I said what I'd like to say.....Well lets just say I wouldn't be as apologetic as PVHlll so you'll have to excuse me while I take the appropriate steps.
As you know I try not to get personal with other members by name calling. You can take whatever steps you feel are necessary concerning this matter. I'm not going to complain one way or the other. We are having a discussion about a subject that we disagree on. I'm not the one saying another member doesn't know what they are talking about. You and I have disagreed numerous times in the past, but I have always felt our debates were respectful. I didn't personally attack anyone on this thread. I pointed out that the post didn't make sense to me. I did not mean to offend, however posting that I don't know anything and the sarcastic reply about my post on the ztr mower being faster and more maneuverable than a lt was clearly meant as a personal attack. I'm cool with it no matter how you decide.
#56
S
Shughes717
Technically you apparently still own one if you are counting your mother-in-law's mower.
S
Shughes717
I never even came close to comparing the FT to the Raptor... I simply stated I owned one as was/am totally satisfied with it...how you came to that conclusion I have no idea... maybe you should go back and read the post again.... Secondly.. I am considering the young mans age...a mistake is a mistake no matter what your age is...and for him to go spend his money on Raptor would be a mistake... Again this coming from a "Hustler Guy"...who's owned TWO.
Technically you apparently still own one if you are counting your mother-in-law's mower.
#57
PVHIII
And I am it might as well be mine...I maintain it and can go out there and hop on it anytime I get ready and Mom-in-law can hop on the FTSD anytime she gets ready and she sometimes does...we both love to mow and try to mow together when we can...our properties are conjoined.
PVHIII
Technically you apparently still own one if you are counting your mother-in-law's mower.
And I am it might as well be mine...I maintain it and can go out there and hop on it anytime I get ready and Mom-in-law can hop on the FTSD anytime she gets ready and she sometimes does...we both love to mow and try to mow together when we can...our properties are conjoined.
#58
PVHIII
Trying to behave.... this guy can really test a mans patience...and the proof is in the puddin ;-)
PVHIII
Ya know I've gave this response considerable thought and if I said what I'd like to say.....Well lets just say I wouldn't be as apologetic as PVHlll so you'll have to excuse me while I take the appropriate steps.
Trying to behave.... this guy can really test a mans patience...and the proof is in the puddin ;-)
#59
S
Shughes717
How many acres? Btw, I don't test anyone's patience. I just Speak my mind, give advice based on fair honest unbiased observations, and try to do it without insults. We can disagree, and most likely will not change the other's mind. It is up to others to read the posts and make their own conclusions about the different points. Just because we disagree it doesn't mean anyone should get angry and resort to insulting the other party. I have had numerous long debates with Ric in the past. Neither of us has ever changed the mind of the other, and that's not the point. The goal is to give a different perspective and let the members reading decide what they think is right. If your patience is tested its only because my opinion is different than yours and you are unable to change mine.
S
Shughes717
And I am it might as well be mine...I maintain it and can go out there and hop on it anytime I get ready and Mom-in-law can hop on the FTSD anytime she gets ready and she sometimes does...we both love to mow and try to mow together when we can...our properties are conjoined.
How many acres? Btw, I don't test anyone's patience. I just Speak my mind, give advice based on fair honest unbiased observations, and try to do it without insults. We can disagree, and most likely will not change the other's mind. It is up to others to read the posts and make their own conclusions about the different points. Just because we disagree it doesn't mean anyone should get angry and resort to insulting the other party. I have had numerous long debates with Ric in the past. Neither of us has ever changed the mind of the other, and that's not the point. The goal is to give a different perspective and let the members reading decide what they think is right. If your patience is tested its only because my opinion is different than yours and you are unable to change mine.