Best Commercial Mulching Mower for Nebraska

[Ric]

I currently do not have a DBA because my city does not require one of a lawn business. I have everything required to be in business legally. I don't think I'm getting ahead of myself with marketing because I would just buy a cheaper mower like the the Snpper Pro SW25 just so that I could use some money for other things like advertising. I'm not planning on marketing next year with two push mowers. I was thinking i would advertise and if we picked up enough to justify a new mower I would go get one before next season.

My parents approve of our business. I'm not sure what you are asking there but they think it's a good thing. You said there are better ways for what you are trying to do. Like what? What would you say I should spend my money on instead?

I think what Ric is asking is have you ran your ideas by your parents for advice? Sometimes young people will spend too much and get themselves in a hole. Your parents have probably been there themselves and hopefully will give you some advice on how to make sure your business succeeds. I wish you the best of luck. I hope my kids are as industrious as you are some day. I can't get my 13 year old off of her butt to do the dishes.

If your Parents approve of the business I would suggest you talk to your father about co-signing a loan for the Grandstand and using say 2K for a down payment and financing the rest at 0% for 42 months and your payment would be like $130.78 a month. Use the rest of your for a trailer and set up. With the lawns that you'll pick up you can pay the monthly payments and then some. Personally I'd wait on the marketing thing because there's a lot more to it than just advertising. Let me ask do you have a Tax Number?

 

[Shughes717]

If your Parents approve of the business I would suggest you talk to your father about co-signing a loan for the Grandstand and using say 2K for a down payment and financing the rest at 0% for 42 months and your payment would be like $130.78 a month. Use the rest of your for a trailer and set up. With the lawns that you'll pick up you can pay the monthly payments and then some. Personally I'd wait on the marketing thing because there's a lot more to it than just advertising. Let me ask do you have a Tax Number?

I tend to agree with Ric here on this. If you are intending on investing in growing your business you will need quality commercial equipment to handle the extra lawns you are going to get. If a stand on is what you think you need, then you should find something that falls in your budget and acquire it. If your parents are willing to help by co-signing for a new mower then that is an option. However, you better be ready to commit to it. When it gets hot, and you are sick of mowing lawns you can't just up and quit. You will still have an $8k mower that will have to be paid for. You may be on the right path by going with a less expensive commercial walk behind for the time being. Or, you could look into a used stand on on Craig's list. That way you don't have to risk putting your parents in a financial strain of you decide to persue other endeavors. As for the marketing side of it, I will have to defer to Ric's advice on that. Most of the lawn care business drummed up in my area is by word of mouth, but it's very rural where I live.

 

[Conn0r33]

I tend to agree with Ric here on this. If you are intending on investing in growing your business you will need quality commercial equipment to handle the extra lawns you are going to get. If a stand on is what you think you need, then you should find something that falls in your budget and acquire it. If your parents are willing to help by co-signing for a new mower then that is an option. However, you better be ready to commit to it. When it gets hot, and you are sick of mowing lawns you can't just up and quit. You will still have an $8k mower that will have to be paid for. You may be on the right path by going with a less expensive commercial walk behind for the time being. Or, you could look into a used stand on on Craig's list. That way you don't have to risk putting your parents in a financial strain of you decide to persue other endeavors. As for the marketing side of it, I will have to defer to Ric's advice on that. Most of the lawn care business drummed up in my area is by word of mouth, but it's very rural where I live.

If your Parents approve of the business I would suggest you talk to your father about co-signing a loan for the Grandstand and using say 2K for a down payment and financing the rest at 0% for 42 months and your payment would be like $130.78 a month. Use the rest of your for a trailer and set up. With the lawns that you'll pick up you can pay the monthly payments and then some. Personally I'd wait on the marketing thing because there's a lot more to it than just advertising. Let me ask do you have a Tax Number?

My parents said they would help pay for the mowers. I don't know how much they would give me.
I am still considering WB and Stand ons I haven't fully decided.

 

[Ric]

My parents said they would help pay for the mowers. I don't know how much they would give me.
I am still considering WB and Stand ons I haven't fully decided.

Here's a hit or something you may want to put in the back of your mind when deciding on which mower you want to buy. A walk behind is just a walk behind, nothing special there, but a Grandstand...A stand on mower is different. It draws attention because it's different and attention can mean more business. People tend to like different. They see the stander and think hey maybe that thing isn't as heavy as one of those big ztr mowers the others are using, maybe it wont leave those ruts in my lawn as bad, the lawn he's doing sure looks nice maybe we should talk to this guy and see what he would charge to do our lawn. Sounds like a comical and stupid post doesn't it but it worked for me, the Grandstand is an advertisement in itself. :smile:

 

[Shughes717]

Here's a hit or something you may want to put in the back of your mind when deciding on which mower you want to buy. A walk behind is just a walk behind, nothing special there, but a Grandstand...A stand on mower is different. It draws attention because it's different and attention can mean more business. People tend to like different. They see the stander and think hey maybe that thing isn't as heavy as one of those big ztr mowers the others are using, maybe it wont leave those ruts in my lawn as bad, the lawn he's doing sure looks nice maybe we should talk to this guy and see what he would charge to do our lawn. Sounds like a comical and stupid post doesn't it but it worked for me, the Grandstand is an advertisement in itself. :smile:

Having a professional appearance and doing quality work is going to get you business. Neighbors do look at other neighbors lawns. Even out in the country where I live. If they like the work you are doing then you will get calls. Ric is much more experienced in the marketing side of commercial lawn business. I think having magnetic signs on the side of your vehicle with your company name and a phone number will help in that reguard. I am on the fence about walk behind vs stand on for small properties.

I am sure the stand on is a little faster, but I wouldn't think it would cut the lawn any better than a commercial walk behind. I am still curious to know if there is a significant difference in the ability of a 48" stand on vs a 36" stand on in reguards to mowing hills. My experience is limited to only one use of a stand on mower. I have a friend in Middle Tennessee still has not purchased a new mower and he has some serious hills to mow.

 

[Conn0r33]

Having a professional appearance and doing quality work is going to get you business. Neighbors do look at other neighbors lawns. Even out in the country where I live. If they like the work you are doing then you will get calls. Ric is much more experienced in the marketing side of commercial lawn business. I think having magnetic signs on the side of your vehicle with your company name and a phone number will help in that reguard. I am on the fence about walk behind vs stand on for small properties.

I am sure the stand on is a little faster, but I wouldn't think it would cut the lawn any better than a commercial walk behind. I am still curious to know if there is a significant difference in the ability of a 48" stand on vs a 36" stand on in reguards to mowing hills. My experience is limited to only one use of a stand on mower. I have a friend in Middle Tennessee still has not purchased a new mower and he has some serious hills to mow.

Here's a hit or something you may want to put in the back of your mind when deciding on which mower you want to buy. A walk behind is just a walk behind, nothing special there, but a Grandstand...A stand on mower is different. It draws attention because it's different and attention can mean more business. People tend to like different. They see the stander and think hey maybe that thing isn't as heavy as one of those big ztr mowers the others are using, maybe it wont leave those ruts in my lawn as bad, the lawn he's doing sure looks nice maybe we should talk to this guy and see what he would charge to do our lawn. Sounds like a comical and stupid post doesn't it but it worked for me, the Grandstand is an advertisement in itself. :smile:

I totally agree with you ric. Whenever I see a company using a Stander I tend to look longer because they are cool and I just want to see what they are running. It is just a lot of money I'm not going to buy these mowers any time soon I am just planning ahead so I know what I want to buy when I get to the point that I need it. If I was made of money and had enough customers to justify it I think the Grandstand would be my ideal mower. But with only ten customers and mowing 14 lawns a week I don't think I can justify the 8k cost. I'm still considering all the mowers the WB, Standers, and ZTRs. Because like someone said earlier if the ZTR can't get there or handle a hill I can just push mow it with a 21.

Also i have magnets on my car with my name logo and phone number.

 

[Shughes717]

I totally agree with you ric. Whenever I see a company using a Stander I tend to look longer because they are cool and I just want to see what they are running. It is just a lot of money I'm not going to buy these mowers any time soon I am just planning ahead so I know what I want to buy when I get to the point that I need it. If I was made of money and had enough customers to justify it I think the Grandstand would be my ideal mower. But with only ten customers and mowing 14 lawns a week I don't think I can justify the 8k cost. I'm still considering all the mowers the WB, Standers, and ZTRs. Because like someone said earlier if the ZTR can't get there or handle a hill I can just push mow it with a 21.

Also i have magnets on my car with my name logo and phone number.

I can see that you are being very deliberate in making your decision. That shows some maturity. Ric has the experience with using stand on mowers for a lawn business. Have you checked Craig's list for used stand ons in your area?

 

[Conn0r33]

I can see that you are being very deliberate in making your decision. That shows some maturity. Ric has the experience with using stand on mowers for a lawn business. Have you checked Craig's list for used stand ons in your area?

I have not yet. I'm not sure on used yet because I would hate to buy one and have something go wrong or break and not have a warrenty. Now that probably won't happen quickly but I am just tired of repairs and I am leaning towards new but I could probably afford one if I buy used.

 

[Shughes717]

I have not yet. I'm not sure on used yet because I would hate to buy one and have something go wrong or break and not have a warrenty. Now that probably won't happen quickly but I am just tired of repairs and I am leaning towards new but I could probably afford one if I buy used.

I can understand that. It is tough to buy used if you don't have much experience with working on your own equipment. If you know a good mechanic who could go with you to look at the used mowers before you consider purchasing it would be a good idea. It is a risk, but if you can get a few seasons out of it then that could help you get your business up and going. If you are positive that a stand on is what you eventually want to get to, then used will be the quickest way to get one. I don't have any experience mowing small lawns, so I couldn't say what would be your best option. I do know that any of the three options you are considering will be faster than what you are doing now.

 

[Conn0r33]

I can understand that. It is tough to buy used if you don't have much experience with working on your own equipment. If you know a good mechanic who could go with you to look at the used mowers before you consider purchasing it would be a good idea. It is a risk, but if you can get a few seasons out of it then that could help you get your business up and going.

I know a good mechanic/dealer who could probably check it out for me.
How many hours or years would you say a commercial mower like the grandstand would be able to get?