Best Commercial Mulching Mower for Nebraska

Conn0r33

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You can get a 44" commercial ztr mower for small lawns as well. They are versatile enough to handle most jobs. You would be amazed at th inclines I have seen them used on. Stand ons are probably better at tight places and inclines, but ztr mowers can handle small jobs. The reason most companies around here use ztr mowers is because the average lawns around here are much larger than what you are mowing. The goal is to do a good job in the least amount of time possible and move on to the next lawn. It doesn't appear that you are going to be taking on many larger properties, so a ztr may not be right for you. Have you looked into the ferris evolution I mentioned? I do know that I wouldn't want to stand the entire time I am mowing my 4.2 acre lawn.
I actually checked out the Ferris Evolution a while back. And I found out that it is only available in 48 inch. I think thats a bit big for my lawns.

Most of the companies I see near me are all using 52" and 60" ZTRs. One time I happened to see them mowing a property like mine it was about 5k-6k sq ft and they were using a 52 or bigger and the front yard could not have been more then 2k Sq ft. I wonder if they where able to get in the back yard. Haha

Like I mentioned before I have three properities that are 15,000+ but it is commercial and it is all split up into smaller sections. For example on a 15k property one section isn't even 1k and there are a few other sections that are smaller than that. Then there are sections that are like 6k sq ft. so it's kind of weird.

We have been doing mostly small residential because with two Toro SR4s you can't handle much more. The grandstand and other Toros that I was considering are too expensive for me right now. Toro is always on my mind anyway. I have looked into Scag i was quoted about $5,500 for their 36" stand on. That was the lower Hp engine. I've also thought about snapper pro they have a ztr that is only 36" but like I said I have absolutely know idea why but I just don't think I want a zero turn.
I've used a ztr before no idea on deck size probably 36. I wasn't in lawn care at the time but I really loved using it. I just don't know why for my company I hesitate to buy a ztr.
 

Conn0r33

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The Grandstand will be the most productive and best all around mower he can get for the lawns he is doing, in any size. Job wise it will be faster more maneuverable than either the ZTR or WB with a sulky. A WB with a sulky is a PITA and if you don't believe me try backing one up with a sulky on the back especially the belt drive when it's operator assist.

If you want a walk behind you buy the Grandstand because that's what it is, just fold up the flex ride platform. It's the best of all three worlds. The Grandstand will go places and do things that you could never do with either of the others. The Grandstand is also better built and has the best warranty on the market, it has a 5 yr 1200 hour warranty, the others are 2 or 3 year. With the slopes he was talking about the Grandstand wouldn't be a problem because of it lower center of gravity than the rest.
The grandstand in my mind might be my idea mower. But my dealers price for that is too expensive im not sure if I want to spend that much money. Also because I can't afford more than one or two mowers I need to find my niche. I can't have a 21 a 36 maybe a 48 and a 60 to cover every property I find. So what seems more profitable should I try for large or smaller properties. I am still in a stage where I can pick what I want to go after because I don't have many clients. I was thinking about the Scaf V-Ride but I don't know how well it mulches. My dealer has snapper pro but they don't make a stand on just WB and ZTR.

Also I saw a competitor using a fixed deck walk behind. Why would anyone want a fixed deck, other than that it is cheaper?
 

LoCo86

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The grandstand in my mind might be my idea mower. But my dealers price for that is too expensive im not sure if I want to spend that much money. Also because I can't afford more than one or two mowers I need to find my niche. I can't have a 21 a 36 maybe a 48 and a 60 to cover every property I find. So what seems more profitable should I try for large or smaller properties. I am still in a stage where I can pick what I want to go after because I don't have many clients. I was thinking about the Scaf V-Ride but I don't know how well it mulches. My dealer has snapper pro but they don't make a stand on just WB and ZTR. Also I saw a competitor using a fixed deck walk behind. Why would anyone want a fixed deck, other than that it is cheaper?

You are right on the money when you say you need to find a niche mower. Just my opinion but I would stick to small residential yards that fit you and the equipment you plan to be running. Try and find properties and people who have more to be done than just cutting their grass. You will make more money doing trimming bushes, fertilizing, and doing mulch jobs than cutting grass alone. And as far as what machine you should get I believe you should get a walk behind. I have all three types of mowers and there is no where I haven't been able to go with a walk behind. It's an extremely versatile mower. As far as brand goes Snapper pro is a good option. A lot of big lawn care companies are using them here. Personally I'm an Exmark man but Snapper is a good mower. If you get a 36" not only get the mulch kit but get a weight kit because they are light on the front. As far as a sulky goes you can get one that you can back up without jack knifing.
 

Ric

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The grandstand in my mind might be my idea mower. But my dealers price for that is too expensive im not sure if I want to spend that much money. Also because I can't afford more than one or two mowers I need to find my niche. I can't have a 21 a 36 maybe a 48 and a 60 to cover every property I find. So what seems more profitable should I try for large or smaller properties. I am still in a stage where I can pick what I want to go after because I don't have many clients. I was thinking about the Scaf V-Ride but I don't know how well it mulches. My dealer has snapper pro but they don't make a stand on just WB and ZTR.

Also I saw a competitor using a fixed deck walk behind. Why would anyone want a fixed deck, other than that it is cheaper?

Your dealer can come down on price of the Grandstand, he has the room. I got mine at $6800 OTD. If you have $5500 I'd use $4000 for a down payment and get the 0% financing, your payments would be next to nothing and the mower would pay for itself. Depending on down payment your payments could run any where from $70 to $160 monthly. In the long run you'll spend less money than buying something you really don't want or that's not going to be as productive as they need. The problem with doing that is resale, a 36" ztr isn't going to be real big on any commercial operators list, it just doesn't have a niche.

The Scag would be a good mower but to me I think with that 5 gallon gas tank where it's at would create an issue for me especially with it's center of gravity being what it is I would think it wouldn't be that great on hills.
 
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Conn0r33

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You are right on the money when you say you need to find a niche mower. Just my opinion but I would stick to small residential yards that fit you and the equipment you plan to be running. Try and find properties and people who have more to be done than just cutting their grass. You will make more money doing trimming bushes, fertilizing, and doing mulch jobs than cutting grass alone. And as far as what machine you should get I believe you should get a walk behind. I have all three types of mowers and there is no where I haven't been able to go with a walk behind. It's an extremely versatile mower. As far as brand goes Snapper pro is a good option. A lot of big lawn care companies are using them here. Personally I'm an Exmark man but Snapper is a good mower. If you get a 36" not only get the mulch kit but get a weight kit because they are light on the front. As far as a sulky goes you can get one that you can back up without jack knifing.
Well I meant that I could change to large lots and buy a big zero turn. I've never bought a commercial mower. So I could go either way. I could stick to small lawns and buy a WB or stand on. But I've only had 21" Homeowner Toros.
I like toro and considering they own Exmark I think I would really like an Exmark but the closest dealer is over an hour away :-(
 

Conn0r33

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Your dealer can come down on price of the Grandstand, he has the room. I got mine at $6800 OTD. If you have $5500 I'd use $4000 for a down payment and get the 0% financing, your payments would be next to nothing and the mower would pay for itself. Depending on down payment your payments could run any where from $70 to $160 monthly. In the long run you'll spend less money than buying something you really don't want or that's not going to be as productive as they need. The problem with doing that is resale, a 36" ztr isn't going to be real big on any commercial operators list, it just doesn't have a niche.

The Scag would be a good mower but to me I think with that 5 gallon gas tank where it's at would create an issue for me especially with it's center of gravity being what it is I would think it wouldn't be that great on hills.
Thanks for your input. If I want a lower price I'd have to find another dealer. He doesn't negotiate.
I think Toro and John Deere are just out of my price range.
 

Ric

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Thanks for your input. If I want a lower price I'd have to find another dealer. He doesn't negotiate.
I think Toro and John Deere are just out of my price range.

Well If you can't afford the GS I'd look at this unit, It's the Venom Stander and IMO is a pretty well built unit at $5999 It or maybe the Encore Rage are both are basically the same price. Only problem is there a 52" stander not the 36"

Stand On - Worldlawn Power Equipment, Inc.Worldlawn Power Equipment, Inc.



  • Engine: Kawasaki
  • Model: FX730V
  • Horsepower: 23.5
  • Deck: 7 ga.
  • Final Drive: Hydro
  • PTO: Warner Electric Clutch
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 5 gallons
  • Cutting Heights: 1.5" - 4.5" (7 positions)
  • Forward Speed: 0-8.55 MPH
  • Tires - Front: 11 x 5.00-4 smooth
  • Tires - Rear: 18 x 9.50-8 turf
  • Width: 65"
  • Width w/ Deflector Up: 53"
  • Starter: Electric
  • Blades: 18" x 3
  • Length: 72", 62" w/ Platform up
  • Clutch: Manual
  • Wheel Base: 33"
  • Wheel Track - Front: 36"
  • Wheel Track - Rear: 44"
  • Weight: 750 lb


Venom_52_StandOn.jpg


 

Conn0r33

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Well If you can't afford the GS I'd look at this unit, It's the Venom Stander and IMO is a pretty well built unit at $5999 It or maybe the Encore Rage are both are basically the same price. Only problem is there a 52" stander not the 36"

Stand On - Worldlawn Power Equipment, Inc.Worldlawn Power Equipment, Inc.



  • Engine: Kawasaki
  • Model: FX730V
  • Horsepower: 23.5
  • Deck: 7 ga.
  • Final Drive: Hydro
  • PTO: Warner Electric Clutch
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 5 gallons
  • Cutting Heights: 1.5" - 4.5" (7 positions)
  • Forward Speed: 0-8.55 MPH
  • Tires - Front: 11 x 5.00-4 smooth
  • Tires - Rear: 18 x 9.50-8 turf
  • Width: 65"
  • Width w/ Deflector Up: 53"
  • Starter: Electric
  • Blades: 18" x 3
  • Length: 72", 62" w/ Platform up
  • Clutch: Manual
  • Wheel Base: 33"
  • Wheel Track - Front: 36"
  • Wheel Track - Rear: 44"
  • Weight: 750 lb


Venom_52_StandOn.jpg


Thanks! I could be wrong but with the size of lawns I have I think anything bigger than a 48 or 36 is too big. Unless I start going after large lawns.
 

Ric

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Thanks! I could be wrong but with the size of lawns I have I think anything bigger than a 48 or 36 is too big. Unless I start going after large lawns.

You'll be surprised I run the 48" ZM on most all my lawns and it works great. A 52" isn't all that much more especially in a stander. You'll have keep the 21" Toro for the tight spots and for back yards but that's what I use my 30" for because a lot of my back yards aren't big enough for anything else. I see a lot of my competition show up and do the same size yards as mine with 60" cuts.
 
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