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Brigs or kawi?

Feb 22, 2014#1

jay stortini

Trying to decide on engine:/
25hp brigs commercial turf series or
19hp kawi fx600v commercial?
$600 more to get the kawi is it worth it?
Thanks
Jay

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Feb 22, 2014#2

jay stortini

Hmmm:/

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Feb 22, 2014#3

Mike88se

I was set to say Kaw without question til I saw the $600 part. Briggs doesn't compare with Kawasaki but Briggs has made some good engines. You should get some good input from some of the more knowledgable members soon.

Feb 22, 2014#4

reynoldston

My vote is Brigs, Kawasaki parts are too expensive.

Feb 22, 2014#5

jay stortini

K that's one for brigs one for kawi! Keep em coming

)

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Feb 22, 2014#6

Ric

Try this maybe it will help. Kawasaki hands down best engine on the market.

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/polls/11383-best-engine-market.html

Feb 22, 2014#7

jay stortini

K think it's gonna be kawi

Thanks for link Ric

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Feb 22, 2014#8

wjjones

I have 2 Briggs now but I plan to go to Kawi the next time around.

Feb 22, 2014#9

jay stortini

wjjones said:
I have 2 Briggs now but I plan to go to Kawi the next time around.

You just made my decision final!!
Kawi it is I am pumped???

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Feb 22, 2014#10

wjjones

jay stortini said:
You just made my decision final!!
Kawi it is I am pumped

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What type of mower is it going to be on?

Feb 22, 2014#11

jay stortini

wjjones said:
What type of mower is it going to be on?

I am getting snapper pro s50xt 36" gonna fly!!

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Feb 22, 2014#12

jay stortini

getting snapper pro s50xt 36" gonna fly!!

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Feb 22, 2014#13

wjjones

jay stortini said:
wjjones said:

What type of mower is it going to be on?[/QUOT
I am getting snapper pro s50xt 36" gonna fly!!

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Click to expand...

Cool that sounds great get us some pictures if you want to when you get it.:thumbsup:

Feb 22, 2014#14

jay stortini

Here is the machine!

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Feb 22, 2014#15

wjjones

jay stortini said:
View attachment 19450

Here is the machine!

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Nice looking machine. I think you will be glad you spent the extra $600.

Feb 22, 2014#16

reynoldston

Not that I care what you buy, The only thing I have come across with Kawasaki is big expensive repairs being in the repair trade. This go's back many years and not only on mowers, but with motorcycles and snowmobiles. Just what is so wonderful do you find with the Kawasaki except its more money so it has to be better?

Feb 22, 2014#17

jay stortini

reynoldston said:
Not that I care what you buy, The only thing I have come across with Kawasaki is big expensive repairs being in the repair trade. This go's back many years and not only on mowers, but with motorcycles and snowmobiles. Just what is so wonderful do you find with the Kawasaki except its more money so it has to be better?

Well I was thinking that it's prob like Toyota and Honda cars they don't brake so you don't pay for repairs but chev ford dodge Pontiac all brake all the time:/ there seems to be a reason there why it's Cheeper to repair. If your always in the shop money wasted time wasted.
I had two toyotas both I sold just after they reached 500,000 km our Pontiac and Chevrolet started braking after 100,000km cut our losses before 200,000km

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Feb 22, 2014#18

reynoldston

Ok I keep seeing what a wonderful engine Kawasaki is over everything else and I give a reason I don't like the engine. I keep seeing its the best engine made but never no real reason other then they like it and had no problems. I think there can be said about other engines out there also.

Feb 22, 2014#19

reynoldston

jay stortini said:
Well I was thinking that it's prob like Toyota and Honda cars they don't brake so you don't pay for repairs but chev ford dodge Pontiac all brake all the time:/ there seems to be a reason there why it's Cheeper to repair. If your always in the shop money wasted time wasted.
I had two toyotas both I sold just after they reached 500,000 km our Pontiac and Chevrolet started braking after 100,000km cut our losses before 200,000km

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It just so happens I drive a Toyota car with very few repairs, its a well made car. This has nothing to do with Kawasaki. Japan has some very well made products out there. I just don't think Kawasaki is one of them.

Feb 22, 2014#20

jay stortini

Ok let's ask the Q.. Why is kawi the best engine on the market? Is it power ( no bogging)? Blade tip speed? Reliability ? Endurance? Fuel consumption? What makes kawi the best?

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Feb 22, 2014#21

jay stortini

reynoldston said:
It just so happens I drive a Toyota car with very few repairs, its a well made car. This has nothing to do with Kawasaki. Japan has some very well made products out there. I just don't think Kawasaki is one of them.

Nice what Toyota do you drive? I won't ever drive anything else love Toyota

if Toyota made mower engines it would be a no brainer for me

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Feb 22, 2014#22

M

Mad Mackie

As there aren't many commercial operators on LMF, the down side of Kawasaki isn't mentioned much. On other forums with more commercial operators posting, you will find that Kawasaki engines have their problems just as do other manufacturers. Kawasaki FX engines are top in their line and they do cost more both on a new machine or as a separate engine than others, my Hustler X-ONE has an FX730V engine, nice engine with 200 hours . My Scag Tiger Cub was repowered last March with a B&S 30 HP Professional Turf Series engine, also a nice engine with 110 hours. Endurance, fuel consumption, and other considerations have mostly to do with the machine, where it is used, who operates it and maintenance. My generator is a 1994 with a B&S 8 HP engine and has approx. 550 hours on it at 3,600 RPM, no idling!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Feb 22, 2014#23

reynoldston

jay stortini said:
Nice what Toyota do you drive? I won't ever drive anything else love Toyota if Toyota made mower engines it would be a no brainer for me

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I drive a Camry. I also tow my trailer with it which I pick up my repairs with. I have 70,000 miles on it and so far the only repairs is oil changes and tires. The brakes even look good yet. Through my working years I was a Chevrolet mechanic for 25 years and now drive a Toyota. Now my motorcycle I ride a oil leaking Harley Davidson not a plastic non-oil leaking Japanese bike. I hate to say this but the US manufactures better get there act together so we can say a American car is the best car made not a Toyota. When I was young if it said made in Japan it was junk. Boy has time change things. Do they not know that China is knocking on out door.

Feb 22, 2014#24

Carscw

jay stortini said:
Ok let's ask the Q.. Why is kawi the best engine on the market? Is it power ( no bogging)? Blade tip speed? Reliability ? Endurance? Fuel consumption? What makes kawi the best? Sent from my iPhone using LMF

The brand of engine on a mower really does not have a lot to do with blade tip speed.
I like briggs it recovers faster when it Boggs down.
You can run a briggs at a higher rpm then the kaw.
IMO they require less maintenance I have a few with over 1500 hours with only oil, filters and plug changed. Running gas with ethanol with none of the crap to fight the ethanol.

Feb 22, 2014#25

jay stortini

Carscw said:
The brand of engine on a mower really does not have a lot to do with blade tip speed. I like briggs it recovers faster when it Boggs down. You can run a briggs at a higher rpm then the kaw. IMO they require less maintenance I have a few with over 1500 hours with only oil, filters and plug changed. Running gas with ethanol with none of the crap to fight the ethanol.

Ok got me thinking again :/

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Feb 22, 2014#26

M

Mad Mackie

Briggs new that they had a problem with some Intek/ELS twins and they have redesigned with the Professional/Commercial Turf Series engines which is a good thing for them. As these engines are fairly new, Briggs has yet to come out with lower HP versions and so far have produced the 440000 and 490000 series which is higher HP. The 49M977 which is 30 HP and what I have on my Scag Tiger Cub has so far been a much better performing engine than the 26 HP ELS engine that was original to my Tiger Cub and I very much like the additional HP as I use a collection system about 90% of the time. The problem with the collection system is the great increase in dust with the bags hanging close to the air filter intake on the ELS engine. The Commercial Turf Series Briggs has a different air filtration system which is much more effective particularly around a collection system.
The FX Kawasaki engines have the HD two stage air filtration system which is a good system and is what is installed on my Hustler X-ONE which is a rear discharge machine with no collection system.
With this all having been said, it really comes to what you decide and you are comfortable with.
As for trucks, I was in the marine transport business and my last diesel Ford F350 had over 700,000 miles on it when I sold it and it had towed coast to coast many times with lots of weight behind it!!! My Peterbilt with a 425 Cat went 1,200,000 miles before its first out of frame engine overhaul was done, but I have digressed!!!!:laughing:
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Feb 22, 2014#27

Carscw

Have to love a old cat engine. This one was on a sand dredge for 23 years. Run this engine wide open. Been under water about 10 times

Feb 23, 2014#28

Ric

jay stortini said:
Ok let's ask the Q.. Why is kawi the best engine on the market? Is it power ( no bogging)? Blade tip speed? Reliability ? Endurance? Fuel consumption? What makes kawi the best?

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It basically comes down to what you asked on all counts, Blade tip speed, Reliability , Endurance and Fuel consumption. I run two Kawasaki engines at the present time the FJ 180 KAI, and the FS 541V 15hp. I also have a Honda 190cc and a Briggs 175cc along with a Kohler 22 hp Courage. I can tell you that the FJ 180 kai will out preform the Honda and Briggs hands down on all counts and the FS 541 will do the same to the 22 Kohler. As people know here you wouldn't find a bigger fan of a Kohler motor/engine than myself but anything I buy will have a Kawasaki nothing else. Imo Honda and Briggs either one has never made it in the commercial market with any of there engines, Kohler and Kawasaki have, there proven.

Feb 23, 2014#29

reynoldston

Carscw said:
Have to love a old cat engine. This one was on a sand dredge for 23 years. Run this engine wide open. Been under water about 10 times
View attachment 19452

One of my many mechanic jobs I worked on a fleet of Pepsi delivery trucks that had the 3208 Cats in them. As I recall they had there share of many problems like head gaskets and injector pumps. I also worked on a fleet of Ford trucks that had the 92 series Detroit engines in them which I thought was a lot more and better engine. Oh you say you can't compare the two engines. If you are into big trucks you know what I am saying here. That is why its hard to compare mower engines. When it comes to engine brands its like oil no one agrees.

Feb 23, 2014#30

pugaltitude

Ric said:
It basically comes down to what you asked on all counts, Blade tip speed, Reliability , Endurance and Fuel consumption. I run two Kawasaki engines at the present time the FJ 180 KAI, and the FS 541V 15hp. I also have a Honda 190cc and a Briggs 175cc along with a Kohler 22 hp Courage. I can tell you that the FJ 180 kai will out preform the Honda and Briggs hands down on all counts and the FS 541 will do the same to the 22 Kohler. As people know here you wouldn't find a bigger fan of a Kohler motor/engine than myself but anything I buy will have a Kawasaki nothing else. Imo Honda and Briggs either one has never made it in the commercial market with any of there engines, Kohler and Kawasaki have, there proven.

And look at my sig.
Enough said!!

Feb 23, 2014#31

reynoldston

pugaltitude said:
And look at my sig.
Enough said!!

Nothing wrong with B&S. Just what are you saying, that you are a salesman.:thumbsup:

Feb 23, 2014#32

pugaltitude

reynoldston said:
Nothing wrong with B&S. Just what are you saying, that you are a salesman.:thumbsup:

Ha ha only if people want to buy from me!!

Feb 23, 2014#33

Ric

pugaltitude said:
And look at my sig.
Enough said!!

Enough said??? and you as B&S MST should know better, that's a joke.:thumbdown:

Feb 23, 2014#34

pugaltitude

Ric said:
Enough said??? and you as B&S MST should know that's a joke.:thumbdown:

Certainly nothing wrong with the kawasaki but compared to a Vanguard they dont even come close.

The vertical 13-26 hp are bullet proof but with quality as always is they are expensive to buy. Manufacturers need to keep the price down for people to buy so are fitting cheaper briggs, kawas etc.

And most users cant afford the bigblock as it uses 8 litres of fuel an hour!

But i do think the quality has come down on a lot of engines especially briggs but is that manufacturers or is it the market only buying on price and not quality?

Feb 23, 2014#35

Ric

pugaltitude said:
Certainly nothing wrong with the kawasaki but compared to a Vanguard they dont even come close.

The vertical 13-26 hp are bullet proof but with quality as always is they are expensive to buy. Manufacturers need to keep the price down for people to buy so are fitting cheaper briggs, kawas etc.

And most users cant afford the bigblock as it uses 8 litres of fuel an hour!

But i do think the quality has come down on a lot of engines especially briggs but is that manufacturers or is it the market only buying on price and not quality?

Briggs and Stratton engines have never been a great engine, yes they sell tons of engines for every residential mower in the world but Briggs never made a commercial engine that I know of or at least not one that ever made it in the commercial market like a Kawasaki or a Kohler and probably never will.

Feb 23, 2014#36

reynoldston

pugaltitude said:
Certainly nothing wrong with the kawasaki but compared to a Vanguard they dont even come close.

The vertical 13-26 hp are bullet proof but with quality as always is they are expensive to buy. Manufacturers need to keep the price down for people to buy so are fitting cheaper briggs, kawas etc.

And most users cant afford the bigblock as it uses 8 litres of fuel an hour!

But i do think the quality has come down on a lot of engines especially briggs but is that manufacturers or is it the market only buying on price and not quality?

Just why do you think the quality went down? I don't see that at all. The engines of today are a lot lighter, put out much more power, start easier, run smother, use less fuel, they use better seals and gaskets so less oil leaks. On top of that you get more hours before you need a replacement engine. You never need to replace the ignition points, and spark plugs go a lot longer, The newer air filters are a big improvement. With some more though I am sure there is more. Back on the early 50's 5HP was top now with the same size engine its well into the 30+ HP.

Feb 23, 2014#37

pugaltitude

Ric said:
Briggs and Stratton engines have never been a great engine, yes they sell tons of engines for every residential mower in the world but Briggs never made a commercial engine that I know of or at least not one that ever made it in the commercial market like a Kawasaki or a Kohler and probably never will.

Loads of Vanguards sold over here through the years and only routine servicing required. Iv only done one warranty in 10 years.

An end user is different to a technician. You see the price where we know what works in the conditions its supposed to be used.
OEM buys the engine that will just do the job and no more and usually due to price.

If you classing the kawa as commercial then the vanguard will go on probably longer.

Feb 23, 2014#38

Ric

pugaltitude said:
Loads of Vanguards sold over here through the years and only routine servicing required. Iv only done one warranty in 10 years.

An end user is different to a technician. You see the price where we know what works in the conditions its supposed to be used.
OEM buys the engine that will just do the job and no more and usually due to price.

If you classing the kawa as commercial then the vanguard will go on probably longer.

I don't know about other parts of the country but here I never see a DBS or Mitsubishi on any mowers, all you ever see is Kawasaki or Kohler and occasionally the new Briggs turf series that's not doing well. Anyone that's on the commercial end Like Toro, Hustler, Scag, Exmark and others are all using Kawasaki or Kohler.

Feb 23, 2014#39

M

Mad Mackie

The OP and perspective buyer of a new machine needs to make his own decision. Dollars are always a consideration!
My fleet if you will, consists of a 2012 Hustler X-ONE with a Kawasaki FX730V and was an $11,000 machine.
My 2008 Scag Tiger Cub originally with a ELS Briggs and now with a Commercial Turf Briggs was a $6,500 machine. My Ingersoll 4018, a 1989 machine, originally had a P Series Onan that had 2,000 hours and I repowered it with an 18 Briggs Vanguard, this machine just passed the 2,600 hour mark. My Salsco wood chipper has an 8.5 HP Briggs Intek. My 1994 generator has a non sleeved 8 HP Briggs with 550 hours since I have owned it and it still runs great.
When I repowered my Scag, I had several choices, as I'm not a fan of Kohlers, just my opinion, it was a Kawasaki FX730 at $2,400 or a Briggs Commercial Turf Series 49M977 at $850 delivered to my door. The Briggs was a dollar wise decision as it was a direct change, meaning the muffler, control cables, electrical and fuel required no changes, but all would have been needed for a Kawasaki repower. I'm pleased with this new engine and the changes that Briggs made to improve it as compared to the ELS/Intek series engines, and I think that it will be a winner for Briggs, however time will tell.
Mad Mackie in CT

Feb 23, 2014#40

L

LoCo86

I know we are talking about what engine to choose, but why would you get a 36" ZTR? You can get a good walk behind 36" and be more flexible with where you can use the machine.

Feb 23, 2014#41

jay stortini

LoCo86 said:
I know we are talking about what engine to choose, but why would you get a 36" ZTR? You can get a good walk behind 36" and be more flexible with where you can use the machine.

Tell me more. I was thinking I could do the couple acre lots I have taken on for this upcoming year and still be productive on my residential lots but I am considering the 48" as well since I already have a 30" just means I will also need a new trailer since I only have a 4x8

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Feb 23, 2014#42

jay stortini

LoCo86 said:
I know we are talking about what engine to choose, but why would you get a 36" ZTR? You can get a good walk behind 36" and be more flexible with where you can use the machine.

I am really having a hard time making a decision on this still

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Feb 23, 2014#43

jay stortini

Not engine deck size now::

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Feb 23, 2014#44

L

LoCo86

jay stortini said:
I am really having a hard time making a decision on this still Sent from my iPhone using LMF

I know it's a tough decision. If I were you I wouldn't even have a 30" mower for me and my purposes it's would be either 21" or 36" deck. I mean if you can use a 30" mower on a property then you should be able to use a 36" walk behind and go faster, use less energy and have more power to perform what ever task comes along. If you're mostly mowing small residentials and a few 1 acre lots I would stick with the 21" 36" walk behind combo as I stated before.

Feb 23, 2014#45

jay stortini

LoCo86 said:
I know it's a tough decision. If I were you I wouldn't even have a 30" mower for me and my purposes it's would be either 21" or 36" deck. I mean if you can use a 30" mower on a property then you should be able to use a 36" walk behind and go faster, use less energy and have more power to perform what ever task comes along. If you're mostly mowing small residentials and a few 1 acre lots I would stick with the 21" 36" walk behind combo as I stated before.

Ok I like your thinking! I get a good 36 walk behind sell my 30" get a fantastic 21"
So my wander is can I be productive enough on 1 acer + with a 36" walk behind?

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Feb 23, 2014#46

Carscw

I would get a 42. I use a 48 and carry the 42 for getting into back yards with gates. And a 21 for when needed.

Feb 23, 2014#47

jay stortini

Carscw said:
I would get a 42. I use a 48 and carry the 42 for getting into back yards with gates. And a 21 for when needed.

Your talking 42" and 48" walk behinds?

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Feb 23, 2014#48

Ric

RIDING MOWER DECK SIZE COMPARED TO YARD SIZE

1/2 - 1 Acre	The 42" deck would be appropriate
1 - 2 Acres	The 42" or 46" deck would be sufficient
2 - 3 Acres	The 46", 50" or 54" deck would get the job done quicker

RIDING MOWER DECK SIZE AND TIME SAVINGS

Homeowners with larger lawns may benefit from stepping up in deck size to reduce mowing time.

Deck Size	Benefit	Cutting Time (2 acres)
42" Deck	---	2 hrs.
46" Deck	10% faster than a 42" deck	1 hr. 48 min.
50" Deck	17% faster than a 42" deck	1 hr. 40 min.
54" Deck	24% faster than a 42" deck	1 hr. 30 min.

Feb 23, 2014#49

Ric

jay stortini said:
Not engine deck size now::

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Are you talking about buying a belt drive walk behind?

Feb 23, 2014#50

jay stortini

Ric said:
Are you talking about buying a belt drive walk behind?

Hydro

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Feb 23, 2014#51

jay stortini

Why would the 36" walk behind be more productive than the zt I am looking at
The zt is mor compact in dimensions and faster;/
About the Same width but the zero turn is 3 inches shorter in length and also minus a body walking behind it.

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Feb 24, 2014#52

L

LoCo86

jay stortini said:
Why would the 36" walk behind be more productive than the zt I am looking at The zt is mor compact in dimensions and faster;/ About the Same width but the zero turn is 3 inches shorter in length and also minus a body walking behind it. Sent from my iPhone using LMF

With a walk behind you can reach under trees and be more maneuverable around obstacles especial with a hydro. As far as ground speed goes just cause a ZTR will do 10 mph doesn't mean you can cut grass cleanly at that speed. 6 mph is about top speed to get a good clean cut and have the mower deck process the grass out the discharge chute. I look at the top end speed of any mower as a transport speed to move from one location to another. As far as productive on one acre plus yards, that shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't have to many of them. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to use a 36" walk behind on all your properties, however if you gain more yards of 1 acre or more then you can always go up to a 48" or 52" deck. But to me you should keep a 36" mower in your fleet.

Feb 24, 2014#53

jay stortini

LoCo86 said:
With a walk behind you can reach under trees and be more maneuverable around obstacles especial with a hydro. As far as ground speed goes just cause a ZTR will do 10 mph doesn't mean you can cut grass cleanly at that speed. 6 mph is about top speed to get a good clean cut and have the mower deck process the grass out the discharge chute. I look at the top end speed of any mower as a transport speed to move from one location to another. As far as productive on one acre plus yards, that shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't have to many of them. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to use a 36" walk behind on all your properties, however if you gain more yards of 1 acre or more then you can always go up to a 48" or 52" deck. But to me you should keep a 36" mower in your fleet.

Ok sweet! That was close almost pulled the driver on something that prob does not make sence:/
Thanks
Now the question what's the best 36" walk behinds on the market?

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Feb 24, 2014#54

jay stortini

Ok going up to see dealer 1pm today the rep for scag gonna be there with the new hydro walk behind

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Feb 24, 2014#55

Ric

jay stortini said:
Why would the 36" walk behind be more productive than the zt I am looking at
The zt is mor compact in dimensions and faster;/
About the Same width but the zero turn is 3 inches shorter in length and also minus a body walking behind it.

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It wouldn't be more productive, it's not as fast or as maneuverable.

Feb 24, 2014#56

jay stortini

Ric said:
It wouldn't be more productive, it's not as fast or as maneuverable.

Ok Ric so you think I should stick with the 36" ZT rider over the walk behind? The price is about the same.

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Feb 24, 2014#57

Ric

jay stortini said:
Ok Ric so you think I should stick with the 36" ZT rider over the walk behind? The price is about the same.

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Yes I do, you'll not benefit with the walk behind over a ztr. LoCo86 said with a walk behind you can reach under trees and be more maneuverable around obstacles which may or may not be the case but in any event what difference is that going to make. Do you really want to waste your time reaching under trees instead of mowing because regardless of how close you get you still have to go back with a trimmer and finish around the tree or obstacle so where's the benefit.

I ran a belt drive WB for a couple of years and although the have a good cut, there nowhere close to the cut of a ztr and another thing you may want to consider if your thinking about a WB with a sulky, have you ever backed one of those things up???:smile: it isn't as easy as it looks there a pita. Why I asked earlier about which you were looking at the Belt or the Hydro is because I wanted you to be aware that the belt although has a reverse, it's operator assist which means you help pull it backwards which is also a pita. If you can't get the Grandstand stay with the ZTR, you'll be a lot happier. If you're looking for the perfect size ztr find a 3 blade 44" deck there a perfect size there big enough to mow most lawns and small enough to get through most gates unless of course you run into a 36" gate but you already have that covered with your Turf-Master.

Feb 24, 2014#58

jay stortini

Ric said:
Yes I do, you'll not benefit with the walk behind over a ztr. LoCo86 said with a walk behind you can reach under trees and be more maneuverable around obstacles which may or may not be the case but in any event what difference is that going to make. Do you really want to waste your time reaching under trees instead of mowing because regardless of how close you get you still have to go back with a trimmer and finish around the tree or obstacle so where's the benefit. I ran a belt drive WB for a couple of years and although the have a good cut, there nowhere close to the cut of a ztr and another thing you may want to consider if your thinking about a WB with a sulky, have you ever backed one of those things up???:smile: it isn't as easy as it looks there a pita. Why I asked earlier about which you were looking at the Belt or the Hydro is because I wanted you to be aware that the belt although has a reverse, it's operator assist which means you help pull it backwards which is also a pita. If you can't get the Grandstand stay with the ZTR, you'll be a lot happier. If you're looking for the perfect size ztr find a 3 blade 44" deck there a perfect size there big enough to mow most lawns and small enough to get through most gates unless of course you run into a 36" gate but you already have that covered with your Turf-Master.

Fantastic! Was pretty much set on the 36" snapper s50xt with the fx kawi
But the gravley has a 44" but it comes with an fr kawi and is about $800-1000 more and by looking at the specs the snapper looks better built to me with a floating deck and commercial kawi. What do you think?

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Feb 24, 2014#59

Ric

jay stortini said:
Fantastic! Was pretty much set on the 36" snapper s50xt with the fx kawi
But the gravley has a 44" but it comes with an fr kawi and is about $800-1000 more and by looking at the specs the snapper looks better built to me with a floating deck and commercial kawi. What do you think?

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Well I'm not a fan of snapper or gravely but if the snapper is running the FX Kawasaki it would be the one I'd go with. The FX is there best or top of the line engine. The FR is there residential I believe so I'd stay away from it. Is the Snapper dealer local so you can get service if needed?

Feb 24, 2014#60

jay stortini

Ric said:
Well I'm not a fan of snapper or gravely but if the snapper is running the FX Kawasaki it would be the one I'd go with. The FX is there best or top of the line engine. The FR is there residential I believe so I'd stay away from it. Is the Snapper dealer local so you can get service if needed?

Ya they are about 10 min away

they are snapper, gravley, toro, ferris, and scag is now in there.

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Feb 24, 2014#61

Ric

jay stortini said:
Ya they are about 10 min away they are snapper, gravley, toro, ferris, and scag is now in there.

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As long as you can get service and warranty work done and they support you and the mower. I just wished you spend the extra money and get the grandstand:smile:

Feb 24, 2014#62

jay stortini

Ric said:
As long as you can get service and warranty work done and they support you and the mower. I just wished you spend the extra money and get the grandstand:smile:

I wish just don't know if I can justify the extra $3000 grand at this point. Third year in we will re look at it. Might still, gonna sleep on it and maybe see if dealer can somehow get it down some more I think toro offering $500 off grandstands right now.

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Feb 24, 2014#63

L

LoCo86

jay stortini said:
I wish just don't know if I can justify the extra $3000 grand at this point. Third year in we will re look at it. Might still, gonna sleep on it and maybe see if dealer can somehow get it down some more I think toro offering $500 off grandstands right now. Sent from my iPhone using LMF

Don't put the price of the machine in the front of your mind. Look at your dealer and find a machine that will benefit you the most. You seem all over the place on what you should get and what you are looking at. I'm with Ric on Gravely and Snapper mowers not being that great. But you're dealer seems to have a lot of options. The reason I suggested a walk behind over a rider other than the reasons I provided is that you can mow anywhere with it hillsides, slopes, uphill, downhill. Basically anywhere. I know it says to keep the mower off of slopes over so many degrees but you can. I just believe if you're going to have one large piece of equipment then you should start of with a walk behind. Overall just pick what you can use often in the properties you have.

Feb 24, 2014#64

jay stortini

LoCo86 said:
Don't put the price of the machine in the front of your mind. Look at your dealer and find a machine that will benefit you the most. You seem all over the place on what you should get and what you are looking at. I'm with Ric on Gravely and Snapper mowers not being that great. But you're dealer seems to have a lot of options. The reason I suggested a walk behind over a rider other than the reasons I provided is that you can mow anywhere with it hillsides, slopes, uphill, downhill. Basically anywhere. I know it says to keep the mower off of slopes over so many degrees but you can. I just believe if you're going to have one large piece of equipment then you should start of with a walk behind. Overall just pick what you can use often in the properties you have.

I am scared to but I will ask why you guys aren't fussy on snapper or gravley?

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Feb 24, 2014#65

Ric

LoCo86 said:
Don't put the price of the machine in the front of your mind. Look at your dealer and find a machine that will benefit you the most. You seem all over the place on what you should get and what you are looking at. I'm with Ric on Gravely and Snapper mowers not being that great. But you're dealer seems to have a lot of options. The reason I suggested a walk behind over a rider other than the reasons I provided is that you can mow anywhere with it hillsides, slopes, uphill, downhill. Basically anywhere. I know it says to keep the mower off of slopes over so many degrees but you can. I just believe if you're going to have one large piece of equipment then you should start of with a walk behind. Overall just pick what you can use often in the properties you have.

Now I never said Snapper and Gravely were bad mowers, I said I wasn't a fan of either but I'm not a fan of a walk behind either. A walk behind is not a bad mower for a backup but not for your primary mower. As far as slopes go 15 degrees is the limit but the grandstand can go up to 20 degrees and the engine is capable of 25 degrees.

Feb 24, 2014#66

jay stortini

Ok good so gonna pull the trigger tomorrow

Going with the kawi fx although the dealer is trying to tell me to go with the brigs cuz he has one on the way and $600 Cheeper on top of that he says there a lot Cheeper to fix:/
But I think if I get the brigs I will always be unhappy with that decision. Plus next year or the year after the re sale value with be better with kawi when I go t get my GRANDSTAND ?
There gonna throw the mulch kit in the deal for me??

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Feb 25, 2014#67

Ric

jay stortini said:
Ok good so gonna pull the trigger tomorrow
Going with the kawi fx although the dealer is trying to tell me to go with the brigs cuz he has one on the way and $600 Cheeper on top of that he says there a lot Cheeper to fix:/
But I think if I get the brigs I will always be unhappy with that decision. Plus next year or the year after the re sale value with be better with kawi when I go t get my GRANDSTAND 
There gonna throw the mulch kit in the deal for me

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Wow the Briggs is $600 cheaper than the Kawasaki, I wonder why :laughing: The Fx will put that Briggs to shame and your right resale value will go way up with the FX Kawasaki, You'll be a lot happier with the FX.

Feb 25, 2014#68

Ric

jay stortini said:
I am scared to but I will ask why you guys aren't fussy on snapper or gravely?

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Ya know I rode High end bicycles and trikes that cost thousands of dollars for years and one thing I learned was if you want to know what the best bike is or what is coming out new for bicycles or what was the best equipment groupo to use all you had to do was watch the pro's. Watch the TDF and see what they the Winning Teams were using and that is what you put on your bike because if it would take the abuse they dished out you knew you were never going to hurt the stuff and in the end you got the greatest percentage of your money back on resale.
It's kinda the same thing with Lawn-care equipment. You look at the guys that do or cut for a living and not just one and see what there using and when you see a mower that has 2 or 3000 hrs or a piece of hand held stuff the guy has been using for 10 or 12 yrs and both are still running strong you know what to buy. Now it probable wont be cheap to buy but if it last that long it pays for itself many times over.

Feb 25, 2014#69

briggs

new Briggs are junk i would go with kawi

Feb 25, 2014#70

jay stortini

Thanks guys!!! I am pumped

I will let you know how she works out once I start cutting with it! But by the looks of this little bad boy I will be able to get in and out of most places and be able to also cut a couple larger lots in an ok amount of time.
It's compact tough and fast for the price I don't think there is anything tougher that also comes with a kawi fx!!! A floating deck The S50XT will be machine for me in my second year

Will update once it arrives and I drive it around for a bit.
Jay

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Feb 25, 2014#71

T

tybilly

dealer told me kaw is good if you don't mind waiting on parts

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