Mower choices

[Lohman mows lawns]

Hat is better a stand on mower, ride behind push mower, or a ZTR. For a person with a $4500 budget.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Hat is better a stand on mower, ride behind push mower, or a ZTR. For a person with a $4500 budget.

Well it depends what you will be doing with it....if you are mowing a big field a ZTR rider is best for you. But if you are doing yards with lots of flower beds, a stand-on mower is best because of the agility and being able to see in front of you better. The positives for a ride-behind mower is that they are cheaper. And a ZTR, they tend to be able to have larger deck sizes. Any of those would be good for you, but for the budget that you have, you might be able to get more "bang for your buck" if you get a walk-behind mower with a sulky (ride-behind mower).

 

[D2hornets58]

I use a walkbehind mower with a sulky. Mine is a 36 inch deck. I like it because it can get around everything easliy and still do a lawn fast.

 

[CZLawnCare]

What exactly is a sulky?

 

[scott47429]

a sulky is the wheel or wheels that you stand on behind the walk behind so you don't have to walk it will pul you along

 

[CZLawnCare]

Thats cool, would it work on my 33" billy goat?

 

[D2hornets58]

How does your billy goat move. Mine is has a brake on each side so to turn right you pull the right brake to turn left you pull the left brake and to stop you pull both. If yours is just self propelled like a smaller push mower you would not be able to stop/turn.This is a link to a picture. The mower is the same one i use but the sulky(red) is a little different then mine but the same idea.http://www.turfmagazine.com/content/TF/img/2009/01/TF200901_14.jpg

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

With the Billy Goat (or at least my newer one) you literally have to lean and put all your weight to turn (a.k.a. like a smaller push mower). So....a sulky wouldn't work. :frown:

 

[D2hornets58]

Yeah if thats what his is like then he would not be able to use one.

 

[Ric]

Hat is better a stand on mower, ride behind push mower, or a ZTR. For a person with a $4500 budget.

Well with a budget of $4500 I think I'd stick with your ride behind push mower, or a ZTR. The Standers are running in the $7000 range. Something like the Toro MX or the Titan. You could also keep check on Craiglist and pick up a good used commercial unit for the money you're looking to spend. Maybe something like below as an example.

HUSTLER Fast Track Zero Turn Mower - $2500 (Spring Hill)
Date: 2012-05-27, 1:15PM EDT
Reply to: gnqnm-3041071695@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
I have only used this on my own property, which is a medium size lot in Spring Hill. It has NEVER been used commercially.

I have the receipts. I paid $5,400 fro it, so my price is FIRM. It has 102 hours on the motor as of this morning.

This is the FAST TRACK SUPER DUTY model. It is NOT the Mini Fast Track or the Mini Z. Those are home-owner models with the small Kohler engine.

This is the professional model with the larger Kawasaki engine. I ordered it special with a small (36 inch) mower deck, so that I could get around the palms in my back yard.

It has the mulching kit and plate installed from when I purchased it. I have the original equipment side chute which has never been used..

I am moving in mid July and really do not want to part with it until around July 1st, because I mow my back yard 2 or 3 times per week.

If you have a business, and need this right away, maybe we can work something out where you can take it sooner, and give me some kind of a deal on cutting my lawn (especially the back) until I move.

I am located in Spring Hill very close to Spring Hill Drive and Barclay. Call 352-683-6604. I work odd hours, so if there is no answer, please leave a message, and I will get back to you as soon as possible