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Need somethimg to get me through the next few years

#1

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

I co-own a small lawn service. Currently we are running two toro 30" walk-behinds and are looking for something to help is get yards done more quickly. I was thinking about just getting a ztr from Home Depot but now I'm torn. Here is what I'm looking for:

Something in the $2500 range
Something new because I'm not very mechanically inclined
No bigger than 42" wide
Something that will get us through the next few years while we save for a commercial mower.

We will probably be cutting no more than 20 yards per week for a while to come due to our full-time jobs.

Any suggestions?


#2

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
I co-own a small lawn service. Currently we are running two toro 30" walk-behinds and are looking for something to help is get yards done more quickly. I was thinking about just getting a ztr from Home Depot but now I'm torn. Here is what I'm looking for:

Something in the $2500 range
Something new because I'm not very mechanically inclined
No bigger than 42" wide
Something that will get us through the next few years while we save for a commercial mower.

We will probably be cutting no more than 20 yards per week for a while to come due to our full-time jobs.

Any suggestions?
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Well if you're not mechanically inclined (and even if you were) I would recommend getting one from a dealer, due to the fact they can service the mower.


#3

djdicetn

djdicetn

twoguyswithmowers said:
I co-own a small lawn service. Currently we are running two toro 30" walk-behinds and are looking for something to help is get yards done more quickly. I was thinking about just getting a ztr from Home Depot but now I'm torn. Here is what I'm looking for:

Something in the $2500 range
Something new because I'm not very mechanically inclined
No bigger than 42" wide
Something that will get us through the next few years while we save for a commercial mower.

We will probably be cutting no more than 20 yards per week for a while to come due to our full-time jobs.

Any suggestions?
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20 yards/week for a couple of seasons might be asking a bit much of a $2500 ZTR. IMHO, you would either need to be mechanically inclined or find one with a Commercial Warranty(probably impossible in that price range). I can't even begin to think of a recommendation, and the only thing that comes even close would be a Husqvarna RZ4222F(but the MSRP is $3,400). That ZTR has a fabricated deck, but still has the sealed EZT Hydro-Gear trannies which are definitely not commercial duty. I really doubt that it would hold up being used by a lawn service daily. You're gonna be hard pressed to find anything at $2,500 that will do what you are asking:0(


#4

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

Well it looks more and more like I'm going to just stick with what I have for now and save some money to get a commercial mower.


#5

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

Do you have the Timemaster or Turfmaster right now?


#6

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

We have two Timemasters from Home Depot. Love them.


#7

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
We have two Timemasters from Home Depot. Love them.
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Nice! :thumbsup:


#8

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

We are using consumer grade mowers now. Thats why I didn't see the big deal in doing a little upgrade to a consumer ztr to get us by for a while.


#9

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
We are using consumer grade mowers now. Thats why I didn't see the big deal in doing a little upgrade to a consumer ztr to get us by for a while.
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Yeah the thing is you can get more for your money with a "push" mower.


#10

Carscw

Carscw

I know guys that use the toro timecutter cutting 50 yards a week for 3 and 4 years now.
Blades and oil and spindle bearing once or twice
You can change the bearings on both sides in 15 mins.

The ones that tell you it will not hold up are the ones that have never used one.

I use a cub cadet ltx 1040
About 4 months old over 500 hours on it
All I have done is blades and change oil and filter and 1 deck belt.
Changed the spindles only because I hit a lot if things

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#11

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

I was at a dealer earlier today. Almost got a Gravely ZT 34 but I chickened out at the last minute because of all the comments I've got about how bad it would be to get a consumer mower.

It was about $2200 and would be paid for in a few months. I paid $999 for the Timemaster.


#12

djdicetn

djdicetn

twoguyswithmowers said:
We are using consumer grade mowers now. Thats why I didn't see the big deal in doing a little upgrade to a consumer ztr to get us by for a while.
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Well, like user Carscw said, religious maintenance will go a long way. You can take a chance, spend $2k-$3k on an entry-level residential ZTR like the Toro Timecutter series he mentioned or the Husky I told you about and stay on top of keeping it cleaned and all maintenance performed and hope it lasts. The only problem is if you position your business to depend on it and it goes south on you you're taking a chance on potentially losing customers when you can't keep up with you current equipment. It's your call but I tend to agree with your first response about saving a little longer and at least going with an entry-level Commercial unit(you would probably have to double your investment to $5k-$7k to get in a good 48" Commercial ZTR).


#13

Ric

Ric

twoguyswithmowers said:
I was at a dealer earlier today. Almost got a Gravely ZT 34 but I chickened out at the last minute because of all the comments I've got about how bad it would be to get a consumer mower.

It was about $2200 and would be paid for in a few months. I paid $999 for the Timemaster.
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I can agree with Carscw about the Toro Timecutter, I know a couple of guys that are using them and they work but they can also leave a lot to be desired. I also can agree with djdicetn I and your first response about saving a little longer and at least going with an entry-level Commercial unit. Personally If I were you I'd stay with what I have and wait. The cutting season will becoming to end before you know it and guess what everyone who is in business will be doing, they will be looking to upgrade for next season and you'll be able to find all kinds of commercial stuff at good prices on Craigslist, ZTR, Standers all types of mowers and equipment and that's the time to buy. Instead of buying something like your Toro Timecutter you may end up buying something like the Toro Z-master, Hustler or maybe a Toro Grandstand:smile: Whatever you may buy it will be more mower for you money, Something to think about :thumbsup:


#14

Carscw

Carscw

I Agree buying a used mower because someone wants to upgrade or they thought they wanted to do lawn care and spent to much money on mowers and now can't pay the rent.

I been looking at the grand stand my wife likes it but not sure I want to change my ways.

No matter what mower you buy you have to take care of it. Change the oil and filter when you should.
Don't use it for chopping rocks or grinding stumps or roots.

Don't let your friends use it.

Don't buy if you can not pay cash
I see it all the time guys start out and finance $30.000 of equipment and can't pay for it. They think they going to get rich in a month.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#15

djdicetn

djdicetn

Carscw said:
I Agree buying a used mower because someone wants to upgrade or they thought they wanted to do lawn care and spent to much money on mowers and now can't pay the rent.

I been looking at the grand stand my wife likes it but not sure I want to change my ways.

No matter what mower you buy you have to take care of it. Change the oil and filter when you should.
Don't use it for chopping rocks or grinding stumps or roots.

Don't let your friends use it.

Don't buy if you can not pay cash
I see it all the time guys start out and finance $30.000 of equipment and can't pay for it. They think they going to get rich in a month.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
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You sound like my wife with that "don't buy if you can't pay cash"(of course that just proves that both of you are smarter than me:0) My problem is I always seem to "want something now" and am inclined to charge it to get it and pay later when the bill comes in(hopefully able to pay for it then:0) But I did do the right thing in paying cash for my Gravely, otherwise I would have never been able to afford such a nice ZTR when I retire this coming October. I had to spend some of my retirement savings, but I consider the purchase as a retirement investment(at least that's the only way I could convince the wife to let me get it:0)

That is very good advice you gave......but I'm betting the wife gets the stander she likes and you end up changing your ways:0)


#16

exotion

exotion

Next year I am getting a time master. I run consumer grade equipment and properly maintain.

Here is the catch repairs on commercial equipment cost about 200% more than a residential grade. :) I think for a couple seasons you can get a small residential ztr don't beat it to hell and maintain well.


#17

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

I have been obsessing over it all day and I think I had decided to get that little gravely. I know I'm taking a chance and that the warranty is no good sense I'm using it for commercial use but I'm a little bit of a gambler and I won't be depending on this thing to keep the business going. A guy I work with was looking into buying a 40 timesaver like the one I have and offered me $800 for it since I bought it probably not even two months ago. But I decided I'm just going to keep it so we will still have two of those. There are 4 yards that do not want riding mowers on them so it will be helpful for us to keep both walk behind.

The guy who wanted to buy my Toro has been mowing for a few years with about 20 regular customers. He is running a consumer Gravley also and happens to have not had any problems yet. So if I buy this thing and it doesn't last and shame on me. I knew what I was getting into and I'm taking a chance. It will be paid off in three months and we will begin setting money aside for the next one.


#18

exotion

exotion

twoguyswithmowers said:
I have been obsessing over it all day and I think I had decided to get that little gravely. I know I'm taking a chance and that the warranty is no good sense I'm using it for commercial use but I'm a little bit of a gambler and I won't be depending on this thing to keep the business going. A guy I work with was looking into buying a 40 timesaver like the one I have and offered me $800 for it since I bought it probably not even two months ago. But I decided I'm just going to keep it so we will still have two of those. There are 4 yards that do not want riding mowers on them so it will be helpful for us to keep both walk behind.

The guy who wanted to buy my Toro has been mowing for a few years with about 20 regular customers. He is running a consumer Gravley also and happens to have not had any problems yet. So if I buy this thing and it doesn't last and shame on me. I knew what I was getting into and I'm taking a chance. It will be paid off in three months and we will begin setting money aside for the next one.
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Keep us posted with a good review with all the ups and downs


#19

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

Definitely… If you thing craps out on me before long I will be the first one to get on here and let everybody tell me "I told you so"


#20

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

exotion said:
Keep us posted with a good review with all the ups and downs
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And pics! :thumbsup:


#21

djdicetn

djdicetn

twoguyswithmowers said:
I have been obsessing over it all day and I think I had decided to get that little gravely. I know I'm taking a chance and that the warranty is no good sense I'm using it for commercial use but I'm a little bit of a gambler and I won't be depending on this thing to keep the business going. A guy I work with was looking into buying a 40 timesaver like the one I have and offered me $800 for it since I bought it probably not even two months ago. But I decided I'm just going to keep it so we will still have two of those. There are 4 yards that do not want riding mowers on them so it will be helpful for us to keep both walk behind.

The guy who wanted to buy my Toro has been mowing for a few years with about 20 regular customers. He is running a consumer Gravley also and happens to have not had any problems yet. So if I buy this thing and it doesn't last and shame on me. I knew what I was getting into and I'm taking a chance. It will be paid off in three months and we will begin setting money aside for the next one.
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Well, all I can say is at least you're buying the right brand:0)
It "would be nice" if you had the money to invest in a Gravely ZT HD high-end Residential, but they are quite a bit more money. Any Gravely though, including the entry level ZT you are buying, are not "big box retailer" machines and are solid quality components for a Residential. I think if you take good care of it you will be fine. What user exotion posted makes a LOT of sense....and he mows lawns for a living, a lot of us on here don't....me included:0)
I just try to give advice based upon what I think, I'm not much of a "chance taker" and I always reserve the right to be wrong. I sure hope you prove me wrong on my earlier recommendation!!! Keep us posted and we hope everything goes well for your investment.


#22

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

Well I picked it up today. Had to come straight to work with it so I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'm going to test it on my yard in the morning then I have 5 yards to do. I'm ready to ride.

gravely.JPG

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#23

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
Well I picked it up today. Had to come straight to work with it so I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'm going to test it on my yard in the morning then I have 5 yards to do. I'm ready to ride.

View attachment 16013
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Cool! Let us know how it is! :thumbsup:


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