New mower decision, need help please

[Ric]

Why would the op want to spend $4k on a mower for 1/2 acre? There are so ,any other options out there that can do the job just as well for half that price. Not to mention that an articulating mower is much longer than a tractor or a zero turn. Don't think it would do as well in tight places. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome looking mowers. I just don't see the need for a lawn that small. Ric has mentioned this before, and I agree, that the op could look into a small used stand on mower for $2k or less and it would work well. That is if the op doesn't mind looking at used equipment. I also think a rer mower would suit the op's needs well.

A ztr is more maneuverable than that Husqvarna and I think spending 4 or 5k on something like that from a BBS would be crazy with the options that are available.

 

[geeksbsmrt]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I would love to be able to find something second hand. Unfortunately, I don't have cash on hand, so I will be financing the purchase. Unless I can find a dealer that is willing to finance a used mower, I will be buying new. I have not yet started to look at the local dealers as I am still trying to decide on tractor vs ZTR. I am heavily leaning towards the ZTR and will likely go that route.

I'm sorry to be so needy, however this is my first mower purchase and want to be as informed as possible. The reason I was looking at the Gravely was a co-worker who had a small lawn business recommended them. Since I have mostly decided on a ZTR, would Gravely be the best option or would another brand be more beneficial? I am looking to stay around or under $2500 before tax.

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Shughes717]

Thank you everyone for the replies so far. I would love to be able to find something second hand. Unfortunately, I don't have cash on hand, so I will be financing the purchase. Unless I can find a dealer that is willing to finance a used mower, I will be buying new. I have not yet started to look at the local dealers as I am still trying to decide on tractor vs ZTR. I am heavily leaning towards the ZTR and will likely go that route.

I'm sorry to be so needy, however this is my first mower purchase and want to be as informed as possible. The reason I was looking at the Gravely was a co-worker who had a small lawn business recommended them. Since I have mostly decided on a ZTR, would Gravely be the best option or would another brand be more beneficial? I am looking to stay around or under $2500 before tax.

Again, any advise is greatly appreciated.

All of them offer similar drive trains. Some are priced a little better than others. Asking which brand is the best option is going to confuse you more, because you are going to get so many different opinions. Opinions will vary with each individual, because people generally recommend what they know. If someone has a gravely they will suggest gravely. If someone has a hustler then they will generally recommend hustler, etc. The best thing for you to do is set a budget (which you have), and go kick the tires on every mower you can find in your area under that budget. Go with the mower that you liked best out of the bunch. I would suggest that you also consider the reputation of the dealer as well. Dealer support is also important.

 

[1striper1]

You can finance a used unit. Most banks (I prefer credit unions) will finance pretty much anything nowadays. Don't be swayed by "0% for 48 months" offerings....do the math. It doesn't cost that much more for say 3.9% for 48 months through your bank or credit union.

EDIT - I know guys here are pushing a ZTR but IMO...don't give up on a lawn tractor quite yet. Will you be wanting to pull anything? Roller, aerator? de-thatcher? Lawn tractor is more adept and designed/built to do those things.

You can get some great used equipment.....LT's or ZTR's up by me for $2500...what it's like in FL I haven't a clue.

Oh yea...before I forget - what do you guys think of 2 blade vs 3 blade? I like the cut of a 3 blade better myself. The OP would be in the range of a 3 blade.

 

[Shughes717]

You can finance a used unit. Most banks (I prefer credit unions) will finance pretty much anything nowadays. Don't be swayed by "0% for 48 months" offerings....do the math. It doesn't cost that much more for say 3.9% for 48 months through your bank or credit union.

EDIT - I know guys here are pushing a ZTR but IMO...don't give up on a lawn tractor quite yet. Will you be wanting to pull anything? Roller, aerator? de-thatcher? Lawn tractor is more adept and designed/built to do those things.

You can get some great used equipment.....LT's or ZTR's up by me for $2500...what it's like in FL I haven't a clue.

Oh yea...before I forget - what do you guys think of 2 blade vs 3 blade? I like the cut of a 3 blade better myself. The OP would be in the range of a 3 blade.

I totally agree with your post. With a lawn as small as the one the op will be mowing, he should not rule anything out. My friend just financed a used mower through his credit union for just under $2500. As far as 2 blade vs 3 blade I don't think I could give a fair opinion. I had a lt with a 42" deck that ran 2 blades. It did ok. My commercial mower has three blades, and does leave a nicer cut, but the blade tip speed on my commercial mower is about 6000 fpm faster than the lt was. Maybe someone who has used mowers with 2 and 3 blade decks with similar blade tip speeds could give a better answer.

 

[1striper1]

I have a 38" 2 blade LT and still use it to this day....and to this day I wished I had jumped to the 44" 3 blade deck. Forget about the width, the quality of cut is slightly better on the 3 blade especially in LH curves where you don't always get the good overlap with the blades. Much was dependent on how moist the blades of grass were (remember we have mostly KBG up here) with the 2 blade. A couple of years after I bought the 2 blade I demo'd the 3 blade.....it was really nice!

Good point though on the blade tip speed on a LT vs. ZTR. Maybe we're just confusing the OP?

OP - where in FL do you live?

 

[geeksbsmrt]

I have a 38" 2 blade LT and still use it to this day....and to this day I wished I had jumped to the 44" 3 blade deck. Forget about the width, the quality of cut is slightly better on the 3 blade especially in LH curves where you don't always get the good overlap with the blades. Much was dependent on how moist the blades of grass were (remember we have mostly KBG up here) with the 2 blade. A couple of years after I bought the 2 blade I demo'd the 3 blade.....it was really nice!

Good point though on the blade tip speed on a LT vs. ZTR. Maybe we're just confusing the OP?

OP - where in FL do you live?

Not totally confused, I sometimes have to figure out the acronyms.

I live in central FL, between Tampa and Orlando.

 

[1striper1]

Not totally confused, I sometimes have to figure out the acronyms.

I live in central FL, between Tampa and Orlando.

Sent you a PM.

This place is in Hudson, FL. They carry Exmark and Gravely which are two brands with solid reputations. Can't tell you zilch about the dealer though. They also carry Ariens lawn tractors which are made in my great state of Wisconsin!

If $65/month is OK this is a nice mower for the money and has a Kawasaki engine: 42" GRAVELY ZERO TURN HOMEOWNER MOWER

 

[Shughes717]

Sent you a PM.

This place is in Hudson, FL. They carry Exmark and Gravely which are two brands with solid reputations. Can't tell you zilch about the dealer though. They also carry Ariens lawn tractors which are made in my great state of Wisconsin!

If $65/month is OK this is a nice mower for the money and has a Kawasaki engine: 42" GRAVELY ZERO TURN HOMEOWNER MOWER

It wouldn't take long to mow 1/2 acre with a mower like that. 30 minutes or less. If it falls in the op's budget it would be a great option. That's a lot of mower for a little lawn.

 

[1striper1]

It wouldn't take long to mow 1/2 acre with a mower like that. 30 minutes or less. If it falls in the op's budget it would be a great option. That's a lot of mower for a little lawn.

They have a 3X" (don't remember the exact size) with for $10 less per month. Pretty sure the 3X" deck is also a 3 blade as well....which personally I really like. But would you get a Kawi motor? To the OP don't forget RESALE value. IMO any mower with a 4X" deck and a Kawi motor is going to have a higher resale value.

More confusion! LOL!!