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Stand on mowers
#1
Striper
Striper
I currently have an exmark Viking 48" hydrostatic walk behind with 11 lawns. About 4 or 5 of my lawns are on pretty steep slopes that are too steep in my opinion for a zt. But, lately I have been wondering if it would be easier for myself if I got a stand on mower. I have heard nothing but good reviews for them but I am just worried that it will not be able to get up steep hills.
Also, if I do choose to get a stand on mower, what kind do you guys recommend? I want to get a 48" but I want to make sure I get a mower that has a nice cut.
Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Also, if I do choose to get a stand on mower, what kind do you guys recommend? I want to get a 48" but I want to make sure I get a mower that has a nice cut.
Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks
#2
L
LoCo86
It will not stick steep hills. You're better off to just keep your Viking at this point anyway. A stand on will hold a hill better than a ZTR but no where near as good as a walk behind.
L
LoCo86
I currently have an exmark Viking 48" hydrostatic walk behind with 11 lawns. About 4 or 5 of my lawns are on pretty steep slopes that are too steep in my opinion for a zt. But, lately I have been wondering if it would be easier for myself if I got a stand on mower. I have heard nothing but good reviews for them but I am just worried that it will not be able to get up steep hills. Also, if I do choose to get a stand on mower, what kind do you guys recommend? I want to get a 48" but I want to make sure I get a mower that has a nice cut. Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks
It will not stick steep hills. You're better off to just keep your Viking at this point anyway. A stand on will hold a hill better than a ZTR but no where near as good as a walk behind.
#3
Striper
Striper
Do the standons have trouble getting up the hill or do they start slipping while cutting etc?
#4
Ric
Depending on what stand on or stander your talking about you can have the best of both worlds, a Stander and a walk behind. The Toro Grandstand and the Exmark can be both unlike some of the other makes and they also have a lower center of gravity when mowing than some or most of the others. I run the 36" Grandstand and there is no worry about climbing or holding hills, there both rated for up to 20 degree slopes unlike the ZTR at 15 degrees.
Ric
I currently have an exmark Viking 48" hydrostatic walk behind with 11 lawns. About 4 or 5 of my lawns are on pretty steep slopes that are too steep in my opinion for a zt. But, lately I have been wondering if it would be easier for myself if I got a stand on mower. I have heard nothing but good reviews for them but I am just worried that it will not be able to get up steep hills.
Also, if I do choose to get a stand on mower, what kind do you guys recommend? I want to get a 48" but I want to make sure I get a mower that has a nice cut.
Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Depending on what stand on or stander your talking about you can have the best of both worlds, a Stander and a walk behind. The Toro Grandstand and the Exmark can be both unlike some of the other makes and they also have a lower center of gravity when mowing than some or most of the others. I run the 36" Grandstand and there is no worry about climbing or holding hills, there both rated for up to 20 degree slopes unlike the ZTR at 15 degrees.
#5
Striper
Striper
I am 15 and I have started my own business throughout my neighborhood. I am not going to keep my walk behind if I choose to purchase a stand on. I am probably going to buy an exmark because I like their mowers but I am just looking for some info on them if the standons do okay on slopes or if they are going to have trouble on them. Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle. Is a stand on going to have a lot of trouble with slipping or should it be alright?
#6
Ric
45 degrees is pretty steep, I sure wouldn't being mowing up and down hill with any mower, across the slope maybe. I do a lot of retention ponds with the 36" stander And I can tell you I can mow and go places and do things with it that you'll never mow or do with a ZTR. The stander is probably the most maneuverable mowers on the market.
Vantage S-Series - Stand On Mowers | Exmark
[url]http://www.toro.com/en-us/Professional-Contractor/Mowers/Stand-On-Mowers/Pages/Model.aspx?pid=74549-79549-California-model
[/URL]
Ric
I am 15 and I have started my own business throughout my neighborhood. I am not going to keep my walk behind if I choose to purchase a stand on. I am probably going to buy an exmark because I like their mowers but I am just looking for some info on them if the standons do okay on slopes or if they are going to have trouble on them. Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle. Is a stand on going to have a lot of trouble with slipping or should it be alright?
45 degrees is pretty steep, I sure wouldn't being mowing up and down hill with any mower, across the slope maybe. I do a lot of retention ponds with the 36" stander And I can tell you I can mow and go places and do things with it that you'll never mow or do with a ZTR. The stander is probably the most maneuverable mowers on the market.
Vantage S-Series - Stand On Mowers | Exmark
[url]http://www.toro.com/en-us/Professional-Contractor/Mowers/Stand-On-Mowers/Pages/Model.aspx?pid=74549-79549-California-model
[/URL]
#7
L
LoCo86
I personally own a stand on mower ( Toro Grandstand 52") and you will not be able to hold a steep hill. You are best to keep a walk behind to do those jobs with. I mow some pretty steep places with hills that lead down to the lake and some I can use the stand on mower with but it is faster to use the Turf Tracer just cause it can hold the hill much better with out worry of it sliding no matter what angle I mow at.
L
LoCo86
I am 15 and I have started my own business throughout my neighborhood. I am not going to keep my walk behind if I choose to purchase a stand on. I am probably going to buy an exmark because I like their mowers but I am just looking for some info on them if the standons do okay on slopes or if they are going to have trouble on them. Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle. Is a stand on going to have a lot of trouble with slipping or should it be alright?
I personally own a stand on mower ( Toro Grandstand 52") and you will not be able to hold a steep hill. You are best to keep a walk behind to do those jobs with. I mow some pretty steep places with hills that lead down to the lake and some I can use the stand on mower with but it is faster to use the Turf Tracer just cause it can hold the hill much better with out worry of it sliding no matter what angle I mow at.
#8
Striper
Striper
Ok. Like I said most of the hills I mow are pretty steep. With my walk behind I never go up and down I always go side ways. I just want to see if on the steep hills if I go side ways will I slip or slide a little down the hill or will it be able to handle the hill pretty well?
#9
Ric
I find that kinda strange because my 36" Grandstand will handle about any of the retention ponds that I've run into including the one I have on my own property and they can get pretty steep. My only fear is getting to close to the water where the ground is soft and getting the thing stuck in the mud. I've never had an issue with it sliding.
Ric
I personally own a stand on mower ( Toro Grandstand 52") and you will not be able to hold a steep hill. You are best to keep a walk behind to do those jobs with. I mow some pretty steep places with hills that lead down to the lake and some I can use the stand on mower with but it is faster to use the Turf Tracer just cause it can hold the hill much better with out worry of it sliding no matter what angle I mow at.
I find that kinda strange because my 36" Grandstand will handle about any of the retention ponds that I've run into including the one I have on my own property and they can get pretty steep. My only fear is getting to close to the water where the ground is soft and getting the thing stuck in the mud. I've never had an issue with it sliding.
#10
Striper
Striper
so the standon mowers aren't that much worse then walk behinds on hills?I find that kinda strange because my 36" Grandstand will handle about any of the retention ponds that I've run into including the one I have on my own property and they can get pretty steep. My only fear is getting to close to the water where the ground is soft and getting the thing stuck in the mud. I've never had an issue with it sliding.
#11
Ric
It basically comes down to what you prefer. I've had both and prefer the Grandstand but that's just me and like I say with the GS if I want a walk behind I just fold up the stand on platform and I have my WB. The problem that most people have with running a stander is they have that fear that it's going to tip over and that's not all a bad thing, but it does cut down on what the mower is actually capable of doing. I know as for myself when my ZTR finally goes I'm going to replace it with either a 48 or 52" Grandstand.
Ric
so the standon mowers aren't that much worse then walk behinds on hills?
It basically comes down to what you prefer. I've had both and prefer the Grandstand but that's just me and like I say with the GS if I want a walk behind I just fold up the stand on platform and I have my WB. The problem that most people have with running a stander is they have that fear that it's going to tip over and that's not all a bad thing, but it does cut down on what the mower is actually capable of doing. I know as for myself when my ZTR finally goes I'm going to replace it with either a 48 or 52" Grandstand.
#12
L
LoCo86
Don't get me wrong I like the Toro Grandstand. And it does do a good job on short slopes where it takes on or two passes to mow the slope. But the hills and slopes he is talking about it will not handle. He will end up doing more harm than good. All I can say is to demo one on those properties. But from my experience I have yet to find a hill that my walk behind could not handle. If I were him I would just up grade to a better walk behind, having only 11 yards. I use to tackle way more yards than that with my 48" Exmark Turf Tracer when I was around his age.
L
LoCo86
It basically comes down to what you prefer. I've had both and prefer the Grandstand but that's just me and like I say with the GS if I want a walk behind I just fold up the stand on platform and I have my WB. The problem that most people have with running a stander is they have that fear that it's going to tip over and that's not all a bad thing, but it does cut down on what the mower is actually capable of doing. I know as for myself when my ZTR finally goes I'm going to replace it with either a 48 or 52" Grandstand.
Don't get me wrong I like the Toro Grandstand. And it does do a good job on short slopes where it takes on or two passes to mow the slope. But the hills and slopes he is talking about it will not handle. He will end up doing more harm than good. All I can say is to demo one on those properties. But from my experience I have yet to find a hill that my walk behind could not handle. If I were him I would just up grade to a better walk behind, having only 11 yards. I use to tackle way more yards than that with my 48" Exmark Turf Tracer when I was around his age.
#13
Ric
Well to begin with he said Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle, If that is correct according to the chart below you'd be talking about 100% grade which no mower is going to cut and do it safely. I think he has his grade and angle mixed up.
Ric
Don't get me wrong I like the Toro Grandstand. And it does do a good job on short slopes where it takes on or two passes to mow the slope. But the hills and slopes he is talking about it will not handle. He will end up doing more harm than good. All I can say is to demo one on those properties. But from my experience I have yet to find a hill that my walk behind could not handle. If I were him I would just up grade to a better walk behind, having only 11 yards. I use to tackle way more yards than that with my 48" Exmark Turf Tracer when I was around his age.
Well to begin with he said Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle, If that is correct according to the chart below you'd be talking about 100% grade which no mower is going to cut and do it safely. I think he has his grade and angle mixed up.
#14
L
LoCo86
He might have his angles and grades mixed up. But if he doesn't or even if he's a little off he will have a hard time getting that stander to hold the hill. Or if he can he will need to go so slow that productivity is thrown out the window. But just demo one and you will see weather it would be good for the yards that you do.
L
LoCo86
Well to begin with he said Most of the hills that I cut are usually around a 45 degree angle, If that is correct according to the chart below you'd be talking about 100% grade which no mower is going to cut and do it safely. I think he has his grade and angle mixed up. <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/22648-stand-mowers-500px-grades_degrees-svg-png"/>
He might have his angles and grades mixed up. But if he doesn't or even if he's a little off he will have a hard time getting that stander to hold the hill. Or if he can he will need to go so slow that productivity is thrown out the window. But just demo one and you will see weather it would be good for the yards that you do.
#15
Striper
Striper
I agree with all that you guys have said. I did have my angles messed up. Most of the hills that I cut are on 30 degree angles not 45. Also I do agree what you guys said and I am going to demo a couple different mowers and see which one does the best and go from there
#16
Striper
Striper
can you please look at my most recent thread and give me your opinion on what to do. I have decided to not get a standon and to either figure out the problem with my mower or to upgrade to a different modelDon't get me wrong I like the Toro Grandstand. And it does do a good job on short slopes where it takes on or two passes to mow the slope. But the hills and slopes he is talking about it will not handle. He will end up doing more harm than good. All I can say is to demo one on those properties. But from my experience I have yet to find a hill that my walk behind could not handle. If I were him I would just up grade to a better walk behind, having only 11 yards. I use to tackle way more yards than that with my 48" Exmark Turf Tracer when I was around his age.
#17
L
LoCo86
Personally I would stay with a 48" or a 52" cut mower and upgrade to either a X or S series Exmark Turf Tracer or go with a Scag walk behind version if the same thing. Since the now have handles on their walk behinds similar to the ECS control system that Exmark has. And go with the highest HP available with whatever model you decide to get. I've never been a fan of fixed decks. The Turf Tracer X or S series has a four point pin height adjustment floating deck, which is something I think they need to work on. And the Scag has a single height adjustment lever with a floating deck. I think you will find that the floating deck will give you a better overall cut, due to reducing scalping and you will be able to mow at a faster speed as long as you have a sulky. Most landscaping companies around here have more walk behind mowers than ZTR's due to their ability to tackle all kinds of adverse conditions such as slopes in your case. If you do have the need for a sulky if your yards are large enough then make sure you get one with two wheels that swivel rather than the one that articulates. You will find it will make turning easier and backing up in a straight line easier.
L
LoCo86
can you please look at my most recent thread and give me your opinion on what to do. I have decided to not get a standon and to either figure out the problem with my mower or to upgrade to a different model
Personally I would stay with a 48" or a 52" cut mower and upgrade to either a X or S series Exmark Turf Tracer or go with a Scag walk behind version if the same thing. Since the now have handles on their walk behinds similar to the ECS control system that Exmark has. And go with the highest HP available with whatever model you decide to get. I've never been a fan of fixed decks. The Turf Tracer X or S series has a four point pin height adjustment floating deck, which is something I think they need to work on. And the Scag has a single height adjustment lever with a floating deck. I think you will find that the floating deck will give you a better overall cut, due to reducing scalping and you will be able to mow at a faster speed as long as you have a sulky. Most landscaping companies around here have more walk behind mowers than ZTR's due to their ability to tackle all kinds of adverse conditions such as slopes in your case. If you do have the need for a sulky if your yards are large enough then make sure you get one with two wheels that swivel rather than the one that articulates. You will find it will make turning easier and backing up in a straight line easier.
#18
Ric
I think you need to judge the size of your mower against what type and how large the yards your cutting are and if your going to add more yards in the future. Do your back yards have gates and how large are they? I can tell you I mow with a 36" GS and 48"ztr and the 48" ztr stays on the trailer about 80% of the time. It's faster cutting time with the 36" because I'm not continually running back to the trailer to get a push mower for trimming close or doing back yards. Ultimately you have to make the choice, so buy a mower that will increase your productivity, a walk-behind, a ztr, a stander or maybe a 30" push mower like the 30"Turf-master or Exmark it doesn't matter and don't worry about other people say to buy or do. Remember in Lawn care time is money so productivity and cost is your key and those Higher HP engines are impressive but the cost of running one is not. If your looking for the best cut look for Blade tip speed 18000 and up, not HP.
Ric
can you please look at my most recent thread and give me your opinion on what to do. I have decided to not get a standon and to either figure out the problem with my mower or to upgrade to a different model
I think you need to judge the size of your mower against what type and how large the yards your cutting are and if your going to add more yards in the future. Do your back yards have gates and how large are they? I can tell you I mow with a 36" GS and 48"ztr and the 48" ztr stays on the trailer about 80% of the time. It's faster cutting time with the 36" because I'm not continually running back to the trailer to get a push mower for trimming close or doing back yards. Ultimately you have to make the choice, so buy a mower that will increase your productivity, a walk-behind, a ztr, a stander or maybe a 30" push mower like the 30"Turf-master or Exmark it doesn't matter and don't worry about other people say to buy or do. Remember in Lawn care time is money so productivity and cost is your key and those Higher HP engines are impressive but the cost of running one is not. If your looking for the best cut look for Blade tip speed 18000 and up, not HP.
#19
Striper
Striper
I agree with all that you have said. I am just looking for either an exmark or scag walk behind that I can go a good speed with and a nice cut. With my exmark Viking I have to go extra slow for it to cut all the grass with no as many stragglers left. I am deciding between the turf tracer and one of the scag walk behinds. I'm just not sure which mower to choose.
#20
TaskForceLawnCare
TaskForceLawnCare
I was seriously considering the 61" V ride a week ago. after demoing it I bought new Scag walk behind and the tiger cat. what I found was that the hills we deal with I could just slow down a little and the tiger cat was fine but hands down more productive in normal conditions plus I bought the clam shell baggers so I can use them for leaf removal as well where I couldn't do that with the stand on. I've nothing against the stand on and I wanted them but after all the analysis it just wasnt the best choice for my operation.