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Used Mower Recommendation Needed

#1

J

Jellyghost

Hi. I am 45yo, and I have been moving 6 lawns this summer with 90s era Lawnboys and Milwaukee trimmer/blower. Next summer, I need to mow 9 lawns, and I need it to be easier and faster. What is a good used commercial mower I should consider? My buddy has a Wright Stander, and I am jealous. I don't have any small gates, but there are some slopes on these yards. I am hoping to purchase a mower for $3,000 or less.
Thank you!


#2

TonyPrin

TonyPrin

There are a few John Deere and Ariens zero turn mowers available for under $3,000, but I wouldn't go that route because you're getting a bargain basement machine. Instead, consider a quality new Snapper mower like the SPX could be a better choice. It will allow you several accessories which will help, as well.


#3

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

what size are the lawns?


#4

J

Jellyghost

They varie, but they average at abou .25 acres. I am browsing used walk behinds, but I don't have a sense of relative quality. I would like one that is easily repairable and known for durability. I also want a trimmer and trimmer head recommendation.


#5

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

If you're going for a walk behind, i highly recommend a Honda. As far as trimmers go, Husqvarna, Stihl or Echo.


#6

J

Jellyghost

I see hondas that look like standard mowers. Most of the big commercial walkbehinds I find seem to have kawasaki motors. Here are some I found interesting:
kansascity.craigslist.org

36” Ferris mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Residential use Ferris mower very low hours as yard only takes 25 min to mow Added pool and bigger drive so yard is too small. You will not find a used mower in nicer shape electric start, hydraulic...
kansascity.craigslist.org
kansascity.craigslist.org

Scag Walk Behind Mower 48” Hydro - farm & garden - by owner - sale

48” Scag Mower Runs Great with no issues A person could sell this mower in Spring for $2000 Curtis
kansascity.craigslist.org
kansascity.craigslist.org

34” Gravely Zero Turn - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Walk behind Gravely self propelled zero turn. Runs well with no issues. Located in Overland Park.
kansascity.craigslist.org


#7

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

OOOH, my bad. For some reason my brain took walk behind as meaning a small mower. Now i see what you mean.
Yes, Scag/Gravely and Ferris are good brands and you can't go wrong with a Kawasaki engine.
That 34" Gravely appears to have a Briggs and Stratton intek single, i'd stay away from it as their know for blowing head gaskets and failing camshafts.


#8

J

Jellyghost

Is hydro better than a transmission?


#9

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

Jellyghost said:
Is hydro better than a transmission?
Click to expand...
I'd say yes... i just don't recommend pulling anything with a hydro trans. It can cause an early death for them.


#10

S

slomo

Jellyghost said:
Is hydro better than a transmission?
Click to expand...
I say no. Get an older machine that has belt drive. Way cheaper to keep running. Keep a pair of belts on the truck. Can get the mower going at the customers house in no time. In comparison having to haul it down to a super busy mower shop during peak mowing season LOL. And spending thousands to get it repaired. Finally you get a call 8 months later, your mower is ready sir LOL.

Stay far away from hydros, their oils and hoses, leaks, pump failures and the like. $$$$

Look for an older belt drive JD, SCAG or Snapper Pro.


#11

J

Jellyghost

slomo said:
I say no. Get an older machine that has belt drive. Way cheaper to keep running. Keep a pair of belts on the truck. Can get the mower going at the customers house in no time. In comparison having to haul it down to a super busy mower shop during peak mowing season LOL. And spending thousands to get it repaired. Finally you get a call 8 months later, your mower is ready sir LOL.

Stay far away from hydros, their oils and hoses, leaks, pump failures and the like. $$$$

Look for an older belt drive JD, SCAG or Snapper Pro.
Click to expand...
I have an old Wheel Horse garden tractor. It has a belt to drive the mower blades, but it uses a transmission for the wheels. It was my understanding that the hydro system drove the blades and wheels. Do the older walk behinds use a belt for driving the wheels? How do you inspect an old engine on those mowers to make sure it's good to go.


#12

S

slomo

Not familiar with the drive system on your mower. Either has some belts or hydros. Belt drive is far superior to any hydro wonder mower.

Some older walk behinds use drive belts, yes. One belt for each side.

Look at 2:35 in this video. Not the greatest but.....


#13

S

slomo

Jellyghost said:
How do you inspect an old engine on those mowers to make sure it's good to go.
Click to expand...
Make sure it doesn't smoke or use any oil. Ask the owner and roll the dice LOL. Look at the spark plug/s and inside the cylinder/s with the plug/s removed. Cheap USB inspection camera can help here. Other than that, dump the fuel tank, fresh fuel lines and filter. Adjust the valves and clean the cooling fins are a must on ALL mowers. Some fresh SAE30w and sharp blades.


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