Welcome to the Exmark Forum -- Check in Here First!

[Aquadisiac]

Thanks for letting me join.
I have a 2017 eXmark Radius S-series 48" cut with a Kohler ZT710 engine.
I just bought it used, yesterday.
It looks almost new.
Thanks again.

 

[DerickE]

Hey all...I'm Derick and I can't really even describe what I do. I do, well, everything. I've got a professional 9-5 career but outside of that I do a ton. I'm the local lawn mower maintenance and repair guy. In the spring it keeps me super busy, but I found this year that after april business pretty much ends outside of one off stuff. So, I'm turning to lawn care as another side hustle. I enjoy watching various lawn care vids on youtube, I think "Dan's Vlog" is a pretty honest approach and I've taken various tips and tricks from him.

Anyhow, recently I acquired some new hardware. Last week I grabbed a 2004 Exmark metro 32" from a lawncare business that was losing its' shop space. It's in great shape, and its a total beast of a mower. It sat unused as their back up mower. That's for the smaller yards. Today, I grabbed a commerical cub cadet G1548...unsure of the year, but I will guess mid 2000s. It's not as perfect as the exmark, but who expected it would be? I've got some maintenance to do on both of them, but they are both powerhouses and will give me the presentation to promote lawn care services next year. Been a good post-season for scooping up cheap equipment.

I've also added stihl trimmers and blowers to my outfit as well....a brand I was unfamiliar with...and boy that is some next level hardware right there. Good stuff.

 

[Darryl G]

Hey all...I'm Derick and I can't really even describe what I do. I do, well, everything. I've got a professional 9-5 career but outside of that I do a ton. I'm the local lawn mower maintenance and repair guy. In the spring it keeps me super busy, but I found this year that after april business pretty much ends outside of one off stuff. So, I'm turning to lawn care as another side hustle. I enjoy watching various lawn care vids on youtube, I think "Dan's Vlog" is a pretty honest approach and I've taken various tips and tricks from him.

Anyhow, recently I acquired some new hardware. Last week I grabbed a 2004 Exmark metro 32" from a lawncare business that was losing its' shop space. It's in great shape, and its a total beast of a mower. It sat unused as their back up mower. That's for the smaller yards. Today, I grabbed a commerical cub cadet G1548...unsure of the year, but I will guess mid 2000s. It's not as perfect as the exmark, but who expected it would be? I've got some maintenance to do on both of them, but they are both powerhouses and will give me the presentation to promote lawn care services next year. Been a good post-season for scooping up cheap equipment.

I've also added stihl trimmers and blowers to my outfit as well....a brand I was unfamiliar with...and boy that is some next level hardware right there. Good stuff.

View attachment 45694
View attachment 45695

Nice machines but hydo drive units are way more productive. Keep your eyes open for Exmark Turf Tracers.

 

[DerickE]

Nice machines but hydo drive units are way more productive. Keep your eyes open for Exmark Turf Tracers.

Yeah I'd love a Turf Tracer.....but my concern is the hydro. Being in mower service for residential stuff.....I know for certain that hydros in those low end machines are a nightmare, and expensive. While I'm not in the know for commercial mowers, I've been concerned about buying a used hydro unit. More stuff to go wrong. Is that misplaced fear?

 

[Darryl G]

Yeah I'd love a Turf Tracer.....but my concern is the hydro. Being in mower service for residential stuff.....I know for certain that hydros in those low end machines are a nightmare, and expensive. While I'm not in the know for commercial mowers, I've been concerned about buying a used hydro unit. More stuff to go wrong. Is that misplaced fear?

The hydros on the Turf Tracers are pretty robust. Mine were serviced once after I blew a hose. 2,700 hours and counting, and that's pulling a 200 pound operator on a sulky. The only issue is that the rearward hydro hose can abraid over time from the grit tossed up from the tires. I just wrap some tape around the hose as an abrasion guard. Still on the original 17HP Kawi and deck spindles too.

 

[Darryl G]

Here it is being serviced. Tires have been replaced twice, belts once, hydro hoses once, 2,700+ hours. Nice cutting reliable machine. The 17 Kawi is starting to burn a little oil, no leaks.

 

[Bremered]

This is my new (to me) Exmark Lazer Z XS 72" cut. This is the first zero turn I have owned. Hopefully I can get some info on operation and maintenance from y"all and possible contribute myself after I gather some experience with this machine.

 

[Darryl G]

This is my new (to me) Exmark Lazer Z XS 72" cut. This is the first zero turn I have owned. Hopefully I can get some info on operation and maintenance from y"all and possible contribute myself after I gather some experience with this machine.
View attachment 46148View attachment 46149

The dreaded Triton Deck. There were a lot of cut quality problems reported for that deck, especially when cutting northern cool season grasses. It may do alright for you though in TX, but in the Northeast they were horrible.

 

[Bremered]

The dreaded Triton Deck. There were a lot of cut quality problems reported for that deck, especially when cutting northern cool season grasses. It may do alright for you though in TX, but in the Northeast they were horrible.

Any advice on blades? I'm mowing on my own property, it's a mix of st. augustine, bermuda, king ranch bluestem and a bunch of native grasses and weeds.

 

[Darryl G]

I run the Gator G5 high lift mulching blades on my Exmarks (Recently sold my Lazer but still have my Turf Tracer) but they have/had the Tri-Vantage deck and I cut mostly cool season northern grasses, so my experiences may not relate to your machine. I suggest you Google the Triton deck and check out the posts on another lawn care forum where those decks have been discussed at length.