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I am sixteen and I am starting a lawn care businnes with my friend. We already have about 20 houses lined up for next year, so I am ready to buy my equipment. I am not going to buy a new lawn mower, so I have been looking at craigslist and have found some good deals but cant make up my mind. So out of these two, which on would you get?

John deere la100. (2007)
42inch. 5 geared transmission

John deere lx 178 (1998)
38inch. Hydrostatic transmission
Comes with a bagger and mulching kit.

Hey, Outdooz -- welcome to the forum.

I don't know about those two riders but I can recommend finding a two-stroke push mower (preferably a commercial-grade model) for places that a rider can't reach -- or smaller lawns. Lawn-Boy is the most common brand and they don't make the two-strokes any more so you have to find a used one.

Also, for things like trimmers and edgers, Stihl equipment is probably the best -- and they're built to last so buying used should be OK.

It's good that you have plenty of time to shop for the best deal since you don't need the mower right away.

Good luck with your business. I was doing the same thing at your age so this thread brings back memories. :thumbsup:

Depending on your budget and considering you're buying off of craiglist I wouldn't bother with either of those mowers because both will be to time consuming to use in a lawn care business and in business time is money.

You'll be better off with some type of Zero Turn Mower, something in the 44 to 48inch size with a Kohler or Kawasaki motor. You'll be able to cut your mowing time in half and you'll get a far better cut IMO.

As far as hand held equipment goes Stihl or Echo is the way to go for dependability and you can also find some good deals on those on craigslist.

If your looking for a self propelled mower, which you will need the Honda would be IMO the one you want just make sure you buy the 190cc motor because the GCV 160cc sometimes doesn't or is unable to do the job necessary. They also have some self propelled with the Kohler motors that will do a good job. Good luck with your Business

Thanks for the tips, but my budget for a mower is 600. I cant find any zero turns or walk behinds that are under 1000. I already have a edger weadeater leafblower trimer.

Outdooz said:

I am sixteen and I am starting a lawn care businnes with my friend. We already have about 20 houses lined up for next year, so I am ready to buy my equipment. I am not going to buy a new lawn mower, so I have been looking at craigslist and have found some good deals but cant make up my mind. So out of these two, which on would you get?

John deere la100. (2007)
42inch. 5 geared transmission

John deere lx 178 (1998)
38inch. Hydrostatic transmission
Comes with a bagger and mulching kit.

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don't forget to look at other things like a truck and or trailer to haul the goods around.you probably still have time on your side to hunt for mowers for next years mowing season.make sure you and your working partner are going to split up the costs on everything unless he is an employee.if you have 20 clients ready to go(are they contract) for next year, keep in touch with them somewhat regularly. maybe even a christmas cards or something.so when the mowing time comes around there won't be much if any problems.are the yards all big enough to put a 40" plus machine on. ric is right though ztr's are faster. can you guys do basic maintenance. good luck

get this one
John deere la100. (2007)
42inch. 5 geared transmission
Good luck in your endeavor....get an education

Yes we have 2 trucks and 2 trailers.

Outdooz said:

Thanks for the tips, but my budget for a mower is 600. I cant find any zero turns or walk behinds that are under 1000. I already have a edger weadeater leafblower trimer.

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Well if that's the budget :smile: Hey I started the same way you are so what you're doing can be done, it's just a lot more work. I would suggest that you pick up another rider if and as soon possible because if the mower you goes down and you have to put the thing in the shop it could be there for a while and the down time can cost you money to say nothing about costing you clients so a back up mower of some type is a good thing to have along with the hand held equipment.
Other than that if you have the hand held equipment it sounds like you have a good start.:thumbsup:

Ric is right always have a back up something cheap just to get you by. You never want to make that call and say I can't do your yard my mower is in the shop. I started out just like you are doing. You can make good $ but it won't happen over night. You have to love cutting grass to do this. Quality makes more money than quantity in the long run cutting fast is not always the best way

And you dont need a JD To much money for to little mower

My folks owned this liquor store in a lil town, this guy would mow yards all day in the town- house to house - hauled a yard trailer behind his brand new JD tractor with a push mower, leaf blower, rakes/stuff - far as i know thats all he did- just mowed grass all summer long and took the winter's off - mustve made a pretty good profit.

Id go for something more economical to start off with, go thru the tractor, full service on it, check it over top to bottom and mow. Maybe even buy two if the price is right- ive gotten downright cheep tractors and with a lil work run and mow excellent- think of how many yards you can mow with 2 tractors going.

I used my '92 white weekly to mow my folks 2 acres and then mow the neighbors 3 acres as well weekly - my dad still uses it weekly 19 years later.

Dont abuse the machines, maintain it regular and itll last till you can upgrade or buy a second machine- alot of landscapers mowers self destruct from lack of service.

Thanks for all these tips!!. Here are the reasons for my plans.

Get a riding mower = Because they are the cheaper than zero turn/ walk behinds and will cut faster and more efficient than a push mower.

Get a good name like John Deere = This is so it will be reliable and will last longer for my money.

This is what I have currently
1 Back Pack Leaf Blower Stihl
1 weed eater with edger attachment Troy Bilt
Trailer/ Truck
And a budget of 600 to get a mower. And I am guessing I will need to be able to bag.
Zero Turns used are still over 1000 and walk behinds used are about 1000. So they are out of the question.

JD parts are way more expensive then average tractors- I have a 90 murray i got free back in 2006, i put a new mandrel on it back then , mowed with it till a few days ago and it needed another new mandrel and a magneto - 5 years trouble free seems pretty reliable to me - i had the spare parts already , so it was a free fix and 2 hours downtime fixing it myself.

Price some basic repair parts for a JD and see how much cash youll save.....

If you bot two tractors and keep a basic supply of maintenence parts on hand ( Oil, belts, blades, couple mandrels) youll see a whole lot more profit sooner - taking the tractor in to a shop youre looking at $40 plus( seen some up to $65) an hour plus parts.

Or just buy the JD and see....

Dangeroustoys56 said:

JD parts are way more expensive then average tractors- I have a 90 murray i got free back in 2006, i put a new mandrel on it back then , mowed with it till a few days ago and it needed another new mandrel and a magneto - 5 years trouble free seems pretty reliable to me - i had the spare parts already , so it was a free fix and 2 hours downtime fixing it myself.

Price some basic repair parts for a JD and see how much cash youll save.....

If you bot two tractors and keep a basic supply of maintenence parts on hand ( Oil, belts, blades, couple mandrels) youll see a whole lot more profit sooner - taking the tractor in to a shop youre looking at $40 plus( seen some up to $65) an hour plus parts.

Or just buy the JD and see....

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Then what do you recommend? Cub cadet, husqvarna?

Outdooz said:

Then what do you recommend? Cub cadet, husqvarna?

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As shocking as it may seem, in your current price range I'd recommend one of the bigger, older, Craftsman riding mowers, manufactured by American Yard products. Although less than stylish, they are fairly easy to work on and fairly reasonable for parts cost. If you can get two of the same basic model, you should be able to keep your spares inventory fairly low. I'd also suggest using premium synthetic lubricants for all your equipment. You'll find PLENTY of conversation about who likes what and why or why not on other threads.:smile:
My other personal favorite choices are Simplicity, the 2000 series Cub Cadets, and Kubota, but none of those will be in your price range and provide good service without additional investment right away.

........ and don't partner up with your buddy, unless you don't mind NOT being friends after a few months.

Sammy the Red said:

........ and don't partner up with your buddy, unless you don't mind NOT being friends after a few months.

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Why, and i have too.
He covers me when i am sick or go on vacation. And vice versa.

Anything - Simplicity, Murray, MTD, Craftsman, Dynamark - basic used tractors that are easy and cheep to fix , with parts still available - personally best running tractors i own are Dynamarks, Murrays and Craftsman tractors - I just do service on em twice a year and they keep mowing.

I think I would get a new decent regular walk behind mower. Time is not everything when you are 16, but money sure seems to be. Work the long hours and take in the money and next year you can expand and buy a mower of your choice. Do less yards if need be and go it alone. That will give you some gas and repair money to have for a bit of a cushion to start with and you will learn alot as you go. There is very little to go wrong with a simple walk behind bagger and you should have money to bank before anything starts to go wrong with just a little luck. If you depend on just yourself you will have no one to blame but yourself and one is far easier to manage than two. Im getting to be an old man and i can run a walk behind mower over alot of yard in a long day. You can do far better. Concentrate on doing the very best job for the customers you can handle, practice the craft and you will be able to use it in other endeavors later in life.

possum said:

I think I would get a new decent regular walk behind mower. Time is not everything when you are 16, but money sure seems to be. Work the long hours and take in the money and next year you can expand and buy a mower of your choice. Do less yards if need be and go it alone. That will give you some gas and repair money to have for a bit of a cushion to start with and you will learn alot as you go. There is very little to go wrong with a simple walk behind bagger and you should have money to bank before anything starts to go wrong with just a little luck. If you depend on just yourself you will have no one to blame but yourself and one is far easier to manage than two. Im getting to be an old man and i can run a walk behind mower over alot of yard in a long day. You can do far better. Concentrate on doing the very best job for the customers you can handle, practice the craft and you will be able to use it in other endeavors later in life.

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We wont be doing the same yard at the same time. He will have his own yards. He wiill have his own equipment and so will I. Its just for back up puposes.

Outdooz said:

Why, and i have too.
He covers me when i am sick or go on vacation. And vice versa.

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You have time to get sick ?

What size lawns are you going to mow?

There pretty big. With a 42 inch riding mower it would probly take 20 minutes to cut. There not small

definitely get a bagger with what ever type you get......but John Deeres are risky...they're very expensive for parts

Get a used lawn tractor. You will never find a new one for 600. Old ones are better quality anyway. Just look on craigslist. You'll find something.

Two-Stroke said:

Hey, Outdooz -- welcome to the forum.

I don't know about those two riders but I can recommend finding a two-stroke push mower (preferably a commercial-grade model) for places that a rider can't reach -- or smaller lawns. Lawn-Boy is the most common brand and they don't make the two-strokes any more so you have to find a used one.

Also, for things like trimmers and edgers, Stihl equipment is probably the best -- and they're built to last so buying used should be OK.

It's good that you have plenty of time to shop for the best deal since you don't need the mower right away.

Good luck with your business. I was doing the same thing at your age so this thread brings back memories. :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

heres another Lawn boy nut:laughing:......... Lawn-Boy Brigade! - YouTube

I own a few lawn boys and love them, but I wouldn't go to that extreme as in that video. It made for a good laugh though.

IMO, stay away from the 'box store' JD. Just look at all the issues people are having with them over on the JD forum. If I were you, I'd find an older model. They were made much better, and if you're mechanically inclined, you can work on them yourself. Good luck!

reddragon said:

heres another Lawn boy nut:laughing:......... Lawn-Boy Brigade! - YouTube

Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that -- It's a funny video although it does raise some safety issues.

Try to work out a deal on a zero turn. See if you can negotiate a decent price even if the cost is over 1000. Some folks are eager to help young people who are trying to build a business. Of course, some are not. Stop by a bank and talk to them. You would be suprised at what come up in your favor. Don't spend money on anything but a zero turn for speed and professonal cutting.