Exmark 30in

[Grass Doctor]

Originally Posted by willshome

most of my lawns are small or with gates. I didn't use my 48" mower once last year just not worth the space on the trailer. I started the year with a 32" walk behind and quickly upgraded to 33" zero turn. You have to think about how long you want to be on your feet per day. When I use a WB all day I am died at the end of the day but, with a z-turn I feel great

hey that toro weed eater its sexy haha i have one of those buy it thinking it was going to last me 3 months haa their fine.

[LawnBoy0311]

Lawns across the country are the same concept as when someone everyday asks us "How do I bid a job?" Its the same answer....THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT!

Everyone here tries to use a mower more practical for THEM. What works for you, may not work for me. What I do, you may not be able to do. The majority of my lawns are 1/3 ace postage stamps, 1 acre million dollar homes, or townhouses. I can tell you this, a townhouse gets me the most profit. I had a day set aside where all I did was cut townhouses. I left the trailer, and loaded my 21" toro in the back of my f-150 using 2x6's, trimmer and blower in the back. I used less gas, less wear on equipment, and averaged $4 a minute. There are also TONS of townhouses in my area, with more going up every week.

Some of you guys have lawns with 7 acres. Thats unheard of around here. Honestly, if your doing all residential in my neck of the woods, theres no need to go above a 48" deck. We are all very different.

So if you want to put a mower in the back of your truck, and that works for you, then go right ahead. One of these days, you will need a trailer, as the equipment piles up as you grow (if you chose to grow!!!). Some people are happy staying small, just do whats best for you.

[willshome]

Originally Posted by Grass Doctor

hey that toro weed eater its sexy haha i have one of those buy it thinking it was going to last me 3 months haa their fine.

love the Toro works every time and the different heads make life easy. When I got the tiller I was thinking I would return it because it's just a "TOY" but it works great. The $53 pole saw is great I use it as a chainsaw for down branches when I don't have my chainsaw with me

[SNethercutt]

Equipment depends on area very much.

I started out in an area where everything was zero turn. Then I got residential accounts and needed smaller mowers. Well I was still making a mower payment so I opted for toro self propelled 21 in I believe. With 2 of them, the same ones they sell at home depot or Lowes for 400 I paid 125 each new. So for $250 I got roughly 40 in of cutting area.

Yes I know about quality of cuts. But the year I'm getting a serious walk behind. The wife is tired of push mowing lol

[LawnBoy0311]

Originally Posted by SNethercutt

Equipment depends on area very much.

I started out in an area where everything was zero turn. Then I got residential accounts and needed smaller mowers. Well I was still making a mower payment so I opted for toro self propelled 21 in I believe. With 2 of them, the same ones they sell at home depot or Lowes for 400 I paid 125 each new. So for $250 I got roughly 40 in of cutting area.

Yes I know about quality of cuts. But the year I'm getting a serious walk behind. The wife is tired of push mowing lol

At least your wife understands the whole concept of "work".

I was thinking of doing all walk behinds in the future, have any of you found them to be better off than the ztr? I won't be doing the cutting, I'll be focusing on something else, but I figure 2 WB's and a 2 man crew would do fine.

[googus]

Ok guys, I didn't want to start a new thread and I know I might get some bashing. I came to the conclusion I want to make this a hobby "per say" and not go big. I am have 8 accounts for the year with four quotes still outstanding plus my yard. I was thinking of a cut off of 20-25.


With that beings said I know I probably could get by with my 21 but the summer will kill me. 75% of my account have fenced in back yards and as stated in the previous threads I am thinking of getting a 30 in deck for the follow reasons.
Don't need a trailer. ( no space to store it)
Money.
Space in garage

Now for obvious reasons the three dealer I went to say get the toro turfmaster or he Exmark . Now he question is (since I am looking to get one) do I really need to spend the extra 800.00 on a commercial or would the Toro timemaster for 1,000 work for my needs. I do plan on doing this for years to come but still keeping it small to around 20-25 accounts.

Thanks guys
Greg

[Steve]

Something to keep in mind, from what we have seen in the past on here if you get a consumer model and get 200 hours of use out of it, that is great. If you get a commercial unit and get 2,000 hours of use from it, that is great.

Sure you can get the consumer model and pay $1,000 and then at the end of it's useable life, you can buy another one.

If you want to do this as a hobby and just experiment, it seems you are leaning towards the consumer model. Hey go for it. Get it. Tell us how long it lasts for you and then tell us what you decide to go with next.

Keep us posted.

[googus]

Thanks Steve.
As another note of interest. The Exmark drive engage bar seem very stiff ( I am sure that it will loosen up) but while it does it might appear to give your hands and wrist a workout. The Toro timemaster has the personal pace drive.

Crap it's harder then buying a car

[Steve]

Well keep us posted on what you decide to go with

[rockymtnnut]

I just saw a 36 inch hydro for sale for 1000 dollars on another forum said it was used in great shape. Dont be afraid to "grow" into equipments within reason. Get the home owner push mower out of your thought process. When a home owner brand fails you and it will what will you do when its a week or three to get fixed. In this buisiness down time kills you. If y ou decide to walk away you have a mower that will last a lifetime with a commercial mower. Not to mention a commercial mower cuts so much better.