Mower oppinions?

[CHEESE2009]

I was just browsing the John Deere website, trying to take a peak into my future for snow removal tractors... Can't figure it out. Anyway, I am interested in picking up a mower. Something at Home Depot. My dealer has just about annoyed me to the point I can't even call them. Not to mention they are a couple hours away. At least I don't have to call &/or talk to the guys at home depot every time I want a price for a piece of equipment. That's the annoying part. Anyway, here are three of the best models Home Depot has to offer me; Give me your best advice. Most of my lawns are flat, lucky me. Though which one can do hills "better" than the rest? What is the average lifespan for each mower? I want the one that mulches the best, I hate side discharge! This is the time of the year I decided I want to invest. I was going to make it a promotion year & make a buck next year 2011, but nah... I wanna take it a little slow & re-pace myself & use one of these models before I pick up a Walker/Exmark. Anyway, it's 4am... I appreciate all of your answers. Love Scott. xo JOHN DEERE Z245 48 In. Deck Zero-Turn Lawn Tractor $3,919.00 Toro Z4235 Time Cutter Z Riding Mower $2,999.00 Ariens Zoom 34 Zero Turn Mower $2,499.00

__________________
Keeper of Peace
Security Officer Cheese2009
Gopher Security Central (G.S.C)
4th Floor, office 112

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

CRAFTSMAN®/MD ZTR 26-hp Zero Turning Radius Tractor with Multi-hydrostatic Drive Transmission $3,999.99 -$500.00 if purchased before July 4th' Then it will cost $4,499.99

__________________
Keeper of Peace
Security Officer Cheese2009
Gopher Security Central (G.S.C)
4th Floor, office 112

[TeamDynamic]

I've had pretty good luck with toro's commercial models. Their residential stuff is good too. If you can get approved toro is offering 60 months at 3.9%. We just picked up a 52" hydro walk behind with that financing.

[picframer]

Do you really want entry level residential units for a commercial business?

There has to be a Deere dealer close to you, they have amazing financing on commercial items and residential, one program was 5 years 0%, no payments the first 12 months, we did one unit this way, set up an account and deposit money into it from each job, a percentage, it will have enough cash to pay for the tractor long before the 12 months are up.

[CHEESE2009]

Well, I'm gonna go check out the Toro model today. If I don't have to put the damn thing together I'll pick it up lol.

Saw a few youtube videos of it in action...

I like that it mulches the way I want.

I'll have to figure out how to stop the clippings from flying out the chute though.

ALSO, I find the structure to be kinda "thin" though I'm just looking at pics now.

It looks rather good for what it's going to cost me. So I can't complain!

Looks like a fun tool!

I like the deck over the other models & the overall look.

Maybe I can even lowball a few lawns to test it out & pay it off, hahahahaha!!!!

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by picframer

Do you really want entry level residential units for a commercial business?

There has to be a Deere dealer close to you, they have amazing financing on commercial items and residential, one program was 5 years 0%, no payments the first 12 months, we did one unit this way, set up an account and deposit money into it from each job, a percentage, it will have enough cash to pay for the tractor long before the 12 months are up.

Awww man... You got me thinking again.. hahahaha!!!

The problem is, the Deere dealer is farrrrr. And the service dealers in my area don't touch Deere... Idiots I think. Very irritating.

My current dealer works with Toro, & they sell the same models... I don't think they'll have a fit with me for purchasing it here rather than there... Though, maybe they will offer me a better deal, doubt it!

I know of another warehouse store around here I'll look into.. Apparently if others are selling an item for less, this store takes 10% off whatever you want/need.

I'm kind of the, "take my money & keep the hassles away from me" kinda guy.

I'll keep my eyes open for a Deere dealer, a lot of places aren't even listed on the internet oddly.

[CHEESE2009]

I HATE STAFF AT ALL THESE STORES!

I can't stand their service/assistance... They are completely friggen useless.

I went to Home Depot today, took me 2 hours just to get nothing accomplished.

Scott: Mowers, where are they?

1: Isle 3

Scott: Is this all you have?

2: Yes.

Scott: These machines are useless, where are the Zero Turn mowers advertised on your website?

2: Hold on I'll be right back....

20 minutes later

Scott: So?

2: How can I help you?

Scott: You are kidding me? Where did you go? - Where are your Zero Turn mowers?

2: We have none.

Scott: A word of advice: Get your stuff together, I have things to get done. You have what I want on your website, is this store out of stock or do you not hold them?

2: We don't hold them.

Scott: Can you order one for me?

2: Let me check my books.

10 minutes go by as she is looking for her books, then she assists another customer once she grabs her book & walks away from her department.

10 more minutes go by...

Scott: Well?

2: Let me check my computer.

Scott: You do that.

2: None of our stores have them in stock.

Scott: You're kidding? Can you order one for me?

2: I have to ask the guy upstairs.

Scott: So let's go upstairs.

*upstairs*

Scott: Toro Zero Turn Mowers, can you order one for me?

3: We don't order them because they don't sell.

Scott: ... Can you order one for me?

3: No.

Scott: Why?

3: We order them from other Home Depot stores if they have them in stock, we'd have to order it from a Home Depot in Ontario.

Scott: So order it from Ontario.

3: They don't have them.

Scott: They don't have them?

3: Sorry.

Scott: Yeah.

..........................................

UN-EFFING-REAL


I'm going to ask my Stihl dealer if they want to order it for me, that would be interesting.

If they can't, I gotta drag my *empty* trailer alllll the way downtown, would be a nightmare.

Once again I have to say I HATE stores like this, they have so much staff & they all take care of certain departments, YET THEY ARE NEVERRRRR IN THEIR DAMN DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN WITH!!!!!


I had a fit when she was with a customer, it went like this;

Customer: I'm looking for an aerator. (the stupid manual one)

2: Well let me help you out, how big is your property?

Customer: Fairly big.

2: I suggest you look into something like this *points to a spade* you can dig up tiny holes with it.

Customer: Oh alright.

Scott: Sorry to interrupt, but that's a spade.

(I got an evil stare from the staff worker)


CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? These people walk around giving b.s advice, all they are - are Stock Clerks, why do they act as if they are know-it-alls?

I gotta deal with these people all the time for materials & supplies, drives me insane.

Every time someone offers me advice from these stores, they are usually wrong & I confront them about it.

In fact, this same lady was trying to sell me on a push mower.

"This is a great lawn mower if you are interested!" (lawn boy)

Scott: It's not great, it's a piece of junk.

This advice came from some 300 pound lady who most likely never mowed a lawn in her life.

I was angry today. I never go into these stores optimistic, I would always get my hopes up & waste my time.

Anyway, done my rant.





Customer: I need to get rid

I agree with Andy, why are you buying consumer grade equipment? I know that you will regret it before the summer is over. Toro makes some decent machines, just not their Consumer Timecutter series. I have done some work to them and am very disappointed in them. If you were cutting your own yard it would likely be fine but not if you will be mowing yards all week throughout the summer. Its simply not going to hold up. The ones I have seen have a CHEAP engine on them. This particular engine model will likely cause you extensive problems.....

I am not sure if the other mowers you posted are consumer or commercial but buy commercial. Ariens makes some decent commercial machines. And do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy a machine at the box stores and think that the service shop will love you the same. They have to make a profit somewhere too and I prefer to keep my money local rather than giving it to the big wigs at some big corporate office for HD, Wal-Mart, or some place like that...

I've been looking at buying the Toro Titan ZX5450 it's got 54" cut and a 25hp Kohler Courage Pro. Claims to have several commercial grade features on it. And for $5,299.00 I think it's a good buy, but still a bit high for my price range. I will probably get the Time Cutter Z Z5035 with the 50" cut and 24hp Kawasaki or the the Z5060 with the 25hp Kohler. Not sure wich engine is better but both of these mowers are under $3,500.00 which is perfect.

[justin_time]

Your going to look like cheese if you buy those residential zero turns.