Looking at Walk Behinds on a Budget

[Hedgemaster]

I just stopped at my Toro dealer to see what he has available in used inventory. I'm looking for a 32" or 36" to help with some larger lawns and/or those "first cuts" that are a bit too overgrown for a 21" push mower. I'd like to keep my budget close to $1,000 if possible. My dealer said he would be willing to set up a "payment plan" for me, so that is helpful. You can't do that with a private sale. I still have a lot of lawns that will be cut with my 21" Toro SuperRecycler, so this will not be a mower used all day/every day. I work alone, so I'm the only person that will be operating it. The only Toro he had: 32" Toro Proline (fixed deck) with pistol grip control. It's a 2005 and he wants $1,500 for it - includes a metal bagger. (no warranty) Looks pretty much like this, but with pistol grip handles... I dunno... it's dirty, but otherwise looks in good condition. That sounds kind of high for a 2005 though. He also has a Worldlawn 33" (fixed deck)for $1,000. It's last year's model and was a demo - essentially new. Includes a 1 year warranty. Here's a link from another dealer I found online. The drawbacks (that I can think of) to the Worldlawn unit are: • It's not going to hold up to the abuse that a Toro will. That said, it's not going to see heavy use. • It's got the Briggs engine - 10.5 hp concerns me more than the brand though - will it be powerful enough? • No reverse The "pros" of the Worldlawn: • It's within my budget I say my budget is $1,000, but I don't have $1,000 CASH handy, so the payment plan makes this "do-able". • It's an "off brand", but my dealer services them - no fears of finding parts/service • It's not as heavy as the Toro - hopefully negating my concern over lack of a reverse. • It has a unique "crank" height adjustment in the rear. Front uses spacers like other brands. • Comes with a 1 year warranty - this is worth noting, as I'm not a big "fix it myself" guy. (yet)

[willshome]

Lawn care business tips

why are you using a 21" as your main mower? that's a lot of work if your getting a 32". the toro sounds high to me did he just service it and why no warranty at that price he shound give you atleast 30 days. the 33" sounds like a low model but I know someone that has a mower like that one and says its great

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by willshome

why are you using a 21" as your main mower? that's a lot of work if your getting a 32". the toro sounds high to me did he just service it and why no warranty at that price he shound give you atleast 30 days. the 33" sounds like a low model but I know someone that has a mower like that one and says its great

Eh, it's still going to be just as easy to mow some of mine with the 21".
No need for a trailer that way (city parking), so on certain days I'd just schedule all the smaller yards together, but I do see what you're getting at.
I guess I was just trying to give info to indicate that I'm not a huge operation that's going to be hammering on my gear brutally 12 hrs a day on huge properties.

I'd rather get a 36" minimum, but it seems that those can be problematic getting through some gates.

In a perfect world, I'd have a mower available for every application.
Right now I have my 21" Toro and a 54" Husqvarna ZTR for anything "big", so I'm hoping to pick up something to take on those "in between" jobs.

I had hoped I could find a good (Toro for example) walk behind in the $1,000 range, but I don't know how realistic that is.
Nobody shows prices on their websites, so I have no idea what anything costs new for comparison.
It's really frustrating trying to shop for equipment when you have no idea what it costs.

[HAMPTON ROADS LAWN CARE]

Imma help you here for as to what I know thus far!

I went to 2 different toro dealers in this area and they are proud of their mowers.....lol

Just to get started and see if I like the business I just bought this Cub Cadet.

http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/s...00000_-1_image

I got the 760ES which is a bit more for the electric start and its 33 in so I will have no problem with gates got it for 1400 then bought the bagger (just in case) but you can get the pull start for 1200 out the door im sure I know thats 200 more but it has a 3 year (120 hour) warranty on it!

Just some food 4 thought!

[bruces]

I am not positive,but I think that worldlawn is the same as the redhawk you were asking about on another thread .I think the toro is priced too high for such a" modern " machine ,I cant think its worth more than $1000.00 ,but its early spring so its worth more now than in 6 months .

[dpld]

good quality machines hold their value today and based on what they go for new the toro is priced for about what they go for used in this area.

as far as warranty goes if it is a belt driven machine and it is in good working order and the motor runs good and does not smoke the warranty is not really going to hurt you too much.

if it were a hydro model then you are talking about a whole different animal and you would never find a warranty on a used machine over a year or two.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by bruces

I am not positive,but I think that worldlawn is the same as the redhawk you were asking about on another thread .I think the toro is priced too high for such a" modern " machine ,I cant think its worth more than $1000.00 ,but its early spring so its worth more now than in 6 months .

I don't believe it's the same, but it's in the same league.

The owner was on his way out, so I didn't have much time to talk, or I'd have inquired about that one.
It's a really small dealer that only has about 5-8 Toro models in stock (well, at least out and visible) at one time and they don't have any other brands in stock, but can order them and service them.

I THINK he said a NEW Toro 32" would be about $2,500, so that's why I'm thinking $1,500 sounds high for a six year old machine. No idea what kind of usage it has seen though.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by dpld

good quality machines hold their value today and based on what they go for new the toro is priced for about what they go for used in this area.

as far as warranty goes if it is a belt driven machine and it is in good working order and the motor runs good and does not smoke the warranty is not really going to hurt you too much.

if it were a hydro model then you are talking about a whole different animal and you would never find a warranty on a used machine over a year or two.

Noted. Aside from the lower price, one of the reasons I was leaning toward a belt drive was ability to "fix it myself". I'm not a great mechanic, but I can do basic stuff and I'm willing to learn.

Here's a question for someone...

What's the difference between the gear drive and a hydro drive?

Aside from mechanical difference and "hydro is better", what does hydro do that a gear drive doesn't? This seems to be assumed knowledge, as none of the literature explains the difference.

Does the hydro make it easier to operate, or is it just more reliable?

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by bruces

I am not positive,but I think that worldlawn is the same as the redhawk you were asking about on another thread .I think the toro is priced too high for such a" modern " machine ,I cant think its worth more than $1000.00 ,but its early spring so its worth more now than in 6 months .

Yes Redhawk is World Lawn, and made in china. They now also own Encore here in the states, so I do not expect them to be gone soon however any import changes could affect prices and availability of parts quickly.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

I don't believe it's the same, but it's in the same league.

The owner was on his way out, so I didn't have much time to talk, or I'd have inquired about that one.
It's a really small dealer that only has about 5-8 Toro models in stock (well, at least out and visible) at one time and they don't have any other brands in stock, but can order them and service them.

I THINK he said a NEW Toro 32" would be about $2,500, so that's why I'm thinking $1,500 sounds high for a six year old machine. No idea what kind of usage it has seen though.

I am not sure how a small dealer can just order other brands of mowers... is he getting them from other dealers and reselling them somehow? For me to carry a brand of equipment it cost over $50,000 per line for parts and equipment to start up. It is not something you just order one or two in. I would check this out a little before buying as this does not sound legit.