Residential ztr for part time mowing

[w0283767]

I finally got my truck and have been getting some accounts pretty quickly. I have a husqvarba hu775h self propelled mower I'm using but it is so slow. I want to purchase a ztr but don't want to spend 5k if I don't have to. I like new because of warranty. I'm looking at the snapper 150Z 21hp 42" model. It's residential but I'm only going to be cutting around 20-25 lawns a week each approx quarter acre since this is only a part time gig for me. Will this mower hold up well since I am not going to be running it 5 days a week 8 hours a day. Specs here:http://m.snapper.com/zero-turn-mowers/150Z/7800621/#

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Last edited by w0283767; 08-02-2012 at 02:21 PM.

[xandrew245x]

Lawn care business tips

Remember if you get a commercial mower, you will get a better longer warranty, and they will probably have a 36 or 48 month interest free financing. If your serious about and think you will have a growing customer base, and their is room in your budget, i would go with a commercial mower.

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Carlisle Lawn Care

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

no, at best 2 years..

A residential mowers warranty is 150 hours. You can do that in less then a season. the warranty isnt worth a dime from most companies. youll get the we'll take care of it just bring it to our nearest service center ie across the country. This is another reason commercial is the way to go. You can bring it to any dealer

I put 1600 hours on one used machine and 200 on another without problems. My friend has went through 2 lowes cub cadets in the same time.

I really dont see what peoples problem with buying used is. You can buy a 10,000 mower for $2500. If the engine fails you can buy a new one for $1500. If the hydros fail $800 per side. Youll still spend less and have a longer lasting machine.

[wandfsmall]

a residential mower typically has no warranty or 90 days for commercial use. I would read the details before I buy. I always recommend commercial however the commercial guys running residential are more profitable as I see them weekly sometimes daily for parts sales.

[brian'slawncare]

bottom line is no. Residential is not meant for the heating and cooling like commercial. Residential will last you forever if you do maybe three lawns a week (assuming you take care of it. Some people can get 5,000 hours on a commercial. If you do the math, the commercial comes out cheaper in the long run. It also provides a better cut in my opinion. Just a stronger, more powerful engine that is meant for landscape professionals.

[LawnBoy0311]

of course everyone is going to say commercial. who wouldn't? they are the obvious better choice. reality is...some people typing remarks to your question have residential ztrs. what do they care? not their money! my advice, buy whats in budget for you. i have a resi mower, and after 2 months its paid off. or i could drop 10k+ on a "nice looking" commercial mower because thats what all the pro's use! and make monthly payments on a mower?! come on...its not a car or something you have to have right away. build your way up to it. no need to rush, save up and pay cash for a nice used one. some people post commercial ztr's for sale for a few thousand bucks with low hours. patience will pay off.

[w0283767]

Thanks for the input guys! I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and buy a commercial. I will let you know what I ultimately get.

[xandrew245x]

If you want a commercial zero turn but don't want to spend a fortune check out other mowers. You said you only had a little walk behind mower, do you really need a big zero turn.

You could look at a walk behind mower, or even a stand on, both are cheaper than a ztr. If you don't have lawns over an acre in size, you could use a walk behind with a sulky to haul you around.

[dougcaskey]

As I said before ...Don't over spend when getting started...Buy and use what you can afford without getting so far in debt that you will never get out...Buy equipment as you go and money is rolling in...Before you know it, you are set up pretty good....In the long run a commercial unit is the choice to make, when you can afford it...Look around find a used commercial unit that has been taken care of...

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by dougcaskey

As I said before ...Don't over spend when getting started...Buy and use what you can afford without getting so far in debt that you will never get out...Buy equipment as you go and money is rolling in...Before you know it, you are set up pretty good....In the long run a commercial unit is the choice to make, when you can afford it...Look around find a used commercial unit that has been taken care of...

My personal advice is look for a decent used commercial unit before buying residential they are that much better in quality. Another thing is I never recommend buying a consumer 2cycle for just a little more you can buy something that will last and have more power. But I do agree debt is the killer of a business in fact the guys that fall from the drought this year will mostly be from debt as to dealerships and cutters alike.