ZTR recommendations? Lots of constraints...

[Rdelahunr]

Starting a lawn care business next summer and looking at a new ZTR. The dealer I will go through sells John Deere and Toro, but I'm definitely leaning towards the Toro. I like the Titan MX4880 but want to know if the MX is worth it over the ZX. My load will be around 6 (may do more) hours a day, four days a week with Friday for spillovers. I need to go with a 48" because my trailer is only 54" wide, and this mower takes up 52.5" in total (w/o chute) I believe. Looking for owners to throw their two cents in. Also, how many properties can I do in a day with those hours, how well does the mower stripe on its own, and should I mulch or side discharge everything? Thanks

[stevef1201]

Lawn care business tips

Figure out wha the narrowest thing you have to get through ie a walk gate. Buy the biggest you can afford, that will fit into the smallest area. DONT include two trees just 2 feet apart (trim them). I just got a new 50 inch ztr, and have a 36 inch ztr to get through gates. If I could afford a 72 inch wam and had a trailer to haul it then I wold have gotten it.

[dougcaskey]

Everyone here is going to tell you to buy what they have, Get an Exmark !! seriously though you need to use the biggest deck that you can to save time and make money, If money is not an issue then buy new but don't get in over your head and spend the next several years trying to get back out...There is no shame in starting with a good used mower and equipment..Good Luck...

[xandrew245x]

I would say buy a used commercial mower to start. I wish I would have. I would say go with exmark, or toro. There are a lot of used exmarks around here for sale.

[mark123]

Just don't get a 40" Turboforce.

[LawnBoy0311]

I suggest not getting a ZTR at all. If I could do it all over again, 10 mexicans armed each with push mowers will get the job done faster.


But the choice is yours.

[JLM]

48" Exmark Vantage you cant go wrong the best purchase ive ever made.

[dpld]

there are a lot of good choices for mowers out there but the bottom line is you need the best bang for the buck, especially when starting out.
parts are a big thing so it is usually good practice to stick with manufacturers that have dealers nearby.

i am convinced that for the most part outside of frame designs and deck designs they all use the same parts from motors, pumps and such that as long as you stick with a true commercial line you can't go wrong.
i am not saying they are all the same like a walker hydro system vs say exmark because they are two totally different animals but with the exception of walker every brand has a line of mowers that are similar and compete with the other brands line of mowers.

i always needed various sized mowers due to hills gates and wet area's and i never needed a push mower but i have had to own a couple 36 inch walk behinds for back yards.

i think it would be wise to get a couple used mowers instead of a new rider because even with a new one if it breaks and that is all you got then you are out of business until it is fixed so it is nice to have a back up.

i like the hydro walk behinds and with a sulke it is as good as a rider but yet nimble enough to use anywhere and they are also lighter then the riders.

if you are starting out you can find some great deals on used mowers that still have plenty of life left in them and you will get a better value being the first owner took the hit on depreciation.

in this business whether you are big or small you need as much equipment as you can muster and you would be better off if you had 3 walk behinds then one high end rider and with prices today you could just about buy three walk behinds for the cost of a rider.
i just don't like the thought of going to battle with one peice of equipment you always got to have back up.
if you got one string trimmer and it takes a dump on you midway through a job what do you do?
stuff always breaks on the job and it never breaks on the trailer and it is nice to be able to have the resources of when you go down on a peice of equipment you can still get the job and even the day done and it takes that pressure off.
starting out, i would rather have that option even if it meant i had to buy used equipment to achieve that result.
it is all baby steps and used equipment usually does not have a payment book to go with it and in the months we don't make money that is always a beautifull thing.

[Rdelahunr]

No mexicans in Minnesota, but my grandparents from AZ would definately agree with you. My current trailer is only big enough to hold one mower, so I will have to get one quality one. Due to size constraints, most commercial ZTRs are out of my reach (48" max). I can afford new (an MX4880, $6100 normal but because my dad is an important local figure and sells ads on his 9 radio stations to the dealer, I would pay $5500) because my only expenses are gas and equipment. No bills to pay, family to support, etc., because I'm still in high school.

[dougcaskey]

Originally Posted by Rdelahunr

No mexicans in Minnesota, but my grandparents from AZ would definately agree with you. My current trailer is only big enough to hold one mower, so I will have to get one quality one. Due to size constraints, most commercial ZTRs are out of my reach (48" max). I can afford new (an MX4880, $6100 normal but because my dad is an important local figure and sells ads on his 9 radio stations to the dealer, I would pay $5500) because my only expenses are gas and equipment. No bills to pay, family to support, etc., because I'm still in high school.

I would NOT limit the size of a new mower because my trailer is too small....Trailers are much cheaper than mowers are....Look around and get a trailer that doesn't limit you.....