Commercial WB or Z-Turn?

[LGYardService]

Hey guys! Just gettin another one of my ?'s in. Anyways, I'm looking to buy a new commercial grade walk behind or zero turn. To be honest, all I use right now are are commercial 21" trim mowers. This is the time of the year to get a he@$ of a deal on lawn equiptment from my local retailer. So my question is, Should i get a nice, wide walk behind or a small,compact zero? As far as brands go, I want commercial duribility but inexpensive price, Toro as been my prime but idk. I'm on a budget and just don't know if I can afford one. PLEASE help! Thanks!

__________________
15 year old teenager in the business!

Luke Gilbert
LG Yard Services
Casper, WY


http://www.lgyardservice.com/index.html

Lawn care business tips

What kind of budget are you in? WB are a lot less expensive then z-turns. But I am sure you are now aware. Have you looked into brands besides Toro? What sized properties do you currently have, and do you plan on expanding to larger lots?

[LGYardService]

Thanks ritchiem for responding. Well, right now I am servicing mid size yards but my 21" are beginning to get a little small. I already have a commercial apartment complex that wants me to mow this upcoming season so I think i may need an upgrade lol. As far as brands, i don't really mind. I've looked at toro and john deere but I know i can get cheaper prices with other retailers. What do you think i should do? thanks!

Well first off a 36"-48" walkbehind mower (belt/gear/hydro driven) would be a nice addition for you. Once you get a lager deck size your productivity goes up and you can do more work in a day...so anything larger then your 21" deck will be nice. The walkbehind mowers still have the versatility of a push mower for getting into tight spaces and mowing berms however there still is the fatigue factor. If you are mowing say 20 lawns per day your legs may feel like jello. And that is where a Z-turn can save you time and energy. But they tend to cost a lot more. If I were you I would invest in a good mid-ranged walkbehind mower.

[StartALawnCareBusiness]

I'm with ritchie on this.

If you have a variety of styles of lawns a walkbehind will be the most versatile tool you can buy. They handle inclines, ditches, flats, tight spots, etc. like no other mower. I have nothing against Z's or riders but if I had my choice of 1 it would be a walkbehind everytime.

I will be demoing new mowers in the coming months so my opinion might change on toro's but here's how it stands right now...

I've always found Toro a bit light for my taste. I like a good heavy deck...made like a tank. When I accidently slam into a tree trunk, I don't want it to damage the metal. Also, light decks bounce around (even the floater decks) and cause uneven cuts on rough ground.

If you're going to skrimp on price, ditch things like hydro drive and auto start.

Don't try to save money on things like the motor, bearings, spindles, tranny. Those are the things that go wrong quickest so get the best quality you can.

Those are just a few thoughts off the top of my head. I'd love to hear comments from the pro-toro guys out there to help me change my mind.

Good luck with your expansion:

Keith

[LGYardService]

OK Thanks! I'm only 14 so you might have to bear with me on this.... what is the differrence between hydro, belt, and gear driven walk behinds. And yes I think a walk behind is a much better choice now that i think about it. So what other types and brands do you think would work for me? Thanks!!!

Heres my addition into the mix. http://betteroutdoorproducts.com/

this is what I will be getting, if things go well, next year.

[LGYardService]

hey those Better walk behinds look really great. I'm really interested in them. I think the original,
Quick 36 Super Fox™ Hydrostatic Commercial Lawn Mower, is kinda like Toro's 30984 15 HP, 36" TURBO FORCE, Pistol Grips.

The price in't even close and I like the idea of free shipping.
Do you think being that lightweight is good? Like Keith said, too light might make it bounce up and down for a uneven cut. But it could also be great for menuvering and loading. IDK Help me out! thanks

Here's a pic of each of them

[LGYardService]

#2

[Steve]

Luke do any of your local dealers have these mowers? Could you demo a heavier one and then a lighter one?