Good 21-22in mower to start out with?

[Shark1611]

Originally Posted by mblack14 I love my exmark I wouldnt buy anything else. For just starting out buy what you think will work for you. Every person will have there own thing about everthing. Right now I have 3 exmark and they do a great job for me. This is my first year in doing this and I have 50 yards a week and the exmark is taking everthing a can throw at it. The commercial 21 x series is what I have and Love it. But it's going to be out of your price right now. Hey thanks for your help. I was looking at the s series but like you said maybe it is more than I need at this time. I just like the feel of the exmark.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Not real sure how someone could screw up "assembly" of a mower considering the only thing that needs "assembled" is the handle (at least on my Toro Super Recycler), but yeah, I avoided the box store models and got the SR4 from my Toro dealer. While not a commercial mower, it isn't sold in box stores (at least not here), and is built a little better than the standard Recycler models. There's just no way I could afford over a grand for a commercial push mower. A question for those who may know... Aside from "durability", in what way is a commercial Toro "better" than a Personal Pace Super Recycler? Do they go faster? (are they self propel? I assume they would be) Do they eat taller grass? Do they bag better? Do they MULCH?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

A question for those who may know...
Aside from "durability", in what way is a commercial Toro "better" than a Personal Pace Super Recycler?

Do they go faster? (are they self propel? I assume they would be)
Do they eat taller grass?
Do they bag better?
Do they MULCH?

For the commercial models, they usually don't require you to fill them up with gas per every lawn, which is awesome compared to mowers with small tanks. My commercial mower on a full tank can go through an entire days work without needing to be refilled.

Commercial mowers are tough in a sense that they can take on tall grass with more ease, and be used for long periods of time without error.

As for durability, commercial machines can take a beating - literally. I've had a homeowner models deck crack, handle snap, etc from just being in the trailer going over a few really pathetic bumps. A commercial mower can withstand quite a beating. I'm serious when I say that durability is important, the plastic decks homeowner models provide wont last more than half a week with me and I take care of my crap (sort of).


Continued...

It is easy to access parts on a commercial mower compared to a homeowner model. With a homeowner model, things are sometimes glued shut so that you cannot tamper with what's inside the machine without affecting your warranty - meaning you are screwed if something should go wrong and you attempt to fix it yourself.

Now I don't mean everything is easy to access, cleaning the underside of a commercial mower is a lot harder than a homeowner model. There are all sorts of nooks and crannies to keep you there for a good half hour or more! A homeowner model is so basic, it takes no time at all to unclog/clean.


ALSO,
You can use homeowner models on hills with ease, because of their light weight you have more control. Regardless if they are both self propelled (homeowner/commercial), you will be less tired using a homeowner model due to it's lighter weight.

Homeowner models are easier to move around if you are just starting out and have a pickup truck/car. It takes one person to move it without breaking a sweat. A commercial machine can weigh more than 100 pounds, so I really don't advise getting one unless you have a ramp/trailer or want a broken back.




I hope that has helped, I believe that they are both very useful depending on the job that needs to be done.












Extra:

No matter which one you choose, they both end up costing a lot of money.

If something breaks on the commercial model, it can cost close to what a homeowner machine would. THOUGH, a homeowner machine will break more often.... Tricky tricky....

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Shark1611

What push mower are you using? I like am looking at buying an eXmark or Toro.

I'm currently using a $1,500.00 machine along with the tractor.

When you spend that much money on a machine, don't mow over a brick.....


I have all my repair receipts, but just thinking I'm sure my $1,500.00 machine has costed me close to $1000 in repairs over the last 3 years.

The repairs on the homeowner model if I wasn't on time with the replacement warranties would have costed me approx $3500 in approx 1 year or less. I had hardly ever used it too, just trailer damage and ... plastic...






I farted.

[Shark1611]

Originally Posted by mblack14

I love my exmark I wouldnt buy anything else. For just starting out buy what you think will work for you. Every person will have there own thing about everthing. Right now I have 3 exmark and they do a great job for me. This is my first year in doing this and I have 50 yards a week and the exmark is taking everthing a can throw at it. The commercial 21 x series is what I have and Love it. But it's going to be out of your price right now.

I am so close to buying the x series exmark mower. I had a friend of mine who has been doing lawn care since the early 80s that states the Honda is by far the best mower he has ever had. He is using the HRC216HXA.

He did state that if I did buy the exmark to get the honda engine.

[Steve]

The repairs on the homeowner model if I wasn't on time with the replacement warranties would have costed me approx $3500 in approx 1 year or less.

What had to be replaced on that?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

What had to be replaced on that?

The entire lawn mower, every time.

Things weren't put together properly, and the screwy parts weren't accessible. I would have to literally break the seal of glue to get to anything, but if something cracks = warranty over. Glue... on a lawn mower... weird but fascinating.