Great Dane -VS- Exmark... which should I buy???

[jimsny]

Help!!! I am in need of a mower!!!
I am interested and test drove the new Exmark Turf Tracer HP 52" hydro 17hp Kaw with that New ECS grip system for $4,600. I also tested the Great Dane Scamper 52" 17hp Kaw for $4,000.
I had 2 prior exmarks (36" and a 48" both belt drive) and loved them. I went to a Snapper hydro which was a Lemon and Snaper just bought it back.

I can't decide which to pick. I have had positive experiences with the expark but I like some of the features of the Great Dane.

Which would you pick and why??? I need to get the mower in the next week as the dealers have promotional prices at their open houses.

[RYAN]

If you have had great success with the Exmarks then why would you change. Stick with what you know works. I run exmarks and they are great machines and would never change. I have heard good things about Great Danes but I would never change. You say you have had great success with Exmark then stay with Exmark

[dan35]

Hey It’s apples to oranges but I think I’m going to get me a new 72” Exmark In a couple weeks.

[KirbysLawn]

I bought the Scamper, liked the design, solid construction, and handles. No more NUMB hands!

[rdh]

im in your area. i have a 61"chariot dealers are fading out
(not selling)and hard to get parts.i have only seen a couple danes in use around here most lco have exmark &toro i wanted to get exmark but my dane was only $4995.00 had 25
hrs and full warrenty so i went with it .
jim clermont county equpment is the biggest and the best in our area that i know of they are great dirk marder the manager there is a good guy and they know what they the are talking about if you ask them ???s im glad i found them.







rdh

[npalomba]

Exmark seams to have a better overall package but don't forget dealer support! I don't have a local Exmark dealer and that's what I have do decide. If I am willing to make the trip for service and repair.

[65hoss]

I'm an eXmark guy, but the Dane's are great machines. The dealer here is to far and hard to deal with.

[lawman]

Let me say that I do love my Ex-mark equipment.

[syzer]

I tested both and thought they were both great machines. However there were a couple of tings I liked better about the Dane like the low height and controls so opted to go with it. Awesome machine I love it. Its really an opinion I think, but def. check them out.


Chris Pasko
Precision Landscaping

[Shack]

Exmak

[jimsny]

Thanks to all who have replied. Please keep the comments comming especially the specific and detailed ones.

Thanks

[Nathan]

I personally like the exmark, but it's all preference. BTW how was the ECS on the new exmark? I haven't had a chance to try it yet. This years purchase will either be one of the new models or a standard turf tracer. I guess it's about time to do some demo work.

[danlawnser]

I own a scamper and the little I have used it since I got it I really like it. I considered the Exmark but not for the price. The scamper seems to be well built. I would watch out for a first year design.

[jimsny]

Tell me more about the first year on the scamper W behind? How do I know it from the new ones? I will buy new and assume it would not be a first year unit but how do I know?

eXmark's ECS controlls are nice but I kinda don't like the opperator presence lever on the controls. It is the same as the old pistol grips and it somewhat digs into my bare hand. I usually wear padded - anti-vibration gloves which have a thick palm pad and absorb this thin but still present lever.

[danlawnser]

I meant that you really don't know how dependable a first year design is but with Exmark I would trust them in the fact that I know that they do a lot of research on things. Either would be a great machine. It doesn't matter with them because they haven't changed anything on the newer ones that I'm aware of. If you mulch the grass a lot go with the Exmark.

[jimsny]

The final decision: I choose to go with the 52" eXmark ECS over the great dane.

I test drove both on flat and loved teh GD. As soon as I got on a hill it became unrulley. I was able to run the exmark as fast as it would go on even the steepest of the hills I cut with NO problem. The GD got real goofy on hills. I really wanted the super surfer (the one you stand on) but it was the same as their walk behind.

GD is a solid machine and I still like it but I am a 1 man opperation and must be able to cut anything and the EX was able to do anything and everything. The EX handle bars also protruded from the unit more which gave me more leverage if the unit did slide on a hill. I was able to muscle it if needed. This is not possible on the GD

Nect, I liked the ease of tension on the GD handlebars but I had reduced security in the grip. THe EX has the handle bar in your palm and the lever at your finger tips which made it safer if I had to suddenly grab the unit. This is reversed on the GD. The lever is in yur palm and the fixed handlebar is at your finger tips. I mow as fast as I can on my 2 wheeled velki and get a little wild at times. when this happens I feel better and safer having the non moveable handlebar of the EX in my palm and not the control lever of the GD to grab on to which will only stear the unit further out of control when it gets wild on me.

I wish the GD base and lever were reversed like the snapper's loop stearing where the base is still in your palm and the control lever at your fingertips. If this were the case I would have given the GD more consideration.

Thanks for all your input