New and wanting advice!

[Cimarron Landscape]

Hi
First post here on the forum.
I'm starting up a lawn business here in central Texas, I've been mowing lawns for 4 years, but now it's time to get serious. I've looked at different mowers on and off, but don't know exactly what to look for.
I'll be mowing 1/4-3/4 acre yards, with the majority being 1/2 acre. I need some advice regarding what brand mower to go with. I'm leaning towards Exmark, but don't know for sure. I'm looking for a midsize walkbehind that I can use a sulky with, preferebly hydraulic drive. What price range am I looking at? Is this a bad idea for a new business? What size deck do you reccomend? Basically I would like to glean from the advice of you that have been doing this for a long time, and learn the best way to start, so I don't fall flat on my face :rolleyes: .
Thanks for your time.
~Brian
BTW, Searched on this, couldn't find much.

[Cimarron Landscape]

oops, didn't realize there was a section for us newbies :blush: Thanks Mods! :)
~Brian

[Toy2]

Toro and Exmark are made by the same company....I got a 36" Toro WB, belt drive, paid 2300.00 new...it does what it needs to...I really should have picked up a 34 Rider for what I have....but I did not have my yards lined up first....welcome to LawnSite...it has great info..

[HOOLIE]

Cimarron- Best thing as far as equipment choice is to demo different mowers from a dealer. Most dealers carry only certain brands of equipment...you'll probably want to deal with someone close to you, don't want to drive 2 hours to pick up parts or for repairs. Asking what brands are best, you'll get a million different opinions, better to try some out for yourself.

Generally, the bigger the deck size, the better and faster, just keep in mind you will probably have to fit thru some fence gates, so if you can only afford one machine you'll have to take this into account.

I paid $2300 for an Exmark Metro (belt drive) and $3650 for an Exmark Viking (hydro) for some ballpark prices.

[Sweetwater]

Cimarron- Just picked up full size turf tracer 52/23 (demo) for 5300.00 (100 hrs). Turf Tracer HP is very nice and a bit shorter around 5K. Whatever you select from Exmark WBs, make sure you get the ECS...it is awesome! If I were to begin againa, all new, I would not do gear drives again. Local dealer has 48" viking (15hp?) for 3800.00

[Cimarron Landscape]

Should I go with 36" or 48" deck? I'll need to get inside gates, etc...have any of yall had problems with the 48?
Basically, I have $3000 to spend. I want to get the nicest I can. Hydro preferebly. I have a honda 215HD HX that I'm considering selling. It's $950 new, and it has a maximum of 300 hrs on it...probably closer to 200. I don't like it because it's slow, maximum of 3 mph. I do like it for having a REALLY smooth cut...do yall reccomend selling it? Also, how much do you think it is worth?
Thanks for the help
~Brian

[daveintoledo]

they wont let him demo anything, he is 16 and in "BUSINESS" for 4 years?????,

[Cimarron Landscape]

yalp...like I said, starting to get serious now. No, 4 years is not how long I've mowed my own yard. Its IN BUSINESS!!!
sheesh. :rolleyes:
As for demoing: ever heard of parents? I assume you had some at some point. ;) around here the dealers don't care much about age. Also, it's like a knife. You can look at if if you parent is nearby.
~Brian

[Cimarron Landscape]

I'm new to doing this on a large-scale, and just learning ya'lls teminology. By demo, do you mean you're takin it home for a week or something? I'm assuming you mean at the dealer. If it's taking it home, still easy. Put it in my dad's name.
~Brian

[daveintoledo]

you cant be in business, your a minor, you cant be in business till your 18, till then, well you know what its called....

dont mean to sound like a jerk, but you have to realize there are grown men and women trying to make a living at this, not making video game money so some may get irritated, i am sorry if i came on strong...

we are losing jobs that pay 25 a yard to kids mowing them for 5 bucks....

get insurance and legal, and good luck, hope your successful

[Cimarron Landscape]

you cant be in business, your a minor, you cant be in business till your 18, till then, well you know what its called....

dont mean to sound like a jerk, but you have to realize there are grown men and women trying to make a living at this, not making video game money so some may get irritated, i am sorry if i came on strong...

we are losing jobs that pay 25 a yard to kids mowing them for 5 bucks....

get insurance and legal, and good luck, hope your successful

You're in ohio. I'm in Texas. Don't claim to know the laws here unless you have researched them thoroughly. As far as I know, insurance is not required. If I'm wrong, my apologies, I'll go about that ASAP. As for now, it's on the back burner until my customer base supports it.
Video games....don't play em.
Money...it's for college. Might be a good Idea to have a sound education, as compared to some....
You argue: 'grown men and women trying to make a living' ah, so since I may be taking some of the market away, I shouldn't do this....get real :rolleyes: that is an illogical argument.
'kids that mow them at 5 bucks' I don't mow for 5 bucks. I do some of the best work around. I'm not an idiot. I've attended a few courses and am now looking into trying to get master gardeners certification....My minimum mow is $40. Can't say I'm a lowballer...not good quality? why does my phone keep ringing?

I take it you don't like the idea of a competent 16 yr. old competing at an equal level?
Just looked into getting my nurserymans licence today. I'll be getting a tax ID filed under my parents name this month, and hopefully have that Licence by the end of June. I'll be in business OFFICIALLY then...what do you require to be qualified as in business? geez. Next it's going to be an amount you have to make in order to be 'qualified'. I've mowed other's lawns and done landscaping for 4 years prior to this for a profit. I think that suffices to put 4 in the stupid box.

I'd reconsider putting me at a lower level than yourself and others in the business, just based on my age. there's a lot more to being an LCO than your age, sex, race, etc.

'sorry if I came on strong' A real apology would be appreciated. Otherwise, pick on someone your own (small) size...you'll have time enough later for me.

Didn't realize there was an age limit to be an LCO. ;)
~Brian

[Cimarron Landscape]

I see now.
You're jealous because I started when I was 12 and have more experience than you, who just started this year. Unless you have a degree in agriculture, or have more experience than you say, back off. I didn't ask for advice from newbies. I requested it from the guys with a bunch of experience. It gets frustrating when a newbie starts telling someone else how to run their business, or to shut down their business, just becuase they feel they can.
'nuff said.
~Brian

[pagefault]

Young people make old people cranky.

I've found that the gates on most of the wooden privacy fences in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, etc are a tight fit for a 36", even with a mulch kit and no discharge chute. I would not get a 48" if I were you.

Insurance is not required by law, that I know of. It just helps to keep you from getting screwed if something happens, like property damage or injury. If, God forbid, someone got hurt by your equipment, you could be sued for millions. If your parents are involved in your business, they would be sued too. Insurance can mitigate that.

Luckily, you live in Texas, so you don't have to take any **** from everyone for shoveling driveways in the winter too. :rolleyes:

Hell, you probably advertise in the same neighborhoods I do and I'm not all bent out of shape. I can't imagine how you could be bothering someone in Ohio. If I lived in Ohio, I'd be complaining that there are too many beautiful women between Austin and San Antonio and not enough between Columbus and Detroit.

[Cimarron Landscape]

thanks pagefault...made my bad day good :) .
Thought so about the insurance. I'm aware of the risks, and I'll be buying insurance as soon as my customer base supports it. Thanks too for replying, even though you are nearby! I appreciate it.

Well, that narrows it down to a 36" deck, now for the brand. I was looking at gravely, I like them, how do they compare to exmark?
I understand Exmark and toro are the same company, but isn't it like ones the contractor, heavy duty brand, and the other is the cheaper, homeoner brand?
If they are very comperable, I'll see about demoing a toro soon.
How does Ferris compare to Exmark? I seem to hear that it's a step down, not positive.
Again, what do yall suggest for 3k?
just something else to toss in to make things more interesting:
I currently operate using a 4x8 trailer and my '88 Astro van. I want a bigger trailer of course, preferebly a 16'. My dad doesn't think the van will pull that with a load of compost, etc. Therefore, I'll have to buy an old truck along with the trailer. My question:
Should I save more and get the Truck and Trailer so I can get larger landscape jobs, or should I get the mower so I can mow more lawns and save faster for the truck?
tradeoffs....
Thanks a bunch,
~Brian

[pagefault]

I'm having some problems with my Exmark, at the moment. I'll have to see what I think when they are resolved.

If you have $3000 for a mower, you've got $2300 for a mower and $700 for insurance. I would not wait, if I were you.

[Cimarron Landscape]

I may be able to do that, since I'm looking at used mowers. Any excess will go into insurance.
just found a '99 scag fixed 36" deck belt drive for sale. It was used commercially, haven't seen it yet. They're asking $1200
Aslo found an '02 gravely pro 1336. It was not used commercially, just 2 corner lots he says, and they're asking $1800. It's a belt drive also.
I like them, except for the part about belt drive. That's why they're so inexpensive, comparatively. Heard various things about running a sulky on a belt drive, not sure. I'm scheduling a drop by various dealers in my area to demo the different brands. hope to have one by the end of June. We'll see.
Do these deals look worth checking into, or not? Thanks.
~Brian

[stumper1620]

I may be able to do that, since I'm looking at used mowers. Any excess will go into insurance.
just found a '99 scag fixed 36" deck belt drive for sale. It was used commercially, haven't seen it yet. They're asking $1200
Aslo found an '02 gravely pro 1336. It was not used commercially, just 2 corner lots he says, and they're asking $1800. It's a belt drive also.
I like them, except for the part about belt drive. That's why they're so inexpensive, comparatively. Heard various things about running a sulky on a belt drive, not sure. I'm scheduling a drop by various dealers in my area to demo the different brands. hope to have one by the end of June. We'll see.
Do these deals look worth checking into, or not? Thanks.
~Brian
I have a JD GS 30, thats a 36 in. belt drive WB with a sulky, for the few areas i need a WB like inside gates, 36 fits thru the gates perfect, belt drive has never given me a problem of slipping or anything with the sulky.
but my suggestion is, you have a very good walk behind that could be used in the fences, so I would look at a ztr for the speed and comfort on the wide open areas, you may come out ahead so much by cutting the large areas with the ztr that the slow WB wouldn't hurt productivity that bad and then you could upgrade to a larger WB later. JMO

[GrassMasterNC]

Buda? San Marcos? Right on! I used to flyfish the blanco and guadalupe by day and chase the gals at SWT by night! God's Country! Out here in NC now, but the wife is all about getting back that way to build a vacation home and eat some REAL BBQ in a few years! Stick to your guns - I wish I started this business that young! Look at the top of the thread for do's and don't for the new guy - lots of good (and funny) gouge in it!

Take care, good luck, and welcome aboard!

Matt

[pagefault]

Buda? San Marcos? Right on! I used to flyfish the blanco and guadalupe by day and chase the gals at SWT by night! ...

I wish I started this business that young!


Hell, I'm older than you are. When were you here?

I moved back to Connecticut after I was here for a year and a half, because I thought I was homesick. I was gone for about a month before I REALLY found out what homesick is. I got back down here as fast as I could and I never looked back.

[Cimarron Landscape]

thanks for the support grassmaster! :)
Yeah, workin on tryin to fly fish down there... it's nice :cool:
I like the idea stumper, but the money just isn't there. I could buy a cheap Toro ztr at Home Depot for 3k, but it's not exactly the quality I want I don't think. If I were to buy one, I'd get something like a ferris floating deck or a snapper. I want to shoot for something I can get this summer, and pay cash. I operate and plan to always operate on a no-debt basis. If you think I could find a good ztr for 3000 or less, I'll start lookin, but for now I'll keep my eye on a WB. Thanks for the alternative option! :)
~Brian

[GrassMasterNC]

I was raised in Texas - did most of my growing up in Killeen (Harker Heights)...yeah, I was a Kangaroo! My brother-in-law guides for trout on the guadalupe and does drift trips down the Blanco as well. The last time I was in Wimberley was Thanksgiving 2001. Lived in Rockport on the coast from 98-2001...best damned duck and goose hunting in the world! Look up my brother-in-law if you are ever up for an awesome day of fishing either on the river or hitting the reds on the coast! www.flyfishingtexas.com (Capt Scott Graham)

Keep in touch ya'll!

Matt

[daveintoledo]

I see now.
You're jealous because I started when I was 12 and have more experience than you, who just started this year. Unless you have a degree in agriculture, or have more experience than you say, back off. I didn't ask for advice from newbies. I requested it from the guys with a bunch of experience. It gets frustrating when a newbie starts telling someone else how to run their business, or to shut down their business, just becuase they feel they can.
'nuff said.
~Brian

JEALOUS????

i did offer you a sincere apoligy,
:) i said i came on too strong and i ment it..... so i apoligised, as far as insurance goes, good luck hope there are no accidents......

as far as my experience goes, i have a bachlor of arts degree, a masters in business managment, and worked my way through college doing landscaping for 10 years.....

this is a business venture, like i said, i shouldnt have taken my frustration out.... assuming you where below market prices...

and i ment good luck and success....said it and ment it..... :waving:

[Cimarron Landscape]

Ok, thanks. Misunderstood with the context.
My apologies, my responses were out of hand.
I must ask though, if you have 10 years of experience as a landscaper, why not say so in your profile?
Again, I apologize, those things I said should not have been said under any circumstances.
~Brian

[daveintoledo]

hey we all get out of hand, mostly me....hahahhaahh

this is my first time out on my own so i thought it proper to list as a new business......maybe i should rethink that concept too, i tend to over analize stuff?????

you are a intelligent young man and you will do well.... :drinkup:

[daveintoledo]

Young people make old people cranky.

I've found that the gates on most of the wooden privacy fences in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, etc are a tight fit for a 36", even with a mulch kit and no discharge chute. I would not get a 48" if I were you.

Insurance is not required by law, that I know of. It just helps to keep you from getting screwed if something happens, like property damage or injury. If, God forbid, someone got hurt by your equipment, you could be sued for millions. If your parents are involved in your business, they would be sued too. Insurance can mitigate that.

Luckily, you live in Texas, so you don't have to take any **** from everyone for shoveling driveways in the winter too. :rolleyes:

Hell, you probably advertise in the same neighborhoods I do and I'm not all bent out of shape. I can't imagine how you could be bothering someone in Ohio. If I lived in Ohio, I'd be complaining that there are too many beautiful women between Austin and San Antonio and not enough between Columbus and Detroit.

when your right and im wrong, ill stand up and admitt it. sorry....
and boy are you especially right about the women, i dont care if its a cliche

best lookin women ive ever seen have all been from texas......and out of there jeans
:angel:

[SoloMow]

thanks pagefault...made my bad day good :) .
Thought so about the insurance. I'm aware of the risks, and I'll be buying insurance as soon as my customer base supports it. Thanks too for replying, even though you are nearby! I appreciate it.

Well, that narrows it down to a 36" deck, now for the brand. I was looking at gravely, I like them, how do they compare to exmark?
I understand Exmark and toro are the same company, but isn't it like ones the contractor, heavy duty brand, and the other is the cheaper, homeoner brand?
If they are very comperable, I'll see about demoing a toro soon.
How does Ferris compare to Exmark? I seem to hear that it's a step down, not positive.
Again, what do yall suggest for 3k?
just something else to toss in to make things more interesting:
I currently operate using a 4x8 trailer and my '88 Astro van. I want a bigger trailer of course, preferebly a 16'. My dad doesn't think the van will pull that with a load of compost, etc. Therefore, I'll have to buy an old truck along with the trailer. My question:
Should I save more and get the Truck and Trailer so I can get larger landscape jobs, or should I get the mower so I can mow more lawns and save faster for the truck?
tradeoffs....
Thanks a bunch,
~Brian

Brian,
Don't wait too long for liability insurance. That next rock or metal object in the grass could cost you or your parents for decades! Don't allow your business and future to be consumed in a courtroom. :cool: