Buying First Commercial Mower-Rider or WB

[FiremanDud]

Whuts up guys, my question is I’m about to start my own Lawn Care Business and was wondering if it would by a good idea to purchase a Gravely PM34Z zero turn rider or a Scag Z-Cat 36 Zero turn rider. I know just from reading thought these threads that most of you recommend 36inch WB. But if you can buy one of these small compact riders that can easily get though standard fences why would you not invest in one to start out. It makes sense to me to by a rider because you can breeze threw yards without the cost of walking yards. Not to say I’m lazy buts just have not seen any post about this subject. Is there something I don't know about that it doesn't make sense? Please give me your opinion on this subject it would really help my decision in my purchase. Thank You FiremanDud

[DaveRave07]

Whuts up guys, my question is I’m about to start my own Lawn Care Business and was wondering if it would by a good idea to purchase a Gravely PM34Z zero turn rider or a Scag Z-Cat 36 Zero turn rider. I know just from reading thought these threads that most of you recommend 36inch WB. But if you can buy one of these small compact riders that can easily get though standard fences why would you not invest in one to start out. It makes sense to me to by a rider because you can breeze threw yards without the cost of walking yards. Not to say I’m lazy buts just have not seen any post about this subject. Is there something I don't know about that it doesn't make sense? Please give me your opinion on this subject it would really help my decision in my purchase. Thank You FiremanDud

I think the biggest reason that people buy a WB (and in my case a used WB) instead of the ZTR is because it is much cheaper. And if it is your first mower chances are you are just starting out and do not have a lot of accounts. If you do, then by all means go ahead and make the larger investment but my thinking was to keep my costs as low as possible to start out and when my used eXmark 48" begins to turn a profit for me (it wont take long) then I can expand into some better equipment.

My two cents would be if you've got the accounts and $ for a ZTR then do it but if not you should think about how much money it is going to save you if you went with something else.

[LB1234]

Let me start by saying everyone's situation is different so everyone's advice will be different.

We started out with a 48" hydro WB about 6 years ago. Purchased a 2nd one our second year in the biz. Just this year we purchased a 61" ZTR. However, we still kept BOTH the WB's cause there are still hills that the WB's can handle but the ZTR cannot.

I guess my point is, for a first mower, I would consider the versatility in a WB. IMHO, it can do everything a ZTR can and more. Obviously, the ZTR will excel in certain areas but overall the WB can do everything the ZTR can.

[Tn Lawn Man]

Whenever a I talk to a person wanting to get into the biz I almost always recommend a WB.

Walk behinds are very versatile. They can go anywhere.

They are cheaper.

IMO They are easier to work on.

And, whether you want to hear this or not, MOST (probably 90% or more) people don't last in the biz more than 18 months. It is a fact. It is great owning your own biz and being the boss, and being out in nature, BUT it all becomes old and routine after a while. The summer heat beats you down and dealing with customers can be very trying.

The average person cannot handle all of these things and they end up going back into the workforce as an employee.

So it is best to keep your investments small the first year. You can always get more equipment later. Don't rush things.

[FiremanDud]

Thanks for all your info so far. I see your point on sticking to a low cost budget from the start. I have a budget of 5k to 6k, so I think it's enough to get the 34Z Gravely and small 2cylce machines. I live in a good area of town so I thinks my chance are exellent for a buisness. When I call dealers they all steer me away from belt drive WB, they say you'll regret it in the end. If thats the case most WB hydros start of just as much as a rider if not a little less. I think I'm going down to look at them to get a chance to see for myself but thanks for your thoughts. I'll keep you updated. FiremanDud

[John Gamba]

Thanks for all your info so far. I see your point on sticking to a low cost budget from the start. I have a budget of 5k to 6k, so I think it's enough to get the 34Z Gravely and small 2cylce machines. I live in a good area of town so I thinks my chance are exellent for a buisness. When I call dealers they all steer me away from belt drive WB, they say you'll regret it in the end. If thats the case most WB hydros start of just as much as a rider if not a little less. I think I'm going down to look at them to get a chance to see for myself but thanks for your thoughts. I'll keep you updated. FiremanDud


Look at the gravely 34 rider. Do a search on it. If im correct there are no hills in Florida. You can pull things with a rider and alot more. I think they go for 4500.

John

[FiremanDud]

Yeah I'm going to look at them soon. I think it would be a wise choice on my part to get it. I already have 4 to 6 accounts lined up when I start in a few months.

[stevesmowing]

i'd look at something a little bigger than 34 or 36" if your accounts are .5 acre or more. I think I can cut faster with my 48" belt drive w/b than I could with a 34" ztr. You might want to look at used too, or dealers this time of year have lots of demo units they are selling this time of year.

[Cutter LLC]

lesco widetrack only 5400 dollars 60" 28hp generac and can't even touch that price with any other mower.

[FiremanDud]

Thanks stevesmowing for the insight but my problem is money. I only have 6k max to spend on everything from mower to 2 cycle equip. I do have a trailer but it's only 5 by 10. So I can only put limited equipment on it. The reason I'm so hooked on the 34Z is for one it's a rider and for two it's small enough to get through most gates. I live in florida so there's no slopes or hills. I think this would be a good first mower to start of with and if I start picking up accounts then I would get the big momma's. I'm getting estimate's for everything around 5.5K to 6K including hedge trimmers. What do you think? FiremanDud

[LB1234]

Look into dealers/companies that are offering no interest no payments for 6-12 months. Perhaps this would enable you to get a little more in your mower now (i.e. bigger engine size option) and pay for it later.

[FiremanDud]

Yeah Gravely has no intrest and no payment for 6 mths. and a 1.9 Fix Rate after that.

[Jordan River]

Hey Fireman, I would not purchase the 34z for one reason. I looked at purchasing either the 34z or a 1536 wb by Gravely with hydro and the new steering mechanism. I bought the wb. It can do more and is just as fast with a sulky added to it. Now, here's the real reason I replied to you...I bought the wrong machine. Either one would have been wrong. I should have taken the advice given me and bought a floating deck on my mower. Most lawns are not even. I have found that lawns that look good after a 21 inch mowing will not look good after a fixed deck mowing with a larger mower. The floating deck will help in this regard. I will be selling my 36 WB when this season is over and purchasing a floating deck mower...probably a 48 ZTR and a good push for any small areas. Just my .02...good luck with whatever you decide to go with. Oh, and buy a trailer with floating axles, tandem axle if you can!

[FiremanDud]

I don't know the reason for floating vs. fixed. But I think it has to do with hills and slopes, right? Here in Orlando, Fl there is hardly any houses with slopes in them. Most of the house were I live are 300k plus with flat landscape. I just went today to look at the 34Z and was very impressed with it. I get a lot of up and down opinions on the 34Z, some say its a great little mower to start off with and some say get a walk behind. I have done a lot of research about it and think I'm going to go with it. I would like to get two mowers but I only have 6K for everything. I'm already got two Est. for a 34Z, FS100R Trimmer, BR550 Blower, FC75 Edger, and HL100K Trimmer, for about 6K. I think that would be a good start, we have clients ready for are buisness as soon as we purshase the equip. How does that sound?

[FiremanDud]

HL 100K hedge trimmer- mistake

[Poppy]

I am planning to start next year. Getting my business plan, insurance, license, business name, web site, flyer's, credit card acceptance, Service Agreements and everything together over the winter. I was also planning to wait till the off season to shop ebay for a mower from guys who have either given up or just need the money. I have everything else new now except the trailer. You can find a nice selection of equipment on ebay right now but make sure you search within a reasonable distance of your area code or the delivery will not make it a good deal. I have been considering a 36" mower also since most of the yards here have fences and are well under a 1/4 acre. I have been looking at the Quick 36 Super Duty and I am impressed by the price as well as all of the good feedback from everyone that has one. I wrote to the company to ask if anyone was in my area that owned one and they hooked me up with a guy about an hour away. We have not gotten together yet, but he raves about it. He has even added an xm radio to it with wireless headset. I have been watching a lot of crews in the area and all the ones that do residential use walk behinds, no a single one uses riders. It seems like the WB are easier and faster to use. The guys here with the big 48" dual hydros make them seem like they are weightless and just floating over the lawn. You may want to check out the Quick 36 which is one of the sponsors here at the top of the page. Good luck to you.

[stboo6]

When I started this year...I bought a used 48" TTHP Exmark from a fireman..he had bought a package deal with rider and walkbehind..got a great deal on it..it will do anything a z will do..just maybe not as fast..lol..I agree with others to keep investment as low as possible for at least the first year..my .02

[Ron's Lawncare]

Thanks for all your info so far. I see your point on sticking to a low cost budget from the start. I have a budget of 5k to 6k, so I think it's enough to get the 34Z Gravely and small 2cylce machines. I live in a good area of town so I thinks my chance are exellent for a buisness. When I call dealers they all steer me away from belt drive WB, they say you'll regret it in the end. If thats the case most WB hydros start of just as much as a rider if not a little less. I think I'm going down to look at them to get a chance to see for myself but thanks for your thoughts. I'll keep you updated. FiremanDud



i fully agree,spend the extra $700-$1000 on a hydro unit.it's really nice going from foward to reverse without having to stop and shift.the hydros are much better on slopes than the belt drives are.



Ron

[LB1234]

I would highly recommend a hydro over a gear drive. IMO, it is much easier and faster than a gear drive, assuming your gear drive will be your primary mower.

Also, consider this. Not only is the up front cost of a hydro higher, the maintenanace (and god forbid repairs) are even more expensive. With the hydro comes hydro fluid and filters and regular maitenance intervals.

[Tn Lawn Man]

one last opinion before you buy.

Money is an issue.

And, look further down the road than this year.

IMO the ideal set up for a solo operation is 60" rider and a 34"wb. You get the best of both worlds.

I think that if you get a big walk behind or a small rider you will reget it.

Start with a 34" wb belt. It is cheaper and will get you started. And when you get more established you can add a nice rider to help with the bigger properties. This way you will not have to trade one in OR spend a lot of money on a small rider.

[FiremanDud]

I can get a used dixie chopper 50 inch deck 3 years old with 350 hrs on it and a belt drive gravley 36 W/B 3 years old for about 3.5K. Do you guys think this is a good deal or should I stick to new equipment?