Looking for a 30

[Mowingman]

I need to get a mower that will fit through a 34"-35" (actual width) gate opening. I know Toro and Bobcat have 32" commercial wb mowers, but I would like something designed more like a regular 21" mower. Anyone got any suggestions?

[dmk395]

Troy-bilt makes a nice, solid 33" machine. It runs for about $1500, but fits through any gate I have come across, and it makes for a good backup machine.

[bob]

Stealth 33"

[65hoss]

Your going to spend that kind of money for 1 customer????

[Mowingman]

65hoss,
I actually have 6 yards with these darn narrow gates.Once through the gate I am faced with a fairly large backyard in each case.Yard size might average say 100'X30' approx.

[65hoss]

Ok!
I tested the Stealth last year at the Louisville expo. They seem to be ok, but it would be hard to find a dealer to work on. Also, I wasn't impressed with the fact that none of the factory guys could speak english. I would probably look into the troy-built. I've seen serveral of them around and they cut good.

[BigEd]

I can get my 36"Toro through gates of that size and its not hard at all.

[JLC]

Yazoo used to make a 30 inch single blade with I believe an 8 horse.

[Mowingman]

BigEd,
How in the heck do you get a 36"+ width mower through a 34" gate. My gates are next to the house so you can't go at an angle. you have to go straight through!

[lawnman_scott]

is your 36" mower a ghost? does it just go through walls?

[Mark]

You can purchase the troy=built for 1399 pull-start or1499 elec-start.Only thing is they come with that 9.5 Briggs IC and its not full-pressure lube. The Stealth has the Kaw engine and blade tip speed of 18500fpm but hoss was right about the parts you never know what kind of service you would get. The troy look good and has a three yr warranty. Marks Mowing Service

[Wayne Offiler]

I know Craftsman is a dirty word here, but they sell the Troybilt 33, painted green, with a Tecumseh rather than the Briggs. Last I saw, it was $ 1099.

[turfquip]

Change your thinking and buy yourself a 32" commercial walk behind. It will last longer, work faster and be worth more at resale time.

[Mowman]

Mowingman,

Snapper makes a 26" w single blade. If you have alot of lawns with narrow gates I would look into a Exmark or Toro 32". It's like Ed from turfquip stated, it will last longer and offer better resale or trade in.
Good Luck,
Mowman

[TLS]

If these customers are good, why not suggest that this year, rather than a rate hike (various reasons), why not have your fence gates enlarged to a nice 4' gate. Maybe you could do it yourself or suggest a fence guy that you could work a deal with. I just steer clear of gated yards with pools and such. Two of mine have 8'gates, they were smart. They also have over 3/4 of an acre fenced in. There is also the "sorry, I cant service your lawn anymore due to the gate size" idea!

[dmk395]

Wayne,

You are right about the Craftsman mower, but its still not the same machine as the Troybilt. First the engines are slightly different, but the biggest difference is in there design. The Craftsman while a few hundred dollars less lacks, belt cards and handle supports. I had the Craftsman a few years back and not only did the drive belt pop off all the time, but the handle bars actually ripped right off the machine! The Craftsman is a similar machine, but alot of corners were cut. If I were to do it all over again, I would have bought the Troybilt first (currently I own both the Craftsman and the Troybilt).

[plow kid]

it takes 2 people to get a 48" thru but anybody should be able to get a 36" wb mower on 1 back wheel and drive it thru
same thing with a 48" wb , but those are too heavy for 1 person to manage.

I do it all the time.

We even managed to get a 52" wb mower thru a 36" gate oncehttp://www.unionturf.com/eek3.gif


[Edited by plow kid on 03-22-2001 at 12:49 PM]

[CMerLand]

Plowkid...

I knew that was the way you were going to say to get that mower through the gate. For years we've done that by lifting the mower up on one wheel and pivoting it through the gate. Was it easy??? Hell no!!! Do I recommend it?? Hell nooo!!!! Was the workers comp claim for the guy that burned his hand on the muffler doing this cheap?? Hell no!!!

Mowingman

I'm with Dixel on this one. Have them pay to enlarge the gate. Depending on the type of fence some are easier to do then others. We've changed out two chain link gates and one wooden one to allow our 48s thru. Have one of those new PVC gates to do just dont know enough about them yet.

Its safer, easier and doesnt require you to invest money in a machine that will sit 95% of the time. Once you explain that to the customers chances are they will be glad to switch out the gates.

CMerLand

[TLS]

What we have to do is EDUCATE the fencing industry. It should be illegal to install a 3' gate in yards bigger than say 500 sqft. I dont know why the fence guys dont push for bigger gates. It doesnt cost any more for say a 4' compared to a 32", yet you can charge the homeowner more for it.

Oh well, I'm done VENTING!!!

[awm]

long as im able thats what i would do.thing wont be just perfect all the time.THATS WHEN YOU MAKE SOMETHIN WORK

[Mowingman]

Thanks everyone for your input. I looked at the Troybilt today. It looks pretty good but has really cheap looking front caster wheels made of plastic. I don't think it will hold up long. I think I will go to plan B which is to spend more money and get a 32" Toro or Bobcat wb. My dealer sells both but I have not looked them over yet to decide which I like best.I can also use it as a backup in case my Walker ever breaks down.