Why eXmark?

[mrac]

I'm a newbie to this board, and have a question for you folks. I have been shopping around for a new mower. I currently use a 21" Honda for my lawn which is just under an acre. My primary needs are to cut down the time it takes (currently 2.5 hours), improved quality of cut, and limited mntce.

I have used my neighbors 48" Scag belt and was obviously impressed in every regard. In my area, I have visited dealers for Scag, Exmark, Bobcat, Hustler, and Ferris. All of them appeared to be very knowledgeable and have service depts that were very reputable.

For the most part, I will be using my new unit for my own property, and occasionally for friends/neighbors, etc.

Exmark is very popular in this area with the local landscapers. While I do not plan on using my unit to the degree that they do, I obviously want something that will be durable, easy to use, and last a long time.

So, any suggestions for a walk behind???

Thanks to all!

[Travis Followell]

Get a ztr. A lot more fun to use, you'll get done faster, and you get to ride instead of walk or stand on a sulky. It would be more money but well worth it in my opinion.

[mcwlandscaping]

For only under and acre though, the regular maintenance and the overall greater cost of it would be too much and not worth it for that small of a property IMO. I would find a 48-52" WB Hydro and floating deck, put a double wheel sulky on it and youll be set. eXmark TTHP would probably work great in your application. Good luck. Just my .02

[Envy Lawn Service]

Personally, I don't think it matters a great deal about which brand when you are asking just 'in general' when all of your local dealers appear to be good. However, when it comes right down to it, if you are in a large area with a lot of professional landscapers, this is about the only time "what the Jones' have" is actually of much importance.

You said this yourself...

Exmark is very popular in this area with the local landscapers. While I do not plan on using my unit to the degree that they do, I obviously want something that will be durable, easy to use, and last a long time.

So, any suggestions for a walk behind???

Thanks to all!

So that should tell you something about the preferred dealer and machine in your area.


As for suggestions for a walkbehind... most of us have a bunch of suggestions.
So you will have to help us help you narrow things down a bit.

What's the budget?
What size cut?
How much power?
Will you want a sulky/velky so you don't have to walk?
How is your health?
What kind of condition are your arms/wrists/hands in?
Would you also be considering a rider if the price is close?

Anyways, everything eXmark makes in a 32" cut and above is durable, easy to use, and will last a long time.

[mrac]

Thanks for your responses. Very insightful. As for more specific info, here goes...

What's the budget? - Around 3k (ish).
What size cut? - 48", but would consider 36" also.
How much power? - Model specific, but I don't want to be undersized
Will you want a sulky/velky so you don't have to walk? - Walking is no problem, but may add on later.
How is your health? - Good (Don't mind walking behind a mower for a few hours...)
What kind of condition are your arms/wrists/hands in? - Good
Would you also be considering a rider if the price is close?[/I][/I] - Probably not primarily b/c of mntc, size, etc.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Well, I might be wrong, but I believe you can get a new eXmark Metro ECS w/15hp Kawasaki and a 48" without killing the budget. Visit your dealer and get a quote.

The only thing is that this will be a fixed deck gear drive machine with belts.
The exmark floating deck hydros are a lot more than that.

I know it's rude to suggest other options here in their forum, so I won't.
But if you want a hydro drive walkbehind, eXmark is not likely to get your business anyway at that budget.

So I will just say be sure you check your private messages for that info.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Well, if you need that info then post an e-mail address I can use or use the e-mail function here to send me one. I tried to send the info by private message, but I guess you haven't been a member long enough to have that privilage or you have selected NOT to recieve them.

[eXmark]

[QUOTE=Envy Lawn Service]Well, I might be wrong, but I believe you can get a new eXmark Metro ECS w/15hp Kawasaki and a 48" without killing the budget. Visit your dealer and get a quote.

The only thing is that this will be a fixed deck gear drive machine with belts.
The exmark floating deck hydros are a lot more than that.

QUOTE]
Envy is correct on the Metro ECS w/15hp Kaw and 48" deck..$3,000.
The fixed deck hydros 48" Viking with 15hp Kaw and ECS ...$4600.
Thanks for your interest in Exmark.
Brian

[BENTLEY'S]

MRAC
If your budget is only $3000.00 get the Metro!
It will last you the rest of your life if you are only doing your own home. It will cut your time from 2.5 hours to 40 minutes. Talk to your dealer. He may throw in a sulky to close the sale.

Bentley's

[mrac]

Thanks.

Just curious...what would a 36" Hydro (Viking) go for, approx? Wondering if it's anywhere near the 48" Metro gear drive.

Thanks again!



[QUOTE=Envy Lawn Service]Well, I might be wrong, but I believe you can get a new eXmark Metro ECS w/15hp Kawasaki and a 48" without killing the budget. Visit your dealer and get a quote.

The only thing is that this will be a fixed deck gear drive machine with belts.
The exmark floating deck hydros are a lot more than that.

QUOTE]
Envy is correct on the Metro ECS w/15hp Kaw and 48" deck..$3,000.
The fixed deck hydros 48" Viking with 15hp Kaw and ECS ...$4600.
Thanks for your interest in Exmark.
Brian

[eXmark]

The 36" Viking Hydro would be around $4400. A few hundred cheaper than the 48" Viking Hydro.
Thanks for your inquiry.
Brian

[mrac]

Thanks Brian.

Has Exmark given any thought to manufacturing a model(s) for homeowners like me that want to get the job done quickly, and have the professional look? Time is number one with me, with appearance a close second. I can handle the mntce stuff. I'm just a Marketing guy, but in my opinion, there is a considerable opportunity between the 1.5-2.5k$ sit down lawn tractors, etc. market, and the types that are discussed in this forum.

Thanks again Brian!

[mulcahy mowing]

look at the laser ct

[J&R Landscaping]

I know this may be an exmark chat area and I am aware of the quality of the machine. I own a 36"metro and a 52"Viking. I would say for home owner use a belt drive would be the only way to go. I use the belt drive mowers commercialloy and my 3 belt drive mowers get about 32-38 hours of use a week and I am still only replacing belts usuall once a season. They hold up great!
Anyway, you said one of your local dealers was a BOBCAT dealer and if thats the case, I would consider them!
I was employed at a bobcat dealer for 6 years and just resigned to focus more on my own company. The bobcat classic line of machines is a tough but economical way of getting the job done. The dealership I worked at would sell many of these machines to homeowners, light duty landscapers or landscapers who needed a high quality back up unit at a lower price. Since your budget is around 3K, you should be able to get a 48" classic with either a 15hp kohler or briggs, and a bagger for like 26-2800. (price will prob vary by dealer and area but that is a ballpark fig from my dealership in southeast Pa)
The unit with the kohler engine is a bit more epensive but its only $200. more than the briggs engine. They also make the classics in the 36" model with the same engines and hp ratings. All of the classic units are belt drive machines! I have a 48" with the briggs that gets used about 25 hours a week and i have had no problem with it.

http://www.bobcatturf.com/products/walk-behind/classic/index.html

That will bring you to the spec page for them! The main page is www.textronturf.com Talk to your dealer!! It doesn't have to be Exmark!!

Joe
J&R Lawn and Landscaping

[John Gamba]

Exmarks cut and accessories for there mowers are second to none. That why alot of landscapers in your area use them.

John

[mrac]

Thanks John.

I could be off base here, but I think I heard that you reside in CT. If that's correct, can you tell me which eXmark dealer(s) you have dealt with?

Thanks John!

[CutApproved]

If you were in NJ I'd sell you my bobcat, 48", 17hpKaw. for $2000
Its a WBH, belt driven. about 4 or 5 years old but not to look at it. I only used it for my yard .85acres and love it.. great cut giving you very nice lines.
It may be a little to much being it old,, but I used it as a home owner for the first 2 or 3 years so it only has about 250 maybe 300hrs on it. Oh and it comes with a two wheel sulky and grass catcher.