16' vs 18' Isuzu

[Tadams]

This is for the guys that run Isuzu trucks: I am lookig at getting an Isuzu box truck and I am leaning towards the 16 footer but an 18 footer would be even better. I went and test drove the 16' and it is an amazing truck! Well, I asked a friend of mine who runs one and he said that the 18' is on a longer wheel base and does not turn as sharp as the 16'. Can anyone verify this? I could live with a 16' but if they turn and handle the same I would be a dummy not to get the 18'. I will be putting a 60" lazer w/ UV, 48" WB, 2 push mowers, all the 2 stroke stuff, ladders, small generator ( or inverter ) & air compressor, porta pot, work bench, toolbox, & anything else I can fit in there. I will be adding a 36" WB in the spring. I assume all this will in there but you know what happens when you assume something : blob2:

[Viseras lawn service]

i would go with the 18 foot. you can never have enough space.

we are considering buying an 18 foot flatbed with beavertail, and they say we can fit 2 60'' Z's and 1 48 WB, + all 2 cycle stuff, push mower, push blower etc. Box trucks are very nice for winterstorage and keeping equiptment out of the rain.

we have one 14 foot boxtruck and we can only fit 1 Z and 1 WB + all the other stuff mentioned, but in the winter all 5 pushblowers, 3 WB mowers and most 2 cycle stuff is stored inside and it is locked up nice and tight.

another advantage is it became a HUGE billboard driving around town. consider getting it lettered up very nicely.

As for the turning radius, i cant see that it would change it a whole lot, and unless you are mowing in really tight areas, it shouldent matter that much. either way its better than a big truck + trailer, which includes all the headaches of loading/unloading, and the learning curve to drive the rig.

[Lawnworks]

I think you will need the 18 ft for the portapoty and workbench. I think a 16 ft would accomodate everything else.

[rfed32]

thats a lot of stuff and ull prob. get more go with the 18footer hands down...whats the deal with the pot???

[Tadams]

thats a lot of stuff and ull prob. get more go with the 18footer hands down...whats the deal with the pot???


Ya never know when ya have to go :confused:

[Tadams]

Lawnworks, I've seen your NPR and it looks nice! How long is your truck? Do you have any problems accessing your trimmers & blowers? Do you load the mowers up and then get the trimmers out or do you leave the mowers outside and then get the trimmers and load the mowers up after you have finished and ready to leave? Have you had any problems loading the mowers with the ramp? Sorry for all the questions but this is a big decision that I have to make and I want to make sure that I have all the information. Thanks.

[Lawnworks]

Lawnworks, I've seen your NPR and it looks nice! How long is your truck? Do you have any problems accessing your trimmers & blowers? Do you load the mowers up and then get the trimmers out or do you leave the mowers outside and then get the trimmers and load the mowers up after you have finished and ready to leave? Have you had any problems loading the mowers with the ramp? Sorry for all the questions but this is a big decision that I have to make and I want to make sure that I have all the information. Thanks.

My truck has a 16ft box and a 4ft dovetail. My next truck will be a 12ft or 14ft. I like where our trimmers racks are and I think it works pretty well. The trimmers are accessible when the mower is in the prolocker, so wheneveryone is done w/ what they are using they just put it back. There is no certain order. I don't have any problems loading up any of the mowers or even dingos, small skid steers etc.

I would not want a 18 ft box plus a 4ft dovetail... no way. I would probably rethink the potty and work bench. We have no use for a potty in the truck, if we do, our jumbo cup from lunch usually does the trick. I also think it would be more productive to have ample equipment so you never need to work on equipment while your employees are on the clock. I even think you could probably get away w/ a 14ft for 1 48", 1 36", and a 60".

Our Dodge w/ a landscape bed is by far the most efficient vehicle I have. It has a 9' deck and a 4' dovetail and we fit a 36" and a 60" on it.

[Victor]

Before I bought my 16 footer Todd, I considered buying an 18 footer. After some soul searching, I decided that a 16 footer would have all the room I needed for what I wanted to do. For some outfits, the 18 would be better. I guess, it all comes down to what a guy is going to want to carry with him. I'll bet a 16 could carry everything you mentioned (except the work bench (I took the workbench out of my truck)). The smaller items like a camp-style portolet, generator and other smaller things would easily fit in the storage cabinet I made. My blower racks are on one wall and my trimmer rack is on the other wall. Inside the cabinet is seperate storage slots for several sets of blades, storage compartments for oil and fluids etc.. You could store your ladder on the ceiling. This should give you an idea of how much stuff you can fit in a 16, if it's layout is well thought out. With that said, depending on how big you plan on getting, an 18 footer might be better for you. Only you know the answer to that question Buddy.

I think you're definitely making the right choice by going with a box truck though. If I was going to keep mowing, I'd definitely keep the truck. It makes mowing so much easier. I'm converting over to fert/apps, so I won't need a truck to haul my mowing equipment around in anymore. I've always had plenty of room for everything I wanted to take with me. But that's just me though. My truck has 12 foot Handy Rams on it, instead of a beaver tail, so I don't have to worry about excessive rear end swing. For some people, rear end swing is an issue. Others don't seem to mind.

Vic

[Victor]

Here's a pic of the trimmer rack and eye wash station side of the truck Todd. This pic was taken before I built and installed the cabinet.

Vic

[Lawnworks]

How much are you asking?

[Tadams]

Thanks for the replies Lawnworks & Vic. I've looked at both of your set-ups many times while I have been deciding on this purchase. What size Lazer is that, Vic? I have a 60" that is my main mower and it will be loaded last since I use it the most. The trimmers will be on the same side as yours with the blowers on the drivers side like yours but I will see if I can fit them on top of each other so I don't have to go that far into the box to get them. Do you have any trouble walking around the mowers to get to the front of the trailer or getting the trimmers/blowers? Did it get to be a pain walking up and down the ramp to get everything? Sorry about the questions but I really like these trucks and I don't want to make a bad decision.

Lawnworks, I like the open landscape trucks but I need to be able to keep the equipment out of the weather and it wouldn't fit in my garage. I also love the idea of a rolling billboard!

Hey Vic, right now there is just one employee and me so I think that a 16" might do the trick. Is your truck for sale? How much do you want for it? E-mail me at tadams426@yahoo.com with your number if you want to sell it. Thanks guys.

[Viseras lawn service]

mow much space is left in that 16 ft after you put the lazer and walkbehind in there? Not enough for another mower right?

[Tadams]

Well, I've got a 60" lazer, 48" WB, & 2 push mowers. I usually only take one push mower but I would like to get a 36" WB and shoehorn it in there also. I'm hoping that I can put the push mowers and the 36" in the very front side by side then the 48" then the 60". I may have to put the 48" in there sideways to have enough room.

Does anyone know where to get an external gas tank like the SLT's have? That woul dbe a big time saver at the gas pumps. I have a hard time seeing a bunch of mowers in front of the gas pumps at the local store. Is this how you guys do it or do you use gas cans?

[Viseras lawn service]

with our smaller 14 ft box we just pull up to the pump and put the back end of the truck even with the pump and as close as we can get.

the WB is in the front of the box and the lazer is on the back so the hose reaches both tanks easily.

all gas cans are stored on a shelf we had built across the front of the box, which also serves as a small work area on jobs + storage.

we have trimmer racks on the wall and the backpack blowers are put on the floor after each job behind the lazer. usually the last item used so it works out fine. we have the double, folding ramps so they have no chance of falling out even with the door open.

all in all boxtrucks and landscape beds are the way to go. messing with a trailer is way too much time tied up and alot of risk especially if you arent the driver :gunsfirin

[Tadams]

Thanks for the posts Viseras! Do you have any pics of your set-up? I hadn't thought about putting the gas cans that close to the back of the box. I was told that they make an access door like the ones on campers that you could put in a wall of the box and feed the gas pump hose through and fill the tanks up but I don't see how any hoses could be that long.

I also saw on ebay a pair of vents that you mount in the box to move the air out to keep the fumes down. If you have ever had a boat with an inboard motor it works the same as those vents. One vent is placed on the side of the box at the front with the scoop open to the front of the truck so the air can be forced into the box when you are driving. The other vent is placed on the opposite side and at the back with vent open to the back so the air can flow out of the box while you are driving. This is supposed to keep the fumes, heat, and smells out of the box.

[Lawnworks]

Thanks for the replies Lawnworks & Vic. I've looked at both of your set-ups many times while I have been deciding on this purchase. What size Lazer is that, Vic? I have a 60" that is my main mower and it will be loaded last since I use it the most. The trimmers will be on the same side as yours with the blowers on the drivers side like yours but I will see if I can fit them on top of each other so I don't have to go that far into the box to get them. Do you have any trouble walking around the mowers to get to the front of the trailer or getting the trimmers/blowers? Did it get to be a pain walking up and down the ramp to get everything? Sorry about the questions but I really like these trucks and I don't want to make a bad decision.

Lawnworks, I like the open landscape trucks but I need to be able to keep the equipment out of the weather and it wouldn't fit in my garage. I also love the idea of a rolling billboard!

Hey Vic, right now there is just one employee and me so I think that a 16" might do the trick. Is your truck for sale? How much do you want for it? E-mail me at tadams426@yahoo.com with your number if you want to sell it. Thanks guys.

I would mount the blowers, and trimmers so that you can reach them while the mower is in its position/prolocker. I don't think you will get tired of walking up a ramp at all. There is not a whole lot of space to walk around a 60" mower... you will probably have to squeeze by the blowers or step on the rear tire to get past it... no big deal. I am considering an outer fuel tank, but I am paying my crew to fill it up... you might not see the payoff until you have a crew running your truck. SLT's system is $2500. It is slick though.

The negatives about these trucks... they are slow! mine maxes out at 70, I think autos might go 75. Fuel mileage sucks even with the diesel. You won't get better than 12. A brake job will cost you $400. If you blow a tire, you had better take it to someone who has a heavy duty(3/4") air gun and a BIG socket or it will turn into a half day event. Another thing is the diesel engines are not the strongest... some last 300k, some last 150k. Forget buying an auto unless it is a 1999. Just a couple things I have learned. They really are a joy to drive around town, and I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to drive this rather than pull a trailer. And when you get an Isuzu, people will know you aren't Tomdick just graduated from McDonalds and out to mow some grass.

[Lawnworks]

I am sure you have seen these pics, but this is how I mounted everything. I wish my Hustler walk-behind was not so long or I could move the mower up a little and have more space to get to the trimmers. The blowers are also mounted on top of each other if you look close enough.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=100994


One question, why do you have/want a 48"? I have yet to find one single use for that machine?

[Tadams]

Oh yeah, I've seen all of those pics many times! Your set-up looks great!

I have the 48" because it was the first mower that I bought and my helper uses it. It runs and cuts great and it's paid for itself many times over and I have a hard time getting rid of it. I might consider getting rid of it if I got another 60" and a 36" WB or possibly a Walker.

That is just like how I will have mine set up except I have Green touch racks.

[Lawnworks]

Oh yeah, I've seen all of those pics many times! Your set-up looks great!

I have the 48" because it was the first mower that I bought and my helper uses it. It runs and cuts great and it's paid for itself many times over and I have a hard time getting rid of it. I might consider getting rid of it if I got another 60" and a 36" WB or possibly a Walker.

That is just like how I will have mine set up except I have Green touch racks.

I would lose the 48". I am not saying I know it all... I still have much much to learn, but I imagine the yards we service are going to be fairly similar due to our similar locations. A 60" and 36" is the most efficient set-up for residential and light commercial. Each of my crews mows 20 yards a day. The only reason a 36" mower is used is to get in back yards or if there is a severely steep hill. Anything else can be mowed w/ the 60". I would sell the 48" and go ahead and put a nice down payment on the 36". and I went the Walker mower route.... and I have nothing good to say about them.

How do you typically mow a yard? Does the helper always do the weedeating? or do you both mow?

Thanks for the kind words!

[Victor]

My truck is for sale guys. I've put a lot of work into it, getting it just the way I wanted it. While I absolutely love using it as my cuttin rig, my F-250 is more convenient to use for fertilizer applications and weed control. Todd, I've never minded walking up the ramps to get stuff out of the truck and the rider in that pic is a 52" Lazer HP. I normally have my 60" and my 52" loaded on the truck, but didn't happen to have them both loaded that day. There are a few pics on lawn site that show how much room is left over when they're both loaded in the back though.
I'm asking $16k for it, or the best reasonable offer that comes along. I'm seeing box trucks like mine that aren't ready to put to work as a cutting rig the moment you buy them, the way mine is listed for $14,900 (in other words, they don't already have a $3000 ramp-system mounted on the back of them, expensive non-slip rubber conveyor belt material lining their floors (so that your equipment doesn't slide around), blower & trimmer racks, a custom built cabinet, nor a powered roof vent). That makes me think I should be able to at least get $15k out of it. My truck has the more reliable , heavier duty Aisin transmission, which replaced the less reliable Jatco transmission in the '98 and older models. It also has the 175hp diesel engine. Also, instead of being a normal NPR, it's an NPR HD. Which means my truck has bigger brakes (which will last longer) than a normal NPR and has a 14,500 lb gross vehicle weight rating). If any of you guys have any questions, feel free to call me at 614-833-9047, or if I don't answer the first number, call me on my cell at 614-837-2750. :)

Vic

[Tadams]

You're welcome, Lawnworks.

The helper is usually on the 48" and I'm on the 60" if the yard has any size to it all. Unless the front is really nice and then I might be on the 48" for the front. Some yards are next to each other and he will do one and I will do the other. The first one finished gets the edger then the trimmer then the blower. The one who finishes mowing second grabs the other trimmer or blower depending on where the other one is at is the sequence. If it is a small yard then one mows and the other does the rest. We switch out on this to break up the monotony.

What part of the South East are you from? Around here we can go from a nice Bermuda lawn to a nice Fescue lawn to a field of clover, crabgrass, and dandelions and then back to a nice Zoysia lawn. Some of them are nice in the front and a rock pit in the back. I'm from GA, about 45 miles north of Atlanta.

It's also nice to have a backup mower in case one goes down. But I see your point. I would like to try a Walker for the top notch accounts that I have with tons of landscaping. I've heard a lot of good and bad things about Walkers.

[Lawnworks]

I am from Macon, GA. about 90 miles south of ATL.

I think there is a more efficient way of doing things. On my crews one person mows w/ the 60" and the mexicans trim, edge, and blow. This is the fastest way for us. Even if it is a larger account, the 60" is way more productive by itself than using both mowers. If there is still mowing to be done after the trimming, edging , and blowing... only then would we fire up another mower. I find that our 60" mowers have a nicer cut than my 36" mowers... even if they have a floating deck. As far as the Walker goes... $10,000 for a very slow, unproductive mower that the cut is comparable to an exmark... not for me!! Maybe the new Exmark Navigator would be at least a little faster.