walker owners i need advice

[bababooie]

im thinking about going solo this year and i was wandering if the walker can replace my employee or will i be behind in my work? right now my employee cuts while i trim and edge, he uses a wb.we put in 5,8hr days.most of the yards are about 5,000 to 20,000 sq ft.

[Mowman]

I work alone and with my Walker MT-54 SD I can cut,trim,and edge a lawn of 10,000-15,000 in 30-40 minutes. Less if there is not much edging to do. With the Walker most of your trimming is done with the mower. I will buy the same mower when this one gives out. I cut my mowing time in HALF after getting this mower. Mid-Mounts are good, but you can't trim close to things with them. That's why I like the out front design of the Walker. You can check them out at
www.walkermowers.com
Good Luck,
Mowman

[bababooie]

how many acct. do you have to do per week,and how many hrs per day. i have 72 acct. with half i can use the walker on if i buy one.

[Mowman]

The most I've cut in on day is 12 lawns. They were spread out over a 20 mile area. I did these in about a 12 hour period, that included driving time. If your lawns are close together you could do it by yourself. Depends on how may hours per day and days per week you want to work. As far as trimming and edging, if I had someone do that for me, I could be done with most of my lawns in 25 minutes or less. I guess it's really up to you as if you want all the wealth or weather you want to share it. I really think the Walker would help you out weather you worked along or with a helper.
Good Luck,
Mowman

[theplantdoctor]

I say "Go for It!"
When we got our Walker, it allowed me to eliminate 2 workers. Now, we are a 2 man team and are WAY MORE productive. If I am alone, I can still get the lawns done faster than when we used WB's. You will be surprised at how many properties you will be able to use the Walker on. When I got our first one, I thought that we would only be able to get it on about 60-75% of properties that we do. After we got to know the machine,we now use the machine on over 90% of the properties we maintain.
We run diesels and recommend them in a second.
Ken

[bababooie]

why diesel,have you used a gas walker before

[LJ lawn]

i've used the gas (not the liquid cooled gas) and the thing was a PIG on fuel.i can mow all week on less than $10 of fuel with my diesel.if you like to collect the grass than the walkers are the way to go.personally, i have a Toro-z and the walker so i have a choice.

[gene gls]

If the employee is a good worker why don't you keep him and add extra work to fill in any free time the new Walker creates.The Walker will defanetially cut down on your mowing and trimming time but not to the point where you would be better off alone. I am looking for a helper because my mowing only repsents a third of my work load and another set of hands with the extras will make every thing flow smother. Besides, when you get sick or have earrons to run the helper can mow and you stay on schedual.

Gene

[theplantdoctor]

Hey!
I have never used a gas Walker, but I am quite familiar to diesel vs. gas engines. Economy is a big reason, like another member stated, but these engines are built to last forever. The gas engines have, I am guessing, about a 3000 hour life expectency, (do a search to find out more), and diesel engines from Kubota are supposed to go about 14000 hours. So, overall, economy should be better-less fuel and longer engine life.
Although more complex, the water cooled engine should hold up better too, than air cooled.
PLUS-- I think that the diesel engines sound much "cooler" than gas engines.
I have not read here of anyone having problems with the diesel engines, in any machine, unlike the Kolher engines. Makes me feel better with my choice. Ramble, Ramble, hope this helps.

Ken

[Avery]

We use one Walker and several different models of Toro including walk-behinds, Z Masters and a 4WD 325D with a flail deck for road side mowing. If your business is mostly residential the Walker will do fine. It loses some of its edge on larger commercial properties. It just does not have the ground speed of the Toro's. I would strongly recommend the diesel. Much better fuel economy. Also, Walker's will accept many attachments for doing a variety of jobs.

[AB Lawn Care]

As far as your question goes.Yes buy a walker!I have 2 crews both are single person run.With the walker you can do spring/fall clean up,snow removal and all your cutting.We use the 42'' GHS deck in sring fall for clean ups.And during after the spring clean ups we use the 54'' side discharge.A Walker is not as fast as other mowers like laser/dixie ,but for a single person they can be much faster in the long run for spring/fall clean ups and snow removal.

Now as far as diesel goes.Don't allways think diesel is allways the best.Yes for the most part diesels have a longer life but when things start to go bad they really cost some $$$$$$$$.I know guys who chuck their engines once they need rebuilt and buy new diesels becouse of how much it cost to rebuild and many times will still act up.I have used both diesel and gas Walkers.Our 16.5 Diesel dropped a piston at 900hrs and cost us thousands of dollars even before we found the problem.We then bought new a gas 20hp Kohler Walker.It is now at 1000hrs with Zero problems in both machine and engine.If the engine does start acting up down the road we will just short block the engine.Don't get me wrong.....diesel engines are very good for certian things.I personaly thing in large commercial mowers they are well suited to those machines.I know of large landscapers who own Toro Groundmasters and have 12,000hrs on their Diesel engines with no problems.Diesels are cheaper in the long run,but you have to ask your self 1 question......

Am I going to own this mower long enough to make it worth the money?

If you plain to put 8-12,000hrs on you machine then sure go for it!

This is just what I have found,your choice.

[Rodney Johns]

Buy a Walker! There is no doubt that Walkers are the best mowers on the market. Not only will you eliminate down time but you will maximize the time you are spending at each job. With the new fuel injected series you can even save 50% on your fuel expense. I guess if you are not a Walker owner it would be like trying to explain to someone why a Ford escort is better than a Cadilac. With the optional attachments it also allows you to use the machiune like a tractor vs a mower. Which means instead of putting up the machine in the fall you continue to make money on through the winter until the following mowing season. As far as the few guys that mentioned other mowers being faster...HUH! have you ever seen the cut quailty of some of those other brands. Grass can only be cut so fast before you are simply knocking it down instead of cutting it off. Plain and simple try one and that will be all you ever use. Also compare the resale of a Walker to say a toro and then it really looks good.

[Currier]

I've used my Walker for the last 4 years. Just for a backup/reinforcement I bought a Walkbehind. After using the walkbehind then getting on the Walker I am easily reminded why I bought the Walker in the first place!
Now, the walkbehind I have is gear driven with pistol grips so it isn't fancy, it is a basic machine. My walker is an OLD 16 hp 42 GHS basic machine....BUT an excellent machine. Superioir quality of cut and simple to handle. Now if I can just quit spending $$ long enough to afford a new Walker...

[bababooie]

are the diesels alot louder than the gas engines.when you say 3,000hrs or 12,000 how many years would that be,(ballpark figure).thanks for all the replies.if im hoping to keep the walker for at least 6-7 yrs, should i go gas or the big d.

[MOW ED]

How many hours are you going to put on it in a year? 5 years?
Diesels are great engines aand you cant argue that they last a long time but everything else on the mower doesn't last that long. That is no problem if you have the time, energy and know how to replace the things that give out from wear.
The 26 EFI gasser is a good compromise. I put about 275 hours a year on and this engine fits my plan. The diesel is about 3k more than the 26. Big decision- Good Luck.

[Fantasy Lawns]

she'll save time ...no doubt ....I run 2 walker's (gas) in the humid ....hot ...dirty terrain ....about 500-600 hrs ..each yearly ...no issues yet (murphys law) ....my used is a 95 (2700 hrs) my "new" a 98 (1300 hrs)

but then I change the oil alot ...keep the filters clean ....power wash weekly ....grease the fittings ...check the fluids ....KEEP the Blades Sharp .....for the cost + or - ....you have to decide ... it's your $$ ....but really for the performance & cost the gas engine will NOT let you down ;->

[theplantdoctor]

AB LAWN-
Yes, diesel motors are more to repair, but I am surprised at the amount of money spent diagnosing your piston problem. My dealer is also a Kubota Tractor dealer, and the mechanics know these engines completely.
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IMO, diesels are not much louder than the gas Walkers. They just sound different. Like a diesel pickup vs gas.
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Please do not believe that I only like diesels. My mechanic has only good things to say about the Kohler engines. It is only on this site that I have heard any negatives about the gas engines. But, lots of good too!
I am intrigued about the 26 EFI, but here, it is MORE money than the diesel. I am waiting for my distributor to have a demo 26 EFI. I'll probably buy that next.
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I agree with MOW ED, the rest of the machine is the same.
I am like THELEVEN, run about 500 hours per year,(since 93-and machine still going strong). MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE! Care for your machine, (any machine), and it will last a long time. My most expensive repair to date for the '93 has been a new starter last year.
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YOU WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE WITH EITHER ENGINE CHOICE, HOWEVER!
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Now--which deck(s) are you going to choose?
Ken

[Avery]

Well I am gonna break a rule of thumb I have about not posting a reply twice to the same question but here goes. Yes the diesel is quite a bit louder than the gas mowers, Yes it is MUCH slower than other commercial mowers which is not much of an issue if you cut mostly residential. Yes the diesel is worth the extra cost if you really want a Walker. Yes they are good machines, but most certainly not the best for every application. Finally to all you guys that love the walker so much check out mine that is for sale in the ad section. I have gone to 100% commercial work (due to scurb low-ballers) and the Walker just does not keep up with my other machines. Even with the speed up kit you are only going to get around 7.5 mph and that is on level ground.