best walk-behind

[hustlers]

I have a fifteen year old bobcat that runs like a new one
with a 12.5 kaw. I have an MTD hydro and I don't like it.
Who do you think makes the best Gear drive Walk-behind
for the money. My pick was bobcat

[Eric ELM]

Would you please edit your profile and put in your location? It helps in answering some posts. If you don't know how, email me your location and I'll put it in for you.

[cajuncutter]

Do you have the MTD Z model? If so it is the same as the newest LESCO Z that came out on the market last year. A partner of mine that I do some accounts with got one and I was not too impressed with it. I am not bashing it by no means but in my opinion the deck was rather cheap in craftmanship. They fixed that this year and proves to be a better machine. As far as your bob cat goes they were never really introduced to this area. Exmark seems to be one of the first around here in commercial mowers. I have an exmark that is every bit of 12 yrs old and possibly older. She cuts good but looks a little rough. The old exmark's look very much the same as the bob cat. Atleast that is what I think after looking at some pics in another thread.

[65hoss]

I've run exmarks, hondas, encores and tested others. I love the exmark metro. Its well priced and the cut quality is unbelievable. So, my recommendation is exmark, unless you live in my area. :D Then go get a crapsman. heehee.

[Richard Martin]

I have the Exmark Metro 36. It has been virtually flawless from day one except for some engine issues when it was brand new. The quality of cut is excellant. These mowers have so many adjustments on them in regards to operator comfort and deck pitch that I can't hardly keep track of them.

[geogunn]

for the money it's hard to beat the lesco 48 belt with the 14 kaw single lunger.

GEO

[lakegastonla]

Ditto to geogunn's post. He hit it right on the head. Only thing is, now they ship with a 15hp Kawasaki v-twin instead of the 14hp single cylinder. Even better bargain, cause the 15 is a hoss! You can't get that in ANY other brand even CLOSE to the same price. Not to mention, the mower is made heavy duty as they come. Better construction than most of the competion! Best 2500 you could spend!

[SDF250]

I don't care if lesco is biz partners with mtd there walk behinds are build like a brick sh house next one will be lesco hydro and i'm no doubt an exmark person

[Island Lawn]

3rd that Esby!

Still breaking in my new 48" MetroHP 15HP Kaw w/micro-mulch

BTW This post should be under 1exmarkfan's post!


3 above the last post. The same # as I was placed above the last thread I replied to.

The thread was not "brought back to the top" either!?!

MUST be FRI 13!!!

(4/13/01 7:37am EST to be exact)
(NOT time/date shown on post time/date OR edit time/date!)

[Edited by Island Lawn on 04-13-2001 at 12:41 AM]

[Guardian]

I suppose I am amazed that after experiencing T bar steering - anybody would be interested in anything else (as far as WBs go) Sure the decks may be a bit better on others, but the engines are the same. I started with a Toro ProLine 37. It was so easy to manuever and best of all, you could just let go of the bar and step off the jungle wheels if you needed to without doing anything like securing the brake, turning off PTO etc.. I wouldnt use any other WB.

[Esby]

Exmark Metro HP 48". Best dang belt drive I have ever been behind. Very nice cut, and reliable. I love mine!

[oneEXMARKfan]

Exmark Metro 48" (17HP).......[fixing to knock out a wall in my bedroom, and put in a big door, so I can bring it in and it can be the last thing I see at night, and the first thing I see when I wake up]......(might be time to get a woman !!!)

[Edited by oneEXMARKfan on 04-13-2001 at 01:24 AM]

[shorelinelawn]

I love my Lesco 48 -gear drive with the 14 hp kawasaki.
2 years of use and all i've had to do is adjust, sharpen , scrape, grease & change the fluids !Changed out a pulley and a belt this spring to start the season. Also have a 32"Bobcat ( mower #1) that is probably 12-15 years old with the 12.5 Kawasaki on it . It just won't die !!!!!
Seriously, if you're in the market for a new mower keep the following in mind:
1- how close is the parts & service from your base ?
2- try different makes. just because they all use same engine, trans , spindles etc, there are different things that may work better for you on a certain make ,compared to another. An example maybe handle bar heighth. My friends scag is 3-4 inches lower at handlebar, than either my Lesco or my Bobcat. Depends if you're 6 ft , or 5 ft tall !!!
3-Warranty. Lesco offered me a 2yr on entire mower when I bought mine. DOn't know about anybody elses.
4- will it fit on you trailer ??
5- Watch your deck size too ! if you jump up from a 36" to a 48" or 52" you probably are going to lose some o fyour customers with fenced yards ( I got a bunch !!)
Might want to look at that new scag (?) with the deck that folds up to go thru gates.

Good Luck
Ralph

[Evan528]

the Dane gateway fold ups to fit through gates.

[laserman]

I'm just starting and I'm looking to move up from pos 21" to first walk behind. I'm only part time and not that busy yet so I figure medium duty will be ok. Also I'm on a budget like 1200-1500. Any recomendations? Thanks for the help!

[edward hedrick]

I own a 52 Lesco with a 14 Kawi, my friend has a 48 with a 14, Both well built.

[Ground Pounder]

I have an eXmark 52" Turf Tracer HP Hydro with the ECS controls. Simply amazing!

I also have a 36" Metro HP. Red till I'm dead!