What walk behind do you recommend

[Harris Bothers]

I was wonderign what walk behind you would reccomend. Our company is looking at a 36''/48'' walkbehind w/velke. Looked at Toro's. What do you recommend?

[turfquip]

Harris:

No offense but that's like asking Ford or Chevy...

or which beer tastes better.

The bottom line is buy a premium brand Toro, Exmark, Scag, etc.

One that you feel comfortable with during the demo.

If you will be buying it from a dealer as opposed to buying it online then make sure it's a dealer you can trust. Will he offer you a loaner if yours goes down? Does he keep parts in stock?

If you will be buying from a dealer there are more important considerations than price. If you buy it online, price is the main consideration.

[KirbysLawn]

I choose the Great Dane Scamper 48" after suffering thru 2 seasons using a Bob-Cat mower. Consider how often you will be using the mower, if it will be often I would avoid ANY pistol type mowers, i.e. Bob-Cat, Scag, Lesco, and so on. Great Dane, Exmark, Toro, and Hustler have improved systems to help prevent hand numbness and carpel tunnel.'

Ray

[gene gls]

If I was in the market for a wb, I would look at Hustler and Howard Price. Howard Price has a 9 degree swiveling deck to help follow the ground conture, also the deck is off set to the left for better trim cutting.

Gene

[turfquip]

See there we go, responses pouring in. Kirby says don't buy a pistol grip. I used pistol grip Buntons for 10 years. Could have gone 10 more years. Who's right...who's wrong?

Buy the machine you feel most comfortable with during the demo.

:D

[Scag48]

If I was buying a walk-behind, Exmark or Toro would be the choice for me. They have some of the better "handling" systems availible as well as Great Dane. I've heard alot of good things about Exmark and with the new ECS (Enhanced Control System) system on the Turf Tracer HP's, they have some advantages over the competition. I've seen the Exmark machines perform while on vacation (go figure :D) and I was very impressed at how fast they can mow and do such a good job of it in Seattle's normal, rainy weather. What you should consider as well is a good dealer. You don't want one that will back out if you need service. A good dealer is something I DON'T have. I used to have a John Deere dealer that didn't have anything but residential mowers and Stihl power equipment. Well, since they were also selling tractors for agriculture and since agriculture has taken a serious plunge, they closed their branch closest to me. Now I have to travel 45 miles to get oil and etc. and they still don't carry Toro mowers. I am in some luck, though. From what Toro says, there is a dealer that sells Toro commercial equipment 45 miles away and I've been into the shop before and never saw anything but residential stuff but that was a couple of years ago so they might have broadened their inventory. So you see, a good dealer is something else to factor in when you purchase. Any name brand mower that has a good dealer would probably do but I recommend Toro or Exmark. That's my .02

[shorelinelawn]

Try them all, see what you like, and then ask questions.
How close is dealer to your area ? if you break or need parts, are they 10 minutes, or an hour away ? Free loaner when in for service?
Length of warranty ? Are you comfortable using machine ?
I have a 48" Lesco, and a 32" Bobcat. Both gear drive. The handle bars a different angle, and height , yet I'm comfortable with both.
Maybe if a COnvention, or show is coming up, that would help you out too !
Good luck !

[TLS]

I like pistol grips, they fit my hands very well and have no complaints. I have used SCAG, LESCO and Exmark pistol grips and the new Exmark ECS seemed awkward. The Toro just looks complicated, yet it may be OK, never tried one. Now if you are spending 10 hrs a day behind one, comfort may come into play sooner. For me, I'm behind mine for less than 5hrs a week!

[Esby]

I own a 2000 Exmark Metro HP with a 48" deck. It really works great, absolutly NO problems with it in a season and a half of use. Leaves one of the best cuts I've seen out there. I would recommend it to you, and anyone else. There are other good brands out there too, but Exmark makes a damn good mower.

[Toroguy]

Exactly as Esby writes, I have the same machine, and feel the same. No complaints.

Areas differ, buy what can be supported.

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by turfquip
Kirby says don't buy a pistol grip

Wrong. I said "consider" avoiding if they plan on using often, such as primary mower. Glad you had no problems in 10+ years, however others have problems in less than a year, so I think my post was accurate in things to consider. No one is right or wrong, however each person can have different experences with different types of mowers; that may prove helpful when looking.

You are very correct in stating he should try the mower and pick the one he likes best, a local dealer/repair shop should also be a strong consideration, as Toroguy said "Areas differ, buy what can be supported." http://www.lawnsite.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

RAy

[Island Lawn]

Defer your decision.

Demo all you can.
You will get an intro to the differences of the mowers. Then you can make a more informed decision based on your (limited) experience.

I probably didn't demo enough.

But, I got lucky and I'm very happy w/ my eXmark 48" Metro HP. My pistol grips cheap and proven. But, they are suspected to cause carpel tunnel. I dunno!
If it came down to it, I could upgrade to ECS.

My 2 cycle stuff seems to cause more discomfort while squeezing the triggers then when sueezing my pistol grips. Whatever that means.

I wonder where I could find more info on carpel tunnel in the lawn industry?

[awm]

the thing i remember about the pistol grip.
when id shake a mans hand and he decided as some are prone to do to
make a contest out of it.most of the time i had a little suprize forem.now that was fun especialy if he was big and had his ego riding on it.not bragging , you fellows with hard gripping walkbehinds know what im talking about.

[turfquip]

I stand corrected then Ray

One consideration is how easy it would be to train a new fresh green and young recruit to use the machine because presumably, you will someday have employees. I still fill in for a friend of mine who owns a lawn company when one of his guys goes on vacation and I will not touch his 44" Toro with T-bar in a residential setting. That damn thing is uncontrollable in my opinion. Now he handles it like a champ.

In my opinion, it's easier to train a guy to use a pistol grip machine. There's more of a cause and effect, direct correlation between squeezing the handle just a little and the reaction of the machine for doing so.

[davesgs75]

I had used pistol grip handles on a JD GS75 for 4 years, thought it was great.
3 weeks ago a guy put his van into my truck, trailer, and mower while i was going down the road. I went and bought a 44" Toro with T bar handles, man that thing is great. I had much rather ease back on the bar to slow as hold pistol grips to brake when i have to slow for close trimming or what ever. The Toro is a great machine by the way.

[edward hedrick]

I have a 52 Lesco w a toro T bar Iagree with Davesgs its a lot easier to ease off than to pull back on two handles. Also your hands are inside the handle not outside hitting objects. I had a 44 toroand a
48 Scag. the scag also had a T bar. Built it about 10 years ago.
Dane Scag saw it at a local dealer show. was impressed but said
Toro had the patent on the T .

[KirbysLawn]

Originally posted by edward hedrick
Dane Scag saw it at a local dealer show. was impressed but said
Toro had the patent on the T .

Dane Scag did one better, try the controls on this:

[AB Lawn Care]

Don't look at the machine you are going to buy.....look at the dealer you are going to buy from.

Now as far as the pistol grip thing goes....My 36'' dual hydro has pistol grip and I love it.I don't know how I would do snow removal or sweeping with out pistol grip....(ALOT of pushing and pulling on grips)

Try as many out as you can,My scag has been great it has about 600hrs trouble free and works year round for me.I'm sure most other brands will work well too.

[scottb]

I have to agree look for dealer support. But if I had to recommend a brand I perfer Toro because of the T Bar . I would also like to try the new Exmark steering system also as it looks like it would be comfortable to use. But the T Bar is easy to learn and in my opinon safer to use. Bottom line most any of the brand names will perform up to your standards but you have to find the one that fits you'r hands.

[Double D]

If Snapper is available in your area, give the "loop" steering a look. I have absoultly no complaints with my 52" Snapper Hydro. I will echo what everyone else has told you, find out which dealer has the best support, then chose from the machines that he has to offer. Peace.

[Grassman]

I agree with Ray and the others regarding the pistol grips. I too used Bobcat walkbehinds and know the PAIN. I worked those miserable hunks of metal for 8yrs before I wised up. No way would I by another pistol grip. Russ

[MATTHEW]

I have a 44" TORO mainly because it is the largest
deck that can fit through many gates. I tried the
pistol grip mowers and found them restricting. There
are many times that I need to jump off the velkie &
grab a piece of trash or something. With the TORO, you
just let go and it is in neutral.Also it is much easier
on the hands. I have learned to steer by holding onto
the top insread of the sides. There is no strain at all.
You can also steer with one hand. They are tricky when
you want to maintain a straight line, but with a little
practice, you can master it.;)