Phazer not in the lineup for next year!?!?! [Archive] - LawnSite.com™

W.L.S.27

11-24-2006, 11:02 PM

eXmark

11-25-2006, 09:29 AM

I recently visited my eXmark dealer to find about about purchasing a new phazer 44". He told me to purchase one soon because the phazer was not in the lineup for next year.... or something along those lines. I'd like to purchase one for next season and it would really suck if I had to come up with the $$ right before the seasons end. Plus it would just sit in the shop all winter.... has anyone else heard anything like that? A reply from eXmark would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks

-Chris Dagenais
Owner/Operator
Wheaton Landscape Specialists
Hello Chris,
Thanks for writing in. Your dealer is correct, the 2006 44" Phazer has limited availability. Exmark still offers the 34" Phazer for 2007.
We do offer 12 month no payment and deferred interest on 2006 models which might help ease the pain of not using it this winter.
http://exmark.com/ez-commercial.asp
Thanks,
Brian

John Gamba

11-25-2006, 10:01 AM

Hello Chris,
Thanks for writing in. Your dealer is correct, the 2006 44" Phazer has limited availability. Exmark still offers the 34" Phazer for 2007.
We do offer 12 month no payment and deferred interest on 2006 models which might help ease the pain of not using it this winter.
http://exmark.com/ez-commercial.asp
Thanks,
Brian

Why no 44" in 07?????

jameson

11-25-2006, 12:22 PM

Why no 44" in 07?????

Yeah - what he said.

I purchased the 44" back in Oct. - so far (knock on wood) it seems like the perfect size deck for our needs - ya'll makin' me nervous - was the 44" just not selling? or are there other reasons that I should be aware of?

jajwrigh

11-25-2006, 08:14 PM

I recently purchased a 44" and have enjoyed using it thus far. I am also curious about the decision to drop it from the line!? Let us know...

newz7151

11-25-2006, 09:24 PM

The dropping of the 44" probably has something to do with either the new Quest mower coming out, or they are trying to get people that want close to that deck size to go with something like the 46" HP. Or there could have been manufacturing problems with the 44" deck. All just speculation from me.. no affiliation with eXmark.

W.L.S.27

11-26-2006, 08:54 AM

brucec32

11-26-2006, 06:35 PM

I too would want to know the real scoop on why this model is discontinued after just one year.

For those in the market for one, I would suggest they look for the Toro 40" version that has been mentioned as coming out soon, if they need one next spring and want a bigger deck than the 34" offers.

eXmark

11-27-2006, 08:04 AM

Why no 44" in 07?????
It has to do with the introduction of the Quest. Exmark felt there would be to much overlap between these two products.
Brian

eXmark

11-27-2006, 08:11 AM

eXmark... tell me this... I will have the financial ability to purchase one in late December using your "no payments for 12 months, deferred interest" If my dealer does not have one in stock, will he be able to order one all the way through until January 2007?
Thanks
-Chris
I would visit with your Dealer and find out the limiting factors in your situation, I cannot predict if the 44" Phazer will still be stock by the end of Jan.
Thanks,
Brian

jameson

11-27-2006, 11:23 AM

It has to do with the introduction of the Quest. Exmark felt there would be to much overlap between these two products.
Brian

Too bad - that 44" deck seemed like the perfect fit for the Phazer especially considering what the competition is offering on their comparable mini z's - the Quest isn't going to be marketed as a commerical unit is it?

Anyways - will this little gadget be availiable for the 44" Phazer?

Operator Controlled Discharge

Innovative foot control delivers greater productivity than traditional hand operated designs. The blocker door opens and closes allowing user to quickly and effectively control discharge when mowing around mulch beds, parked cars, homes and other objects.

(Available December 2006)

eXmark

11-27-2006, 02:08 PM

Too bad - that 44" deck seemed like the perfect fit for the Phazer especially considering what the competition is offering on their comparable mini z's - the Quest isn't going to be marketed as a commerical unit is it?

Anyways - will this little gadget be availiable for the 44" Phazer?

Operator Controlled Discharge

Innovative foot control delivers greater productivity than traditional hand operated designs. The blocker door opens and closes allowing user to quickly and effectively control discharge when mowing around mulch beds, parked cars, homes and other objects.

(Available December 2006)
Hello,
I liked the 44" Phazer also. The Quest will be marketed as a Homeowner/Residential unit.
The OCD works with the Ultra Cut and Triton decks, not on the TriVantage deck.
Thanks,
Brian

tallimeca

11-30-2006, 07:54 PM

I actually demo's a proto type today with a 52" deck.

It's being marketed as a consumer machine, and because of this it will carry a 30 day commercial warranty.

I'll tell you, i was pretty impressed. At @ 4500 bucks, i think it's better then the ariens/gravely models that compare. Blade tip speed at 19k fpm. Sounds just like turning on a lazer. Has a Briggs motor.

It would be a decent option for a weekend warrior landscaper that can afford the 6k plus z's.

Just remember, it's a homeowner machine.

John Gamba

12-01-2006, 05:40 AM

Hello,
I liked the 44" Phazer also. The Quest will be marketed as a Homeowner/Residential unit.
The OCD works with the Ultra Cut and Triton decks, not on the TriVantage deck.
Thanks,
Brian

Will the quest have the try deck?? what drives is it using???

eXmark

12-01-2006, 09:07 AM

Will the quest have the try deck?? what drives is it using???
Hey John,
The deck is a shallower TriVantange deck and has the ZT2800 hydro transaxles (same as the Phazer).
Thanks,
Brian

John Gamba

12-07-2006, 07:12 AM

What feature will seperate eXmark from the pack?

No 44" phazer --- Stupidity ---

brucec32

01-05-2007, 04:13 PM

Quests, phazers, new lazer hp and lazer designs, all in a couple of years. Think this might have something to do with the cut and quality complaints that you rarely heard in past years? Talent spread too thin?

Meanwhile, the wb's solidier on mostly unchanged, year after year.

John Gamba

01-05-2007, 04:44 PM

Quests, phazers, new lazer hp and lazer designs, all in a couple of years. Think this might have something to do with the cut and quality complaints that you rarely heard in past years? Talent spread too thin?

.

The only real problem with the triton was a very SLOW blade speed. the new Lazer Hp design is very nice.

lifetree

01-17-2007, 07:52 PM

This is interesting, John Gamba has suggested that the DIXON RAM Mag 44" may be an option for the Phazer 44" being discontinued ... I agree.

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 06:17 AM

This is interesting, John Gamba has suggested that the DIXON RAM Mag 44" may be an option for the Phazer 44" being discontinued ... I agree.

Not with a 3.5" deep deck it wont

lifetree

01-18-2007, 07:13 AM

Not with a 3.5" deep deck it wont

John - What depth is the deck on the Phazer, on the trim side ?

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 07:33 AM

John - What depth is the deck on the Phazer, on the trim side ?

Five-------

lifetree

01-18-2007, 08:29 AM

A diffrence of 1 inch isn't going to amount to much when it comes to the finished mowing job ... in either the eyes of the customer or the eyes of the LCO.

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 08:45 AM

A diffrence of 1 inch isn't going to amount to much when it comes to the finished mowing job ... in either the eyes of the customer or the eyes of the LCO.

Now i know you are inexperienced. .5" made a world of difference between the try vantage and ultracut deck's. The deeper the deck the faster and better the deeper grass gets processed.

lifetree

01-18-2007, 08:04 PM

Now i know you are inexperienced. .5" made a world of difference between the try vantage and ultracut deck's. The deeper the deck the faster and better the deeper grass gets processed.

John, do you "know" that just like you "knew" I was either a Dixon "dealer or employee" from the "DIXON Lives On" thread ?? You don't "know" anything ... all it takes is to slow down when cutting deep grass with a deck that is a little shallower. Therefore, like I said, the "finished mowing job" (i.e.-when you are finished mowing ... hint, hint) will appear to be the same in the eyes of the customer.

All you have proven here John is that you think you know it all and actually shoot from the hip and jump to conclusions without having all the facts !!

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 09:09 PM

John, do you "know" that just like you "knew" I was either a Dixon "dealer or employee" from the "DIXON Lives On" thread ?? You don't "know" anything ... all it takes is to slow down when cutting deep grass with a deck that is a little shallower. Therefore, like I said, the "finished mowing job" (i.e.-when you are finished mowing ... hint, hint) will appear to be the same in the eyes of the customer.

All you have proven here John is that you think you know it all and actually shoot from the hip and jump to conclusions without having all the facts !!

So you are saying you would rather have a slower mower then a faster one.

I still think you are not a lco.

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 09:22 PM

All you have proven here John is that you think you know it all and actually shoot from the hip and jump to conclusions without having all the facts !!

I have had the facts for years on decks and drive systems. Thats why i get asked and have been in the proses on prototype's. My answers sometimes are short but i forget i'm taking with a end user with limited knowledge and experience.

Your customers will see the difference when your 3.5" deck is visiting clump city and the deeper decks are fling down the front yard.

lifetree

01-18-2007, 09:30 PM

Is that why LCO's where I am with supposedly heavy duty Dixie Chopper ZTR's have to do the same thing and even go over your clumps of grass multiple times to cut it all up (which I've seen them do) so that the final appearance will be what the customer wants ... I think not. Your so called heavy duty mowers with so called deep decks can't even do the job and have to slow down in deep, thick grass just like all the rest. So much for your so called experience.

John Gamba

01-18-2007, 09:44 PM

. Your so called heavy duty mowers with so called deep decks can't even do the job and have to slow down in deep, thick grass just like all the rest. So much for your so called experience.

Here lets let the pics talk. Oh dixie dont work around in my area so i have no experience with them.

lifetree

01-18-2007, 10:05 PM

All that picture proves is that you cut some wet grass, so what !! It's not worth continuing this conversation anymore, so I'm calling it to a close ... this will be my last note in reply !!

John Gamba

01-19-2007, 06:04 AM

All that picture proves is that you cut some wet grass, so what !! It's not worth continuing this conversation anymore, so I'm calling it to a close ... this will be my last note in reply !!

Big mowers with deep decks doing deep wet grass.

lifetree

01-19-2007, 08:13 AM

John Gamba

01-19-2007, 08:27 AM

Exactly, but what it doesn't show is how fast, or slow, you were going when you mowed the wet grass ... besides, it looks like there are some pretty long strands of grass on the decks in that picture ... that means you didn't "process" it properly when you mowed at your high speed. I REST MY CASE ... and this really is my last reply.

8 to 12 " tall wet grass, 3 to 4mph first cut second cut 8mph. I was called to do this prop when the scag, walker mower crew could not handle it and went home.

This was in the spring of 02 and i was experimenting with double blades. this is something(double blades) the shallower decks cannot do well.

the deck of choice at the time was the Ultracut 5.5" deep deck.

I think if you put in double blades you can come up with the thread. it was along time ago.

I dont believe its your last post???why??? you said it was before.

Potchkins

01-19-2007, 12:18 PM

John Gamba: we know that if got to demo
an Ultra-Cut or a Triton deck he would understand.

John Gamba

01-19-2007, 01:20 PM

John Gamba: we know that if got to demo
an Ultra-Cut or a Triton deck he would understand.

I do like that 50" dixon mower. I like the size of the engine and the deck size for its weight. I just need a deep deck with plenty of blade speed. Yes he would love the ultracut and the new Triton, we just need to get them on mowers that weighs less.

mikecaldwell1204

01-21-2007, 02:45 PM

exmark all the way!

lifetree

02-10-2007, 09:01 AM

At least John has acknowledged that he does like the Dixon machine, however, we still disagree about the absolute need for a deep deck for everything. And I also acknowledge that Exmarks are good machines, I just don't think you have to have a deep deck for everything that you do ... for some situations they are needed, but not for all.

Lazer_Z

02-10-2007, 10:04 AM

lifetree, Look at your location & look at John's. You are in TN and he is in CT those are 2 totally different parts of the country and have different climates,cutting conditions and so on. If you were to take your Dixon to John's area and try to cut you would see that a deeper deck is needed because of the lush grass types. I have only seen Dixon's being used once in my area and I did not even get that close to see how they are built so I won't comment about how they are built,but I have yet to this day to see the same guys using them nor have I seen any on trailers here. To be honest I don't even know if a Dixon dealer exists in NJ as I have never looked for one.

lifetree

02-11-2007, 06:24 PM

Lazer Z -- Your point is well taken, thanks for the comment.

kfish

02-24-2007, 06:23 PM

Brian,
So if the Quest is a Homeowner / Residential unit, and everyone is loving the Phazer Commercial unit, what will replace the Phazer? Confused.

ctriopelle

04-07-2007, 11:17 AM

Just got the last of the Phazers at my dealer, and got a great deal on it. 44"/19 Kawi for 3800 (yes, thats not a typo)! Apparently they lost this one from inventory last year, and its even still in the crate and wrapper. Can't wait to take it for a ride next weekend!

It was a tough choice between this and a Hustler FasTrack44 with a 16HP Honda. The yellow baby Z was a very good looking machine, but I've never seen one cut before and I was a bit skittish about the fact there is very little overhang and I have lots of brick edging/mulch beds to trim on my lot (plus I've never driven a ZT besides dealer lot demos). The 4 year warranty sure would have been nice, but I'm expecting that with the caliber of machine and my limited homeowner use, I shouldn't have any issues regardless.

I really wanted to like the Quest (which is the official replacement machine), but the B&S engine scared me when given the option of the Kawi. I also liked the fact the Phazer has extra mowing height allowance and a deep 5" deck. My whole point of getting a new mower was to limit my riding to once a week and to reduce my drive time to under an hour. My machine sacrifices 4" of deck width to the Quest, but it is only 2" narrower than my Murray GT with the turning radius of a boat that got the job done in 75 minutes. I expect to be under 45 minutes once I get the turns down.

Thanks for all the info on this site that helped me make this decision. Hopefully it is one I won't regret!

jameson

04-07-2007, 11:34 AM

Just got the last of the Phazers at my dealer, and got a great deal on it. 44"/19 Kawi for 3800 (yes, thats not a typo)! !

$3800.00??? That's called theft isn't it?

Good little mower (better than the Quest or FasTrak - IMHO), you won't be disappointed.

lifetree

04-08-2007, 03:32 PM

$3800.00??? That's called theft isn't it?

Good little mower (better than the Quest or FasTrak - IMHO), you won't be disappointed.

I agree with this ... you got a godd machine at a great price ... and yes, $ 3,800 for a machine like that is highway robbery ... however, congratulations on the good deal that you got. Finally, if you're Murray lawn tractor took you 75 minutes, your Phazer may cut it down to 30-35 minutes !!

faststandard

04-11-2007, 10:27 PM

I too just purchased the last of the 44" Phazer's at my dealership. Actually took delivery of the machine earlier today. Paid $4185 out the door and that includes an extended warranty (5 full years).

It looks as though it will be awhile before I can try it out as it is snowing and raining here in Michigan as I am typing.

I am going to be installing a commercial type air filter on my machine (see other post).

Have a great time on your new Phazer.

Marc

ctriopelle

04-12-2007, 12:37 PM

Out of curiosity, how much did the warranty cost, and what all does it cover? In the end, I was a bit surprised that the warranty on this unit is still only 2 years for residential users. Since you bought the extended warranty, what is driving you to add extra insurance for the air filter? Maybe you would want to wait a few years into the warranty and replace it then as long as the engine is sufficiently covered...

faststandard

04-12-2007, 08:52 PM

The extended warranty was around $290. I thought I got a great deal. As far as the air cleaner it is just for that little bit of protection. Given the fact that this machine will only be used for residential mowing (~1 acre) I doubt I will put that many hours on the machine in a given year (live in Michigan) and more than likely will not have any problems with the engine within the next 5 years.

KLSU

04-19-2007, 08:00 AM

It has been a great mower for me. The only complaint is my belt has came off twice but the good thing is it is easy to put back on. I bought mine last year when they were having a special for $3999.00! I wanted a 48" mower but couldn't justify at least a $1,000 more for 4". I hope Exmark doesn't start discontinuing parts for the Phazer 44! That is my only concern since they only sold it for such a short time.

faststandard

04-19-2007, 07:49 PM

I think it has been noted somewhere in a post on this site about a pulley/spring upgrade that is supposed to fix this problem on the early models. Supposedly, if I remember correctly, all of the new machines have the fix from the factory. Time will tell I guess as I still have yet to mow (just getting nice in Michigan again).

barenstam

05-16-2007, 09:03 AM

So the dealers her in New Hampshire say that the Phazer 44 is still an active product with a list price of $5,770 and they would be happy to sell me one at the promo price of $5200!!

Where the heck are you guys finding those deals that you're talking about?

I like the mower, but not at anywhere near $5200

John Gamba

05-16-2007, 11:37 AM

radman40

08-02-2007, 03:01 PM

Bought a Phazer today, new/demo 12 hrs with mulch kit and hitch $3,900, $4,173 after tax. 0% for 1 year. Demo'ed on my yardd and I liked it. Would have been $1,000 more for a 19 HP Kawasaki with other options.

John Gamba

08-02-2007, 03:04 PM

[QUOTE=radman40; Would have been $1,000 more for a 19 HP Kawasaki with other options.[/QUOTE]

What??????????

radman40

08-03-2007, 09:53 AM

"Would have been $1,000 more for a 19 HP Kawasaki with other options." What????? - To get any brand of new ZTR with a 19 HP Kawasaki engine would have cost me $1000 more in my area, like a Skag Freedom Z with 48" deck or a Hustler Fastrak 48". 4" for $1000 to mow an acre didn't seam worth it.