Where to get used commercial mowers

[rct]

I have looked at the residential mowers and am not impressed with many of them. The best thing I have seen is the Cub Cadet 2000 series mowers. Forget the ztrs in that price range. They run in the mid $3000s. I am wondering if I wouldn't be better of with a used commercial machine. If so where do I find them, what should I look out for. I have 3/4 of an acre and I live in Raleigh, NC.:(

[sjessen]

Some places you might check include your local newspaper in the classifieds, checking with dealers to see if they or other lco's have any units for sale, check a local paper like a Bargain Mart, etc. Another good place to check is Ebay. This is a good time of year to purchase used equipment as some peoplle are getting out of business at then end of the season. If you spend some time shoppping you may find a nearly new unit for about 1/2 price of new.

[rct]

Thanks. I looked on Ebay and craigslist. I didn't really see anything except a scag with a bad wheel motor on Ebay. I am suppossed to get a good bonus sometime this month or next when the project at work gets done. I don't have any idea how much, but I hope it is enough to get something good. I do all my own mechanic work, so I am not afraid to get a fixer upper, but I don't want a basket case either.

[sjessen]

Thanks. I looked on Ebay and craigslist. I didn't really see anything except a scag with a bad wheel motor on Ebay. I am suppossed to get a good bonus sometime this month or next when the project at work gets done. I don't have any idea how much, but I hope it is enough to get something good. I do all my own mechanic work, so I am not afraid to get a fixer upper, but I don't want a basket case either.


What kid of mower are you looking for?

[rct]

I think a ztr. I have very little time with my work schedule, and I don't plan on towing anything except a spreader and maybe a small cart, thus the 2000 series cub seems to be overkill.

[sjessen]

I think a ztr. I have very little time with my work schedule, and I don't plan on towing anything except a spreader and maybe a small cart, thus the 2000 series cub seems to be overkill.

I'm guessing you are trying to stay in the $3000 price range. I would take my time and check the various dealers for used equipment. Two of the dealers I use have areas set aside for individuals to sell their equipment. I think you should be able to find a decent unit for what you are wanting to pay.

[rct]

The price range is going to be determined by my bonus. It should be at least $3000 though. I was at a Toro dealer last weekend and saw a Z400 Zmaster with a 48" deck and a Kohler 18hp for $5000. It would be great if I could go that route, but my luck will probably not be that good. I have gotten the same line from every dealer I have visited and I quote "you don't want anything I have got in on trade". So why take it in in the first place?

[elshauno]

for 3000 you could get a quick 36 samurai hydro with a sulky brand new delivered to your door and Ive heard nothing but good things about them about them. do a search on here for them, odds are youll like what you read

[fishinpa]

I would think if you wind up in the 4k range, this time of year you could get a Hustler Mini FasTrack. I got one last March for 3800.00. 16/42

I cut my 0.5 acre, my neighbors 0.75 and another neighbors 0.5'ish lawn. I think I have 50 to 60 hrs on it and it runs like the day I bought it.

[Matts lawn care]

might want to look into the quick 36 for 2000

[steve45]

Well, the first place to look is HERE! Check the Marketplace section. As mentioned, Ebay has a lot of stuff in the late fall. I found mine on: http://www.americanclassifieds.com

It took me about 3 or 4 months of shopping to find what I wanted within driving distance (500 miles).

[Signature Landscaping1]

From me!
2006 Lesco 48'' walk behind
48'' deck 15hp kawasaki
5 speed tranny
50hrs on machine
3 sets of blades(standard,highlift,mulching)
velke
Im asking $2000

[nmez21]

From me!
2006 Lesco 48'' walk behind
48'' deck 15hp kawasaki
5 speed tranny
50hrs on machine
3 sets of blades(standard,highlift,mulching)
velke
Im asking $2000
Boy, you're on your feet tonight:clapping: .

But really, this is a great deal. After you strongly consider Joe's fabulous offer, try junktank.com if you haven't already found what you needed.

[Signature Landscaping1]

Thanks Nate:usflag:

[rct]

So, lets say for some reason I was looking for a 23 hp kawi for a 52" Hustler z, where is the best place to buy one??

[fishinpa]

So, lets say for some reason I was looking for a 23 hp kawi for a 52" Hustler z, where is the best place to buy one??

Besides letting every dealer in you area know what you looking for, and using the suggestions above I don't think it would hurt to put a "WANTED:" post in the Hustler forum and Marketplace forums here on Lawnsite.

[rct]

I found a Great Dane Super Surfer with 52" cut and 22hp kawi and 450 hrs for $3000. What do you think.

[sjessen]

I found a Great Dane Super Surfer with 52" cut and 22hp kawi and 450 hrs for $3000. What do you think.

I'm no expert on Great Danes but that seems to be a good price. Some things to check: what year is it and does the hour meter work? It would be great to get a 1 or 2 year old machine. If the hour meter is broken there is no telling how many ours the machine has on it. Also, is there a good dealer in your area who can service the machine? For what you need this could be a good choice.

[rct]

Thanks sjessen, I have read all the posts here about it and it seems like everything in life some people like it and some hate it. I didn't see anything that would steer me away from it though. It is a 2003 with 450 hours on it. I will check that the hour meter works when I check it out. He said that there are several places within a 50 mile radius that have parts. That seems right lokking at great dane's website. What else should I look out for.

[sjessen]

Thanks sjessen, I have read all the posts here about it and it seems like everything in life some people like it and some hate it. I didn't see anything that would steer me away from it though. It is a 2003 with 450 hours on it. I will check that the hour meter works when I check it out. He said that there are several places within a 50 mile radius that have parts. That seems right lokking at great dane's website. What else should I look out for.

You might consider taking the machine to a dealer and having it checked out. They could do a compression test on the engine, check the spindles, check the hydro system, belts, pullies, etc. When you see the machine and talk to the owner you will get a better idea as to how well it has been maintained. Great Dane updated their decks in the last few years. From what I have read the newer ones cut much better than the older ones. If memory serves me correctly, the new decks are called Generation 2. You might do a search on this if interested, but I would find out which deck this machine has.

There are some Exmark Turf Tracers on Ebay with 60" decks that would be another option. A sulky could be put one them or consider a Lazer or other used rider.

[Grass-Masters]

If you are still looking, I have an exmark metro 48" with a 15hp kawi. It has about 150 hours, and I would take $1500. pm me if interested.

[rct]

Thanks Caruso, but I am in NC.

[rct]

One more question. I am not familiar with commercial machines. Is 450 hours alot?

[sjessen]

One more question. I am not familiar with commercial machines. Is 450 hours alot?


Some compare hours on a machine to miles on a car. 450 hours would equate out to about 45,000 miles. It also depends on how well the unit was maintained. All things being equal 450 hours should be no problem.

[2 clowns mowing]

www.govdeals.com

[prostriper]

400 hours isn't bad on a commercial mower considering that a commercial mowers are good for 1800+ hrs in thier lifetime. so thr mower should be good for 1400 weeks of mowing if it takes an hour to mow your lawn (actual time on the mower only). I don't know much about Great Dane mowers but I have heard that they have been spending alot of time and money trying to improve them.

If you are looking for a "cream of the crop" mower look into Toro, Exmark, or SCAG. I feel that the Toro and Exmark are the better of the three, but scags are built like tanks and can take a beating from an inexperienced operator. Ant the Toro Turbo Force and the Exmark Ultra Cut decks are unparralleled in cut performance.

Good luck in your search and I hope you find what you are looking for.

[Rons Rightway Lawncare]

These commercial mowers are good for 4-5 thousand hours, and if you want to keep fixing them and keep them stored indoors out of the weather you could use one for far longer than that. 450 hours is just broken in.

And hours don't compare to miles quite the same, My Chevy Silverado has a hour meter as part of the odometer on it and it has 20,400 miles and 681.3 hours on it. And it doesn't spend alot of time just sitting still with the engine running, this is normal use and those are the miles and hours.

[sjessen]

These commercial mowers are good for 4-5 thousand hours, and if you want to keep fixing them and keep them stored indoors out of the weather you could use one for far longer than that. 450 hours is just broken in.

And hours don't compare to miles quite the same, My Chevy Silverado has a hour meter as part of the odometer on it and it has 20,400 miles and 681.3 hours on it. And it doesn't spend alot of time just sitting still with the engine running, this is normal use and those are the miles and hours.

Ron, you make good points. One thing though, a lawn mower runs at its engine's redline for the most part whereas we would never run our trucks at that rpm.

[steve45]

One thing though, a lawn mower runs at its engine's redline for the most part whereas we would never run our trucks at that rpm.
These engines are designed to run continuously at 3600 RPM (or whatever). It won't hurt them, and it's really not that fast for a small engine. There are 4-strokes in boats and personal watercraft that run about 10,000.

If you puruse the ads on Ebay, you'll probably see a number of mowers that have 2000 +/- hours on them for sale pretty cheap. You'll also see ads that say, "New engine installed at 1800 hours." I think 2000 hours is probably a reasonable life expectancy for many of these engines. Of course, air filters and oil changes are a major factor in engine life.

[Grass-Masters]

I would check ebay, there is usually alot of equipment for sale.

[rct]

Well, the company didn't sell so no bonus. At least I have an good idea what I want.