Help! Lazer HP or Chariot Jr.

[LeanGreen]

I need some advice folks. Just getting in to the business, and had pretty much settled on the Exmark Lazer HP 48&quot; with 19 kaw. Just happened to stop at semi-local shop and noticed they now carried the Great Dane line. They pushed the Chariot Jr. as a much better unit than the Lazer HP, althought they did not give me specifics (admittedly, I was in a rush). Said the Chariot Jr. was a step up from the HP. Here is my comparison (both are 48&quot; with 19 Kaw engines):<br>Exmark<br>+ 4 dealer within 35 miles.<br>+ good comments from most you that have em.<br>+ swing in control levers (I just like them).<br>+ good price $6000 even for a '99 with 0 hrs.<p>- Looks lighter gauge than chariot (odd that the weight is almost same &lt;per brochure&gt;.<br>- not sure if deck is full 7 guage or not.<br>- 7 guage welded, not tubular like big Z.<p>Chariot Jr.<br>+ Feels a little better balanced (engine out back?).<br>+ Cheaper accessories (mulching kit, bagging etc)<br>+ Parking brake (does HP have one?).<p>- $400 more ($6400).<br>- Center steering controls (not a big deal)<br>- One dealer that I know of, and only started carying them 2 years ago.<br>- my lack of information on the company, reliablity, servicability etc. (other than Dane Scag started this company). <p>Questions:<p>1. How are those prices?<br>2. Any clear advantages of one over the other?<br>3. Any ergonomic issues?<br>4. General thoughts from you pros?<br> <br>Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Lazer]

Dealers CAN BE so full of *&^%.<p>I really think you've done a good comparison. They're both nice machines.<p>I like the center steering of the Chariot. I like the floating rollers of the HP. I think the Exmark may cut a little nicer and I do like their new bagger kit for spring clean-ups.<p>I don't think you could go wrong with either one. <p>I would choose the best dealer. (An honest one!)

[slagerlawncare]

i just bought my equipment (lazer--YES!)from a dealer that is 72 miles away...why? because he's the only one (out of about 10) that didn't try to jam something down my throat. take your time and look around.

[LeanGreen]

Thanks Lazer. Good point on the bagger. i will have to check it out. Confused on the rollers though. Did you mean floating or adjustable? I notice they are ajustable on the HP (3 positons?), didn't check the chariot. As far as the decks, both look to be good at floating (each having a chain link connection). One other thing. I think the HP may have a slightly better warranty... 2 year on drive system, don't think Dane has that (damn, I wish Great dane had a real web site).

[DTM65]

Isn't Great Dane Company started by the ex-founder of Scag. I would just research the company history a little to make sure they'll be around to buy parts from. (You don't want to buy a &quot;DeLorean&quot; or an &quot;Excelsior-Henderson&quot;.)<p>I haven't heard anything negative, but I'm saying you outta check.<br><p>----------<br>D. Tom<br>

[slagerlawncare]

dane scag...<br>matter of fact i'm going to open house thursday where he'll be at for 4 hours.<br>maybe i can add something later..

[MowerUp]

I have a Great Dane Chariot - the big one. I love the thing. I have about 80 hours on it and bought it new. I think it is very well built. I haven't had any problems other than one spring breaking.

[Grassboy]

Hey LeanGreen,<p>That is almost exactly the same story w/ me, except for the fact that I right away decided on the Lazer HP. I did this because my friend and I worked together last season, and he own a Lazer Z HP 48&quot; 19hp Kawasaki, and it is one heck of a machine!!!!! It mulches so good, I can't even explain the quality of the cut. I am now in process of buying the same mower for my own business. I have looked into GreatDane too much, but I know that brand new brands of mowers usually end up w/ recalls because of one flaw or another in the design. They are normally this way because when a brand first comes out they haven't been able to perfect their design by getting feedback from people like us that use them. GO WITH THE EXMARK LAZER HP. It's an amazing mower. How are you getting that good of a price for it? 6000? That is a great price for a Lazer! <p>The dealer I talked with did the exact same thing. He really was pushing me towards the Great Danes. I am not sure, but I think that Great Dane must be some how cutting some deals with the dealers to make them do that. That is kind of odd that your dealer did the same thing, especially because the Great Dane simply isn't near as good as the Exmark. I don't know what's up w/ that. Oh well, Hope I could help!!! <p>Grassboy

[LeanGreen]

Thanks for info Grassboy. Yeh, I had chalked the trash talk up to the general attitude of the saleswoman (she had a lot of attitude and opinions in general). One more point of clarification for this group. The Lazer HP is a 1999 model. Were there any (design) changes or fixes to the 2000 model that were substitive (other than the very important $18 cupholder option, which I hear is backwardly compatable... Too Cool)?

[scottlawns]

just wondering why you all dont look into the great dane surfer...goes under trees...its fast...its reliable and its cheaper...even though you stand on the back it is very comftorable and i think its a great mower...so i just think you should demo it...i love mine.

[ashlandscaping]

I have a Great Dane surfer don't own a dane rider but have riden both units for couple hours here and their. I like the cut of the dane better then the hp but me as well perfer the controls of the exmark. they both are good machines I liked the Dane a little better better control feel strip wises cut wise and so forth. As far as one person said Great Dane is a newer machine. Yes Dane Scag started yes he also made scag and was part of almost all othwer brands of comm. mowwers and yes I do mean that. He has put his ideas and so forth into many companys. So in other words I would not worry that they will go under and at the worst he will sell and you will find parts for the next 30 years just like you still can for the OLD SCAGS. Thats just my thoughts.

[osc]

I am not familiar with the HP but I have looked at the Exmark Lazer. I did not like the horizontal engine that required the deck drive belt start out vertical and be twisted at 90 degrees to go under the mower and pick up the deck. This is poor engineering. They could have simply used a vertical engine and a shorter belt running straight horizontal. I do own a Great Dane Chariot and I love it.

[Lazer]

osc,<br>I agree that isn't good engineering but,<p>That belt seems amazingly reliable for the twists and turns it goes thru.<p>When eXmark 1st built the Lazer, the most powerful vertical shaft was 20hp - Not enough for a 60&quot; rider. By going horizontal, they could go to 25hp.

[LeanGreen]

osc,<p>I agree that that belt thing seemed odd, and as a matter of fact, I have heard that very design &quot;flaw&quot; used by several competitors to justify thier machines over the Exmark. However, like Lazer said, nobody that uses the Exmarks seems to state this as a problem area. I have a 72&quot; BushHog mulching mower (6 blades), and that belt twists around so much you need a manual to change it. It has made it past 150+ hours so far with no problems.

[Grassboy]

Sup LeanGreen,<p>I forgot about the Surfer. Yeah like others have said, Check it out. I don't know much about them except for the fact that I think it is a cool design!!! I like the fact that you don't have to get a sulky for it so you have know problems w/ the mower going the another direction than you are when turning. I would strongly advise you to look closely at the details first. Since it is a new design, like I said before it may have flaws because of the fact that it hasn't had much time to be perfected. I would like to demo one of these some day, just for the heck of it,(it's such an unusual machine). <p>You still didn't answer me: How did you find such a great deal($6000) for an Exmark Lazer Z HP 48&quot; w/ 19kaw engine??? That is the best deal I have heard of by far. Except for the people that have connections w/ dealers of course. I am interested in the answer to that.<br>Grassboy

[little green guy]

The Surfers are realy cool, they are fast and extermly menuverable. they are also comfortable and they save room in the trailer. They are also just as fast a some riders. The price isn't too bad either.

[thelawnguy]

Grassboy writes<br>You still didn't answer me: How did you find such a great deal($6000) for an Exmark Lazer Z HP 48&quot; w/ 19kaw engine??? That is the best deal I have heard of by far. Except for the people that have connections w/ dealers of course. I am interested in the answer to that.<p>Theres a national promotion going on, the machine is advertised heavily for $5999. Maybe your dealer is trying to gaff you?<p>A dealer in new hampshire has 5 Toro Z-Master 25hp Kohler 52 inch deck advertised for $6900 or $6400 cant read the number in the classified ad call em at 603-625-9738 while they last.<p>Bill<br>

[Lazer]

I bought my new Toro Z-Masters 62&quot; 23hp Koh for 5800.00 each.

[LeanGreen]

Sorry Grassboy,<p> I thought your question was rhetorical (or something like that). Actually, I used the $5995.00 number posted here as my benchmark. I went to a dealer about 30 miles away (close to my current day job) and got a price of $6300, but only if I bought that weekend (they had a show). After that it would go up $300 (they were nice people, but that seems a bit too high). So I got 2 other local (&lt;40 miles) Exmark dealers (one 24 miles, the other 33 miles) and called. The first one told me $6000 (I was surprised), but didn't have my configuration in stock. At that point i decided to call the other and just tell him what i was willing to pay for it (he is in an inconvenient location for me). I said $6000, he said ok, but it was a 99 model. He assured me the unit is the same as the 2000 model. One thing I did hear was that Exmark has 3 tiers to thier dealer invoice pricing (based on volume). I was told for my unit, the difference between the bottom tier and the top tier was about $300. Could be smoke, but the guys sounded honest.<br>

[Evan528]

lazer, thats a great price! about 6 months ago i bought my toro 62inch 25hp kohlor and paid 7200. I new i couldnt go wrong with more than enough hp. i have loved this machine so far... how do you like it? how about compared to its brother- the lazer? i no i paid alot but my dealer does not budge on price an i insist on buying from him. he has the best service around. when my equipment is down alot of the time he'll have one of his guys stop what they are doing to fix mine and have me right back on the road! i cant ask for more.