wolfsburg57
05-08-2007, 10:28 AM
First time poster here.
Looking to upgrade my mower - budget hasn't been finalized yet but I doubt it will clear $4k. The primary objectives are 1) reduce overall cutting time (thats how I'll sell it to the wife), 2) maintain or improve the quality of cut and striping, 3) the option to BAG those heavy leaves during the fall.
I have an acre lot here in Central Indiana on which my house and driveway sit. The backyard, which is probably about 60% of the overall lot is fully picket fenced. The gates are 48". It has a decent amount of obstacles - there's a storage "barn/shed", 6 trees along the back fence (pine and flowering), three big trees (maples and gingkos) more towards the center, and a couple burning bushes. The front and back side yard has a mild slope to it, probably no more than 10 degrees, and a few smaller flowering trees. There's a ditch with a little bit of a slope along the front of the property, again probably 10 or 15 degrees. The grass is probably kentucky bluegrass, and it grows really fast with the mix of sun and shade I have.
I currently cut this with a Toro recycler walkbehind. Takes upwards of 2+ hours with trimming, and can substantially longer if I want to bag.
I would like to buy local as I don't have a truck to haul a big mower around (though I can borrow a truck and trailor). This limits me to a Deere dealer, or a Toro, Scag, Snapper, lawnboy dealer. If I go 25+ miles out, I can get to a Simplicity or Hustler dealer. Neither dealer seems to be a jerk and I've had good service with my Echo trimmers with the non-Deere dealer - however he did try and push me to a Timecutter when I first brought the mower up with him :rolleyes: .
My first thought was just the good ol' riding tractor. Simplicity, Deere, Snapper all seemed to fit the bill. BUT then I found this site and all heck broke loose.
Ignoring your commercial business, what would you use if this was your situation? I'm thinking a good Toro Gear Drive WB with the turboforce deck is the ticket or possibly a mini fastrak... but then part of me thinks I'm getting hung up on the cool commercial stuff and that I could really get what I need from a Simplicity Regent or Deere equivalent. I know I need to try'em out, but I guess I'm asking for a reality check. Should someone who mows 1 yard seasonally be even looking at this stuff?
Thanks!
Steve
Looking to upgrade my mower - budget hasn't been finalized yet but I doubt it will clear $4k. The primary objectives are 1) reduce overall cutting time (thats how I'll sell it to the wife), 2) maintain or improve the quality of cut and striping, 3) the option to BAG those heavy leaves during the fall.
I have an acre lot here in Central Indiana on which my house and driveway sit. The backyard, which is probably about 60% of the overall lot is fully picket fenced. The gates are 48". It has a decent amount of obstacles - there's a storage "barn/shed", 6 trees along the back fence (pine and flowering), three big trees (maples and gingkos) more towards the center, and a couple burning bushes. The front and back side yard has a mild slope to it, probably no more than 10 degrees, and a few smaller flowering trees. There's a ditch with a little bit of a slope along the front of the property, again probably 10 or 15 degrees. The grass is probably kentucky bluegrass, and it grows really fast with the mix of sun and shade I have.
I currently cut this with a Toro recycler walkbehind. Takes upwards of 2+ hours with trimming, and can substantially longer if I want to bag.
I would like to buy local as I don't have a truck to haul a big mower around (though I can borrow a truck and trailor). This limits me to a Deere dealer, or a Toro, Scag, Snapper, lawnboy dealer. If I go 25+ miles out, I can get to a Simplicity or Hustler dealer. Neither dealer seems to be a jerk and I've had good service with my Echo trimmers with the non-Deere dealer - however he did try and push me to a Timecutter when I first brought the mower up with him :rolleyes: .
My first thought was just the good ol' riding tractor. Simplicity, Deere, Snapper all seemed to fit the bill. BUT then I found this site and all heck broke loose.
Ignoring your commercial business, what would you use if this was your situation? I'm thinking a good Toro Gear Drive WB with the turboforce deck is the ticket or possibly a mini fastrak... but then part of me thinks I'm getting hung up on the cool commercial stuff and that I could really get what I need from a Simplicity Regent or Deere equivalent. I know I need to try'em out, but I guess I'm asking for a reality check. Should someone who mows 1 yard seasonally be even looking at this stuff?
Thanks!
Steve