36" mower

[snow]

I have a small landscaping business. I currently use a 6hp, 5 speed 21&quot; snapper. This year I would like to get a 36&quot; walkbehind. I would get a 48&quot;, actually I prefer a 48&quot;, but the gates that some of my customers have limit me from getting a 48&quot; inside. I would like to know, who do you think makes the best 36&quot; gear-drive? I'm thinking of getting a used one, so which brand would you buy used if the mower was in good/ok shape?<br>Thanks<p>Bryan<p>----------<br>The Snowplow Homepage<br>http://www.snowplow.web.com

[Barkleymut]

Look at the Gateway by Great Dane. I think this would be the best solution.

[bdemir]

I think from reading this forum so much i would buy a toro or an exmark. That is what ive heard everyone say.

[goose]

I would get a Toro . I have compared them to all other major brands.It cuts bermuda and zoyzia and mulches leaves. To mulch leaves you will need to block the discharge but it works great

[Eric ELM]

If I was buying a new walk behind, I would buy an Exmark. I hear they are really good. <p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[john boylan]

The Exmark floating deck will let you go down to 1.5 inches--I believe the Toro will only go to 2 inches. I like my ancient Scag and my 2-year old JD okay, but they stay in the barn (unless it's wet) now that I have the Exmark 36&quot; floater.

[little green guy]

If you are going to buy a used mower i would buy an exmark, bobcat or a scag, which ever is more common in your area and you can get parts for easily.

[little green guy]

If you are going to buy a used mower i would buy an exmark, bobcat or a scag, which ever is more common in your area and you can get parts for easily.

[cutntrim]

Well Brian, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you won't be cutting alot of residential lawns consisting of Zosia or Bermuda at 1.5&quot; since you're from New England. I'm in the north as well and we have three 36&quot; Ransomes and use them in exactly the situations you would be. They are fixed decks and pistol grips. A 36&quot; deck is lightweight and you can push down on the handgrips when going over bumps to avoid scalping. You don't need a floating deck IMO. Our first Ransomes is a 14hp Kohler and is going into its 8th season. Probably has cut over 10,000 lawns and runs as well now as it did day one. <p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>

[Victor]

Hi Bryan. I run nothing but Exmark mowers, and have had nothing but great luck with them. I think you'll find that all of the 3 brands mentioned above can be very dependable, but what drove me to buying a &quot;Mark&quot; was the quality of cut that I get. I remember the when I demoed these three different brands. I personally liked the cut that the &quot;Mark&quot; gave much better than anything else I saw. It's all a matter of opinion. As far as buying a used Mark that's a year, or so old. You should be able to pick a good one up for around $1700 (36&quot;). Be sure to do your homework though, and make sure that you buy whatever brand because you think it's the best for you. They're all good!<p>Vic

[Lazer]

I think they're is some good advise on this thread.<p>I'd like to add: <br>Get a 48&quot; mower (or larger) and &quot;push-mow&quot; (21&quot;) the fenced in back yards. <p>Unless most of your customers have fenced in yards/some large fenced areas, you be happier with a larger mower.

[Keith]

What drove me to buy a 36&quot; Exmark was the Bobcat dealer. I needed a mower that day. He quoted me a price of $2600 for the Bobcat. I left, went to another dealer and bought the Exmark for $2000