Big mowers on residential lawns

[accentlc]

I got a call from a guy a couple of days ago that was complaining about his LCO using a big mower on his lawn. I went and took a look at it. It must be a 36" something because he has a fairly narrow gate into the back yard.

Do many of you guys use 52" and 60" wbs or Zs on residential work? Do you have problems with complaints? Thanks for the imput.

[John DiMartino]

As long as the lawn is relatively flat,and free of undulations,my 60" Dixie will do just as good a job as the 21".i do my inlaws 9k lawn with it,and I think its the best looking lawn on the block.

[mdb landscaping]

i use my 60 inch lazer on all my residentials. i think it does less damage then my walkbehind. i havent had any complaints. if you switch mowing directions every week you wont end up with ruts

[Randy Scott]

I only have a 60" Lazer and 21" push mower. Everything gets cut with the Lazer or I won't take the job.

[Guido]

We had a lawn that was under 10k sq.ft. on a commercial lot. It was a straight strip all open, so we used the rider. There was another < 10K sq. ft. lawn that we used a 22" because the time it took to tippy toe around obstacles with the rider or 48" WB was killing the productivity time and it was faster using the 22".

I wouldn't go "looking" for jobs like those though.

AND I WOULD NEVER EVER..... stop using my large mower on a lawn and use a 22"er just because of a complaint. I would have to see damage being caused, then I may consider it.

[rdh]

mdb
just said it
i to do less damage with a ztr compared to a walk behind. 61"chariot and weedeater is all i need for my lawns to cut with
used to use a 21"to trim with (wasted time) and the walk behind got stolden (best thing that happen )i didnt need it another waste of time for my lawns .
most people will come out and say they wished they had a mower like mine .never had a customer complain about size all are residential dont have any small gates most are1/4 ac and larger

[TJLC]

I have been looking at new ztr's. My problem is some of my properties are half slopes and half flat. What do you guys nomally do in this case? Wb on slopes and then ztr on flats areas? Is it a hassle to have to load and unload two machines? I currently use only wb's because they can go almost anywhere. Only one machine to deal with. Load and unload once. I've seen guys on ztr's trying to do these postage stamp yards. Looks like it would be much quicker with a wb. Don't get me wrong I would like to have a ztr. I'm just wondering how you guys handle this. Sorry if I got alittle off subject.

[John DiMartino]

TJLC,I wont take a lawn that I cant hold the side hill with my 60"Dixie on.To be honest,it holds the side hills good for a ZTR,I know a wb can hold them better,but i really dont need work that badIf i could go straight up and down the Dixie will do great up hill,but on the way back down,it can get hairy if its real steep,and the rear tires can scuff as you try to keep from flying to the bottom.

[Richard Martin]

The only time I don't use my 60" is when there are steep slopes or narrow gates. That accounts for 5 out of 38 accounts in total.

[lawnboy82]

TJLC- it all depends on how many people are in the crew, and what kind of Sq. footage you are looking at for the property. If you have 3 guys, one takes the walk behind, another goes with the Z another goes with the trimmer. I have one place like this right now. The front I would never in a million years take Z on, because even w/b's slide going across. The back however, is not a problem for a Z. Property is 1 1/2 acres of cutting. So again, crew size / property size.

[Mark]

I have several lawns where i use all three 52" walkbehind, 62" Z- and 21" proline. All of these mowers has its place on the hilly jobs my 52 is a must, and on alot of my commercial jobs such as restr/banks/bussiness for the entryways i always use a 21" to get the fine manicure look. I don't have any problem with unloading mowers,im not one of the cutters you see running to get everything done,id quit before id punish myself like that. I do 46 propertys and average very well dollar wise. So ill say that for the lawns that i service i use all three mowers on alot of them for this reason.If there is a little valley how can you cut it with a Z without goudging ruts in the lawn? Ive been doing this now for over 10yrs and have never lost a client due to poor work.

[kutnkru]

We have started cutting Residential clients who wish with 21" mowers. They pay a steep price for the privelage they have requested and thus far it has been quite profitable.

We have strayed from the Z craze because we are compitent enough with our decks not to tear up the turf as many incompitent continue to do with Zs and continue to lose clients.

I have also heard of some LCOs getting complaints about 48s on the properties. I think it comes down to if you can cut the smaller sections with a 36" and it takes you two extra passes - do so.

Clients like to see the patterns, they just dont like to pay for them. :rolleyes:

Kris

[65hoss]

We do everything possible with the Lazer. Gated areas we use the 36". I WILL NOT take a property that I need a 21" for. I don't carry the old honda anymore and don't plan to start again. I've tried giving a higher price for using a 21", but I have found nobody willing to pay it. On this southern grass it looks better using a wider deck. 21" on fescues look good, but on bermuda or zoysia the tire marks are really bad. Smoother look from bigger mowers. I guess this is why people around here like me using the big machines.

[Runner]

The Lazer is always at the back of the trailer for this very same reason. It is most ALWAYS used. If I have a patch of grass that it 5'X5' or larger, the Lazer does it.;)

[cp]

My 60 is the first to come off the trailer and the last to go on. My 38 is for gated properties and hills and ditches, but only if my Z won't do it.

I have one commercial acct. that I have been using both and my (don't laugh) 22" Murray. Too many signs and ornamentals to negotiate with the bigger toys. When I get the money I will buy a commercial 21 if needed, but as long as my Murray holds it will do just fine.

The right tool for the right job.:blob3:

[Currier]

This whole idea of Z mowers beiing overkill is ridiculous...but I suppose a good marketing ploy for those that want to keep from the investment and don't mind taking the time to use the 21"

It's just technology and the result is true professionals that utilize that technology are able to open extra opportunities for their business. Do you have to have a Z to be professional? NO. Does it make you less of a professional for using one? NO. Do you really want the type of customer that times you and wants to dictate what technology you use? I don't. I suppose next the customer will say that grass shears and shovels should be used instead of trimmers and edgers.
The great thing about this biz is that you get to dictate what service you provide and who you provide it to...

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by cp
I have been using my (don't laugh) 22" Murray.

:laugh:

J/K, I used a Murray for a trim mower when I started out too.
You have to start some way. ;)

[laserman]

Got a 48 hydro use it everwhere it will fit. 32 for gates. I also wont take a yard that needs a 21. My crankshaft will rust out before I wear out my 21!! hehe!!:D

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by Currier
The great thing about this biz is that you get to dictate what service you provide and who you provide it to...

That Is so True!!!!!!!!!! :angry:
I have some condos that I have been doing for 6 years, and make very good money for them. I have been using my 48 inch WB on them since I started, but sometimes I will use the 21 in if its wet, etc. Last week the property manager called and asked if I would use the 21 inch on one of the properties al the time. I asked her to tell me why, because I have been using the 48 inch since I started, except when wet,etc. She said the owner wants the 21 inch used on that property. :angry: How can someone dictate what equiptment you should use, unless you are tearing the property up, which is not the case. I said ok and raised the price 10.00 a cut. If she was not such a good customer,good payer, and they weren`t paying as much as they are I would have told her to find someone else.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

60" ZTR any where it will go safely

Never been told mower was to big. Just that we go to fast and couldn't be doing a good job. By a lady who never goes out in her lawn. Still have her and no complaints

LGF

:blob1:

[jeffex]

just got a call last night to give a price on a lawn. "no big mowers " I told the lady $50 for 1/4 acre with little mowers. she asked how much if I use big mowers I told her $25 "WOW " she says she'll give "the big mowers" a try. You bet lady!!!

[lawnworker]

I think azero turn would be just as good for most yards if the operater is experianced at turning after each row.I am thinking of buying a z this winter one thing i know i would like is to get that engine and exhaust behind me instead of breathing it all the time with the 48 and 36 walkbehind.The 36 i will keep for gates,hills and small areas.

[TGCummings]

When I first stepped up to a 36" WB last year (from a 21", bare in mind I'm in an area of predominately postage-stamp lawns), I had several complaints about the 'big mower'. Most of the complaints stemmed from customers who just didn't like the 'idea' of a big mower on their lawn. Pressed for a reason, they would simply reply, "I don't know, I just don't like it."

Needless to say, the axe fell heavy.

Most of those customers have now moved on to cheaper, uninsured gardeners who butcher their lawns with small mowers, edge badly and infrequently, and rarely trim. Funny thing is, after a year of using the 36" for everything I could get the machine onto, I now use the 21" for lawns like theirs, i.e. smallish lawns with gates smaller than 36 inches, but charge higher rates. In retrospect, I wonder sometimes whether I should have ever purchased the larger machine in my area. I have a few places where it's a necessity, and during heavy Spring growth it is a godsend, but of late it does more sitting than running (and I'm still making payments!).

Going back a second, I still think the customers who complained about the bigger mower's use were wrong. The only thing that using it did was to ensure I spent more time on the job because I had to switch mowers to get into their backyard. The cut was the same, and in some cases better, but the shock of seeing a large machine on their lawn was just more than they could handle. Most had never seen or heard of a walkbehind mower as big as 36"...

-TGC

[rixtag]

Accent, I use my 36 on every lawn. I use my 21 on islands and places where I can't get my 36 only.

PS. Where are you located in UT? I live in Orem.

Rick

[accentlc]

I'm in Layton.

[HOMER]

I guess they would really have a problem when I put my 72" Chopper on the lawn! If it fits it gets used. The smallest mower I have is a 48" and it stays on the trailer most of the time. My main mowers are the 2 Choppers, one is a 50" and the other the 72". The 21" gets used veeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy little and never for a entire lawn, not even a backyard. I have one very small commercial accout that I mow with the 21" and it pays $125.00 per month year round.................takes maybe 15 minutes to edge trim and mow it.................I'll keep using it for that!

[TurfTigerseye]

We use 48" Grasshopper...and 52 Turftiger.....the Grasshopper climbs the hills and handles uneven turf better...the Tiger is great for flat areas or especially along well defined landscape lines. We use them on as many lawns as possible...for....time is money...but quality still has to be excellent....When we cant use them we have several small Honda 215 walkbehinds..they work for the rest. Depending on the terrain will vary what mowers you use...if the grass is fine...you have to really watch the commercial mowers when turning....then again....the same occurs when wet or extremely dry....so you have to use caution all the time, whichever mowers you choose to use.