are walker mowers a good deal?

[david griggs]

i never heard of them until yesterday when i was doing a search on commercial mowers. the thing i like about them is that the decks are interchagable. that way i wouldnt have to buy two mowers,i could slap on the 42" on days when i have my small gated lawns set up, & set up my large lawns on the other days and run with the 52" deck. sound like a plan?

[landscaper3]

They are a great mower! As an owner of 3 Walker mowers they are worth every penny! If those who dont like probly never owned one and is only a opinion. We have Walkers, Toro Z-Masters, Toro Walk behinds and feel all our mowers have a specific task in my company. The Walkers are an out front mower unlike our ZMasters, you can cut tight areas and save time on trimming due to this design. All our employees also agree for small to medium size yards that need to be bagged its a much better machine. For our ZMasters they win hands down on large properties where bagging is not needed plus do to there size and speed they can cut a lawn in no time. The ZMasters we run are faster then the Walkers but like I siad each mower has there own specialty. Walker mowers have decks from 42" to 72" many options like tail locks, light kit, power dump and more. Also available are dethatchers, areators, debri blowers, bucket loader, bed edger, bed coulter, boom sprayers, snow blowers and more. We have the Big 9.5 bagger mowers and can switch to a 52" side discharge deck in 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!! Like I siad if you own one you will like it you havent its only a opinion.

[david griggs]

thanks for the info brian, so how much do these beasties cost? im thinking about a model C. we mulch exclusivly so wouldnt need the bagger. two minutes to change the decks? im sold!

[Currier]

I first bought a Walker after I had been doing this for a few years. I bought a VERY used model C and it changed my business. I ran than sucker for 3 years and it was 16 years old when I bought it (they had changed the engine).

Last season I bought a new 26 hp and it has again opened up opportunities (thanks Mow Ed). Your going to hear the words "high maintenance" That has NOT been my experience. You change/sharpen the blades, keep it greased, and change the oil (all super simple procedures) and these machines will run forever.

I would think a 16 hp (model C) would run around $8,000.00. Extra decks run $1200.00 plus. These are not cheap machines, but then again do you want all of your competitors to be able to afford one?

[LJ lawn]

i would recommend going and demo-ing one first.enginewise i'd go with the 20 or 25 hp.if you have the scroll go with the diesel.the 16 is better suited for homeowner use.a new deck will cost you between $1200 to $1500.i have just seen a used 2001 model with 400 hrs on it for $4500 -not a bad deal since the're 10 grand new (ghs).they're ok for the small properties but a little slow on the bigger stuff.

[captdevo]

Da Best!!!!

for baggin', hills, manueverability, and re-sale value........

[david griggs]

most of our lawns are small,we can do about 3-4 an hour at $25 a pop.we've tried many mowers over the years,snappers,dixons,toro 32" walk behind,even a $1,500 troy bilt 33" wb- i liked it better than the $3000 toro!

[ohiolawnguy]

although we do not ow one, the walker is a very good mower. ver versatile as well with the many possible attachments.

we use exclusively ransome/bobcat mowers because we get good prices and service, and the dealer is 2 minutes from the shop.

I recall our dealer had a bobcat ZT100 for sale aboout 3 years ago.it is basically bobcats version of a walker with the rear bagging attachment. nobody would buy this machine because of 2 simple reasons. A: it was almost ten grand(relatively the same as a comparable walker) and B: if your going to spend the ten grand may as well buy the walker for the ability to use different attachments if desired.

eventually this mower was sold for $8,000 after sitting for a year and a half, and numerous demos by LCO's

[Grass Guy]

I've been running Walker mowers for 7 years now. I'll have to say from my experience with other mowers you cannot compete with the Walker mower for it's maneuverability, grass handling capacity and cutting performance. It is definitaley the best mower for residential accounts. Saves you major trimming time, blowing, double cutting. The only downfall is taking clippings with you. If you do decide to purchase one, I reccomend going with at least a 20 H.P or better. I had a 16 H.P., The engine was going after 800 hours.

[Currier]

I just now re-read your post. I notice you mulch most of the time. I can't speak to its mulching capabilities. I quite often will blow the clippings out the back (larger properties), but I don't have any experience withWalkers and mulching. I do know that you can get different machines GHS and Side discharge, also they do make mulhcing decks. Around my area it is standard to collect and compost or feed to cows.

[JJ Lawn]

Originally posted by david griggs
i never heard of them until yesterday when i was doing a search on commercial mowers. the thing i like about them is that the decks are interchagable. that way i wouldnt have to buy two mowers,i could slap on the 42" on days when i have my small gated lawns set up, & set up my large lawns on the other days and run with the 52" deck. sound like a plan?

Your planned set up will work just fine.

That's the way I do it. I have the 48" deck that came with the mower.Use it mainly for fall and spring cleanups. Also have a 52" mulch/side discharge deck to use on the larger lawns. And for my smaller yard days I use my 42" decks. I have both the 42" mulch and GHS deck. Just swap pans if I need too.

Jim

[tsmiff1]

I just bought a used walker about a month ago. 25hp 48" GHS with 643hrs. Previously I used a 48" walk behind. I just went out this week and did the same lawns with the walker with no problems at all. Much quicker and still able to get to all the tight spots. Also just bought a stihl 420 blower. With these two pieces of equipment doing leaves was fun for the first time ever! Good luck to ya,
T

[BigJim]

Every one else above has said it all,Great mowers,if you only get a 52inch deck and you meet a small gate,just pull the pins and slide the deck thru' the gate and reattach on the other side.

[slplow]

I bought my fisrt walker last june (used) a 98 20 hp w/ 48 ghs deck saved alote of time over my 52"scag turf tiger( that I sold). This yr I'm buying a new walker maybe the 26 efi and I will run both and save even more time . Are they worth the $$$ ? YES!!! Take in mind that mulching takes more hp so go with the 20 plus hp.

[walker-talker]

i have the 26efi and love it. For bagging, the walker is unsurpassed. i dont think i have heard of anyone that has owned a walker and say negative things about them, other that the problems with the 25hp kohler. use the GHS deck for clean-ups and the 52 for mulching. others have said the decks range from $1200 to $1500 (some do) but the 52 will run around $2100 new. As far as high maintance, as some say, i am sure they are talking about the 30 some odd grease inserts. Just get yourself a small compressor and a air powered grease gun (man those things are nice) and you are good to go. Do a serch on "walker mowers" on this site and you will find a ton of info.

MATT

[OBRYANMAINT]

i own a model t 20 hp,and have te 42 ghs deck and a 54" side discharge , for my operation it is a very versatile mower, the place I realize the most time savings is blowing grass off walks. The 42 deck can mow small islands that usually you would need a 21 to mow.Also have a few properties with gates and i can get this machine right through. The 42 deck is a bit small for fall cleanups butthe time saved the rest of the season is great. We do us eothe midmount ztr's for larger areas but have used my 54 deck before in a pinch

[JJ Lawn]

Originally posted by BigJim
Every one else above has said it all,Great mowers,if you only get a 52inch deck and you meet a small gate,just pull the pins and slide the deck thru' the gate and reattach on the other side.

You have to be on stout man to be able to do that... :)

I have to put blocks under my 52" deck just to change the cutting height. That bugger is heavy. I did buy a smaller dia. pin which was easier to pull.

Jim

[MOW ED]

Absolutely worth the money. I highly recommend the Walker for many reasons and the biggest one is the companys commitment to the small time mower as well as the big guys.

I personally own a 26EFI GHS with a 42" deck and a 9.5bbl box. I have made lots of money with this machine and paid for it in a couple of months. Thats saying alot as I am a solo operator mowing 2 days a week. If there is one drawback to the Walker is that the GHS system isnt really made for very wet grass. It will mow it but ya have to really slow down and keep the screens clean. I'll put up with that. I use the no catch deflector to discharge out the back with great results on KY blue/fescue/rye mixes. Your grass may be different but Walker makes a 52" deck that has AWESOME side discharge capabilities. Get that with the double blades and you wont be able to tell that you are side discharging. Talk to Mowman on this site, he has one and I'll be getting one.
Get it with the speed up kit and you will learn how to handle it right out of the crate. The Walker will not beat a Z on flat out mowing but it is not made to do that. The Walkers attatchments make it a great money maker for me as the Tine Rake is great and the bagging capabilities of leaves is unmatched.
Pricey, a little but they hold their value very well.

I'm not down talking any other mowers here but I am sold on Walker. If you need more just ask.
Good Luck.