What do you look for when purchacing a mower?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Power

Size

Speed

Wheel base (width )

Dealer support (more than one dealer selling the same machine also)

Part availability

Depth of mower deck

Discharge of clippings

Accessories

Comfort

Ease of controls

Price

Extra fetures

This is pretty much the order I use.

[big james]

I think you pretty well summed it up L.G.F ,Other than that I look at metal thickness and the welds ,which most are all the same .among the quality machines that is and don't forget Color ! there is something about Exmark red that turns me on!:p

[Richard Martin]

I think you left something off and it's probably the most important of all and it's something that Lawnsite is good for.

The experiences that others have had with the same machine.

[Esby]

Plain and simple...there just aren't any other machines that get my attention!!!

[65hoss]

Reputation of the quality and durability of the product. Manufacturer supports is a big plus also.

[cutter3]

power and top quality cut parts availability

[dlandscaping]

what lgf said is what i look for, but i also look at how popular the brand or certain mower is in my area. If it is popular, it mostly means it is a trusted mower and well liked. When i only see a few trailers with one or two brands of mowers then i stay away from them. All toro and exmark for me from now on.

[ohiolawnguy]

parts availability, and dealer support are most important to us. both of which have always been good to us. We have been using bobcat mowers for 15 years now. next 2 issus would be decj thickness, and power. after that , price.

From what I see, most of you guys really like the exmark brand. Is it because of price? Most folks around here who buy them grow to despise them, and eventually switch brands. I am not trying to rag on exmark, just interested in why everyone here likes them so much. I would say most popular brands around here are bobcat, and scag. but, thats just what ive noticed, and isnt based on any actual sales statistic.

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

Have had Scag, Choppers, and Grasshoppers before I first bought my first Ex-Mark 4 years ago. Would NEVER go back. We now have all Exmark equipment, sold all the others, or traded them in for the new Lazers. Just my opinion, but that has been what my experience has been.

Scott:D

[Mike Paulsen]

LGF I would think guys with crew(s) would have easy learning curve to be able to use would be close to the top. Unless your employee turnover is very low.

[stick9]

We went with the lawnmower that had the BEST overall cut, most comprehensive operating system (deck height can be easily adjusted on the fly to compensate for ill terrain and other height variances), and quick speed in both forward and reverse (we would sometimes use the mower to do an expeditious pre-cleanup on the paved areas which requires a fast and accurate reverse system) ... These things also obviously include engine power, durability, blahblahblah ..


That's why we chose the Flatlander Dixie Chopper. The Exmark just didn't cut it for us (pun intended) :).


STiCK-NiNe

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Mike Paulsen
LGF I would think guys with crew(s) would have easy learning curve to be able to use would be close to the top. Unless your employee turnover is very low.

If I can learn it fast, I think so should they. But I did forget that factor, thanks.