Thoughts on a Walkbehind

[LazyWeekends]

I currently have about 40 residential customers, averaging about 5000 sq. ft., and I use my Toro Z Master 44" for all of them. I have a concern with the quality of cut and also where I am tearing up the turf with the wheels on the turns. No matter how easy and slow I take it I always seem to "leave my mark", especially in the areas where repeated turns are necessary and in wet conditions.

So as a way of improving the quality of cut and to try and eliminate or reduce turf damage from turning, I am considering buying a Walkbehind, specifically a new model Gravely 48" Hydro or a Toro Proline 44".

My questions is:
Will I be buying the W/B for the right reasons, in other words, will a walkbehind cut better and not tear up the turf as bad?

[Evan528]

I do not feel like a walkbehind will sove your problems at all. The problem is with the operator, not the mower. You need to learn to make a careful 3 point turn and keep all tires moving when making a change in direction. A hydro walkbehind will steer just the same as your rider only youll be walking behind it!

[slplow]

Evan is right. even a walk behind will scuff a lawn when turning.

[BRIAN GALLO]

How's your tire pressure? If you have too much psi that will cause you to scuff up the turf. If you get a walk-behind you'll just be getting a smaller tire (which should actually be worse!) I would stick with the Z, you will be going backwards in productivity with a wb.

[LazyWeekends]

Thanks for your input guys, got me thinking again. Probably won't get the W/B now.

[eslawns]

3 point turns are the key. You may also need to slow down some. What I was doing was pivoting the inside wheel in place when turning, or spinning it because I didn't slow down. Both tore up lawns.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I did get a WB for this exact reason, and I have seen positive results. Places that I used to 'leave my mark' are now filling in nicely and the cut is excellent. I guess since I'm chasing the thing, I'm a lot easier in the turns than I was with the Z, even though I am very careful with the Z. The particular customer that I had the problem with is now thrilled with her yard. Plus I increased my versatility by purchasing the WB. I say go for it.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Both mower types turn in the same aspect.

But a WB will tread lighter on wet turf, and in some cases leave less damage.

All are correct in technique as the answer.

As what CSRA said for versitillity a WB will fill that well.

Now as far as productivity how much faster will a larger WB do than a smaller ZTR?

Unless you get the same size in a WB on the lawn sizes you specified how much faster will a ZTR be? Not much to make that big of a difference.

[ealbertson]

CRSA,

Do you still have and use the ZTR? I have all walk behinds right now but am very seriously considering a ZTR. The main reason is increased productivity. I now have a 48" eXmark WB, a 50" Gravely WB and a 60" tricycle Yazoo ( old as the hills and needs to be sent out to pasture). I am thinking that my ideal setup would be a 36" WB (access fenced areas), a ~48" WB and about a 60" ZTR. Anybody have any thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Ed

[RB]

Get a wb and for the z on 5,000 sq. ft. lawns. I bet you will mow faster with a 48" wb than you can w/44" z. A three point turn -- that will take forever. That Toro 44" will turf a lawn even when it's dry.

[CSRA Landscaping]

Ed, you'd better believe that I still have my Z. That Scag Tiger Cub purrs like a kitten and there's no way that I would get rid of it. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to get through Friday in one day. ;)

The WB is just another tool in the toolbox.

[trimmer]

LazyWeekends,

I am in the exact perdiciment. I have the Toro Z-Master with the 44" ZTR and it scuffs up the turf bad, I don't think it is the operator that causes the problem. I cut the same size lawns as you do and my next mower purchase will be a walkbehind 44 or 48 inches, I don't think I will buy another ZTR unless it is 60 inches or bigger. I have an old Gravely 36" walkbehind and dosen't ever scuff the turf.

There was an article in Turf I believe on the exact same issue. They were saying unless you cut large lawns a walkbehind will not scuff the turf near as badly and productivity will not suffer that much to really notice.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Well I don't have this problem of small lawns or small ZTR's.

But 9 out of 10 times the opperator is the problem, because it doesn't matter the size lawn or mower.

[skyphoto]

YES the WB will scuff less.....period.......especially on a slope or damp grass...However I do agree oper. error is normally the biggest contributing factor to turf damage done by a mower.

[65hoss]

A w/b will not destroy the turf as bad because it weighs a lot less. Pivioting on 1 wheel with 500lbs verses 1000lbs is a big difference.

Although, it is technique most of the time. If your careful and learn the 3 pt turn well you shouldn't have a problem.

[Clewsew]

Originally posted by ealbertson
CRSA,

I now have a 48" eXmark WB, a 50" Gravely WB and a 60" tricycle Yazoo ( old as the hills and needs to be sent out to pasture).


I have an old as the hills Yahoo tricycle as well. What size engine does it have? Mine has an 18hp Wisconson with a 60" deck. That thing would drive though a house if you arn't careful. The wife thinks I should wear a seatbelt, cause it looks like I am riding bull...Talk about having to know what you are doing...that thing is not for the faint of heart. I am goint to sell it this year I think - if you need a running parts machine! I am going to get a WB instead I think.

Doug

[ealbertson]

Doug,

It has a 16 hp B&S. It would probably do better with a little more horsepower, but at this point I don't really want to put the time or money in it.

Take Care,

Ed

[Hayabusa007]

What I learned last year, was you do not bring that inside tire to a stop. Keep it rolling, and it won't tear the grass. At first I had a tendancy to speed up the outside wheel to turn. WRONG! The best way is to hold speed steady, slow your inside wheel, but keep it rolling.

[SMB]

We've found that our 48" belt drive WB w/sulky is about 1/3 slower than our 48" ZTR, that's a BIG productivity drop! Stick with your Z!

[LawnCrafters]

Evryone's right about technique being the major part. But the mower can help. I've found that I can be more productive with a hydro walk behind (with a sulky) than a ZTR. Because I can move in and out of tight spaces alot faster. You can also reach farther under trees and bushes because of it's lower profile. Walkbehinds are also a lot lighter.
I'd go with a hydro WB but not a belt drive, they are just slow all together.

[summitgroundskeeping]

That new 50" Gravely (don't make a 48") is VERY nice. I love my GD Scamper, just a solid machine, actually the Gravely is too.