Bobcat Hydro Walk Behind - opinions?

[Strongmd]

I'm currently using walkers and scags. The scags have the new advantage deck. I'm not happy with the new scags and I think I'm going to switch to another line. Anyone have experience with Bobcat walk-behinds that they'd like to share? I'm looking at the hydro model w/17hp kawi and the fixed deck.

[Bunton Guy]

Cant break em...unless you dont take care of them. I am friends with a bunton,bobcat,ariens,great dane dealer and the mower you see in there the least is bobcat then great dane. Strong run good dont worry bout the thing just take care of it and you will do fine. The hydro models are nice and smoothe only down side is the fact that the pistol grip is a bit to far out to reach for my fingers when going the full 8.5 mph speed.

[SMB]

We're very happy with our Bob-Cats. I just wish we would've got a Hydro WB instead of a belt drive. The Kawasakis run great!

[onboard2]

I've got two bobcats one a 54" hydro and a new 61 " ZTR with the 23hp Kawi. The 54" is a very dependable machine and it stripes better than most mowers I've seen. I would get the Kawi engine
before the B&S. You cant go wrong with a Bobcat.

[SMB]

Don't forget the price! Bob-Cats are very reasonable.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

Another option is to go to Boston Lawnmower and look at the Gravely.

You might like it.

Barry

[lakegastonla]

Another option, yes, but this thread was about bobcats. I have an older 48 inch belt drive xm model (it's my backup machine for the Lesco)and I love this mower! Never needs anything! I want to see the new models with the floating deck. Anyone seen/used one?

[Dave]

The new bobcats go faster than the old because of the tire change,they had to raise it for the floating decck,one thing I liked is the electric clutch and it takes 5min to get the deck off,They have a problem with the brakes that they are working on,the new design would be less effort to squeeze the handles,and have the distance shorter,the engineer told me that they feel the drums are to hard and it is making the pads glaze over in a short period of time giving it a squealing effect when applied,otherwise they seem like a good machine and out of the 9 I sold this problem has been with two,email me if you have any other questions

[Strongmd]

Dave,
It seems you're referring to the belt drive/floating deck, I'm talking about the hydro drive/fixed deck, do you have any input on this?

[Strongmd]

A couple of features I like about the bobcat are
-sealed bearings - no more daily greasing
-spring loaded blade belt, no more belt adjustments? hopefully,
-I like the way the engine deck connects to the cutter deck better than scag, I had a lot of problems with scag's bolts loosening up on me.
-I like the deck style better than the scag advantage, it holds a grass gobbler better
-not sure yet, but I think I also like the parking brake better on the bobcat than on the scag, the scags parking brake is hooked up to a safety so that engine shuts-down if you try to engage the speed control, however, there is no safety for engaging it in reverse to back of a trailer, so my parking brake gets ruined pretty quickly by backing up with it on. The bobcat parking brake is not hooked up to any safetys and will not let you go in reverse because it locks up the tires.
I think I'll end up getting (2) 48" hydros, w/17hp kawi, electric start, an hour meter, a grass gobbler, and a velke.

Does anyone have any negatives on bobcat hydro w/b's?

[MacLawnCo]

There is a company in town that only runs Bobcat hydro W/Bs. They have close to ten and they run then rough. The mowers cut very well and seem to hold up to their abuse. Arround here, 80% of the companies who have W/Bs run Bobcats, and they really do well on the lawns.