Newbie Needs Advice

[telesis37]

So here's the story. I just purchased a home on 3.25 acres. About 2.5 acres of that needs to be mowed. I grew up pushmowing a lot of yards. I used a crappy little mower. So now I'm excited about having my own property and getting something nice. Problem is I'm finding out I don't know anything. I was looking at Craftsmans @ Sears thinking they were probably some of the best. Then, my research took me to Lowes and I thought, whoa, I can get a John Deere for about the same price as a Craftsman. Then I went to the John Deere site and found out that the ones the sell at Lowes and Home Depot are bottom of the line and a lot of people don't even consider them "real Deeres." So, I was looking at the John Deere select series. One way or another I found my way to this page and started reading about a bunch of brands that I've never even heard of. That's when I realized I was way over my head and need advice that Consumer Reports and my dad can't give me.

I'm looking for a budget Walk-Behind. I have a ton of trees, bushes and obstacles to work around and a rider makes it too much work. I am going to be looking for something used. I really don't want to spend a lot of money. And for me, that means under 2k.

Thanks, everyone!!!

[IHusky]

Don't get a lawn tractor!!!! My co-worker has one and he hates it. I would go with at least a 48" deck, but bigger if you can find one and add on a velke or sulky. If you're just doing your yard, I don't think you'll need hydro, belt driven walkbehind will work for you. A belt will cost less and won't be as expensive to fix vs hydro walkbehind You should be able to find something used for $1500 - $2000, maybe less. Check craigs list and the free classified on this site. The commercial Gravely, Exmark, Toro, Hustler, Scag, Lesco, Encore, Snapper all should work for you as long as its a commercial unit. Good luck

[telesis37]

Thanks! That'll get me started. Where is the classifieds section of lawnsite? I can't seem to find it.

[IHusky]

http://www.lawnsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=51

here's the link, it on the homepage its called "free equipment and parts market place" under Helpful Lawnsite Tools section

[LarryF]

I believe that in the long run, you will be better off to stretch your budget a bit and get a new BOP 44" mower. They are on sale now, and you can get the 44 Super Duty for $2500 or the 44 Ninja that has a Kawasaki engine for a hundred bucks more. Seems to me that virtually every one who bought a BOP has good things to say about them. Doesn't seem to be the case for mowers sold by Sears, Home Depot or Lowes, however. I'm also not too impressed with Consumer Reports recommendations on mowers.

[mdawson]

I believe that in the long run, you will be better off to stretch your budget a bit and get a new BOP 44" mower. They are on sale now, and you can get the 44 Super Duty for $2500 or the 44 Ninja that has a Kawasaki engine for a hundred bucks more. Seems to me that virtually every one who bought a BOP has good things to say about them. Doesn't seem to be the case for mowers sold by Sears, Home Depot or Lowes, however. I'm also not too impressed with Consumer Reports recommendations on mowers.

I agree with Larry. I just bought a Quick 36" Ninja based on what I found here and have been very impressed with the Better Outdoor Products mower.

But for 2.5 acres are you sure you want to walk? Seems a zero turn rider would be much more suited to that amount of grass. But with your budget you will be hard pressed to find something decent. Maybe look for a stander. I've seen a couple priced at or below $3000 if you can really stretch your budget.

[telesis37]

:)I really don't mind walking. I'm a huge fitness buff. Plus, can't I hook up one of those sulkies or whatever they're called?

[mdawson]

:)I really don't mind walking. I'm a huge fitness buff. Plus, can't I hook up one of those sulkies or whatever they're called?
Gotcha. Yes you can use a sulky, just make sure you get a decent size engine.

[punt66]

You can get a brand new encore 48" belt for $2200. My dealer had a bunch of them.

[telesis37]

You can get a brand new encore 48" belt for $2200. My dealer had a bunch of them.

Hmm... Just when I thought I had narrowed it down. So check this out, I'm currently the high bidder on two ebay auctions. Both started at $1000 and I'm the only bidder on either. Both are about a year old and have under 50 hours on them. One is a Dixon-ZTR Walkabout 48" (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180346519545&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:US:1123) and the other is a BOP Quick 32 Samurai (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160327297045&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:US:1123)

The Dixon-ZTR would get the job done quicker, but I'd be happy with either of them.

[ksJoe]

Are you planning on using both of them at the same time? That would take some talent :clapping:

Here's another option: http://www.fieldrobot.dk/index.php/casmobot

[Littleriver1]

Where do you live? I got lots of stuff.

[IHusky]

Man, don't get the 32", its too small for your size property. Try and get at least a 48" wb. Good luck.

[telesis37]

You can get a brand new encore 48" belt for $2200. My dealer had a bunch of them.

Man, I called all the dealers within a 100 mile radius and each one of them said you were on crack :) They all quoted me a bottom-line price of $2999 for the 48" Belt. I made sure to specify "belt" as well. Who's your dealer and where is he located????

[telesis37]

Here's another option: http://www.fieldrobot.dk/index.php/casmobot

Wow. That's pretty neat. WalMart sells a robot lawn mower similar to the ones that clean the floors. It's completely automatic. That thing couldn't handle my yard though :)

<a href="http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g85/Telesis37/?action=view&current=n502406994_1512160_3362.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g85/Telesis37/n502406994_1512160_3362.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

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[telesis37]

Here's another option: http://www.fieldrobot.dk/index.php/casmobot

Wow. That's pretty neat. WalMart sells a robot lawn mower similar to the ones that clean the floors. It's completely automatic. That thing couldn't handle my yard though :)

Here's a link to pictures of my yard. The home is completely remodled now so we need to get the yard squared away. Any professional suggestions are greatly appreciated!

My Yard (http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g85/Telesis37/property/?albumview=slideshow) Slideshow Password: lawnsite

[telesis37]

Hey, administrator, could you delete my post #15? I messed up the links. #16 is how I wanted it :) You can delete this reply too.

[telesis37]

Where do you live? I got lots of stuff.

I live in Surry County Virginia just South of Colonial Williamsburg, NorthWest of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake etc. Technically part of Hampton Roads... on the outskirts.

[punt66]

Man, I called all the dealers within a 100 mile radius and each one of them said you were on crack :) They all quoted me a bottom-line price of $2999 for the 48" Belt. I made sure to specify "belt" as well. Who's your dealer and where is he located????

collinsville power equipment. Farmington CT. collinsvillepower1.com Call him and see if he has any left. His name is Mark. Then tell me i am on crack.

[IN2MOWN]

collinsville power equipment. Farmington CT. collinsvillepower1.com Call him and see if he has any left. His name is Mark. Then tell me i am on crack.



$3475.00 from my dealer. I wouldnt buy it anyway though. I hate belt driven mowers.

[punt66]

$3475.00 from my dealer. I wouldnt buy it anyway though. I hate belt driven mowers.

yea i agree there. I dont even like wb's. But for a home owner a belt is just fine.

[IN2MOWN]

yea i agree there. I dont even like wb's. But for a home owner a belt is just fine.

The only one I use is my 36 to get into gates that my 54 Stander wont go into. I have a 48 WB though that I use as a backup.

Do you use Encores punt?

Ive always used them and always like them. Easy to use and easy to work on in the field.

[punt66]

The only one I use is my 36 to get into gates that my 54 Stander wont go into. I have a 48 WB though that I use as a backup.

Do you use Encores punt?

Ive always used them and always like them. Easy to use and easy to work on in the field.

I have a ferris 52" 25hp ztr. A 48" encore belt for a backup and a 54" deer 17hp electric start wet transaxle (smooth like a hydro) also as a backup.
But encore makes a good reasonably priced line. If am not mistaken is also made from the original owner of ferris after he sold ferris.

[IN2MOWN]

I have a ferris 52" 25hp ztr. A 48" encore belt for a backup and a 54" deer 17hp electric start wet transaxle (smooth like a hydro) also as a backup.
But encore makes a good reasonably priced line. If am not mistaken is also made from the original owner of ferris after he sold ferris.



He was one of the founders of ExMark.

[telesis37]

Here's my new machine!!!

It was used one season and has about 40 hours on it. $1500 with a steel grass catcher attachment!

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g85/Telesis37/bceb_1.jpg


Thanks for all your help everyone!!! I'm also going to get a smaller BOP walk behind as a backup.