Will it pay for itself?

[dmk395]

I have 2 Exmark 48" metros belt driven...am thinking of selling one and buying a hydro tracer 17 or 19 hp, 48" or 52" with a sulkey. Will I really produce enough to warrant the purchase?

[accuratelawn]

I am guessing you do not use a sulkey now. The addition of hydro and a sulkey will make a big difference.
You can walk at about 3mph, but with the sulkey you will be able to mow at 6+
You will really appreciate the sulkey when it heats up this summer. I replaced a wheeled sulkey with a proslide.... it's great!
The 52 would be a little more productive, but by having two units with the same deck size your strips would stay the same useing either mower. With two like units your parts inventory would be less...belts,blades etc.
If you can about one lawn per day the mower will pay for itself by years end.

[dmk395]

6mph mowing?

[65hoss]

Originally posted by accuratelawn
I am guessing you do not use a sulkey now. The addition of hydro and a sulkey will make a big difference.

I have 1st hand knowledge of going to a hydro and a sulky. It will make a HUGE difference. Pay for itself easily.

[KirbysLawn]

Ditti what Hoss said. I started with a gear Bobcat and walked, then I got the Dane Scamper with velkie and could not imaging doing business walking.

[accuratelawn]

IS 6 mph unheard of with a walk behind?
My Great Dane is rated at 7+, so I'm sure the Exmark is around the same.

[Scotlawncare]

DMK395,

the Tracer Hydro WILL pay for itself in the use of ZERO turn. A belt drive you have to get off the sulky or if your walking pull one side back and have to watch for divits that will be left from the wheel. A hydro you can run a line, at the end start your turn and then reverse the inside wheel and leave no divit and never have to get off the sulky. Having that reverse option there at your fingertips is very nice and less time consuming. also, Get the tracer in the 52" deck. large yards you will save one pass for every 12 rows you cut. My math may be off on that number but you can see the differance. I have a 48" metro and sold a 52" hydro bunton and man do I miss the hydro. Zero turns make a differance in time to me.

Scot

[deason]

Originally posted by scotlawncare
A belt drive you have to get off the sulky

Get off the sulky??? Have I been doing it wrong all this time? :confused:

[FrankenScagMachines]

I think he means get off the sulky to make a 'zero turn', holding or pulling one side inward to acheive a 'zero turn', which leaves divots. I don't think he meant to do normal turns braking one side and letting the other go. But with a hydro, you CAN reverse one side alittle to keep it from 'skidding' the lawn and creating a divot or unwanted mark of any sort.
I'd say go for it!

[yorkpaddy]

I would also imagine a hydro is a little smoother in its control of the wheel speed. When I'm mowing in 5th with my toro 36, belt and a sulky, at the turn I slam one wheel on the brakes and it skips, turns again, skips, and then the wheel catches and the mower turns around it. with a hydro I would imagine the deceleration of the wheel would be much smoother

[Scotlawncare]

Originally posted by deason
Originally posted by scotlawncare


Get off the sulky??? Have I been doing it wrong all this time? :confused:


Dave you are killin me. I got the oil leak fixed this week. had em put mobil 1 in it so now i'm set. Also added a set of jungle wheels too. that thing rocks.

Scot

[deason]

Well Scott, I knew good and well if I didn't have to get my big a$$ off that thing at the ends, I sure didn't see why you had to. :laugh: :laugh:

Glad to hear its doing well for you. :)

[GarPA]

DMK...I'm looking to buy a used walk behind thats not beat to death. My HP 52 is a super mower but I landed 2 commercials that I cant use it on(too steep). If we hook up maybe I could meet you half way to pick it up...I live in central PA....email me if you're interested..(how many hours on the 48?) thanks

[geogunn]

Originally posted by Scotlawncare
DMK395,

the Tracer Hydro WILL pay for itself in the use of ZERO turn. A belt drive you have to get off the sulky or if your walking pull one side back and have to watch for divits that will be left from the wheel.

scott-I run a belt machine and I never have this problem, ever.

I think some of you guys are a little rough on the brake side of the turn to cause this.

GEO

[jeffex]

I use 48" belt drive toros and at 6'1" 200 lbs they haul my big but around just fine on velkeys. Only when its wet do they slip some. I just jump off on hills . try it

[dmk395]

Kitzy,

I'm gonna keep it as a spare, thanks anyhow.

[MikeLT1Z28]

i say go for it, it will definitely pay for itself, as does most stuff we all use. also get the sulky, wish i had one! exmark rates the metro 36" at 4mph in fourth, i can do it but i am tired at the end of the day. 5th gear is useless, i can't hang on to it and use it in 5th!

[grassyfras]

When i mow i mom only in 5th grear on my 36" with a velke why cant you?

[MikeLT1Z28]

Originally posted by MikeLT1Z28
also get the sulky, wish i had one!

:p

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by accuratelawn
I am guessing you do not use a sulkey now. The addition of hydro and a sulkey will make a big difference.
You can walk at about 3mph, but with the sulkey you will be able to mow at 6+
You will really appreciate the sulkey when it heats up this summer. I replaced a wheeled sulkey with a proslide.... it's great!
The 52 would be a little more productive, but by having two units with the same deck size your strips would stay the same useing either mower. With two like units your parts inventory would be less...belts,blades etc.
If you can about one lawn per day the mower will pay for itself by years end.

Only 2 close interchangable parts front caster tires and blades. The rest don't match.

The Turf Tracer has a wider stance, hydro belt, pto belt and a deck belt all differ from the belt drive unit.

You get a 52" non "HP" and that 48" will be riding the trailer as a back up mower.



A hydro will give you more opertunity to mow when wet.

Best up grade you can do unless you buy a ZTR.
Yes you can strip the same with a 52" as a 48"