Afew questions about mowers and a trailor

[chrisk]

First let me say that I have used the search but I need more help.

I am looking at buying my first commercial mower.
Right now I have 6 customers. The biggest is 2 acres of flat ground.
The rest are 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre. All of these are flat.

I make $220 per week off of these lawns, and the take me a total
of 6 hours.
I want to cut the time it takes down so that I can add more acounts.
What mower should I get? I have looked at exmark and scag. (only dealers in my area)
Also for these flat lawns do I really need a hydro?

Also would a 5x10, or 6x12 trailor be good enough to start off with???
Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need all that I can get

[swn]

The only walkbehind i have experience with is a toro belt driven. I like it fine, but it is by no means our primary mower. It is not used that often. If it was to be my only mower, I would get a hydrostatic. As far as which one to get, make sure you try each one of them out. Don't just look at them and talk to the dealer.

I would also get the biggest trailor you could afford. Because if you are wanting to get bigger, more than likely you will be getting more equipment in the future. Then you will be getting another new trailor.

[Lech615]

I started this year as well. I recommend the exmark mower. After all the reading I did (here), exmark got high marks. You need to consider the size of mower. You said you have a large property, this may mean you need at least a 48" walkbehind, but remember, if you have gates that you need to get into then the 36" would be better. I do not think you need the hydro, i bought the a 36" exmark.

As for the trailer, buy the largest you can afford. The 6 x 12 sounds good to me. I made the mistake ofnot following the advice of the people on here and bought a 5 x 8. WAY TOO SMALL, even if you are not cutting many lawns. I reccomend at least the 6 x 12, but even bigger if you plan on growing this biz and getting more accounts. The 6 x 12 will probably do you well for a few years.


GOOD LUCK!!!


Carl

[chrisk]

Steve,,,,,,

I see that you are in Kentucky. I am in Louisville.
Can you email me??? I have many more questionss and thought maybe a fellow Kentuckian might help me out.
email is chrisfishcatcher@msn.com
If you want leave me your phone number and I'll call you.

What is your primary mower??

[Pro-Cut Lawns]

There are a lot of different ways you could go here.

IF you are going with a new walk behind, which is a good idea, which dealer do you like best and offers the best service? I went with Exmark because not only is it a great product, but my dealer is the greatest!!

You could go with a good used walk behind. The Bargain Mart has several good deals on used walk behinds for sale in the Louisville area. I was just looking at one yesterday.

The lawns you have now are flat, but will your next new customer have a flat lawn? Probably not. Naturally hydro is the best overall. I personally would consider a gear drive for a walk behind, but then, it would not be my primary mower. I would use it in situations where my lazer isnt appropriate. (Gated lawns, ditches, etc.) You're thinking in the right direction. Get a commercial mower, and get the best you can afford. Don't go head over heels in debt though. Build your business first.

As far as the trailer goes, go with the largest trailer you can afford. I know from experience and 3 different trailers that you can never have enough trailer space. I bought a 6'4" by 10 with a gate and thought I had a good size trailer until I got it home and loaded my equipment on it. I really needed more space the first time I used it for a mulch job. I used it 2 years and just bought a 16 footer. Its great for hauling equipment as well as hauling off brush on clean ups. Now that being said, you may not want to start with a 16 footer, but don't skimp on trailer space. You will regret it later.

I don't know that I've helped you any, but you do have several options here. I personally would, if I were in your shoes with 6 customers starting out, go with a good dependable used Walk Behind and a 12 to 14 foot trailer. Oh yeah, and find someone that will service your used walkbehind. You can't afford downtime having to run around trying to find someone that will make repairs for you.
Just my thoughts.............
Larry

[stslawncare]

i agree with everything that has already been said, also what are u currently using? what about tow vehicle?

[chrisk]

Right now I am using a 21inch push mower, and a craftsman riding mower.
As far as a tow vehicle I have a 2000 chevy 2500 with a 350
Thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Pro-Cut Lawns]

A Chevy 2500......with a 350......

Definetly go for a 16 foot trailer!! How about an enclosed trailer???!!!!

It's so much fun spending other peoples money..........

[swn]

Chrisk, check your email.

I use grasshopper for my primary mower.

[stslawncare]

how much of the mowing do u do with the ride on? if u do most of it with it then u can probs get a larger walkbehind. now what else will u be carrying on the trailer besides the walkbehind and push mower? the tractor too?

[UGA]

consider getting a used sit down ztr and use your push mower for
gated areas or ditches. You will handle a lot more ground with a 60' sit down especially if it's flat. Here around Nashville almost everywhere has hills or slopes or ditches that I cut so my Surfer has been the best option but I would so love to be able to sit down to cut a lot of it. Good Luck.

[Scotlawncare]

chrisk,
As far as the trailer goes either get a 6'6"x16 open with a drop gate, which will help you when you have to haul mulch or a 7x14 enclosed. your truck will pull almost any trailer you want. Starting out i would not get an enclosed due to cost. An open with a drop gate will prob run you $900-1000, the enclosed will run 3500 or more.

As far as mowers, get an Exmark 36" belt drive and if you can afford it a 48" belt or 52" belt. If you don't have to worry with small gate access to yards the forget the 36 and just get a 48" belt. I am running a 48" belt and have two 1.5 acre yards and have no prob mowing them on a walkbehind by myself. I do have to use a push mower on smaller gated access yards till i can get a 36" exmark metro. I sold my other 36" at the begining of the year.

One word of advice. DO NOT FINANCE A MOWER. PAY CASH FOR IT. you will thank me in the winter months when you have no money comming in and don't have a mower payment to do. 36" metro should be 2200 with mulch kit plus tax, a 48 will be 26-2900 with mulch kit plus tax.

Sorry to get long winded. Email me if you have any other questions.

Scot

[wxmn6]

Definely get at least 6'6"x12' open trailer. It is a good way to start with. 5'x10' trailer is no match to your Chevy 2500.

[2tall]

See if any of these dealers will let you take one home and try it out for a day or two. The local Honda dealer would let you take one out for the day to see what you thought of it. Wound up buying Ferris but that was because they had 90 days same as cash at the time. Also liked the thumb triggers better. I now run 36" and 48" Ferris SD and both fit perfectly on a 10x6 trailer with a 21" Honda Hydro.

[Doh!]

chris,
I am also in louisville and I would recommend that you go for an exmark. I use scag and am very happy, but the new ones have the advantage deck that I am not impressed with. Also with a good truck like yours, go for the biggest trailer you can get.
This will allow you to haul mulch and debris.
Also, if you're buying new don't overlook ferris walkbehind. In New Albany there is a dealer, and they have a warrenty that covers parts and labor.
I'm not sure if I can endorse suppliers here, but if you need to know the best places in the area to get supplies such as mulch, stone, plants, and tools, just ask. You will find that you can make a lot more money by doing small landscaping jobs for your existing customers.

[chrisk]

Doh,
What's your email? Maybe we can get together and talk about a few things. I am actually in Shepherdsville and am trying to get business in Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, and Bardstown.
Is Ferris a good mower????
What about 2cycle equipment Like trimmers and blowers??
Thanks
email at chrisfishcatcher@msn.com

[wxmn6]

Do a search on trimmers and blowers. There are ton of previous threads about them.

[Doh!]

not really sure how ferris cuts, but i'm sure it is good as any other.
with a velke attachment you'll knock out your lawns before lunch.

as far as any equipment such as trimmers and blowers, and most tools go, get the best you can afford. Saving money now will only result in having to upgrade later. I use a shindaiwa t-270 trimmer and shindaiwa blower.

Also, register for the lawn expo that is held at the fairgrounds in louisville in july. It is free and you can demo most any mower available on the market. I cant remember the website, but run a search to find it and you can register online. You can email me at dmsmts@hotmail, but if you ask questions here, it seems like you'll get a lot more information than just i can provide.

[sheppard]

Evening Chrisk,

Kept my 6.5 x 10 for 6 months before I saw that I needed a 6 x 12. Got it and am happy.

If you've got the money to blow get a 52" deck or better- you will be unbelievably productive. If not recommend you look at a belt drive wb like a 36" or a 32". They are great for fenced back yards.

Have a 52" Wright Stander (very happy with the choice) and a 36" Snapper wb. (They both take the same size blade). Still have plenty of room in the trailer.

Cordially,
Sheppard