Renting a ZTR?

[FrankenScagMachines]

I am going to be squeezed for time this next week and I have a 2 acre job (not hardly any trimming) to do for $65 (I know not alot, but the "last guy" did it for 45 so I can't complain) and was going to use my 32" Toro rider but I'm wondering if it would be more profitable, at least timewise, to rent a Z. It's just a one time job. Anyone know about how much per hour you can get a 48" or 60" ztr for? I think the only local rental ones are Scag if that helps. I figure it would take about 2 1/2 hours or slightly more to just mow (not trim) with my 32" rider, but with a 48" Z I think it'd only take around an hour or maybe less, depending on grass thickness?? Do they charge per hour it's not at thier store or per hour on the meter or what? How much per this hour? Thanx,
Eric

[KDJ]

Central Florida- you can rent a 52'' for 130.00 per day

[lawnkid]

I get all of my rentals for free. :p :D
Go for the 60" one if you can.

[P&J Lawncare]

Im in the wrong buisiness, $130 a day wow that is 1/3 of a monthly mower payment. Two months of renting it out and it will be basically paid for now thats impressive.

[FrankenScagMachines]

How do you get them free LawnKid?
Does anyone know a "per hour" rate for these?
I figure even if they are $50 per hour, (high end compared to $130/day, no?) then it's still worth it to me, just for the time savings if nothin' else. I would have to pick it up and drop it back off so I have to take that extra time but I think it might be helpful this time. I will call tomorrow morning and price those Scags. A WB with a sulky would work too. This yard is wide open flat no hills not hardly anything to trim only a few trees. one of those profitable yards. Wish I could get him to be a regular customer but he doesn't want to pay for it. If I got him, I could start to think about getting a used Ztr or a new WB maybe but all other customers don't have more than 3/4 acre. It would still be nice for them, but I don't have alot of customers. Can't justify buying one, but renting one for this job could be cool because I'm short of time.
Thanx,
Eric

[KDJ]

Originally posted by P&J Lawncare
Im in the wrong buisiness, $130 a day wow that is 1/3 of a monthly mower payment. Two months of renting it out and it will be basically paid for now thats impressive.


I don't think they rent it every day LOL! Plus i'm sure there more to it.

How many times have you heard "It only takes you 25 min to cut my lawn and I pay you 35.00, I must be in the wrong business"

[scottb]

Use what you have put some of the money back for a Ztr in the future. Now you might see if you could demo one for the day that would be free.

[FrankenScagMachines]

Now you might see if you could demo one for the day that would be free.

Hey, that's a good idea! Think it'd work? A local Case IH dealer has eXmark's, that might work.. Right down the road. he would probably let me do it too but I don't wanna take advantage of them because I'll probably deal with them in the future. If they have a used one maybe I can get it on payments like $200 a month then I could get a reasonable machine this summer, but that would take most of my profit and that sucks cause I wanna truck and I don't have that many customers, but when I get my license next year I will get more customers.. I don't know what to do....:( :mad: :(

[Mowingman]

Around here, nobody will rent mowing equipment anymore due to people tearing it up and liability issues. Back a couple of years ago, when you could find a ZTR to rent, they were 110.00/day or 60.00/half day.:(

[OBRYANMAINT]

around here they are 130 or so a day with a one day minimum... it would save you your man hours but not any real cash unless you line a lot of jobs up

[johnhenry]

I'm sorry to say Eric but I think you would be just better off to cut it with your wheelhorse . I understand your time is valuable but if you were able to rent one. After you pay for the rental you wouldnt have a profit. Plus if you have never used a ztr it wouldnt be a good idea to use it on his lawn .After seeing your pics of your work. You do quality work so just take your time and do it the best that you can might take you longer.But when you sit back and reflect on all aspects of the job you will be happy that you didnt rent it

[TLS]

Not to mention the LEARNING CURVE!!!

They aren't the easiest equipment to just "HOP ON AND MOW" with!

Just as you get the hang of it, its time to take it back.

I remember having a price list from my local rental yard a few years ago (had to rent a large concrete saw) and remember around $125/day. Ususally 1/2 that for 1/2 day. They all charge by the day, not the hour meter. Plus you could just "unhook" an hour meter if you rented by the meter!
Have to be 18 to rent!


My advise....

Just stick it out with what you have, and save, save, save your $$$!

[cantoo]

BushHogBoy, Canadian$
Walker $48" GHS for 24 hr day $90, for 7 day week $360 for 30 days $1100

60" commercial mower for 24 hr day $75, for 7 day week $300 for 30 days $900

[MOW ED]

Use yours. I know it seems like alot of time to be mowing but you will end up not making much if you rent for one job. Just set aside some time and do it. If you have to rent (paperwork) load, transport, unload, mow, clean, refuel, load, transport back, unload, return (paperwork), go home and get your mower, it is gonna possibly be a losing situation from the time standpoint.

[ceaman]

Every dealer in the area wants me to demo thier machine, because of my growth they know I will be purchacing one soon. I have demoed mowers for the past three weeks. (Still love the EXmark the most!). Go to your dealer and get a demo. It only takes 15 miniuites to learn to drive a Z....

[FrankenScagMachines]

I can run a Z, learned last year on a M655 JD with a 25hp Kohler and 54" 7-iron deck. I wasn't extremely impressed with the cut and stripe of it, but it wasn't too bad otherwise. This was at a JD dealer who had about 4-5 acres and there was some big areas where I had the curve but on smaller sections I can keep it straight as an arrow. Especially if there's a fence to start next to. We decided that I would mow on my Toro and dad would help me on the Wheel Horse. But he has to do the back because he doesn't do hardly any mowing normally and can't stripe good or at all (need to do a job orientation with him lol ) and you can't mix a 32" mower and a 48" mower on same yard, so he does back and I do front, for 2 acres we'll have it wacked out quickly enough. I prefer my Toro on front because I can get more effeciency with it than he can the Wheel Horse and I dont' want him on my Toro and it stripes better and discharges clippings better, etc etc. This will work ok. Thanks guys! Problem solved. Since this is just a one time job it's not a big deal, normally I'll have time to do it myself, or my brother might help me with it too I dunno. Thanks again,
Eric

[lawnkid]

I know a couple guys that work at rental stores so they give me trimmers, blowers, riders, wb's, aerators, thatchers, and everything I need for free. It's great! I love knowing a lot of people. :D :p