Question about Lesco Rider?

[Jason Pallas]

I'm thinking about getting a Lesco Viper Rider. They just dropped the MSRP to $4995. We purchased a gear drive 48" last year and after a few adjustments and modifications were very happy.
Question: Does anyone have any feedback on the 48" Lesco Viper? I think it comes with a Kaw 19hp. Any experiences/feedback would be very helpful. Thanks.

[johnhenry]

I have not heard much good about there mowers. I think mtd makes there ztr. They almost look like the cub cadet ztrs only the paint is different

[BLL]

I heard from a friend that they did not cut that good however that was a few years ago and could have soe improvenemts since then. He didnt mention any mechanical problems though.

[Tony Harrell]

I was in the Winston-Salem Lesco on Monday and commented to the guy that it looks like a green Cub Cadet Tank. He said Lesco owns MTD? btw-Are all Lesco sites drive thru?

[Dennis E.]

I have the 54in with the 25 Kaw./ Stamped deck. Going on three years now.
With all the types of grass I have to cut here it handles them all just fine. Very nice cut too. PLENTY of power.
There were some upgrades done to mine the first year I had it. All were at no charge AND I was given a loaner to use while mine was being worked on. These machines have really been brought up to par this last year. Nothing cheap about them.
I looked at a Toro Z also before I bought the Viper. I was EXTREMELY hesitant to buy because of the MTD name behind the Viper. I was sold on it mostly because of outstanding service here by the two Lesco centers we have. Always parts on hand for repairs or general maintenance. When mine needs to stay at the center they have a loaner ready to go. THATS service.
The Toro dealer said no loaner and I'd have to wait or rent.They sold other brands also.
Same thing for all the rest of the dealers here.
I'll stick with Lesco.

[Turf Technologies]

Great machine, go for it cuts nicely , and has great blade speed.Better job then all, ZTRs in the area.My brother got his last fall and its all he uses.

[dlandscaping]

stay away from lesco
my 2 cents worth

[MikeLT1Z28]

from lesco or their mowers?

i use their ferts and always get great service. and ours isn't a drive thru, though with the front bay door open and the smaller back one open you might could try to.

[C4chris70]

I have a friend who had a chance to demo a 54 with the 25 Kawasaki. He said the mower had a good feel but tended to bog down in the thick florida floritam because of the shallow deck. Something to think about if you are going to be recycling.

[Dennis E.]

Did the demo have the stamped deck or the fab deck? Mine will go thru anything at WOT. Mine has the stamped deck(54). It was a first year model. No fab deck at that time for it. The 60 had one I think.
The newer fab decks on them now are supposed to eliminate the
clippings from building up in the chambers as you are mowing.

[edward hedrick]

Thats a decent price how about the 52 or 60. Both decks were

upgraded from 2001. Lesco put return springs on the drive levers

if you let go they return to center. Also pivoting front axle. not

found on many others. I stayed with my Scag Sthm. But if I were

to buy a mid-mount I would consider the Lesco. My 52 Lesco

hes given good service.

[C4chris70]

Dennis,

I'm not sure which deck was on the mower. The unit was a 2001 model so i'm not sure if they had the stamped deck yet.

[TLS]

Dennis,

Dont want to split hairs here, but you said,.....I have the 54in with the 25 Kaw./ Stamped deck. Going on three years now.

The Kawi 25hp is just about a year old, maybe 18 months, but certainly NOT 3 years old. Are you sure its a Kawi "25"hp?

Tony,

Not "all" LESCO's are drive thru. Ours used to be, but now isn't. If they owned another bay, they probably could, they share it with a Mienike Muffler shop. Muffler shop has 3 bays, Lesco has 2 1/2. Its jammed full, so all their inventory blocks the other roll up door. Sure would be nice on rainy/cold days, to load up inside though!

[Jason Pallas]

Just getting back to reading all the posts - thanks for the info (been working my butt off here lately). I think the deck is fabbed - It's a 2001. I'm going to see if I can go check it out this weekend. Thank's again for the input (continue to post your comments/experiences - I'll read the posts again ASAP - when I get a chance!).

[Grasshog]

It comes in red too, ya has MTD stickers all over it.
Not intrested in them one tad bit. Plus they ugly

[Michael Fronczak]

I have two Vipers, one is on 4TH year in service. Originally it had stamped deck, had fabbed put on over winter. Once I bought new one last year I had to, cuts twice as fast as old deck, with great quality cut. Stamped deck cut fine but in tall or wet grass had to really slow down.
I looked at Exmark before I bought second one, dealer said no loaner machines, we'll get you up & running within 24 hrs, that means machine would be down 2 days, no way. I call Lesco if I have a problem, if I can't fix in the field I bring it in, mechnic looks at it quick, if it's a quick fix-done, if not another machine is on my trailer.
My advise DEMO both see what you like & question suppliers, service will make/break my deal. If machine goes down you need a backup plan. I say this & I have the 2 60" riders, 48" hydro, 36" & 32" belt drives, & there is only two of us in the field. What I'm trying to say is the production time of a rider is sooo much more than a walk behind you're screwed if your depending on it & it's down-esspecially for two days.
Good luck