Exmark Lazer Z or HP

[dodgeman]

A little help if you will. I am looking at the 60" Lazer or the 52" Lazer HP. I can get either one money really isn't the issue. I am just starting out mowing and most of the yards I will be mowing will be less than an acre. The 60" will run me about $7900 and the 52" I can get a demo with about 40 hrs with the bagger for $7200. I want to make sure I buy the right thing. How do these prices sound? By the way the 52" has the 20 hp and the 60" has the 25hp Kohler.

Thanks

Pete

[Fantasy Lawns]

The prices seem to be in there ... if your going with the 60" .... you really should look at the EPS Fuel Injection ...we are getting 3 extra hours on every 5 gallons of fuel ..... compared to our other the carburated 60" Z .... this relates easily to 30% fuel savings ..... for that 1 mower saving about $12 weekly or $624 yearly in fuel ..the EPS pays for itself in 2 years ....quicker if she racks up the yearly hours

[dodgeman]

I wanted to get the EPS but the one dearler I have been talking to said thay cannot get one until August.

[mdb landscaping]

I have the same 60 inch lazer you are looking at. I paid $7300 plus tax last year. I definately would go with the 60 inch over the 52 inch. Those few inches will benefit you in the long run, and you can put the 60 inch just about anywhere the 52 would go.

[65hoss]

Its a call only you can make. Here is what I found. My 52" LHP is great for residential lawns. A 60" wouldn't get around and be as manuverable as my 52" HP in tightly landscaped lawns. The HP has a shorter wheelbase, thus allowing you to put it anywhere a w/b will go. Its about the same lenght as my 36" metro is. The 52" HP has the same MPH as the full size lazer so on big stuff you still have the advantage of the 9.5 speed. It has a lower center of gravity so it helps to hold hills better.

My properties range from 1/4 acre to 2+ acres. Its the best of all worlds. 1 mower handles it all.

[awm]

u wont go wrong either way.i got a 52 lazer and know the machine . to me its the cats meow. but ive never had the chance to own the hp . heard many good things about it.

[edward hedrick]

I demoed both at dealer show the Hp is smaller and lower to the ground. The bagger is included with HP. an extra with 60.

[cowman66]

either would be a fine choice. i think the 60" would be better if u have an open area, but as others have said, get the 52 if u have manuverability problems
-andy

[dodgeman]

The 52" they said had the bagger. Said it was a $1300 option. Is this the Ultra Vac? How is that for picking up debris such as leaves and small sticks?

By the way thanks for the response. I want to pick one of these up the first of the week.

Thanks again.

Pete

[TLS]

Dodgeman,

There are quite a few differences between the Regular Lazer Z and the Lazer Z-HP. I'm sure you already "memorized" the 2002 Exmark catalog, so I won't bore you with everything. Below is a list of some of the more important differences.

Lazer Z-HP 52"******Fullsize Lazer Z 60"

8.5gal fuel...............11gal fuel
8.1 - 9.5mph.............9.5 - 11mph
Vert. Shaft eng...........Horiz. Shaft eng.
20-23hp......................23-31hp
77.3" Long...................78.5" Long
965lbs dry....................1031-1565lbs dry
23x9.50 - 12 Tires........24x12-12 Tires

Those are just a few differences.

The bagger is, and always was an option. NOTHING's FREE or INCLUDED!

If you are interested in the Ultra-Vac, I would seriously suggest going with the 23hp Kawi if your going with the HP. Go with the 26EFI or 27 LC if you go fullsize. The Ultra-Vac really taps your power (figure approx. 150rpm drop!) I have mixed feelings on the Ultra-Vac. I'll need this fall season to complete my review. Its NOT perfect, but its darn close!

Don't let the dealers floor stock influence what mower you really want! August is only 45 days away! Last I was at my dealer he had 7 Lazers of different configurations on display in the showroom.....many more in the Loft still in crates!


IMO, you can get a 60" anywhere you can get a 52". That 8" is a timesaver on the bigger lots!

Good Luck!

[JimB]

:dizzy: I own the 52 Lazer Z HP with 23 horse kawi engine and I just love it, I can't imagine using a smaller engine on this machine though !!! don't get the 20 horse, go find a 23 kawi engne, this machine is great for getting around tight lawns with tree's and mulch gardens and stuff like that, if you have a lot of big open lawns then go with the big lazer for sure but for residential lawns you can't go wrong with the lazer z hp and spend the few extra bucks and get the 23 horse kawi !!!!



...Jim

[brucec32]

Why not go with the 48" Lazer HP if you mostly have residential lawns less than an acre? Do the math. 4" more deck won't save you much time at all in reality, and it won't cut rolling terrain as well due to the deck overhang vs. wheelbase. It also might not fit through some gates the 48" will. It also cannot be loaded on a pickup if you have to. The 48" deck with the same engine will also be more powerful and cut cleaner at a similar speed.

For bigger lots, the 60" pays off. But then why not just go with a full size lazer z? The 60" is probably too much deck and weight for most typical homes, though.

[REO]

Jim B knows what he is talking about. I had a 60" LQ Lazer and I traded it on a Lazer HP in the spring. I must say I LOVE my HP. It gets around alot better than my 60 did. It also weighs about 250 lbs. less. If I where you I think I would ask the dealer to demo both and makeup your own mind.

[TLS]

brucec32,

You made an interesting point about fitting one inside a pickup.

But.....

Your gonna need some serious ramps to get a thousand pound mower up into the bed.

As for 48" vs. 52"....I say go for the 52". The deck overhang (trimside especially) is VERY important when going around tree rings, or up against buildings. With the 48" your rear tire is right inline with the trimside of the mower.

As for 48" gates that you can fit a 48" Lazer through.....Few and far between. Most of those are 47 1/2", and the Exmarks are at least 48 1/2".

[65hoss]

I can personally tell you the extra 4" does make a difference. Not to mention the 52" is the same speed as the full size lazer where the 48" is not. There is not any scalping due to the extra 4". As far as power, the 52" HP's generally come with more motor, so they are not underpowered.

[brucec32]

You're right that the deck overhang on the 52" would help a little with trimming. As for the serious trailer ramps, I wrote a post somewhere else about what I switched to recently. It's called the Safe-T-Ramp and the big model of that holds about 1500 lbs. I use it and it's great. Look for it at http://www.usaramp.com

I drive my lazer Z hp right into my pickup. Used a trailer for 10 years and haven't needed it in the last 4 months since I switched.

I don't find the extra ground speed of the big lazer to be useful, because most of the time I'm not able to mow at full speed anyway w/o degrading cut quality a little bit. Again, on bigger properties, or less manicured lots, it makes more difference, but then on bigger properties, trimming around obstacles may become less of a factor.

Either Lazer Z model is gonna do a great job.

[Cutter1]

You have to remember that the 44 and 48 lasers only go 8mph. So not only are you losing 4inches of cutting, you are also losing speed. I have a 52 inch laser hp with the vac. It has 1200 hours on it and I have put it throught the ringer. Nothing major has ahppened and I love the bagging unit. I HAD a smaller Laser also, that I'm selling fo another 52 inch. I have run every size laser, for residential lawns the 52 is the way to go. I also have the 23 Kaw. you need the extra power for the vac system and yes it will bag leaves and small sticks and small rabbits!! OOPS

[JimB]

:D Hey Bruce, you came out of left field with this argument about a 48 being better than a 52 z rider, and I bet everyone is saying to themselves, what the hell is he talkin about ???
And bye the way, who in their right mind is luggin around a Z Rider on the back of a pickup truck.
Next your gonna tell me that it's better to cut in circles than put stripes on a lawn !!!


...Jim

[LAWNGODFATHER]

We just about quit running 52" Wb on resi lawns all together.

60" ZTR's fit ever where if a gate does not stop them.