Best mower bigger than 21" for demanding areas

[brucec32]

I'd like to hear from those with actual experience on "demanding" lawns (warm season turf demanding a precise cut on non-smooth, flat surfaces). We have a lot of Bermudagrass sodded lawns here in new subdivisions that are built on rolling, uneven ground and usually a bigger deck mower won't give an acceptable cut, but I'm looking for something bigger than a 21" push mower to handle these. Right now I reject anything with any size at all that can't be cut with a Lazer Z. I wouldn't mind mowing them with a wb.

My Exmark 48" deck cuts great, but still can't handle some of the undulating terrain well enough to be used. Any suggestions on mowers that give a great cut on properties like these?

[Mowingman]

Walker with either a 42" mulching deck or a 42" collecting deck. Beautiful cut on all types of terrain and turf.:)

[LAWNGODFATHER]

So that's going to change by loosing 6"?

A reel mower might be your best bet.

But then again if you're set up to do the only one type of lawn, it might be costly to buy a whole nother mower for just a few accounts.

What about a 36" wb with a floating deck?

[goodbeus]

What about a 36" wb with a floating deck? [/B][/QUOTE]


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :waving: that's a waste of money...no overhang on a 36", no need for a floating deck unless you want the ease of changing deck heights...

bruce32 - A 36" mower would be a good choice for an uneven lawns or tight places that your 48" can't fit into..

[crazygator]

Get the Exmark 36" Turf Tracer Hydro with floating deck and you wont be sorry, no matter what others might say.

This past year when my new Dixie failed on me the wb saved my butt more times than I could count. And the floating deck plus hydro was an awesome choice.

Demo several machines on these lawns you have concerns about and then you will truly know which one to get. Dont just go by my or others suggestions. Get what YOU need.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by goodbeus
What about a 36" wb with a floating deck?


Originally posted by goodbeus
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :waving: that's a waste of money...no overhang on a 36", no need for a floating deck unless you want the ease of changing deck heights...

bruce32 - A 36" mower would be a good choice for an uneven lawns or tight places that your 48" can't fit into..

Nevermind.......

[brucec32]

Originally posted by goodbeus
What about a 36" wb with a floating deck?


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :waving: that's a waste of money...no overhang on a 36", no need for a floating deck unless you want the ease of changing deck heights...

bruce32 - A 36" mower would be a good choice for an uneven lawns or tight places that your 48" can't fit into.. [/B][/QUOTE]

Actually on this type of lawn, no overhang is a plus. I want the front casters lined up with the deck edges to minimize any "scalping" from the overhang if they hit a dip or rut.

I am looking real hard at the very 36" Turf Tracer recommended above. I have an older 36" toro with a similar style deck, but my Toro's have never given the cut quality I expected for the small decks, and it needs replacing anyway just because it's 9 years old and probably worth more to a homeowner needing a good mower than to me, who would wear it out in another season or so.

[crazygator]

Bruce,

Mine has been a great mower. Awesome cut too. Check one out with the ECS controls.

[johnhenry]

Look at the exmark that gator said it is a great machine
other choices would be hustler or great dane. All three are great machines.

[Jusmowin]

Ive had a few good size hills that I would only use my old 36 metro on, it really sticks to the side of a hill.

[Scag48]

Exmark Turf Tracer HP 36". Don't waste your time with anything else.

[crazygator]

Bruce,
If you ever get through Nashville let me know. You are welcome to see the Exmark I have and we will run it around. Got some nasty hills it will stick on.....just helping a southern neighbor!

On second thought, offer is good for you northern boys and girls too....:D

[bob]

Get a 32" or 36" mower. Not a 33'.

[PaulJ]

I've mentioned this before but what about a 26" mower
Encore , Kees, Johnson, and a few others that seem commercial quality are out there. I don't have first hand expierience but am thinking of going with on of these for a small area mower if needed. Plusses: bigger than a 21' smaller than a 32", lighter than a 32" less expensive than a 32", easier to handle than a 32". I woildn't use one as a main mower but as a small area/gated yard/ island mower, it might fill the bill.

Any one have any thouhgts on these??

[brucec32]

Originally posted by PaulJ
I've mentioned this before but what about a 26" mower
Encore , Kees, Johnson, and a few others that seem commercial quality are out there. I don't have first hand expierience but am thinking of going with on of these for a small area mower if needed. Plusses: bigger than a 21' smaller than a 32", lighter than a 32" less expensive than a 32", easier to handle than a 32". I woildn't use one as a main mower but as a small area/gated yard/ island mower, it might fill the bill.

Any one have any thouhgts on these??

Thanks, I will check those brands. These allow one to carry a rider, a mid size walk behind, and a smaller trim mower on a reasonable sized trailer. The 32" mid sizes would probably do the trick, but they take up a lot of space, cost more, and are a little small for the other wb jobs I need them for. I will probably go with a 36" or 48" Exmark Turf tracer and one of these smaller mowers, or just keep using the 21" if none of them fit the bill.

[Flex-Deck]

How about an eXmark 36" Viking hydro with the Flex-Deck - Folds up 90 degrees to get thru gates and floats with the terrain to contour mow, and gets between narrow objects - inside corners - square corners and morehttp://52X

[lawncare3]

A 22" :p :laugh: :laugh:

[brucec32]

I'm curious what technical problems prevent companies from making a somewhat scaled up version of a 21" mower. Like with a 24 to 26" deck and maybe 8.5 hp direct drive. The billy goat, kee, Encore versions all seem a little awkwardly designed and lack either power, deck size, height adjustability, efficient self propulsion systems, bagging, or mulching ability. Seems like a mower this size would bridge the gap nicely for lawns requiring a small mower type cut. They have some mowers spinning 32" single blades, so I don't see that as the main problem. Seems like something 24% faster than a 21" would interest buyers. The belts, pulleys, big wheels, etc just add cost.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Snapper has a nice 26" WB mower. Yazoo used to build one.

There were many but they we not big sellers, and like all other no selling items they vanished.

I have contemplated Snappers for a few years, but that one account just never comes through.

[goodbeus]

Snapper's 26" walk-behind uses the same drive system as the 21" mowers...a lot of weight for a flimsy drive system, it tends to ware-out rather quickly...

[Alan Bechard]

Crazy Gator, would you e-mail me direct? or e-mail me your phone # if I could call you? I would like to set up a meeting sometime. We have never done anything with Walk Behinds and are looking too I think. I am here in Clarksville.

Flex Deck, look for a call from me, or give me a call.

Alan Bechard
trialsalan@wmconnect.com
931-551-8129
931-801-7921 cell

[brucec32]

Originally posted by goodbeus
Snapper's 26" walk-behind uses the same drive system as the 21" mowers...a lot of weight for a flimsy drive system, it tends to ware-out rather quickly...

I can see problems if they just use the regular system. Maybe a beefed up model would do. But a drive system repair down the line wouldn't kill me if the mower was more productive. I was just curious why you didn't see this size of mower around much.

[PaulJ]

If you are considering a 26" mower I would not consider the Snapper up to the task of commercial use. Like said here, the ones I looked at were just 21"s with a sider deck and swivel wheels in front.

My Dad recently bought a Stanly 26" mower and it to is not up to commercial use. It is ok to use and does leave a good finish but has a lot of plastic in it and isn't very heavy duty.(i think that the Stanley's are made by Murry).

However. Kees, Johnson, Encore, and Billy Goat all do seem up to the task of commercial use from what I've seen of them. they have heavier decks and frames and more power than the ones I mentioned before. I'm still looking. just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.