To buy or not to buy????

[Jon99]

This is my first year in the business, to start off with my first mower was a 48" Scag Tiger Cub... At the moment I have 14 residential accounts, 2 banks, a park and a cemetery.. Of my 14 residential accounts, 5 have fenced in back yards that I am mowing with a 21" Deere that I had before to mow my yard.. In anticipation of growing, should I flop down $2K-$3K to buy a 36" belt drive mower???

[LANDGUARD]

Jon99

Sounds like finances are in good shape for you. I would guess that the addition of a 36" mower would definatly increase your output. Do you have enough trailer space for the 36? If so I say go for it.

[LawnCrafters]

If your main mower is a 48 I'd say get a 32. You'll be glad when you come across that one gate that's 35" wide.

[baddboygeorge]

a scag 32 would be nice addition . i have one if your interested let me know see ya

[LawnGuy73]

I'd say go for it

[Jon99]

What kind of 36" mower can I get for $2-$3K????? Really haven't priced them too much other than a few 2 year old used scag belt drives for $1800...(same mower new for $2800)

Kinda like the Exmark ECS system....

[roscioli]

Maybe I missed it, but I can't believe people are posting without asking: HOW BIG ARE THE BACK YARDS? 36" is a lot to manuever in a small lawn, and since I got my 60" Lazer, i BARELY use my 36. Only thing i really do use it for is bagging, because I can't afford $2000 for a bagger for the Z. I loved the 36 until I got something bigger, now all I trailer is the 60 and the 21. So, how big are the lawns? Small enough to use a 21 on? Don't get caught up in what I call "the lawnsite groove" and buy all this equipment you dont absolutely need. For $2000 it better save you a LOT of time over the 21.. not to mention the non-gated lawns where it sits on your trailer, or worse, like mine, has to be moved to get the Z off. I probably wont have time to check your response, so if you want more advice, you might want to PM me. Hope to help, Mike

[Jon99]

Right now I use my push mower about 5 hours a week by time I mow the fenced in back yards and a large ditch thats too steep for the ZTR.. Not only do I want to save time, I want to save this body!!! :)

[David Haggerty]

That 36" would never pay off. It's too close in size to the 48" and wouldn't get much use.

It sounds to me like you need a good commercial grade Honda or Toro 21" mower. (the homeowner grades are just too slow)

I've been looking at this same problem for a couple of years. I need to get one too. :rolleyes:

Dave

[Tharrell]

I'd get the 32. I have a Bob-Cat 32 and will always keep one. I don't even bring my trim mower out any more. Think of it this way. If you get a 32, you have a good trim mower that will also fit through a small gate. If you ever need a helper, do you want him using a 21 or would a 32 be more efficient?

[lawncare3]

I'm looking in the paper right now and seeing a whole bunch of 32" -36" from $600- $950 (the $950 is hydro, and floating deck)

If you get used you can save a lot. Just be sure you don't get a dud.