Buy it or not?

[joed]

I need some advice. I currently mow 8 properties on a part time basis. They average approximately 4 000 sq feet and the average mowing time, with a 21" Toro proline, is 25 minutes. I now have the chance to acquire a 2002 32" Toro Proline for approximately $2 500 Canadian (approximately $1 600 U.S.) I don't know whether to take it or not. Some things I am debating are:
1. How much time will it actually save. Due to commitments at my f/t job, I can't really take on other accounts. Is a time savings of 1 hour attainable if the mower fits everywhere?
2. I don't know if the mower can fit into half of the gates of my clients?
3. I would need to acquire a trailer or truck ramp. That would add more to the price.
4. Would customers mind putting a larger unit on the property.

Thanks

[ULTIMATE LAWN]

A belt drive 32" will save no time on small tightly, landscaped props over your 21" Proline. It actually may cause more operator fatigue with all the tight maneuvering. Also will not mulch as well as the 21".

The unit may save some time if you have a few larger open areas.

[wobblez]

i would look at it this way if you plan to expand your business then get it but if as you say you can not handle more customer due to full time job then i do not think it is a good deal for you to get it.
what you should do is think about the furture of your business and were you want to go with it and that will tell you if you need it or not.

just my 2 cents.

[HarryD]

are you high UL. :confused:

joed

Its definitely going to save you time for sure. The mower is 11" wider then the 21" and its not going to be any harder to maneuver on those yards. It should fit through all your gates I have not seen a gate smaller then 32". IMHO I would buy the 32" and not look back. Buy yourself a ramp kit at your local home center for your truck and your good to go. joed depending how old that mower is $1,600 mite be a bit much

[roscioli]

Harry- He said it was a 2002. Also, UL is right, many tightly landscaped lawns are MUCH easier and quicker to mow with a 21 than a w/b. $1600 seems like a good price depending on how many HOURS it has... check the blades, thats the first thing people forget about when selling their mowers, the oil will be new, but the blades will have nice hits from rocks and all else. Also, check the underside of the deck for rust, if its coated with grass, scrape it and look. 25 Minutes is nothing to mow a lawn, the 32 might not cut down much, and you might still have to use the 21 to mow the edges, or use the trimmer MORE. I would say no if you plan on staying in that sized lawn segment.. don't get caught up in the "lawnsite groove" thinking bigger bigger bigger is always better better better, cause sometimes it isn't.

[HarryD]

I'm solo and have a 21" 36" 48" 52" one for every size lawn. I myself would much rather mow with the 36" then the 21". the 21" only gets used a couple times a week and about half my lawns are Joed size. The best thing to do is buy it and see just how much time it saves. if you feel its not worth it resell it. sorry I did not see it was a 2002

[STAN1366]

How bad does the seller want to get rid of the machine? Maybe you can ask to demo it? If he's "motivated" to sell he'll let you take it. Maybe he's even got ramps you can borrow.

[joed]

Thanks everyone for your replies. All of your comments have made me do a lot of thinking. I can't take on anymore work, most of the properties have obstacles like ditches, narrow gates etc apart from 3 and one of my clients specifically wants her lawn bag. But, it might be nice to try. Now I'm more confused than ever.

[cantoo]

joed, get the 32 and buy a catcher for it. This way you can use whichever mower is better and quicker for the property. HarryD is right just resell it if it doesn't make you enough money.

[ULTIMATE LAWN]

I guarantee a belt drive 32" will kill you on small, tightly landscaped props.

Go hydro or use the 21".

[pjslawncare/landscap]

I agree with harry, 32 is not only faster but better powered. Only concern would be throwing clippings all over mulched beds

[joed]

Thanks for the help fellows. Would a more lighter, smaller and manueverable unit like the 33" Troybilt be a better idea for someone in my situation? I know it's like the Toro but it might not occupy as much space on the truckbed and be lighter to use.

Thanks

[HarryD]

Joed
I started out the same way you did working {mowing} FT for someone else and mowing in my spare time with a 21" was in the same boat you are to much work not enough time to do it and still have a social life
if your really serious about getting a walk behind look into a 36" hydro with a floating deck for easy height adjustment. the yards that you cant get the 36" through continue mowing them with your 21". I have put in 60" gates at 4 of my residential property's. told them I would pay for it and they said cool do it. did the work myself cost me a little in time and materials but the savings in mowing time have paid off allot.

stay away from the troybilt its not made to take the punishment your going to give it. on your lawns joed are you bagging them , mulching them or side discharging them.

I have a few lawns joed that are about 3k SQF that are not fenced in that I put my 52" on. done in 10 min :cool:

[Rhett]

Kinda what Harry said. I do not even put the 21 on the trailer any more. If it can not be gotten with the 36 or the 52 I do not want it. By the time I chase the small mower around I am too tired to make any real money. The 32 would be a huge time saver and might even allow you to do a few extra accounts.

[brucec32]

Originally posted by joed
Thanks everyone for your replies. All of your comments have made me do a lot of thinking. I can't take on anymore work, most of the properties have obstacles like ditches, narrow gates etc apart from 3 and one of my clients specifically wants her lawn bag. But, it might be nice to try. Now I'm more confused than ever.

You're missing something here. With a more productive mower, you will save time, and with that extra time, you can take on more work and make more than enough to pay for the mower.

4,000 ft is big enough for the bigger mower to make a difference.

As for a 32" vs 21", I own both, and I haven't touched my 21" mowers since I got the 32". It is practically as good on rolling terrain as the smaller mower, is more powerful, mulches BETTER, not worse, (both are toros), and on all but the very smallest properties you will see a difference in productivity, even with a little more effort turning required in tight areas. I do a tiny back lawn (1,000 ft?) for one lady that took me 20 minutes last year(mow/trim/blow) and I cut it down to 15 this year. So even on small yards, it helps. The 6hp 21" also tended to bog on the heavier parts of the thick and tough Zoysia lawn, and the 32" doesn't break a sweat.

Most gates will be 36" or bigger, so measure yours to see for sure. You'll need about 33" to clear.
I think of the 32" as more of a super trim mower than as a real midsize. it's light enough to manhandle with ease, yet is better on open areas and you can use a velke with it, unlike the 21".

[Doogiegh]

I started out with a 21" and picked up a 32" Exmark Metro. For a while, I was bringing the 21" with me cause there were places I couldn't get close enough to or whatever with the 32". Lately, the 21" has just sat and sat and not even gotten loaded up. It is simply too small and I've gotten very good at my 32" metro fitting into small places, etc. I also use a pro-slide some I'm not constantly walking and you will find a time savings without a doubt, if for nothing else to help cutting in the spring when the lawns grow like crazy, a 12.5 HP 32" doesn't even flinch at super tall growth. And you can also mow/mulch leaves much much better with a 32 than you ever can with a 21",

I'd say ask to take it on a demo and maybe you can demo it on your day of cutting. See if it DOES save you time. If it does, buy it. If it doesn't, then skip it. But remember, you will get quicker and faster each time you use it and you get to know the patterns to use for mowing the properties..

Gary