rear engine rider or walk-behind????

[martyman]

I have been cuttin residential now for 5years and have been mostly using 21" selfpropelled lawnmowers. last year I bought a Troy-bilt 33wide-cut mower that works great but I know that it won't last very long if I use it as my main mower. for open lots I have been considering a JohnDeere 30" rider ($2500.00) or a Toro 32" Commercial Walk-behind with a sulky($3500.00) + ($800.00 sulky) that is alot more money. I am really getting tire of walking and would like some advice on what is a better investment. thanks MartyMan

[BUSHMASTER]

I feel if those are your only two options i would look at the toro....maybe even a used unit i would go with a velkei you stand on it i have a 89 model i bought used and never have regret it ....that is if you can work on your own equipt.

[bob]

Don't get a rider unless it's a ZTR. $800 for a sulky? Why not get a 2 wheeled velkie, $250-$300.

[accuratelawn]

Buy a used 36-48 walk behind. $3,500 for a 32 toro??? $800 for a sulky?? Very high prices!
My local dealer has a 36 Great Dane with sulky, hydro, 14 hp Kaw for less that $3,000. Only 60 hours on machine.
Do some shopping and demo a few mowers before you purchase.

[Tomslawncare1]

Do yourself a favor. Go shop around and find yourself a mower that you can afford and feel comfortable using. The good dealers will let take a demo for a couple of days to see if you like that particular product. And if you don't like the product that you demo'd then don't be affraid to demo something. This is what they are for. Try out several mowers that you might be interested in. Belt drive vs. hydro. Or 36, 48 or 52 inch decks. Try them on your accounts. See what would fit your needs best. Do yourself one my favor. Don't spend foolish money. What I mean is, if you're going to do this to make decent money, don't throw your money away buying something that you're not going to be happy with. Spend that little extra you may not want to. You will thank yourself later. If it will save you time then it will make you more money! ! ! !

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by bob
$800 for a sulky? Why not get a 2 wheeled velkie, $250-$300.

I believe he is referring to a Toro Self Steering Sulky that has a seat. I considered getting one of these, but the cost and the fact that you are sitting you will feel all of the bumps in your lower back-OUCH!I think if you demo different mowers. Buy the one you like & get a 2 wheel velke, the time you save could be 1. More jobs
2.More Money,
3. mabey a new ZTR,which would make it a lot easier.



[Edited by mow money on 11-11-2000 at 02:45 AM]

[Rodg]

I strongly suggest you shop around and maybe find something like a 36" Hustler or ExMark. Put a Kawa engine on top and you will never look back. I understand if you are a little short of cash, try ExMarks financial options, they are not bad and have a number of choices. Good Luck!

[Five Star Lawn Care LLC]

Your dealer is severly ripping you off if they quoted you 3500 for a 32 belt drive....that price should be around 2000-2300 depending on engine size....and if u are talking about a sit down sulky you are going to have big time problems since u have a belt drive which doesnt enable you to to into reverse at the end of a line. Iwould deffinatly consider a 36 or 48 hydro machine, it will save u loads of time and a lot less fatigue. and as far as a sulky goes i would look into something that is fixed to the mower and has caster style wheels. An as far as the dinky rider...throw that though in the trash, i would rather attack a yard with a weed whip bwfore i sat on one of those things.

[Keith]

Well Marty's prices appear high because they are Canadian.

Why wouldn't you want a bigger machine? A 32" wb would be a better choice than a John Deere rider though.

[Edited by Keith on 11-11-2000 at 11:33 AM]

[MOW ED]

What size engine are you considering for this mower? I'd suggest the Toro Proline 44" Hydro with a 20hp. Then you will have a little extra power to equip it with a Pro-Slide
http://www.novaecorp.com
Much easier to turn as well as back up if you have to. I feel that the sulky is a cheap and painful rider. But that is just my opinion.

[martyman]

Yes Kieth was right I am Canadian and thats why the prices are so high and the machine selection is so few. I would never trust a used machine here. I've never heard of a proslide?. I have worked for commercial guys and never liked the 36" fixed decks thats why I was considering the toro 32" floating deck. I did try the Gravely and the cut was great but the controls are brutal. I wish that I could shop in the states and get a better deal but I worry about crossing the border at Niagara Falls and paying the tax. Thanks for your replies and I hope to become a senior member someday. The Exmark 32" fixed deck with a 9hp is the cheapes new machine that you can buy here is $3200.

[martyman]

Originally posted by MOW ED
What size engine are you considering for this mower? I'd suggest the Toro Proline 44" Hydro with a 20hp. Then you will have a little extra power to equip it with a Pro-Slide
http://www.novaecorp.com
Much easier to turn as well as back up if you have to. I feel that the sulky is a cheap and painful rider. But that is just my opinion.

Thanks Ed but I couldn't get through to that website. Marty

[toddman35]

I would get the 32", because you can mow about as fast with it as you can with the john deere. I like john deeres, but that is a homeowner mower. It probably wouldnt last very long if your mowing commerially. I think that if you spent a little more up front, then you will be happy in the long run. Plus they are easier to work on than the deeres. hope this helps.

[MOW ED]

Sorry for the bad link, they used to be there. This is some info I recd. earlier this year. The snail mail address is (was?)

Novae Corp.
PO Box 7, 13531 David Dr. Unit 1
Grabill, Indiana 46741
(219)627-8959

I'll see if I can find the new web site.

[Mowman]

Marty,
I was in your shoes eariler this year. Two years ago I bought a Toro 21" Commercial mower. I love it except my business was growing and the walking was killing my knees&ankles. In June of this year I bought a used Walker ZTR. The best thing I've done for my business. I'm getting done much faster and not burnt out by noon from walking. Also I can go for the larger proptery's which in turn means more CASH!!!! I feel I got a really good deal. It's a 1993 Walker MT-54 with only 581 hours and paid only $3650.00. I was also going to buy a larger WB w/ velke I'm sure glad I bought the rider. Why walk when you can ride for the same money or a little less. Just something to think about. If you would like the brokers e-mail address let me know and I'll be glad to give it to you. Good Luck.
Mowman

[martyman]

Originally posted by Mowman
Marty,
I was in your shoes eariler this year. Two years ago I bought a Toro 21" Commercial mower. I love it except my business was growing and the walking was killing my knees&ankles. In June of this year I bought a used Walker ZTR. The best thing I've done for my business. I'm getting done much faster and not burnt out by noon from walking. Also I can go for the larger proptery's which in turn means more CASH!!!! I feel I got a really good deal. It's a 1993 Walker MT-54 with only 581 hours and paid only $3650.00. I was also going to buy a larger WB w/ velke I'm sure glad I bought the rider. Why walk when you can ride for the same money or a little less. Just something to think about. If you would like the brokers e-mail address let me know and I'll be glad to give it to you. Good Luck.
Mowman Thanks for your reply. I have used the a Walker before but they are far too expensive and I prefere to mulch. A new Walker is $10 000 canadian and finding a used and abused one here is not worth it. I think I will take the advice of many and buy either a Toro or Exmark Walkbehind with a sulky which is going to cost me close to $4500 canadian (ouch!!!!) Marty

[toddman35]

i think that if you continue in this buisness that you will be happy with your decision, it will last a lot longer than that deere and will mow faster with a sulkey. GOOD DECISION!

[Keith]

OK. Lets start over again. Marty, I don't know how long you have been doing this, but it seems you have a lot in common with the way we started out. For instance, we used 21" self propelled mower for quite awhile. In 1987 we caught what appeared to be a break when we found a low hour JD rear engine rider (38") for $1000. A homeowner had it and it probably had 35 hours on it. It was not cut out for this kind of work! It began giving us problems within a week or two. Stuff like spindle, pulleys and belts. Total, we probably got 100 hours out of it and it was trashed. The bad part is that on most lawns I could cut faster with a 21" self propelled. No time wasting backing up and stuff.

At that time mid size walkbehinds were not very popular around here and I had little knowledge of them. We basically wasted $1000 plus a butt load of parts and service on this piece. I would advise you to stay with a commercial mower

While the 32 Toro would not be my first choice, it would be far better than the JD. Hey, why not a 36" Toro, as far as I know they still make a 36 floater :) Even better, why not a 44" Toro floater. I think you would be happier with that. It is easily 3 times as productive as the 21" you are using. Spend the extra and get that. Buy the sulky when you make a few bucks with the 44.

If you wonder why so many recommend the bigger machine, here is probably why. When I finally bought a mid size walkbehind, I had been looking at 36" Bobcats and almost bought one. But I found a three year old 54" Bobcat for $1400. Major difference in cutting time there. Total culture shock. The thing about the 54" is that it was right at home in most any lawn. That was the best decision I made then. It was easily twice as productive as a 36" in most yards

Don't let a used machine scare you, these things are brutally simple. If the deck and frame are good, the rest of the stuff is easily serviced and relatively cheap.

[Edited by Keith on 11-11-2000 at 11:33 PM]

[lawrence stone]

Pittsburgh, PA $800.00
For Sale in Pittsburgh, PA 32 IN TORO WALK BEHIND, mower with bag, strong runner, new belts and tires, $800 412-486-8971

Nottingham, MD $1,200.00
For Sale in Nottingham, MD MOWER TORO 36' gear driven walk behind 14 HP $1200, 410-529-0037


Have the seller give you a second hand reciept for $100 and give that to the Canuck customes agent and pay the duty on a $100US purchase.

[martyman]

Originally posted by Keith
OK. Lets start over again. Marty, I don't know how long you have been doing this, but it seems you have a lot in common with the way we started out. For instance, we used 21" self propelled mower for quite awhile. In 1987 we caught what appeared to be a break when we found a low hour JD rear engine rider (38") for $1000. A homeowner had it and it probably had 35 hours on it. It was not cut out for this kind of work! It began giving us problems within a week or two. Stuff like spindle, pulleys and belts. Total, we probably got 100 hours out of it and it was trashed. The bad part is that on most lawns I could cut faster with a 21" self propelled. No time wasting backing up and stuff.

At that time mid size walkbehinds were not very popular around here and I had little knowledge of them. We basically wasted $1000 plus a butt load of parts and service on this piece. I would advise you to stay with a commercial mower I will take your advice on staying with a commercial mower but I don't think I can go bigger than a 32" or 36" because of my trailer size. It is only 4 and half feet by 9 and it tilts. I have a lot of slope to content with here also and gates galore. Marty

While the 32 Toro would not be my first choice, it would be far better than the JD. Hey, why not a 36" Toro, as far as I know they still make a 36 floater :) Even better, why not a 44" Toro floater. I think you would be happier with that. It is easily 3 times as productive as the 21" you are using. Spend the extra and get that. Buy the sulky when you make a few bucks with the 44.

If you wonder why so many recommend the bigger machine, here is probably why. When I finally bought a mid size walkbehind, I had been looking at 36" Bobcats and almost bought one. But I found a three year old 54" Bobcat for $1400. Major difference in cutting time there. Total culture shock. The thing about the 54" is that it was right at home in most any lawn. That was the best decision I made then. It was easily twice as productive as a 36" in most yards

Don't let a used machine scare you, these things are brutally simple. If the deck and frame are good, the rest of the stuff is easily serviced and relatively cheap.

[Edited by Keith on 11-11-2000 at 11:33 PM]

[cantoo]

martyman, I'm also Canadian and not too far from you. It's a pain here finding all the toys the US guys take for granted but they are here, just hidding. I buy and sell stuff from auction sales, you can find some good deals there. Your not too far from Breslau and MR Jutzi's sales. They sell from rental places and city equipment. I was just at the LVG sale in Sanhill and got some good deals.
Last year I picked up a used Toro 44" proline in London for $450, I put about 100 hours on it this year, only had to put front wheels on it. At the same sale I picked up a Walker diesel with 42" GHS for $1450, it was repossessed. The deals are there you just have to find them. Email me if you are interested in some upcoming sales, now is the time to pick up cheap equipment.

[martyman]

Originally posted by cantoo
martyman, I'm also Canadian and not too far from you. It's a pain here finding all the toys the US guys take for granted but they are here, just hidding. I buy and sell stuff from auction sales, you can find some good deals there. Your not too far from Breslau and MR Jutzi's sales. They sell from rental places and city equipment. I was just at the LVG sale in Sanhill and got some good deals.
Last year I picked up a used Toro 44" proline in London for $450, I put about 100 hours on it this year, only had to put front wheels on it. At the same sale I picked up a Walker diesel with 42" GHS for $1450, it was repossessed. The deals are there you just have to find them. Email me if you are interested in some upcoming sales, now is the time to pick up cheap equipment. I sent you an E-mail thanks Marty....

[cutntrim]

Marty,

My partner and I are in Burlington. We've got two 36" Ransomes and a 54" as well. All three are 15hp Kohler gear-drive fixed decks, and any of the three are up for sale. We're getting another "Z" next year so we don't need 3 WB's.
E-mail me if you may be interested.

Dave

[martyman]

Originally posted by MOW ED
Sorry for the bad link, they used to be there. This is some info I recd. earlier this year. The snail mail address is (was?)

Novae Corp.
PO Box 7, 13531 David Dr. Unit 1
Grabill, Indiana 46741
(219)627-8959

I'll see if I can find the new web site.

Thanks Ed I got your e-mail of the pictures of the pro-slide. I have never seen any-thing like this! I hope that I can find who sells this before spring. How is it when you hit a bump? or backing up?
or uneven ground?
Marty

[Skookum]

Riders are great, if you have the right lawns for them. A good midsize walk behind is the center of almost all operations. It is by far the most versitile money maker on the trailer. I would make sure I had one good 36"-48" walkbehind first before getting a rider.

There are so many types of riding equipment for walkbehinds anymore. I use Jungle Wheels on my Toro 44". they work great, but it can be hard on your knees. There are several out now that say "air ride" type setups to help the jars.

Not sure of the price, but have you looked at a "Covertible" by Rich Manufacturing (765) 436-2744. It is a rider or a walk behind by just moving the control arm around. It looks like the future of mowers versitile extreme.